Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

This is in response to the challenge to business from The Prince of Wales to take action to revive rural communities.

The programme was launched by the Prince in 1990 and is managed by Business in the Community.

It invites senior business leaders to see for themselves how business can play a direct role in tackling some of Britain’s most pressing social issues.

Those attending will be invited by the Prince to join him at St James’s Palace in December to discuss the action that has been taken as a result of the visit.

Supported by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the visit will aim to demonstrate how business expertise and resource can make a measurable difference to community need.

All the companies attending have committed to consider participation in appropriate forms of practical action.

The business leaders will tour the town centre with local representatives to find out about the challenges that Brandon faces in re-establishing itself as a prosperous market town.

They will then move on to Breckland Middle School where they will meet with pupils and staff to look at how business can play a role in supporting the work of the school in preparing young people for the modern world.

EEDA awarded £300,000 to the Brandon Community Partnership in April, as part of a £4m initiative to boost market towns as vibrant service centres across rural parts of the region.

The funding can be used for a variety of projects that create new jobs, restore high streets, improve amenities and encourage business people to play an active role in regenerating the towns.

Mellor said: “AWG and the other companies represented recognise that we are an integral part of the communities we serve. We are keen to grasp this opportunity to work together to see how we can best support the market towns in the region - starting with Brandon.”