Glenbrook set to reopen Peak District venue
A vacant former Peak District Girlguiding centre is set to re-open in the spring, after being snapped up by a Derbyshire-based business for an undisclosed sum.
The 10-acre activity centre at Glenbrook has been closed for two years after Girlguiding UK shut down the venue in December 2023, but will open its doors a camp, caravan site and cafe following the purchase, late last year.
The purchase included a house and cottage, a distinctive purpose built dormitory block including commercial kitchen, land ground pitches, and coach and car parking. Between 10 and 15 jobs will be created by the new Hope Valley Holidays and the Forest Stage cafe business, according to director Andrew Lazenby.
“As local residents, it has been disappointing to see the closure of this landmark Hope Valley facility for so long. We recognise the significance of this property and are dedicated to ensuring its future use, creating local jobs and contributing to the local economy,” he said.
“We plan to run Glenbrook as a camp and caravan site with a café at a later date, offering subsidised access for groups and working closely with the local community. Our aim is to keep Glenbrook as a welcoming activity centre and hub, and have already secured a camping licence for the centre. We are also planning on working with an outdoor adventure centre to bring further activities.
“Over the years, thousands of girls, young women and youth groups from across the country have visited this unique and much-loved venue to develop leadership, teamwork and community skills, and we now look forward to playing a part in preserving this site, enhancing its facilities and introducing, and welcoming, a whole new tranche of visitors to experience what Glenbrook and the surrounding area has to offer.”
The sale was one of five historic activity centres being closed and sold off by Girlguiding after decades of use and were run as part of the movement, but also available for hire by the public and other organisations.
The business was advised by Sheffield’s MD Law on the purchase, and is currently liaising with the local authority on planning matters.
Travis Wood, senior associate commercial property solicitor at MD Law who acted for Glenbrook Holdings, said: “It has been a pleasure to be able to work with, and support Andrew and Gill on this exciting new project to bring a much loved venue back into use.”
