Trudi Saxton, the centre manager for Markham Vale in Derbyshire, has spent two decades helping businesses thrive at this extensive regeneration project, led by Derbyshire County Council in partnership with HBD.
Now, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Markham Vale’s regeneration, Trudi reflects on her journey and the pivotal role HBD has played in transforming the original vision into a vibrant reality.
Back in 2004, Markham Vale bore little resemblance to the thriving business community we see today.
Back in those early days we were all quite excited about the vision; I recall meeting with Derbyshire County Council as they eagerly presented their plans for the emerging site. At the time, I was working for Business Link, managing an incubation centre, but it was clear that something remarkable was on the horizon.
The start of a perfect partnership
HBD, with its extensive expertise in regeneration, joined as partner, and the development quickly gained momentum.
From that small beginning – the first building to rise was the Markham Vale Environmental Centre – we have grown substantially. Today, we host 20 businesses at the centre itself and 70 across the entire Markham Vale site.
While this growth is a fantastic milestone for HBD and Derbyshire County Council, it is also something I am immensely proud of personally, having been involved in the journey of all 70 businesses. I have relished getting to know the people on this site; from the moment I meet a business owner, I immerse myself in understanding their business and exploring how I can contribute to their success and help them feel at home here.
Connecting communities
I strive to support their growth by connecting them with the local community, launching recruitment initiatives to create jobs, partnering with colleagues, and seeking government funding to address skills gaps. I remember one recruitment event as part of our sector-based work academy for Euro Garages. We hosted a series of interview days with the local community, and I watched proudly as local people queued up to learn about the careers available here.
One young woman in the queue, an exceptionally nervous mother of three, was filled with self-doubt. We gave her a pep talk, helping her see her potential. I’ll never forget the transformation as she walked out, having secured a job. We changed the trajectory of her entire household and empowered her and this has been one of our biggest successes. Initiatives like this have already created 2,700 jobs at Markham Vale, with a target of creating 4,100 jobs in total.
Our focus has been on people, but also on the place itself. One of the great achievements of the past 20 years is the transformation of the landscape. When we first moved in, it was desolate – just me and the tumbleweeds! Now, it’s unbelievable to see the change and the partners have put significant effort into enhancing the area’s appeal.
The landscaping, beautifully designed buildings, and well-maintained byways all reflect the care and attention invested in creating a vibrant community. It’s not just about the physical spaces; it’s about the community we’ve built. We’ve created a truly lovely area.
Overcoming challenges through collaboration
However, our journey hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing, and we’ve certainly encountered challenges along the way. Macroeconomic events like the 2008 financial crash have impacted us, but perhaps the most significant challenge was overcoming local perception.
Large-scale regeneration projects take time to come to fruition, which led to local criticism for not moving quickly enough. This experience was an eye-opener and prompted us to establish new communication channels, such as our community emailer – allowing us to be more transparent with local residents and keep them updated on our progress.
As people began to see the results, they started to believe in the project and became advocates for Markham Vale. The masterplan setup also facilitated quicker progress – thanks to HBD’s foresight, we secured outline planning for all plots early on, allowing us to move swiftly with tenants without needing additional planning approvals.
A collaborator with a conscience
HBD also supported us during the lockdown, not just in maintaining the site but in upholding the community we had worked so hard to build over the years. One notable initiative was their sponsorship of the Walking Together memorial, a tribute to Markham Vale’s rich mining heritage which was supported by a very active group of local volunteers. This trail of walking figures connects Duckmanton with the heart of the new Markham Vale industrial area. It served as a virtual wellbeing walk during lockdown and later became a cherished spot for local residents to enjoy.
The success of our landscaping efforts also contributed, transforming the area into a pleasant place for walking and recreation. These initiatives were crucial in preserving the sense of community and continuity during challenging times.
Such examples epitomise HBD – an organisation that has been an absolutely brilliant partner. Their experience and organisational structure have enabled swift decision-making – something that hasn’t always been achievable for the local authority.
Under the leadership of Vivienne Clements and Ed Hutchinson, HBD has consistently demonstrated professionalism. Remarkably, in two decades, we’ve never had a falling out or a cross word.
From the construction of physical buildings to respecting the local habitat and landscaping, HBD’s commitment to social value, job creation, and preserving mining heritage means the team has fully embraced our mission. They have helped us realise the early vision of creating an “environment for success.”
Now, as we enter the next era of development, I urge HBD to continue as they have been. Together, we have established a visible, well-respected business community in which partners, occupiers, and local residents fully believe. I look forward to continuing our successful collaboration.