Belper, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Belper is a town and civil parish in the local government district of Amber Valley in Derbyshire, England, located about 7 miles north of Derby on the River Derwent. As well as Belper itself, the parish also includes the village of Milford and the hamlets of Bargate, Blackbrook and Makeney. Originally a centre for the nail-making industry since Medieval times, Belper expanded during the early Industrial Revolution to become one of the first mill towns with the establishment of several textile mills; as such, it forms part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Geography Belper is 8 miles (13 km) north of Derby and is in the valley of the River Derwent. As well as Belper itself, the civil parish also includes the communities and hamlets of: • Bargate • Belper Lane End • Blackbrook • Broadholm • Far Laund • Farnah Green • Makeney • Milford • Mount Pleasant • Openwoodgate • White Moor.

Blackbrook The hamlet of Blackbrook is located 2 miles (3 km) west of Belper on the A517 Ashbourne road.

Openwoodgate The adjoining community of Openwoodgate lies to the east, 1 mile from the centre of Belper. A small eastern portion, centred around Openwood Road and the Kilburn Lane section of the A609 road, containing the historic Ireton Houses cottages, and bordered by the A38, is contained within Denby parish.

Hills Firestone Hill is to the west of the town by the parish boundary, and is the highest point at 191 metres (627 ft). Several masts for communications are positioned there.

Another local feature is Bessalone Hill at 182 metres (597 ft) to the north. It also maintains radio masts.

Pinchom's Hill is north of Bargate, by Sandbed Lane. It is 169 metres (554 ft) in height.

Wyver Nature Reserve This lies west of the River Derwent and just north of Belper. The reserve lies on a nineteen-acre site and is part of the Derwent Valley Heritage Way. It is placed on a reoccurring flood plain which makes it an attractive place for wildlife, especially wading birds.

Economy Belper's economy was traditionally reliant on manufacturing industry and numerous goods were made in the town. Cotton spinning and textile production were major employers virtually for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The large East Mill and the smaller North Mill are now all that remain of the industry and are preserved as part of the Derwent Valley Mills world heritage site.

During the Second World War, Rolls-Royce based the Merlin aero engine design team and Robotham's engine design division developing the Meteor tank engine at Belper. After the Second World War, J. W. Thornton, the chocolate maker, moved into the town from Sheffield, which helped to alleviate the employment problems arising from the contraction of the earlier industries. In 1985, the company relocated to a new site a few miles away in Swanwick.

Today, the main employment sectors are retail and services although some manufacturing industry remains. The main shopping area is centred on King Street and Bridge Street. The town has three supermarkets, the Co-operative, Morrisons and Aldi. There are two discount shops, Poundland and B&M Bargains. There are smaller Tesco and Co-op supermarkets on the Whitemoor estate.

Aristoc Aristoc, located in Belper in Derbyshire, is a British marketer and manufacturer of hosiery. Aristoc was first registered as a trademark in 1924 by A.E. Allen and Co. Ltd; appearing in advertising for the company from 1926. In 1934 the company was renamed Aristoc. Aristoc originally marketed itself as the "aristocrat of silk stockings". They are famous for their production of tights, knee-highs, stockings, shapewears, and body shapers. Aristoc is a brand under the company Pretty Polly. They are known to be reasonably priced so most can afford them. Aristoc is most commonly known for their body shapers. Aristoc is recorded to be one of the longest established hosiery brands in the United Kingdom. As of 2013, Aristoc has stated that 90% of its manufacturing is currently based in Britain, at its Derbyshire facility, as part of its campaign to support traditional British manufacturing.

Transport: Road The A6 is the major through-road of the town and runs parallel to the River Derwent to the west.

Transport: Rail Belper railway station is situated on the Midland Main Line. Regular trains between Derby and Matlock on the Derwent Valley Line are almost the only services to stop there, although one main line service to and from Sheffield stops on weekdays at times designed to assist Belper residents working in Sheffield. The group 'Friends of the Derwent Valley Line' are campaigning for more such services.

Transport: Bus The town is served by regular bus services to Derby and surrounding towns and villages as well as longer routes to Manchester and London. The major operator is Trent Barton who operate the bus garage on Bridge Street.