Peak District and Derbyshire recognises Accessibility Champions through unique new scheme for tourism businesses

17 local tourism businesses have received recognition as ‘Accessibility Champions’ after completing a unique new scheme through the area’s official destination management organisation.

The Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme – the first of its kind in the area – has been designed to help tourism and hospitality businesses deliver ‘a warm and inclusive welcome for visitors with additional access needs’.

Through a series of webinars, the scheme covers topics including hearing loss, sight loss, mobility impairment, autism and dementia, highlighting the barriers faced by visitors with access needs and providing businesses with practical tips on how they can overcome them.

Businesses who successfully complete the scheme, which is delivered by Derbyshire-based industry experts Access For All UK, receive official ‘Accessibility Champion’ status, identifying them as one of the most accessible and inclusive tourism businesses in the country.

The first cohort of Accessibility Champions received their certificates at a special ceremony held at Chesterfield's Casa Hotel in June. Recipients included accommodation providers Lane Head Barns, Peak Venues and Beechenhill Farm, plus visitor attractions Treak Cliff Cavern, Discover Buxton Tours and The Children’s Country House at Sudbury.

In addition, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire became the first destination management organisation in the UK to receive Accessibility Champion status from Access For All UK, signalling its ambition for the Peak District and Derbyshire to become one of the country’s most accessible and inclusive tourism destinations.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is now encouraging local tourism and hospitality businesses to sign up for the next cohorts of the scheme, which will run on Tuesdays from 13th September 2022 to 11th October 2022, and on Thursdays from 29th September 2022 to 3rd November 2022 (excluding 6th October 2022).

Businesses can sign up for the Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme below:

Sign up to Cohort 2 (Tuesdays from 13th September to 11th October)

Sign up to Cohort 3 (Thursdays from 29th September to 3rd November)

The Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and there is no cost for eligible businesses to attend.

Known as the ‘purple pound’, the accessible tourism market is estimated to be worth £15.3 billion to the visitor economy according to national tourism body VisitEngland, with huge potential for future growth.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: ""We'd like to extend a huge congratulations to our new Accessibility Champions who are excellent ambassadors for accessible tourism and beacons of inspiration for many other local businesses to follow.

“One in five of the UK population is disabled and the Accessibility Champions scheme offers a unique opportunity for businesses to gain a share of the £15.3 billion accessible tourism market, obtain loyal customers and, above all else, provide memorable experiences for visitors with additional access needs.

“We encourage businesses to sign up for the scheme for expert advice on how they can provide a warm and inclusive welcome for all visitors – and to help us showcase why the Peak District and Derbyshire is truly one of the UK’s most accessible holiday destinations.”

The full list of businesses with Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champion accreditation is as follows:

Ashbourne Self Catering

Beechenhill Farm

Bonsall Cottages

Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust

Discover Buxton Tours

Dronfield Heritage Trust

Lane Head Barns

Level Centre Ltd

My Country Houses – Portland House Holiday Hire

Peak District Mining Museum

The Environmental Quality Mark Community Interest Company

Peak Venues

Rainbows End Holiday Cottage

The Children's Country House at Sudbury

Thornbridge Estate

Treak Cliff Cavern

Wirksworth Heritage Centre

ENDS

For press enquiries, contact Amy Noton at 07387 141590 or amy.noton@marketingpdd.com.

Notes

High resolution image attached: Derbyshire businesses collect their ‘Accessibility Champions’ certificates after completing a new recognition scheme through Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is the area’s official destination management organisation. Its mission is to develop and grow a successful and sustainable visitor economy, working closely with a wide range of partners to make the Peak District and Derbyshire the destination of choice – regionally, nationally and globally.

For the latest industry information see www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry

The latest visitor inspiration can be found at www.vistpeakdistrict.com

About Access for All UK

Access for All UK was founded by Gillian Scotford and Jane Cooper to improve the lives of disabled people in the UK by providing access consultancy, training, auditing and business support services.

Gillian and Jane have first-hand experience of caring for people with multiple access needs and through Access For All UK, they work with a range of clients to provide services to support them in understanding, evaluating and improving their accessibility and providing inclusive excellence for all.

In 2013 they created Accessible Derbyshire, a registered charity which improves the lives of disabled people in Derbyshire and the Peak District by providing information, facilities and services which improve accessibility.

For more information visit www.accessforalluk.com

About the European Regional Development Fund

The approved business support programme is receiving over £1.2 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, European Regional Development Fund funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding