Author: Dom Stevens

George Stephenson launches Made in Chesterfield 2015

10th November 2015

Month long manufacturing festival aims to reach thousands of young people

Chesterfield Museum’s very own George Stephenson officially launched Made in Chesterfield 2015 at a special event on Tuesday 3 November.

The month long Made in Chesterfield festival aims to raise awareness of the town’s manufacturing and engineering sector to young people and schools in the hope they will consider a career in it. Last year more than 400 young people were introduced to the sector in just a week and this year organisers Destination Chesterfield are hoping to reach thousands during Made 2015.

As part of the celebrations schools from throughout North East Derbyshire, including Tupton Hall, The Bolsover School, Shirebrook Academy and Parkside School, will be visiting companies and training providers in the sector to gain hands-on experience.

At the launch Councillor Amanda Serjeant, vice chair of Destination Chesterfield and cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Engineering has always played a major part in Chesterfield’s economy and these events show that this heritage is continuing today.

“Engineering companies are also at the forefront of work in the town to create apprentices to give young people high quality job opportunities.

“This festival is an opportunity to showcase all they do and raise awareness of the many different types of products being manufactured in the town.”

The museum is also hosting a special Made in Chesterfield Exhibition, celebrating the wide range of amazing and sometimes quirky products being made in Chesterfield both today and bygone days, including George Stephenson’s cucumber straightener.

As well as George Stephenson, Chesterfield is welcoming a number of high profile names from manufacturing and engineering during the festival, including Mantra – AMRC’s travelling showcase for advanced engineering, which pupils from across the county will be visiting at MSE Hiller.

A life size replica of Bloodhound, the vehicle which is Britain’s latest attempt to break the world land speed record, travelling at a speed of 1,000mph, will also be rolling into Chesterfield College for the festival.

The arrival of Bloodhound in Chesterfield has special significance for the town as local industrial weighing specialists Weightron Bilanciai Ltd, has supplied the weighing systems that have been use throughout the build of the project. The company is also supplying a system to measure the weight distribution through the wheels of the car, to allow the balancing of the vehicle.

Ivan Fomin, managing director of MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering, said: “The support of companies in the sector is vital to the success of Made in Chesterfield. Manufacturing is the lifeblood of the economy, feeding other sectors such as retail and leisure, and its continuing success relies on today’s students considering it for a future career. Made in Chesterfield is designed to open their eyes to this and show them the varied job roles available and also how the sector has changed. However, we can only do this of companies come forward and actively get involved.”

Made in Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, Chesterfield College, Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Placing Futures, NLT Training, UKTI, East Midlands Chamber, Institution of Mechanical Engineers and Positive 4 Young People.

To find out more about any of the Made in Chesterfield business events and to register to attend, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/made

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Manufacturing

Chesterfield accountants appoints grants and finance specialist

10th November 2015

Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers has appointed FCCA Qualified Accountant Hari Mehta.

Hari (33), from Nottingham, joins from a leading Derby firm of accountants. His appointment further strengthens Mitchells’ Corporate and Care Home team which has reported more than 300% of growth in transactional financial due diligence assignments in 2015.
Amongst his considerable experience, he specialises in accessing government grants and corporate finance, having secured more than £1m of Regional Growth Fund funding for clients in the last 12 months. In addition to grants and finance, Hari also has extensive experience with Auto Enrolment and his appointment further secures Mitchells as being one of only a few accountants in the UK to provide specialist auto enrolment services.

Mitchells has enjoyed a period of impressive growth since the beginning of the year. Earlier this year the firm appointed two new partners and committed to creating five new jobs, which includes three qualified accountants within the firm before the end of the year, one of which is Hari’s appointment.

Explaining what attracted to him to the new role at Mitchells, Hari said: “Mitchells is an ethical company which is long established with ambitious growth plans. The enthusiasm, honesty and integrity shown by the team in dealing with their clients attracted me to both the role and firm.”
Hari, who is married, enjoys boxing and playing golf outside work. He is also a keen traveller, having family based all over the world.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Construction of the Great Bear development to begin

4th November 2015

Construction of the 480,000 sq. ft. building will commence on 9^th November after planning permission had been secured for the Great Bear development on Plot 1 at Markham Vale.

Following the completion of all legal agreements, Derbyshire County Council’s development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd has appointed a building contractor.

At 480,000 sq. ft. the building will be the largest to date on Markham Vale. When fully operational, the facility will employ 400 people across a variety of roles and disciplines within the logistics sector.

Markham Vale is an 80 hectare business park offering direct access to the M1 Motorway via a dedicated new junction, J29A. This prime development site offers industrial, warehouse and office accommodation in a range of unit sizes from 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) up to one million sq ft (92,900 sq m). Markham Vale occupies a high profile location in the M1 Corridor and is available for immediate development.

There has been fantastic progress at Markham Vale over the past six years with more than 732 jobs created on site so far and 700 more in the pipeline.

Key recent investment includes:

National distribution and warehousing company Great Bear signing a deal to move on site in 2016 creating 400 new jobs;
The build new premises for gas, water and electric meter supplier Meter Provida, creating 40 jobs on site in January next year;
Packaging firm Inspirepac moving on-site with a view to creating up to 100 jobs as the company grows over the next two years;
Around 50 jobs created at Gould Alloys which moved on site in June;
Beginning of work to expand the site and turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area

Find out more about Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield begins

3rd November 2015

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield between Queen’s Park and the train station is gathering pace.

The new path is being installed as part of the Chesterfield Cycle Network by Derbyshire County Council. It is a long term project running until April next year to link shopping areas to the train and bus station and main residential areas in the town.

The first section of the path to be built is around 100 metres long and will run from Hipper Street South, between Markham and Ravenside Retail Parks to Lordsmill Street where there will also be a new footbridge.

An additional footbridge over Hollis Lane will also be built − linking the final part of the route through to the train station. Work will start on Monday 9 November 2015.

While the work takes place, the A61 southbound exit slip road before the Horns Bridge roundabout will be closed from Monday 9 November until Friday 4 December 2015.

The slip road will be closed up to its junction with the A632 Hollis Lane where the permanent traffic lights will be replaced with temporary ones during this time. Motorists are being advised to leave extra time for journeys as there may be delays.

Access will be given to emergency vehicles but a signed diversion route will be in place for other motorists via the A61 bypass southbound − A617 Hasland bypass − A617 exit slip road onto Spital Lane − A632 Hady Hill.

Traffic travelling southbound into town on the A61 bypass can travel through to the Horns Bridge roundabout and up onto Lordsmill Street.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Collins said:

“We’re committed to making it easier and safer for people to bike around Derbyshire as it’s better for the environment, cheaper than running a car and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy too.

“Although the diversion is only around a mile long, we are still advising motorists to allow extra time for journeys as there may be some delays.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope motorists will bear with us while this work takes place.”

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Remembrance Events

2nd November 2015

Chesterfield residents have the opportunity to gather to remember those who have died in the First World War and subsequent conflicts in events for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

The annual Remembrance Sunday service takes place on Sunday 8 November at 2.30pm at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the Crooked Spire.

Everyone is welcome to attend but residents are advised to be seated by 2pm as the church becomes very full.

The service will be followed by a parade from the church, through the town centre and along Knifesmithgate to the war memorial at Rose Hill, opposite the Town Hall.

Residents and visitors are welcome to watch the parade which will include: Chesterfield’s mayor and mayoress, the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and Derbyshire’s lord lieutenant, high sheriff as well as Chesterfield’s MP and representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council, Bolsover District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Staveley Town Council.

Members of the public are also welcome to attend the wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial from approximately 3.30pm.

Councillors may also be attending events in their local areas on Sunday morning.

Members of the public are also invited to attend a service of remembrance organised by the Chesterfield branch of the Royal British Legion from 10.40am on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November.

The service will include the Last Post, a two-minute silence at 11am and Reveille. More than 400 young people from local schools and Chesterfield College will take part.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance, said: “Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day are two of the most solemn dates in the calendar as Chesterfield meets to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country.

“Everyone is very welcome to come along and pay their respects.”

Tideswell Male Voice Choir will also perform a concert entitled A Remembrance Spectacular on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, from 7.30pm. To book tickets, visit www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk or contact the Chesterfield Theatres box office on 01246 345222.

There will be a service at the Crooked Spire Church at 10.30 on Sunday 8th November followed by a wreath laying at 11.00.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Cocina named as Chesterfield’s Restaurant of the Year

29th October 2015

Cocina at Casa Hotel has been crowned Chesterfield’s best restaurant in the town’s prestigious Food and Drink Awards last night.

Judges described Cocina’s menu as ‘imaginative’ and the quality of food as ‘excellent,’ highlighting the ‘provenance of locally-sourced food.’ They also praised the overall ‘quality dining experience.’

The prestigious Restaurant of the Year award is another to add to the trophy cabinet of Chesterfield’s four star hotel, owned by local entrepreneur Steve Perez. Earlier this year it was announced as one of the top 5 hotels in the UK in the Trip Advisor 2015 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Steve Perez said: “It’s always wonderful to receive awards, especially when you are in the company of other great shortlisted restaurants. Here at Casa we always try and put our customers first so it feels extra special when they make their voices heard in such a brilliant way. Cocina focuses on both the food product and the customer – using the best quality locally sourced ingredients in the kitchen, and friendly, professional service in the dining room.”

As well as Cocina, 11 other food and drink establishments, producers and individuals were also named as Chesterfield’s finest at the sell-out awards ceremony hosted by celebrity chef Theo Randall. Discover the full list of winners

Theo Randall said: ““Chesterfield’s food and drink scene is thriving; the strong field in the Best Newcomer category is testament to that. I commend all the finalists in this category knowing only too well myself, when I opened my first restaurant, Theo Randall at the InterContinental in 2006, the courage, commitment and belief in yourself it takes to set out and do it on your own.

“Good food is one of life’s simple pleasures. The support shown for the awards in both the nomination phase and the awards shows that good food is a passion of many people in Chesterfield.

“The awards are a great demonstration of how the food and drink scene in Chesterfield has evolved in recent years. It is now catering for many tastes, from authentic Japanese and Jamaican to Italian and Great British. The town has everything and is continuing to develop its thriving and increasingly successful hospitality scene.”

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, the 2015 awards were the biggest yet and tickets sold out weeks in advance. More nominations than ever were received from the public resulting in 10 businesses being first time finalists in the awards.

As well as sponsoring the awards Chesterfield College also hosted them with 50 students, studying NVQ and BTECs in catering and hospitality, catering and silver serving a two course meal to more than 250 people attending the event. The college also trained the winner of the Young Chef of the Year James Greatorex.

Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College added: “The Food and Drink Awards are the go to event in Chesterfield. There is a wealth of outstanding food and drink establishments in the town and Chesterfield College is delighted to be training the future stars of the industry. Our mission statement is ‘inspiring futures, changing lives’ and the Food and Drink Awards enable us to do just that, giving the many apprentices we train real hands-on experiences at the ceremony each year.”

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “Each year we have seen an increase in the number of people nominating businesses for the awards and this year was no exception. The support across Chesterfield has been phenomenal, with people keen to see the town, and the businesses and people working within its hospitality sector succeed and grow.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Visiting

Local businesses call for Chesterfield residents to join them to fight dementia

20th October 2015

The Chesterfield Dementia Action Alliance is encouraging Chesterfield residents and businesses to become dementia friends.

Scott Golland, Chair of the Chesterfield Dementia Action Alliance said “We aim to make Chesterfield a dementia friendly town, by encouraging the residents and businesses of Chesterfield to become dementia friends. People will learn more about the impacts of dementia and how they can deliver actions, however small, that can make a real difference to people with dementia.

The Dementia Friends Sessions are free to attend and run by alliance members are happening across Chesterfield on the following dates:

Thursday 5th Nov: Burns Close Community room, Grangewood, S40 2SW. 1-2.30pm
Wednesday 11th Nov: Loundsley Green Community Trust, Cuttholme Road, S40 4QU. 1 – 2.30pm
Wednesday 18th Nov: Community Room, Edensor Court, Middlecroft, S43 3NW 6.30-8pm
Wednesday 23rd Nov: Community Room, Monkwood Road, Newbold, S41 8DG 6.30-8pm

Chesterfield Dementia Action Alliance is a collective of local businesses who have committed to make Chesterfield a dementia friendly. There are 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK now and by 2025 there will be over one million. Dementia is an incurable condition caused by diseases of the brain which over time seriously impairs the ability of someone with dementia to live independently. Symptoms can include severe memory loss, mood and personality changes and behaviour that challenges others such as serious confusion, agitation and aggression. By making a few simple changes within an organisation it can make a big difference to someone living with dementia. It does not have to be an onerous task.

To register for a dementia friends session please visit: www.dementiafriends.org.uk and search for sessions in: Chesterfield OR contact 01246 205016.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Vulcan XH558 to pass over North Derbyshire as part of national tour

8th October 2015

This coming weekend the Vulcan XH558 will take-off on two large orbital tours of the country, visiting as many places as possible. The northern tour will take place on Saturday 10th October and the plane will fly over North Derbyshire as it travels from Derby on its return to Doncaster Airport (See map below).

The flights will take place in the afternoon and flight times are expected to be over three and a half hours each day.

The flight will fly over north Derbyshire between 200 minutes and 210 minutes after take off. No take off time has been released as of Saturday morning (8.50) but expected to be around 13.00 – If this is correct would fly over North Derbyshire between 16.00 and 16.30. Full timings of the flight will be announced on the Vulcan’s website

Image: Vulcan XH558 by Mike Lawrence from Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

New website celebrates Chesterfield’s black and white buildings

5th October 2015

Local historian Janet Murphy has launched a new website which celebrates Chesterfield’s black and white buildings to be found in the town centre.

Janet said “Few people realise that there are nearly 50 different black and white buildings in the town centre. The earliest is the building housing Peacocks coffee lounge on Low Pavement, which possibly dates back to the 16^th century.”

“Most were built in the 1920s when the Tudor Revival style was popular, but the attractive Arts and Craft building of 1934, which originally housed the Electricity Board Showrooms on Holywell Street, now the Vibe and Loft night clubs, is one of the latest.”

The new website includes a step-by-step trail round the town centre to see the buildings.

To find out more visit the web site at www.blackandwhitebuildingsofchesterfield.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

A proud procession of graduates takes to the streets of Chesterfield

1st October 2015

A procession of proud graduates from Chesterfield College’s higher education courses created a fantastic sight as they left the town hall making their way through the town centre to their graduation ceremony at the Crooked Spire today. They were congratulated for their achievements by friends, family and passers-by on route.

Almost 300 people graduated this year with a range of qualifications from Higher National Diplomas to degrees in a variety of subjects ranging from criminal justice to computing; engineering to education and business to sports science.

Image gallery from the graduation celebrations

Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College said: “Congratulations to all our graduates. It feels like an absolute honour to be part of the ceremony today and to hear how studying to this higher level has made a difference for so many people in the area. I’ve heard some inspirational stories from graduates and their families which confirms how having access to quality higher education locally can transform people’s lives. From what I have heard, these graduates will soon be having a positive impact on our economy too, if they’re not already.”

Luke Terry, Age 28 from Chesterfield, who graduated with a BA (hons) in Business Management today has already climbed the career ladder from team leader to store manager and puts his promotion down to what he has learnt on his degree course.

He told us “I am already reaping the benefits of doing my degree and putting what I have learnt into practice. The course has allowed me to develop professionally and personally and I know that this combination has helped me to get on the next rung of the career ladder.”

“I am back at college and studying for an MA in business management. My goal is to work my way up through management to board level. I know studying can help me get there and I am grateful that I can do it on my doorstep so I can fit it in around work.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Proposals welcomed for redevelopment of Co-op building

29th September 2015

Destination Chesterfield and the East Midlands Chamber have today welcomed news that redevelopment plans for the town’s landmark Co-op building On Elder Way, will be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council’s Planning Department.

Find out more about the scheme and download details of opportunities

The Co-op closed the doors of its department store in 2012 and it has been a key target for redevelopment since. A joint venture has now been agreed between Midlands Co-operative and Jomast Developments Ltd to re-use the existing four storey building and create a new leisure development for Chesterfield. The developers propose to turn the former department store into a hotel, restaurants and a gym, retaining many of the building’s original design feature.

Planning permission is expected to be submitted for consideration on 12 October.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, said: “I’m delighted that the potential of the former Co-op building has been recognised by investors. It has a prime spot in the town and plays a key role in the town centre master plan. Chesterfield already has very low shop vacancy rates and the proposed redevelopment of the former Co-op store will further enhance the town’s offering, helping us attract further town investment as well as make us a go to destination for shoppers and tourists.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “It was a huge blow to Chesterfield when the Co-op closed its doors in 2012, but it’s great to see that significant progress has been made to bring the iconic building it vacated back into use to boost the town’s leisure offering.”

The news of the proposed redevelopment plans for the Co-op building follows on the back of the announcement earlier in the year that £1billion of investment is taking place in the Borough over the next 10 years, including the £400 million Peak Resorts, £320 million Chesterfield Waterside, £88 million Markham Vale and Northern Gateway developments.

Peter Swallow added: “We want Chesterfield to be a place people stop and stay in, rather than travel through to the Peak District and Destination Chesterfield is an important part of that. We forged ahead with our marketing plans through the recession and we are now reaping the rewards of that as investors are now looking at the town.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting