About Chesterfield

Brand-new podcast launches to promote town

A brand-new monthly podcast, sharing the successes, stories, news and events happening in Chesterfield, has been launched on Spotify by Destination Chesterfield.

Chesterfield’s answer to BBC One’s The One Show went live on Friday 28 May.

The Chesterfield Show, which aims to keep people up-to-date with what’s on and what’s happening in the town, has been created by former Peak FM news presenter Josh Marsh who is now the marketing co-ordinator for Destination Chesterfield.

The new podcast combines Josh’s broadcasting and production talents with news and views from around the borough. People can expect hear positive, uplifting news that always remains topical as well as discussions around the ongoing regeneration in the area in the monthly podcast.

The first edition is packed full of local stories, including:

Commenting on the new podcast, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The purpose of Destination Chesterfield has always been to promote the town as a great place to live, work and invest. The Chesterfield Show podcast is another vehicle we are using to share the positive stories of the many inspiring projects, businesses and individuals within the town. It’s yet another example of the town’s forward-thinking approach to promoting itself which has helped us attract investment throughout the pandemic.”

At the annual Celebrate Chesterfield conference it was revealed that SMEs in the borough are reporting growth in turnover and staff numbers through the pandemic, while developments have continued to move forward at pace.

More than £1bn of regeneration projects are currently underway, with multi-million-pound schemes like Chesterfield Waterside, Glass Yard, PEAK and the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre starting to come out of the ground during lockdown.

Visit https://open.spotify.com/show/4pdhLtkuPdr5iLplFeX0Eb and listen to the first episode of The Chesterfield Show now.

If you’d like to be considered for an interview or involvement in a future episode of The Chesterfield Show, please contact josh.marsh@chesterfield.co.uk.

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Head of the Family Department at Elliot Mather LLP Appointed as President of Derby Law Society

Julie Skill, LLP Member and head of the Family Department at Elliot Mather has been appointed as President of the Derby Law Society.

Julie has practised Family Law since 1989 and has been with the firm since she was a paralegal. She possesses a high level of expertise relating to a broad range of family matters. She advises on matters such as, pre-nuptial agreements, and if the worst happens and a relationship does fail, she handles all aspects of that relationship breakdown, including issues relating to children, finances and domestic abuse in an efficient and practical manner.

Commenting on her appointment as President of the Derby Law Society, Julie said: “I am extremely proud to even have been considered for the role and I am thankful for the nomination to be chosen. To have my name added to the list of such esteemed predecessors is an absolute privilege and honour. Although I am taking over the role of President at a very unique and somewhat bizarre time, I am dedicated to ensuring that I do justice to the position.”

The Derby Law Society was established in early 1886, and consisted of 35 members who were committed to starting a Law Library. Since then, the Derby Law Society has experienced exponential growth and represents lawyers across the whole of Derbyshire and East Staffordshire.

The Society aims to support the legal profession locally by offering training, social events, and representing its members’ interest. Additionally, the Society aims to assist the public in sourcing solicitors with a particular specialism.

The team at Elliot Mather are extremely proud of Julie’s latest appointment of President and we are sure that she will be a great success in the role.

Managing Partner, Julie Page has said: “Elliot Mather recognises the important role of the Derby Law Society and I am thrilled that Julie will be at the helm for the next 12 months. I know that Julie will approach this opportunity with the same passion and commitment that she shows to all aspects of her professional career.”

Elliot Mather LLP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Construction underway at new Chesterfield Care Home, creating historic gateway into its former life

Construction is well underway at a new 72 bed care home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, which incorporates a doorway into its past.

The care home, designed by RIBA Chartered HSSP Architects, the multi-award-winning architecture practice, integrates a listed, Victorian ‘Drill Hall’ doorway arch into the design of a modern, innovative care home providing high dependency care for its residents.

The care home sits on the site of the former ‘Drill Hall’ which was built in 1897 to provide a space for the volunteer 6th Battalion Sherwood Foresters to train. It was a valued part of the community until it was demolished in 1991 and replaced with a car park. During its deconstruction, the listed decorative main stone archway was saved, and put into storage where it has been for nearly 30 years.

As part of the planning and design process, the stone, grand ornate archway which is typical of the Victorian era has been the inspiration for the new frontage.

HSSP Director and project Architect, James Botterill, said: “On viewing the historical archway which has been laying in nearby storage for decades, we began to pick-up the styling and character of the building that had once stood. It’s an impressive piece of architecture and we were determined its strong decorative character should be incorporated into the design of the new building –  transitioning its past into the modern world. It was a fantastic design challenge but one that could have easily fallen into the realms of pastiche. By focusing on textures, materials and shape, we were able to add to its evolution and add personality and style onto the new design.”

The site, which is situated on the main road into the town, also had other design challenges to overcome that have influenced the design. The steep sloping topography has allowed for a 4 storey building to appear only 2 storeys at the road frontage, ensuring the development is not overbearing upon the street scene. Employing biophilic principles, the building opens up the hillside providing residents with clear access and views of the nearby allotments. The main living area enjoys a free flow of space leading directly to the terrace areas.

All 72 rooms have been designed with modern ensuites, communal living areas combine home comforts with the requirements of high-dependency nursing, and staff areas are spacious and airy.

James concluded: “We have worked in partnership with the developer and planners to bring our vision to life. The planners were delighted with our perceptive designs that revert the site back to its former street scene appearance and we look forward to seeing a piece of history reincarnated in the next guise of its life.”

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Double nomination for BHP at regional industry awards

Local independent accountancy firm, BHP, has been nominated in two categories at the prestigious Yorkshire Accountancy Awards.

The first nomination is for the Tax Service Award, which celebrates accountancy firms in Yorkshire who’ve stood apart from the competition through their technical ability and innovation in delivering tax services to clients.

BHP’s second nomination is for Support Staff of the Year, which celebrates the region’s most dedicated support staff or team working in IT, HR and other areas, whose exceptionally high standards contributed to the accountancy firm’s success.

Now in its fourth year, the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards celebrates the achievements of the region’s best and brightest from firms of all sizes, working with clients both locally and internationally. The event will be held on the 8 July at the New Dock Hall in Leeds.

BHP hope to build on their previous run of success at the awards, which includes Paul Winwood being recognised as Partner of the Year in 2020, as well as the accountancy firm’s win of Mid-Tier Firm of the Year and Best Employer of the Year back in 2019.

Hamish Morrison, Joint Managing Partner, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to hear that we’ve been nominated for these two awards.

“We’ve had to overcome some tremendous challenges over the past year to succeed as a business, and that wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our IT team, who went above and beyond in ensuring BHP was not just fully functional during a sudden transition to remote working.

“Through their use of best-in-class technology solutions, they did not just keep the lights on but ensured that we could continue to offer clients and staff the high-quality experience they have come to expect from us.

“I’m also incredibly proud of all the colleagues within our tax team, whose pro-active approach to business tax planning throughout these difficult times has led to continued success for our clients.”

For more information about BHP, visit www.bhp.co.uk.

BHP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield College asks creative businesses to join their campaign to highlight how Creativity Pays

Chesterfield College is calling for creative businesses across Derbyshire to join their campaign to highlight how crucial creative skills are for the economy, our communities and our wellbeing.

The campaign, Creativity Pays, will showcase creative businesses and careers as well as connect the community to support local makers and creatives. It also aims to encourage people to develop the skills the creative industries sector in our region need for the future.

Pre-pandemic the creative industries sector in the UK was enjoying a boom and growing faster than any other sector. Jobs were growing at 2.7 times the national average, and the sector contributed £13.2m/hour to the economy (source: DCMS 2019).

Importantly, designers, filmmakers, actors, photographers, journalists, publishers, musicians have all played a role in supporting us through the challenges we have faced as a society during the pandemic. Whether that is through bringing us news, crucial information or keeping us entertained as we stayed at home.

Over the last year, the creative industries sector has been hit hard by the pandemic. However, there are many who believe this sector will form a crucial part of our recovery and will help us build back for the future.

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of The Chesterfield College Group said: “This initiative provides us with a unique opportunity to highlight how important creative industries are for our region. As a college with a strong history in developing creative skills and supporting creative businesses, we are at the forefront of developing the skills required for a career in the sector. This campaign provides us with the opportunity to celebrate creative careers, the success of our students and the creative businesses in Derbyshire who are so important for our local economy which in turn will encourage others to develop their creative skills.”

Talking about why he feels Creativity Pays, former Chesterfield College art student and successful artist Peter Barber said: “I have built my career doing something I love over the last 25 years since leaving college. I have worked in the community and now I am a commercial artist. I believe creative careers are so important. When you look at almost anything there is in the world around you, it literally started life with someone with a pencil. We are lucky enough in Britain that creative industries are strong and people want to create and work here. My work in advertising had a bit of a resurgence after the last lockdown and I think we will see that happen again. We are in a good place for the future.”

The college is inviting people to get involved in the campaign in a number of ways including:
• Tell the story of how creativity pays for you on social media using #creativitypays
• Shout about the local creative businesses you love and add them to their Creativity Pays directory #creativederbyshire

Find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at chesterfield.ac.uk/creativitypays/.

Chesterfield College supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Redbrik named the best UK property company to work for

North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire Estate Agents, Redbrik has been awarded the title of Property’s Best Company to Work For in the UK in this year’s Best Companies Awards.

Celebrating the best of UK businesses, the Best Companies List is now in its 20th year.

For 2021, Redbrik has been named in the following three categories:

• Number 1 in the Top 5 UK property companies to work for
• Number 24 in the Top 75 best regional (Yorkshire and Humber) companies to work for
• Number 31 in the Top 100 UK small companies to work for

In addition, the estate agents received a 2-star accreditation as an outstanding company to work for.

Redbrik Managing Director, Mark Ross, commented: “We are nothing without our people; teaching, training and nurturing our fantastic team will always be one of our top priorities. I want to thank every employee for making Redbrik a vibrant, fun and exciting place to work and for the recognition we have achieved together.

“When engagement is a priority, everyone wins. Our employees love being part of Redbrik, and our customers receive the best service because our team genuinely care about the work they are doing.”

Best Companies specialise in workplace engagement, helping businesses to understand how their employees feel about their workplace. The confidential b-Heard survey gathers data about all aspects of the employee experience to generate a Best Companies Index (BCI) score, which then feeds into the Best Companies List.

The lists and winners of each category were revealed at Best Companies Live, an online event on Friday 21st May, hosted by Dan Walker.

Working in Chesterfield includes opportunities at a wide range of businesses including IT specialists, world class engineering and communications companies. From high street names to local specialists, arts and culture, hotels and an historic town centre market, the town has a vibrant heart. Find out more about working in the town here.

Redbrik Estate Agents supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Ashgate Hospicecare launches Forget-Me-Not Appeal

Ashgate Hospicecare has launched a new way for supporters to celebrate, mourn and remember their loved ones with its Forget-Me-Not Appeal.

As part of the appeal, which is sponsored by Graysons Solicitors, people can make a suggested donation of £25 for a custom made, beautifully crafted forget-me-not flower, to pay a lasting tribute to friends and family.

The striking purple flowers, each measuring 45cm in length, have been made by the Oswestry-based British Ironwork Centre.

The limited-edition flowers will form a display from 8th to 30th June, within the picturesque grounds of Chatsworth.

Jack Wood, Head of Fundraising at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “The last year has been a difficult time for everyone. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of COVID is how it has kept people apart, particularly at times when people needed each other more than ever.

“It took away the opportunity for people to say their final goodbyes, to be by their bedside and to share in those sacred last moments. This is extremely difficult for those left behind, as they look for a way to process their experiences and navigate this new world of grief.

“That is why we are proud to be able to offer our community a meaningful way to remember their loved ones and to provide them with the time to reflect.

“A forget-me-not flower can be dedicated to anyone; they don’t need to have accessed the support and services of Ashgate Hospicecare.”

“The hospice allowed Julie to spend her final moments in peace.”

Steve Griffiths, 67, from Winster in the Peak District, will be dedicating a forget-me-not in memory of his wife, Julie, who experienced ‘exceptional’ care at Ashgate Hospicecare’s inpatient unit after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare type of lung cancer.

Steve said: “The hospice allowed Julie to spend her final moments in peace. The last thing I’d want was for her to have an unpleasant death; she’d suffered enough already. Ashgate gave her a very calming and peaceful end to her life and I’m enormously grateful for this.

“That’s the marvellous thing about Ashgate – it takes the stress away so you can focus on creating those final memories together. The team are always there and make everything as easy as possible for you. Whatever we needed was there, whenever we needed it.

“In tribute to Julie, I’ve chosen to support Ashgate Hospicecare’s Forget-Me-Not Appeal and dedicate a keepsake flower in memory of her. I know Julie would have loved to have walked through the stunning grounds at Chatsworth to see the meadow of flowers glistening in the sun.”

Visit the forget-me-not display at Chatsworth

Thousands of forget-me-nots will form a display at Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.

The Duke of Devonshire and President of Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We are delighted to welcome the local community to Chatsworth to pause in a moment of reflection together.

“Undoubtedly, this has been an extremely challenging year, which makes this display ever more poignant, while raising much needed funds for our much-loved local hospice.

“Money raised from appeals such as this one, ensures the continuation of the exceptional care and services that Ashgate delivers to thousands of families across North Derbyshire.”

The suggested donation for a forget-me-not is £25 and money raised will be used to fund the hospice’s round-the-clock specialist end-of-life care.

To dedicate a flower, visit https://www.ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/forget-me-not/ or call the fundraising team on 01246 567250.

Supporters will be able to collect their flower, or have them posted to them in July, once the public display is removed.

Ashgate Hospicecare and Chatsworth support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Dronfield Hall Barn pilots a rent-a-desk scheme for entrepreneurs and remote-working employees

The award-winning Heritage and Arts centre, Dronfield Hall Barn in north-east Derbyshire, has responded to the post-pandemic changes to working life by launching a new venue for remote workers.

The 600-year-old Medieval barn is a stunning location for the flexible rent-a-desk venture which is available initially for a trial period on consecutive Mondays from 24th May to 28th June. Bookings for a half-day or full-day are made online and guests can enjoy the splendid surroundings of the lofty upper-floor Gallery.

The idea came together through a consultation involving local businesses, and after watching the national trends which show fewer employees returning to their former offices.  A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant has allowed The Dronfield Heritage Trust, custodians of the Barn, to work on a campaign to attract more commercial users. Rent-a-Desk is the first of a series of business-related projects to be launched by the charity this year.

The High Street heritage building is already home to a wide range of arts, cultural and community events as well as having an outdoor and indoor coffee shop and beautiful gardens.  This rent-a-desk pilot will provide feedback from the first business users so the service is ready for a full launch later this summer.

Alan Powell, chair of the Dronfield Heritage Trust says: “We are expecting to see a demand from small business owners, freelancers and  some employees who are tired of perching at the kitchen table or battling over internet access with the kids. They need an alternative desk to land their lap tops and a pleasant place to enjoy time with colleagues and clients. This way we are helping the business community and making the most of our brilliant facilities.”

Louise Third, director of PR company Integra Communications was the first to try out the facilities when indoor gathering was permitted on Monday 17th May. She says: “Packing my briefcase and laptop and heading off to the Barn was like experiencing the first day at school. A little strange at first, especially to be working somewhere other than my home office. But I received a very warm welcome, I could help myself to coffee all day, and hold meetings in the café area. I fully intend to make this a regular base when I need to be in Derbyshire”.

Anyone interested in the rent-a-desk facility, as well as venue hire and catering for business events, can go to the website for more details and booking information. https://dronfieldhallbarn.org/business/

Dronfield Hall Barn supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield to benefit from quicker and more frequent rail journeys in new timetable

East Midlands Railway (EMR) is able to offer Chesterfield passengers quicker and more frequent journeys after it launched its new timetable this week.

The changes, which were made possible by the successful delivery of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line Upgrade by Network Rail, provide more seats, quicker journeys, and a simpler and more resilient timetable for communities across its network, with earlier and later services supporting leisure, business and tourism journeys.

Passengers travelling down the Midland Main Line are set to benefit from several specific enhancements to the current service, including quicker peak journey times to London St Pancras International and consistent departure times through the day.

Day trippers or passengers wanting more flexibility will also be able to take advantage of the new timetable which will see earlier trains into London and later returns.

Further details of the timetable improvements are available on EMR’s website here.

Will Rogers, Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said he was excited that passengers can now take advantage of their new timetable.

He said: “We are delighted to be able to start this new and significantly improved timetable. The £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade has allowed us to offers more seats, quicker journeys and more frequent journeys to our passengers across both our Regional and Intercity network.

“The timetable includes earlier and later services supporting leisure, business and tourism journeys and will help to support the region’s recovery out of the pandemic.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “Improved rail links between Sheffield and London is an important step on our journey to rebuild and renew South Yorkshire, and a great signal of intent for our future.

“To level up the North, we need to ensure there is no barrier to accessing opportunities, and investment in public transport is vital to this. Better connectivity benefits all of us, from students looking to study here to visitors enjoying the arts and culture of South Yorkshire, and businesses looking for a great place to work and invest.”

Superbly located in the heart of the UK, Chesterfield is readily accessible by all means of transport.

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CBE+ shortlisted for manufacturer of the year by Made in Yorkshire

Chesterfield-based company CBE+ has been shortlisted for Made in Yorkshire’s Manufacturer of the Year Award (under £25 million).

These prestigious manufacturing awards, hosted by Insider Events, celebrate world-class, Yorkshire-based companies as well as the products they make.

CBE+, a multi-discipline engineering company, brought together four disparate businesses, Nitec UK Ltd, BG Engineering ltd, Spire Laboratories and Pentag Gears and lifting equipment, and have achieved major success since becoming a single entity just two years ago.

Three out of the four businesses have relocated to a single site on Enterprise Drive, Homewood, while the fourth business will be rebuilt at the same site later in 2021.

CBE+ was launched in July 2019, uniting the group under a single brand.

The business has achieved AS9100 certification, which is the highly recognised quality mark for suppliers to the aerospace industry.

As a result of these achievements, global high-tech aerospace company Leonardo Helicopters is sponsoring and supporting CBE+ in the process of obtaining their SC21 aerospace supply chain accreditation.

Lindsay Atkins, Group Operations Director, commented on the company’s achievements to date, particularly during the pandemic:

‘We managed to withstand the storm and participated in the Ventilator Challenge, manufacturing many tens of thousands of ventilator parts for the NHS. All alongside implementing a new ERP system throughout the group, improving efficiencies, and driving the business forward.’

The awards evening takes place on Thursday 29th July 2021 and offers businesses the opportunity to boost their profile, network with their peers and gain valuable insight into how other organisations in the region are winning new orders and addressing challenges unique to their industry.

Marie Cooper, CEO, said: “Being shortlisted is an honour in itself and shows that what we are doing is being recognised. A great big thank you to everyone who has supported and been involved in our journey so far. The awards evening itself will be a great opportunity to share best practice and learn from industry leaders. Celebrating our moto ‘Together we do more.”

CBE+’s capabilities include but are not limited to precision engineering, electroless nickel plating, gear manufacture and metal testing. Each service can be provided independently, or our customers work with us to combine the group’s multiple capabilities and create tailored, integrated supply chain solutions.

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Call to get behind #LoveChesterfield and support local businesses as lockdown eases

Businesses are being supported to boost their profile – and encourage more people to shop local as lockdown eases – as part of a new campaign showcasing everything that’s great about Chesterfield.

Independent shops, bars and eateries are among the businesses encouraged to take advantage of a new #LoveChesterfield support pack, featuring a range of free marketing materials which they can use to collectively celebrate the unique products and experiences available in the borough.

It’s part of the Love Chesterfield campaign – launched last week by Chesterfield Borough Council, in partnership with Destination Chesterfield and based on consultation with local businesses.

The pack includes a range of customisable images and resources for businesses to use on their social media, posters and window vinyl designs – all of which can be downloaded for free.

And to help shine a spotlight on what’s on offer over the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend, businesses and residents are being encouraged to use the resources to get behind a #LoveChesterfield social media day from 9am to 9pm on Friday 28 May – using the hashtag to showcase great local products and services.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Our town centre and high streets have got so much to offer, and we’re keen to do all we can to help businesses showcase their unique products and services.

“Together, we’re stronger and by working in partnership under the Love Chesterfield campaign we can really harness the appeal and attractiveness of our historic town.

“Since our launch last week we’ve had a lot of local support – our community is proud and resilient, and people have shown that they want to get out and about to help our local businesses get back on their feet as lockdown eases.”

Window Intros_Facebook & LinkedIn copy 5

Crooked Spire Facebook & LinkedIn

Businesses can follow these top five tips to get involved in the Love Chesterfield campaign (full details at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfield/business-support-pack/)

  • Use #lovechesterfield on social media channels
  • Encourage your customers and staff to sign up for the Love Chesterfield E-Newsletter
  • Send us your news stories and promote your events and activities with us
  • Use the campaign graphics and support Love Chesterfield
  • Create graphics bespoke to your business

You can find out more and download the Love Chesterfield campaign materials at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfield/business-support-pack/

Businesses are also being encouraged to take advantage of the wealth of support available to them from the council and Destination Chesterfield, as part of wider economic recovery plans.

The Supporting Our High Street campaign will signpost people to the latest advice, guidance and training that is available to local businesses. This includes support from a town centre engagement officer, as well as help to get set up in business online. Visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/supporting-our-high-street/ for more information.

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