Author: Dom Stevens

Derbyshire V Yorkshire at Queens Park is Sold Out

11th July 2015

Derbyshire can announce that Sunday’s NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, is now SOLD OUT!

The Club received unprecedented demand for the eagerly-awaited local derby against Yorkshire with over 4,000 supporters purchasing their matchday tickets in advance.

With capacity now reached, only matchday ticket holders will gain entry into the ground and tickets will not be available for sale on the gates. Members and Six Pack Ticket holders who have not already claimed a matchday ticket will also not be unable to gain entry.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “This fixture is always the highlight of our week here in Chesterfield and we’re delighted that local fans are keen to come out and support the Festival.

“Queen’s Park is a beautiful venue for Twenty20 cricket and whilst some fans will be disappointed they have not be able to get a ticket, we have the safety and comfort of those who attend the match in Queen’s Park as a top priority.

“The whole operations team are gearing up for a busy day with extra chairs ordered, a higher number of safety stewards on duty and additional bars and toilets already in place.

“It promises to be a great occasion and I know the team will enjoy playing in front of a packed house.”

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

All supporters are reminded that due to ECB Ground Regulations, NO ALCOHOL can be brought into the ground for this NatWest T20 Blast Match.

Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Image: David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Bowring Bell to be unveiled at Queens Park

8th July 2015

A specially-made bell will be rung for the first time on Day Three of the LV= County Championship versus Glamorgan as part of the Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

The bell commemorates the life of Trevor Bowring, who passed away in August 2014, and his commitment to the development of cricket in Derbyshire.

Trevor Bowring was Chairman at Derbyshire County Cricket Club from 1998 to 2005 and oversaw the return of first-class cricket to Chesterfield in 2005, and this summer marks the tenth successive year back at Queen’s Park.

He later served as Derbyshire President from 2005 to 2007 and also President of the Chesterfield Cricket Lovers’ Society which meets during the winter in the Pavilion at the ground where he enjoyed watching county cricket.

Mike Taylor, Chairman of Chesterfield Cricket Club, said: “It’s a generous gesture by Trevor’s family and it will be a wonderful way of remembering Trevor’s critical role in bringing county cricket back to Queen’s Park.

“Members of the Chesterfield Cricket Lovers’ Society will be present for the inaugural use of the bell when Trevor’s wife Shirley and son Ross hope to be present.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer

High demand for last match of the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

8th July 2015

Derbyshire County Cricket Club has received unprecedented demand for Sunday’s eagerly-awaited NatWest T20 Blast fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.

The fixture, which is expected to be a sell-out, is the final game of this year’s Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Tickets are still available for the fixture and the Club are encouraging supporters to buy their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be purchase online HERE, over the phone by calling 0871 350 1870 or in person at the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre or at The 3aaa County Ground.

The fixture is the penultimate North Group match in this summer’s competition and will see Derbyshire, led by Captain Wes Durston and featuring overseas duo Hamish Rutherford and Nathan Rimmington, go head-to-head with a Yorkshire Vikings side that includes Australia batting pair Arron Finch and Glenn Maxwell, and England duo Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan.

Buy your matchday tickets in advance and save £4 per adult ticket (£16) purchased, while under-16s can save £1 per ticket (£4) purchased in advance.

Members and Six Pack Ticket holders are reminded are reminded that they need to claim tickets in advance for the fixture with Yorkshire Vikings. Those without a matchday ticket may be refused entry to the ground, subject to capacity.

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

Image: David Griffin

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Ibbotson’s wins top award at 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards

25th June 2015

One of Chesterfield’s oldest businesses, Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce, has been crowned Retailer of the Year at the 2015 Retail Awards (24 June 2015), organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Learning Unlimited.

Established in 1945 Ibbotson’s is, this year, celebrating its 70^th year of trading. As well as being a regular sight on the market it has recently diversified into online ordering which has widened its customer base by bringing Chesterfield’s market to those who are unable to come into town or are at work during opening hours.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Ibbotson’s also scooped the title of Market Trader of the Year at the annual awards. Owner Nick Ibbotson said: ““I can’t believe that we have won two awards and it is particularly special to get overall Retailer of the Year Award. It’s amazing to have beaten all the big stores and other independent retailers. We’re just a little fruit and veg stall that’s been in the centre of Chesterfield for more than 70 years. It’s been a long time coming.”

Ibbotson’s was one of 13 winners of a total of 16 awards recognising the very best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the town. Other multiple award winners include Adorn Jewellers and Debenhams who each triumphed in two categories.

This year’s awards received more than 600 nominations for businesses from the public resulting in 32 finalists, of which 20 were first time finalists. Six businesses returned to defend their crowns from last year’s event including Pelican Cycles, which successfully retained its titles of Leisure Retailer of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year

Held at the Winding Wheel, the sell-out ceremony was hosted by popular Peak FM breakfast show duo James Summers and Becky Measures.

The winners were selected from 36 finalists, competing for the title of the very best in their respective categories.

Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Cabinet Member for the Town Centre and Visitor Economy, Amanda Serjeant, said: “Across Chesterfield we are privileged to have a great range of independent stores in the Shambles and the Yards in the Town Centre, along Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor as well as our market and popular high street stores. It is this mix of retailers that makes our town so popular and keeps shoppers, both locally and further afield, coming back for more.

“Chesterfield is envied nationally for its retail success. While other town and city centres are struggling, ours is thriving and it’s no wonder seeing the passion, innovation and customer service so many of the town’s retailers are delivering on a daily basis. The Retail Awards recognised and celebrated the efforts and success of retailers across the town.”

Other supporters of the awards included eBusiness Works, Derbyshire Times and Peak FM.

Find out more about the winners of the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards

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

£15million fund launched to tackle poverty and social exclusion

23rd June 2015

Jobless young people and the long-term unemployed will be helped towards finding work by a £15million fund, provided by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and the Big Lottery Fund.

The ‘Building Better Opportunities’ programme is looking for projects to bid for part of the £15,125,000 fund, which will tackle long-term unemployment and help those socially excluded to access support.

Half of the total – to be made available over the next three years – is from the Big Lottery Fund and half from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership European Social Fund (ESF) money; itself part of a £214m allocation in European Structural Investment Funds, or ESIF, which D2N2 announced in March.

The Building Better Opportunities funding will be divided into:

£7.4m for the Towards Work Project – Providing support in getting into employment and economic activity 18 to 24-year-olds, people aged 40-plus, and women returning to work or who have never worked. It will include helping people to tackle potential barriers such as a lack of transport, living in isolated rural areas or having low or outdated skills.

£4.6m for a Multiple and Complex Needs programme – Targeted at people furthest from the labour market who have problems getting into employment due to multiple barriers such as health, family care, homelessness or confidence issues. It will also support people with complex needs into training, further education or volunteering opportunities.

£3m towards Financial Inclusion – This programme will aim to help those who have got into financial difficulties whilst out of work, by helping people better understand, plan and manage their personal finances. It will look to address a contributing factor to their feeling socially excluded and falling into poverty.

The D2N2 Social Inclusion Framework report (published last October) also specifically identified mental health conditions and rural isolation, with difficulties over transport, as major barriers to be tackled when looking for employment.

It’s estimated that the whole £15m programme will ultimately help 3,996 participants in the D2N2 area. The aim is for half of these to be women, and high proportions of over-50s and people with disabilities.

Projects must be delivered in the area for which D2N2 – a partnership between business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations – promotes economic growth; namely Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Projects must be completed by December 2019.

Organisations and businesses looking to lead on any of the above projects can apply online through the Big Lottery Fund website at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/esf. The closing date for first stage applications is 12noon on Monday August 3 (2015). Successful applicants will be asked to submit a fuller proposal.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Tackling unemployment which lasts months or even years requires a multi-layered approach; as there can be a whole range of domestic, educational and social reasons stopping someone from finding a job.

“It is an issue which must be addressed, as moving someone into useful employment can not only improve one life but a whole family’s and, to some extent, the whole economy.

“D2N2 is committed to inclusive economic growth, which is why we are investing heavily in creating sustainable jobs through major programmes such as Building Better Opportunities.”

Specific queries as to how an individual project might fit into the D2N2 strategy for the area can be addressed to One East Midlands on 0115 934 8371.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Landmark agreement on the road to devolution

22nd June 2015

Today (22^nd June) leaders from the public and private sector, represented by Sheffield City Region Combined Authority (SCRA) and Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), formalised their existing culture of collaboration to deliver economic growth through a new fit-for-purpose structure. This vital step in the road to devolution sees the establishment of five new Executive Boards. The Boards will cover: skills, business growth, infrastructure, transport and housing. They are tasked with making key decisions on strategy and budget allocation. The Executive Boards are made up of key players in the public and private sector and have delegated authority from the SCRA and LEP.

Sir Stephen Houghton, Chair of the SCRA and Leader of Barnsley MBC said:

“The new governance arrangements are vital to efficiently progress the devolution agenda and successfully deliver our promises to Government that form the Growth Deal.

“Political leaders have worked together across local boundaries for several years as it is mutually beneficial, this was formalised with the SCRA in 2014.

“The new arrangements mean we will take collaboration between Local Authorities, and public and private sector to a higher level.

“We have worked closely with our private sector colleagues in the LEP and value their contribution to economic success, and their leadership on key strategic programmes.

James Newman, Chairman of the LEP added:

“Since the formation of the LEP in 2010, I have been astounded at the enthusiasm and time the private sector has given for the greater good and economic growth of SCR.

“Their leadership and intellectual contribution to economic strategy means political leaders are willing to share the decision making burden.

“This is a dynamic time for Sheffield City Region, we have achieved much in a short timescale, and we should be proud of what these new arrangements will mean.”

This landmark decision on the road to devolution is the culmination of a successful partnership between the public and private sectors which began when the LEP began in 2010, and further developed when the SCRA was created in 2014.

The results of partnership working and increasing devolution from Central Government are yielding huge benefits to Sheffield City Region. Key achievements include the trailblazing City Deal in 2011, gaining £28 million Government funding. This enables the highly successful “Skills Made Easy” programme, and the SCR Investment Fund to accelerate essential infrastructure projects. The next achievement included the award of Enterprise Zone (EZ) status for strategic development sites in the City Region. The SCR EZ has attracted 18 new companies, helping create over 800 new jobs and is rated one of the most successful in the UK.

In 2014, SCR was granted an historic £320 million Growth Deal from Government, the fifth largest in the UK. The deal enables transformational projects to progress including the FARRRs link road to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, the Glass Academy, a business support service, and a “Skills Bank”. With oversight from the new Executive Boards, these programmes will deliver the growth required to boost the economy in both the City Region and the wider Northern Powerhouse.

Posted in Uncategorised

Nominate your favourite sporting places in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as the ‘Home of Sport’

17th June 2015

VisitEngland are searching to find the nation’s favourite sports destinations.

As part of the quest to find the country’s top sporting destinations, the national tourist board has asked the public to send in their own nominations. By submitting an image of their “home of sport” – be it Headingley or a hidden gem of a village cricket green – sports fans will help decide the jewel in England’s sporting crown, no mean feat in a country that is world-renowned for its sporting heritage.

Could it be the Festival of Cricket at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield FC at the Proact Stadium or the multitude of outdoor activities in the Peak District!

To help find England’s sporting capital, participants can simply upload a picture of their own home of sport to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #HomeOfSport with a snappy sentence on where it is, and why it’s the best sporting destination in England. Approved nominations will appear on a national sports wall at www.englandhomeofsport.com and will be entered into a prize draw to win a selection of sporting experiences.

Over 250,000 people are expected to attend local events as part of the Festival of Rugby from this week until October – but England’s summer of sport is not all about the rugby. The Peak District welcomes the world famous vintage cycle race, L’Eroica, from 19 – 21 June and there’s a host of other exciting events coming up, providing the industry with a fantastic opportunity to showcase all the great things England can offer sporting enthusiasts.

VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, James Berresford, says: “As the birthplace of rugby, football, cricket, punting and the modern Olympic Games. England’s sporting heritage is something that truly sets us apart from other destinations. Additionally, our green and pleasant land provides jaw-dropping backdrops to a whole host of popular pursuits, from hiking and running to abseiling and coasteering, making the search literally country-wide.”

James Berresford continues: “The ambition of this campaign is to capture the variety of England’s sporting offer, to showcase the related benefits and opportunities for the tourism industry and continue to build excitement and ahead of the arrival of Rugby World Cup in September.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield claimant count falls again as East Midlands drives the UK Economy

17th June 2015

The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Chesterfield continues to fall.

In May there were 1274 people out of work and claiming the benefit in Chesterfield compared with 1312 in April and 1840 a year ago.

The number of people aged 16-64 in work across the East Midlands for the three months to April 2015 increased by 4,635 to 2,268,398 from 2,263,763 for the same period the previous year.

The number of people unemployed in the region for the same periods dropped from 139,034 to 114,274, a fall of 24,760.

In Derbyshire the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants fell from 6,870 in April to 6,434 in May, a drop of 436. The year-on-year fall was 3,179.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “The latest figures are welcome and prove once again that businesses in the East Midlands continue to power the economy.

“It’s also encouraging to see another period of wages rising above inflation, particularly given that inflation itself has started to rise.

“Boosting productivity is the key to sustaining increased pay. While the employment rate has shown a healthy increase over the past two years, it is not being matched by an increase in productivity.

“While UK growth is likely to remain dependent on the services sector, manufacturing remains a vital sector for innovation and productivity.

“Given this region’s strengths in manufacturing, supporting manufacturers – and in particular, encouraging more firms to explore international markets – should be an area of major focus for the new Government if it is to achieve its ambition to make the Midlands the ‘Engine of Growth’ for the UK’s economy.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Sell-out 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards bigger and better than ever before

15th June 2015

More than 140 people will witness this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards winners being crowned at the sell-out award ceremony on Wednesday 24 June.

Following last year’s runaway success, the ceremony has moved to a bigger venue and organiser Destination Chesterfield has, once again, witnessed unprecedented demand.

This year, the Chesterfield Retail Awards is being held at the Winding Wheel, where the ceremony will be hosted by popular Peak FM breakfast show duo Becky Measures and James Summers.

James and Becky commented: “We’re honoured and privileged to be hosting the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards. We thinks it’s absolutely brilliant for the town. There’s a real buzz about the town and everyone is talking about it. A massive well down to all the finalists.”

At the awards, 36 Chesterfield retailers will battle it out to be named the very best in their respective categories. The 16 categories recognise the very best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the town.

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by In the Works PR
Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre
Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year
Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by BHP Accountants
Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Mitchells Accountants and Business Advisers
Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) Sponsored by Peak FM
Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
National/Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane
Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Learning Unlimited
Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Kier
Best New Store (Opened 2014/2015) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber

This year, the awards are hosting an additional category – Vicar Lane Shopping Centre’s Retailer of the Year Award, which will name town’s favourite retailer based on Vicar Lane and Steeplegate in the town centre and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Other supporters of the awards include eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

You can keep up-to-date with the awards on Twitter, instagram and facebook by using the hashtag #retailawards15.

To find out more about the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards.

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

Sponsor announced for Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

13th June 2015

Chesterfield Champion, Autoworld, Chesterfield, has become the official sponsor of this summer’s Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, held in association with Chesterfield Borough Council at Queen’s Park

Autoworld, one of the leading new and used car dealerships in Derbyshire, have thrown its support behind the six-day festival, which starts on Sunday 5 July and includes NatWest T20 Blast clashes against Northants Steelbacks and local rivals Yorkshire Vikings, and a LV= County Championship fixture versus Glamorgan.

The Autoworld Volvo XC90 Chesterfield Festival of Cricket – will represent the third successive year that title sponsorship has been attributed to a commercial partner for the annual event, which is celebrating its tenth successive year since its return in 2006.

Tony Cordin, Autoworld Managing Director said: “It’s exciting for us, as a local dealership, to be affiliated with the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, which is one of the highlights of the summer sporting calendar in the area.

“We will have a selection of our cars at the six-day long festival including the new Volvo XC90, a luxury seven-seater 4×4, which is available to view and test drive from our dealership in Chesterfield.

“We are very much looking forward to an entertaining week of summer sporting entertainment.”

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “We are delighted to have Autoworld as our principal festival sponsors for what is our tenth successive year back at Queen’s Park.

“The Chesterfield Festival is always one of the highlights of the summer and we are looking forward to another fantastic week of cricket.”

Find out more about the Festival and how to book tickets.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Summer, Visiting

Double award win for Chesterfield restaurant

11th June 2015

Chesterfield Champions, The Tickled Trout picked up two awards at the Westside Magazine Restaurant Awards 2015.

Tom Alberts, sous chef at the tickled trout won Young Chef of the Year and the Westside Magazine readers voted the venue the Readers’ Choice Restaurant of the Year.

Chris Mapp said “I am immensely proud of my team and what we have achieved in 10 months. I am very lucky to have such talented young people working for me and we all enjoy what we do because we are more than just a team but a family. We all have the same goals to make our valued customers happy and make sure that have a lovely experience with us.”

The Tickled Trout is independently owned by Chef Chris Mapp and nestled in the idyllic Derbyshire village of Barlow. The team has transformed the former run-down country drinking hole into the award winning dining pub. The food has an Italian influence and wherever possible the ingredients are sourced locally.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer, Visiting