An Enterprising and sustainable economy
There will be a diversity of thriving businesses supporting and contributing to the economy and local communities which are critical to the long term future of the national park
The diversity of employment in the national park builds strength into the local economy and is characterised by relatively high levels of small scale business start-ups. This makes the national park a creative place to do business.
Small Scale Businesses
Throughout the UK and the national park, businesses are adapting to the impact of recession. Many of these challenges will continue to have an impact throughout the life of this plan. The smaller nature of businesses in the national park makes them potentially more adaptable, but also susceptible to rapid external market change.
Local businesses, such as village shops or pubs, are an essential component of communities. Nevertheless the viability of these businesses is often hard to sustain. This is due to a wider range of goods and more competitive prices in larger shops and the high number of residents who commute to work outside their community or the national park.
The challenge will be to build on the success of many small-scale business start-ups, focussing on growth and building effective networks across sectors. Issues for focus might be better skill levels, supporting not only better employment but also better quality visitor experiences.
A small but growing number of social enterprises are also appearing, encouraged and supported through the Localism agenda, and manifesting themselves for example as community-run village shops or transport networks.
Peak District Tourism
Tourism has significant potential to be a growth industry, nationally and locally. Peak District tourism businesses have the advantage of an iconic consumer brand, a rich range of natural and cultural assets and pride in the destination. Help may be required to enable more tourism businesses to develop business models that put the environmental benefits of the visitor experience at their core.
Business Peak District
Local businesses have come together to form Business Peak District, a private and public partnership which seeks to support the sustainable growth of the area’s economy and work with partners to promote prosperity in rural communities. Business Peak District aims to stimulate growth, enhance productivity and create higher quality jobs, and has set out the priorities for creating conditions to achieve its aims in a concordat.
Diverse & Sustainable Business Activity
The national park supports a diverse range and type of business, which contribute to a resilient economy. However, businesses that take their inspiration or core business from the special qualities of the national park are of particular importance, and will be encouraged. This plan will develop ways of supporting more businesses to reduce their ecological and environmental footprint. A Climate Change and Sustainable Buildings Supplementary Planning Document will communicate the National Park Authority’s stance on energy efficiency, and reviewed Climate Change Action Plan outcomes will seek to encourage low carbon businesses.
Broadband
Many businesses operate in markets well beyond the national park boundary enabled by modern communication. However, inconsistent access to broadband and mobile communication networks across the national park can limit the potential for remote business development. Constituent councils are working with the Local Enterprise Partnerships through the Business Peak District forum to identify areas with little or no internet access and to improve broadband access and speeds across the Peak District.
DELIVERY AIMS
- Ensure that the special qualities of the Peak District underpin future plans and projects for the national park economy
- Build business connectivity with surrounding urban areas through partnership arrangements
- Seek to ensure that the Peak District is connected with fast broadband speeds and coverage, and mobile telephone networks
- Raise the brand profile and value of Peak District products and services and the profile of the area as a place to do business to increase recognition and the diversity of Peak District products
- Support a diverse range of businesses - particularly small, social enterprises - to deliver best practice which contributes to the environment
- Improve the quality of the tourism on offer that is compatible with the special qualities of the national park, and focuses on encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more on local goods and services
- Encourage businesses to provide employment opportunities for local people, especially younger people
Delivery Plan for ES2 Economic Diversity (56KB) 
