Local businesses and jobs

What do we mean when we say local businesses and jobs?

Local businesses and jobs are the life-blood of neighbourhoods, providing activity and vitality. As well as a means for living and working, they create a range of economic opportunities, whether through spending, investment or generating income. Our neighbourhoods should provide a mixture of uses that are well-integrated, thoughtfully designed and contribute to the local economy.

Access to physical spaces that support the economic needs of a community is an important ingredient to a thriving and healthy community and contributes to the growth of new social connections. It is, therefore, essential to consider the long-term needs of a community by building in flexibility into the provision of non-residential uses locally.

This specifically includes the consideration of an appropriate mix of shops, cafés, restaurants, pubs, offices and working spaces and can be achieved through the co-location of these uses; placing different uses into a single building, for example. Bringing these uses together can use land more efficiently and encourage community cohesion by facilitating moments for community groups to come together [114] and increasing opportunities for chance encounters, which positively impact social cohesion. [115] Furthermore, developments that prioritise access to a variety of land uses can increase physical activity among all age groups. [116]

We believe that clustering different non-residential buildings and spaces is an essential part of ensuring healthy economic ecosystems, which in turn form the foundation for a healthy local economy that provides access to ample good quality jobs for residents. This could come in the form of a new or regenerated local centre, a small high street or a new business district.

How does this affect health and wellbeing?

Access to good quality jobs is an important factor in ensuring positive health outcomes, especially when they pay a decent living wage, provide opportunities for in-work development, and have a flexible balance of work and personal life, and when their employees are protected from physically and mentally adverse working conditions. [117] In addition to being an integral part of allowing people to achieve a baseline level of social participation and security (i.e. material wellbeing), [118] it combats the vast array of negative health and wellbeing impacts that unemployment can have. [119] For people with long-term health conditions in particular, good quality employment can have a broad range of health benefits, reducing the chances of chronic disability, long-term incapacity for work and social exclusion.

Further still, where possible the provision of arrangements to work from home can have an array of benefits. Recent research has pointed to benefits including better eating behaviours, improved reported productivity, improved motivational and emotional outcomes, and overall improvements in mood and calmness. [120]

Case study

Connected communities: Nansledan, Newquay

Nansledan, a new town development near Newquay in Cornwall, is designed to embody the principles of the Duchy of Cornwall’s vision for sustainable communities. It spans 540 acres and aims to provide a high-quality living environment for around 4,000 residents. It is designed to stimulate the local economy by incorporating a diverse mix of shops and commercial spaces. Currently, there are over 30 businesses operating onsite, ranging from retail stores and restaurants to offices and artisan workshops.