RURAL upland businesses and communities across the region have been counting the cost of a poor grouse shooting season according to the Moorland Association.

Over the course of the four-month season which finished last week, an estimated 70 per cent of shoot days were cancelled across the North of England.

Recent survey data indicates the financial impact of these cancellations is approximately £11m, a substantial direct loss for rural businesses and those who live and work in remote upland communities across the North.

While the much-reduced shoot programme was a blow for country sports lovers, the real impact was felt by local businesses who rely on vital grouse shooting income, especially in the shoulder months of the tourist season.

The poor season was caused by low red grouse numbers; only when there is a healthy surplus of grouse can they be harvested for shooting.

Red grouse are wild birds and cannot be reared; as such they are at the mercy of mother nature.

The intense cold in February brought by the Beast from East followed by a prolonged drought impacted the growth of heather - the red grouse’s principal food source - and resulted in a shortage of birds.

Nick Downshire, owner of Jervaulx Moor in the Yorkshire Dales, said: “This season has been a disappointment, not only for grouse shooting enthusiasts but more importantly to the local businesses that cater for them.

"Upland hotels, pubs and restaurants rely on this crucial trade during the autumn and early winter months and the extent of shoot cancellations has had a significant impact on their revenues.

"The silver lining is that while bookings have been low, the work being undertaken to look after the moorlands and its wildlife is ongoing, hopefully laying the foundations for a successful season in 2019.”

English grouse moor owners continue to invest over £50m of private money annually into the conservation and enhancement of upland landscapes.

This ongoing work, including peatland restoration initiatives, predator control and habitat management, is producing positive results for upland species despite the substantial fall in income for sporting estates.