Author: Dom Stevens

Chesterfield’s visitor economy to take centre stage at town’s annual Investment Summit

Chesterfield’s burgeoning visitor economy and how it can be used to further regenerate the area, is set to be the focus of the town’s upcoming Investment Summit, taking place on Wednesday 19 September at Casa Hotel.

Rupert Carr, Director of Birchall Properties, the company behind Peak Resort, and James Berresford, Chair of the Derbyshire Culture Heritage and Tourism Board and former CEO of Visit England have been announced as the keynote speakers at the free event.

They will be joined by Adam Hearld of Jomast Developments, which is transforming the former Co-op building, and Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Economic Partnership and Marketing Derby and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the annual Investment Summit, is designed to update the property industry and the business community on the latest investment opportunities in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

As well as the keynote speakers, there will be an update on regeneration sites across North Derbyshire, exhibitors from key regeneration sites and a question and answer panel with speakers and local decision makers.

Commenting on the Summit, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Economic Partnership Board Member, said: “With Chesterfield’s location and connectivity within the UK, the town has always had a unique appeal to investors.

“The announcement of the HS2 stop in Chesterfield, along with the major hotel and housing developments taking place, have sparked, and continue to spark, a surge of interest in the town from inward investors locally, regionally and nationally.

“It is critical everyone understands the opportunities available both now and in future years and the Investment Summit event is the forum to enable this. It is a very exciting time for the town.”

Taking place from 8:30am – 12:00pm at the Casa Hotel, there will be the opportunity to network over breakfast.

More than 150 people attended the event last year and this year’s Summit is expected to prove equally popular.

The event is free, but booking is essential as numbers are limited.

To book your tickets, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-investment-summit/

Chesterfield Investment Summit 2018

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Derbyshire versus Yorkshire is a sell out for the second year

Derbyshire Falcons’ home Vitality Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings on Saturday 28 July at Chesterfield has sold out for a second year in a row.

The local derby continues to grow in popularity, with more people than ever purchasing tickets in advance to secure their place at the showpiece fixture of the Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

It’s the third time in four years the Twenty20 fixture at Chesterfield has sold out in advance.

Only matchday ticket holders will be able to gain entry into the ground on Saturday. Tickets will not be available to buy on the day.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “The local derby is always the highlight of our week in Chesterfield. The demand for tickets continues to grow year-on-year and we’re delighted to announce an advance sell out for a second year in a row.

“Queen’s Park is a beautiful venue and the atmosphere is always electric when we have a full house and Yorkshire are in town. It promises to be a great occasion to close this year’s festival.”

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “One of the reasons we help bring the cricket festival to Chesterfield each year is that the crowds who attend will stay at hotels in the area, use local restaurants, bars and other leisure facilities.

“It is also an opportunity for local residents to see first class county players in the town and for local schoolchildren to meet the cricketers and be inspired to take part in sport and leisure activities.

“The match against Yorkshire is always the one that local cricket fans look out for so it is no surprise to see it sell out well ahead of the game taking place.”

Supporters with matchday tickets are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and give plenty of time to arrive at the ground. Gates will open earlier than advertised at 12noon.

Please do not arrive at the ground if you do not have a matchday ticket.

Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Chesterfield Festival of Cricket Image David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Thanks for boosting the mayor’s appeal

Kind-hearted attendees have boosted the mayor of Chesterfield’s charity appeal to the tune of more than £20,000.

From May 2017 to May 2018, the mayor’s appeal raised £21,174 when Liberal Democrat councillor Maureen Davenport served as mayor.

Assisted by mayoress, Mrs Liz Archer, Councillor Davenport hosted a series of events to raise funds for two charities:

  • Retreat at the Royal – a community garden for the new Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital
  • The Chesterfield Child Contact Centre – helping to rebuild vital relationships between parents and children .

Councillor Davenport said:-

“Thanks to everyone who supported these two causes during my year as mayor.

“Both do excellent work supporting families in the borough and I’m extremely pleased that we have been able to raise funds for them to continue in this work.”

The mantle has now been passed to the current mayor, Labour councillor Stuart Brittain and his wife Anne, who serves as mayoress.

They are raising funds for Ashgate Hospicecare and Citizens Advice Chesterfield.

This year’s appeal has got off to a good start thanks to the sweet teeth of staff and tenants at Chesterfield’s Innovation Centres.

The staff at Tapton Lock Innovation Centre and Dunston Innovation Centre, both managed by Chesterfield Borough Council, manage a tuck shop at reception, where snackers can indulge by leaving a small donation for charity.

The total raised in snacks over several years amounts to £1,000 at each centre, which has been donated to the appeal.

chesterfield mayors appeal

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Canal is a triple Green Flag Award winner

Lovers of the Chesterfield Canal were delighted by the news that the waterway has been officially recognised as one of the UK’s best green spaces, not just once, but three times over.

Hollingwood Hub, which lies on the canal in Staveley, has received its first Green Flag Award. The site is run by the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The derelict lock house was restored and extended in 2011, paid for by a grant from Community Assets. Volunteers from the Trust landscaped the gardens and now tend them in conjunction with a local school.

The bid was led by Jim Bower, Vice Chair of the Trust. Jim said:-

“I am delighted that the efforts of our volunteers have been recognised. The judges were amazed by the contribution the Hub has made to the area. We hope that this award will help our campaign to complete the restoration of the canal. It demonstrates how industrial wasteland can be turned into green spaces to benefit the whole community.”

Jim believes in leading from the front and is often to be seen mowing and strimming the grass at the Hub with fellow Trust member Chris Hadfield.

Hollingwood Hub is a very popular stopping off place for the many walkers and cyclists who frequent the towpath. Many visit Katey’s Coffee Shop, whilst others come to cruise on the tripboat Madeline. The Trust runs these trips every Saturday from April to October, with Monday and Wednesday added in the school summer holidays.

The whole of the eastern end of the canal, from Kiveton Park to West Stockwith, where it meets the River Trent, has also been awarded Green Flag status. This 32 mile long section is managed by the Canal & River Trust. Previously only the final 14 miles had achieved recognition.

Tapton Lock in Chesterfield is the longest standing Green Flag site on the canal. This is the sixth year running that it has received the award. It is run by the Derbyshire County Council’s Countryside Service.

Paul Todd, Scheme Manager  for the International Green Flag Award,  said:-

“We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, with more Green Flags awarded this year than last year.

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We are proud to have so many wonderful green spaces in the UK for people to enjoy, and hope that next year, we award even more flags.”

chesterfield canal green flag

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Global leader announces investment at Markham Vale

Sterigenics, a Sotera Health company and leading global provider of mission-critical sterilization solutions and expert advisory services, announced today it is building a new facility in Markham Vale North in Chesterfield.

The facility will significantly expand Sterigenics’ footprint in Europe to help meet the growing sterilization needs of its customers and support the company’s mission of Safeguarding Global HealthTM.

Scheduled for completion in the 2018, the facility will include the installation of  state-of-the-art technology

The new 60,000-square-foot facility will add gamma sterilization capabilities in the UK to complement Sterigenics’ existing facility based in Somercotes.

“Sterigenics is committed to being the world’s leading provider of sterilization services and partnering with our customers to eliminate threats to human health,” said Philip Macnabb, President of Sterigenics. “We continue to invest in our global network to meet our customers’ growing demand for gamma irradiation capacity as a critical step in their product development processes. Our new Markham Vale facility will strengthen our ability to serve our European customers, particularly in the MedTech and pharmaceutical fields, and help them innovate with success.”

“Our Markham Vale North facility is strategically located to serve the needs of our European customers,” said Adrian Wye, Director of UK Operations. “Its prime location at the heart of the UK’s motorway network will provide an optimum location for their supply chain logistics. And our facility’s high-tech capabilities will deliver the turnaround times necessary to distribute their products to market quickly.”

Find out more about investing in Chesterfield

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield’s parks retain their Green Flags

Five of Chesterfield’s parks and open spaces, maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council, have, once again, been given a prestigious Green Flag award.

Queen’s Park near the town centre, Eastwood Park in Hasland, Holmebrook Valley Park, Poolsbrook Country Park and the grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium are among a record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces that will today receive a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “We are very proud of our parks and open spaces in Chesterfield.

“Our staff work hard out carrying out maintenance to our parks supported by volunteers and friends groups and these awards are testament to all of their hard work and dedication.”

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket returns to Queen’s Park this weekend.

Chesterfield’s parks retain their Green Flags

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Don’t miss a day of Medieval Fun in Chesterfield

Don’t miss a day of Medieval Fun in Chesterfield this July.  Visitors to Chesterfield can expect battle re-enactments, dragons, jesters and more at the Chesterfield medieval fun day organised by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The fun-filled family event takes place in various locations across Chesterfield town centre on Tuesday 24 July from 10am to 4pm.

There is a host of activities taking place including:

  • A medieval encampment in the Crooked Spire churchyard with skirmishes at 12.30pm and 2.30pm and troop marches to the market place at 11am and 1.30pm
  • Court jester performing in Rykneld Square, opposite the church at 11.30am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
  • The Legend of Theobald Puppet Theatre at Burlington Street at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
  • A fun fair at Chesterfield market all day
  • Medieval Monks Comedy Animation Theatre in the market place with shows at 11am, 12.45pm and 2pm
  • Dragon and knight in the market place at 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm
  • Medieval beggars at the market place and Burlington Street at various times during the day.

Chesterfield Museum is also open during the day.  Visitors can meet Sir Cuss the potion maker who will train them to identify dragons and make potions to protect them from the dragon, the museum is open from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

St Mary and All Saints’, the Crooked Spire church is also holding an open day with tours of the church tower hourly from 10.15am to 3.15pm. Tours cost £6 for adults and £4 for children.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The medieval fun day is one of the most popular events in our calendar each year.

“There are so many fun activities taking place, it’s a great opportunity for families to have a day out, enjoy themselves and learn a little bit about our medieval past at the same time.”

Find out more about the Medieval Fun Day and the Vintage Summer Fair which takes place on the same day.

Medieval Fun Day - Living History

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting