Making The Peak District A Place To Do Business
13 April 2011
Buxton's iconic Dome, home to the University of Derby Buxton
The University of Derby Buxton has joined a group aiming to put the Peak District on the map, not just as an attractive tourist destination, but as an excellent place to do business.
The Business Peak District group will be led by a wide range of representatives from the business community, and will represent businesses within the Peak District National Park, the High Peak, Staffordshire Moorlands and Derbyshire Dales.
The group hopes to:
- Create and protect jobs, Increase investment in the area and local businesses
- Use the special environment of the national park as a positive tool to boost the marketing and success of businesses
- Develop more apprenticeship and training opportunities to give businesses the skilled workforces they need and local people jobs
- Increase the range of businesses so the area's economy is not just dependent on tourism and agriculture
- Link with the tourism sector to make the most of business opportunities created by visitors
- Give businesses a voice with the six new Local Enterprise Partnerships, set up in neighbouring cities and areas to help support the regional economy.
Local businesses are being invited to join an event to find out about the group and its plans at Thornbridge Hall, near Great Longstone, on Monday May16.
Jim Harrison, managing director of Thornbridge Brewery, has been appointed Chair of the group and is looking to generate interest from a wide range of business people representing all the companies that operate in the national park and surrounding areas.
He said; "This group will give a voice to every Peak District business no matter what the size.
"Due to its rural location many Peak District businesses employ less than 10 people but when you add them together that creates a significant amount of jobs and the wages of those staff support local communities.
"Business people will lead the group and work with local authorities to give businesses a voice in the way the economy is developing. So I would urge all businesses, no matter how big or small, to get involved, make their voice heard and help make the Peak District a better place for people to come and do business."
The University of Derby Buxton has joined the group to assist with efforts to offer apprenticeships and other skills training to Peak District businesses.
Dean Dr Peter Dewhurst said: "Skills training is essential for the future success of any business.
"We believe Business Peak District can play a crucial role in equipping rural businesses with the ability to train their staff and introduce apprenticeships. In turn this will ensure that our local businesses have trained staff which will enable them to compete with companies based in bigger towns and cities."
Business Peak District will be supported by the Peak District National Park Authority, Derbyshire Dales District Council, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. It will work closely with the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and the Derbyshire Economic Partnership.
The group will also link in with Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, the official tourist board for the area and the University of Derby and other skills training providers.
Places at the launch event on May16 can be booked by contacting Belinda Wybrow at belinda.wybrow@peakdistrict.gov.uk or by visiting the Business Peak District website at www.businesspeakdistrict.co.uk
