Industry and regeneration case study - Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

When to use this case study:

  • Decline of an industry
  • Regeneration of an area
  • Location of economic activity
  • Changing employment opportunities in an area

Where is Ashfield?

  • Just north of Nottingham, in England.

What happened?

  • Coal mining dominated Ashfield’s economy from the mid 19th century onwards.
  • In 1970, Ashfield had 12 active collieries. From then onwards, the industry declined steeply.
  • January 2000 saw the closure of Ashfield’s last mine, Annesley Bentinck Colliery.
  • There were also a large number of textiles factories in the area. These factories have also gone into decline due to competition from other countries.

How did the decline of the coal industry affect people and the economy?

  • When the Annesley Bentinck Colliery closed, 1000 miners lost their jobs. This is about 10% of the population of the Ashfield district and 20% of the working population.
  • People without jobs struggled to pay their mortgages. Many homes were repossessed.
  • With unemployment being high, there was little disposable income in the local economy. This had a knock-on effect on other jobs eg. gyms, pubs, clubs and shops closed, increasing unemployment further.This is a negative multiplier effect.Derelict properties attracted crime.
  • Quality of life and standard of living fell rapidly.
  • The local NHS had to treat lots of people with depression. Suicide rates rose.

What have the Ashfield Partnership done to regenerate the area?

  • The Partnership is made up of the local and county councils, local schools and colleges, the police, local businesses, environmental groups and the local NHS working together.
  • The main problems the Partnership is tackling area unemployment, poverty, high levels of heart disease and infant mortality, lots of crime, poor exam pass rates, a skills shortage, few people going into higher education and land scarred by mining.
  • The Ashfield Partnership aims to create a skilled workforce, attract new industries, make the community healthy and wealthy and provide a safe, clean environment.
  • Ashfield is getting grants from the government, EU, National Lottery and the Coalfield Trust.

Sherwood Business Park

  • Built near junction 27 of the M1.
  • Lots of advantages of the site - easy transport access; suitable supply of workers; an area of flat land with infrastructure in place; room for expansion; pleasant, park-like appearance away from large built-up areas;effective public transport links. The area alsooffered development grants.
  • Companies on the site include L’Oreal and Rolls Royce.
  • Increase in jobs – low skill and high skill – greater variety.
  • Positive multiplier effect from the success of the park – increase in jobs in the local area as spending has risen because people in employment have more disposable income.