Author: Dom Stevens

New board members sought by D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

Business people are being invited to join the board of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, to help steer the future of an area with an economic output worth over £45billion.

D2N2 is the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations; which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

It manages over £500million in resources (via funding from the UK Government and European Union) to invest in its business growth, capital projects, infrastructure, employment promotion, social and community projects, and other services.

Examples of successful projects and programmes D2N2 and its partners have been involved in include:

  • half funding a new £6.9m University of Derby Chesterfield campus, aimed at teaching vocational skills, particularly for adult students;
  • co-funding construction of the £30million BioCity Discovery building in Nottingham, promoting hundreds of life sciences jobs;
  • a £15million investment in a Building Better Opportunities fund (with partner the Big Lottery Fund) to help young people, the long term unemployed and those in poverty across the LEP area with help towards finding work;
  • a D2N2 Growth Hub which has to date engaged with and helped over 6,500 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire businesses, from start-ups to established firms looking to expand.

D2N2’s board includes experienced people from a range of sectors – and new board members from the private sector are now being sought.

Board Members’ role is to:

  • use their business knowledge to give strategic advice on boosting the D2N2 LEP area’s economy;
  • promote LEP interests when dealing with Government and business contacts;
  • help drive forward the LEP’s activities, including those around increasing jobs and business growth;
  • contribute to development and delivery of the area’s Local Industrial Strategy;
  • champion the work of the D2N2 LEP Board to relevant partners, networks and other business organisations.

Applicants should be excellent communicators, demonstrate real leadership, understand what drives economic prosperity, have a good knowledge of the D2N2 LEP area and its needs, and possess extensive business networks and contacts. They must also be available to serve on the D2N2 LEP board for up to three years, and to attend regular meetings and events; with one to two days per month needed for the role (expenses only are available for this role).

The closing date for business community board member applications is 12noon, on Friday December 21 (2018). Shortlisted applicants will be invited for discussions with current LEP Board members in early January 2019, with an announcement on new board members to be made shortly afterwards.

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (pictured), said: “Opportunities and challenges will be faced by our area’s economy, in 2019 and beyond.

“We are seeking applications from new private sector board members; who will bring with them fresh thinking, new ideas and who will best reflect the communities we serve across the LEP area.”

Further details of the role and how to apply are available in the candidate brief below.

D2N2 Candidate Brief for Board Members November 2018

D2N2

Posted in Business

Record occupancy for Chesterfield’s Innovation Centres

Occupancy figures at Chesterfield Borough Council’s innovation centres are at a record high despite the current economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

Both Tapton Park and Dunston Innovation Centres are more than 90 per cent let with only four offices still available to rent over both centres.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The level of lettings within the two centres shows the healthy state of local businesses in the borough.

“We built these centres to provide a space for new and innovative businesses to operate on ‘easy in, easy out’ terms so that they can establish themselves, grow and then expand in to bigger business premises within the borough.

“It is a model that has proved very successful over the years but demand seems even higher over the past 12 months.

“It is for this reason that we have recently submitted a planning application to build an Enterprise Centre on part of the site of the Holywell Cross car park to provide hi-spec accommodation for up to 32 businesses.”

Chesterfield Borough Council opened Tapton Park Innovation Centre in 1997 and Dunston Innovation Centre in 2002 to provide modern, high specification work space with in-house support services.

Hundreds of companies have used the centres over the years to successfully grow their businesses.

Somerville Associates recently established at Dunston Innovation Centre. Owner Andrew Somerville said: “Our initial interaction with the centre staff gave us the distinct impression that professionalism and commitment to excellence are paramount here.

“We really like the flexibility for future growth offered by facilities such as rent-a-desk. We have everything we need and working here is a pleasure.”

Various office sizes are available and range from a virtual office, rent a desk suite, to offices from 202 sq ft to 1500 sq ft. Lettings are processed quickly and terms are flexible, ideal for new businesses.

Other key features include ultra-fast internet connectivity, telephone, admin, post and reception support, a free on-site business advisor offering access to specialist innovation support, and access at discounted rates to the conference and meeting rooms in both centres.

Both centres are also located close to Chesterfield town centre, have free car parking, and excellent road and rail links with Derby, Sheffield and London.

Anyone with enquiries about Tapton Innovation Centre, Dunston Innovation Centre or the council’s other commercial premises should contact Hannah Ramsdale, or Michelle Shaw on 01246 345255.

To search for commercial property across Chesterfield try our online property search

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New website to unearth mining history at Markham Vale

From dusty faces, holidays to Skegness and coalface training – lots of stories from Markham Colliery are being unearthed every day thanks to the launch of a new website.

The Story Mine website has been set up by a team of local volunteers, including local historian Sandra Struggles and has been funded by Derbsyhire County Council alongside a £35,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The new website gives details about the lives of the men who worked at the site, their jobs and the local mining community. Residents will also be able to use the website to send in their stories, memories or facts and hear about the project’s latest developments, events and discoveries.

Research into the lives of the thousands of local men who worked at the site between 1882 and 1993 has been carried out as part of the Story Mine project.

There are also real-life accounts of working down the pit from former miners and videos from relatives of the men who were tragically killed working at the site in the 3 major disasters in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

Shane Cooper talks about losing his father Gordon Richard Cooper in the 1973 disaster: “On the morning of the tragic accident my father kissed my mother goodbye and then me and my sisters, he grabbed his lunchbox and left the house whistling and singing away as he walked to the pit.”

“Miners innocently went to work and never came home to their families.”

Elaine Tidd, daughter of Markham miner Keith Bigg, said: “My father was a miner at Markham Colliery for the majority of his working life.”

“I remember living so close to the mine that our house would get dusty.”

“Each year we’d go on holiday to the miners’ camp at Skegness – we would see the same families that you would see all year round and it was fantastic. We’d have a cinema, ballroom, swimming and there was always a competition to enter.”

Markham Colliery has now been reclaimed by Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments and is home to the Markham Vale flagship regeneration scheme which is working to create 4,100 jobs for local people.

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of the Story Mine website – it’s interactive, informative and an excellent place for people to share their stories of Markham Colliery.”

“These stories are very important and it’s vital that we don’t forget the site’s mining history, the challenging jobs the pit workers had and the sacrifices they and their families made.”

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in the Story Mine project – you should be very proud of what has been achieved.”

Councillor King added: “I’d also like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Lottery players for making the project possible.”

All the stories included on the website have been researched by a group of local community volunteers and this work will continue with help from members of the public.

Great strides have already been made at Markham Vale by us to remember its mining history with the permanent ‘Walking Together’ memorial which will eventually feature 106 figures stretching between the village of Duckmanton in Chesterfield and the former pithead which symbolises a miner’s journey to and from work and represents the 106 men who lost their lives in 3 major disasters at the site in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

The Walking Together memorial has been designed by Cheshire-based Artist Stephen Broadbent, commissioned by arts organisation Beam, who also manage the Story Mine project on our behalf.

The website can be found here: markhamstorymine.org

Unearthing stories from Markham Colliery: (from right) Councillor Tony King – Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration with relative and volunteer Alison Bull and relative Shane Cooper.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Manufacturing, Visiting

Shorts acquire Lilleker & King

Chesterfield Champion Shorts is pleased to confirm that with effect from November 2018, they have agreed to purchase Clay Cross based accountancy practice Lilleker & King, as sole practitioner Andrew King looks to retire.

Andrew King began his career over 40 years ago, working for (what was then known as) Samuel Edward Short & Co, articled to Jim Briar. He previously worked alongside Andrew Heelin and remained in touch with his former colleagues after leaving the firm before he joined the business of Lilleker & King in 1990.

Andrew Heelin, who is now Shorts’ Accounts Director, comments “We are all looking forward to meeting Lilleker & King’s clients and ensuring that they continue to receive the level of service that they have previously enjoyed.”

Andrew King added “Having trained in my early career myself at Shorts, it was a natural decision for me to look to transferring my business to them when I retired. I know that my clients will receive a great service and be in safe hands with the team at Shorts.”

Andrew King will be working alongside Andrew Heelin over the coming year in order to ensure a smooth transition of his clients. Members of the Lilleker & King team have also joined Shorts.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

First births registered at new Chesterfield Register Office

Chesterfield Register Office has moved from New Beetwell Street into Chesterfield Town Hall and has welcomed the first families to register the births of their babies.

The new venue offers improved facilities for those who use the Register Office, and will offer a greater choice of rooms for weddings and civil partnerships. The new office is also much larger and includes separate waiting areas for people who are registering a birth to those who are registering a death.

There are several rooms of different sizes to choose from for weddings, civil partnerships, renewal of vows and naming ceremonies all of which are newly refurbished. And there are attractive areas inside and outside for photographs.

Families are well catered for with a parent and baby room, and all the accommodation is on one level.

Councillor Carol Hart, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, , said:

“The register office has been in New Beetwell Street for over 40 years but wasn’t giving us the opportunity to offer the sort of services we want to.”

“Our new office is in the Town Hall, and will be a much better place to visit to register a birth or death, celebrate getting married or a civil partnership.”

The new register office gives more space for the historic registers containing entries of all the births, deaths and marriages in Derbyshire since 1837.

The Register Office opening hours remain the same, Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm. The contact numbers have changed to: 01629 533110, 01629 533111 or 01629 53112.

Two new mums, their babies and Councillor Carol Hart outside Chesterfield Town Hall.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

University of Derby becomes first in the country to sign up to Student Success Framework

The University of Derby has signed a memorandum of understanding with Advance HE, making it the first higher education institution in the country to commit to embedding the agency’s best practice framework into all its programmes.

By adopting the Student Success Framework, the University will create a more consistent and integrated approach to curriculum design, as well as enhancing its digital offering. The University will adopt seven principles which will put students at the heart of the learning experience, including supporting student attainment, developing their skills as independent learners, connecting across disciplines and enabling them to become ‘game changers’.

During her visit, Advance HE Chief Executive Alison Johns met Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell and her Executive Team, as well as other senior colleagues and students.

Professor Malcolm Todd, the University’s Provost (Academic) said: “Today’s signing reinforces the University of Derby’s role in being a force for positive impact, positioning us at the forefront of the sector.”

“Our aim is to embed the Advance HE Student Success Framework Series across the University, to support the broader aspects of learning and teaching in a more integrated and innovative manner. It aligns with our own Strategic Framework, which is designed to ensure our students graduate with the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes to enable them to fulfil their ambitions and make a positive contribution to the world.”

The signing reflects the University’s commitment to providing a high quality learning and teaching experience for its students, which this year has seen it:

The National Student Satisfaction Survey (NSS) reported in July that satisfaction with teaching at the University had risen to 88%. In the same survey, student satisfaction at the University overall had risen to 86%, above the national average.

This was reflected in the University’s success in the Times and Sunday Times league table, which saw it rise from 55th last year to 40th this year for student experience.

These achievements followed the Teaching Excellence Framework Gold ranking from the Higher Education Funding Council in 2017, which puts the University of Derby in the top 20% of all providers in the UK.

Professor Mitchell said: “We are delighted to formalise this relationship between the University of Derby and Advance HE. Our commitment to high quality learning and teaching is paramount to our students and staff alike. We look forward to working closely together to deliver on our commitment to an outstanding student experience.”

Alison Johns, Chief Executive of Advance HE, added: “We are delighted to be working with the University of Derby. Our Student Success Framework aims to help HEIs deliver practical solutions to improving teaching and enhancing learning. Working with the University of Derby is an important opportunity to foster collaboration so that we can share and learn from best practice.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell and Advance HE Chief Executive Alison Johns

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Manufacturing

Redbrik Half targets further growth after official launch

Organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon are targeting further growth after announcing that entries have opened into the 2019 edition, with an Early Bird price available until January.

Event directors, charity partners and sponsors gathered at Chesterfield’s Market Hall to launch the 2019 event following its huge expansion in 2018, when around 1,500 people signed up to take part – an increase from 800 the previous year.

Entry until 31 January is priced at £22, with the regular price of £28 applying after that date. Runners can also enter the Five Mile Run which takes place at the same time for just £18.

Organisers have set sights on a 2,000-runner total for the 2019 event, with more than 200 people having already signed up following the success of last month’s Half Marathon.

Leading estate agency Redbrik will be 2019 title sponsor for year three of its five-year partnership deal, and Ashgate Hospicecare will once again be the events main charity partner with Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice also an event charity partner.

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We were really pleased with this year’s event. The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon is an amazing group of people coming together to make something special happen in the town of Chesterfield.”

“Without all our partners, the event would not happen. The growth that we saw from last year to this year was incredible – let’s hope we can keep doing that, that’s the challenge that we’re setting ourselves.”

“Let’s keep building – we want to get to 3,000, even 4,000 runners, and through our partners I think we’re able to do that. The people of Chesterfield have been amazing in supporting the event – it’s so important to have their support. With their support, anything is possible.”

Mark Ross, Director of the event’s headline sponsor, Redbrik, said: “Being involved in the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon is fantastic for us as a business. It gives us the opportunity to give back to the town and help further enhance the wellbeing culture which everybody is looking to promote.”

“We’re huge advocates of Chesterfield, we want to promote what’s here and it’s a brilliant place to live and work. To have an event which is expanding, as the Half Marathon has done, is so crucial for the area.”

“It’s also a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for brilliant local causes such as Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, charities which do so much for people across the region.”

For more information on the 2019 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon or to sign up click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield Champion shortlisted for national service provider award

Chesterfield Champion Central Technology has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Best Small Enterprise Managed Service Provider’ at the Service Desk Institute’s IT Service & Support Awards 2019.

Central Technology is an IT and communications solutions provider founded in 2002 by Richard Thompson and Christopher Barr, both from Chesterfield. It has since grown to become one of the region’s leading providers of IT and communication solutions, supporting over 300 customers and employing over 45 highly qualified staff. In 2018, the business moved to new, fully refurbished premises following major growth and success.

Representatives from the Service Desk team will now present to a panel of Service Desk Institute judges with the goal of becoming a finalist for the national awards ceremony in March 2019. The ceremony will welcome over 600 people from across the world to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the brilliant teams and people working in the IT service and support industry.

Ryan Greveson, Digital Marketing Executive at Central Technology, says the company is proud of what they have achieved: “To be recognised by this worldwide organisation is a real accolade for our fantastic service desk team and the rest of the company. Over the past couple of years, we have worked hard to reach a level of maturity where we can offer world class services and consultancy to ensure all of our customers have a seamless customer experience that derives real business value.”

“The entire team here at Central Technology tenaciously adopts best practice and frameworks including ITIL & ISO; these combined with SDI frameworks will ensure we continue to offer the best future technology and services.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Bright future for industrial site despite missing out on Talgo train factory

Chesterfield has narrowly missed out in a bid to bring a new train factory to the town that would have created thousands of jobs.

Spanish train manufacturer Talgo today (Wednesday 14 November) announced it has selected Longannet, in Fife, as the location for its new factory ahead of the former Hartington Colliery site, between Staveley and Barrow Hill.

Chesterfield Borough Council had been working for months with a range of public and business sector partners to bring the factory to the area, which would have created 1,000 jobs directly, with another 4,000 in the supply chain.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “While we are hugely disappointed that the bid hasn’t been successful Talgo was really impressed with Chesterfield and the bid that was put together.

“Because of this they have said that they are keen to work with the area to potentially bring an innovation centre to Barrow Hill, recognising the strengths we have in terms of skills, education, research and technology.

“I’m also hopeful that the highly skilled businesses in the local area that already supply and support the rail sector can win contracts with Talgo as it enters the UK market.

“We’ll work further with Talgo to find out more detail about their aspirations for an innovation centre and what this may mean for the borough.”

Chesterfield beat off competition from around 30 sites to get to the last two of the Talgo shortlisting process.

Councillor Gilby added: “We’ve worked with 14 partners, including the landowners, universities and companies working in the rail sector, to bring all the area’s expertise and experience to the table when preparing this bid and that is a real strength that we can offer other potential investors.

“The site is already being remediated so it will be ready for other development opportunities. Although we have been unsuccessful on this bid we hope that other manufacturers will see the potential of the site and other opportunities to create jobs in the area will come from it.

“Indeed we have already had interest from other manufacturers off the back of the Talgo bid. Like Talgo, they recognise that the site has great potential for manufacturing because it is in a central location with 23 million people within two hours travel, has excellent road and rail connectivity, ready access to a good supply chain of businesses, with research and innovation facilities nearby and a skilled local workforce.”

The Talgo decision will not impact on Chesterfield Borough Council’s existing plans to redevelop the former Staveley Works site area, working with landowners and Derbyshire County Council.

Councillor Gilby said: “This includes the plans for 1,000 homes, a new £50 million link road, a primary school and opportunities for other companies to base themselves in this area. It is a project that will be good for local people and good for local business.”

Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect said: “I am disappointed with the decision but will continue to support Chesterfield with its ambitious plans to regenerate the area around Staveley.

“The Midlands remains a leader in transport innovation in general and the next generation of rail development in particular, and the arrival of HS2 will be a catalyst for growth both for Chesterfield and the Midlands as a whole.”

Carlos de Palacio – President of Talgo  said “As part of Talgo’s commitment to the UK-wide supply chain, our preferred second facility – in Chesterfield – will act as a catalyst.

I want to pay tribute to ‘Team Chesterfield’ – led by Chesterfield’s Chief Executive, Huw Bowen. The team has proved that some of the most unexpected locations can win through, if they provide a compelling case and have inspirational leadership.

We are developing this aspect of our strategy, and continue to consult with potential partners. We will make a further announcement, once discussions have concluded.”

Talgo train factory bid could create thousands of jobs

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Spireites raise funds for Royal British Legion

Over £3,000 has been handed over to the Royal British Legion, thanks to the generosity of Chesterfield supporters.

A total of £2,807.40 was raised from the sale of Chesterfield FC poppy badges while a bucket collection at Saturday’s game against Billericay Town generated £562.57.

Chesterfield Director & Company Secretary Ashley Carson said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who made a donation, either by purchasing a badge or putting some money in a collection bucket.”

“We are delighted to be able to support the Royal British Legion in this way and we will definitely be talking to them about repeating this fundraising initiative next year.”

The Royal British Legion helps members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families all year round. They also campaign to improve their lives, organise the Poppy Appeal and remember the fallen.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Primary school admissions now open

Applications for children who were born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 are now open and will close at midnight on Tuesday 15 January 2019.

Councillor Alex Dale, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People said: “The time has come for parents to apply for their child’s infant, junior or primary school places for September next year.”

“Choosing the right school is an important decision in a child’s life so we’re urging parents to consider all of their options early on and apply before the deadline on Tuesday 15 January.”

“If you miss the deadline you are less likely to get a place for your child at your preferred school and that could mean you having to travel further or your child not getting in to the same school as their friends.”

Applying online is quicker and allows parents to make changes to their application at any point up to the closing date. Anyone who applies online will receive an email to confirm their application has been received.

When completing the application form, parents will be asked to list, in order of preference, the three schools they would most like their child to go to. Although parents have a legal right to express preferences they have no automatic right to a place at any particular school.

Parents can still choose to complete a paper form. All applications must be returned to the address shown on the form by the closing date.

Applications submitted to Derbyshire County Council after the deadline will not be considered until places have been allocated to those children whose parents did return their form on time.

Councillor Dale added: “It’s quick and easy to apply – especially online and we’re here to help you throughout the application process.”

Any parents who are a refused a place for their child have a right of appeal to an independent panel.

Posted in About Chesterfield