Is anyone looking for a business venture? Derbyshire County Council is looking for retailers and other businesses interested in helping to expand the visitor experience at two of its countryside sites.
The council is inviting tenders from businesses who can offer something extra to the many thousands of visitors who flock to Shipley Country Park and Middleton Top Visitor Centre each year.
The existing council-run gift shop at Shipley Country Park Visitor Centre will close on 15 November and the shop at Middleton Top Visitor Centre is also closing, but will continue trading at weekends until a replacement service is available to provide refreshments to visitors. The bike hire shop at Middleton Top has already closed.
So whether businesses have got a passion for pedal power and could operate a successful cycle hire business at Middleton Top, they’re budding entrepreneurs who can bring the council’s customers something they never knew they needed or they have some imaginative ideas for a new visitor experience, the council wants to hear from them.
Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Our countryside sites are open all year round, are free to enter and attract thousands of visitors each year.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve the experience for our visitors and this is a great opportunity to provide businesses an opportunity to branch out in the beautiful setting of Shipley Country Park and Middleton Top
“We recognise that running retail spaces isn’t our area of expertise so we’re taking a new approach and we can’t wait to see these areas developed to make them even more appealing destinations for local residents and visitors alike.”
For more information and to request an application pack www.derbyshire.gov.uk/shipley-property-to-let and www.derbyshire.gov.uk/middleton-property-to-let
Closing date for applications is 23 November.