A new champion has been installed to help boost the more than one thousand businesses in the northern parts of Craven.

Working specifically to assist with growth, networking and linking to new markets, Stefan Sykes has taken up the role of Rural Business Development Officer for Craven District Council.

“I live in Hebden,” he said, “so I know how lovely it is to live in the Yorkshire Dales. The many small, innovative businesses based in the Dales love it, too.

“The tricky thing has always been getting the superb support that is available through our Growth Hub to the many great businesses working in the corners of our district.

“We’re busy building a new Enterprise Centre just outside Settle which will house new and growing businesses who will enjoy giga-bit web connectivity.

“This will act as our new base from which to help all of our rural businesses grow and connect.”

As previously reported, the new site is being built by Sutcliffe’s and is sited at the old quarry in Langcliffe right next door to the world-renowned, enormous Hoffmann Kiln; the second largest in the UK, which is also being refurbished.

The Growth Hub is a service of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (YNYLEP) which provides a wide variety of expert support to businesses at all stages of their development, much of it free.

It can be accessed at ynygrowthhub.com or at 0800 246 5045.

Cllr Simon Myers, lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “This multi-million pound investment and our new relationship with York and North Yorkshire LEP means we can afford to concentrate better on those businesses working in the northern parts of the district.

“This new role and the new centre at Langcliffe will greatly enhance our ability to deliver collaboration and growth so that new and specialist jobs are created here.”

The post is afforded through the European Structural Investment Fund budget of 2014 to 2020 alongside Regional Growth Fund monies provided through the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (YNYLEP). The whole project is being managed by Craven District Council.

Stefan Sykes and Lynn Whitaker as project assistant, will be based at Langcliffe on its completion expected at the end of February next year. He can be contacted on 07510 382 691 or ssykes@cravendc.gov.uk.