Helping Peak firms thrive

National Parks England plans to team up with the network of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), set up to spearhead economic growth and employment, to unlock the potential for commerce in the country’s national parks, including the Peak District.

The offer made to LEPs seeks to draw upon the unique strengths of the National Park Authorities to create more high–quality jobs in some of the most remote rural areas, make national parks better places to do business in through improved infrastructure like broadband and skills development and use the national parks’ landscapes to enhance people’s quality of life and attract new businesses.

Councillor Lesley Roberts, chairman of the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Some of the most special areas of our countryside are home to thriving businesses and this initiative will enable us to give them as much help as possible. These businesses are extremely important in supporting our rural economy.”