Grouse shooting is good for business
Many rural Yorkshire businesses benefit tremendously from the trade brought in by grouse shooting parties, according to a new survey by the Nidderdale Moorland Group.
Grouse shooting in North Yorkshire is expected to contribute more than £100,000 to hotels, restaurants and pubs throughout this season.
Nine estates alone surveyed by the Nidderdale Moorland Group will be hosting 150 driven shoot days over the next four months and it is estimated that this will result in around 1,000 overnight stays for guests, which will directly benefit local businesses.
Vital role in the community
Ben Ramsden of the group said: “Grouse shooting plays a vital role in supporting the local rural community where employment opportunities can be limited. Estates spend vast sums of money with local traders including mechanics, butchers, drystone wallers, fencing contractors and builders, as well as the contributing spend from grouse parties visiting the Nidderdale area being a much-needed boost to local tourism operators. For many, grouse shooting is a significant part of their business..
“Any one driven grouse day can bring together up to 50 people, young and old. It is a very sociable occasion and most return to catch up with old friends and enjoy a healthy day out on the moors, which is important for some living in what can sometimes be an isolated rural area.”
“We very much rely on sporting parties”
Caroline and Malcolm Whitaker, owners of the Crown Hotel in Middlesmoor, which is playing host to shooting parties this season, said: “Each year from August onwards, we welcome many grouse shooting parties which accounts for a significant proportion of our annual revenue. Being a destination place we very much rely on sporting parties..
“We are very fortunate to have such beautiful countryside on our doorstep managed for red grouse and it is great to see so many people from home and abroad attracted to this part of the country. We get a lot of repeat business as a result of grouse and pheasant shooting, with all visitors enjoying a warm welcome.”.
Up to 5,000 work days
The survey revealed that each grouse moor will employ around 35 staff on a shoot day, including local youngsters, generating about 5,000 work days of additional employment throughout the season for beaters, flankers, loaders, pickers-up, caterers and others assisting on the shoot.
