WHAT THE MAYOR'S PLEDGE TO SUPPORT TOURISM MEANS FOR BOLSOVER

Bolsover is entering a new chapter of confidence and ambition. The announcement of the East Midlands Combined County Authority’s £4.8 million pledge to strengthen tourism and investment across the region comes at exactly the right moment for our community. While this regional programme will raise the profile of the East Midlands as a destination and a place to do business, Bolsover has already been laying the groundwork through the Bolsover Place programme.

Over the past year, Bolsover Place has brought together new partnerships that are firmly rooted in the identity of our town and district. These are not abstract collaborations, but place-led alliances that recognise the unique strengths of Bolsover – its heritage, its landscape, and its people. By working across public, private, and community sectors, the programme has ensured that Bolsover is not waiting passively for change but actively shaping its own future.

Central to this has been the creation of a Board of private sector stakeholders. This Board gives local businesses and investors a direct voice in decision-making, ensuring that regeneration is guided by commercial expertise and grounded in the realities of the local economy. It is a clear signal that Bolsover is serious about growth and that the private sector is ready to play its part in building prosperity.

At the same time, Bolsover Place has been developing a tourism offer that builds on our extraordinary assets. Bolsover Castle, Creswell Crags, Hardwick Hall, and the surrounding countryside are already jewels in our crown, but the programme is working to curate experiences that connect these attractions, extend visitor stays, and showcase the character of our communities. From new trails and cultural programming to hospitality partnerships, Bolsover is positioning itself not just as a stop-off, but as a destination in its own right.

The timing could not be better. With the East Midlands pledge creating a stronger regional brand and coordinated investment, Bolsover is ready to plug directly into this momentum. We have the governance, the partnerships, and the tourism strategy already in place. We are not starting from scratch; we are prepared, aligned, and ambitious.

For Bolsover, this is about more than funding. It is about visibility, jobs, and pride. It is about ensuring that our town and district are recognised as central to the East Midlands story. The Bolsover Place programme has positioned us to seize this opportunity, and with the support of regional investment, we can look forward to a future where our heritage, our businesses, and our communities thrive together.

This is an exciting time for Bolsover. The foundations have been laid, the partnerships are strong, and the vision is clear. As the East Midlands steps onto the national stage, Bolsover is ready to play its part – confident, prepared, and determined to grow.

Reference: Mayor delivers on pledge to boost tourism and investment in the East Midlands - East Midlands Combined County Authority