A new trans-national project has been launched to aid the survival and growth of rural shops in Scotland and other North European countries.
The project, ‘Retail in Rural Regions’, will run over three years to the end of 2011, and is primarily funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Northern Periphery Programme (NPP). The lead organisation in Scotland is the Community Retailing Network (CRN), which has secured match funding from Consumer Focus Scotland.
As a first stage the Community Retailing Network is mapping the needs of rural retailers in the Highlands & Islands. This information will then be used to create tailor made support and training programmes. A particular focus will be on the potential for multi-functional stores providing a range of services in addition to groceries.
http://www.communityretailing.co.uk/
© Community Retail Network