Is it a good or bad idea to move to the peak district?

[laurataylor083]

Hi all, I'm looking to get some advice from those who are living or have lived in the peak district. I'm currently looking at a property that I love in the peak district, near to Dove Holes. I run an ecommerce store from home but I rely heavily on royal mail. Does anyone know how often Dove Holes post office has closed in recent years and what is the longest they closed for? Whilst most of my customers are very understanding and patient, I wouldn't want the bad weather to have a severe impact on my business.
Any advice really appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

My godmother lived in Dove Holes and actually worked at the post office in Buxton. Weather over there isn’t what it used to be - I don’t think they’ve had any snow this year at all. It would impact your business very little if you average it out over the year. I’d be a bit more interested in connections to other places - there is a train line to Manchester but you’re totally at the mercy of Northern Rail, and it’s not infrequent to be stuck in Manchester because they’ve cancelled trains. The A6 is horrible and congested if you’re going by car, and weekends can be busy due to tourist traffic. But it’s a lovely part of the world and there are loads of beautiful villages not far away - Hurdlow, Foolow etc as well as nice market towns like Buxton and Bakewell, with lovely pubs and places to walk.

If you think back in the last 10/20 years, the number of days that even remote places have been snowed in has been tiny, so it's probably not worth consideration.

Some winters will be none at all, others the odd two or three days at most and any longer than that, you've probably got bigger things to worry about than the impact on your eBay business.

I'd be more concerned about the Post Office closing completely as they can do if they're not viable or the owner wants to retire. There might be provisions for 'rural lifeline' services but that could be a once or twice weekly van, rather than an in village post office.

If you drive, think about where the other post offices in the area are, in case the nearest one closes and you have to make a trip out once or twice a week for posting. Or if you post a lot of items, would it be worth having the post van come to your house to collect? This is a service available to businesses, but I have no idea whether you would meet the volume criteria or if it would be cost effective to you?

Thank you so much for your replies, really helpful and positive. It sounds as if we won't have too much trouble at all which is wonderful. I am eligible to have my items collected and if I love this is something I will be looking into. Thank you both as you've really rested my mind!

Hi Laura. You could get in touch with Wild Olive. They make soaps from an old Pub in Dove Holes and have a web store so could ask them how they find e-com it the Peaks!
Peak Dale products are also close by and whilst not an ecom store, they will know what it’s like to get deliveries in and out.
I’ve lived on the edge of the Peaks for 20 years now and still have pinch me moments. It’s a wonderful place to live.