PRESS RELEASE

From Tractors-Direct and Rural Broadnet.

For immediate release.

SOUTH SHROPSHIRE MAN SETS UP DOTCOM BUSINESS IN SIX WEEKS

Richard Williams, from Shropshire, has just established an Internet business, ‘tractors-direct.com’ and all in six weeks. It has been running for a few months now, but already has a growing collection of farmers, collectors and dealers selling and looking for tractors and parts. " People can buy, sell or find tractors and tractor parts anywhere in the world" says Richard, " and I have companies who will transport tractors in the UK and Europe and two auctioneers who have farm machinery sales". The company can even find vintage parts.

"It was like a dream" said Richard "I had the business idea, but I knew nothing about the Internet, so I tracked down a course I had heard about in south Shropshire. It was run by Rural Broadnet from Wolverhampton University and dealt with the Internet and Web Page design." It took Richard 70 hours to put together a nine page Web Site for the business. " The course provided me with just the skills I needed"

Rural Broadnet operates from the High Street in Church Stretton, providing Information Technology training for adults and also IT business support. "We are funded by the European Social Fund and the University to improve skills in use of computers and the Internet." said Len Graham, Project Officer with Rural Broadnet. "We work from six different rural centres and our work is aimed at small businesses and local communities. We have recruited more than 300 people locally onto this course and the idea is to help regenerate the rural economy. Increasingly we provide follow-up support to companies who want to apply what they learn to their business development."

" The Internet is a growth area in the countryside" said Richard "with 50% of farmers relying on it for up to date information on prices and regulations. More and more of our trading is done over the Internet and many small companies will find it offers good business opportunities for the future." One of the advantages of Internet business is that it is low-risk and requires little investment to set up. It can run on a commission basis, so it covers costs as it develops. "What holds some farmers back is the lack of knowledge about the Internet, so a course like this offered locally by is ideal." Rural Broadnet are now looking at ways of running the course outside the area, with support from tutors at their base, so it could soon be available to farmers in any part of the country.

Richard’s company ‘www.tractors-direct.com’ is developing strongly and is now running a national promotion campaign. Advertising on the Site for a small charge is offered and Richard can be contacted on telephone 01746 718630, fax 01746 718722 or e-mail ‘Richard@tractors-direct.com’. Rural Broadnet can be contacted on 01694 724282.

Ends ( 460 words)

Contacts:

Richard Williams

Cleobury Mortimer,

Nr Kidderminster

DY14 8LS

Tel 01746 718630 Fax 01746 718722 Mobile 07967 151020

Email: ‘Richard@tractors-direct.com’

Rural Broadnet - Len Graham, (or Martin Watts, Trevor Williams, Jackie Mantle or Felicity Burke)

43a High Street

Church Stretton

Shropshire

SY12 0HH

Tel. 01694 724282 Fax 01694 722470

Photograph attached:

From L to R : Jackie Mantle, Jim Burke (on tractor), Richard Williams, Len Graham