Economic Development

Derbyshire Dales is one of Britain's most scenic areas.  It includes much of the Peak District National Park and yet is situated within two hours drive of almost half the UK population.

This central location, superb environment and quality of life is attracting forward-looking small businesses which value the Peak District and Dales image.

Statistics concerning the Derbyshire Dales:

Populaton

• 69,800
  

Area (square miles)

• 69,800
  

Main Towns (Population)

• Matlock 10,500

• Ashbourne 7,500

• Wirksworth 5,500

• Darley Dale 5,000

• Bakewell 4,500
  

Rural Area

• Over 100 villages
  

Main Employment Sectors

• Public Services

• ICT

• Creative industries

• Tourism

• Manufacturing

• Quarrying

• Agriculture
  

Businesses

• Over 2600
  

Major local Employers

• Moy Park (Ashbourne) Ltd

• John Smedley

• Firth Rixson Forging Ltd

• HJ Enthoven Ltd

• Nenplas Co. Ltd

• Derbyshire County Council
  

Distance (miles) from Matlock

• 10 Chesterfield

• 18 Derby

• 19 Sheffield

• 25 Nottingham

• 35 Manchester

• 35 Stoke-on-Trent

• 10 M1 (junction 28)

• 40 M6 (junction 19)

• 33 East Midlands Airport

• 40 Manchester Airport
  

Rail Service

• Matlock - Derby - Nottingham

• Hope Valley (Manchester - Sheffield)
  

Tourism

• Over 5 million visitors per annum
  

What Derbyshire Dales Can Offer Your Business

• One of Britain's premier scenic areas
• Over half of the district is in the Peak District National Park
  

A central location

• 3.5m people live within 30 miles of the heart of the Derbyshire Dales
• The motorway network is within easy reach
• There are 3 airports within a travel time of 1 hour
• Rail services connect the district to Manchester, Derby, Nottingham and London

A special business environment

• A clean and green image
• The perfect living and working environment
• Combines rural location with easy access to conurbations
• Ideally suited to modern technology and environmentally aware business
  

A multi-skilled local workforce

• A District labour force of 31,000
• Top quality secondary schools
• A wide range of industrial and commercial activities, modern and traditional
  

Development opportunities

• Sites for small to medium sized business
• Town centre retail and office premises
  

Training and business support services

• Business Link East Midlands offers quality business advice

• Management and staff training can be arranged through the Learning and Skills Council

For more detailed information on the advantages of the Derbyshire Dales as a business base contact the Economic Development Unit on 01629 761366 or e-mail us at economicdevelopment@debyshiredales.gov.uk