Author: CrushDesign

Town centre gift shop revamped

Bigwicks in Chesterfield Market Hall has been given a facelift to celebrate its win at the town’s first Retail Awards.

Named Chesterfield’s Home and Gift Retailer 2014, the boutique, which specialises in home fragrance products, now boasts stylish new signage and window graphics ready for the busy festive shopping period.

Created and installed by local agency Jumble Design, the improvements also include new printed marketing material as well as a loyalty card scheme, which customers will be able to benefit from when purchasing gifts this Christmas.

Andrew from Jumble Design said, ‘We are very proud to work with Destination Chesterfield on the branding and design of the Chesterfield Retail Awards, and also the recent Food and Drink Awards, so are delighted as a result of this involvement to be working with an award winner and local Market Hall business’.

Carl from Bigwicks added ‘After the success of winning the Home & Gift retailer of the Year Award we were looking for a new designer to change our shop signage following the Market Hall revamp, and after seeing Andrew’s work with Destination Chesterfield we gave Jumble Design the opportunity to do the work. I am really impressed with the results’.

Source:Jumble Design

Posted in About Chesterfield

Growing Chesterfield firm named industry’s best

Recon Electrical has triumphed in the national 2014 Electrical Industry awards, putting the business on track to expand further.

Once again the Sheepbridge-based independent electrical wholesaler beat off stiff competition from a number of national and international chains to win two awards at the prestigious black tie event – UK Electrical Wholesaler of the Year and Electrical App of the Year.

The Recon Electrical Phone App is believed to be the first of its kind in the electrical industry. It was developed for Recon’s customers earlier this year to provide them with an on-the-go source of information, including a technical library and quick quote feature, which can be accessed via their smart phone.

Held in London, the annual event, which is organised by Electrical Times, is the trade’s longest running and most respected awards championing excellence. The awards not only encourage and celebrate innovation, but also rewards the contribution of individuals and teams across the electrical trade.

This is the second time this year that Recon Electrical has been recognised in national competitions. Earlier in 2014 the business was highly commended in two categories at the Electrical Wholesaler Awards 2014 – Best Individual Wholesaler Branch and Best Electrical Wholesaler with 10 and Under Branches.

Recon Electrical’s Managing Director Andy Salvin, said “The Electrical Industry Awards win has topped off a brilliant year for the business. The awards pay tribute to our focus on customer satisfaction by having the right, skilled and knowledgeable staff.

“In the near future we are looking to expand on what we have in Chesterfield and are looking for larger premises. Long term, we are looking at opening other branches and increasing the team.”

Established in 1996, Recon Electrical now employs nine people at its Broombank Road premises, where it supplies commercial, industrial and private customers with electrical products and consumables, including lamps, lighting, plugs, sockets, cabling, electrical panels and control gear, to companies and individuals locally and throughout the UK.

The company has already made a big impact amongst the area’s trades people after it formed the Chesterfield Trades Hub last year, which was launched to bring the sector together to share business and discuss upcoming projects in the town.

Source:Recon Electrical Ltd via In the Works PR

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Cash injection of £10m to boost tourism in the north

News that the government is planning to pump £10 million into promoting tourism in northern England has been given an enthusiastic welcome by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

The area’s official tourist board has praised proposals to create a coherent strategy for attracting more tourists to the area, announced today (Thursday 6th November) by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the Northern Futures Summit in Leeds.

The Peak District was one of a ‘cornucopia of attractions’ cited by Mr. Clegg, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam, which could be included in an initiative to lure tourists out of London to enjoy the North’s stunning countryside, history and culture.

Mr. Clegg revealed that ring-fenced cash from the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is set to be channelled into national tourist board Visit England, with support from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, from 2015. Like previous RGF campaigns, it will rely on match funding, bringing together resources from the public and private sectors.

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, hailed the announcement as ‘a beacon of hope that will help to put leading tourist destinations such as the Peak District and Derbyshire even more firmly on the map’.

“It has the potential to help key destinations such as ours build on work we have already done during the three-year RGF Growing Tourism Locally campaign – including our first-ever high-profile television commercial – to persuade tourists that there’s much more to England than just the many attractions in the capital,” he added.

“The Peak District and Derbyshire is the perfect countryside partner for many of the country’s great northern cities – ideally situated between Manchester and Sheffield and within easy reach of Liverpool and Leeds – so we will be extremely keen to get involved in Northern Futures to maximise future investment in and opportunities for tourism businesses across our area.

“Like VisitEngland, we are pleased that the Government rightly recognises tourism as a key driver of economic growth, generating wealth and supporting and creating jobs. In 2013, its value to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy was £1.8 billion and it supported 27,500 full-time equivalent jobs.*

“We look forward to working with VisitEngland, our public and private sector partners and co-operating with other tourism destinations to make the most of the benefits that Northern Futures is poised to bring.”

Twitter followers can nominate their favourite Peak District and Derbyshire hotspots and Seven Wonders of the North by joining the on-line discussion using #NorthernFutures.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire is one of 14 leading tourism destinations currently involved in the three-year RGF Growing Tourism Locally campaign. Research by VisitEngland reveals that it has so far generated more than £20.43 million in visitor spending, equating to 380 full-time equivalent jobs, in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Source:Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

National recognition for Chesterfield crafters

A Chesterfield knitting group has earned a special mention on the Innocent Smoothies website after working together to create over 4000 tiny hats for ‘The Big Knit’- an annual campaign designed to raise money for Age UK.

Led by Chesterfield Champion StraightCurves, the team of 53 has dreamed up all sorts of creations for the cause – from ghosts to soldiers, and everything has been knitted or crocheted by hand.

Karen Rogers, owner of StraightCurves is pleased to be involved in the campaign for a second year:

“We’re so grateful to everybody that has been involved in making these little hats – whilst the hats are only tiny, the difference that they make is huge. It’s a pleasure to be involved in The Big Knit 2014, and we’re already looking forward to setting our target for next year!”

The little hats are now at the headquarters of Innocent Smoothies and will appear in stores nationwide in February 2015. Look out for them as for every bottle sold with a knitted hat, 25p will be donated directly to Age UK to help keep older people warm in winter.

If anyone in Chesterfield would like to get involved in the collective effort for The Big Knit 2015 please contact Karen Rogers by emailing info@straightcurvescrafts.co.uk.

Source:StraightCurves

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield

The town ‘steels’ itself for Made in Chesterfield Week

Chesterfield Champion, Franke Sissons Ltd is kicking off an entire week dedicated to celebrating the town’s manufacturing heritage by unveiling a brand new sculpture which has been designed and made by the firm’s apprentices and students from Parkside School.

The unveiling of the sculpture is the start of a series of Made in Chesterfield events, organised by Destination Chesterfield and taking place from 10 – 14 November. The week will celebrate the town’s manufacturing heritage as well as raise awareness of the wealth of job and career opportunities in the sector amongst young people and their teachers.

The idea of the sculpture was conceived by Franke Sissons Ltd to recognise the town’s manufacturing heritage and also the company’s 230th Anniversary which it will celebrate during Made in Chesterfield Week.

The sculpture will be sighted outside the Coach Station in The Pocket Park, a community collaboration being delivered by Chesterfield and District Civic Society to mark their 50th Anniversary, in association with Franke Sissons Ltd and Chesterfield Borough Council. As well as the sculpture, The Pocket Park will feature a number of Norway Maple Trees supplied by N T Killingley Ltd to enhance Chesterfield’s town centre.

Bryan Thompson, Chairman of the Chesterfield and District Civic Society said: “This is a wonderful example of the private and public sectors, a school, and a community interest group happily working together to make the town a more attractive place for all, which will make a difference both now and for future generations. We would like to see more well-sited Pocket Parks, to help reinvigorate a sense of identity both within neighbourhoods and across the Borough.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “Chesterfield Coach Station is the first view that many visitors have when they arrive into the town and I’m sure this new sculpture will help welcome them to the town. As a mechanical engineer, I’m proud to have played a small part in the construction of this artwork.

“I’m also proud of the fact that the sculpture gave opportunities to Chesterfield apprentices and schoolchildren to put their design and manufacturing skills into practice, they will be in a place where we can all admire them.”

Franke Sissons’ design apprentice worked with pupils from Parkside School to develop the design for the sculpture. It comprises three cube frames within each other, features icons that the students felt were representative of Chesterfield today; Nature, Manufacturing, and Community. It will sit outside Chesterfield Coach Station and will stand 1.3m high and 1.5m wide.

Andy Dukelow, Managing Director of Franke Sissons Ltd said: “Our business is rooted in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas. We’re thrilled to be kicking off Made in Chesterfield Week with this magnificent sculpture. I am very proud of what Franke’s apprentices have accomplished with the students of Parkside School. The statue has been a real team effort and one I cannot wait to see in situ.

“Young people play an important role in Chesterfield’s manufacturing sector and I am keen to see more consider a career within it. Having started my career as an apprentice myself with the company 33 years ago, I know first-hand that the sky really is the limit where career progression is concerned.”

Made in Chesterfield Week is taking place between 10 – 14th November and will feature a series of events.  Coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, in partnership with a steering group from Natwest, United Cast Bars, Chesterfield College, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Positive 4 Young People, Placing Futures , Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, the festival is designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students, raising awareness of the employment opportunities within it as well as the number of varied and exciting roles.

A number of Chesterfield companies have signed up to run activities for schools. Events taking place during Made in Chesterfield Week (10-14 November) involving students and teachers from schools throughout north east Derbyshire, include workshops with StraightCurves Crafts and NLT Training, factory tours at MSE Hiller, Franke Sissons Ltd and United Cast Bar.

Software company Magnifica Technologies Ltd and Kingfield Electronics, are also hosting a competition for schools via the social media network Twitter. Using software built by bespoke technology specialists Magnifica, a Quadcopter (drone) will be controlled using data collected from Twitter at Kingfield Electronics’ new manufacturing facility on Sheepbridge Industrial Estate.

Local camping brand Field Candy will also be challenging students to come up with unique artwork for a new designer tent.

The activities are designed to embrace the modern face of the town’s thriving manufacturing sector as well as looking at the manufacturing practices of a bygone age.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “Chesterfield has such a rich heritage in manufacturing and we have a thriving sector with a number of companies doing business on a global scale. Made in Chesterfield Week is a great celebration of this heritage and the sector. The different events that are happening throughout the week will highlight the career opportunities and open young people’s eyes to a career in manufacturing within the town.”

To find out more information about Made in Chesterfield Week, visit:www.chesterfield.co.uk/made 

Made in Chesterfield Franke Sissons Unveiling

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Manufacturing

Chesterfield’s best restaurant named at 2014 Food and Drink awards

The Old Post Restaurant on Holywell Street, has been crowned Chesterfield’s best restaurant of 2014 at the town’s Food and Drink Awards, which returned for the second year running on Wednesday 29 October.

The Old Post Restaurant prides itself on showcasing some of the best food in the region, prompting one judge to comment: “The quality of food, both in presentation and inventiveness, was impressive – a wide range to select from and the cooking was of a high standard.”

Chef and Proprietor Martin Clayton said: “It was a huge surprise to win. It’s a brilliant accolade for the restaurant.”

Twelve other food and drink establishments and producers were also named as Chesterfield’s finest at the sell-out awards ceremony hosted by celebrity chef and TV presenter Ainsley Harriott.

Discover all the winners

As well as new names and faces, on the night three Chesterfield establishments retained their 2013 titles for a second year running, including Calabria, Stephenson’s Coffee and Tea House and Tramway Tavern.

The 2014 awards were hailed as being bigger and better than ever before, with more than 1000 nominations from the public, the introduction of two new categories – International Restaurant of the Year and Family Friendly Award, and a sell-out awards ceremony.

Awards host Ainsley Harriott said: “Last year there was an electric atmosphere in the room and it felt like Chesterfield was on the cusp of something special. And it was! This year’s awards are testament to that – more guests, awards, nominations and winners. What a night.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College, the glittering awards ceremony was also hosted at the College’s Heart Space Building. The awards are considered such a valuable learning experience for the students that the College has committed to sponsoring them until 2015.

As well as being held at the College, the awards ceremony was also catered by 30 of the College’s best students studying NVQ and BTECs in Catering and Hospitality and also trained up three of the finalists in the Young Chef of the Year category, including the winner Natasha Hart.

Natasha Hart, from Chesterfield, works part time at catering services agency, Compass Group Ltd alongside her studies at Chesterfield College.

She said: “I’ve really enjoyed developing more this year at Level 3. The dishes we are learning and getting to create are much more complex and challenging. Being named the winner is a big boost to my confidence, and makes me definitely want to stay within the industry.”

Ainsley added: “Chesterfield’s food and drink sector has a wealth of home grown talent and it is fantastic to see so many of them being recognised at the awards – from the winners to the college students who have catered the event so professionally. It really excites me to see the town getting behind its young people and giving them the opportunity to showcase themselves and build their career in this dynamic industry.”

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “The 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards were a resounding success. These events aren’t possible without the support of our sponsors, in particular Chesterfield College. Its two year sponsorship agreement of the Food and Drink Awards has not only ensured that the event will continue into the future but also that it will continue as a real learning experience for students at the college who are the future of our thriving local food and drink industry.”

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Visiting

More jobs in pipeline at Markham Vale

Up to 100 new jobs are to be created at Markham Vale as Chesterfield-based manufacturer, Inspirepac has announced its plans for a multi-million pound expansion project.

inspirepac, which manufacturers a full range of corrugated cardboard from basic transit and protective cases to specialist retail-ready packaging and fully printed displays, for well-known blue chip brands, will move into a new 100,250 sq ft warehouse and office building being built at Markham Vale.

The new premises will add to the firm’s existing sites at Sheepbridge in Chesterfield, Dronfield, Wetherby in Yorkshire and Runcorn in Cheshire, and will house new high quality state-of-the-art printing, die-cutting and gluing machinery as part of a £6million investment to help transform the company’s £46m group of businesses.

inspirepac, which supplies leading companies including PepsiCo, Bacardi, Thorntons, Kimberley Clark, 3M and Unilever, currently employs 260 people in total including 110 staff at its Sheepbridge headquarters − and a further 100 jobs will be created at the new site long-term.

Chris Marples, CEO at inspirepac, said: “We are delighted to secure new premises at Markham Vale. This new site, combined with further planned investment in 2016, will enable the Inspirepac Group to grow beyond £90m in the next five years, with the opportunity of creating up to 100 further jobs over this period.  Local investment and new jobs are essential for the region and we are pleased to be playing our part in helping the local community and give job security and longevity to our existing employees.”

Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, introduced inspirepac to Markham Vale. She said:

“inspirepac is a great ambassador for Derbyshire business. It’s embracing the latest technology to be a leader in its field and bring contracts from big name companies to Derbyshire.

“We’re delighted inspirepac has chosen Markham as the home for its new premises taking the number of its sites in the county to three.”

She added: “Today’s announcement is great news for Markham Vale which is playing a key role in our plans to drive growth in Derbyshire by stimulating economic activity, helping businesses to thrive and creating jobs for local people.”

inspirepac are the latest in a line of companies to acquire premises on the regeneration site off junction 29a of the M1.

Existing occupiers include MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

Henry Boot Developments, the county council’s private sector developer, has secured a 20 year lease agreement with Inspirepac and will start building the new warehouse and office space next month. It is expected to be built by May 2015.

Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s Regional Manager, said: “We are delighted to secure such a significant deal with inspirepac. This is testament to the appeal of Markham Vale which continues to attract high performance brands because of its exceptional location right next to the M1 and also opportunities for high specification, purpose designed buildings that can facilitate next generation manufacturing and distribution techniques.”

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Business

Engineering showcase on way for Made in Chesterfield Week

A unique travelling showcase for advanced engineering will roll into the Proact Stadium for Made in Chesterfield week on Thursday 13 November.

Aspiring young engineers from north east Derbyshire’s primary and secondary schools will get hands-on experience of real cutting-edge technologies when they visit the customised Mantra (Manufacturing Transporter) trailer throughout the day.

Mantra is a 14m HGV trailer, packed with state of the art engineering technology.

It has been developed by The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for aerospace and other high-value manufacturing sectors.

Mantra is visiting the town thanks to the support of Sheffield-based commercial insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher, which has more than 70 branches around the UK dedicated to providing local service and support to businesses, backed up by national industry expertise.

Steve Lunn, Sheffield branch manager for Arthur J. Gallagher, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting the first ever Made in Chesterfield week and giving young people in the town the opportunity to see and experience the very latest manufacturing technology. We are committed to supporting manufacturing and engineering businesses and hope that, through our involvement, we are helping to inspire the next generation of skilled manufacturers.”

Having Mantra in Chesterfield during the festival means young people can experience amazing manufacturing technologies, like a fully operational Mori Seiki mill-turn machine; video screens with customisable content; and a 3-D virtual reality centre where students can dismantle a virtual jet engine, on their doorstep.

Made in Chesterfield Week is taking place between 10 – 14 November and Mantra’s appearance at the Proact is just one of a series of  high profile events designed to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s thriving manufacturing sector and its associated industries to students.

Coordinated by Destination Chesterfield, the festival will raise awareness of the employment opportunities as well as the number of varied and exciting roles within the sector amongst young people.

Dominic Stevens Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “Mantra encapsulates just how exciting the manufacturing sector can be and I’m delighted that we are able to welcome it to Chesterfield during the Made festival. It’s a fantastic resource and real learning experience for young people that they will be able to experience on their doorstep.”

As well as Mantra there are a number of other events and activities taking place throughout Made in Chesterfield designed to embrace the modern face of the town’s thriving manufacturing sector as well as looking at the manufacturing practices of a bygone age.

To view a full programme of events and find out more information about Made in Chesterfield Week, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/made

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Manufacturing

Building work starts on new housing scheme

Work is underway on a £3 million housing scheme that will provide 22 new homes for pensioners in Chesterfield.

The scheme at Parkside, Stand Road, is one of Chesterfield Borough Council’s top priorities for the coming year.

The old complex at Parkside was demolished at the beginning of the year to allow the new, purpose-built flats to be built.

Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing said: “We were aware that the facilities at the old Parkside complex were in need of improvement and that is why we made the decision to replace it with bigger and more flexible accommodation.

“This is part of our commitment to improve the quality of housing in the borough and make sure our tenants have homes which are warm, in good repair and have reasonable modern facilities.”

The project is being carried out by A&S Enterprises Ltd.

The new complex will have 22 two-bedroom flats, each will have a kitchen and lounge area, wet room type bathroom with a hall and storage area.

Each flat will also have a balcony, Juliette balcony or bay window.

The complex will also have a common room, communal kitchen and assisted bathrooms.

Room will be provided for residents to store mobility scooters.

There will also be a courtyard and garden area.

The new Parkside complex is due to open in summer 2015.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

Gold for Ringwood Hall Hotel

Ringwood Hall Hotel in Chesterfield has scooped a Gold Award at this year’s East Midlands in Bloom ceremony in the Best Hotel/Pub Gardens category.

It’s the third time this popular wedding and conference venue has been recognised by the competition, having previously won prizes in 2008 and 2009.

A Gold Award is given to exceptional achievers who have demonstrated a consistently high standard in all areas of judging criteria and objectives of Britain in Bloom.

David Seton, Chief Executive of Ringwood Hall Hotel said:-

“The directors, management team and all the staff are absolutely thrilled with this Gold Award. We want our guests and clients, particularly our bridal couples and leisure break visitors to enjoy our fabulous formal gardens.”

The East Midlands in Bloom competition covers the six counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, and is part of the national Britain in Bloom awards which this year celebrates its 50th year of competition.

Source:Ringwood Hall Hotel

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Declared a Sell-Out!

Celebrity chef, Ainsley Harriott will be in town next week (29 October) to host Chesterfield’s annual Food and Drink Awards. Organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by Chesterfield College, the awards this year are a sell-out.

230 guests – nearly double the amount that attended last year’s awards, will come together to celebrate the success of the town’s food and drink industry at the glittering ceremony.

38 businesses and individuals are up for 13 awards which will be announced on the night by celebrity chef, Ainsley Harriot. He said: “I am delighted to be involved with the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards once again. Everybody tells me the awards have created a new standard in food in the town, which is very exciting.”

The awards are being held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building in which 30 catering and hospitality students from the college are catering and silver serving the evening’s menu.

This is the second year the College has sponsored the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards and it has committed to sponsoring them until 2015. Trevor Clay, Principal of Chesterfield College said: “Having seen the success of the first awards evening in 2013 there was no way that we didn’t want to be involved again. As part of our commitment to serving the local community we feel it’s important to celebrate all that is good about the town and certainly the quality of our food and drinks businesses are well worth celebrating.

“The 2013 event, which was catered for by our students and held in the College’s Heart Space building, was a fantastic night which brought together a wide variety of amazing people and businesses. As such, we naturally want to be involved again and we’re sure this year’s awards will be even bigger and better.”

 

To find out this year’s winners of the Chesterfield Food and Drink awards live on the night, follow @DesChes on Twitter using hashtag #cfda14 or visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield