Derbyshire Distillery raising spirits at Peak Village as new store opens
Dr Derbyshire’s Emporium is the latest new tenant to commit to the Peak Village (formerly Peak Shopping Village) retail and lifestyle destination in Rowsley, following recent store openings by Denby Pottery and Dotique, the designer fashion brand for women.
The brainchild of premium gin-maker Derbyshire Distillery, Dr Derbyshire’s Emporium will be an all-round experience for gin-lovers with sampling, personalised labelling and regular gin-related events at the store, which is due to open in early October.
Set up in 2018, Derbyshire Distillery uses traditional methods to produce high quality gins, vodkas and liqueurs using the best local and international ingredients and fresh Derbyshire water. The store at Peak Village is the brand’s first standalone retail outlet but it is already the gin of choice for many hotels, restaurants and bars in the region.
“It’s a real vote of confidence in the changes we’re making that Derbyshire Distillery, Denby and Dotique have all committed in the past few weeks. A huge amount of work is being done to improve the site and that’s generated a lot of interest from aspirational brands looking for a suitable outlet near to Chatsworth, Bakewell and Matlock. We’re expecting to announce more exciting new shops and events by the end of the year and for Peak Village to become a real ‘must-go’ destination for locals and visitors alike,” says Katayune Jacquin, Peak Village Centre Manager, who has worked at the site for more than a decade.
Situated in the village of Rowsley on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Peak Village hosts nearly 20 shops and employs between 80 and 100 people. Aiming to offer something distinctively different from traditional high streets and shopping malls, Peak Village is targeting a higher percentage of independent retail brands and operators with a strong local connection.
Peak Village was bought earlier this year by the Devonshire Group, the company that represents the interests of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at nearby Chatsworth.
Approximately £1m has been committed to redevelopment with more than half already spent on essential repairs, redecoration, refitting of vacant units, and the landscaping of public areas with planters and new street furniture.
“The ongoing upgrade of facilities is good news for Peak Village, which was underinvested for some years previously, and it’s good news for the local economy. This investment has secured existing local jobs and is creating new jobs both directly and through the local companies and suppliers we’re working with. What’s more, Peak Village will be drawing in millions of pounds of retail revenue to the Derbyshire economy.” says Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at the Devonshire Group.
The Devonshire Group has strong experience in retail through its existing operations at Chatsworth (the estate farm shop and gift shops) and at Bolton Abbey and is a landlord to many retail outlets across its estates in Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
Derbyshire Distillery supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
