Member Article

The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP visits Peak District rural regeneration centre

The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, MP for Derbyshire Dales and Secretary of State for Transport, found time in his crowded diary to visit Hathersage Hall Business Centre on Friday 21st February to find out first-hand how the seeds of growth are taking root in the Derbyshire economy.

The business centre opened four years ago in the teeth of recession but has nonetheless been successful in attracting a range of knowledge-based companies to the area and bringing forty new jobs to Hathersage.

Mr McLoughlin was impressed by the good communications and energy efficiency of these converted listed buildings and confirmed “The government is taking steps to improve the delivery of faster broadband in order to further encourage footloose companies to set up in the countryside with the attendant benefits they bring to the rural economy.”

One of the principle aims of the business centre has been to bring better paid jobs to the North Peak. During his visit Mr McLoughlin met with a number of the resident business owners and heard from Peter Booth, Managing Director of CQM training and facilitators to the food industry: “We are actively encouraging our clients to take on apprentices and we have ourselves taken on five new employees since arriving at Hathersage in 2010” said Mr Booth.

He heard how planning delays extending over several years, the inflexible conditions of EU grant schemes and the conservation requirements of Natural England have all been met to establish an attractive location for companies which value the quality and convenience of a peaceful and creative working environment

Mr McLoughlin said “Developments such as Hathersage Hall Business Centre bring vital new life and energy to rural communities. The government’s measures to reform the planning system and improve broadband delivery will assist these important sources of new jobs and their contribution to the success of the rural economy.” Hathersage Hall Business Centre … Office Space, Meeting Rooms and Hot-Desking in the heart of the Peak District Hathersage Hall Business Centre, Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire S32 1BB

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fran Bridgewater .