Enterprising the coastline

Conclusion

A number of issues emerge in terms of the 'so what?' question surrounding understanding and supporting enterprise and entrepreneurial activity in coastal towns. First, there is a need to develop the evidence base. The current evidence is either highly descriptive and/or explored as part of other issues faced in regenerating the coast. Despite definitional ambiguities, the analysis of changes in the net business stock of businesses provides a starting point for exploring the specific interplay of factors underpinning the observed patterns and whether these are different from non-coastal towns.

Second, there is evidence in the patterns of enterprise that these are different from inland settlements, but the configuration of business and enterprise support is somewhat similar to other areas. The current policy context is moving away from providing funding targeted at coastal towns 'given that the problems found in seaside towns ... are found in many other kinds of struggling areas'.30 The gap in our current understanding of enterprise in coastal towns hinders making a detailed assessment of the specificity of the conditions and problems outlined above to coastal towns.

While more case study research will help in generating such evidence, there are indications that issues related to location, seasonality and changing demographics create a set of challenges and opportunities in supporting enterprise development and entrepreneurial activity (e.g. accessing business opportunities and markets) that are not faced by non-coastal towns. According to the Select Committee Inquiry of 2007, these challenges may 'warrant government action'.

Finally, there is a need for more structures by which agencies in coastal areas can exchange experiences, particularly in terms of how they can develop an entrepreneurial posture in supporting business and enterprise activity. Indeed, it is this need for more enterprise and innovation in business and enterprise support that will determine whether coastal towns can 'enterprise the coastline'.

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Innovating and generating coastal enterprise.

The £2m of RDPE funding will support Lincolnshire coastal community in developing new and alternative opportunities for tourism and enterprise whilst positively encouraging the need to raise quality standards and build sustainability through realising the cultural, historic and natural assets of an undervalued coast..

Innovating and generating coastal enterprise needs the right balance of ingredients, if one is missing; the law of limiting factors comes into play. Just as a plant needs the right balance of light, heat and energy to grow; if one element is in poor supply, growth will be limited by the deficient element.

The ingredient that is usually in shortest supply for the many businesses and people seeking to diversify or evolve their businesses is ideas. Too many coastal businesses get 'stuck in a rut' and 'lulled by the seasonal routines' to explore new opportunities and new income streams. It is only the energetic and risk defying few that have the innate ability to be stimulated by stagnation and rise above routine and move forward their enterprise in new directions. Many businesses and individuals, however, need support, encouragement and the sharing of skills by "having to work at it, together!"

A helping hand can be particularly useful for sectors that are traditional. Businesses in coastal areas are traditional. For such businesses to expand and serve the changing and different needs of businesses and the public, many coastal businesses need to embrace change and to react positively and creatively.

To stimulate business activity, the ingredients needed are;

• Innovation and ideas
• Supportive environment for new businesses from organisations and agencies
• Funding to start or to develop businesses, such as the RDPE.

Business support organisations and funding streams can stimulate ideas and encourage new business thinking by bringing examples of different ideas and approached to the coast or take people out to see the alternatives in action, elsewhere in the UK, or even in Europe.

For businesses seeking capital building work in coastal areas, they need not view planning regulations and coastal flood risks as blocks, but to be encouraged to think about other options which would be acceptable and which may achieve their goals by more creative routes. For example if holiday accommodation is a no-go for your outbuildings what else could they be used for which would be acceptable and achieve the same income aims?

Once ideas are stimulated they need to be nurtured. Support in the form of funding and advice must be in place. For example, Business Link and RDPE funding, working together, should adjust services to fit with the needs of the types of rural/coastal businesses likely to come forward. This will require understanding and knowledge of the nature of coastal economies and linkages (if any!), the needs of the private sector for flexibility and responsiveness when applying to access funding.

Sustainability now is paramount and must be considered in funding applications, despite the unique but unfortunate position of possibly seeing a drastically changed coastline in 20 years! Sustainability therefore needs to be built into the activities of businesses being publically funded.

Notwithstanding the need to develop and diversify coastal business now, there is also the need to get the next generation interested in enterprise by encourage innovation and business awareness in schools. Young People are naturally creative thinkers and adults should encourage and engage with their ideas. There are organisations already in existence; Young Enterprise for example, which has been around for some time, but requires greater emphasis and support to enable it to do more to generate enterprising and innovative ideas amongst free-thinking youth.

Jo Finlow, Local Action Group Manager, Rural Development Programme for England