Author: Dom Stevens

Plans drawn up to roll out vehicle charging points in Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council are drawing up plans to install electric vehicle charging points across the county over the next 10 years. They are engaging with a range of partner organisations, across the private and public sector, to support the uptake of low emission vehicles across the county as part of their commitment to cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality in Derbyshire.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King said: “Protecting and enhancing our environment is one of our top priorities and we need to act now to cut carbon emissions in the future.”

“Electric vehicles are now entering the second hand market and if we want to encourage more motorists to make the switch then we need to make it as easy and attractive as possible.”

“That means making sure there are plenty of public charging points conveniently located for people to use across the county.”

“This is a golden opportunity for us to help encourage use of low carbon vehicles to cut the amount of pollution generated on Derbyshire’s roads and I’m pleased that we’re working jointly with partner organisations to plan ahead now to prevent it becoming an issue in the future. It demonstrates that the council is leading the way in supporting, not just the public, but industry as well, as we head towards a cleaner, greener economy.”

The low emission vehicle infrastructure policy is expected to be finalised and considered by Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet members early next year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Visiting

Royal partners up to showcase Health and Social Care careers

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital is joining forces with other local health organisations to showcase the different careers available within the NHS and the wider health and social care sector.

The Health and Social Care Careers Evening is aimed at anyone from the age of 14 to come and find out about the variety of professions and opportunities, what is involved in the different roles and how to get yourself on the path to the career that interests you.

The Royal has organised the event alongside Joined Up Careers Derbyshire, Derbyshire Healthcare and Derbyshire Community Health Services to host the event at the hospital’s Education Centre. It’s looking to inspire people who are just about to start their GCSEs and thinking about the different career opportunities available, as well as those looking to make a change of career and are looking at other options.

Gill Stevens is the Royal’s Head of HR and has been working on the event, she said: “This isn’t your traditional recruitment fair; it’s about having an opportunity to explore the fantastic possibilities available to anyone looking to take up a career within health and social care. There will be a number of stalls featuring nursing, midwifery, medical, general practice (GPs), theatres, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, pharmacy, human resources, facilities services, radiotherapy, imaging, pathology, administration and the various apprentice roles.

“Wherever your skills lie, there is a career here for you and this event will give you the chance to find out how your skills can make a difference in the health and social care field. There will be representatives from universities and further education to talk you through what qualifications you might need to be able to follow a number of different career paths. There will also be professionals who are currently following their own path to give you advice about what is involved on a practical level in terms or work, education and skills you might need for a particular role.

“It all came about through the joint work we’re doing within the local Sustainable and Transformation Plan and we have planned the event to coincide with our ‘Work For Us’ Week. There are a number of employment fairs across the county but we wanted to hold our own to showcase the excellent work that’s done across the NHS, health and social care and how you can be part of its future. It’s given us the chance to hold demonstrations and clinical simulations that showcase the work the various teams do in a more practical way.

“If you’re at school or looking for a change of direction then come along, see what opportunities are out there and how you can work towards a career that interests you.”

It’s a marketplace event with a number stalls so there is no need to book. It will take place at the Education Centre towards the back of the hospital on Tuesday 16th October from 4pm to 7pm. You can call 01246 513177 or 513077 for more information or email CRHFT.HumanResources@nhs.net or sara.boulton@nhs.net.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town

Planning application submitted for new Enterprise Centre

A planning application has been submitted seeking permission to build a three-floor Enterprise Centre for small businesses as part of the Northern Gateway scheme.

Chesterfield Borough Council wants to build the centre on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park to meet demand for office spaces to house start-up and growing small businesses.

If approved, work would start in March 2019 and take a year to complete. The building would include:

  • 32 air conditioned offices, of different sizes, to suit a range of start-up and small companies
  • Two meeting rooms
  • High speed broadband access and wi-fi throughout the building
  • A reception and shared lobby area
  • CCTV in communal areas inside and outside the building
  • Facilities for staff working in the building including kitchenettes, break out spaces, showers and a bicycle store

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “These plans are a vital piece of the jigsaw in the Northern Gateway scheme and we know from the enquiries we get from start-up businesses how much this type of office space is needed in a town centre location.”

“Like our existing innovation centres at Dunston and Tapton this centre would be designed as a place that start-up or new businesses can let on ‘easy in-easy out’ terms with a view to them growing as businesses, expanding and moving in to larger premises in the borough.”

“This means we can also support the wider local economy through this development as all those businesses create jobs for local residents. Having a centre like this in the town centre also means that the employees who work there will support other local businesses and provide extra footfall in the town centre area.”

The proposed new building has been designed by Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects and is being supported by funding from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.

Andrew Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects, said: “As a local practice we are delighted to support Chesterfield Borough Council with the development of a new Enterprise Centre.

“This is a key milestone in the regeneration of the Northern Gateway that will provide a new and unique commercial offer which we believe will be a catalyst for further investment into this area.”

“We are confident that our design proposals will deliver a high quality contemporary project that will act as a benchmark for the future regeneration of the town.”

The Enterprise Centre forms part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s wider Northern Gateway scheme, which aims to revitalise the northern end of the town centre. It includes:

  • The conversion of the former Co-op store in to a 96-bedroom Premier Inn, with six ground floor restaurant/bars and a gym in the basement. Work by private developer Jomast Developments to build the hotel is expected to be completed in November.
  • The construction of the new Saltergate multi-storey car park by Chesterfield Borough Council to replace the one demolished in spring 2018.
  • Environmental improvements to Elder Way and surrounding areas to create a more environmentally friendly space with a café culture, to accompany the work at the former Co-op store. Work will take place in 2019.

A decision on the planning application is expected to be taken by the council’s planning committee in early 2019.

If the Enterprise Centre plan is approved it will mean the loss of 60 of the 255 spaces on the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park. However, these spaces will be replaced by the extra capacity on the neighbouring Saltergate multi-storey car park, which is being built alongside it. Saltergate will also have capacity to cater for the existing needs of residents, as well as the visitors who will use the Premier Inn.

The Holywell Cross car park will remain open during the construction of the Enterprise Centre.

Read more about the Northern Gateway Development

Enterprise Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Have your say on proposed HS2 line through the Chesterfield area

Chesterfield residents are being encouraged to attend public consultation sessions to see the detail of the proposed HS2 line through the Chesterfield area.

HS2 has today (Thursday 11 October) published more detailed environmental design proposals of the proposed HS2 phase 2B line between Birmingham and Leeds, which would stop at Chesterfield railway station, offering reduced journey times from Chesterfield to key cities around the UK.

The plans also include a track maintenance depot at Staveley offering new skilled job opportunities for local people as well as developing the former industrial sites in the area as part of a wider regeneration plan.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “HS2 is a once in a generation opportunity to improve transport links and we are confident that Chesterfield residents will benefit from this.

“There are strong economic reasons for the project and having a stop on the route in Chesterfield as well as a maintenance depot in Staveley will offer great opportunities for our residents in terms of journey times and growing our economy.

“However, we must balance that against the need to ensure that the inevitable impact of such a major construction project does not come at the detriment of local communities.”

Chesterfield Borough Council has been meeting with HS2 on a regular basis to discuss mitigation measures to ensure that any impact from the line would have and the latest plans produced include the HS2 response to concerns raised by the council and other key community groups, including the Chesterfield Canal Trust.

Councillor Gilby said: “We have developed good links with HS2 and have been able to discuss any local issues in a frank and open manner, and are confident this will continue throughout this process.

“We welcome the latest round of consultation as it brings the development just that bit closer. We are already getting potential HS2 suppliers contacting us who are interested in coming to the area.”

Over 100 East Midlands-based companies have already been awarded contracts working on stage one between London and Birmingham with more opportunities for phase two.

Councillor Gilby added: “Construction of the line between Birmingham and Leeds will offer new opportunities for local businesses in the supply chain and it is important that we engage with the business community so that they can take advantage of this and win contracts that will secure existing jobs and create new ones.”

HS2 will hold drop-in consultation events in the Chesterfield borough on:

  • Friday 9 November from 2pm to 8pm at the St Thomas Centre, Chatsworth Road
  • Friday 16 November from 2pm to 8pm at the Speedwell Rooms in Inkersall Road, Staveley

There are also events in Dronfield, Bolsover and North Wingfield.

Further information is available at www.hs2.org.uk/phase2b

hs2

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Marshals required for the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

Charity partners of the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon are on the lookout for volunteers to get involved with this year’s event, which takes place on 21 October.

Marshals will help to play a key role in the success of the Half Marathon, which is set for a bumper year with more than 1,000 people having registered to take part. They will be stationed at various points around the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon and Peak FM Five Mile Run routes, assisting and supporting participants, local residents and spectators.

Sue Mosley, who marshalled the 2017 event with her husband Martin to support main charity partner Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “I think most of us can only dream about running a marathon or even a half!

“So I’d urge people to do the next best thing and marshal this year. Not only will you be supporting the most amazing event for such good causes, but you will also witness the true grit and determination of the runners, along with amazing generosity of the general public.

“If you live close by to the route, then where possible you’re stationed not far from your home – to ensure that you can easily get to your marshal point.

“Last year, we were directing traffic with the best way to get round the road blocks, talking to the many dog walkers passing by and were totally blown away by the support of people who lived close by.

“We were offered tea, coffee, soup, biscuits, cake and plenty of toilet breaks, and once the runners started approaching, people appeared from everywhere to cheer them on, wave and shout much-needed support.

“We were truly inspired by all this so much so that we will definitely be doing it all again this year – please come and join us if you can spare a few hours!”

If you are aged 18 or older and are interested in volunteering at the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, contact the events team at Ashgate Hospicecare on 01246 233404 or email events@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk.

chesterfield half marathon

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures and Parking Restrictions announced

This year’s Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 21 October 2018, starting at 9.30am in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.  All the Chesterfield Half Marathon road closures and parking restrictions have now been announced.

In accordance with traffic authority regulations for Derbyshire County Council, an order has been made prohibiting and restricting the use of certain roads and road junctions by vehicles in order to facilitate the safe holding of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, car parking restrictions as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 04:00 until 16:00 on Sunday 21st October 2018.

Chesterfield Half Marathon road closure info

Download a full list of Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures 2018 .

See the road traffic order for the event.

The organisers would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone for their support of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

Chesterfield-based charity Ashgate Hospicecare and North Anston-based Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice will be charity partners of the 2018 race following a hugely successful inaugural event in 2017, which raised more than £50,000 for good causes.

The 2018 event  is bolstered by an additional five-mile challenge, which will take place in tandem with the Half Marathon along with a Fun Run in the park. There will also be a ‘Wellbeing Challenge’, a team entry event that will promote healthy living – details for which will be released in due course.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We were extremely pleased with the success of the inaugural Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon in 2018 and were only too happy to give our backing to the event again in 2018.

“The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will help to put Chesterfield firmly on the UK running map – as well as support some fantastic charities.

“Events like this one help bring communities together and we’re really looking forward to seeing how the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will develop in 2018.”

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Royal visit to Chesterfield

HRH The Duke of Gloucester has unveiled a plaque to officially open the NGS Macmillan Unit following a tour of the building at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The unit opened to patients in June 2017 following an 18 month building programme and a £2.5million fundraising campaign, including a phenomenal £1.5million donation from the National Garden Scheme (NGS), contributing to the overall £10million cost of the project.

The Royal visit gave clinical teams, architects, designers, fundraisers and those involved in the project at all stages the chance to talk about their involvement and give their thoughts on the finished project and how the unit has improved cancer services for patients, their families and staff.

Services that have been built into the unit include Haematology, Oncology, Acute Oncology, Chemotherapy, selected Medical Day Case activity, Palliative and Supportive Care. It is home to 21 treatment chairs, two treatment beds and three treatment rooms for chemotherapy patients compared to the eight chairs in the old Cavendish Suite which more than triples the capacity for treatment. There is also a Macmillan Information and Support Centre to help patients and their families through a diagnosis and treatment.

Carly Starkey is the matron for the chemotherapy service, she said: “It’s been such an honour to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester to our new unit and show him our treatment areas, demonstrating how it has benefitted our patients. Compared to the old unit, which could become very cramped very quickly in terms of space, this new facility is incredible for our patients and staff. There is so much natural light thanks to the huge window space and we’ve had a lot of positive comments from patients about the view across the countryside.

“The environment is more pleasant and we have additional space to set up the various different treatments without disrupting patients. The chairs we’ve brought in are state of the art as well. Our patients were involved in choosing the most comfortable ones which are fully adjustable to suit the individual and we have retractable screens for increased privacy and dignity. We now provide more treatments for more patients in a more comfortable environment which is fantastic for the people of North Derbyshire.”

Dr Roger Start is the Lead Cancer Clinician and led the project from the very beginning, he said: “We needed to address the growing demand for cancer services. Current statistics show that one in every two people born after 1960 will develop cancer within their lifetime which means that our chance of receiving a cancer diagnosis is increasing.

“It was always our intention to build a unit for the treatment of cancer but, with the help of Macmillan and the National Garden Scheme, instead of having what would have been an ordinary building we now have an extraordinary one. Thanks to the considerable sum raised through Macmillan’s campaign we have a building we can be proud of and I’d like to thank everybody who baked cakes, pushed beds, shaved heads and ran, walked and cycled thousands of miles for making this possible. The unit provides exactly the kind of space, natural light and relaxing environment to complement the exceptional care and treatment that our services provide.”

Elaine Wilson, Macmillan Strategic Partnership Manager for the East Midlands, said: “The NGS Macmillan Unit is having a really positive impact on people living with cancer in North Derbyshire. Thanks to the support of our fundraisers who helped us raise £2.5million towards to cost of the new unit, more people than ever before are being treated closer to home in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility. The Macmillan Information and Support service has already seen more than 3,000 patient visits since the Unit opened, so that non-clinical needs such as emotional and practical support are being met which is really important as we know that cancer can affect so much more than just your health.”

The Royal visit included a tour of the unit’s clinical rooms, the chemotherapy treatment area, the Macmillan Information and Support Centre and reception. His Royal Highness spoke with staff who work in those areas and patients, hearing about the building of the unit, its design and how the wider community were involved throughout the project, not to mention the incredible efforts of those who raised money for the Macmillan campaign.

Royal visit to Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Farm to Fork experience fuels food passion for college students

Three of Chesterfield’s most promising young chefs have had their passion for food fuelled further by a Farm to Fork experience organised by Destination Chesterfield and Owen Taylor & Sons.

Chesterfield College Level 2 cookery students, Ashley Pienaar (18), Callum Taylor (18) and Kye Homiak (18) have all been shortlisted for the Young Chef of the Year Award in the 2018 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

Designed to give the promising young chefs an understanding of how the best of Derbyshire’s farming, butchery and culinary skills result in an outstanding dining experience, Ashley, Callum and Kye visited Owen Taylor’s factory butchery and the Red Tractor assured Butterley Top Farm in Ashover, before enjoying lunch at the Michelin-starred Fischer’s Baslow Hall hosted by head chef and owner, Rupert Rowley.

Carl Evans, Operations Manager at Owen Taylor & Sons, who accompanied the students, commented: “It was great to see Ashley, Callum and Kye so enthusiastic about every aspect of the Farm to Fork experience, asking a number of technical questions.

“We have taken a very hands-on role in our involvement with our sponsorship of the Young Chef of the Year category in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. We think it’s important that people working in kitchens understand what goes on behind the scenes and appreciate how food is produced.

“Good chefs have a thorough understanding of the food miles, welfare and traceability of the produce they use. We only source produce from Farm Assured sites and that is why we supply to top restaurants and chefs like Fischer’s Baslow Hall.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, praised Owen Taylor & Sons’ involvement in the 2018 Food and Drink Awards, saying: “The Farm to Fork experience embodies the key driver of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

“When we established the awards six years ago, our primary aim was to link suppliers, restaurants, education providers and young people in order to raise awareness of the thriving sector in Chesterfield but also make them aware of the many opportunities available within it.”

The students will have to wait until Wednesday 31 October to learn who is the winner of the prestigious Young Chef of the Year award. The winners of all 15 categories will be announced by celebrity chef, Lesley Waters, who is hosting the glittering black-tie awards ceremony at Chesterfield College’s modern Heart Space Building.

Blu Bistro & Coffee House, Bottle & Thyme and Cocina at Casa Hotel all hoping to take the top title of Restaurant of the Year 2018. This year, the awards also sees the introduction of two new categories recognising the vital role apprentices and their employers play in Chesterfield’s food and drink sector.

In addition to Owen Taylor & Sons, other supporters of the awards include: Apprentice Town, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership, Derbyshire Times, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire), FEAST (The Food and Drink Forum) Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), MSE Hiller, Peak FM, Reflections, Shorts Chartered Accountants and Winster Foods.

More information about Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Farm to Plate Day

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Growth for Shorts’ Radius team

Chesterfield Champion Shorts is delighted to announce the appointment of Research and Development Tax Reliefs Expert, Marianne Lindsay. Marianne joins Shorts Radius team as a Senior Manager, helping businesses claim their full entitlement to Government backed tax reliefs for innovation. She has an Animal Science degree and a background in agricultural and pharmaceutical sales and joins Radius after several years working at a specialist R&D tax relief consultancy using her scientific knowledge to help innovative companies claim R&D tax reliefs.

Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner and Head of Radius commented “Our Radius team continues to grow rapidly as we help more and more local companies claim their entitlement to valuable tax reliefs for innovation such as R&D tax reliefs. We have generated savings of over £10m for our clients in recent years and now partner with local Chambers of Commerce and other organisations to help spread awareness.”

“Marianne is another excellent specialist recruit to strengthen our existing team and gives us much needed additional capacity and expertise to service our clients and continue to grow. We now have one of the most highly qualified R&D teams in the North.”

Marianne added “After a varied career in Agricultural and Pharmaceutical sales, followed by a number of years helping innovative companies claim R&D tax reliefs, I am really excited to be joining such a professional and forward-thinking Accountancy practice as Shorts. Being a part of Radius will give me the opportunity to add my scientific knowledge to an already highly skilled team and help them to continue promoting the R&D tax relief scheme to aid all those innovative SME’s in and around the area.”

Marianne can be contacted by Marianne.lindsay@shorts.uk.com or calling 01246 559955.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Talgo train factory bid could create thousands of jobs

Chesterfield is among six shortlisted locations seeking to become the base for a new UK factory planned by Spanish train manufacturer Talgo that could create thousands of jobs for local people.

If the borough’s bid is successful the former Hartington Colliery site, between Staveley and Barrow Hill, would become home to a factory which would create 1,000 high quality jobs.

Talgo will build a UK factory when it receives an initial order for new trains. This could include a £2.75 billion rolling stock contract from HS2.

The manufacturing site would also create an estimated 4,000 jobs in the supply chain for the region, as well as apprenticeship, training and educational opportunities.

The Spanish rail giant has confirmed that Chesterfield is one of six shortlisted locations across the UK it is considering, with a decision expected in November. The company intends to adopt a ‘true manufacturing’ approach, which would also see it source component parts from within the UK.

Chesterfield Borough Council has been working with a range of partners, including landowners Suon Ltd on the bid to encourage Talgo to locate the factory in the borough.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity and if our bid is successful it would be a massive boost to our economy in terms of employment opportunities for local people.

“Talgo’s commitment to a ‘true manufacturing’ approach would also create more opportunities for local businesses to supply components as part of the supply chain, which would help create more jobs and increase the positive impact on our economy.

“Talgo is a major player in the worldwide rail sector and one of the companies that HS2 has shortlisted to provide it with the high speed trains needed for the new rail network.

“It is important to stress that we are only one of six shortlisted locations at the moment. No decision has been made so it is important that expectations are not raised at this stage.

“However, a huge amount of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to make the case for Talgo’s UK factory to be located in Chesterfield borough and we think we have a really strong bid.”

The bid highlights:

  • That remediation work is already underway to prepare the former Hartington Colliery site for development
  • Chesterfield’s location at the heart of both the existing rail network and the planned phase 2B of the HS2 rail network, which will see Chesterfield have an HS2 station and also an HS2 line maintenance depot at Staveley
  • Chesterfield’s excellent transport connectivity, with over 23 million people living within two hours’ drive, and four major airports and four sea ports within 90 minutes travel time
  • That an investment would create further regeneration and development opportunities related to HS2, as well as support the existing Staveley Works corridor development plans for 1,000 new homes, a new primary school and £50 million access road
  • The ability to offer Talgo access to the area’s world class rail supply chain and a highly skilled workforce

 

If successful, building work would start in July 2020, ready for the train factory to open in December 2021. A new £9 million innovation and training centre is also planned to be built at Barrow Hill Engine Shed for Talgo to use and showcase its technologies.

Even if the bid is not successful Councillor Gilby hopes the connections and close working with partners on the bid will pave the way for other large scale industrial uses of the former colliery site.

Councillor Gilby added: “The factory would support the wider regeneration of the former Staveley Works site area as part of our partnership working with landowners and Derbyshire County Council.

“Putting together the bid has really helped develop relationships with a range of partners, including the universities of Derby and Newcastle, Chesterfield College, Barrow Hill Engine Shed and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham.

“While we hope that this close working will persuade Talgo that the Staveley site is the right location for a UK train factory it also means that if we are not successful we have a good platform to attract other development opportunities.”

Find out more about developments in Chesterfield.

Talgo train factory bid could create thousands of jobs

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Franklin & Sons spearheading ‘no alcohol’ trend with Infused Soda collection

Franklin & Sons, part of Chesterfield’s Global Brands, the premium soft drink, tonic and mixer brand, has unveiled its latest innovation to tap into the growing non-alcohol trend. Taking inspiration from distillers and their focus on beautiful flavour infusions and expressions, Franklin & Sons has created a range of premium non-alcoholic Infused Sodas each combining three flavours.

Coming in three unique flavours; Fragrant Guava & Persian Lime with Root Ginger, Exotic Pineapple & Aromatic Cardamom with Cracked Cubeb Pepper, and Succulent Pomegranate & Floral Hibiscus with Delicate Rose, the sodas are an extension to the brand’s core soft drinks selection, offering the same complex taste and flavour profiles of a cocktail serve – but without the alcohol content.

Available in Tesco Stores, each infused flavour falls below sugar tax with just 4.2g sugar per 100ml, and contains just 49 calories per 275ml bottle.

Designed to be served chilled over ice in a tall wine glass, and garnished with fresh fruit, the premium sodas provide the flavour experience and sophistication of a cocktail serve, but for non-alcohol occasions.

Jen Draper, Head of Marketing at Franklin & Sons, said, “We know that mindful drinking has become increasingly popular over the last year, but there are still very few options for those who want the premium, alcohol-free experience either in bar or at home. Why should non-drinkers miss out on a beautifully garnished, complex drink with exciting and interesting flavours?

“We have created the Franklin & Sons Infused Sodas to tap into the rising trend of non-drinkers and those looking to cut down or moderate their alcohol intake, especially true in the run up to and around Christmas. The three flavours are complex enough to suit refined palates, ensuring they provide the taste experience that discerning cocktail consumers demand. The sodas take the sophistication of cocktail flavours & encapsulate them in a premium, natural soft drink.”

The new Infused Soda launch comes of the back of huge piece of research by Franklin & Sons into the drinking habits of consumers, showing that younger generations are willing to pay more on drinks overall, and almost half of under 35s surveyed say they are likely to order a non-alcoholic drink on a night out. The Franklin & Sons’ study also found that the perfect drink should also be delivered through excellent service, with the drinking experience at the venue just as important as the drink itself. This perfect drink should also attract an average of 74 ‘likes’ once posted on Instagram.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business