Author: CrushDesign

Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards shortlist announced

Seventeen businesses have been shortlisted across eight categories in the inaugural Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, organised in association with Chesterfield College.

The shortlisted food and drink establishments were selected from hundreds of nominations received by the competition organisers Destination Chesterfield. More than 50 businesses were nominated in and around Chesterfield.

A secret panel of judges is now set to visit the shortlisted businesses in order to decide the winner of each category. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Chesterfield College on the 30th October.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We were overwhelmed with nominations. It has been a fantastic start for Chesterfield first Food and Drink Awards, showing a very diverse mix of establishments that the town has to offer.  The Awards are recognition of the contribution Chesterfield thriving hospitality industry makes to the local economy.”

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Mr Sparkles

  • Calabria
  • Nonsolovino
  • Cocina @Casa Hotel

Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by NatWest

  • Stephensons Coffee and Tea House
  • Blu Bistro
  • Koo Coffee and Bistro

Gastro Pub – sponsored by Jumble Design

  • Barca Bar at Casa Hotel
  • The Market
  • Coco Bar Bistro

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

  • Barca Bar at Casa Hotel
  • Tramway Tavern
  • The Market

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

  • Raaz Indian Grill
  • Delhi 41
  • The Andalusian

Customer Service – sponsored by Franke

  • Cocina @ Casa Hotel
  • Calabria
  • Stephensons Coffee and Tea House

Best Out of Town – sponsor Northern Tea Merchants

  • Peak Edge Hotel
  • Fox & Goose Inn, Pudding Pie Hill
  • Kathmandu, Clay Cross

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 About Chesterfield

New report shows Chesterfield bucks north south divide on shop vacancy rates

Destination Chesterfield has welcomed news that the town has maintained its top 10 position in The Local Data Company’s latest report on shop vacancy rates. It is one of only three towns north of the ‘Watford Gap’ that are listed in the report’s top 25 best performing centres with the least vacant shops.

The report, which analyses over 1,900 town centres, shopping centres and retail parks visited in the first half of 2013, ranks Chesterfield 8th in the large centres category.

Figures also show that Chesterfield’s shop vacancy rate has fallen from 8.7% in 2012 to 7.7% in 2013, placing it above the large affluent tourist town of Windsor (9.1%) in the south. The average vacancy rate of towns in the large centres category currently stands at 13.5%. Further welcome news includes the fact that the East Midlands has shown the greatest improvement at -0.4%.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company commented: “Chesterfield is performing well as a town with the vacancy rate nearly halving to 7.7% since its peak in 2010.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield,said: “The report is hugely encouraging, confirming our belief that Chesterfield’s retail sector is expanding rapidly. In the last two years many major high street names, including Debenhams and TK Maxx, have chosen to invest in Chesterfield further strengthening our retail offer.  The town’s mix of independent and high street retailers and excellent location, coupled with good transport links and the growing property market, ensure footfall from local shoppers and those outside the area, helping make the town a go-to destination.”

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “Chesterfield has got it right in terms of its overall retail mix, which means it can offer something to every type of shopper. It has a popular market and some interesting and unique independent shops and boutique stores, as well as some big name national retail brands which help drive footfall into the town centre.

“Further developments due to come on stream later this year and beyond will help Chesterfield to continue to buck the national trend and attract even more investment into the local retail sector.”

In recent years Chesterfield has invested heavily in the town’s retail offering, helping it attract inward investment from large high street names as well as fledgling businesses. Its historic Market Hall is undergoing a £4 million redevelopment. Opening in October, the market hall will provide 45 internal and external retail units, 22 offices, a central café/coffee shop and conference facilities. In November 2013 the town will welcome Hobbycraft and Asda Living. In October 2011 Debenhams opened a full range department store in the town with Rob Hadfield, Head of Property at Debenhams commenting: “We have long felt Chesterfield is an exciting destination for a potential Debenhams store.”

Since launching the town’s marketing campaign in September 2010, against the backdrop of a cool financial climate, Chesterfield has shown growth across the board and bucked the national trend for declining high streets with unemployment decreasing by 0.5% during this time.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We could have chosen to bunker down and ride out the recession, but we didn’t. We chose to forge ahead with our marketing plans and this shows in the recent retail figures.

“The results also demonstrate that the pro-active work we are doing with the town’s businesses is paying dividends. I’m pleased with the progress we have made but I believe there is more to come if we continue to work hard on delivering the right climate for business growth.”

The investment in Chesterfield as well as its buoyant housing market is a key attraction to retailers choosing to invest in the town, as it has increased local footfall as well as providing a ready pool of employees.

Funding for Destination Chesterfield has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Chesterfield Borough Council and the local business community until December 2015, ensuring the marketing campaign’s on-going success.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Nominations open: Help uncover Chesterfield’s best in food and drink

‘You have to be in it to win it;’ that’s the message from Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards.

Arranged in association with Chesterfield College, with support from the town’s business community, the awards are designed to discover the very best Chesterfield has to offer. Nominations are now open across 11 categories to find Chesterfield’s best places to eat and drink. Categories include:

  • Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Mr Sparkles
  • Gastro Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year – Sponsored by NatWest
  • Customer Service – Sponsored by Franke
  • Chesterfield producer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Pub of the Year (sponsor to be confirmed)
  • Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Best out of Town – Sponsored by Northern Tea Merchants
  • Young Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
  • Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Redbrik Estate Agents
  • Chesterfield Food Hero – Presented by Chesterfield College

Whether it’s the food, chef, customer service, drinks, or something you can’t quite put your finger on, Destination Chesterfield wants to know why your favourite eatery or pub gets your business.

Nominations close at midnight on Wednesday 11th September, after which the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards’ panel of secret judges will shortlist three finalists in each category and visit these establishments to rate them against set criteria.

As well as established chefs, the awards are also looking to uncover Chesterfield’s aspiring talent with a Young Chef of the Year award, culminating in a cook off to decide the winner.

With hundreds of restaurants, bars, cafes, take-aways, food producers and pubs in the town, Destination Chesterfield is anticipating a barrage of entries. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards evening at Chesterfield College on 30th October.

People can find nomination forms in eating and drinking establishments throughout the town, or fill in the form online athttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

First sponsors announced for Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

ChesterfieldCollege has been announced as the headline sponsor of the town’s first ever Food and Drink Awards.  The College is also joined by Mr Sparkles, Jumble Design, Franke , Redbrik, Nothern Tea Merchants, Banner Jones and Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce as category sponsors.

Officially launched by organisers Destination Chesterfield in July earlier this year, there are ten categories in the awards, which are designed to celebrate the wealth of eateries, pubs, bars and food producers that have established themselves in the town. As well as being headline sponsor,Chesterfield College will also host the awards ceremony at its Heartspace building later this year.

Trevor Clay, Principal of Chesterfield College, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Food and Drink awards, celebrating the amazing culinary achievements of the region. Our Catering and Hospitality department link closely with a large number of employers across the area and our students are continuing to gain opportunities in the industry, be it on either a work placement, part-time work, an Apprenticeship or full-time position. This being said, we’re proud to be hosting the awards ceremony in our Heartspace building in recognition of the superb Food and Drink businesses across Derbyshire.”

A panel of judges will ‘mystery shop’ establishments put forward by the general public and rate them against a set criteria. Entries open on the 19thAugust for the ten categories:

•          Restaurant of the Year

•          Café of the Year

•          Gastro Pub of the Year

•          Customer Service Award

•          Chesterfield producer of the Year

•          Pub of the Year

•          Best Newcomer

•          Best out of Town

•          Young Chef of the Year

•          Chef of the Year

Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield explained: “We wanted the Food and Drink awards to be a true reflection of everything culinary the town has to offer. The ten award categories cover everything from great customer service and emerging talent to, of course, fantastic tasting food and drink. Whether it’s a business lunch or night out with friends and family, supporting the awards is an excellent way for businesses to recognise the valuable roleChesterfield’s food and drink industry plays in our personal and professional life.”

If you are interested in sponsoring an award category or entering the 2013 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, visithttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/  or contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Traders all set to move into Chesterfield Market Hall

All of the traders who were previously trading from Chesterfield’s market hall have been offered space in the new market hall when it re-opens this autumn.

The iconic building, owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, is due to open in October after a redevelopment which has cost £4 million in build costs.

The council has been working with traders to offer an improved shopping experience to customers new and old when the market hall opens again.

Each of the potential traders were asked to present a business case setting out what they can offer customers.

Support in putting together these plans was given to existing traders through Destination Chesterfield’s ‘Incubation Street’ campaign.

This initiative is funded by a grant secured by Destination Chesterfield from Government as a town team partner and via the contributions of the Chesterfield Champions, the network of local businesses that work together to promote and develop Chesterfield.

The council is committed to giving the first opportunity to existing traders – subject to them being able to offer sufficient quality, which happily has been the case. Each of the existing traders was able to offer good business plans with impressive levels of thought, detail and creativity.

During the last 12 months, the existing traders have been housed in a temporary market hall to the rear of the building on New Square. The council has provided this facility to traders at a reduced rate to allow them to trade while the redevelopment work took place.

In addition, six new traders have been offered spaces in the building, offering new opportunities to shop. There are currently only two internal and five external units available.

The council has also appointed a preferred operator for the café, which will be the focal point of the ground floor in the redeveloped market hall.

Local start-up business Market Plaza Café, managed by mother and daughter team, Lynne and Shannon Benison will run the new café.

Market Plaza Café is owned by SLIC Training and Shannon has completed a hospitality apprenticeship through SLIC Training and has progressed to a full-time role in the hospitality industry. The company will offer opportunities for new apprentices to train on the job in the new café

Shannon Benison said: “I’m really looking forward to putting my skills and knowledge to establish the new and exciting business venture in the new market hall.”

The new café will be open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea options.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “At a time of cuts we have invested in the market hall project because we have identified how important this is to the town’s economy.

“I am looking forward to welcoming traders old and new to the market hall when it re-opens in October. I would like to thank the existing traders for their patience while the building work has been taking place and I hope they will be as happy as I am about the new facilities we will be able to offer them.

“I am also proud to welcome a local start up business to the new café and am pleased that they will be offering apprenticeship opportunities to our residents.”

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield manager added: “We are pleased that the existing traders are returning to the market hall and that we were able to offer them business planning support as part of the project.

“The interest shown from new market traders is testament to the fact the market hall is considered a superb business incubator, providing a firm foundation for growth.

“It is also really pleasing to see a number of Chesterfield Championsinvolved with market hall. SLIC Training is the preferred operator for the new café, combining skills and training in the hospitality sector with their business, while Straightcurves is taking a incubation unit for their new business venture.”

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

The work has been overseen by the council’s estate management partner, Kier, with G F Tomlinson as main contractor.

Project management has been carried out by Mace with Taylor Young as architects and Ramboll as engineers.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

Have your say on art scheme for Hornsbridge roundabout in Chesterfield

Chesterfield residents are able to vote for the public artwork they would like to see at a key gateway to the town centre.

The project, led by Chesterfield Borough Council, aims to raise the profile of Chesterfield as a place to invest, visit and live.

Funding of £500,000 has been secured from Barratt Homes, who are responsible for new housing developments in the borough, including on the former Chesterfield Football Club site on Saltergate, and from the European Regional Development Fund for the project.

The funding must be used to make environmental improvements and install public art at key sites around the edges and entry points to the town centre.

The first site is at Hornsbridge.

The borough council is running a consultation with residents to choose the design of the artwork at this key entry point into town.

There will be a one-day event in the Pavements Shopping Centre where residents can votes for the design they would like to see installed at Hornsbridge from a shortlist of four designs,.

The event runs on Friday 9 August from 10am to 4pm.

The shortlisted designs for the Hornsbridge site are:

  • The Tutelar
  • The Portal
  • Field and Fort
  • Growth

Each of the designs which have each taken inspiration from a different aspect ofChesterfieldand its history.

The survey will also be available on the council website from Friday 9 August until Friday 13 September: http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/Gateway-Enhancement-Options-1173.html

The results of the public vote will be combined with the votes of the business community, gathered through Destination Chesterfield, and recommended to  the council’s cabinet, who will have the final say.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “We are proud ofChesterfieldand keen to attract new investment into the town – so we feel it is right to give our residents and local businesses a say in the artwork that will used at Horsbridge, a key entry point into the town from the M1.

“I would urge anyone involved to go along to the event at the Pavements Shopping Centre on 9 August to meet the artists and leave comments or to vote online before 13 September.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

25 new Ambassadors all set for summer in Chesterfield

Chesterfield has recruited 25 more willing volunteers to sing the praises of the town, bringing the total of ‘ambassadors’ to 125. The volunteers joined the town’s Ambassador Scheme ahead of the influx of tourists over the summer.

The new ambassadors include frontline staff from the town’s businesses, including restaurants, museums, banks and Chesterfield Borough council employees. They join local residents, traffic wardens and sales assistants to name but a few, who have previously signed up to the voluntary, unpaid scheme.

Chesterfield Ambassadors is the brainchild of the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, and is designed to ensure that all visitors to the town have a great time here and leave with a positive impression.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager explained: “We have marketed Chesterfielda as place to live, work and invest in during the last two years. Many businesses and people have chosen to locate here and this, coupled with an 11% increase in tourism, ensures that our Ambassadors play a vital role in helping market the town positively. The Ambassadors Scheme is about ensuring all visitors – whether tourists or here on business – leave with a positive opinion ofChesterfield and are excited, like we are, of our plans for the future.”

The latest ambassadors recently underwent training to ensure they were all equipped with the latest news, facts and figures about the town – from how many tiles are on the iconic church spire to information about the town’s regeneration plans alongside the importance of good customer service.  Ambassadors then receive regular updates about the town on events, developments and local news.

The two-hour training workshop took place at the Town Hall and was developed with Chesterfield Champion, Evolution Training. If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk to find out more.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield housing developments boom

Improvements in the housing market mean that Chesterfield is experiencing a boom in new housing – with more than 200 homes being built in the borough.

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with developers to encourage investment in the borough.

Work is currently underway on 127 homes by Miller Homes as part of the Portlands development, on Sheffield Road, on the site of the former Chesterfield Panthers rugby club.

The site has two, three and four bedroom properties for sale, including energy saving features and, showing concern for local wildlife, many are fitted with bat bricks and external bird boxes.

Commenting on the development, Paul Walters, associate director at Miller Homes East Midlands, said:

“Since opening the new sales centre at The Portlands, we have had a phenomenal level of interest, which reflects the increasing buoyancy in the market.

“Chesterfield is at the top of the wish list for many couples, families and individuals looking to buy. With initiatives such as the new government-backed Help to buy scheme, making a move has now become a much more affordable and flexible process.

A further 68 homes are also under construction by Barratt Homes on Saltergate, the former site of Chesterfield Football Club.

Jan Ruston Sales Director for Barratt North Midlands comments “We are proud to be part of the regeneration of Chesterfield and Saltergate is a great testament to that”

“Due to the location, Saltergate is in the catchment area for great schools and is only a short walk to the town centre. With demand to live here high, more than half of these homes have already been sold. ”

Two, three and four bedroom homes are currently available.”

The council has worked with both developers throughout the process from acquiring the sites, obtaining planning permission and during construction to maximise opportunities for apprenticeships and local businesses.

The council has recently put in place a Local Authority Mortgage Support Scheme to help first time buyers in Chesterfield get their foot on the property ladder.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “Despite the current economic downturn, Chesterfield is currently seeing significant investment in housing.

“Chesterfield is on the up and we have made significant investment to attract people to the borough.

“Our Local Plan has identified the number of new homes we will need over the next 20 years and these developments will go a long way to provide the homes we need for the people we expect to see living and working here.”

The council is also looking for residential development at another key site in the borough. Offers are currently open for the former Newbold School site on Newbold Road and Loundsley Green Road.

The 1.94 hectare site is in a popular residential area, close to the town centre and has been identified in the borough council’s Local Plan as a prime spot for a residential development, subject to planning permission for a preferred scheme of housing.

The closing date for offers is Wednesday 31 July.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

New Home Bargains store to create 40 Jobs in Chesterfield

Home Bargains is investing approximately £500,000 in a new store in Chesterfield, which will open its doors on Saturday, 13 July.

The top brand, bottom price retailer is creating up to 40 new jobs in the community, with its latest store located on Lordsmill Street – adjacent to TKMaxx.

Source:Home Bargains

Posted in About Chesterfield

First look at Chesterfield Market Hall for Chesterfield Champions

Today (Thursday 13th June) Chesterfield Champions received a sneak preview behind the scenes tour of Chesterfield Market Hall as part of Destination Chesterfield’s Inspired Investment Event.

Local businesses heard about the progress of the £1.5 million Community Stand being developed by Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust. The scheme will open in September 2013 and includes community facilities including soft play, gym, café and offices for community and charity organisations.

Mike Hayden from Chesterfield Borough Council updated on the major regeneration schemes in the town. Negotiations are still ongoing with potential anchor tenants for the Northern Gateway development. There is strong interest for Chesterfield Waterside on both the housing and commercial elements of the scheme and it is hoped work will start towards the end of the year.  Markham Vale continues attracting investment with Ready Egg building a new factory which will create 50 Jobs, over 200 jobs have been created on sit ein the past couple of years.

Matt Sorby from Kier updated on the progress of the market hall development which will open this October. He then led a behind the scenes tour of building for the Champions and the local media.

For behind the scenes images of the market hall visithttp://www.flickr.com/photos/destinationchesterfield/sets/72157634098097073/

For the latest on regeneration schemes in Chesterfield visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/developments

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Skills on the agenda at Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Engineering firms met this morning (5th June) to discuss skills and training at Destination Chesterfield’s latest Manufacturing forum.

The event at Calabria in Chesterfield included presentations from Alison Bettac the new training director for the AMRC Training Centre which opens this October.  They offer a full service for manufacturing businessess to recruit and train apprentices to meet the needs of their business.

Paul Stuart from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project highlighted the business support that they can offer to local businesses to grow and their free seminar programme including an Operational Excellence Workshop on the 28th June.

Laura Hayfield from Sheffield City Council introduced Skills Made Easy part of the Sheffield City Region City Deal and the opportunities available for employers.

This forum was organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by United Cast Bars Ltd and NatWest.

View the image gallery from the event

If you are a manufacturing and engineering firm in North Derbyshire and would like to be involved in future events email Dom Stevens atdom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield