GLOUCESTERSHIRE is the best place in the South West to run a rural business, a study has revealed.

The county topped The Country Land and Business Association’s (CLA) rural business county league table which looks at the extent of broadband and mobile coverage; adoption of local plans by planning authorities; opportunities for development of rural skills and entrepreneurial dynamism.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, also found that Gloucestershire ranks fourth nationally, coming just below Cheshire, Cumbria and Oxfordshire.

Simon King, ‎director of business development at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), welcomed the news.

“It’s fantastic to see Gloucestershire ranking so highly. At the RAU, our undergraduate and postgraduate courses help our students to achieve their future dreams in the agricultural, land, business management, food, equine and property industries – all making a positive contribution to success in rural business.”

David Owen, chief executive of GFirst LEP, which promotes business in the area, added his voice of support to the news.

“I’m pleased to see Gloucestershire recognised at a national level as a great setting for rural businesses,” he said.

“As a predominantly rural county with existing expertise in agri-technology from the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, GFirst LEP fully supports the government’s vision that the UK becomes a world leader in agricultural technology, innovation and sustainability, and has allocated £3 million through the Gloucestershire Growth Deal for a new agri-tech start-up spaces at the University’s Cirencester campus and Rural Innovation Centre at Harnhill Farm.

"The new centre will enable local businesses to capitalise on the knowledge base of the Royal Agricultural University, and bring innovation to farming by giving technology businesses the space and support to learn, innovate and grow faster.”