New life from old in Hathersage

At a time of deepening recession, the dramatic £2.3m rural regeneration project at the new Hathersage Hall Business Centre has reached a milestone with the topping out the roofs of these Grade II listed buildings. A tangible demonstration of confidence in the long term future of Hathersage, the project will bring new life to the local economy. On course for completion by September 2009, this landmark office development has been designed to help meet the Derby Derbyshire Rural Action Zone’s strategic objectives of creating a high skill, high wage economy in the Peak District.

“We're looking to attract a mix of companies in growth sectors of the knowledge economy and from a variety of complementary disciplines - a formula which has worked well in other rural areas across the country” said Estate Manager Michael Shuttleworth.

According to the recent village survey, more than half of the working population of Hathersage (56.5%) commute to professional and managerial jobs outside the parish and a similar percentage commute from elsewhere to blue collar jobs in the village - mainly in tourism and leisure and at the lower end of the pay scale.

Shuttleworth continued: “With this scheme we are aiming to bring more balance to the local economy by bringing in better paid jobs, relieving people from the stress of commuting, and even allowing some to walk or cycle to work.”

The long awaited resurrection of these historic buildings from near ruin into a modern workspace, meeting the highest standards of insulation and environmental efficiency, remains a demanding task.

Offering a prestigious working environment with a first class IT infrastructure, the renovated buildings include names linking it to its past such as The Coach House, The Dovecote, The Loose Box and the Empress Meeting Room, named after a horse. They will incorporate sustainable energy heat pumps with careful attention paid to landscaping, car parking and security.

In line with the regional objectives of regenerating the rural economy and the more specific local objectives of ‘supporting the start-up, diversification and development of businesses in Rural Areas, Market Towns and other hard-to-reach communities’ (Source: Regional Economic Strategy for the East Midlands – A Flourishing Region 2006-2020) Hathersage Hall Business Centre will provide the opportunity for high-tech and knowledge-based companies to work in attractive and peaceful surroundings, far enough from noise yet close enough to the transport, shopping and eating facilities in the village.

Work has now started on The Orchard House, the first of two modern buildings which will contribute to a new identity for the site by blending the best of the old with the best of the new. The foundations of the other, glazed to full height on three sides and featuring a sedum roof, will be laid in the coming days.

When completed in August this year, Hathersage Hall Business Centre will represent the very best practice in finding new uses for old buildings which have fallen out of use and will accommodate around 13 businesses - providing employment for some 60 people and new economic life for Hathersage.

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Notes to the editors:

Hathersage Hall Business Centre offers a total of 13,000 sq ft of prestige office space to accommodate approximately 10-15 small to medium sized businesses, set against the stunning backdrop of the Peak District National Park.

For further details regarding available office space, on-site conference facilities and to keep up-to-date with developments at Hathersage Hall Business Centre during the coming months, please see the dedicated website: www.hathersagebusiness.co.uk

“A village where one set of people live and another set work may be a village that had lost something indeed” (Source: Hathersage Reviewed 2000)

PR contact: Michael Shuttleworth, Hathersage Hall Business Centre

Tel: 01433 651098

michael@hathersagebusiness.co.uk