Case studies
Case studies 'Cycle Friendly' is good for business
Our Pedal Peak for Business project is helping local businesses understand what their cycling customers’ needs are to help them boost their share of cycling tourism. The project aims to help SMEs to be more competitive and to gain a greater understanding of the cycle tourism market. The initiative is part of the £1.49million Growing the Visitor Economy in Derbyshire programme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Grants are available as part of the project to enable businesses to provide good facilities for their customers who cycle. These are some of the businesses who have benefitted so far:
Manor House Farm Cottages
John & Julia bought a working sheep farm in 2017 and have restored four original stone barns into beautiful holiday cottages, sleeping up to 22 guests.
With the help of a Pedal Peak grant, they will provide safe cycle storage for 12 bikes plus a workstation with tools and bike washing facilities.
"We are so close to the Monsal Trail as well as the Tissington Trail, that it seemed sensible to make provision for people wishing to bring their bikes on holiday or for those wanting more serious cycling while staying in the Peak District National Park."
www.manorhousefarmcottages.co.uk
Station House Bed and Breakfast
Steve and Sarah, from Station House B&B at Thorpe, used the grant they received to help finance two secure bike stores, one for each B&B room.
Station House is situated in the perfect position to offer accommodation for both cyclists and their bikes. The B&B is adjacent to the Tissington Trail (part of the National Cycle Network route 68 Pennine Cycleway). Advertising the bike stores has attracted visitors who are keen to explore the local area by bike and those touring cyclists wanting a single night stopover.
www.stationhousebedandbreakfast.co.uk
Agricola House
Mark and Rachel had a Pedal Peak grant to enable them to upgrade the existing cycling facilities at Agricola House luxury self-catering holiday house in the centre of Wirksworth. They converted an existing unsightly 'urban style' shelter to a bespoke lockable wood clad bike store for their 14 guests to keep their cycles secure and dry overnight.
Agricola House is conveniently located for the family friendly High Peak and Tissington Trails, part of the National Cycle Network, as well as a being a great base for road cyclists to tackle the famous hill climbs in the Derwent Valley area. Co-owner Rachel, who is keen to attract cyclists, says: "We provide local cycling information, bike washing and repair facilities, along with the added benefit of post-ride relaxation in our amazing wellness sauna."
Peak District Holiday Cottage
Marian French, who owns Peak District Holiday Cottage near Flagg, received a grant to build two secure bike sheds. She explains: “This is a fabulous part of the country for all kinds of cycling, whether it’s road cycling, mountain biking or gravel riding.
“We wanted our holiday accommodation to appeal to cyclists but, until we received the grant, we didn’t have a solution for storing their bikes. Now, by offering secure bike storage and other initiatives, such as working with local cycling guides to offer packaged cycle breaks, we are hoping to attract new customers to our cottages. We have already received bookings as a result of having the bike sheds.”
www.peakdistrictholidaycottage.com
Hoe Grange Holidays
Brassington-based Hoe Grange Holidays offers stylish self catering log cabins and glamping pods. The business received a grant to build a new bike store. Owner Felicity Brown says: “The grant enabled us to build a secure bike store, which our cyclist visitors really value.”
Hassop Station Café and Cycle Hire
Hassop Station café and cycle hire is located on the Monsal Trail near Bakewell. The business received a grant towards the cost of a public bike pump with tools and extra bike racks. Co-owner Duncan Stokes says: “We’re always looking at ways to improve the customer experience and these additional facilities are much appreciated by the growing numbers of people of all ages who like to cycle.”
Bolehill Holiday Cottages
Bolehill Holiday Cottages offer self-catering accommodation located between Bakewell and Monyash. New owners Dan and Fay Opala say: "We're close to the Monsal Trail, High Peak Trail and Tissington Trail cycle routes so we're keen to reach out to cyclists. We've installed a cycle store with a Pedal Peak for Business grant in 2017. A safe place to store bikes overnight gives out guests peace of mind and from a business point of view it will soon pay for itself.
"We're also providing a bike wash facility and information on local routes so people who bring their bikes know the best places to cycle in the Peak District.
"We would urge other small holiday cottage owners to think what they could do to accommodate people who bring bikes. It's fairly simple to provide facilities and the initial outlay is relatively small. It's about being flexible and accommodating."
Anglers Rest community pub, café and post office, Bamford
The Community Society received a Cycle Friendly Places grant funded by the Department of Transport 'Pedal Peak 2' project 2014/15. With the help of a grant they purchased six cycle racks, a supply of heavy duty locks and basic tools for loan. Adjacent to the racks they added a bike work station with tools and a street pump. Feedback indicates that the facilities are popular amongst the community and cyclists visiting the area:
"The bike racks and tool station at the Anglers in Bamford are fantastic! They have increased how often I visit this location... Although the Peak District feels like a safe place I am aware that bike theft is an issue and i am very wary of leaving my bike out of my sight without a decent lock. These facilities really do make me feel welcome and I have encouraged several others to visit due to these. I have twice now diverted a ride to use the tools when out riding which obviously means a cafe visit too! I would say that since discovering these facilities the Anglers has become a more regular place as either a destination or stopping off point on rides out to the Peak. I would love to see a network of similar facilities around the Peak Park."
Ian Fitz – Sheffield
"The work stand is great. Saved a friend of mine whose pedal fell off near Slippery Stones, we pushed him back to Bamford, and he put it back on. I have pumped my tyre up there once when I had a slow puncture... stopped me having to walk home the last few miles. I have also sorted out my single speed bike there, when the wheel was a bit wonky… needed the bigger spanners, which are just too big to carry. When we stop there on Saturdays someone always pumps their tyre up a bit."
Graham Walton – Aston
"Just a quick note to say how impressed I am with the bike racks and facilities at the Angler’s in Bamford. It’s one thing for businesses that are directly related to cycling to offer facilities, but really impressive to see a community project thinking more open minded when planning what they offer. At our shop, we’ve heard several people mention how useful the racks are - plus more than one case where the pump and tools have been used to save the day."
Simon Bowns – Owner, 18 Bikes, Hope