'Worst grouse season for 30 years' hits businesses

Rural businesses say they are being affected by a dramatic decrease in the red grouse population, as shoots across the country are cancelled.

Hotels, pubs and food suppliers across Northumberland are among the businesses hit, with the Moorland Association calling the season the worst in 30 years.

The owner of a vehicle repair shop in Wooler said grouse estates were "fundamental" to his business, describing the birds as "the golden ticket".

According to the RSPB, many species of upland birds have had a poor breeding season this year, largely "because of the cold and wet conditions experienced over the spring and summer".

The organisation said that, as the climate changes, "producing grouse to shoot will become increasingly challenging".

Grouse shooting is a contentious issue, with concerns the practice can harm moorland habitats and encourage the illegal killing of birds of prey.

Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, claimed the whole sector would normally generate £100m per season, but this year revenue "will be just a tiny fraction of that".

In Wooler, the Mike Hope all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and 4x4 repair shop relies on estates and farms for 90% of its trade.

Owner Jamie Hope said: "If the grouse goes and the estates get smaller, then obviously the repairs get smaller."

"The grouse is the fundamental, that’s what everyone comes for. It’s the golden ticket."

The supply chain for restaurants and other food establishments has also been impacted.

Matthew Slack, marketing manager of Turnbull’s Northumbrian Foodhall in Alnwick, said the business is missing out on a "huge proportion" of sales.

"This is quite sudden and quite new for us here… having no grouse means that we’re now stuck basically."

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