Published in October 2009, Distinctive Futures explores the concept of town ‘distinctiveness’ as a driver for economic growth and resilience, and to consider whether and how a ‘distinctive town approach’ might be promoted in Yorkshire and the Humber.

The ‘rural capitals’ in Yorkshire and the Humber, and across the UK, play a key role as drivers of the rural economy. As new challenges face rural capitals, the aim of this study is to understand more about how distinctiveness of these places can be developed to benefit their economies and communities. The Report looks at examples of the distinctive towns approach across the UK and includes an evaluation of four existing rural capitals in Yorkshire and the Humber: Richmond, Ilkley, Marsden and Slaithwaite and how their already distinctive characteristics could be enhanced.