The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) has showcased innovation in rural businesses by producing six short films.

The videos feature firms in Northumberland which portray the rich diversity of the rural economy and demonstrate how each of the businesses uses innovation and why it is important.

Alongside celebrating the firms’ successes, it is hoped that the videos will urge other rural enterprises to recognise that they are innovative.

The videos were premiered at the Rural Catalyst Conference 2022.

Follow the links below to watch the films:

• Bedmax (near Belford) which produces bespoke horse bedding.
• Calibrate Energy Engineering (near Belford) which provides commercial renewable energy systems.
• Culture Creative (Belford) which provides creative solutions for cultural projects and events.
• The First & Last Brewery (Bellingham) which brews small batch cask-conditioned canned and bottled beer.
• Pilgrims Coffee (Holy Island) which roasts different varieties of coffee.
• Tights Tights Tights (Morpeth) which sells tights, stockings, hold-ups and socks online.

Tim Smalley, managing director of Bedmax, said:

“Our part of Northumberland is a hotbed of innovation in rural enterprise and we are proud that we are just one of a number of firms that are leading the way nationally and internationally in our respective fields.

“Problem-solving is the foundation of our business and we have a long history of devising our own solutions in order to adapt and move forward in response to market demand.

“We’re pleased that, alongside our peers, we were celebrated for our innovative approaches at the Rural Catalyst Conference.”

Prof Jeremy Phillipson, director of NICRE, said:

“The businesses showcased in our videos epitomise the breadth of rural enterprise in this country.

“From manufacturing horse bedding to providing commercial renewable energy systems, these businesses demonstrate that being based in a rural area is no barrier to innovation.

“While their products and services may differ, what they all have in common is a passion to adapt and diversify in response to market challenges and opportunities which, in these uncertain economic times, has never been more important.

“We hope that by sharing these stories it will inspire other firms to grow their businesses and acknowledge that they are also innovative which can only help to boost the rural economy.”

Tim Smalley, managing director of Bedmax.

Allana Loftus, owner of Tights, Tights, Tights.