Perceptions of Growth in two Welsh market towns

This research aimed to identify how growth, in terms of business and community development, is perceived by those living and working in rural towns in Wales. Case studies of Llanidloes (Mid Wales) and Llangefni (North Wales) were used to explore perceptions of growth and how enterprise can be supported in these locations, through a better understanding of what growth and development means to those living there.

The picture that emerges is that there is very limited support among participants for a traditional approach to growth in the traditional ‘upward’ manner, namely in terms of as the expansion and increase of profits, productivity, or  market reach. Instead, communities and small businesses understand growth as ways of improving business sustainability or quality of life. In rural areas especially, entrepreneurs may go into business to enable a certain way of life (work-life balance) or wishing to be based in a particular location, and conventional ‘business growth’ may be less of a priority.

A qualitative research approach, using surveys, interviews, focus groups and workshops revealed several different perspectives on growth, and a thematic analysis grouped these into seven ‘types’ of growth, including  growth as community-building, growth through opportunity, and foundational growth.

For the Llanidloes and Llangefni communities, growth was about being better rather than bigger, and it was an endeavour related to values such as community, sustainability, lifestyle, place, and a good quality of life.

Several policy recommendations stem from the analysis, including tailoring growth initiatives to specific places, recognising economic benefits of community ownership, supporting lifestyle-based entrepreneurship, investing in the foundational economy, and adopting place-based indicators of growth.