At a specially-arranged meeting in Macclesfield, local MP, David Rutley, joined the Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, Sarah Fowler, to discuss the important role that the Peak District National Park plays in supporting and promoting the local visitor economy.
Macclesfield is the gateway to the National Park for many of the 12 million visitors who come to the Peak District National Park every year to holiday and take part in a wide range of outdoor activities, and the sector is of vital importance to many local residents and businesses. David was pleased to learn that the Authority continues to actively take forward initiatives to further promote the Peak District National Park as a destination. This includes by curating a collection of new, bookable experiences for international and domestic visitors across the English National Parks, that tell the story of our landscapes. This collection highlights the many experiences available to visitors at places like the Forest Distillery, in Macclesfield Forest.
At the meeting, which was also joined by the Mayor of Macclesfield, Adam Schofield, and Peter Turner, the Clerk of Macclesfield Town Council, the attendees also reviewed Macclesfield’s strong cultural and heritage offer, and how this can be more fully linked to the Peal District National Park Authority’s ongoing efforts to attract more visitors to the area, in a way that benefits both the town and the Authority. They also discussed the positive conservation work underway across the Peak District National Park, to help ensure these unique and beautiful landscapes can continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
Much of the Macclesfield constituency is located within the boundaries of the Peak District National Park. The Park is 555 square miles (1,438 square kilometres) in size, and, as well as the north-eastern area of Cheshire, includes parts of the counties of Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Local residents hugely value having access to these precious landscapes.
Speaking after his visit, David said, "We are fortunate to have the beautiful countryside of the Peak District National right on our doorstep, and it is of great importance to so many local residents and businesses. It was good to learn more from Sarah about the Authority's important work to conserve these vital landscapes for future generations and to maximise opportunities to further promote rural tourism in our area."