Author: CrushDesign

Chatsworth at forefront of accessible tourism campaign following funding boost

Chatsworth is among eight Peak District and Derbyshire businesses chosen to promote England as a leading destination for accessible tourism – now worth £3 billion to the national economy.

Official tourist board, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire is one of just seven destinations to secure a share in national tourist board, VisitEngland’s ‘Access for All’ project, funded by a 125,000 Euros (almost £98,000) grant from the European Commission.

All the businesses taking part along with Chatsworth – Crich Tramway Village; East Lodge Hotel and Restaurant, Rowsley; Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington; the Peak District National Park Authority’s Parsley Hay Cycle Centre; Peak Shopping Village, Rowsley and Rivendale Caravan and Leisure Park, near Ashbourne – will have the opportunity to promote and improve their accessibility as part of the project.

Their employees will have access to the very latest training to boost their skills, while an informative guide will showcase the warm welcome and wide variety of experiences all visitors – including those with access needs – can expect in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

VisitEngland will also launch a national marketing campaign in the late summer and early autumn to promote experiences available for visitors with access needs and encourage more people to take a short break in England.

“We’re delighted to have the chance to take part in this VisitEngland initiative, which will put the Peak District and Derbyshire firmly on the map as one of the country’s leading destinations offering accessibility to all,” said Lindsay Rae, Industry Engagement Manager at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

“We already work with our Patrons, members and organisations such as Accessible Derbyshire to make people aware that much progress has already been made to improve accessibility to accommodation, attractions and activities in the area.

“‘Access for All’ involves some of the flagship businesses that have already made great strides in catering for this growing market, and will build on what has already been achieved.”

James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland, added: “We are committed to ensuring England is a destination that offers a warm welcome for all visitors. The Access for All project is a fantastic opportunity to continue to build England’s reputation as a leader in accessible tourism, and help grow this important and valuable market.”

New research by VisitEngland reveals that the overnight accessible tourism market is now worth £3 billion to England’s economy, with day visits boosting the figure to £12.4 billion. Over the past four years, overnight trips by disabled tourists and their companions have increased by 19 per cent, with spending up by 33 per cent.

Source:Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

The hunt is on to find Derbyshire’s most active workplace

Employees across Chesterfield and Derbyshire are being encouraged to log sport and exercise online and compete for prizes in an eight week challenge designed to motivate people to stay fit and healthy in 2015.

Open to everyone, the competition has already attracted nearly 400 participants from over 30 different organisations across Derbyshire.

The ‘My Team 2015’ electronic leaderboards went live atwww.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire on Monday January 5, as workers returned following the festive break, but there’s still time to sign up, back date your activity and continue to battle it out for the top slot.

This year individuals have access to the Workplace Challenge’s online activity logger as well as the new iPhone app, making it even easier to record and monitor their achievements alongside those of friends, colleagues and other workplaces.

A team and social approach to exercise is something Derbyshire Sport will be strongly encouraging throughout 2015 using both social media and events to inspire workers to join up with colleagues to get active.

Andrea Stone, Sport Development Manager from Derbyshire Sport, said:
“With everyone returning to work with great intentions for the year ahead, January is the perfect time to come together with colleagues and introduce some healthy habits into your working week.

“However, our ambitions for ‘My Team 2015’ in Derbyshire go far beyond simply supporting New Year’s resolutions; it’s about introducing lasting healthy habits into the working week.

“The support and social banter of exercising with colleagues is a great way to not only make getting active more enjoyable, but also to push yourself to remain committed to your healthy goals.”

For more information and to register to take part in ‘My Team 2015’ for free, log on to www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/.

Source:Derbyshire Sport

Posted in Business

Cathelco supplies corrosion protection for Russian sector

Cathelco is supplying corrosion protection systems for the second stage of the Filanovsky project in the Caspian Sea, where Lukoil is extracting oil and gas in Russia.

The impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems have been designed to operate in the extreme conditions of the Filanovsky field, where sea ice is often experienced for more than 150 days of the year.

One of the systems will protect the foundations of an ice-resistant stationary platform No 2 (IRP-2) which will be used to drill 15 directional wells with horizontal borehole completions, comprising nine production wells and six injectors.

The other ICCP system is being supplied for a second accommodation unit No. 2 (LQP-2) which will house 55 people and include a helicopter pad.

The new orders follow the successful installation of ICCP systems on three of the original Filanovsky platforms when Cathelco supplied equipment for a riser platform (RB1), an accommodation unit (PGM-1) and an ice resistant fixed platform (IRFP-1).

“We are delighted to have been awarded further contracts for the Filanovsky project on the strength of our past performance and the ability to design equipment which will operate in the harsh environmental conditions of the Caspian Sea”, said Aneel Mumtaz, a senior corrosion engineer at Cathelco.

The main factors in the design of the system are that the anodes have to be ice resistant, capable of being changed by a diver and easily integrated with the structural arrangement of the platform.

“The ICCP systems have the capability to meet the corrosion protection requirements of the structure for 35 years,” Mr Mumtaz explained.

To achieve the necessary wear resistance, the current-emitting faces of the anodes are made from mixed metal oxide (MMO) and have a thickness three or four times greater than conventional anodes.

Another important consideration is the low salinity of the Caspian Sea, which creates a higher seawater resistivity. This requires a higher driving voltage for the anodes in order to achieve the required level of corrosion protection.

When the ICCP system is in operation, the reference electrodes measure the electrical potential at the hull/seawater interface and send a signal to the control panel which automatically raises or lowers the output to the anodes. In this way, the structure receives the optimum level of corrosion protection at all times.

“Cathelco have amassed a considerable amount of experience in the design of ice class ICCP systems for vessels and platforms operating in Arctic conditions.”

The orders for the ICCP systems have been received via Marine Bridge and Navigation Systems, Cathelco’s well established Russian agent based in St Petersburg.

Source:Cathelco via East Midlands Chamber

Posted in Business

Recognition for Chamber’s efforts to close employability gap

The work East Midlands Chamber does to help create closer links between business and education has been praised by Government.

 

 

The Chamber’s Schools Forum, established to promote better engagement between education sector and the private sector, has been highlighted in a report from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which looks at the relationship between employers, schools and the National Careers Service (NCS).

 

The research paper, written by former National Careers Council Chair Dr Deidre Hughes, examines the role of the service in helping employers to work with schools, to the benefit of individuals and businesses.

 

It holds the Schools Forum up as an example of best practice of schools and businesses working together, stating: “An important element of the forum is to provide information on labour market intelligence relating to area of economic growth and employment opportunities in the region.

 

“This has been provided by the Local Enterprise Partnership, local authorities, employment and Skills Boards and from research undertaken at local universities.

 

“The aim of this is to ensure that curriculum development and careers advice is not disjointed and removed from the realities of the needs of local employers.”

 

East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, has worked closely with the Department for Education, Ofsted and the Local Enterprise Partnerships for the three counties on a host of skills-related initiatives over the past two years.

 

And in its recently launched 2015 election business manifesto, it has called for measures to incorporate employment outcomes in secondary school assessments, ensure work experience is embedded into education, champion vocational options in education and ensure there is a clear link between the curriculum and the demands of the local labour market.

 

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Head of Information and Representation, said: “Members frequently tell us that skills shortages are among the biggest problems they face when it comes to recruitment, which is why the Chamber has been working hard to improve the employability skills of school-leavers and young people.

 

“The work that has been done is an important part of correcting the skills shortages both in the short and longer term. In the short term, it’s vital the Chamber works with others to ensure people in work and those looking for jobs are equipped with the skills to succeed.

 

 

“It is gratifying that the hard work has been recognised but while progress has been made there is still more to do on this agenda to help ensure that all young people have the skills, attributes and attitudes employers demand.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Borough Council branding changed for first time in 40 years

New branding is being introduced to help Chesterfield Borough Council improve customer service, generate more income and save on future design costs.

The council’s branding was originally created 40 years ago and so was not designed with modern publishing needs in mind, particularly for websites or social media.

The new visual identity, produced by Chesterfield-based company Crush Design, continues to feature the town’s famous Crooked Spire and is designed to help attract more people to use services that generate income, such as the council’s leisure centres.

To help the council save money in the future templates are also being produced to enable council staff to create posters or leaflets for events they are running without having the cost of designing each one individually.

Implementation of the branding will be phased in so that items are only replaced when they reach the end of their working life to prevent additional costs. Many uses of the branding can be changed without any cost, such as social media or when producing future leaflets or posters.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “At the moment we provide around 60 services. Different teams in the council tell the public about them in different ways and using different visual styles.

“So while they might know we are responsible for rubbish collection they might not know we run the Pomegranate Theatre and Winding Wheel or the parks. Instead they often mistakenly think we are responsible for roads, schools or social care when those are services run by Derbyshire County Council.

“By simplifying the messages we give out and presenting them in a more modern and consistent way people will be able to easily identify what services are run by Chesterfield Borough Council and how to contact us about them.”

A separate organisation, Destination Chesterfield, which is a partnership between private businesses and the public sector, is responsible for marketing Chesterfield as a place to invest in and visit.

In recent years Destination Chesterfield has created an identity to promote Chesterfield which has been used at key gateways to the town, on tourism promotional materials and to promote economic development and regeneration projects.

The council branding has not been changed for 40 years and only applies to services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council. The new branding will not replace any of the work done by Destination Chesterfield to promote Chesterfield.

The council has approved the use of the new branding from late January.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Manufacturing

New era beckons for Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism

Tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire is poised on the brink of a brand new era as the newly-restructured tourist board looks forward to fresh challenges and opportunities in 2015 and beyond.

 

Changes at the top at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire are designed to take the organisation forward into an even brighter future as a world class tourism destination.

DMO Director Jo Dilley – who has been involved in the strategic development of the tourist board since its inception – is now at the helm of a leaner, reshaped team.

The announcement comes at the end of a review of the tourist board, instigated by its key public funders to assess its performance and achievements since it was set up nine years ago.

The review panel – consisting of representatives from both the public and private sectors – was also charged with recommending ways in which the tourist board’s structure and operations could be modified to ensure its continued success.

A new, revised structure has now been approved by both the review panel and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s Board.

“I am delighted to welcome Jo Dilley as DMO Director,” said Paul Roden, Chairman of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. “After nine years as a pivotal member of the tourist board’s senior management team, she is the ideal choice to steer the organisation through its current period of transition.

“I would like to assure visitors, stakeholders, Patrons and members that they can continue to count on the high standard and wide range of services they have come to expect from the tourist board as we embark on an exciting array of marketing activities in 2015 and beyond.

“Much has already been achieved, and with our revised and responsive new structure, we can look forward to an even more promising future – building on the strong relationships we have forged with all our public and private sector partners.”

David James, former Chief Executive at the tourist board, who will join Bath Tourism Plus as Chief Executive in the New Year, added: “It has been a great honour to lead the team at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire for the past nine years.

“It has been particularly rewarding to see the difference our destination has achieved over that time. Our national Tourist Board, VisitEngland, now recognises it as one of the leading destinations in the country – a massive result achieved by working together with all our public and private sector partners for the greater good.

“I can only wish the team, the stakeholders and the industry the very best of luck for the future. The Peak District and Derbyshire is a magnificent part of the country, and it has been my privilege to serve and represent it in the tourism sector.”

Source:Visit Peak District and Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Council approves study into new Chesterfield market layout

Plans to improve the layout of the historic Chesterfield Market market are to be drawn up.

Councillors have approved plans for experts to carry out a feasibility study to improve the popular attraction, which is owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Currently, of 151 stalls in Market Place, only 46 of them face outwards or are at the end of a row.

The study will look into changing the layout of the current market to increase the number of stalls which are in a prominent position looking outwards which can be easily seen by shoppers.

Other issues which will be investigated include:

  • Increasing the power supply to stalls to allow for more refrigerators and tills, allowing modern payment methods to be used
  • Increasing aisle space to make it easier for shoppers with pushchairs and wheelchairs to use the market.

The council has carried out consultation with traders and their views will be taken into account when the report is prepared and considered.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Although our traditional open-air market continues to be popular with residents and visitors alike, we currently have a problem for traders where the majority of traders do not have a prominent position facing outwards or at the end of a row, meaning they cannot be seen easily by shoppers and attract less trade.

“We have listened to concerns raised by traders and we will be inviting experts to come and look at a new layout for the market which will increase the footfall to the area.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

More Good News on Jobs

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit across the region has fallen once again.

Figures released this morning show a reduction in Jobseekers Allowance claimants of 2,533 across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire from 42,223 in October to 38,690 in November – a fall of 17,475 compared with November 2013.

The countywide figure for Derbyshire showed a drop of 434 from 7,570 to 7,136 for the month, a reduction of 3,299 for the year.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1446 in November, which has dropped by 503 from 1949 since the same month in 2013 and the figure is now at its lowest since June 2008 which stood at 1449.  It is the lowest figure recorded in the town on the records which go back to 1992.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber – the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire – said: “The continuing fall in the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants is welcome and is indicative of the strength of the local economy.

“The East Midlands region has been one of the main drivers of the economic recovery and the provisional results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey carried out by the Chamber suggest that firms are continuing to recruit and will do well into 2015.

“What is important now is for the gap between the skills of school leavers and the needs of employers to be closed so that more young people are properly prepared for work and for Government to make sure business has easy access to the finance it needs to invest for the future to create even more jobs.

“There is little doubt now that interest rates will rise next year. It is vital for business that the increase is controlled so that it doesn’t punish firms which have already invested and cause them to review recruitment plans or even reduce staff levels to offset any increase in the cost of borrowing.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield

New facilities in Chesterfield for Derbyshire athletes

A new satellite hub designed to help athletes from the Chesterfield area reach the top of their chosen sports has been unveiled.

The Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS) programme is for elite performers and has been established as a legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the aim of giving stars of the future the chance to push their sporting careers to the next level.

Support comes in the shape of strength and conditioning coaching, access to physiotherapists, nutritional advice and the provision of training facilities.

The main DIS hub is at the University of Derby, who, along with Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council, provide funding to back around 50 athletes.

But two additional sites in Chesterfield – at Chesterfield Borough Council’s Queen’s Park Sports Centre and Staveley Healthy Living Centre – will ensure that those on the DIS programme based further north in the county will enjoy easier access to facilities.

Colin Deaton Table Tennis Academy player Isobel Ashley, 18, from Barrow Hill, is delighted she will now be able to spend more time training.

“The Staveley site is just five minutes from my school where I am studying for my A levels and means I can go straight to the gym there after,” she said.

“I can also use the sports hall to practise at Queen’s Park, as well as the swimming facilities, and it cuts down on the travel to Derby, which can take an hour or more at busy times.”

Golfer George Woolgar, 29, from Tapton, and a member at Chesterfield Golf Club, is aiming to win a place on the European Tour next year.

He said: “I’ve already trained at Staveley and it’s a great facility. It’s a massive help knowing that these places are on my doorstep.”

Another golfer on the DIS programme is 22-year-old Jamie Boler, from Chesterfield. “We can, and will, still travel to Derby some of the time, but training in the town over the winter is going to be a great help,” he said.

The deal between DIS and Chesterfield Borough Council was officially signed on Wednesday morning (December 16) at the Market Hall, Chesterfield.

“It’s a significant development and an opportunity to build on the already great things that Chesterfield people are achieving in sport,” said Mick Blythe, Vice-Chair of Active Chesterfield.

“It gives the community confidence that the right things are in place to give people that final extra value that’s needed to sustain a high performance level.”

Cllr Amanda Sarjeant, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, at Chesterfield Borough Council added: “The link ties in well with the other work we are doing to support promising young athletes, such as the ICON bursary programme and the Chesterfield School Sports Partnership.”

Although still relatively new, the DIS programme is already beginning to bear fruit, with Tansley shooter Caroline Povey having used her backing to help secure a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in Glasgow this summer.

Ilana Freestone, Director at Derbyshire Sport, which manages the DIS programme, said: “We are trying to give athletes from across Derbyshire the best possible chance to succeed. It’s important to provide local facilities for local athletes.”

Caption: From left to right, Ilana Freestone (Director at Derbyshire Sport), George Woolgar (DIS golfer), Jamie Boler (DIS golfer), Isobel Ashley (DIS table tennis player), Councillor Amanda Serjeant (Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council).

Source:Derbyshire Sport

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

One-of-a-kind bike arrives at Autoworld

Autoworld in Chesterfield has this week taken delivery of a unique Triumph motorcycle.   As well as sporting the very distinct vin 666666, the Rocker111 Roadster also boasts custom paint execution across the tank and body work and a series of red demon images under the lacquer.

The exclusive opportunity to host this very special machine was won by the dedicated team at Autoworld after their marketing plan was declared the best in the country by senior managers at Triumph Motorbikes in Leicester.

Tony Cordin, Director at Autoworld said “I am proud of the marketing staff and their achievement; it’s down to their hard work that we now have this very special bike in our showroom.”

Bruno Tagliaferri, Sales Manager at Triumph Motorcycles said:-

“Triumphworld Chesterfield were without question the undisputed winners for the quality and depth of their presentation, including launch activity, media coverage, You Tube, and some excellent display positioning in the region. We look forward to seeing their local campaign materialising.

“The Rocket has not only been  the Triumph factory’s flagship model since its launch 10 years ago, but still remains the world’s largest production motorcycle. As a result we were keen to send it to the dealer with the most comprehensive marketing campaign.”

The bike is now available to view in the Triumphworld showroom on Brimington Road North at Autoworld and a teaser video is also available to view below.

Souce:Autoworld

Posted in Business

Mayor opens new home for three of Chesterfield’s small businesses

The Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Alexis Diouf, took time out of his busy schedule on Small Business Saturday (6 December) to officially open the new home of three small businesses – StraightCurves, In the Works PR and eBusiness Works – who have all relocated to 104 Saltergate.

The four storey building, situated opposite the former home of Chesterfield Football Club, was purchased by StraightCurves earlier this year after the business outgrew its previous home in the Market Hall.

Following a Global Derbyshire Grant, the building was completely refurbished to be fully accessible and to create office space for two other small businesses – In the Works PR and eBusiness Works – who have moved into the top floor of the building.

The move into larger premises has also enabled StraightCurves, a small business delivering art and craft courses and workshops to both children and adults, to create a new full-time job.

During the opening the Mayor and Mayoress were given a tour of the building which includes three large studios dedicated to crafts, including a special space for children’s parties, kids crafting workshops and after school clubs, a brand new kitchen and disabled toilet facilities across two floors. They also met with a number of local artists, designers and craftspeople who use the space at StraightCurves to deliver craft workshops to the public.

Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Alexis Diouf said: “It has been great to visit on the opening day. We wish you all success, and hope to visit again soon.”

Karen Rogers, owner of StraightCurves said: “We were thrilled that the Mayor was able to officially open our new home on Saltergate. It was so fitting that our official opening was on Small Business Saturday, which is all about supporting, inspiring and promoting small businesses, as it just embodies the spirit of the companies based in our new home.  We’re all thrilled with the new premises and excited about the opportunities that it offers.”

Anna Melton, Director of In the Works PR said: “We’re delighted with our new home, the building’s lovely to work in and a great place to welcome clients too. Having just won Business Idea of the Year for eBusiness Works at the Derbyshire Times Business Awards, our plans for expansion are moving forward quickly and our new office space allows us to do that.”

Following the official opening by the Mayor, StraightCurves continued their celebration of Small Business Saturday by hosting an Open Day which featured a craft fair with stalls from lots of small crafty Chesterfield-based businesses selling everything from cards, to original artworks, jewellery and ceramics.

Source:StraightCurves

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business