Keele Research Repository

Across Europe, and beyond, there have been shifts towards reducing state intervention in ‘middle range’ governance spaces, such as regions, and attempts to devolve decision making to the most appropriate (local) level. Consequently, sub-regional scales of working have increasingly been promoted as a means of securing greater spatial equity and economic competitiveness. But whilst significant attention has been placed on the impact of new sub-regional governance arrangements on urban areas, there has been little consideration of the nature and effectiveness of such arrangements on rural areas. This article seeks to address this gap in knowledge through specific reference to multi area agreements (MAAs)—a new form of sub-regional governance in England—and their impact on rural territories. We conclude by considering the wider implications for rural spaces that may emerge as new structures of sub-regional governance are formalized.