Consumers have continued to up their spending on luxury items as the economy recovers which, along with the retail industry, has hugely benefited operators of leisure businesses across the country. This week, developer Birchall Estates has confirmed that Chesterfield’s local economy will be able to cash in on this boom as it will soon begin construction of a £400 million leisure resort to be known as Peak Resorts.
The scheme, to be located on the edge of the 550 square mile Peak District National Park, is expected to create around 1,300 new jobs in the Chesterfield area and provide a strong draw for tourism in the local vicinity. Moreover, the construction phase, which will last around three and a half years, will build upon this by also creating numerous positions within the construction industry.
Funding for the ambitious project has been provided by chief backer, the US based Grand Heritage Hotel Group, as part of a £1.1 billion funding drive into UK industries by American investors. Prime Minister David Cameron used his current tour of the US to reveal that the development had been given the green light whilst speaking of the high volume of investments by American backers in the UK.
He said; “With UK exports to the US increasing by over £6 billion in just one year and US companies employing a million people across the UK, our trade relationship remains one of the strongest in the world.
“This partnership between US investor Grand Heritage Hotel Group and a UK development company will deliver a phenomenal boost to the leisure industry in the Peak District.
“This £400 million investment will deliver a world class resort complex creating over 1,300 permanent jobs when it is completed and supporting hundreds of construction jobs as the site is developed.”
The Chesterfield resort will comprise of 600 holiday apartments, hotel and hostel units along with 250 woodland “lodges” designed to appeal to families. In terms of the leisure offering, a specialist sports injury clinic, a water sports centre and a golfing facility will top the list along with other initiatives yet to be announced.
Although the exact location of the site remains a closely guarded secret, it is believed that the resort will be constructed at Unstone, just off the A61. Birchall Estates acquired planning permission for the first phase of a “major development” at this site in 2008, meaning work should be able to begin relatively soon.
Chief executive George Cowcher of the East Midlands Chamber welcomed the announcement, saying; “This is fantastic news and will totally transform both the economy and the tourism offer of Chesterfield and the Peak District.
“This scheme has been in development for many years, so it is great to see it has finally secured the funding to bring it to fruition, along with the green light to make it happen.
“The visitor economy, particularly in this part of the region, is a key driver of economic growth and this new development will further enhance the offering, draw more visitors to the area and make Chesterfield and the Peak District an even stronger proposition for potential investors.”
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