A RURAL business network is set to be launched for owners to discuss solutions to challenges they are facing.

The Hiraethog Business Club (HBC) will hold its first meeting in a bid to develop a network for more than 50 businesses in the region from Canolfan Bro Cernyw to Llangernyw. Rural business owners, including farmers and home-based workers, can find it difficult to network due to less day-to-day contact, which can result in isolation.

The HBC forms a part of the Hiraethog Development Strategy (HDS) established in 2014 to tackle the challenges faced by rural communities such as a lack of amenities, leisure facilities and public transport. It is funded by the Welsh Government and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.

Garffild Lloyd Lewis, county councillor for Llangernyw, organised the event after he found the range of businesses in the region is “astonishing” and would benefit from networking.

“I met up with many of them and it became very clear to me that there is a need for a forum to bring everyone together to socialise, to hold discussions and to network,” Cllr Lloyd Lewis said. “This was the catalyst to start organising this event for the sector and the Hiraethog area offered itself perfectly because of the development work that has taken place through the Hiraethog Strategy.”

The meeting on January 23 at the Foelas Arms, Pentrefoelas from 7pm will be chaired by Gari Wyn, BBC Cymru broadcaster and owner of Ceir Cymru, who will discuss and answer questions about his experience of developing a business in the Hiraethog area.

Eirian Pierce Jones, HDS co-ordinator, who collaborates with local action groups including Cadwyn Clwyd and Conwy Cynhaliol, as well as Denbighshire and Conwy County Councils, said the meeting is “an opportunity to get together in an informal meeting”.

“This is a rural area so business owners can become secluded. One of the objectives of the meeting is to get people together and network. They may not know the businesses near them so who knows what will come out of it.”

Register your attendance by calling 01492 642357 or email eirian@miconwy.org