Author: Dom Stevens

Chesterfield Business has Recipe for Growth

26th January 2016

Chesterfield based business MSK Ingredients, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist food ingredients and equipment, is to expand and take on more staff following £750,000 in new funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial. The funding includes a £200,000 Growth Capital loan, which is aimed at fast-growth, ambitious UK businesses.

Established in 1999 and currently 15-staff strong, MSK is now recognized as a major supplier of premium ingredients to the dining, hotel and catering markets. The firm, which also supplies chocolatiers, mixologists, bakers and the general public, has built a large customer base of around 3,500 clients – including many of UK’s leading chefs.

Kevin Bateman, founder and owner of MSK Ingredients, said: “Our trading philosophy is to supply the finest quality ingredients available and to source and offer innovative and unique products which will provide a point of difference. This strategy has worked well for the firm and we are in a strong position to invest for growth and capitalise further on the strong momentum we have in the market.”

Donna Butler, relationship director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “MSK is rightly considered the market leader in supply of ambient specialist food ingredients and equipment to the hotel and restaurant trade in the UK and, increasingly, beyond. The team at MSK have a track record in continually bringing in new and innovative products and ingredients to market, and has a strong pipeline of exciting new products and initiatives. Santander is delighted to be able to support the firm at this key time.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Businesses are Shining Stars for Charity Appeal

25th January 2016

12 Days, 60 volunteers, almost 1000 mince pies donated (and eaten), plus a 16ft Christmas Tree all helped to raise a fantastic £6424.29 for Macmillan’s Chesterfield Cancer Centre Appeal and the event also supported the Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity.

Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers and BRM Solicitors, both based on Saltergate in Chesterfield, joined forces to sponsor The Shining Stars Christmas Appeal. Central to the appeal was a huge festive fir tree which greeted people at the entrance of the hospital during December where volunteers stood in the cold, wind and rain raising vital funds.

Richard Trueman, managing partner of Mitchells said: “We’re delighted to have supported the Shining Stars Christmas Appeal and to have raised such a fantastic amount for two worthy causes.”

As part of the Shining Stars Appeal items were donated from Gunstones Bakery, Thorntons, The Hospitals Cafe, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and local school St Peters and St Pauls Independent School brought their local choir to support the event.

Rob Woodhead, director and Head of Wills and Probate at BRM said, “Both charities do such fantastic work and to see the local community really get behind this Appeal is so heart warming. My colleagues and I are very proud to have supported this campaign.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas

Free workshop aims to help Chesterfield businesses shine

25th January 2016

A free 90-minute award writing workshop that will help Chesterfield-based businesses achieve the recognition they deserve is being held on Wednesday 10 February at Dunston Innovation Centre.

The free workshop – Awards: The Benefits and How to Impress the Judges – is being delivered by local award writing specialist Lucinda White, managing director of Pure Events. This is the second time the workshop has being run. Last year three of the delegates who attended went on to win and be shortlisted for a number of local business awards following entries they had written.

The workshop, which is organised in partnership between Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will give people the skills, information and top tips they need to submit creative and well-written award entries.

The workshop was shortlisted for the ‘Business Idea of the Year’ Award in the 2013 Derbyshire Times Business Awards and Pure Events itself has a 75% success rate, with its clients either being shortlisted or winning prestigious awards across all industry sectors.

Dominic Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “With entries soon to open for the Chesterfield Retail Awards and other local and regional business awards, attending the workshop is an excellent opportunity to get ahead of the competition and get your business noticed.

“The town has many great business success stories that aren’t being told or recognised. By organising this free workshop we hope to give business the skills and know-how they need to get valuable recognition for their business.”

Place are limited and people are advised to register early. To reserve a place on the Business Awards Workshop visit http://bit.ly/awardwriting

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

Mitchells launches #AskMitchells on Twitter Tuesday

25th January 2016

Designed to share its team’s expert knowledge and answer any questions on a given financial or business topic, #AskMitchells will start on Tuesday 26 January and then be held, from 2.00pm to 3.00pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Each month will have a different topic and focus and Mitchells’ experts will be on hand to give crucial help, information and advice on that particular area.

This month Auto Enrolment will be the subject of the inaugural #AskMitchells, and will be hosted by Mitchells’ Auto Enrolment expert Hari Mehta.

To take part, and put your question to Mitchells’ specialist team, Twitter users simply need to tweet @MitchellsAcc using the hashtag #AskMitchells between 2.00 – 3.00pm. During the hour the team will answer as many questions as possible.

Richard Trueman, managing partner of Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, said: “We really want our Twitter hours to build into mini communities, and would welcome our clients taking part and sharing any other hints, tips and advice, that they feel would help other business owners.”

Upcoming Dates and Topics

Tuesday 26 January – Auto Enrolment
Tuesday 23 February – End of Tax Year / Dividend Tax
Tuesday 22 March – Budget and what this means for you
Tuesday 26 April – Finance and grant funding

To join in just tweet your query between the hours of 2pm and 3pm using the #AskMitchells and a member of Mitchells’ expert team will answer.

Posted in Business

Have Your say for Development Sites

20th January 2016

Chesterfield Borough Council is asking landowners, developers and local businesses to put forward sites that might be suitable for development.

This is part of the council’s land availability assessment (LAA) which identifies land appropriate for development and assesses the suitability of the sites.

This will form the basis of the council’s new local plan and help the council decide which sites should be allocated for a range of types of development including housing, employment, retail and traveller sites.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning said: “We are encouraging landowners and developers to send us information on sites which might be suitable for development

“We will then assess those sites and take them forward through the Local Plan process if they are suitable.”

Because a site is considered in the assessment does not mean it will necessarily be considered suitable for development.

Should anyone wish to include a site for consideration, we need to collect as much information possible to ensure an accurate assessment.

Anyone who has a site to be considered for development should complete the form on the council website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/laa and email to the strategic planning and key sites team: forward.planning@chesterfield.gov.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Museum Celebrates Chesterfield’s Black and White Buildings

19th January 2016

Visitors to Chesterfield Museum can find out about the history of the town’s black and white buildings in a new exhibition.

The exhibition runs at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council museum celebrates Chesterfield’s black and white buildings from Monday 18 January to Saturday 12 March.

Chesterfield town centre has nearly 50 black and white buildings, most of which were built in the 1920s and 1930s. Knifesmithgate is perhaps the most striking series of black and white buildings in the town. This exhibition explores the story behind them.

On display are objects associated with some of the well know black and white buildings in the town, for example Swallows, John Turner’s, The Co-op and the former Picture House on Holywell Street (now the Winding Wheel).

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Along with the Crooked Spire, the black and white buildings are some of the most iconic around Chesterfield town centre.

“This is a chance for visitors to the museum to find out more about their history and have a go at designing their own black and white buildings.”
The inspiration for the exhibition came from Janet Murphy, who has given many talks on the subject and developed a trail around the town. She has also developed a website www.blackandwhitebuildingsofchesterfield.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

New way of Doing Rotary to Help the Local Community

18th January 2016

Busy younger business people in Chesterfield who want to help others will soon get the chance to get together with an exciting new Rotary venture. The Rotary Club of Chesterfield is looking to set up a satellite club, which is a brand new concept of Rotary where busy people who are time poor, with a variety of skills to offer, are invited to work with others to give something back to the local community.

Chesterfield Rotary member Rob Woodhead of BRM Solictors said: “Satellite members can meet when it suits them during business hours, or in a bar after work. They get to choose their own projects and priorities but still remain part of the worldwide organization of Rotary International.”

He added: “We recognize that busy professionals will want to do things their own way with less formality and this new satellite club gives them that chance in Chesterfield for the first time.”

A launch meeting for interested people is being held at Calabria Italian Restaurant, Glumangate, Chesterfield, on Wednesday 27 January 2016 from 5.30pm. Potential members can obtain more details from Rob Woodhead 01246 555111 or email rob.woodhead@brmlaw.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Reserve your place at Celebrate Chesterfield now!

18th January 2016

High demand already for places at breakfast event celebrating Chesterfield’s success and plans for 2016

With £1 billion of regeneration taking place in Chesterfield, the annual Celebrate event, which is taking place on Thursday 17 March, is the hottest ticket in town.

Taking place at the Winding Wheel from 7.30am – 11.00am, already 190 places at the 250 seat event have been reserved.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby, the town’s leaders will update the business community at the event on the progress made with developments, including the £340million Chesterfield Waterside and the £400million Peak scheme.

Later this year The University of Derby will open its new Chesterfield campus at the former St Helena’s Grammar School, where it will offer world class university facilities for Nursing, Business, Computing, Law and Engineering students.

“Expanding our work in Chesterfield with the refurbished campus in such a wonderful building comes in the same year the University celebrates a decade in Buxton’s historic Devonshire Dome,” said Professor Rod –Dubrow-Marshall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University.

“Research commissioned by the University into the economic impact of the Buxton Campus on the local economy revealed that it supported 500 jobs through a total spend of £32 million – and we hope to have a similar impact in Chesterfield.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Managing director of Bolsterstone which is developing Chesterfield Waterside, will also speak at the event. He said: “Celebrate is an important and popular event for the town’s business community. It is an opportunity to reflect on the success we have had and to hear, first-hand, from decision-makers about forthcoming plans.

“2015 was a significant year for Chesterfield; it was the first in the town’s history that unemployment was lower than the national average. With the current and future developments in the town and inward investment it is attracting, it looks like 2016 will deliver similar successes for the town. It is a very exciting time for Chesterfield.”

The event is free to attend and last year was the largest and fully subscribed Celebrate Chesterfield since the first was held in 2011. This year, the headline sponsor of Celebrate 2016 is joined by fellow sponsors Central Technology and Markham Vale.

Richard Thompson, Sales Director of Central Technology commented: “We are delighted to be one of the sponsors of one of the most significant Chesterfield business events of the year.

“The exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to present our well-established business to leading industry heads in Chesterfield and to demonstrate how we are passionate about supporting business in the area though IT support and Telecoms Solutions.”

“Our experienced team and technological knowhow already provides many local businesses with the IT Support and security they need to help grow their business and we hope that through continued collaborative working between local organisations in the region, we can help place Chesterfield and its business strengths on the national map.”

Ben Ward, Director, Henry Boot Developments, said: “We are proud to return as sponsors of this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield event. The event is fantastic in promoting the local area and showcasing the upcoming activity in 2016. Markham Vale is a key economic development for the area; it has created over 700 new jobs since development commenced, which is contributing to the improvements that continue to transform Chesterfield into a destination.”

Book your place

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

Another business opens at Markham Vale Enterprise Zone

5th January 2016

Chesterfield-based smart meter supplier Meter Provida has become the latest business to get the keys to new premises at a Chesterfield regeneration site.

Up to 20 jobs are being created now that the firm’s new 40,000 sq. ft. unit just off junction 29A of the M1 motorway is complete.

Meter Provida supplies gas, water and electric metering products and services for home, commercial and industrial use nationwide for suppliers such as British Gas.

Stephen Burr, Director at Meter Provida Ltd said

“Our company is growing rapidly and now we have our new premises at Markham Vale we can increase our product range and expand our workforce.”We wanted to stay within Derbyshire but be closer to the motorway for better transport links, making Markham the perfect choice for us.

“We are delighted with our new facility and we look forward to our future at the site.”

Meter Provida moved to Markham Vale from Broombank Business Park in Chesterfield.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“I’m pleased Meter Provida have chosen to join the ever-growing business community at Markham, bringing 20 new jobs to the area.”It’s great that Chesterfield-based companies continue to choose Markham Vale to relocate to instead of moving outside Derbyshire.

“A steady stream of enquiries are also coming in for the new offices available in our new Environment Centre and we’d encourage more small businesses that are looking to start-up, relocate or expand to get in touch.”

The firm’s new premises have been designed and built by the county council’s private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s Regional Director, said:

“The Meter Provida unit was one of the fastest units to be completed at Markham Vale.”We have had a huge amount of interest in Markham Vale over the past 12 months with some major announcements such as Great Bear, Gould Alloys, inspirepac, Meter Provida and many others.

“We expect more interest is now likely to follow with our Phase 3, Markham Vale North, now in development and due for completion summer 2016. This will deliver a further 70 acres in addition to the current available eastern and western development plots.”

Meter Provida is the latest in a line of companies to acquire premises on the regeneration site off junction 29A of the M1. Existing occupiers include inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods, Ready Egg Products and Euro Garages.

Markham Vale is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone developments.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Coronation Street star to mark opening of Queen’s Park Sports Centre

23rd December 2015

Chesterfield residents will benefit from a range of sport and physical activities for all ages and abilities when the new £11.25 million Queen’s Park Sports Centre opens for the first time.

The Chesterfield Borough Council-run centre will open its doors from Tuesday 5 January and will open from 6.30am Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturday and Sunday

The official opening will take place on Thursday 7 January, ahead of a community open day for residents at the centre on Saturday 9 January that will feature Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle McDonald in the ITV soap.

Kym will lead a fitness class and meet fans from 10am to 1.30pm before having lunch with some competition winners. Residents will also be able to try out a range of different activities, see demonstrations by local sports groups, try out the new facilities for themselves and sign up for memberships of the new centre.

The centre has been made possible by funding of £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a partnership agreement, £2 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from England Squash.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy said: “I am proud that we have made this investment in a new state-of-the-art sports centre at a time when many councils are having to make difficult decisions about reducing funding for leisure activities or closing facilities.

“Investment in the health and well-being of residents is a priority for the council because national statistics show the number of people in Chesterfield living healthy and active lifestyles is significantly below the national average.

“Having a brand new town centre sports centre will help us to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take part in sports activities but also to take advantage of the associated facilities, such as the services being provided at the midwifery base.”

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, added: “Having the right sports facilities in the right areas are fundamental in offering more people to take part in sport and leisure activities.

“This is why we have invested National Lottery money in the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and ensure they receive a quality experience”

Students of the Chesterfield College Sport and Wellbeing Academy will have use of state of the art training rooms in the centre during the day in term time and will continue to use the sports facilities alongside members of the public as at the previous Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

Stuart Cutforth, Chesterfield College principal said: “We’re delighted that we could invest in this exciting modern health and leisure facility. The partnership approach benefits both local residents and students.

“Our Sport and Wellbeing Academy located in the sports centre means that we can ensure students are able to train in the best facilities. It is wonderful to know that students will be getting this experience in a fully functioning public facility.

“We are training the next generation of sports and leisure experts who will be the ones providing services for local residents in the future.”

The centre will house the only pay and play squash facility in the borough.

Mark Williams, director of participation at England Squash said: “At England Squash, we are really looking forward to working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council to make sure the fantastic new courts are well used.

“It is an exciting time for sport in the town and we are delighted that squash is part of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre”.

Facilities in the new centre include:

An eight lane main swimming pool with spectator seating
A learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features
An eight court sports hall a viewing area and moveable spectator seating for events
80 station gym
Activity studio with latest features in active technology
Two glass back squash courts with moveable wall for other activity use
Three training rooms
Freedom climbing for fitness and fun
Village changing facilities individual and family cubicles for swimmers and modesty showers
Changing facilities for fitness and dry sports or activities
Café service, vending machines and social space including healthy eating options
Midwifery centre
Free car parking for users of the centre with space for more than 150 cars
Cycle access, and storage shelter
Access to outdoor Games area on Queen’s Park and existing outdoor tennis and bowling facilities.

Care has been taken to make the new centre accessible for all residents including with physical disabilities, including:

Lifts for access between floors
Assisted changing rooms
Group changing
Pool access lift
Graduated steps to the main pool.

There is a range of membership options available at the new sports centre, visit www.queensparksportscentre.co.uk for more details.

The project also features a piece of public art as part of the council’s Percent for Art scheme.

Jump is a sculpture of a time lapse motion of the human figure jumping. The design, manufactured from copper, represents the beauty of movement and the joy of life itself.

Mick Thacker, the artist responsible said: “The theme and form of the piece is inspired by the human body in motion a simple and poetic form reflecting the power, grace and elegance of movement in a static, sculptural form.

“My wish is for the work to inspire and motivate, to stimulate debate and contemplation and to generate interest from all site users now and into the future”.

The existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Boythorpe Road will be demolished during 2016 once work to decommission the building is complete.

A public consultation will be held to look at long term options for the future of the site that is in keeping with the neighbouring grade two star listed Queen’s Park.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield to host second local clash with Yorkshire in 2016

21st December 2015

Derbyshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday 12 June will now take place at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.

The move means there will be even more cricket at the picturesque out-ground in 2016, with the popular week-long Chesterfield Festival of Cricket to follow in July.

In total, there will be seven days of county action at Queen’s Park next summer, beginning with the 50-over fixture with neighbours Yorkshire in June.

The annual cricketing festival follows, beginning on Sunday 3 July, which will once again include a traditional first-class fixture and two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures in the space of seven days.

The festival concludes on Sunday 10 July with a second local clash versus Yorkshire Vikings, this time in the NatWest T20 Blast – a fixture that sold out in advance in 2015.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “It was a record year at Chesterfield in 2015 and we’re delighted to now be able to offer even more cricket at the picturesque ground next summer.

“The support has always been great at Queen’s Park, especially for the local fixtures against Yorkshire. A lot of away supporters travel down from north of the county border creating a unique atmosphere and a special event for Members and supporters.
“The NatWest T20 Blast fixture in 2015 was a complete sell out and we’re expected similarly high-interest for both matches in 2016.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer