WORCESTER is to pilot a new national rural business start-up programme aimed at creating jobs for young people in the countryside.

If successful, the idea will then be rolled out nationally as a "community franchise" in the same way as foodbanks. The six session course is being held over two Saturdays (March 21 and 28) at the Countryside Centre at Worcester Woods Country Park.

The man behind the scheme is entrepreneur Jerry Marshall, who has founded five successful businesses from scratch including a consultancy, a social enterprise and two technology / service businesses. As chief executive of the Arthur Rank Centre, his focus is now on helping create a vibrant economy in the countryside.

He explained: "The sessions will enable participants to think through the right business for them to start, given their interests, skills and resources, and then test out the viability of the business. Businesses could include farm diversification, artisanal food, leisure / equine, social enterprise, and internet based businesses etc. We believe it’s vital to take advantage of the introduction of rural high speed broadband, in order to retain young and working age people in our villages and tackle hidden poverty.

"The course is open both to those considering starting a business or self-employment, and also those interested in delivering the material in the future: the workbook and training aids will be freely available as a community franchise in the same way as foodbanks."

The pilot is being delivered in partnership with MRE Unlocking Enterprise. Co-facilitator is Susie Romney, an entrepreneur and an accountant who has particular experience of small business funding. Details are at www.unlocking-enterprise.org.uk/news/germinate .