If you're passionate about small business please read this

Setting up, running and growing a business is far from easy at the best of times.

I take my hat off to anyone who has been brave enough to do it. Years ago it was easier but nowadays there is so much red tape and bureaucracy, I really believe that if people could see what a struggle it was, for so little reward other than providing something very special for their customers, most of them would give up before they started.

Thankfully, most people just want to create a wonderful experience for their customers.

Unfortunately if you run a business in the Lake District National Park there is another obstacle - the Lake District National Park Authority.  

I've known Dee and Daniel Ashman for years. They are passionate about wildlife and conservation. They own Predator Experience and like all successful businesses they have to expand to succeed. Having offered very popular Walking with Wolves Experiences they want to introduce Cheetah Experiences. They have invested heavily in this but have fallen foul of the Lake District National Park Authority, who will not allow them planning permission for their "cheetah home".

I'm not planning consultant but the problem appears to be that it doesn't fit in to the landscape.

Last Sunday, I went to look for myself.

I had to turn off the main road to Barrow because you can't see it from the road! Then drive through a (not very attractive) village and onto a back lane to nowhere! How many people will this affect, other than a few offcomers who are more interested in the value of their property than a vibrant, successful local economy?

I think Dee and Daniel deserve to succeed. Their success should not be determined by desk bound bureaucrats at the Lake District Planning Authority.

If you feel like me please sign their petition. And even if you don't live in or visit the Lakes please sign it if you think small businesses shouldn't have unnecessary hurdles placed in front of them by the Government.