Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire appoints business advisers to boost visitor economy

The area’s official destination management organisation, which is based in Chesterfield, has appointed three business advisers to support the recovery and growth of visitor economy businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Alison Duckworth, Caroline Sanger-Davies and John Roberts have been appointed by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire (MPDD) to help deliver support to local tourism and hospitality businesses through the East Midlands Accelerator project.

The project has received £5.27 million from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and is being delivered in designated areas across the East Midlands, including in the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak.

Led by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with, amongst others, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the University of Derby and The Food and Drink Forum, the project aims to breathe new life into local communities as part of the Government’s commitment to ‘levelling up the nation’ and achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

With extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, MPDD’s advisers will provide one-to-one support to help visitor economy businesses access funding, training and specialist advice through the Derbyshire stand of the East Midlands Accelerator project.

Through the project, businesses in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales can apply for specialist consultancy and training support through growth vouchers of up to £2,000. Flexible grant funding of up to £8,000 (at an 80% intervention rate) is also available to help businesses invest in green solutions and digital technology, as well as providing access to wage subsidies.

Businesses can access support to reduce their carbon footprint (such as funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging points); receive help on how to improve their online presence (such as the implementation of an online booking system); and secure one-to-one mentoring to encourage business growth.

A series of fully-funded workshops to support recovery, increase skills and improve business resilience is also set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The East Midlands Accelerator project runs until the end of June 2022 and businesses are urged to act quickly to make the most of this unique opportunity.

More information on the support available for businesses can be found at: visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/community-renewal-fund