Author: CrushDesign

Local design star to unveil Debenhams Chesterfield Store

The eagerly awaited new Debenhams Chesterfield store will open on Thursday, 20 September.

Local designer, Ashley Thomas – whose designs are currently available as part of the Debenhams Edition homeware collection – will officially launch the store, alongside manager Natalie Collins and her new team.

Ashley studied Art and Design at Chesterfield College before going on to study Surface Pattern Design at Staffordshire University. After graduating she was invited to show her work at the ‘New Designers Show’ in London, and from this went on to work with well-known British brands such as Laura Ashley and Mamas and Papas.

Originally from London, Ashley’s family relocated to Chesterfield to start their own business in 2001, Chesterfield Cattery, which they still run to this day. Her love of animals can be seen in her playful designs for Debenhams, which include cushions, wall art, lamps and mugs.

Store manager Natalie says: “We’re thrilled that one of the Debenhams designers will be helping us to open the store on launch day especially as Ashley is a local girl, just like me.”

Ashley says: “My friends were all making jokes about me opening the Chesterfield store so it was really funny when I got the call from Debenhams to ask if I would cut the ribbon on the opening day. I’m touched to have been asked to welcome the store to my home town. I’m so excited about my newly launched collections for Debenhams, it’s such an amazing feeling knowing that my designs will be available on my doorstep.”

Once open, Debenhams Chesterfield customers will be able to enjoy the designer collections that Debenhams is famous for, including H! by Henry Holland, Principles by Ben de Lisi, J by Jasper Conran, Star by Julien Macdonald and Rocha by John Rocha.

Beauty fans are in for a treat as the store’s cosmetics hall will offer an extensive range of big beauty names such as Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Benefit and Bare Escentuals.

A free Personal Shopping service will be available, offering customers in need of style guidance one-on-one advice on the clothes best suited to fit their body shape and personal style.

Customers can also take advantage of an in-store ordering service, allowing them to order any Debenhams product and either pick it up in store or have it delivered direct to their home.

A Café Estro will also be found in store providing fresh coffees and pastries, hot and cold snacks such as paninis, soups and salads as well as healthy lunch boxes for kids.

Natalie adds: “The team and I have been working hard to get the store ready for launch day and we are all just eager now to get the doors open and start serving customers. We can’t wait to show off the new store.”

Debenhams Chesterfield will open to the public on 20 September at 10am.

Source:Debenhams

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

There’s nothing vacant about Chesterfield

Chesterfield is riding high on the retail front after a national report revealed the town is bucking the north-south divide with low shop vacancy rates. The latest figures from the Local Data Company (LDC) gives a detailed insight and analysis of 506 town centres and Chesterfield is third best of the largest centres in the country with just 8.7% of shops being empty. Compared to the likes of Nottingham (30%), Stockport (28.4%) and Sheffield (26.1%), Chesterfield is one of the few top ten northern towns leading the way to keep its high streets buzzing.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “This is like getting a gold star on your school report! What better indication is there than when an external research company identifies your town as being one of the top retail locations in the UK?

“We’re not surprised by the news because we know the figures, we see how busy the shops and markets are and we get the feedback from visitors and investors that Chesterfield is doing something different, something right. Projects like Destination Chesterfield, investment in our tourism offer, developments such as the Northern Gateway, these are all part of mix that keeps us striving to attract more people to the town to visit, spend money, invest and live here.

“There’s still much to do to improve the local economy and reduce unemployment in the borough but a thriving, bustling town centre is certainly a major bonus and gives us a strong platform to build from.”

Vic Risorto, Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for Retail, Leisure and Tourism said: “It is excellent news that Chesterfield’s high street occupancy is once again being heralded amongst the best in England. With the exciting regeneration plans coming forward for the town centre including the Market Hall refurbishment, extension of Ravenside Retail Park and the proposed Northern Gateway, Destination Chesterfield will continue to work with Chesterfield Borough Council to support existing businesses as well as promoting our town centre to attract further investment.”

Figures from the LDC report show an increase in shop vacancies across the East Midlands from 16.7% in 2011 to 17% in 2012. Chesterfield (8.7%) is the only town centre in the region that is in the top ten with just York (9.6%) and Harrogate (10.3%) featuring amongst a predominant list of Southern based locations, including Central London, Cambridge and Kingston upon Thames. 

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Promoting the changing face of Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield, in partnership with local developers, has launched a series of hoardings to tell the story of the changing face of Chesterfield

The new hoardings, which have been erected at the Ravenside Retail Park and at the Shorts Accountants development on Ashgate Road, are part of Destination Chesterfield’s ‘Warm Welcome’ campaign and are supported by the town’s 110-strong business network Chesterfield Champions and the European Regional Development Fund.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The hoardings have been strategically positioned at developments on the main routes through town. These are prime sites for passing traffic and highlight not only the development on the site but the other regeneration schemes in Chesterfield.”

Andy Irvine of Shorts Accountants who are Chesterfield Champions said:“Work at our Ashgate Road site is now well underway. The sign gives details of Shorts’ heritage in the Chesterfield area and the opportunity for us to showcase our exciting new office development.”

David Whiteley of fwd Motion, who designed the hoardings said: “As Chesterfield Champions we are proud of the regeneration that is taking place in Chesterfield.  These hoardings not only highlight these developments but make the exterior of these sites more attractive to those travelling through Chesterfield.”

Further hoardings will be produced for other developments in the future. The next major project will be hoardings for the refurbishment of Chesterfield’s Market Hall.  The hoardings will not only tell the story of the regeneration but will also celebrate the history of the Market Hall and the temporary trading arrangements in place during the refurbishment.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield secures future funding

Destination Chesterfield is pleased to announce that it has secured additional funding which will extend the initiative until the end of December 2015.

Further funding will be received from the European Regional Development Fund and a new three year plan will be developed through consultation with businesses and local residents to promote the town as a place to invest.

Destination Chesterfield, which is funded through income received from the European Regional Development Fund, Chesterfield Champions and Chesterfield Borough Council, is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promoteChesterfield.  This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “It is excellent news that we can continue the work we have started through Destination Chesterfield.   Many of the regeneration projects in the town are now moving forward but we need to continue to promote the opportunities available and attract further investment into the town.”

Councillor John Burrows, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “This is not just about the European funding and the Borough Council as Destination Chesterfield wouldn’t be possible without the support of the businesses that have become Chesterfield Champions and contribute to the project financially and in-kind.  We look forward to continuing to work with these businesses who are taking an active role in the promotion of the town.”

Michael Heath, Director of Cheetham Jackson and a Chesterfield Champion said: “I’m proud to be a Chesterfield Champion.  Being involved with Destination Chesterfield has allowed businesses of all sizes to have a say in how the town is promoted and influence howChesterfield is developed in the future.  It is great news the project will continue to support the business community ofChesterfield.”

Further information on Destination Chesterfield can be found atwww.chesterfield.co.uk

 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

70 new jobs created at Chesterfield superstore

Chesterfield Borough Council and Jobcentre Plus have worked with one of the town’s newest superstores, The Range, to appoint 70 employees for the store.

The Range, which opened on 29th June on Lordsmill Street, offers more than 65,000 products across 16 departments including DIY, homewares, furniture, lighting, arts and crafts and garden.

The Council and Jobcentre Plus helped The Range to find suitable venues for the interviews and inductions which were part-funded by the Council’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund in order to support unemployed people into the posts. 

The Range successfully recruited 70 employees from the two interview days, 16 of whom were local unemployed people claiming Job Seekers Allowance. A further five local unemployed people were also offered work experience with a view of permanent employment if positions become available.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We’re obviously keen that any new, or existing employer, in the town takes on unemployed people within the borough so we’re delighted that The Range has located to Chesterfield and that so many people will now be in employment as a result. A similar project was carried out at Turning Point in Mastin Moor where we worked with Jobcentre Plus and Chesterfield College to secure jobs for local people in their new Mental Health Unit.”

Angela Stansfield, Employer & Partnership Manager at Jobcentre Plus said: “By working in partnership with the Council we were able to support unemployed people into these jobs which is always a great boost to the local economy.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Sector specialists appointed to Destination Chesterfield Board

Destination Chesterfield has recently appointed sector specialists for the manufacturing, professional services and retail, leisure and tourism sectors to their board.

Destination Chesterfield, funded through money from the European Regional Development Fund, Chesterfield Champions and Chesterfield Borough Council is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promoteChesterfield.  This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

James Brand, Sales Director at United Cast Bars will take the lead for the manufacturing sector.  James has worked at United Cast Bar since 2004, and has helped the company grow to become the world leader in continuous cast iron bar production. Operating on a global scale, the facility inChesterfieldproduces the broadest range of products of any peer within their sphere of operation.  James said “Manufacturing has a key role to play in the economy. Businesses rely on their local community to offer support and vital resources to ensure the future growth of their businesses.”

Steve Smith, Relationship Director at Natwest Bank joins to represent the professional service sector and brings expertise on the funding available to businesses who plan to relocate or grow in Chesterfield.  Steve says “Destination Chesterfield is an exciting concept uniting public and private sectors locally to help promoteChesterfieldleading to better amenities and job prospects for the local community.  My motivation in joining the board is to make a positive contribution towards those objectives for the Town and surrounding areas.”

Vittorio Risorto, Owner of Calabria Restaurant on Glumangate, will represent the retail, leisure and tourism industry.  Vittorio said “It is important businesses work together to shape theirChesterfieldand listen to their customers to make this happen.  We need to look to the future, how we support local businesses to grow, maintain high street occupancy as well as attracting new investment to the town.

James Mitchenson, Editor of the Derbyshire Times, also joins the team, bringing further marketing and public relations expertise to the board.  James said “I’ve very quickly been impressed with the drive and ambition Destination Chesterfield has for the town, and I am keen to ensure the Derbyshire Times is at the heart of it.  I am looking forward to working as a board member of Destination Chesterfield to ensure the people ofChesterfieldare listened to, and their town continues to flourish.”

Further information about Destination Chesterfield and the Chesterfield Champions can be found at www.chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield school children promote world’s largest steel bar

During February 2012, United Cast Bar (UK) have broken another production record by successfully casting a 635mm diameter bar using the continuous casting process. This increases above the current largest size of 600mm produced a competitor.

To support the presentation of this success, UCB engaged students from Parkside Community School, Chesterfield to produce a digital publication to celebrate the Company’s world record breaking production.

Over fifty students attempted to create a digital publication, ranging from a traditional newspaper article to an animated web publication. Seven students were shortlisted and treated to a tour of the working foundry, where they saw raw materials being melted and cast through the fascinating and truly engaging industrial process.

Lina Green and Rachel West, Year 10 students at the school commented “thank you for your tour of the foundry, it was really interesting to see the work put into making something that is useful for people and businesses around the world”.

The winning entry, a website publication created by Year 9 students Lauren Gaynor, Natasha Cope and Eve Hobson, impressed the judges for its professional quality. The publication can be viewed on the United Cast Bar Limited Website.

James Brand, Group Sales Director for United Cast Bar commented “We are really impressed with the high level of quality and complexity of all of the publications the students have created. We are so pleased to be engaging with Parkside School today, who have a heritage of producing quality students with an industrial related bias.”

Mr Mills, Leader of ICT Innovation and Development, commented “What a marvellous opportunity for our students to be part of this ground breaking venture. This initiative has blurred the edges of education and business development and showed our students how local business and education partnerships can make their mark on a global scale”.

Mrs Gould, Y11 Progress and Transition Leader organised the visit. It is hoped that the advanced ICT skills that have been developed at Parkside School can be utilised to influence the Company’s marketing strategies around the world.

Source:United Cast Bars

Posted in About Chesterfield

First plans for Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway go on show

Chesterfield Borough Council and their development partner, Wilson Bowden Developments, are inviting the public to come and meet the team behind the Northern Gateway project and to see first hand the images of the proposed scheme.

The estimated £50m project will transform the Donut roundabout area, one of the main gateways of Chesterfield town centre, into a high quality shopping and leisure area. The site will also offer a mix of commercial space, homes and car parking. It’s estimated that the project will create around 1,000 jobs with around 300-400 during the construction process and a further 700 on completion of the site.

The Council recently announced the appointment of Wilson Bowden as the development partner after a rigorous tendering process, initially involving eight companies. Both parties are now keen to show Chesterfield residents the proposals for the site and hear their views. 

The Northern Gateway project will feature a major foodstore, shops and restaurants, a cinema, 80 bed hotel, 85 homes, commercial floorspace, and replacement car parking spaces, plus an outdoor performance area.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The Northern Gateway is going to be one of the biggest developments we’ve had in Chesterfield for many years. I’d like to hear what Chesterfield residents think of the plans so I’d encourage people to come along and see for themselves what’s proposed and to raise any issues with us and speak to the developers.”

David Ward, Planning Director from Wilson Bowden Developments said: “We’re keen to work with residents in Chesterfield to make sure we deliver a quality development that takes account of their views and meets the requirements of the Council’s plans for the area. We’ve got some great images of how the scheme may look and detailed layouts that we will be happy to share and discuss with local people.”

The Northern Gateway public exhibition will take place in Unit 9 of The Pavements Shopping Centre (formerly Thomson travel agents) on
Thursday 14 June – 12 noon to 4 pm, Friday 15 June – 10 am to 4 pm
and Saturday 16 June – 10 am to 4 pm. Alternatively, you can view the plans and leave feedback here

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

Elton John Concert: What was it like for you

History was made in Chesterfield at the weekend with the biggest concert ever held in the town as Sir Elton John, CBE, wooed a record crowd of 15,019 at the Spireites’ B2net football stadium, and the football club is wanting feedback from those who attended as a record of this land-mark event.

 

The 65 year old rocker put on an amazing non-stop show that entranced the crowd for two and a half hours as he performed songs from his endless back catalogue of hits from the last four decades, but what was it like for those who attended?

 

During the show Elton John said: I never thought I would ever play in Chesterfield, it’s a great stadium, so well done Chesterfield.”

 

After a week of heavy rain the sky amazingly cleared and even the sun came out to provide perfect dry weather to which Elton John remarked: “Thank you God for stopping the rain and keeping it dry for tonight’s show.”

 

Just like great football match days, the Spireites B2net Stadium was bouncing to the sound of Sir Elton’s music with the large crowd made up of concert-goers of all ages.

 

Were you in the audience and what was the atmosphere like for you?

 

Elton John said: “Thank you to everyone at Chesterfield Football Club for making tonight’s show possible and to the people of Chesterfield for supporting it. It’s truly amazing.”

 

So from Las Vegas to Chez Vegas it certainly was a night to remember in the history of Chesterfield Football Club and a proud town of Chesterfield.

 

Let us have your feedback

 

What did you think of the Elton John Concert? Let Chesterfield FC know what your experience was like? Send your feedback and to feedback@chesterfield-fc.co.uk or send it via Facebook or Twitter. Full details on the club’s website www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Source:Chesterfield FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield Welcome Signs

The board of Destination Chesterfield has been listening to the debate around the new welcome to Chesterfield signs over the past month with interest. Both positive and negative feedback on the design of the new road signs has been received.

As a result of this, following a Destination Chesterfield Board meeting last Thursday (24th May) it was agreed that a more familiar graphic of the Spire will be added to the signs over the coming months. These additions will be funded by Destination Chesterfield via the European Regional Development Fund.

 

Further Welcome Signs are currently being produced for Chesterfield Coach Station which will include these graphics as well.

 

Cllr John Burrows, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said “We have listened to the views of the public and are making adjustments to the signs at a cost to Destination Chesterfield. The graphic that will be added is a modern interpretation of the Spire which will be recognized as the town’s famous landmark.”

 

Pete Swallow, Chair of DestinationChesterfieldsaid “It is important to remember the original purpose of changing the signs was to promote the events and activity happening inChesterfield. DestinationChesterfieldhas created a marketing opportunity out of the signs which will drive footfall and spend into the town supporting the local economy.

 

The Welcome to Chesterfieldsigns have been designed using the Chesterfieldvisual identity which was launched in April 2010 prior to the launch of Destination Chesterfield in October 2010 and has been used to promote the town since then by Destination Chesterfield, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Champions and other partners. All the imagery used is based on the twists and the patterns of Chesterfield’s crooked spire.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Lights, Camera, Developments!

Destination Chesterfield has teamed up with media students at Chesterfield College to produce video content to promote the town’s regeneration sites.

 

The students, who went through a full briefing process including pitching their story boards to liaising with venues to acquire filming rights, have produced two short films on business and development sites in Chesterfield.

 

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “ It has been great to work with the media students at Chesterfield College, their enthusiasm for Chesterfield and their drive in producing these videos has been excellent and shows the talent the town has coming forward for the future.”

 

Trevor Clay, Acting Principal of Chesterfield College said “As a Chesterfield Champion, we have a role to play in making sure our students are aware of the exciting regeneration plans for Chesterfield. This project has not only done this but given them a real life project to work on and a piece of work for their portfolio that can be shown to future potential employers.

If any other businesses would like to commission the media students for a corporate or promotional video please contact our Media team, Tom Bell and Matt Pritchard on 01246 500618.”

 

The videos can be viewed on Destination Chesterfield’s website athttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/video-library and will be used to promote the town to potential investors.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield