Harvey's principles reapplied: a case study of the declining West Midland hop industry

Patterns of hop production in the U.K. have received scant attention in the geographical literature and little attempt has been made to apply the theoretical principles developed by Harvey to a declining rather than expanding industry. Trends in the U.K. hop industry are outlined before attention is focused on spatial changes in hop production in the West Midlands. The role of distance as a locational factor is examined and shown to be of continuing importance as the industry becomes increasingly concentrated around the core parish of Castle Frome. Physical factors, vital in defining the initial core area, have reinserted their importance as the hop industry has declined spatially and temporally. It is demonstrated how Harvey's economic principles are of limited value when attempting to explain patterns of decline, and the paper concludes by emphasizing the complexity of the situation and the need to examine the decision-making processes of the hop growers themselves.