A DTI SBS agency report was recently published in October confirming that the parish of Odiham has almost twice as many businesses per resident as the national average - and one of the strongest results outside central London.

There are over 200 businesses in Odiham parish generating over 2,000 jobs. If we add in RAF Odiham (never mind the schools, hospital etc etc), there are many more adults employed in Odiham than actually live here. We are certainly not a 'dormitory village!'

Less than a quarter of the businesses are made up of retail and hospitality companies. We also have oil & gas companies, pharmaceutical and logistics companies, property & financial companies, agricultural amd engineering companies, etc. But the largest grouping is in sales & marketing and technology - strong and growing sectors.

Local businesses have always been an integral part of the parish community - however far back in history you can go - and it is important for all of us that this balance is maintained.