Rishi Sunak has made a special two day visit to High Peak to listen to local people, hold a farmers policy discussion and present a local pub with a special award.

Last week the Prime Minister visited Buxton, Glossop and Edale as part of a two day tour of the High Peak, arranged by local MP, Robert Largan.

The Prime Minister first visited Buxton Crescent to see the results of the remarkable restoration of the building and to address members of High Peak Conservative Association.

At the meeting, local councillors and Robert Largan MP used the opportunity to raise a variety of local issues on everything from the Mottram Bypass to the upgrade of the Hope Valley line to the regeneration of Buxton town centre.

Mr Sunak gave a speech to the crowd, praising the High Peak as “the second most beautiful constituency in the country” only behind his own North Yorkshire seat of Richmond. He also praised the local MP, saying he was a great champion for the High Peak.

The Prime Minister then paid a surprise visit to The Commercial Inn in Glossop. The pub, based on Manor Park Road, was the winner of the High Peak Best Pub competition, organised by Robert Largan MP.

The pub, run by Anthony Parker and Leanne Parker-Snaith, won the competition after popular public vote.

Thousands of local votes were cast, with pubs first being crowned the best pub in their local postcodes. The Commercial Inn then won the grand final vote, held over the Christmas period. 

Local postcode pub winners also included The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth (SK22), The Beehive in Combs (SK23), The Old Nags Head in Edale (S33) and The Nineteenth Hole in Buxton (SK17).

Rishi and Robert dropped into the crowded Commercial Inn on Thursday evening to present the award and congratulate the staff. The Prime Minister spent time chatting to local drinkers about everything from Mario Kart to Luke Littler. 

Finally, the Prime Minister paid a visit to Ollerbrook Farm in Edale, to hold a special policy discission with farmers from across the High Peak. 

Topics covered included fairer treatment for tenant farmers, rural crime, the need to properly label British meat and the work of local co-operative, Peakland Environmental Farmers.

Mark Smith, Bar Manager at The Commercial Inn said it was an “honour and a privilege” to be presented the award by Mr Sunak.

Mr Smith said: “It’s something you’d perhaps expect the Mayor of High Peak to come and present, not the most powerful man in the country. To have someone of the magnitude come into our pub was great. Obviously we had to keep it quiet for security reasons, but we had quite a big crowd in any way at the time so it was a bit of a shock when he walked through the door.

“It went really well. It was a good atmosphere and we enjoyed having him in here, he seemed to enjoy himself, chatting to the locals and presenting the award to Anthony [Parker - owner] and myself.

“He was here for about 45 minutes I think, came in at around 7.15pm and probably left just after 8pm.

“Just after Covid we - myself and the owners Anthony Parker and Leanne Parker-Snaith - tried to set out to make the best pub in Glossop. Winning the award and having the Prime Minister visit has not quite sunk in yet. It still feels very new!”

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented: “It was great to bring the Prime Minister to Glossop, Edale and Buxton. 

“It was really special to have Rishi surprise everyone at The Commercial Inn and present them with the award. January is a particularly difficult time for pubs with money being tight and lots of people doing Dry January (including me). I organised the competition to celebrate our brilliant local pubs.”

Mr Largan also welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit to Edale, saying: “I was also really pleased to organise a special policy discussion with local farmers from across the High Peak. Farmers are the custodians of our beautiful landscape. I’m very proud to be their champion in Parliament and to give them a chance to speak directly to the Prime Minister.

“I’ll always speak up for Peak District farmers and our beautiful countryside!”

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s visit to Buxton Crescent, Mr Largan said: “Buxton Crescent is real gem of the High Peak. It was great to have the Prime Minister come to see first-hand the amazing restoration work completed. 

“It was also a good chance to discuss vital local issues such as the need to build the Mottram Bypass, the ongoing upgrade of the Hope Valley line and the regeneration of Buxton town centre.”