Author: Dom Stevens

Green + Benz scoop coveted Chesterfield Retailer of the Year title

26th May 2016

Four retailers retain titles in 2016 awards

Only six months after opening its new flagship store, Green + Benz has scooped the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Green + Benz was among 14 Chesterfield retailers to scoop one of 18 prestigious awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The Chesterfield College Group.

The awards which returned for the third year running were the biggest yet and saw four retailers – Adorn Jewellers, R P Davidson Cheese Factor, Libby’s and Debenhams, retain their 2015 titles.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Green + Benz also took the title of Best New Store following the relocation of its Chesterfield store on Glumangate to 120sqm of premium retail space on South Street in December last year.

The increased space means Green + Benz can accommodate an open shop floor, a private viewing room and a workshop for bespoke commissions. Inside, the store boasts luxurious leather and velvet upholstery, glittering chandeliers and individual branded display bays which are framed by polished chrome edge details and numerous mirrors, which all adds to the overall sense of glamour of the store. Figures for Green + Benz showed a 68% overall growth in prior year sales results in December 2015 following the opening of the new store.

Manager of the Chesterfield store, Abi Noakes was presented with both awards at the sell-out award ceremony, which was held at the town’s Winding Wheel venue and hosted by Peak FM breakfast show presenters Cat and Stu.

Abi said: “We’re so overwhelmed and very proud and happy to receive the awards. It means so much that the awards have come from Chesterfield and everybody in Chesterfield. We really try and strive to make our clients ultra-happy and give them the best service that we can.”

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the retail awards were a huge success and highlighted how strong Chesterfield’s retail scene is. The town has an excellent mix of independent and high street retailers as well as an historic market and a key reason why so many people, locally and nationally, visit each year. It’s a winning mix that consistently sees Chesterfield buck the trend for shop vacancy rates, contributing significantly to our growing economy.”

Discover all the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield gets new-look half marathon

24th May 2016

One of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s most prominent running events has been launched with a new look route – which promises to be flatter and faster than previous years.

Organisers of the Chesterfield Half Marathon believe that the runner-friendly route will attract more participants and elite runners from around the world.

The route changes come alongside a suspension of the full marathon for 2016, to enable organisers to focus on creating a much-improved route for the 2017 event.

Runners can now register to take part in the 2016 event, which takes place on Sunday 2 October. It will also include a fun run and a relay race, where four competitors take a share of the course over a distance of either 5km or two people over 10km each.

The charity race, which is sponsored by Chesterfield-based Drainage 2000, will once again be entirely in support of a number of local and national charities and community organisations.

Starting and finishing in Chesterfield’s Queen’s Park, the route has retained popular stretches through areas like Hasland whilst also incorporating Chatsworth Road and more of the town centre. As well as being a faster and more attractive route for runners of all abilities, the new route will allow more residents to get out onto the streets and support the runners. The route is all road-based, so fully wheelchair accessible.

As in previous years, there will also be an all-day ‘Party in the Park’ in Queen’s Park, with food, drink and entertainment for all the family. Along the route organisers are also aiming to create festival zones in areas such as Hasland and Chatsworth Road, where the Chatsworth Road festival will be taking place on the same weekend.

Mike Hyman, from the event organisers, said: “It has always been our intention for the Chesterfield Half Marathon to be a world class event that will attract runners and visitors to our town from across the UK and beyond. So that, as well as the thousands of pounds the event can generate for many charities, the Chesterfield Half Marathon also benefits the local economy, from the influx of visitors to our town who will spend their money in our shops, restaurants, bars and hotels.

“The route we have designed for this year definitely achieves our ambition. We have been working closely with the local authorities and other agencies for many months, as well as listening to runners’ and residents’ feedback to try and design an equally attractive full marathon route, but there is still more work to do to achieve the optimum route.

“In relation to the full marathon, it is a very difficult task to agree a route that is attractive enough to runners to make it commercially viable, while at the same time limits disruption to residents and satisfies all the agencies concerned, including the emergency services and Highways England. Therefore in 2016 we have decided not to hold the full marathon and instead focus on building the half marathon and the 4 X 5K team relay event.”

Drainage 2000 returns as headline sponsor for the second year. The company, which was launched in 2000, maintains drainage systems all across the UK and employs 20 people locally from its office in Old Whittington.

Entry is £30 for the half marathon, £25 per person for the 2 X 10K team relay, £15 per person for the 4 x 5K team relay and £5 for the fun run. Runners will also have the option to have their ‘chipped’ race number posted to them before race day.

To register as for the Half Marathon, team relay, fun run or as a volunteer visit www.chesterfieldmarathon.org.uk/registrations. To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, festival zone packs or getting involved in other ways contact Andrea on 01246 269023 or andrea@chesterfieldmarathon.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield entrepreneurs urged to kick start their business ideas

24th May 2016

Budding entrepreneurs from Chesterfield looking to be the next Sir Alan Sugar or Dragon’s Den multi-millionaire are being urged to take advantage of help to kick-start their business ideas.

A free support service, called Launchpad, has been established by Sheffield City Region’s Growth Hub as part of the package of support being offered to Chesterfield businesses through membership of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority.

The free help is aimed at encouraging more budding entrepreneurs to set up and run successful new businesses. The aim is to create hundreds of new businesses across the Sheffield City Region, of which Chesterfield is a part, over the next three years.

Available help includes:

Guidance and advice from start-up business advisers
Workshops and seminars on issues facing new start-up businesses
One-to-one coaching and mentoring services from successful business leaders and entrepreneurs

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “One of the reasons why we are seeking full membership of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority is that it can deliver projects like this straight away to the benefit of Chesterfield’s new businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Chesterfield has a lower number of entrepreneurs setting up new businesses than the national average and we are keen to do everything possible to change that as successful businesses bring more jobs to the town, with the knock-on benefits that come from that for the families of the people employed.

“One of the hardest things as an entrepreneur is taking that initial gem of an idea and turning it in to something that makes a viable and successful business.

“Many great ideas have fallen by the wayside because the entrepreneurs behind them didn’t have the support and knowledge of how to sell their product or service.

“I would urge anyone thinking about setting up a business, or in the early days of doing so, to get in touch with the Launchpad programme and get the free support on offer.”

More information is available by ringing 03330 00 00 39, emailing growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visiting www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/services/start-up/

The £4 million programme is being delivered through the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month, and involves a consortium of local authorities, and the Princes Trust.

The initiative is backed financially by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and has attracted £2,359,613 investment from the European Regional Development Fund.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Celebrity host of 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards confirmed

24th May 2016

Professional cake designer to the stars, Mich Turner MBE, has been confirmed as the celebrity host of this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Founder and director of London-based Little Venice Cake Company, Mich has created cakes for Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Gordon Ramsay, David Beckham and Pierce Brosnan. Her bespoke cakes start from £2500.

As well as her high profile cakes that have been featured in films, Mich has also presented and judged Britain’s Best Bakery, one of the top five performing daytime TV shows on ITV, as well as her own Mich Turner’s Couture Cakes for Sky. In addition to her TV credits, Mich also has five international best-selling books to her name.

Delighted to be hosting the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Mich Turner said: “I am a firm believer in using quality ingredients whether you’re creating indulgent cakes or a memorable meal. A cake, like any food or drink, should be a feast for the eyes and a memory for the palate.

“Chesterfield has a thriving food and drink sector we all have our own personal favourites. It will be wonderful to see so many businesses and individuals within the sector recognised at the awards.”

Mich will be announcing the winners of 13 awards at a glittering award ceremony which will, once again, be held in Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building. The popular awards return for the fourth year running and are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

The winners of the Chesterfield Food and Drink awards are decided following a public nomination. People can nominate cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and food producers online across 10 categories in the awards until midnight on Monday 13 June at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards

The 10 categories in which you can nominate in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by arvato
Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Accountants
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – presented by Chesterfield College
Chesterfield Food Producer – sponsored by Casa Hotel
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Banner Jones, the Crooked Spire Church, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Visiting

Atomic Kitten star joins 911 frontman for Chesterfield Panto

10th May 2016

A magic carpet tale of adventure is set to touch down in Chesterfield with two multi-million selling pop stars leading the line-up of the family favourite pantomime Aladdin this Christmas at the Pomegranate Theatre.

Atomic Kitten star and Celebrity Masterchef winner Liz McClarnon, will take to the stage as the stunning Princess Jasmine, while 911 frontman and star of the stage, Lee Brennan, will take on the title role as our hero Aladdin.

Liz is best known as one third of Britain’s most successful girl group of the noughties: Atomic Kitten. The group experienced phenomenal success, going on to have 15 singles reach the top 10 in the UK, including the number 1 hits Eternal Flame, The Tide is High and their biggest selling single Whole Again which sold over a million copies in the UK alone. The girls’ popularity led to global record sales of over ten million, chart success and sell out arena tours at home and throughout Asia and even a slot to perform at Buckingham Palace in front of a TV audience of millions for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in 2002.

After the girl group went their separate ways, Liz achieved chart success in her own right, landing a top 5 hit with her version of the classic Barbara Streisand song Woman in Love, which was produced for her by Bee Gee Robin Gibb.

Away from the music world, 2008 saw Liz back on our screens for an altogether different reason – swapping microphone for apron, she embarked on a new challenge when she entered Celebrity Masterchef. Five million people regularly saw her take on everyone and every challenge put in front of her, where her natural culinary ability and hard work helped secure her the title of Celebrity Masterchef 2008!

Cooking took Liz into the world of television, leading to regular appearances on panel shows and opening doors for her as a presenter. She has hosted the National Lottery for BBC1, interviewed the hottest names in music for MTV and fronted her own series for BBC3. Not forgetting her musical roots, Liz took to the stage in the lead female role in The War of the

Worlds starring opposite Jason Donovan and hit the road in the touring production of Legally Blonde where she starred as Paulette.

Fast forward to January 2013 and Liz was back with Atomic Kitten, starring in ITV2’s huge smash hit fly on the wall documentary The Big Reunion, which documented the real life ups and downs of being part of a reunited pop band. Watched by over two million people, an arena tour followed which saw Liz and the kittens perform to over 200,000 people along with bands Five, Atomic Kitten, B*Witched, Blue, Liberty X and 911!

After joining forces for a smash hit tour of pop nostalgia, Liz is set to be reunited with fellow popstar Lee Brennan, the lead singer of hit boyband 911. Lee and the lads shot to fame with chart-topping hits such as A Night to Remember, Bodyshakin, Don’t Make Me Wait and A Little Bit More. The band’s debut album The Journey spent 17 weeks in the UK charts, was awarded a gold disc and even went 12 times platinum in Malaysia, such was their success and appeal.

Four more studio albums, including a Greatest Hits, and 14 singles kept the boys in the charts and the public eye from 1996 to 2000. As the millennium approached the hit-makers were one of just five acts in the decade to achieve 10 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK. The lads had become one of the biggest and most recognisable faces of the 90s pop scene, selling more than ten million records and playing to thousands in sell-out arena tours in the UK, and 70,000 people in Singapore alone on their tour of Asia.

Away from the group, Lee has clocked up years of experience on the stage. He has played to thousands in headline pantomime roles around the country, including four consecutive appearances as Peter Pan, and a headline role cutting loose on stage in Footloose, The Musical alongside stage star Maureen Nolan.

Liz and Lee will star in Aladdin at the Pomegranate Theatre from Friday 2 December 2016 to Tuesday 3 January 2017. Tickets are available from the Chesterfield Theatres Box Office by visiting www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/panto or by calling 01246 345 222. Further cast members will be announced soon.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Start-up support programme launched for Chesterfield and North Derbyshire entrepreneurs

10th May 2016

A free and comprehensive support service has been launched to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and run successful new businesses in the Sheffield City Region.

Sheffield City Region Launchpad is a new fully inclusive and co-ordinated programme of start-up support which aims to help create hundreds of new businesses across the region over the next three years.

Through Launchpad people just starting to think about working for themselves and new business owners keen to grow their companies and create jobs can quickly access a wide range of new and existing business advice, workshops, seminars, one-to-one coaching and mentoring services.

SCR Launchpad programme manager Anna Smith said: “Launchpad has been set up to ensure that wherever entrepreneurs are based in our region, whether in the city of Sheffield, in our growing towns or in rural communities, everyone has equal access to the best quality business development support.

“Its aim is to ensure that no-one misses out on the support they need to help them set up and grow their business. Wherever they are based they can contact Launchpad and a start-up business advisor will talk through their business aims, discuss their needs and signpost them to the most appropriate support.”

Launchpad is being delivered through a collaboration of the region’s local authorities and business support organisations, led by Barnsley Council’s business support arm, Enterprising Barnsley.

Developed and delivered under the SCR Growth Hub banner, Launchpad brings together the wide range of start-up support services provided by these partners and combines them with new services being provided through the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub.

The initiative is backed financially by the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and has attracted £2,359,613 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Europe Union’s support for the region’s economic development.

Chair of the Sheffield City Region European Structural Investment Funds Sub-Committee James Newman said: “Through unprecedented collaboration across the Sheffield City Region’s local authorities and business community we have co-ordinated all our efforts to identify and support pre-start and early stage businesses with growth potential.

“Our ultimate aim is to increase economic growth and create jobs through fostering the development of new businesses across the whole region. The simple message is that if you want to set up and grow a business in the City Region you should contact Launchpad and its team of advisors can help you access a region-wide network of support.

“This is exactly the type of programme that European funding should be supporting and we expect Launchpad to become the definitive springboard for successful business start-ups in the Sheffield City Region.”

Launchpad is open to new businesses in Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster and North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield and offers entrepreneurs anything from access to free workshops and events to one-to-one mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and business owners. The Princes Trust will provide business support to 18-30-year-olds across South Yorkshire.

Entrepreneurs and new business owners can contact Launchpad through the SCR Growth Hub gateway on 03330 00 00 39 or growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk Visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk to find out more.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub, through which Launchpad has been developed, is designed to be a single point of contact for all businesses across the nine local authority areas. It was launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership last month.

The overall ambition of the Sheffield City Region LEP is to help create 6,000 new businesses and 70,000 new jobs by 2025, by encouraging innovation, investment and collaboration.

Similar Launchpad start-up support programmes have been established by LEPs through their Growth Hubs in other city regions across the UK.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

German investment comes to Markham Vale

9th May 2016

Markham Vale partners, Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd have recently announced another major deal bringing new jobs with the car industry giants Ferdinand Bilstein UK.

Ferdinand Bilstein UK will be moving its current distribution operations in Kent and Pontefract to a new purpose-built distribution centre. Established in Germany in 1844, the company operates worldwide producing, marketing and distributing car parts for a range of vehicle makes and models including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover and Ford.

Paul Dodgson, operations director at Ferdinand Bilstein UK (2^nd from right) said:

“We made the decision to move to Markham Vale as the development offers excellent transport links to the main motorway network, which was a key requirement of ours.

“We also required a bespoke and high-quality building to fit with the company brand and ethos, and we were confident Henry Boot Developments and Derbyshire County Council could deliver this.

“Our relocation to Markham Vale was mainly due to how close we can be to some of our biggest UK customers. We are excited to become a part of this high-profile development.”

The building of the firm’s new 224,966 square feet distribution centre started at the beginning of May and is set to be completed by December this year creating around 150 jobs initially with further opportunities to follow.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Hooch launches first ever digital only campaign #OutrageouslyRefereshing

3rd May 2016

Chesterfield headquartered Global Brands has announced a marketing first as it launches a campaign for Hooch that will air solely across digital and social media. Working with a new generation of’ digital influencers’ the brand will deliver a comedy based Outrageously Refreshing social video series that is set to reach 17 million users.

This represents a bold departure from the previous ATL focus for the fastest growing RTD brand, which won the Best TV & Cinema Campaign at The Grocer’s Marketing and Advertising Awards in 2014.

Starting on the 1^st of May, Joe Charman, Huw Samuel, Leslie Wai and Stuggy, four of the UK’s top Vine Stars, will deliver a 3 month content plan across the Instagram, Vine, Facebook, Twitter, Snap Chat and You Tube platforms. Their videos will see the lads in an assortment of outrageously refreshing comical moments made up of short sketches and pranks. This campaign is set to reach a huge 5.8 million people, the combined following of all 4 comedians, an industry first.

Commenting on the campaign, Hooch marketing director Simon Green said “We are excited to bring some of the UK’s freshest original talent together to entertain and grow our loyal Hooch audience. This builds on the brand’s reputation for disruptive and ‘full on’ activity.”

Huw Samuel adds “This campaign is so different to what most brands do because Hooch is investing in its social channels for a long term goal. Lots of brands want one or two videos a year while Hooch are taking care of their channel and providing their audience with entertainment on a longer and higher scale.”

More activity with Joe, Huw, Leslie and Stuggy is planned for later in the summer extending the length of the sponsorship. They have also hinted that there will be special bonus content to come on top of the planned campaign activity.

Hooch’s previous campaign set the brand high with Full on Refreshment, staring Keith Lemon, receiving fantastic response and reaching 2.8million people, including a growth of thirty thousand likes on Facebook in five months.

Posted in Business

Get in step for the Derbyshire Workplace Walking Challenge

3rd May 2016

The Derbyshire Workplace Challenge is launching a new Walking Challenge for May.

Business colleagues are invited to sign up for the online activity log challenge, which for the month of May is dedicated to walking, allowing workers to track how much walking they have done and earn activity points for themselves and their team to progress up a special online leaderboard.

The Walking Challenge will run from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31, and participants will also be in with a chance of winning great prizes such as 12 tickets to a Derbyshire County Cricket Club home match, a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) taster session for two people at Carsington Sports and Leisure, or a £25 Central Health voucher which can be used for any treatment at Central Physio, Central FootClinic or Central Osteopaths.

The Workplace Challenge is a free and fun activity tracker open to anyone in any workplace. New users can join individually, or with colleagues to give an added element of competition, and track how active they really are in a quick and informal way.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, which runs the Workplace Challenge in Derbyshire, said: “The aim of the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge is to motivate workers across the county to get more active and encourage their colleagues to do the same.

“We want to inspire people to make a few small changes to their working day which could help to make a real difference to their health and fitness. This could include walking to work, getting off the bus earlier or parking further from the office and then walking the rest of the way, holding walking meetings or going for a walk during lunch.

“By logging their walking workers will be able to see how small changes like this can really begin to add up. Activity done outside of work at any time also counts too – just be warned, the Workplace Challenge can be addictive as you watch your points rise and your energy levels soar!”

If you have taken part in a previous challenge or already registered you can log your activity at www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire and you will be added to the new challenge leaderboard.

Posted in Business

New Support Service Launched for Businesses Across the Sheffield City Region

28th April 2016

A new service to help businesses access the best possible advice to help them grow has been officially launched by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub is designed to be a single point of contact for all businesses across the nine local authority areas, from Thorne in the north to Ashbourne in the south, Penistone in the west to Retford in the east and anywhere in between.

The Growth Hub, which has core funding of £4.82m, acts as a ‘gateway’ for businesses to access specialist support in a number of key areas to enable growth, including innovation, exporting, accessing finance and training. Businesses can contact the Growth Hub via phone or online.

The launch follows a successful pilot project, which has already helped more than 300 businesses, and is part of a national roll out of 39 Growth Hubs across the country, funded by central Government.

Head of the SCR Growth Hub, David Grimes, said: “The Growth Hub means that wherever you are in the Sheffield City Region you will have the same access to the same level of support, as we are working with a wide range of partners.

“Whether your business is large or small, new or well-established, you will have just one place to go to find out about, and access, the best possible advice that suits your needs.”

The Growth hub is working with, and will be signposting to, industry experts, including successful companies, consultancies, universities, Chambers of Commerce and local authorities, and national provision such as Innovate UK, UK Trade and Investment and a wide range of other business support partners.

Businesses may also be offered direct support and guidance from one of the Growth Hub’s own business growth advisors; all of whom have extensive experience of running businesses.

As well as the core funding, the SCR Growth Hub includes a £22m Business Investment Fund, a Skills Bank fund of more than £17m and access to the Sheffield City Region European Structural Funds of approximately £90m.

The Growth Hub is overseen by the Business Growth Board, which is made up of representatives from the public and private sector, and reports directly to the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board.

The overall ambition of the Sheffield City Region LEP is to help create 6,000 new businesses and 70,000 new jobs by 2025, by encouraging innovation, investment and collaboration.

Paul Houghton, chair of the Business Growth Board and managing partner of Grant Thornton in Sheffield, said: “The official launch of the Growth Hub is great news for businesses across our region. It is all part of the LEP’s ambitions to grow the city region economy by working together to create a stronger and bigger private sector that can compete in national and global markets.

“Whether you are a creative technology start-up looking for financial advice or business training, a manufacturer looking to export your product to a new overseas market, or any other business looking to grow and expand, then the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub can help you access the support that you need.”

Diana Terris, chief executive of Barnsley Council, one of the nine local authorities within the Sheffield City Region, said: “We welcome this new support service, because we know that the public sector and private sector working together will make our region stronger. We have shown that in Barnsley with our own ‘Enterprising Barnsley’ business support programme, which will now form part of the overall Growth Hub offer.

“To compete on a national and international stage we know we need the best support for our businesses and this is what the Growth Hub will give us.”

The Growth Hub can be contacted on 03330 00 00 39, emailing growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk

Posted in Business, Development

World’s Top Teams Will Come To Chesterfield For The Aviva Women’s Tour

26th April 2016

The world’s top ten professional teams will head to Britain this June to line-up for the third edition of the Aviva Women’s Tour, it was announced today (Tuesday 26 April) marking 50 days to go until the race gets underway on Wednesday 15 June. The riders will finish stage 3 in Chesterfield on Friday 17th June.

As of the latest UCI rankings (17 April) all of the world’s top ten teams will be racing led by the world’s number one ranked team Wiggle HIGH5 and the Boels Dolmans team of UCI Women’s WorldTour leader Lizzie Armitstead.

In total 14 of the world’s top 17 teams will be on the start line in Southwold, Suffolk for Stage One of the Aviva Women’s Tour, which will be the first European stage race of the 2016 UCI Women’s WorldTour.

Among the other high-profile teams racing will be Rabo Liv, who won the 2014 edition of the race with Marianne Vos, the Canyon SRAM team of defending champion Lisa Brennauer and a Great Britain national team, as they continue their preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

They will be joined by a third British team, the domestic Drops Cycling Team, who have been newly formed for 2016 and will be making their Aviva Women’s Tour debut.

The 2016 field will comprise of teams from 11 different countries, including four teams who will be making their Aviva Women’s Tour debuts in June as Astana, BTC City Ljubljana and the Cylance Pro Cycling team join Drops in making their first appearance in the race.

The full list of 16 teams for the 2016 Aviva Women’s Tour is:

• Ale Cipollini Galassia (Italy)
• Astana Women’s Team (Kazakhstan)
• Boels Dolmans Cycling Team (Netherlands)
• BTC City Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Canyon SRAM Racing (Germany)
• Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling (Germany)
• Cylance Pro Cycling (USA)
• Drops Racing Team (Great Britain)
• Great Britain national team
• Hitec Products (Norway)
• Orica AIS (Australia)
• Poitou – Charentes Futuroscope 86 (France)
• Rabo Liv Women’s Cycling Team (Netherlands)
• Team Liv Plantur (Netherlands)
• UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)
• Wiggle HIGH5 (Great Britain)

Each of the 16 teams will field a six rider team in the Aviva Women’s Tour. Further announcements about the provisional rider line-up will follow during May.

“This June’s Aviva Women’s Tour will have its best ever line-up of teams, headlined by the fact that we will have all of the world’s top ten teams racing,” said Aviva Women’s Tour Race Director Mick Bennett.

“The response we have had from teams wishing to participate has been overwhelming leading to a very hard decision making process to select the final teams for the race, but this has enabled us to select our best ever line-up. We know this combined with the tougher parcours will make for a super competitive and exciting race with the world’s best racing for the Aviva Yellow Jersey.”

As a UCI Women’s WorldTour team, the top 15 ranked professional teams as of 1st January received automatic invites, with 13 of the those teams accepting their invite.

Highlights of each stage of the Aviva Women’s Tour will be shown on ITV4 and available on demand via the ITV Player.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting