Business & Economics

Brief - The implications of peak oil and climate change on business and the economy. Redefining sustainable business for a community and economy in energy descent. New business opportunities, and new ways of doing business.

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It has become clearer over the past year, with businesses nationwide going into administration, that we need to ensure that our economy succeeds. Both Marsden and Slaithwaite are home to many successful and well established businesses. However there are still services missing within the community that could limit the self sufficiency of the area.

• What we need to consider over the next couple of years is what services are missing within the community?
• How can we link existing businesses to ensure they can maximise their potential in order to serve the whole community?
• How can we encourage these much needed services to establish themselves within the community?
• How can we support existing businesses through the recession?
• How can we reward people for shopping locally? Would giving out reusable bags to be used as a loyalty card be a good option?

Another point we need to consider is the way in which we need to rebuild the economy. The current government appears to be encouraging spending while injecting money into banks so they will lend out money. Perhaps we need to refocus the future of our economy towards the value of skills within it. The majority of people who live within the area do not work within the community and instead take their skills to other areas. Would the community benefit from these skills being applied to the community in which the people live?