Mayor Claire Ward launches Visit East Midlands Project at Chatsworth

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, launched her Visit East Midlands project at Chatsworth in Derbyshire today (Monday).

The ambitious initiative aims to boost tourism and celebrate the region’s rich heritage, aligning with Mayor Claire’s commitment to a new cultural strategy outlined during her election campaign.

The event featured a roundtable discussion organised by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the lead partner of the Visit Peak District Derbyshire & Derby LVEP with representatives from some of Derbyshire’s most renowned tourist attractions, including the Heights of Abraham, Poole’s Cavern, Derby Museums, Great British Car Journey, and Bluebell Dairy. Also in attendance were Patricia Yates, CEO of VisitBritain, and colleagues from VisitEngland and VisitBritain.

Mayor Claire also met Lord Burlington, CEO Stephen Vickers and others from the Devonshire Group, which oversees a range of charities, hospitality and agricultural businesses in the UK and Ireland, including Chatsworth House Trust, the charity that cares for the house, garden, park and collections at Chatsworth.

Following the roundtable, Mayor Claire was given a tour of the historic features in the Chatsworth Garden, as well as its purpose built learning centre.

Mayor Claire Ward said: “We have so much to celebrate and be proud of in this region and I’m looking forward to working with a wide range of people together to agree new ways of making the East Midlands the premier tourist destination it deserves to be.

“I know we can learn so much from each other and from experts, like the Chatsworth team who are already doing such a great job to bring visitors here from across the UK and the world.

“Over the next couple of months I’ll be talking and listening to the many partners across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who are doing great work to make the most of the economic benefits a vibrant tourism sector brings to our communities.

“Then we’ll be able to develop a clear way forward that builds on the many successes we have here and finds new ways to put our region on the map.”

Stephen Vickers, Devonshire Group CEO said: “We were delighted to host the Mayor and her team at Chatsworth, to gain a greater understanding of her priorities and goals, and to discuss how we at Chatsworth and the Devonshire Group can help her to deliver these. Like Mayor Claire, we’re deeply committed to the long-term wellbeing and economic success of the communities we are a part of and look forward to working in partnership with the East Midlands development team as they continue to champion and promote Derbyshire and the Peak District.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby LVEP said: “The visitor economy contributes £2.5bn to the local economy and has the ability to deliver positive change, create jobs and improve quality of life for those who live, work and visit here. By working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority, and getting the right structures in place, we can boost our competitive position, unlock growth and drive inward investment so more local communities can feel the benefit of tourism.

“Together we can build a more competitive, sustainable and accessible visitor economy, cementing the future of one of the East Midlands’ greatest industries.”