Author: CrushDesign

Celebrations for two Chesterfield Champions at Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards

The county’s finest food and drink businesses were crowned last night at the prestigious Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards, including two Chesterfield Champions.  Italian town centre establishment, Calabria is the proud winner of Best International Restaurant and Peak Edge Hotel, situated on the outskirts of the town, once again scooped Gastro Pub of the Year.

Joint owners of Peak Edge Hotel, Jo and Damian Dugdale commented:-

“We have a great team at The Peak Edge Hotel at the Red Lion and are thrilled to be winners for a third year running.  Thank you to everyone involved.”

Celebrity chef Valentine Warner presented winners in a total of ten categories at the Derbyshire County Council run awards with their accolades at Chesterfield Football Club’s Proact Stadium.

The full list of winners are:

Restaurant of the Year
Darleys Restaurant, Darley Abbey

Best International Restaurant
Calabria Cucina, Chesterfield

Gastro Pub of the Year
Red Lion Bar and Bistro, Stonedge

Traditional Pub of the Year
The Dragon, Willington

Tea Room/Coffee House of the Year
No. 6 The Square Tearooms, Buxton

Café of the Year
Naughty and Nice, Bakewell

Best Derbyshire Breakfast
Fresh Basil, Belper

Best Family Friendly Venue
Scrumdiddlyumptious, Wirksworth
Foresters Bar and Restaurant, Darley Moor

Best Newcomer
Samuel Fox Country Inn, Bradwell

Local Food Hero
Steve Croot – Croots Farm Shop, Duffield

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“Derbyshire has so many fantastic food and drink businesses that it is getting harder each year to pick a winner.

They all play an important role in the Derbyshire’s economy and we are delighted that our awards give them all much deserved recognition.”

The Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards were sponsored by HSKS Greenhalgh Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors and Holdsworth.

Entries were judged on a number of criteria including the quality of food and drink served, customer service, use of county produce and acknowledgement of it on menus.

They are then judged by an independent panel of food specialists and each short-listed venue had a mystery shopper visit.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield

UEFA HEAP PRAISE ON SPIREITES

Chesterfield FC officials have received a glowing endorsement from UEFA following the European Women’s Under-17 Championship, which featured four games staged at the Proact Stadium.

The club hosted the final of the tournament, which saw Germany beat Spain in a penalty shoot-out after the two sides were tied at 1-1 at the end of normal time.

Tournament director Adrian Bevington praised the club’s handling of the matches. He said: “Chesterfield FC have been fantastic hosts of the UEFA European Women’s Under-17 Championship and provided us with a great stadium for a final of this level.

“We have been really impressed with the modern facilities. The staff worked really hard to provide a great service to UEFA, The FA, the players and the fans who attended the matches.

“The final was a wonderful occasion and Chesterfield FC and their partners should be proud of the grand event they staged.”

The stadium previously hosted men’s England Under-21 and Under-19 matches.

Source:Chesterfield FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Free workshop aims to help Chesterfield businesses shine

Chesterfield-based businesses are being given the opportunity to shine by local award writing specialist and Chesterfield Champion, Pure Events. Lucinda White, Director of Pure Events is hosting a free Business Awards workshop on Wednesday 27th November at Tapton Innovation Centre.

The workshop, which is organised in partnership between Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will give people the skills, information and top tips they need to submit creative and well-written award entries.

The workshop itself has been shortlisted for the ‘Business Idea of the Year’ Award in the 2013 Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

As a follow-up to the workshop, all delegates will also receive a free critique of next award entry, worth £175.

Dominic Stevens Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “The town has many great business success stories that aren’t being told or recognised. By organising this free workshop we hope to give business the skills and know-how they need to get valuable recognition for their business.  They may have missed out on this year’s local business awards, but after attending this workshop there will be no excuse for missing out on next year’s.”

To reserve a place on the Business Awards Workshop visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/awards.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Representation of districts and boroughs on D2N2 LEP board is an ‘important step forward’

John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chairman of Destination Chesterfield, believes representation of boroughs and district councils on the board of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is an important step forward.

Councillor Burrows has been appointed as the representative for all Derbyshire district and borough councils on the board, while Newark and Sherwood leader Councillor Roger Blaney is the voice for Nottinghamshire’s districts and boroughs.

Councillor Burrows said: “It is an important step forward for all district and borough councils in Derbyshire to have our importance to economic regeneration recognised properly by having a seat at the table. Our role is just as important as that of local businesses if we are to improve the economies of our local communities.

“All the district and borough councils are keen to see a holistic approach being taken on economic regeneration and transport issues and I will be seeking to bring them together in the economic strategy that D2N2 is producing.

“I was unanimously elected by the other district and borough councils and to ensure I am representing all their views, from whatever political persuasion, I am meeting with all the chief executives and leaders to find out their priorities and needs.

“I will use this, along with my own experience of regeneration issues in Chesterfield, to make a contribution to the wider strategy and actions being delivered by the Local Enterprise Partnership.”

Councillor Burrows and Councillor Blaney give the districts and boroughs a strong voice, sitting alongside the leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council on the 15-strong board.

D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph said: “Representation from the districts and boroughs is very important as they bring a wealth of local knowledge of their area as well as planning and housing. Their engagement with the LEP will particularly help to deliver sustainable jobs.

“Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is a vast and diverse patch so the experience and expertise the boroughs and districts can bring to D2N2, especially at board level through Councillor Burrows and Councillor Blaney, strengthens us as a Local Enterprise Partnership in driving forward economic growth in our area.”

Photo: John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chairman of Destination Chesterfield with David Ralph, D2N2 Chief Executive.

Source:D2N2 LEP

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Minister backs D2N2’s Skills for Growth Strategy launched at Champions Breakfast

D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – launched its Skills for Growth Strategy yesterday.

And the plan was welcomed by Matthew Hancock MP, the Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, backing the commitment of the Local Enterprise Partnership for putting skills at the forefront of its agenda.

D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph outlined the initial plans at a special Chesterfield Champions event hosted by Destination Chesterfield at Chesterfield College’s Heartspace building on Infirmary Road.

Mr Ralph said: “Business consistently identifies skills as their number one barrier to growth and for that reason alone skills is one of the key cornerstones of our Growth Strategy – to deliver 55,000 jobs over the next ten years.

“We have to recognise that for there to be a step change in skills, outcomes will not be delivered through any magic bullet but with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Fundamentally, and in D2N2’s view, placing employability and the needs of employers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire at the forefront of our Skills for Growth Strategy is key.

“If we are serious about economic growth then we need to be serious about positioning delivery to support employers.

“Under the localism agenda, success is in our hands. Raising aspirations comes best from local champions and best practice and it will be the delivery of local collaboration, energy and excellence which makes the lasting difference.”

Matthew Hancock MP, the Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, welcomed D2N2’s Skills for Growth Strategy.

He said: “I welcome the launch of D2N2’s skills plan. There is a clear commitment to driving up apprenticeship opportunities and to working with employers, colleges and training providers to prioritise the skills needs of business now and for the future.

“The next stage must be to turn the plan into action, and for the benefits to be felt by employers and learners on the ground.”
The Strategy outlines six key skills priorities. They are:

• Develop sector growth agreements to make explicit ownership and shared responsibilities for investment, ICT, labour market intelligence and impact measures.

• Improve business leadership, management skills and training needs analysis to help increase productivity and performance.

• Promote and develop apprenticeships and traineeships to achieve higher-level skills and improve social mobility.

• Foster enterprise and the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour, career adaptability and resilience.

• Raise the visibility of and access to career insights and specialist careers support for young people and adults to raise aspirations, participation, retention and achievement in learning and work.

• Promote graduate recruitment and facilitate graduate retention in the region.

To download the Skills for Growth summary or full document, go towww.d2n2lep.org/skills

Source:D2N2

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s best in food and drink named at awards ceremony

Chesterfield’s very best food and drink establishments and producers were honoured at glittering awards ceremony hosted by TV chef and presenter Ainsley Harriott on Wednesday 30th October.

10 business and individuals across 11 categories were named as Chesterfield’s finest at the sell-out awards ceremony held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building.

On the night, Calabria restaurant, based on Glumangate took three of the titles including the prestigious Chef of the Year award which went to Nicholas McNerney.

The Town’s first ever Food and Drink Awards were organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College. More than 50 nominations were received across 11 categories and only 16 businesses and six individuals shortlisted for the awards.

 

Café / Tea Room Of The Year – sponsored by NatWest

Stephensons Coffee & Tea House

 

Gastro Pub Of The Year – sponsored by Jumble Design

Barca Bar at Casa Hotel

 

Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones

Ryan Lee – Peak Edge Hotel

 

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by In the Works PR

Tramway Tavern

 

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

The Andalusian

 

Best Customer Service – sponsored by Franke

Calabria

 

Chesterfield Producer of the Year – sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

Teresa Lambarelli’s

 

Chef of the Year – sponsored by Redbrik

Nicholas McNerney –Calabria

 

Chesterfield Food Hero

  1. Ayres Fruit & Veg

 

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Mr Sparkles

Calabria

 

Best Out of Town – sponsored by Northern Tea Merchants

Peak Edge Hotel

 

Destination Chesterfield Manager, Dominic Stevens said: “The inaugural Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards was a resounding success thanks to the support of town’s hospitality sector, Champions, sponsors and everyone who nominated.  I am thrilled we have delivered what Chesterfield requested –recognition for its thriving food and drink economy.

 

Images from the event

 

Video by Derbyshire Times from the event

 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Public’s favourite design chosen for Hornsbridge Roundabout in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has approved plans for a key entrance into the town, as chosen by the public and local businesses.

At their meeting on Tuesday 22 October, cabinet members approved plans for work by a local artist, guided by the outcome of a public consultation, to be installed at Hornsbridge roundabout, the main gateway into Chesterfield from the M1.

£300,000 in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Barratt Homes, who is currently building 68 homes on the site of the former Chesterfield Football Club on Saltergate, has been provided to improve the area.

This funding can only be used for public artwork and work to improve the look and feel of the roundabout.

The aim of the project is to provide a talking point and to attract inward investment into the town centre.

Members of the public and business leaders in Chesterfield have chosen a design by Derbyshire-based artist Melanie Jackson for the site.

The public were given the opportunity to choose between four shortlisted designs during a consultation held during August and September, 507 members of the public commented online and in person during an event at the Pavements Shopping Centre.

The design was also chosen by the Chesterfield Champions, a network of local business leaders.

The chosen artwork, entitled Growth, features a wheel or cog, integrated into the landscape, symbolising Chesterfield’s strong industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “At the junction of the A61 and A617 and next to the Midland Main Line, the area’s rail link to London, Hornsbridge is the most important entrance to Chesterfield, it is, therefore, only right that we take any opportunity to improve this area.

“The funding for this has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes and can only be used for this purpose with the aim of attracting more economic development in the town centre.”

A further £190,000 in funding will be spent on the pedestrian approach from Chesterfield Railway Station to the town centre.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Final finalists announced for Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Nine more finalists have been announced across three categories in Destination Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards. They now join a line-up of 17 businesses and organisations who are competing for a total of 11 titles.

The announcement of the finalists across the Local food producer / grower/ manufacturer and Chef and Young Chef of the Year categories completes the line up ahead of the sell-out awards ceremony on 30th October, hosted by TV chef Ainsley Harriott at Chesterfield College’s Heartspace Building.

On the night nine contenders will battle it out across the following categories:

Local food producer / grower/ manufacturer within 10 miles of Chesterfield – Sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

  • The Gingerbread Boy
  • Teresa Lambarelli’s
  • Vintage Rose Catering

Young Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Banner Jones

  • Ryan Lee – Peak Edge Hotel
  • Adam Warwick – Blu Bistro
  • Abbie Canning –Chesterfield College

Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Redbrik

  • Tracey Goostry – The Market Pub
  • Raju Murad – Indian Blues
  • Nicholas McNerney –Calabria

As part of the competition the shortlisted chefs had to take part in a Master Chef style cook-off, which was held at Coughlans Cookery School on the 21st October. Each chef was tasked with creating and cooking two dishes, which were sampled and scored by a panel of judges.

As part of the challenge the chefs had to use ingredients from Chesterfield based MSK Ingredients’ molecular range in each of their dishes.  MSK Ingredients supplies its specialist ingredients, molecular gastronomy tools and training to hotels and restaurants throughout theUK, including Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin starred restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray,West Berkshire.

Ryan Lee (18), Chef du Partie at Peak Edge Hotel in Stanedge and a former pupil of Dronfield Henry Fanshaw School, was nominated for the award by his Head Chef. He said: “I was a bit surprised to hear I’d been shortlisted. I love cooking and being creative with food. It’s a great way to express myself.”

Tracey Goostry from Clay Cross, who has been Head Chef at The Market Pub in Chesterfield for 10 years, said: “I love my job. It’s everything.  Above all, I want to enjoy the competition. Winning would be a bonus.”

To follow Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards on Twitter use the hashtag #CFDA13.

For more information about Destination Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Markham Vale jobs boost as work on £8m development begins

Work has started on a new £8m manufacturing facility which will bring another 50 jobs to Derbyshire’s flagship regenerate site.

Northern Ireland’s biggest egg processor, Ready Egg Products has selected Markham Vale site for its new manufacturing facility – creating 50 jobs for local people over the next two years.

The company chose the site, next to the purpose built junction 29A of the M1, for its excellent transport links, saying it will help provide a more efficient service to its clients, 80% of which are based in the UK mainland.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Ready Egg Products to Markham Vale for the development of its new base which will bring 50 new job opportunities.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting Markham Vale to the stage it is during extremely tough economic times and there have been some very positive recent developments with more in the pipeline.

“Everything we have done at Markham is geared towards long-term job creation and strong foundations are in place. During the last year alone over 500 new jobs have been announced and we will continue to work hard to attract more companies with the aim of bringing 5,000 jobs for local people.”

Work is underway on a state-of-the-art 34,700 sq ft warehouse on nearly three acres of land, which is expected to be ready for business by June 2014.

Ready Egg, which was set up as a family operation in 2004, currently employs around 80 people at its Northern Ireland headquarters near Enniskillen.

It processes over 1.4m eggs per day for a number of high profile clients to use in food-making including cakes, pastries, pies, mayonnaise and meringues.

Charles Crawford, Managing Director of Ready Egg Products, said:

“This is an exciting development for Ready Egg Products and we’re pleased to be bringing 50 jobs for local people to Markham Vale.

“Our new processing site will give our customers – the vast majority of which are in the mainland UK – a better service at a better price.

“Markham Vale is the ideal fit for us because of how close it is to the motorway network, meaning significant savings on transport. Having a purpose-built facility to exact specifications will also streamline operations meaning a more efficient service.”
We are working with development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd which is managing and marketing Markham Vale.

Ben Ward, Senior Development Surveyor at Henry Boot Developments Ltd, said:

“This is more great news for Markham Vale. Ready Egg is the latest business to choose Markham Vale as a location due to its excellent transport links to the M1. We are currently finalising discussions with several other occupiers and hope to be able to release further details soon.”

Henry Boot Construction won the contract to construct the building which will accommodate Ready Egg’s operational needs and take 34 weeks to complete.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances – offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Revamped Market Hall prepares to open its doors

The finishing touches are currently being added to Chesterfield’s Market Hall, which opens later this month after a £4 million redevelopment.  Click here for photographs.

The new Market Hall, owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, opens on Monday 28 October after the work, which has taken 12 months to complete.

The main retail hall has been transformed with a glazed atrium above first floor level providing natural light and the 1970s extension on New Square has been redesigned to be more in keeping with the original Market Hall whilst providing high quality offices at first floor level.

The majority of existing traders who were trading in the Market Hall were offered space in the new one and are currently fitting out their premises.

The new Market Hall will offer an improved shopping mix for the town centre with a wide variety of stalls including: perfume, mobile phone repairs, sweets, footwear, wools, butchery and seafood.

A new central café area is at the heart of the ground floor operated by Market Plaza Café, managed by mother and daughter team, Lynne and Shannon Benison.

Market Plaza Café is owned by SLIC Training.  The company will offer opportunities for new apprentices to train on the job in the new café.

The new Market Hall will open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.  The butchers and café will open from 8am.

The shopping offer will be further improved as new external units prepare to open.  Fred’s Haberdashery has expanded and will be moving to the bigger former Douglas Turner unit on 28 October.  Further external pitches will be opening during December.

The upper storeys contain rented office accommodation for businesses.

The Assembly Rooms have been restored to their former glory.  They will host the CAMRA beer festival, sponsored by G F Tomlinson, which takes place on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November.

The Assembly Rooms, based right in the heart of Chesterfield, will also available to hire for parties, weddings, business meetings from December.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “I am proud that at a time of cuts, when many councils have been forced to scale down their markets, we have been able to invest in the Market Hall and the traders who offer a wide range of choice to shoppers in Chesterfield.

“I’d like to thank the traders for their patience while the work has been carried out and I hope they are as excited as I am to see the jewel of the market place restored to its full glory.”

£2.1 million for the project was provided by the European Regional Development fund and Lottery grant with the remainder by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The work has been overseen by the council’s asset management partner estate management partner, Kier with G F Tomlinson as main contractor.  Project management has been carried out by Mace with IBI Taylor Young as architects and Ramboll as engineers.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Visiting

Ainsley Harriott to host Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

TV chef and presenter Ainsley Harriott has been confirmed as the host of Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards ceremony.

Ainsley will host the glittering award ceremony, which will honour the town’s very best eateries, pubs, bars, food producers, established and up and coming chefs at Chesterfield College’s Heartspace on Wednesday 30th October 2013.

The Awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.  More than 50 nominations were received across 12 award categories.  Sixteen businesses and eight individuals have been shortlisted for the awards, the winners of which will be announced at the sell-out awards ceremony.

Amongst the award winners set to be announced on the night include the Food Producer of the Year, which is sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce.

The local food producers, growers and manufacturers within 10 miles of Chesterfield who have been shortlisted for the award include:

·         The Gingerbread Boy

·         Teresa Lambarelli’s

·         Vintage Rose Catering

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Ainsley has agreed to host the awards ceremony.  He’s a big personality; the perfect person to make the first Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony a memorable event for not only the town but everyone involved.”

For more information about the 2013 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards or follow on Twitter using the hashtag #CFDA13.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield