Latest figures reveal the Peak District and Derbyshire’s tourism sector is now worth £2.3 billion to the local economy, with 42 million people visiting the area in 2018 and supporting over 30,000 jobs – marking another year of significant growth and a remarkable 7.4% increase on the previous year.

New research released by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire reveals significant yet sustainable growth across the area’s tourism industry.

In line with the tourist board’s long-term strategy to increase overnight stays and visitor spend, the area saw a 13.5% increase in overnight stays in 2018 with an extra 504,000 bed nights across the region. Meanwhile day visitor levels were maintained with a moderate 1.3% increase on last year.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “This is fantastic news for the visitor economy in the Peak District and Derbyshire. The significant rise in tourism’s overall value signals that our long-term policy to run innovative marketing campaigns that showcase the area as a great place to stay is really paying off.

“We know that these are testing times with the uncertainty around Brexit, however, our recent business survey suggests that confidence is high with 68% of respondents experiencing an increase in bookings during 2019.

The rise in overnight stays has contributed to the significant increase in the overall value of the sector, with overnight visitor spend increasing by 19%, contributing to a total spend of £823 million during 2018.

The sector continues to support and sustain a significant amount of jobs across the area, with the number increasing by 5.2% and breaking the 30,000 mark for the first time.

James Berresford, Chair of the Derbyshire Culture, Heritage and Tourism Board, said: “This significant increase in the value of tourism is fantastic news. Derbyshire is a wonderful destination, proved by the fact that people are voting with their feet.

“It is very encouraging to see the growth in overnight stays, which proves that more visitors are choosing to stay for longer than a day. This has led to an increase in visitor spend in the area, which is great news for local businesses and clearly demonstrates the importance of the tourism industry to the local economy.”

As well as highlighting the value of the tourism industry to the local economy, the latest figures also support the area’s bid to become a national Tourism Action Zone. Following the announcement of the Tourism Sector Deal in June, it was revealed that the Government is looking to create a number of Tourism Action Zones, which would offer opportunities to secure funding and support for selected areas to boost their visitor economy.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has launched a new appeal for funds to finish the restoration of the canal. Its last two appeals raised a combined total of over £100,000.

The Chesterfield Canal was completed in 1777. The Trust is aiming to complete the last nine miles of restoration by 2027 which is the 250th Anniversary of that great event. All the money donated will go directly towards to costs of restoring the canal.

There are six ways to contribute:

• One-off Donation, which can be done by cash, cheque or online.
• Monthly payment, which can be done by Standing Order.
• Certificated Donation, which is for larger donations, which will be acknowledged by a formal certificate. There are four levels – Silver (£100), Gold (£500), Platinum (£1,000) and Diamond (£5,000).
• Legacy – increasing numbers of supporters are leaving legacies in their wills.
• Major item sponsorship – this could be major pieces of infrastructure such as lock gates, footbridges or lengths of towpath.
• Corporate Social Responsibility – the Trust is very happy to discuss opportunities with both public and private sector organisations.

Full details are available on the Trust’s website – search for Chesterfield Canal Trust.

In 1989, the twenty miles of canal from Worksop to Chesterfield were derelict. Since then, 12 miles have been restored along with 37 locks, 11 major road bridges and 2 marinas. The Trust is finalising plans for the restoration of the remaining section between Staveley and Kiveton Park.

Between 1996 and 2003 a new marina was built at Shireoaks and the restoration of 6 miles of canal, several bridges and 31 locks extended the head of navigation from Worksop to the Norwood Tunnel.

At the isolated western end, five miles and five locks from Chesterfield to Mill Green were made navigable between 1990 and 2002. Staveley Town Basin was opened in 2012, the new Staveley Town Lock was opened in 2016 and Hartington Harbour was first put into water in 2018. Much of this work was done by volunteers.

A new terminal basin is the centrepiece of the £350 million Chesterfield Waterside complex currently under construction.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has recently appointed a full-time Development Manager, George Rogers (right), who is working with partners, including the Canal & River Trust and Derbyshire County Council, to realise the Trust’s bold ambitions for 2027.

The Trust’s Restoration Committee Chair, Mark Potter, said: “These are very exciting times for the Chesterfield Canal. We hope that the public will respond generously to our new appeal, as they have in the past, so that we can realise our dream of the canal being fully restored by its 250th Anniversary in 2027.”