Author: Dom Stevens

Behind the scenes tour of the Mayor’s parlour

Chesterfield residents will have the opportunity to visit the Mayor’s parlour this September as the council open the doors to celebrate Heritage Open Days in the borough.

Every September, organisations and volunteers across the country organise events to celebrate the country’s history and culture, and for the first-time residents can book to get a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the mayor’s parlour.

The mayor and mayoress, Councillor Gordon Simmons and Councillor Kate Caulfield, will also talk about their roles at the council and duties they carry out on a weekly basis.

Two tours will take place on Friday 20 September and will take around one hour to complete. Refreshments will also be provided. A maximum of 30 people can attend each tour so booking is essential if you would like to come along. To find out more and to book your place click here.

You can register to attend one of the below tour times:

• 1pm – 2pm
• 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, has helped to organise the events. She said: “Heritage Open Days are events that take place around the country each year. The events are all about celebrating history and the communities in which we live, so we are delighted to be opening up the mayor’s parlour for tours in 2019.”

Cllr Gordon Simmons (mayor), Cllr Kate Caulfield (mayoress)

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

Chesterfield College students celebrate results success

Successful students from Chesterfield College were celebrating today as they collected their A Level and BTEC results and secured places at university, on higher level apprenticeships or in employment.

Students from the college’s sixth form studying A Levels and extended diplomas had a 91% pass rate. Several sixth form courses achieved a 100% pass rate including Applied Science, English Language, Philosophy, Business and Criminology.

Callum Smith (right) achieved a distinction* and two distinctions in BTEC extended Diploma in Applied Science as well as a C in A Level Psychology: “I’m really pleased with my results. I’m going to university to study Psychology next because I want to be a Clinical Psychologist. The combination of courses I studied here have really helped me to know what to do next. You are really seen as an individual here and you have to do a lot of independent learning which really suited me.”

Lucy Cundill was delighted with her results and is looking forward to studying at the University of East Anglia after achieving an A in English Language, A in English Literature and B in History. She said: “I am really looking forward to the next step. I am going to university to study English Literature and Creative Writing and it is great that the friend I made here on my first day will be at university in the same town too! The support of tutors here at college has been really good. It is a really friendly place which has helped me to get the results I needed.”

Roan Knowles (below) achieved an A in History, A in English Language and D in Biology. He said: “I wasn’t nervous about getting my results but I was shaking when I opened the envelope. I am really happy that I have got a place to study history in Sheffield. I have always had an academic and general interest in history and I think it gives you lots of transferable skills. I am so glad I came to college. It has been perfect for me. You have to be more independent in your learning here but I find that much better and it has really prepared me for university level study.”

David Malone, Chief Operations Officer at Chesterfield College said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone who has received the results they need to help them secure university places or apprenticeships after studying with us. We have been celebrating with future lawyers, psychologists, radiologists, teachers, nurses, engineers and scientists today. It is a great example of how further education colleges give people the chance to study in a range of ways to help them progress into higher education or employment. It is wonderful to see students who have studied A Levels and vocational qualifications celebrating their success together.”

“Our student stories are a real inspiration for those thinking about what to do after GCSEs. Our new sixth form centre, which opens in September, will help to provide more choice for students wishing to study in a college setting. We have already offered 50% more places to applicants than last year and we look forward to welcoming the new students at the start of the new term in a few weeks.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Chesterfield’s Food Producer of the Year finalists announced

The finalists for the 2019 Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year title have been selected after a special tasting event held at Casa Hotel.

Crooked Pickle Co, Derbyshire Distillery and Moss Valley Fine Meats are all named as finalists in the category, which is sponsored by Edge Events Management Ltd.

The winner of the Food Producer of the Year title will be announced by celebrity chef, Brian Turner, at the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony, which is being held at the Winding Wheel in October later this year.

The food and drink producers now join over 30 businesses that have been shortlisted across 14 categories in the seventh annual awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by The Chesterfield College Group, the prestigious awards recognise the very best food, drinks, service, venues, apprentices and apprentice employers in the town’s growing hospitality sector.

Read more about all the food producers who took part in the tasting session in the latest blog by Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield here.

Crooked Pickled Company prides itself on its ‘tasty and inventive pickled vegetables’ and supplies its range to shops, delis and cafés throughout Derbyshire. Delighted to be shortlisted, Owner Felix Mendelsöhn commented: “It validates all of the effort that has gone into the business in the short time of its existence and shows that we are doing something different to the norm. We combine traditional pickling methods with unusual recipes to offer customers unique and exciting products.”

New business Derbyshire Distillery is based in Staveley and was established in 2018. It produces small batch gins, vodkas and liqueurs. David Hemstock, Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Derbyshire Distillery said: “It’s fantastic to have made it as a finalist in the Food Producer of the Year category, especially in our first year of trading. We are passionate about the quality of our products and are now investing heavily in increasing production and extending our sales outside the local area.”

Moss Valley Fine Meats, which is run by fourth generation farmers, joins Derbyshire Distillery and Crooked Pickle Company in the finalist line up. It produces pork, bacon, ham and sausages at its own butchery from pigs bred and reared on the farm in North East Derbyshire. Delighted to be a finalist, Stephen Thompson, Owner at Moss Valley Fine Meats, said: “We are really pleased to be shortlisted. We are busy expanding the butchery to be able to supply across Derbyshire and this is a great springboard to help us showcase our products.”

Details of all finalists in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards can be found here.

As well as Edge Events Management Ltd, other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd), Shorts Chartered Accountants and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.

Chesterfield Champions are welcomed to the Food Producer Tasting event by Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure

Vicar Lane to host charity draw to win £1,000 Chair

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is working in partnership with The Pilgrim Bandits, to offer customers the chance to win a stunning chair worth over £1,000, upholstered in a replica of the uniform of Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson MBE, in their charity draw.

Tickets for the draw are priced at just £5 each and available to be purchased online, right up until the day of the draw itself. All proceeds of the ticket sales will go to the registered charity, The Pilgrim Bandits. To purchase a ticket/tickets, visit the Vicar Lane Facebook page or website for more information.

The draw is a fantastic way for members of the public to show their support for a cause that does so much to help those who make such great sacrifices to serve and protect our country. It is also a fabulous opportunity for one lucky individual to walk away with a unique, statement piece of furniture for their home that is sure to be a talking point for years to come.

The winner will be drawn at 4.30pm on Sunday 18th August – also the day of Chesterfield Motor Fest – and the chair will be presented to the winner, in person, by Ben.

The Pilgrim Bandits were established by a small group of Special Forces veterans in 2007 and registered as a charity in 2010, with the sole aim of using their unique training and experience to help and inspire injured personnel to live life to the full.

Pilgrim Bandits’ primary aim is to help those in need directly, with no compromise. Soon, those who needed help, become those that give it. By pushing injured men and women into physically and mentally demanding situations that they would not have dreamed possible; kayaking extraordinary distances, climbing mountains, jumping from aircraft, running races, trekking across inhospitable terrain, self-confidence is restored and self-belief instilled – Always a Little Further. Pilgrim Bandits pushes those that have already endured so much, to go beyond endurance – to embrace life again and in doing so, inspire others.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “As the date of our draw grows ever near, we’re incredibly excited to provide our customers with the opportunity to obtain such a unique piece of furniture, while showing their support for a charity that helps so many people. ”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Summer Play Season opens at the Pomegranate Theatre

Chesterfield’s Summer Play Season opened at the Pomegranate Theatre last night, running until Saturday 7th September.

Theatre goers in Chesterfield can enjoy a series of popular plays as the annual Summer Play Season is underway. The plays are staged at the Pomegranate Theatre, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council and are presented by Paul Taylor-Mills, Olivier Award-Winning Producer and he is also Advisory Producer to Andrew Lloyd Webber, and his repertory company.

The plays include:

Present Laughter (Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 August)

Present Laughter follows successful and self-obsessed light comedy actor Garry Essendine as he prepares to travel for a touring commitment in Africa. Amid a series of events bordering on farce, Garry has to deal with women who want to seduce him, placate both his long-suffering secretary and his estranged wife, cope with a crazed young playwright, and overcome his impending mid-life crisis.

The Kings Speech (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 24 August)

David Seidler’s original play brings the audience face to face with Bertie, Duke of York, as he is thrust onto the world stage as King George VI following his brother’s abdication. With the Nazi threat looming and civil unrest at home, royal secrets explode around Bertie as he struggles to find his voice as King.

Wife Begins at Forty (Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 August)

George, believing he has a happy marriage, is shattered to be told by Linda, his wife of 18 years, that she is going to leave him. With advice from their son, his father, and Roger from next door, George takes drastic steps to rejuvenate his marriage with hilarious consequences.

Dangerous Corner (Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 September)

At their stylish country retreat, Freda and Robert Caplan host a dinner party for their colleagues and friends. Young, beautiful and successful they have the world at their feet. Then a cigarette box and an ill-considered remark spark off a relentless series of revelations and other, more dangerous, secrets are painfully exposed. As the truth spills out about the suicide of Robert’s clever, reckless brother the group’s perfect lives begin to crumble.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “I am proud that the council is able to invest in drama by offering the Summer Play Season at the Pomegranate Theatre, which we own and maintain.”

“The plays on offer will appeal to seasoned theatre-goers as well as someone just looking for an enjoyable evening out.”

Paul Taylor Mills, who presents the Summer Play Season with his repertory company, added: “I am delighted that my summer play festival company are returning to present another season at the lovely Pomegranate Theatre.”

“For our third year we are presenting four great plays including a classic comedy from the master Noel Coward, a fascinating story of a monarch suddenly thrust into the spotlight, a hilarious comedy of suburban manners and an edge of your seat drama from JB Priestley.”

“We are all looking forward to meeting our wonderfully supportive audience again in August and September and hope everyone will enjoy another brilliant season of plays”.

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

BRM Solicitors team up with Macmillan for exclusive free wills service

During September and October 2019, BRM Solicitors and Macmillan will be teaming up to offer an exclusive free will writing service.

Now in its fifth year, the service is on track to reach £100,000 raised to help fund construction of the state-of-the-art Cancer Unit which opened summer 2017, and provide new services at the unit. Over the next few years, Macmillan will invest over £1 million to fund new projects and health professionals at the hospital and elsewhere in Derbyshire. These include new Welfare Rights Service and Macmillan Supportive Care Service (3 Nurses and a Clinical Navigator) at the new centre.

Over the two months of September and October, BRM Solicitors will waive its usual fees for will writing, and instead request a voluntary donation to help fund new Macmillan Services at the NGS Macmillan Cancer Unit. Suggested minimum donations are just £75 per simple single will, and £150 for a simple mirror will for a couple.

The scheme is a perfect opportunity to make a will with a regulated local professional, whilst helping improve the treatment and services available for local people living with cancer.

BRM are taking advance bookings for appointments. To take advantage of this exclusive offer, call 01246 555111, email macmillan@brmlaw.co.uk, or register your interest online at www.brmlaw.co.uk/macmillan.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

More support to help Derbyshire businesses prosper

Support for local businesses was at the centre of discussions when Derbyshire County Council met with rural businesses in Ashford in the Water.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, visited Ashford Business Units to discuss how the county council could offer local firms more support and guidance to help them grow.

Local produce distributor SaucedHere.co.uk, Peak Ales microbrewery and Peak Venues, which specialises in holiday accommodation catering for large groups, praised the support currently offered by the county council and Derbyshire Economic Partnership but the group highlighted that work needs to be ongoing to raise the profile of Derbyshire and the need for larger properties for very small businesses to expand into.

Luke Osborne, Founder of SaucedHere.co.uk said: “It was a pleasure to have been visited by Tony. He took a genuine interest in our work and how it boosts the income of the 40 Derbyshire and Peak District farmers, food and drink producers and businesses we collaborate with. The support from the council has been very encouraging.”

“Our key need going forward is to spread the word about the products listed on our site and continue to grow our customer base.”

“Derbyshire and the Peak District is an unsung food capital of the UK and SaucedHere.co.uk makes it easier for customers to buy local rather than automatically reaching for a national supermarket chain. Anything the council can do to help promote local produce and how to obtain it is gratefully received.”

Councillor King said: “Driving economic growth is a vital part of our ambitious plans for the future because it’s good for business and benefits us all.”

“We know we need to think and do things differently to provide the 21st century services local people want and need – that’s what our ‘Enterprising Council’ approach is all about. So it was great to hear from businesses first-hand about what they think we can do to help them prosper.”

“Our proposals for a Festival of Derbyshire are geared towards raising the profile of our great county so it was good to hear that this is the kind of activity that local businesses such as those in the tourism and food and drink sector want us to drive forward.”

“It’s also worth reminding local people to ‘shop local’ too. Derbyshire has a lot to offer whether it’s in food and drink, tourism or manufacturing and for every £1 spent locally it generates £1.76 for the local economy.”

Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board which is supported by the county council, has developed a campaign to encourage more visits to the area by highlighting the county’s gastronomy offer.

Local brewers, producers, farmers, eateries and creators within the local food and drink industry are being showcased over the next 12 months as part of the ‘Eat, Drink, Explore’ campaign.

Work has also started to raise the profile of the county among the business community and encourage more companies to invest in the area with the launch of a new service called “Invest in Derbyshire”.

The service has been designed to support the county’s ambition to be a destination of choice for investors and businesses and it will:

  • Raise the profile of Derbyshire globally to secure investment and create new jobs, acting as a shop window for why Derbyshire should be a destination of choice for investors
  • Make it easy for investors to choose Derbyshire by providing a one-stop shop offering quality business support tailored to individual businesses’ needs ranging from help and support to choose the right site in Derbyshire to providing information on workforce skills and assisting with recruitment as well as offering guidance on financial incentives
  • Use market intelligence to target businesses in growth sectors to attract them to Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council are also enhancing the level of business support on offer across the county by recruiting our first dedicated business advisor. The new member of staff will support local businesses working alongside and in partnership with advisors at the D2N2 Growth Hub.

Find out more about investing in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council  Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King (second in from the left) talks business support with Rob Evans from Peak Ales Microbrewery (left), Luke Osborne from SaucedHere.co.uk (centre) next to Justin Heslop from Peak Venues and Derbyshire County Council Business Development Manager, Amanda Brown.

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

Chatsworth Country Fair’s biggest ever hot air balloon lift and introducing Julia Bradbury as President

The spectacular sight of the biggest ever meeting of hot air balloons gliding majestically across the parkland will greet visitors to this year’s Chatsworth Country Fair (30 August-1 September 2019).

Billed as one of the best meets in Britain, the organisers of the lift have more than 65 pilots registered to take part with dawn and dusk flights scheduled for all three days, weather permitting.

Eye-catching special animal shapes will be among the colourful balloons taking to the skies with pilots coming from all over the UK for the rare opportunity to fly over Chatsworth, a no go zone for the rest of the year.

The skills of the pilots are put to the test with trophies for those who can manage to throw bread buns into a picnic basket on the ground during their flight; plus the chance for a quick ‘splash and dash’ in the river Derwent.

Organiser Rachel Percival, one half of the father and daughter team from the East Midlands Balloon Group, said: “It’s such a beautiful setting that so many pilots are keen to come and experience flying at Chatsworth. We throw in the competitions for a bit of extra fun but it is a real test of skill. If they touch the ground, they’re disqualified and they need to take into account wind speed and direction.”

“For visitors, it really is a fantastic sight to see from miles around when they are arriving and again at dusk. Generally the pilots like to have pootle around for a couple of hours and then will come down and land all over the fair site, from the main arena to the car parks, so get here early to catch the action.”

Chatsworth Country Fair is also delighted to welcome Julia Bradbury as this year’s President. Outside her life on television and following her dedication to environmental causes and caring for the great outdoors, Julia Bradbury co-founded The Outdoor Guide (TOG) with her sister Gina. TOG is an online resource that brings all outdoor-related information into one, easy to use, digital space. From where to walk and visit in the nearby area, to the best pubs for a locally brewed pint, to the best places to stay in the countryside as a wheelchair user, TOG is aiming to make the outdoors accessible to all. Chatsworth is featured on TOG, along with several stunning walks to take nearby. Julia is also the ambassador for Keep Britain Tidy and The Camping and Caravanning Club to name but a few.

Julia said: “I’m honoured to be the guest of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire for this special weekend and to have been given the prestigious title of President of Chatsworth Country Fair, where the best of the British countryside will be showcased.”

“I’m really looking forward to heading back to this part of the UK – Derbyshire is so close to my heart; having spent my childhood here walking with my Dad in the beautiful Peak District, this is where my infatuation with our countryside all began. This part of the country is so full of surprises – from the quaint market towns brimming with history and culture, to underground limestone caves where you feel like you’re in another world. Although I could spend forever rambling the peaks, I could also spend days on end walking around the stunning garden at Chatsworth, which is most certainly a beating heart of the county.”

“I have been waiting all summer with great anticipation for some quintessentially British attractions including the scurry and trial driving which will see ponies and their drivers tackling a huge obstacle course, falconry demonstrations and vehicle parades. I’m hoping to catch a ride in a hot air balloon if I’m lucky and if not, you’re most likely to find me in the food village… probably at any stall selling chocolate!”

Other highlights announced for this year’s Country fair include The Ukrainian Cossacks, the UK’s leading motorcycle display team, the Bolddog Lings and the Poppy Parachute Team.

The Stoves Cookery Theatre has a fantastic line up of top chefs across all three days led by Queen of Baking and Fair favourite Mary Berry on Friday, James Martin on Saturday and wrapped up by The Hairy Bikers on Sunday.

There is plenty to appeal to children of all ages all day long, with pony rides and exotic animals, the climbing wall and zorb balls for the daring, as well as face painting and the vintage fairground for some old-fashioned fun.

On the gate prices for adults are £25 each day and includes parking, while children under 14 get in free. Book in advance to take advantage of 10 percent off all day tickets until midnight 26 August 2019.

Gates open at 9am each day, with a closing ceremony at 6.30pm. For more information on the event and to book tickets, please visit click here.

Image by Geraldine Curtis

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

Chesterfield’s Perez back on track and raring to go

Chesterfield’s Amigos Redline Racing star Seb Perez means to carry on where he left off after the six week mid season Summer racing break in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

The 19-year-old race ace travels to Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend for the next two rounds and currently lies in a good position in the championship in sixth place.

The season so far has seen Perez in action at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Croft and Oulton Park and also a very special race as a guest driver representing Great Britain in the Mobil One Porsche Supercup at Silverstone a few weeks ago as a support to the British Grand Prix and in front of record crowd of 141,000 people.

Each round of two races have had a story to tell and Perez is rearing to go and get behind the wheel and on track in the 485hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car again.

The season all started in April after some intense testing with his new 2019 team Redline Racing, fist two race up on the Calendar was Brands Hatch, Perez went to the Kent Circuit with his Porsche Nottinghamshire Teammate for the second season George Gamble both topping speeds of over 120 mph.

Perez was in the rankings in free practice and emerged the quickest from a challenging qualifying session in which changing weather conditions meant that there was a narrow window to post the teams fastest times on a drying circuit. He maximised the opportunity to secure himself a qualifying result of fourth.

Three weeks later, the racer had a tough weekend at local Leicestershire circuit Donington Park where high winds and rain made qualifying difficult but Perez finished sixth overall.

Perez was in fifth place in the Pro Class Championship as he went into the next two rounds at Croft in North Yorkshire and qualified in seventh taking into account the ever changing weather conditions of sun one minute followed by rain, making the track different on every lap. Perez finished sixth, showing his talent in such horrendous conditions.

Oulton Park at the end of June was next up before the summer break, despite the Cheshire circuit being a difficult track to overtake on, Seb passed three cars before zeroing in on Dan Vaughan ahead in race one, Closing the three-and-a-half second gap to the cars ahead, he became part of a six-car fight which continued until the last lap, where the teenager made up one more position, finishing eighth overall.

A good start off the line in race two and in eighth place saw Perez struggle by mid race and finished in ninth.

Onwards and upwards, Perez travels to the UK’s fastest circuit and its the first time he has been there for three years where he took a pole position in the Simpson Ginetta Junior Championship. It’s the first time Seb has raced the Porsche raced at Thruxton and will be a learning curve for him and the team.

Perez commented “I’m looking forward to getting back into the Porsche after the mid season break. Sixth in the championship is a respectable place at this time in the season and let’s hope we can build on it”.

“Thruxton is a very fast circuit, its three years since I got a pole there in Ginetta Juniors and let’s hope I can do it again. The Porsche is totally a different car to drive on the UK’s fastest circuit”, he added.

This year’s 16-race Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship series is one of the most highly regarded championships in Europe and follows the KwikFit British Touring Car package. You can follow Seb and the Championship live on ITV4.

Editorial and Images Paul Horton and Paul Horton Motorsport Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield

Summer Blooms at Vicar Lane with the chance to win a £50 voucher

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has given itself a little floral makeover this summer in celebration of ‘Chesterfield in Bloom’.

A number of stunning floral installations have been instated at the centre and will remain in place right across the summer. Visitors are invited to take a look at the flower cart, or pose for a selfie with the Centre’s fabulous floral phone box – perfect for adding that floral touch to anyone’s Instagram feed!

Plus, they are running a competition to name their newly moo-ved in grass cows, for the chance to win a whole lot of moolay – or in this case, a £50 gift voucher. Customers should head to Vicar Lane’s Facebook page to find out more. Terms and conditions apply.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “Chesterfield in Bloom is such a fabulous initiative – a real community effort to make the town more attractive to locals and visitors alike. We’re thrilled to support this with our summer floral theme and hope that everyone enjoys admiring our installations and the photo opportunities that they offer, with the added bonus of the chance to win a £50 voucher!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Entries now open for the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019

Entries are now open for the 2019 Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards.

Currently in its 11th year, the winners of the 14 categories will be announced on Thursday 14th November during an awards ceremony taking place at Casa Hotel. The categories for 2019 are;

  • Charity of the Year
  • Professional Services Award
  • Leisure & Lifestyle Award
  • Community Contribution
  • Small Business of the Year (sponsored by the University of Derby)
  • New Business of the Year
  • Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors)
  • Customer Service Award
  • People Development Award
  • Apprentice of the Year
  • Independent Retailer of the Year
  • Excellence in Manufacturing Award (sponsored by Shorts)
  • Innovation Award
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Future Life Wealth Management)
  • 2019 Business of the Year (sponsored by BHP)

Businesses can apply for more than one award and more information relating to each category can be found on their website here. The awards portal allows applicants to save an entry, and complete it at a later date.

Last year, Future Life Wealth Management’s Managing Director Jillian Thomas won the Lifetime Achievement award and this year the company is sponsoring the category.

Jillian said: “We are proud to be sponsoring this award and I want to be there to congratulate the new recipient.”

“Winning the award last year was a fantastic pat on the back. But it wasn’t about me, it was about the great team we have at Future Life Wealth Management.”

As well as sponsoring the category and being an associate partner, Jillian will be a judge. “I am looking forward to seeing the entries. I am sure the standard will be really high.”

“There are some amazing companies and individuals in our county and we want to be able to help celebrate them all,” said Jillian.

Last year, local hospice and charity Ashgate Hospicecare was recognised with two awards, Charity of the Year and Business of the Year (right). Other winners included Chesterfield Champions Shorts and Stephensons Tea and Coffee House.

The deadline to enter is 6pm on Thursday 19th September 2019. Finalists will be announced 3 weeks prior to the awards, and tickets for the awards ceremony will be on sale from Monday 7th October.

To enter and find out more visit www.derbyshiretimesbusiness.co.uk.

Winners and runners-up of Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2018 join together for a group photograph.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Manufacturing