As every sensible person knows, living in the country means a far more pleasant and civilised way of life. It’s where people still talk to their neighbours and where children walk to school on their own and play outside. But at the same time it’s not an Archers- style idyll, and the basic rules of business still apply. Don’t think that just because your target customer may live in sleepy Bridport rather than cutting edge Bethnal Green, they’re any less discerning or less prepared to go elsewhere if your product or service isn’t good enough.

Starting a business in the country is all about recognising the differences between rural and urban situations, picking the right business to suit your area and not imposing city working practices which just won’t work in the countryside. Instead, make those differences work for you, learn a different way of doing things and you’re half way there already.

According to the Countryside Agency, there are 5.9 million households in rural England alone, and that means a lot of potential customers out there waiting for you and your trade. So cast off those office shackles, that corporate yoke, and get out there and do some business.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the book, in particular Alison Gee, Robert Cowie of Winter Rule for his advice on tax and other financial matters, and Suzanne Woodward for supplying the missing chapter. Thanks also to Roger Greenhalgh, Sean Beer and Deborah Lees of the National Rural Knowledge Exchange, Phil Moore, Julia Wheeler on business plans, and volunteer readers Chris and Sue.