There is information here regarding the location of the High Peak, key facts, communications, major investments and how we can help you to invest here.
Download the complete Profile of the High Peak (439KB) 
A 30-page investment guide to the High Peak, entitled Prosper in High Peak, is available. To request a hard copy, please phone 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400, or e-mail customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
The Borough lies at the north western tip of Derbyshire within the East Midlands region. Approximately two thirds of the administrative area of the High Peak is within the Peak District National Park, but 93% of the High Peak’s population along with its five major towns, all lie outside the National Park boundaries.
The Borough works closely with local and regional partners to support the continued prosperity of the area, particularly the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and the regional Government Office for the East Midlands (GO – EM).
The Office for National Statistics (External website**) provides a number of statistics and data in relation to High Peak. It is possible to view the latest Labour Market Profile (External website**) for High Peak on the site.
Another good source of data on the local economy is the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) (External website**). DDEP’s Knowledge area (External website**) provides interactive assess to a wide range of information and statistics. A profile of the High Peak can also be obtained from the Audit Commission (External website**).
the High Peak lies at the centre of the M1-M62-M60 motorway network. There are two major cross-Pennine routes through the High Peak, the A57 (Manchester/Sheffield) and A628 (Manchester/Barnsley) linking the M67 and M1. In addition the A6/A625 (Manchester/Chesterfield M1) route is the prevailing route for transport to Nottingham/Derby and South East.
The settlements of Glossop, Hadfield and Dinting, Chapel-en-le-Frith, New Mills, Dove Holes, Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, and Buxton are served by rail link to Manchester, whilst the Hope Valley, New Mills and Chinley lie on the Manchester to Sheffield line.
Manchester International Airport, the only global gateway to Northern England currently connects over 22 million passengers with more destinations than any other UK airport. The airport is only 30 minutes from Glossop and 45 minutes from Buxton. Current projections indicate that around 50 million passengers will travel through Manchester Airport each year by 2030.
During 2006, readers of eight individual travel trade magazines and judges for the British Travel Awards have voted Manchester Best UK Airport. The airport also has awards for safe parking and environmental practice awards. Over 180 worldwide destinations are serviced by dedicated freighters or passenger airlines and by transferring through other major hub airports; access to anywhere in the world is possible. Manchester Airport has rapidly established itself as a major hub airport of the world.
Manchester Airport World Freight Terminal can accommodate all types of freight and passenger aircraft, and has all the facilities required to offer worldwide carriage around the clock. It is served by nearly 100 freight forwarders and on site agents and currently handles in excess of 140,000 tonnes of freight per year. For further information re Manchester Airport's World Freight Terminal, contact Aviation Business Development on + 44 (0) 161 489 5021. Manchester Airport Tel: +44 (0) 161 489 3000 Fax: +44 (0) 161 489 3813 www.manchesterairport.co.uk (External website**)
There is widespread availability of ADSL broadband throughout the High Peak. Derbyshire and the East Midlands. Since April 2006, all exchanges in the entire region have been enabled for ADSL and the remaining 'not spot' of Peak Forest, will have full broadband access by May 2008. In addition, Glossop has Symmetrical broadband internet services delivered via SDSL exchange enablement and Hayfield has high speed wireless mesh delivered though innovative Hayfield Digital Village. In addition, a new project to deliver inter-operator WiFi access to Buxton and the A6 Corridor has secured funding and will be delivered in 2008/10. This will also provide impartial advice for businesses looking to expand or develop e-commerce or other e-business initiatives.
As a Local Authority officially recognised as ‘Excellent’ and who won the Local Government Chronicle's principal award, ‘Council of the Year’ in 2007, High Peak Borough Council exists to ensure the Borough is a good place to live and work. The Council, together with its partners, works to promote the High Peak as a location for growth in start-up and new businesses and encourages conditions for business development and expansion.
The High Peak’s market towns are currently undergoing one of the most extensive regeneration and investment programmes in rural England with multi-million pound investment taking place over the next few years. Between 2000 and 2007 High Peak Borough Council has awarded £20.5 million of external funding to support £40 million of investment in the Borough’s built heritage. It also attracted over £5 million of Government funding for market town regeneration.
Work is well underway on the three large-scale mill re-developments in Glossop with one already fully developed and occupied. The remaining projects will offer over 12,000 sq ft of high quality office plus apartments, new retail units, and restaurants. In addition the Council is managing a £2.1m investment programme in the public realm, with further investment into the Indoor Market hall in 2008/9.
The Buxton Crescent & Spa project is seeing £32m being invested in the refurbishment of the Grade 1 listed building, delivering an 80 bed 4/5 star hotel and thermal day spa, coupled with boutique shops, tea rooms and visitor attraction. Elsewhere in Buxton, private investment in the retail sector includes a new expansion of the Spring Gardens shopping centre and the recent opening of Go Ape visitor attraction in 2007. The opening of the University of Derby campus has also brought multi million pound investment into the town, together with up to 5,000 new students.
Plans for the re-development of the Pavilion Gardens complex, which hosts a diverse programme of fairs, markets and unique events, are well developed which will incorporate the relocation of the tourist information centre, new restaurant specialising in local sourced products together with restoration geared toward making the Gardens more attractive and competitive in the important wedding and functions market.
In the central area, a proposed bridge will create a new access route into the Bingswood Industrial Estate and other employment sites are protected to allow businesses to continue to be able to find the space they need to grow and prosper. Now is the right time to invest in the High Peak, as this will enable your business to take full advantage of the major regeneration that is taking place, and benefit from this large scale public and private investment in the area.
Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP)
The Derby & Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) is one of seven Sub-regional Strategic Partnerships (SSPs) set up by the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) in 2003.
Its aim is to stimulate opportunities to improve the environment for and prosperity of businesses. DDEP has funding schemes available and works with its private sector board to respond to the area’s needs. Contact: PO Box 6512, Town Hall, Market Place, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3YS. Tel: 01773 514970 Email: enquiries@ddep.co.uk Website: www.ddep.co.uk (External website**)
Peak District Rural Action Zone (RAZ)
The Peak District Rural Action Zone is the rural arm of the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership. It’s key role is to stimulate rural development and bring together the different funding programmes available to ensure that new projects meet local needs. The unit also oversee European funded LEADER + programme which supports activities including Future Farms and Women’s Enterprise. Contact: RAZ Support Unit, c/o Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1AE Tel: 01629 816268 Email: giles.dann@ddep.co.uk Website: www.ddep.co.uk (External website**)