Britain's increasingly urban population tends to see the countryside as a place for leisure hours to be spent rather than a place to live and work.
And many see gaining a foothold in the country as daunting and expensive, a place where a high life style is enjoyed only by the fortunate few.
Look at it another way and you find high disposable incomes, people with the wherewithal to pay for services and goods which provide opportunities for those able to supply. Country folk are generally happier dealing with people who provide personal service, and suppliers who visit and tailor their offers to match needs.
There are customers who, when satisfied, are quick to relay the good news to neighbours. The rural grapevine has always been a very effective means of communication, as I have found out with my publication, Practical Farm Ideas, which is largely promoted by word of mouth.
Many people see the country as an impossible place to start a business, as costs are so high. They fail to notice that there are many assets waiting to be used.
The needs of many businesses are there, waiting to be used, and often they are owned by people who are prepared to do generous deals with incomers
Buildings on smaller farms that have been bought up and amalgamated into larger units are found empty and unused. The needs of many businesses are there, waiting to be used, and often they are owned by people who are prepared to do generous deals with incomers.
Opportunities that exist in the country range from work with vehicles, timber and agriculture to food retail, health-related services and post offices.
In short, people who aspire to a working life in the country should not be intimidated by its often exaggerated disadvantages.
