england rural development programme appendix a1 north east region 66 1 4 overview of business summary and key issues 188 between 1994 1997 the number businesses in s districts fell by per cent less than for as a whole but much higher proportion national average some fall numbers was part due to knock on effects major closures or job losses which reduces purchasing power local economy 189 has poor record new firm formation when compared other regions overall more registrations regional west perform better former mining industrial areas south however if healthy is characterised high turnover sustained enterprises then only alnwick castle morpeth tynedale would meet this standard 190 have not benefited significantly from success recent years attracting foreign inward investment perceived constraints
