Rural businesses are resilient to the downturn and will boost the UK’s economic recovery says the Commission for Rural Communities, which has found unemployment lower in the country than in towns.

It believes enterprises like farm shops will play a major role in lifting the UK from the economic slump.

“Our business continues to grow – we haven’t had any redundancies during recession,” said Maurice McNulty, general manager at The Udder Farm Shop, Manor Farm, East Stour, Gillingham, who employs between 24 and 27 staff depending on the time of year. “We’re working harder than we ever have.”

While acknowledging his shop “cannot compete with supermarkets” it’s been important to differentiate the quality of products and services available so it produces its own beef and pork, which matures for 28 days.

“We employ local people and buy cattle from local people,” said Mr McNulty, who relocated from West Cork, Ireland to help his brother-in-law with the business.

Up to 1,800 customers visit the shop weekly with people coming “from as far as Bournemouth four times a year to fill their freezers”.

This year a £1.5m turnover is forecast, 10 per cent up on last year and it is profitable.

Kirsty Anstey, partner at Norden Farm Shop, Corfe Castle, says her business hasn’t been affected by the downturn either.

Her shop employs two staff in the winter and three in the summer, regardless of the economic climate.

“We do animal feeds and people have to buy them whether there’s recession or not,” she said. “We have a small garden centre and a campsite.

Last year we saw more people camping and that boosted trade in the shop.”

It’s a similar story at Honeybrook Farm Shop, Wimborne, which has been trading for six years.

Butcher Ian Morton says between 35 and 40 customers visit daily for home reared pork, whole pigs, half pigs for the freezer, whole and half lambs.

Dorset Chamber boss Peter Scott said “government will need to demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting the sector”.