High Peak Stand Up to Racism is launching a new campaign on Saturday (5 June) called 'High Peak Welcomes Diversity'.
The group say it is delighted that local actress Julie Hesmondhalgh - whose most well-known role was playing Hayley Cropper in long-running ITV soap Coronation Street - is supporting the initiative and has made a video urging everyone to get involved.
The group will be inviting local shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants to join the campaign by putting a sticker in their window and a notice inside, and making sure that their staff do all they can to make everyone feel welcome.
High Peak Borough Council is supporting the campaign and the group received a grant through the council for voluntary services from the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Vulnerability Fund.
The group's chairperson Gwyneth Francis said: "The statement we are asking businesses to endorse is 'We commit to welcoming all, whatever their ethnic and cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification or disability. We support diversity and inclusion throughout the High Peak'.
"We will start the campaign in Glossop, Hayfield and New Mills but hope to spread the message across the High Peak in the coming months."
A banner which has previously been displayed by members of High Peak Stand Up to Racism
The group's secretary Linda Walker said: "We have been impressed by the support we have had for Black Lives Matter protests in Glossop but also sad to see a certain amount of negativity on social media.
"We hope that this campaign will help to make people of colour feel more welcome in our community, and will encourage local residents to think about the importance of welcoming diversity and inclusion."
Members of High Peak Stand Up to Racism will be on the high street near Norfolk Square in Glossop on Saturday morning from 11am and also on New Mills Promenade at the same time.
They invite readers to come and hear more about the campaign, as well as to take a leaflet and a sticker to help spread the message.
People can contact the group by emailing highpeakstanduptoracism@gmail.com or send a message to the Stand Up to Racism High Peak page on Facebook.
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