The Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter – designed to promote best practice and boost recruitment in the hospitality industry – was officially launched at Chatsworth last night (Tuesday 8 February 2022).
Backed by prominent national figures in the hospitality industry, the launch event – which took place during National Apprenticeship Week – was attended by over 100 hospitality representatives, business leaders and education providers from across the region.
The evening included speeches from Lord Burlington, son of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire; Cllr Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council; Adrian Ellis, General Manager of The Lowry Hotel, Manchester and Chair of the UKHospitality Northern Group; and David McKown MBE, Head of Training and Quality, Accommodation and Commercial Services at The University of Sheffield.
The launch event also marked the release of an inspirational new recruitment campaign video featuring local businesses and showcasing the Peak District and Derbyshire’s vibrant hospitality industry as ‘a great place to work’.
Established in November 2021 to combat the hospitality recruitment crisis, the Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter aims to raise the profile of the hospitality industry and promote hospitality as a career of choice to parents, schools, colleges and universities.
Along with committing to several pledges when they join, Charter Champions agree to work collaboratively with education providers to improve training and apprenticeship opportunities in the sector, and to lobby Government for better sector-specific support.
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Since its inception last year, the Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter has worked hard to bring local businesses together to raise the profile of the sector and to promote the hospitality industry as a positive place to work, to inspire and sustain the next generation of talent.
“To already have more than 50 businesses collectively working to support this goal is excellent – and this launch event is just the beginning. By working together, we can make a real difference in tackling the ongoing recruitment crisis whilst spreading the word about the benefits of hospitality training, mentoring and apprenticeships.
“We look forward to welcoming more businesses on board and we encourage businesses across the Peak District and Derbyshire to sign up and pledge their support.”
Fiona Baker, Head of People and Skills at D2N2 LEP said: “The Launch of the Peak District and Derbyshire Hospitality Charter is an important step for the visitor economy in D2N2 – working in hospitality covers a range of skills at all levels and can offer a great career pathway. We look forward to working in partnership with the hospitality sector to make sure young people are aware of the range of opportunities available and to help the industry to develop a pipeline of talented recruits.”
Find more information on the Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter and how you can sign up at visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/hospitality-charter
Watch the Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter recruitment campaign video at https://youtu.be/Mj6zCwC1B0Y
Find more information on the Tourism & Hospitality Jobs Fair on Monday 21 March 2022 at visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/jobs-fair
a great place to work
To promote the wide-ranging job opportunities available in the sector, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is holding a Tourism and Hospitality Jobs Fair at the Whitworth Centre in Darley Dale on Monday 21 March 2022 – with local businesses urged to get involved to promote their available careers.
The Peak District & Derbyshire Hospitality Charter has been created by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire in collaboration with the Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants Group, Fischer’s Group, Casa Hotels, The Bakewell Bakery, The Tickled Trout and Bluebell Dairy.
It is supported by local authorities including Derbyshire County Council, the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Businesses are encouraged to join the conversation and promote the hospitality industry on social media using the hashtag #AGreatPlacetoWork.
