Author: Dom Stevens

Vicar Lane to broadcast The Hundred on their big screen

From the 3rd August, Vicar Lane is thrilled to debut The Hundred cricket tournament on their Big Screen and delighted even more so, to champion local player Bess Heath.

Born in Chesterfield, 20-year-old Bess currently plays for Yorkshire, Northern Diamonds and will feature for the Northern Superchargers in the upcoming tournament, with their home games being staged at Headingley.

To get behind Bess and the whole Northern Superchargers team, Vicar Lane is thrilled to be giving away a handful of tickets to some of the Northern Superchargers fixtures [at Headingley] and is encouraging shoppers to keep an eye out for how to get involved to win!

More information can be found across the Vicar Lane social media channels.

Vicar Lane is proud to shine a light on Bess’ achievements so far and hope that they can encourage their younger visitors with an interest in sport to stay determined, keep practicing and follow their dreams!

Bess Heath ahead of the upcoming tournament said: “I’m really excited to be taking part in The Hundred this summer and playing for the Northern Supercharges again. It’s an exciting, fast-paced cricket competition with music and family entertainment, which will only be bigger and better this year. I can’t wait to be part of it and it’s a great feeling to have Vicar Lane get behind us as a team and show support by streaming all The Hundred games live on their big screen!’’

Check out what is happening this Summer in Chesterfield

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Wimbledon Vicar Lane Big Screen

Posted in Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Lionesses victory will show girls what they can achieve, says Enterprising Women leaders

Following England’s success at the Women’s UEFA Euro 2022 football tournament, Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain, co-chairs of the Enterprising Women network run by East Midlands Chamber, said: “It’s been so wonderful to see the Lionesses unbelievable achievement at Euro 2022 – featuring two of our own in Chesterfield-born defender Mille Bright and Nottingham-born goalkeeper Mary Earps – celebrated up and down the country, and this moment feels like a defining moment for women’s participation in sport.

“At our Enterprising Women events, we hear from so many inspirational people about the importance of having role models to aspire to in any walk of life –highlighting women in leadership positions or traditionally male-orientated industries shows younger girls about what’s possible for them to achieve in life.

“So by showcasing the success of a women’s team in a sport where usually only men’s achievements are in the public eye, the legacy of Sarina Wiegman’s heroes could be felt for decades to come as more young girls realise they too can have dreams in football.

“As the Enterprising Women network marks its 25th anniversary this year, we couldn’t think of a more fitting way of celebrating the power of women than through our national sport.”

East Midlands Chamber support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield announced as second best in England for access to sporting facilities

Chesterfield is the second best place in the country for access to sporting facilities according to new research.

The England Sports Accessibility Index has been created by Runners Need.

It analyses how much town and city councils across England have invested in local sports and activity schemes over the past five years and which places have the best access to sports facilities.

Chesterfield has 137 local facilities per 100,000 residents and an average spend of £57.59 per person per year.

The research highlights on average, a town or city has 73 listed sports facilities per 100,000 people and spends £35.70 per head per year on sports funding.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We welcome the positive news that Chesterfield has been ranked as England’s second most accessible town for sports.”

“We want to be able to help our communities to improve their health and wellbeing and we understand how important it is to have access to facilities and opportunities for people to be active.”

“We have some fantastic local facilities and lots of groups that help encourage everyone in our community participate in sport and physical activity.”

“This ranking is a testament to the fantastic work that everyone involved in sport and physical activity does to help our residents and visitors across the Borough.”

This survey follows announcements that Chesterfield is the happiest place to live in the east midlands and the second best place in the UK to raise a family.

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

Enterprising Women Awards 2022 finalists revealed as East Midlands Chamber’s network celebrates 25th anniversary

From rising stars to established leaders, the best of the region’s female business talent is recognised in a special edition of East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards this year.

Owner of Chesterfield based Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care, Dawn Brown was one of the finalists who were named across 11 categories  for the 2022 awards, organised in partnership with headline sponsor Futures Housing Group, at a summer barbecue held at Winstanley House, in Leicester.

Three new categories have been added to the bill for the annual gala dinner, which takes place at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on 30 September at to mark the 25th anniversary of the Enterprising Women network.

These include a Diversity Champion, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement Award, the latter of which doesn’t have a shortlist and will instead be given as a surprise to an unsuspecting winner on the night.

Long-time categories such as Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Team of the Year and the headline award of Business Woman of the Year return alongside these.

A judging panel, comprising members of the Enterprising Women team, Chamber board of directors and category sponsors, will be held on 5 July for the finalists to get their chance to pitch before winners are decided.

Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain said: “In a big year for the Enterprising Women network, we wanted to celebrate with an extra-special awards, and we firmly believe this shortlist delivers this.

“It features some truly inspiring women across a wide range of sectors and backgrounds, as well as across different parts of their career journey – from those just starting out in apprenticeship roles to highly successful business leaders representing everything that is great about our region.”

Fellow co-chair Eileen Perry MBE DL added: “We were overwhelmed to receive so many fantastic entries that selecting who goes through to the final was a massive challenge, and we can’t wait for the judging panel now to decide our 2022 winners.

“One of our favourite new additions this year is the Diversity Champion category, which opens the door for the first time to some incredible men who play a pivotal role in supporting our enterprising women, while we’re very excited about recognising a very special person with the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night.”

Enterprising Women Awards 2022 shortlist

Business Woman of the Year – Sponsored by Futures Housing Group

Olivia Pritchard – Bustler Market @ The Chocolate Factory

Samantha Bennett – Hear4u & Healthscreen

Emily Smith – Michael Smith Switchgear

Monica Huang – Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Laura Cook – The Learning Support Centre

Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Olivia Pritchard – Bustler Market @ The Chocolate Factory

Jaz Kaur – Fraser Stretton Property Group

Dawn Brown – Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care

Charlene Brand – The Wellness Brand

Sarah Withers – Withers Gin

 

Social Commitment Award – Sponsored by She Inspires Global

Gift Wellness

Michael Smith Switchgear

Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Treetops Hospice

TTK Confectionery

 

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Unique Window Systems

Access Training East Midlands

Cross Productions

EMA Training

Fraser Stretton Property Group

Noble Events

 

Female Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Smallman & Son

Victoria Philp – Everards Brewery

Katie Stephens – Noble Events

Lizzie Peate – Penny Price Aromatherapy

Karen Miles – trentbarton

Leah Binney – TTK Confectionery

 

Team of the Year – Sponsored by PPL PRS

Balls2 Marketing

Everards Brewery

Loates HR Consultancy

TTK Confectionery

TwentyTwenty – Love4Life

 

Outstanding Contribution to Work in STEM – Sponsored by Pick Everard

Bam Boom Cloud

ChangeXtra

De Montfort University

Lotus Maternity

PERFORMS Assessment

 

Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by EMA Training

Rebecca Houlston – Cross Productions

Polly Oakes – Express Recruitment

Lucy Bamford-Jones – Fidler & Pepper Lawyers

Esme Wade – MacMartin

Rubie Birks – Purpose Media

 

Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Amanda Daly, The Turnaround CEO

Lottie Hardy – EMA Training

Emma Baumback – Future Life Wealth Management

Grace Golden – Purpose Media

Jessica Barnett – Timms Solicitors

Santa York – TTK Confectionery

 

Diversity Champion – Sponsored by Breedon Consulting

Stephen Gould – Everards Brewery

Narinder Nijjar – Fraser Stretton Property Group

Maria Hanson – me&dee

Gill Heppell – PerCurra

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan – Zinthiya Trust/She Inspires Global

 

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Paradigm Wills

*Finalists not announced for this category – winner announced at the gala dinner on 30 September

Posted in Business, Home

Custom Solar joins Mitie Group

Mitie Group plc announces today that it has entered into a sale and purchase agreement (‘SPA’) to acquire the entire issued share capital of Custom Solar Ltd (‘Custom Solar’), a solar power solutions company specialising in the development, design, installation and maintenance of solar power systems for public and private sector clients.

Custom Solar’s design and installation expertise, combined with Mitie’s industry leading project management and mobile engineering offering, will support Mitie’s ambition to be a leading provider of end-to-end green energy solutions.

The transaction consideration comprises an initial payment of £8m, with deferred payments in aggregate of up to £4.4m by the end of FY25, linked to performance targets.  Custom Solar will be acquired cash free, debt free, with a normalised level of working capital.  The transaction is expected to complete on 30 June and will be funded through existing facilities.  For the 12 months ended 31 March 2022, Custom Solar generated revenues of £15m and profit before tax of £2m and had gross assets of £7m.  Custom Solar is expected to be accretive to earnings in the first 12 months of ownership.

With the demand for sustainable energy solutions set to increase significantly, UK solar power generation is targeted to reach 40GW in 2030, up from current levels of 14GW1.  Mitie’s strategy is to fill a gap in the market for truly integrated solar solutions, building on its expertise in upgrading the electrical infrastructure and providing grid connections to support the UK’s decarbonisation agenda.  This follows Mitie’s recent acquisition of Rock Power Connections which specialises in high voltage electricity grid connections, electrical infrastructure upgrades and EV charging installations.

Matthew Brailsford, Managing Director, stated:

“Today’s announcement is an incredibly exciting one not just for Mitie and Custom Solar but also for the whole of the UK regarding our decarbonisation plans. As we move towards net zero we need to see mass adoption of renewable energies and the combination of our expertise and industry knowledge paired with Mitie’s strength, drive and ambition will only go to make this goal more achievable in a shorter time frame.

On a personal note it’s a proud moment to see the company I founded and the team I so thoroughly enjoy working with, to be recognised as the industry leaders who can and will continue to pioneer the UK solar sector.”

Simon Venn, Managing Director, Technical Services, Mitie, said:

“The acquisition of Custom Solar continues Mitie’s strategy of investing in high growth, high return businesses within the energy and decarbonisation market to help our customers accelerate their path to Net Zero.

“Custom Solar’s expertise in large scale commercial solar deployments, combined with Mitie’s high voltage connection and project management expertise, will enable us to offer end-to-end renewable power generation at scale. With our client base including national brands, public sector organisations and critical infrastructure providers, this is yet another element of our support to help decarbonise Britain.”

Custom Solar supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in Business, Development, Home

Another independent retailer chooses Chesterfield to be their home

RD Models opened its new store on Whittington Moor in Chesterfield this May.

They are the latest of a number of independent retailers and hospitality businesses that have chosen to open or expand their business in Chesterfield.

RD Models specialises in high quality radio control cars, parts, spares and offer repairs on site.

The owner, Dave Hanson, has had a love of cars since he was a young boy and had good memories of working alongside his dad building kit cars, and this year he decided to open his first store on Sheffield Road.

Dave Hanson, Owner of RD Models said: ” We are proud to call Chesterfield home – our lovely town is growing and expanding and we are excited to be part of this regeneration.  The community of businesses and families on Sheffield Road has really welcomed RD Models and we are so grateful for all the support we have received.”

Since opening in May 2022, the store has received a wonderful response from people who are shopping local and is proud to be part of the independent scene in Chesterfield.

Dave added “There is such a diversity of wonderful shops on our doorstep and the Chesterfield community does an amazing job of supporting independent businesses like ours to keep the vibrant variety of shops available to us!   With the Chesterfield Football Stadium, Northern Gateway and the newly opened Glass Yard on our doorstep, RD Models is excited to be part of the revitalisation of Chesterfield.”

RD Models also partners with the British Radio Car Association and Bakewell RC Car Club by offering a trackside shop at local and regional races and also sponsors the Notts and Derby Off Road RC racetrack.

More information on the Chesterfield shop, local events, and the groups they partner with, can be found at www.rdmodels.co.uk

Find out more about other businesses that have recently opened or expanded in Chesterfield

Discover more about the regeneration of Chesterfield and the developments that are currently underway.

RD Models Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield’s Property & Construction Group is leaving no stone unturned in shaping our town into a great destination for generations to come

With so many great developments coming to fruition in our town centre and surrounding areas, there is plenty to get excited about in the coming years across Chesterfield.

We are beginning to see the groundwork for millions of pounds worth of investment in our town, which I’m confident will turn Chesterfield into a superb visitor destination and a place ripe for investment.

We are just weeks away from the opening of the highly anticipated Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, which has already seen plenty of interest from investors locally and further afield. The state-of-the-art business centre will help to create 500 jobs, ensuring the town centre economy is resilient for many more years to come. At Destination Chesterfield, we are very excited to be showing our Chesterfield Champions around the development in the near future, demonstrating what an asset the new Enterprise Centre will be once open and operational.

On top of that, development at Chesterfield Waterside is continuing at a pace, with new housing and high-quality office space being developed. This will be another key milestone in the regeneration of Chesterfield, with its proximity to Chesterfield Station making it an excellent location for commuters to Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and beyond. The proposed Chesterfield Station Master Plan will also ensure anyone arriving in Chesterfield has a great first impression of the town when they step off the train!

In terms of our historic town centre, further transformations are going to be seen around several key sites. Our market will be revamped, ensuring one of our most treasured assets continues to thrive in modern times. The striking Stephenson Memorial Hall is also undergoing a major refurbishment, extending the iconic Pomegranate Theatre, and improving our cultural offer with a better museum, gallery space and education facilities.

Positive things are also happening in our town centre right now! We’ve seen several new shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants making Chesterfield their new home since we came out of the pandemic. It is very encouraging that so many great independent businesses are seeing the potential in our town for the future.

As part of the role of the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Property and Construction Group, business leaders within the sector locally are ensuring that with these multi-million-pound developments taking place across the town, no stone is left unturned in ensuring we can maximise the potential of these investments. The group constantly discusses several key themes based around skills, business support, promoting investment in Chesterfield and sustainability and wellbeing. As a group, we believe we have a golden opportunity to transform the landscape of Chesterfield for generations, and ensure our town aspires to be an excellent place to work, live, visit and invest.

To find out more about the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Property and Construction Group, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/ or email PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk

Posted in Blog, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Property and ConstructionTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Discover why Chesterfield is the perfect cycling destination

Chesterfield is the perfect location for cycling.  Nestled on the edge of the Peak District National Park, the historic market town with the Crooked Spire has a range of cycling routes for all abilities.

We caught up with Paul Chapman, Owner of the local lifestyle magazine and website, S40 Local, who loves cycling, to tell us more and share one of his favourite routes.

Paul Chapman from S40 local

Why do you love cycling?

Where do I start and how many words do you want was my initial reaction! Why? Simple.  I just love to cycle, always have, and always will.

Cycling when I was young was how you got to your friends after school.  There were a few years when I abandoned the bike as motorbikes and cars took over.  But it wasn’t long before my commute each day across Nottingham to Boots Head Office involved cycling.

7 am, slicing through winter traffic and dropping onto quiet cycle paths and towpaths through the suburbs is fab.  There isn’t anything like it.  It’s a real wake-up before work. The introduction of the mountain bike had me driving up to the Peak District every weekend.  And this was before any form of suspension on a pushbike! This was painful stuff, but still addictive.

Years later, I now live on the edge of the Peak District. 25 minutes of pedaling from my front door and I can be at the top of Beeley Moor; the hills and valleys looking like all my favourite toys spread out on the lounge floor!

I’ve competed a few times, but only for a bit of fun; I’ve never been that quick.  But now I’m regularly competing with my son to get the odd King of The Mountain (see Strava). But mostly I just try to hang onto his back wheel downhill as I watch a vision of my past youth.  He’s blind to the dangers involved and loving it as much as I do.

 

Why is Chesterfield a great place to Cycle?

Chesterfield is a great place to ride.  We have some very useful bits of infrastructure and a network of bridleways that take you away from the tarmac. I’ve drawn up an 11-mile route around the west side of town, which is at the end of this article.   Strava says it’s 14% road, 55% dirt, and 31% unclassified.   It should take you around an hour and you can explore the town and surrounding areas.

 

How do you plan your cycle routes around Chesterfield?

Why not download the map of Chesterfields’ cycle routes? Take a browse and see if you could use a bike for your commute or escape to the quiet lanes.

Check out some ideas for bike rides and cycle routes around Chesterfield

Paul’s 11-mile cycle route around Chesterfield

11 mile cycle route around Chesterfield

11-mile cycle route around Chesterfield

Download the cycle route map

  • Start at the entrance to Walton Dam (1) and ride through to Somersall Park (Hipper Valley Route) and the car park on Somersall Lane. This track is good in summer, but after rain or in the winter can be muddy.
  • As you leave Somersall Park turn right up Somersall Lane; this is one of the few road sections.
  • In the end, turn left and proceed East up Chatsworth Road, again on the road.
  • At the junction with Brookside Barr (2) the pavement becomes much wider and it’s usually possible to ride safely using this until you reach the junction with Holymoor Road. Please keep a look out for any cars leaving or entering driveways and pass any pedestrians courteously.
  • Reaching Holymoor Road, cross to the pavement on the opposite side of the road and continue up to Westwick Lane. There is a wide tarmac access road section that keeps you off Baslow Road until you reach the garage.
  • Turn right, back on yourself and you’re now on Westwick Lane, away from the busy roads you can continue along here until you reach Ashgate Road (4), take a left for 100 metres, and then cross to join the well surfaced bridleway, Woodnuck Lane, that will take you into Linacre reservoirs.
  • Take care on the descent; it can be a bit slippy when wet but is safe enough if you take your time.
  • Dropping into Linacre, you will approach an old bridge with a wide uphill path on the left, (5) take this and climb to reach the lower reservoir where you need to take the middle path through the gap in the fence to join the concessionary path around the lower, and onto the middle reservoirs.
  • As you see the top reservoir turn right across the front (6), please do not ride around the top reservoir as it is a wildlife area and cycling is not permitted on this path.
  • As you reach the far side of the reservoir, turn right downhill and follow this path until you reach a gate (7).
  • Through and turn left, follow this steep tarmac climb to its end with the B5060 Main Road, Cutthorpe, and turn right. Again, although there are suitable paths and tracks from the reservoir, there are no bridleways so the cyclist is forced to take a short road section.
  • Pass The Peacock at Cutthorpe, or perhaps call in for a refreshment! As you pass the Peacock you round a left-hand bend, shortly after this, you need to turn right into Greenlane. (8)
  • Drop to Holmebrook Valley Park. Take care through Hall Farm as it can be muddy, or if you time it badly, the cows may have crossed!
  • As you enter the woodland at the bottom of this track, stay right and follow the bridleway until you see the fishing pond at Holmebrook Valley Park.
  • Take a right turn over a bridge (9) then immediately left to follow the trail, take care as you cross the car park entrance and pass under Loundsley Green Road.
  • Round the edge of the playing field to reach Pennine Way, where care must be taken to cross the road and pick up the marked cycle route signposted into the town centre.
  • Cross Purbeck Avenue and be sure not to miss the left turn to pop out on Ashgate Valley Road (10).
  • Turn right onto Holmebank East, cross Ashgate Road, and proceed down Chester Street for a few hundred metres. Shortly after the park, you need to look out for a left-hand turn that will take you on a cycle trail towards town, passing behind the old gas cylinders (only one left).
  • Take the right at the end of the path and around the edge of the car park for the bingo hall.
  • You will arrive through an arch onto Chatsworth Road at Wheatbridge (11).
  • Follow the cycle route across the path around the island and then over the traffic lights at Wickes.
  • Stay slightly left and take the short path to reach Dock Walk and turn right following Dock Walk.
  • Continue onto Goyt Side Road (12) and carry straight on along the cycle track through the old Walton Works site.
  • At the end turn left along Walton Fields Road (13) then immediately right to join Bobbin Mill Lane.
  • Stay on Bobbin Mill Lane by turning left to meet Walton Road and back to your starting point at the dam.

Chesterfield Cycling

Find out more about getting on your bike in Chesterfield.  Our guide includes details of how you can get your bike serviced and get involved with the local cycling scene

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Leisure, Stay, Summer, Visiting

Walkers raise funds for Ashgate Hospice

More than 150 dedicated fundraisers embarked on hikes across the stunning Peak District to help raise funds for Ashgate Hospice’s vital care.

In March, ramblers took on three different routes for the return of the charity’s High Peak Trail Walk, sponsored by MVIS – all of which followed the former Cromford and High Peak Railway line.

From a 3.5-mile route for walkers after a leisurely stroll to an 11 or 17-mile walk for dedicated hikers – all participants enjoyed the stunning scenery of the North Derbyshire countryside in all its beauty.

Despite rain in the morning, the sun came out from behind the clouds at intervals throughout the afternoon, as a record total of 160 supporters took part – helping fund the hospice’s vital care for patients and families.

One of the participants signed up was Alice Morley, who was walking in memory of her friend Nicole Goodison’s mum, who died in the hospice’s care.

Speaking after crossing the finish line, she said: “We took part in the 17-mile route of the High Peak Trail in memory of our friend Nicole’s mum and really enjoyed it.

“The weather was nice on the day which kept us going until the end, although I think my legs will be stiff tomorrow! I’d urge anyone thinking about taking part in Ashgate Hospice’s High Peak Trail to just go and do it!”

The event was made possible thanks to the support of a small army of volunteers including Matlock Derwent Valley Lions and 35 young Derbyshire Fire Cadets who gave up their time to help ensure the event ran smoothly.

Anyone interested in taking part in Ashgate’s High Peak Trail Walk in 2023 is encouraged to keep an eye on the charity’s website and social media channels later in the year.

The off-road linear walk, which was launched last year, is traffic-free and promises to be a fun day out with friends and family.

Carl Jones, Fundraising Manager at Ashgate Hospice, said: “We were delighted to see such an incredible number of our super supporters at our High Peak Trail Walk.

“After launching the event last year, we couldn’t wait to bring it back in 2022 – and it was wonderful to see some of the same faces from last year, as well as plenty of new ones too!

“I’m so grateful to each and every one of the 160 participants who came out at the weekend to walk across the Peak District in support of Ashgate.

“Thanks to our sponsors MVIS for their support, including their Commercial and Operations Director, Anne, who took part herself on the day!

“We rely on the support of our amazing supporters to help us raise £7 million each year, so we can be there for the patients and families who need our care.

“If you weren’t able to come this year or happen to be reading about our High Peak Trail Walk for the first time – we hope to see you at next year’s event!”

Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Ashgate Hospice Hike

Posted in About Chesterfield

Local accountant retires after 48 years at the same company

Local Accountant Andrew Heelin has retired after a career spanning 48 years working at the Chesterfield offices of local accountancy firm, Shorts.

Andrew joined Shorts straight from school in 1974 and his continued loyalty to the firm was rewarded in 2012 with his promotion to the position of Accounts Director.

A popular character amongst the team, Andrew’s presence at Shorts will be missed after his retirement. His experience and knowledge, coupled with his approachable and affable nature, have made him the first port of call for any questions or queries. An unflappable figure, he has always been a welcome sounding board for teammates.

“To be honest”, Andrew says, “I never thought that I would retire. I always wanted to be a workaholic, and I think I can probably now say that I succeeded in that ambition. But time moves on, circumstances change, and (maybe reluctantly) I think that now is the right time. My wife Catherine, and I are looking forward to spending more time on our hobbies, with our family and in the fresh air. Part of me thinks that I will still get up for work every day. I’m sure I’ll wake up early and think to myself, ‘I could get up now and make the most of an early start in the office before everyone arrives’ before remembering that I no longer need to.”

He added “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Shorts. I don’t know where the last 48 years have gone. It’s been a pleasure to witness the firm’s growth over that time and I take with me great memories of working with some lovely people. I will watch Shorts’ continued development with interest – even if it is from afar.”

Managing Partner Andy Irvine added “All of us at Shorts wish Andrew a very long and happy retirement and thank him for the years of dedication and service he has given to the firm and our clients. Andrew has seen many changes during his time at Shorts, one of which being the growth experienced by the firm over that time. He has played a significant role in the ‘Shorts story’ and we wish him all the very best as he begins this new chapter.”

Shorts Chartered Accountants supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Accountant retires

Posted in About Chesterfield

Holdsworth hatch up with Robinson’s sustainable packaging for their luxury Easter chocolates

Chesterfield based manufacturer Robinson have developed sustainable packaging for luxury chocolate manufacturer Holdsworth’s Easter chocolate gifts.

Two limited edition Easter boxes have been produced for Holdsworth’s popping candy egg and Easter bunny treat bag. The packaging has been made from 100% post-consumer recycled paperboard and is widely recyclable. The clear viewing window is produced from recycled UK water bottles adding to the sustainable appeal.

David Sharples, Managing Director at Holdsworth Chocolates said:

“Whenever we produce packaging, including for special celebrations such as Easter, we aim to make sure all the materials we use are sustainable and can be recycled.”

“Sustainable packaging is a collective goal for both Robinson and Holdsworth. Our brand was developed on a passion for creating beautiful hand-crafted chocolates, using the finest of everything, that’s why it is so important that we invest in high quality sustainable packaging that reflects our values too.”

The packaging has been printed using six colours and is completed with foil blocking; the perfect finishing touch to add a stunning and luxurious feel to the design. As the Easter packaging was only needed in limited quantity, Robinson provided a small bespoke run for Holdsworth’s needs, making them the perfect packaging partner.

Jon Walker, New Product Development Director at Robinson said:

“Producing high quality, creative, engaging packaging for brands and retailers at an affordable price is key. Being an independent company means that we can be flexible to the needs of Holdsworth. We turned around production from design to delivery in just 3-4 weeks.”

If you are interested in purchasing Holdsworth chocolates for Easter you can order online at https://holdsworthchocolates.co.uk/

Robinson supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Holdsworth Easter Egg

Posted in Business, Featured, Home