Employers and employees are seeking the benefits that new ways of working offer, these often enable greater flexibility on where to locate, live and invest. The advent of COVID-19 has accelerated blended working patterns.

More and more, the cultural offer and the quality of the environment are drivers to help people achieve the quality of life, and live/work balance they strive for, and these factors are now significant attractors to high quality businesses.

The legacy of the 18th and 19th century ‘green’ revolution that started in this internationally recognised and protected part of the Derwent Valley has left excellent green infrastructure in a beautiful, extensively rural, landscape.

There are excellent rail connections to Derby and Nottingham and then on more widely, through to London, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Leeds.

Developments in the Valley’s tourism offer and its creative communities provide and support a wide ranging cultural offer. Both Derby and Nottingham provide close city facilities that attract nationally recognised theatre, concerts and bands.

Breweries and distilleries in the Valley enhance the food and drink offer, coupled with artisan makers and fine dining experiences – there is an eating and dining offer to suit any occasion or budget.

Developments at Cromford and Darley Abbey Mills show how historic mill buildings can be repurposed to support businesses. Providing incubator units for fledgling businesses and entrepreneurs, through to space for small and medium size businesses and beyond.

However, the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site still has further development potential, with more mill buildings available for repurposing. If this development can be coupled with the correct infrastructure and appropriate place making, this historically significant Valley will again hum with confidence and commerce that builds on the foundations created by the early industrial pioneers centuries ago.

The Derwent Valley Mills is included in two of the growth strategy areas in the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) developing spatial vision., both the Derwent Valley Mills area itself and ‘The Loop’  a new long distance walking trail along the  picturesque waterways that unite Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.