TV show seeks family businesses

- Published: 18 July, 2008

A television production company is looking for butchers and farmers who want to keep their business in the family.

TwoFour is making a pilot for BBC2 about small family businesses. The programme - entitled 'Keep it in the Family' - will explore why so few children of business owners want to take over the companies founded by their fathers and forefathers.

Butchery and farming, once traditional family businesses, are increasingly losing the next generation to other industries. It is estimated that while 65% of UK industry is made up of family businesses, less than a third of these are now being passed on to the owner's children.

A spokesperson for TwoFour said: "A study just carried out by BusinessLink found that the next generation often don't want to take over the business because they feel they won't be paid fairly, they want to be free of family influence and they fear they will lose their identity.

"When this is the case, businesses are either sold on to a third party or simply shut down, at a massive cost to the UK's economy.

The company is keen to speak to business owners all over the UK who are willing take a brief early retirement and give their children the chance to take over the reins for two weeks.

For more information contact the TwoFour production team on 020 7438 1835 or email keepitinthefamily@twofour.co.uk.