About Chesterfield

Superior Wellness Managing Director recognised among the most ambitious business leaders in the UK

Rob Carlin, Managing Director of Chesterfield-based Superior Wellness Ltd has been named one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2023.

Created by trusted investment partner LDC – part of Lloyds Banking Group, and supported by The Times, The LDC Top 50 champions the business leaders who are pushing for growth and building successful medium-sized businesses.

This year’s nominations were of an exceptionally high calibre and the competition was fierce, showcasing the drive and determination that unites business leaders across the UK.

The leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 are growing their businesses at home and overseas, making a positive contribution to society and driving progress against their sustainability goals. They hail from every corner of the UK and span every sector of the economy. Together, they employ more than 6,700 people and turn over more than £1.2bn.

Superior Wellness is the world’s fastest-growing hot tub manufacturer with a vision to be the world’s market leader in hot tub and swim spas. With a network of 250 plus partners in more than 20 countries globally, sales increased by £48m in 2021 to £57m in 2022.  The level of growth that the business has experienced since launching in 2011 is commendable. This has been achieved through hard work, dedication and the direction of Rob.

Rob Carlin has been a driving force in the wellness industry since 2011. With his exemplary leadership and innovative vision, he has propelled Superior Wellness to become one of the leading hot tub companies in the world.

Rob Carlin, Managing Director of Superior Wellness Ltd said: “I am delighted to be included in this year’s UK Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2023.  Under my leadership I have expanded the portfolio of brands, reached out to prospects to grow the network and created a strong presence in the industry. I have also fostered a culture of innovation and creativity within the team.

“I always want to be moving forward and to improve as a company. I’m not happy sitting still.”

John Garner, Managing Partner at LDC, added: “We started The LDC Top 50 six years ago to champion the remarkable success stories of medium-sized businesses, the unsung heroes of the British economy. Since then, we’ve received more than 3,000 nominations and celebrated more than 500 business leaders through the programme, surpassing all our expectations. Every leader in this year’s cohort has a story as impressive as the next, and I’d like to congratulate them on their achievements so far. We can’t wait to see where they go from here!”

Find out more about business in Chesterfield.

Superior Wellness supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

rob carlin superior wellness

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Figures revealed at annual Investment Summit show new businesses are booming in Chesterfield

Official figures presented today at the Chesterfield Investment Summit show record levels of startups setting up in the Chesterfield area, alongside substantial growth in the town’s visitor economy and construction sectors. Survival rates for companies in Chesterfield far exceed the national average.

New business activity in Chesterfield, Derbyshire’s largest town, reached record levels in 2022 and is expected to grow again this year, according to figures shared today at the Chesterfield Investment Summit. Analysis of Companies House data, the official register of UK companies, shows that 1,021 startups with Chesterfield addresses were registered in 2022, 4% more than in 2021, and indicates the area is on track to create over 1,100 more businesses in 2023.

Analysis from Destination Chesterfield – the organisation responsible for promoting investment in the town – shows strong levels of new business activity in several sectors prioritised in Chesterfield Borough Council’s growth strategy, as well as encouraging signs for the town’s independent retail sector:

  • 92 new hospitality companies were launched in Chesterfield during 2022, a 10% increase on 2021 (84) and more than three times the number (29) created in 2012. Hospitality is a crucial component of Chesterfield’s growing visitor economy, which attracted 3.7 million people in 2022 (20% more than 2021), according to Chesterfield Borough Council. The visitor economy supports over 2,000 full-time jobs in Chesterfield and was worth £207 million last year.
  • 106 new professional services companies were created in Chesterfield during 2022, an increase of 29% on 2021 (82). They include 27 management consulting companies, 22 engineering advisory firms and 12 advertising and digital media specialists. Chesterfield is actively encouraging professional services firms to locate to the town to help achieve a 15% increase in higher-skill, higher-wage knowledge-based occupations for residents by 2030.
  • 99 construction startups were established in Chesterfield in 2022, 10% more than 2021 (90) and 55% higher than 2012 (64). Data from Chesterfield Borough Council shows the number of new homes built in Chesterfield has more than doubled over the last decade to reach 373 completions in the year to April 2023. Chesterfield has exceeded its new build target in each of the last four years and the council has earmarked several prime locations for new residential development as part of plans to build more than 4,000 new homes by 2035.
  • 124 retail and wholesale startups began trading in Chesterfield in 2022. Although this was down 5% on 2021 figures, it represents a 49% improvement over the last decade and is expected to grow to more than 150 in 2023. The number was driven, in part, by a threefold increase in online retail startups over the last decade. Entrepreneurs in Chesterfield launched 23 e-commerce companies in 2022 and are on track to create over 40 more during 2023.

Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “New business activity is booming in Chesterfield, which is seeing growth from homegrown startups and those relocating to the town from elsewhere.These outcomes are the fruits of a purposeful strategy to secure new business investment in Chesterfield and help our existing businesses to grow.”

Dr Huw Bowen - Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council

“Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting, either through direct investment or public-private partnerships, a series of projects to provide high-quality commercial space for businesses. It has helped bring to market almost 300,000 square feet of modern office, industrial, manufacturing and logistics space since the start of 2022, and expects further new premises totalling more than one million square feet to become available by the middle of 2025.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Chesterfield is growing thanks to its location, its supportive community, the incredible lifestyle you can enjoy here, and the investments that are being made in high-quality business space and housing. We’ve seen more interest from local and incoming entrepreneurs post-pandemic, who are creating new jobs and opportunities for the abundant talent pool Chesterfield can access, and we expect that growth to continue as the town seizes new opportunities associated with the East Midlands devolution deal over the coming years.”

peter swallow speaking at Celebrate

Official figures also show that businesses based in Chesterfield consistently enjoy significantly higher survival rates than the national average. The latest data from the Office of National Statistics show that 62% of Chesterfield companies started in 2018 were still trading after three years, compared to 54% for all of the UK. Similar figures were recorded for businesses founded in 2016 and 2017.

More than 200 delegates, including domestic and commercial property investors and business leaders from the UK, attended the Chesterfield Investment Summit today. The Summit is organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend.

Destination Chesterfield has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

spire drone 1

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

North East Derbyshire firms urged to take up support for growth, innovation and decarbonisation

How to grow, sustain, innovate and decarbonise are top of the agenda for an innovative new programme being launched in North East Derbyshire.

The Accelerator project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and East Midlands Chamber.

It signals a new era of local place-based support for districts like North East Derbyshire and will help local businesses to improve productivity through innovation and digital technology, reduce energy costs through decarbonisation and moving towards net zero, and grow through a robust business plan and strategy.

The Accelerator project offers:

  • Net Zero support to help businesses at any stage of their sustainability journey to reduce the cost of their energy bills and improve energy efficiencies. Training and 1-2-1 consultancy will be offered on a range of subjects including waste management and Investors in the Environment, also supporting businesses to develop comprehensive energy audits and de-carbonisation plans.
  • Innovation and R&D support from Innovation and Technology Specialists to help high-growth and scale-up businesses adopt digital technologies and take advantage of national programmes such as Innovate UK EDGE and Made Smarter.
  • Action planning workshops with expert trainers on a range of topics including Finance, HR, Digital Marketing and Sales.
  • Access to finance and specialised consultancy through growth vouchers and grants.
  • Networks for collaboration with fellow businesses including through the national Help to Grow: Management Course and the East Midlands Manufacturing Network which invites North East Derbyshire businesses to attend forums in Derby and in other key locations across the East Midlands.

Businesses are invited to hear about support on offer at the North East Derbyshire Accelerator launch event, taking place on Friday, 27th October 2023 at Coney Green Business Park, Clay Cross. Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, will present on the range of Accelerator support available, and explain how businesses can register to join the project and secure their free training workshop places.

Councillor Jayne Barry, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Growth & Assets, said: “The new Accelerator Programme is a wonderful opportunity for businesses across North East Derbyshire to take their business to the next level – whether that be in terms of growth, developing new processes, adopting new technologies or tackling their energy costs.

“Knowing where to start can, however, be a real challenge. The package of specialist support and guidance on offer from East Midlands Chamber will, I’m sure, be invaluable to businesses seeking to inject new energy into their operations.

“I encourage anyone who would like to hear more about the exciting opportunities available through the Accelerator Programme to join our launch event on 27th October at Coney Green Business Centre.”

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, added: “The Accelerator project will help businesses across North East Derbyshire to improve their operations in a number of areas. Chamber business advisers are on hand to help businesses develop a business strategy to help achieve key objectives such as driving efficiencies and productivity, developing a decarbonisation plan, and becoming more sustainable.

“As well as one-to-one business adviser support, businesses have the opportunity to sign-up for a series of action planning workshops which significantly boost key skills within their teams.”

Businesses wishing to learn more about the Accelerator project in North East Derbyshire can do so by signing up to the 27th October event or visiting the programme at: www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/accelerator and choosing North East Derbyshire as their district.

Find out more about the range of support available to businesses in Chesterfield and surrounding areas at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

Two people shaking hands

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Inspire Design’s Lee Barnes takes the reigns for Clay Cross Town Board

The Clay Cross Town Board has announced the appointment of Lee Barnes to the position of Chair.

The Managing Director of Clay Cross-based Inspire Design Group, Lee is an existing Board Member and is one of several private sector representatives on the Board.

Lee will head all future Clay Cross Town Board meetings, which oversee the delivery and progress of the Clay Cross Town Deal.

Clay Cross residents can take comfort in knowing the future of their town is in capable hands. As a North East Derbyshire resident and Clay Cross business owner, Lee has a breadth of professional experience in revitalising urban areas and guiding multi-disciplinary teams, with a strong commitment to seeing the town thrive.

As Chair, Lee plans to take Clay Cross’ local business scene to new heights for its residents stating, “I’ve got a really interesting journey ahead of me as Chair. I aim to make the most of this wonderful opportunity to help breathe new life into Clay Cross.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to move the town forward together, bringing new job opportunities, and more places to eat and drink and spend leisure time. As a resident myself, I am passionate about getting the best offer for us and am excited to lead us into the next phase of the Town Deal.”

So far, projects announced as part of the Clay Cross Town Deal include the regeneration of the town’s high street, along with a refurbishment of the Sharley Park Leisure Centre, which will be renamed Clay Cross Active.

Lee is also a member of Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group, which aims to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

Another town in our area which has benefitted from town deal funding is Staveley. Find out more about the range of projects taking place in the town here.

For more information on why Chesterfield is an excellent location to invest in your business, head over to our Invest In Chesterfield page.

Inspire Design and Development supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Dalton Roofing scoops major prize at regional apprenticeship awards ceremony

A Chesterfield Company specialising in roof building and maintenance has won a prestigious award for its work with apprentices in the area.

Dalton Roofing was awarded SME Employer of the Year at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards 2023.

The company has a strong reputation of taking on apprentices, helping them to learn new skills, and develop a career in the construction sector.

Honours at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards were presented in 13 different categories, recognising the contributions that local apprentices make to the region’s businesses – and the people who help support them on their journey

Speaking on the firm’s award win, Philip Dalton, Owner of Dalton Roofing commented: “Words can’t explain how happy we are! We are ecstatic and extremely proud and grateful.

“A lot of time, effort, support and mentoring is put into our apprentices, they will work alongside some great roofers and also get the help and support from our Site Manager, Paul Stephenson.

Philip also commented on the importance of apprentices, in terms of securing the future workforce of his organisation: “Apprentices are our future; we really need to work hard and train our apprentices to keep up the succession and skills that our businesses require.

“Apprentices usually start with no experience of roofing, they will work alongside a mentor, be given training with our Site Manager Paul and training through college, this is how they will learn lifelong skills. It doesn’t stop here either, as they will continue to be given training and achieve more qualifications throughout their time with us at Dalton Roofing. We have just started three apprentices on their pathway.”

The company also raises awareness of skills in the sector as a member of Chesterfield’s Property & Construction Group, which promotes development and regeneration across the town. Dalton Roofing will also take part in this year’s Made in Chesterfield initiative, which will see young people from Chesterfield schools visiting the business to gain valuable insight into careers in the sector.

Find out more about Apprentice Town, demonstrating Chesterfield’s commitment to developing apprentices and delivering skilled careers to help people and businesses grow.

Dalton Roofing supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Dalton Roofing apprentice award

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Home, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Sustainable heating and cooling provider announces move to Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

A cutting-edge provider of heating and cooling solutions has made Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre its new home.

Infrared Group Ltd. specialises in offering a range of efficient heating and cooling options, including air source heat pumps and air conditioning systems. The company’s flagship product, the Infrared Heating Panels, stands at the forefront of its commitment to providing innovative solutions for homes and businesses.

With extensive research driving product selection, Infrared Group believes its heating panels represent the ideal heating solution for tomorrow’s world. Products are tailored around the UK Government’s plans to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and phase out the use of gas boilers, with the main aim of future-proofing clients’ homes, businesses, and projects.

Aaron Joseph, Sales Director at Infrared Group commented: “We stock a wide range of top brands for air source heat pumps and air conditioning with products and prices to suit all budgets. With a focus on rapid growth, we are actively seeking nationwide partnerships with developers who share our vision for the future of efficient heating technology.

“We not only provide top-notch installations but also pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service. We’re embarking on a journey to a more efficient and sustainable future in heating and cooling.”

Leaders at the firm say they are ‘thrilled’ to be relocating to Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Nathan De La Rosa, Industry Specialist at Infrared Group said: “This strategic move stems from our commitment to both efficiency and accessibility.

“Chesterfield offers a prime location in the centre of England, providing excellent transport links to both the north and the south. Moreover, we are passionate about contributing to the development of the Northern Gateway and believe our presence here will help to play a pivotal role in our growth.

“The modern facilities at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre are nothing short of fantastic, aligning perfectly with our vision for the future. Furthermore, our founders and dedicated team of staff hail from the Chesterfield area, and we are deeply committed to putting Chesterfield on the map and contributing to the region’s progress. We have a vehement passion to build local relationships with fellow business owners in Derbyshire as well as nationwide.”

Looking ahead, the company’s aspirations are firmly rooted in building its brand and spreading awareness about the benefits of ultra-efficient infrared heating. Infrared Group’s mission is to collaborate closely with homeowners, businesses, and developers, empowering them to revolutionise their heating solutions.

Aaron Joseph added: “We hold a steadfast belief that as people increasingly recognise the immense advantages of infrared heating, it will become the standard in buildings of the future. Our journey at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield is not just about business growth; it’s about catalysing a transformation in how we all approach heating and cooling, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and efficient future for all.”

Chesterfield boasts a wide range of modern, well-connected and affordable office spaces available to assist businesses in their growth. Find your perfect office today.

infrared group team photo

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Young people to learn entrepreneurial skills with new programme in Chesterfield

Young people in Chesterfield are being invited to take part in a new programme designed to develop their entrepreneurial skills and confidence to help them kickstart their career.

After successfully receiving £6,000 in funding through Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Fund, Young Enterprise – the national financial and enterprise education charity – is teaming up with Springwell Community College and Netherthorpe School, inviting pupils to take part in its Company Programme.

The Company Programme aims to empower young people aged between 13 and 19 to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a volunteer from a local business.

Students will be responsible for making all the decisions about their business, including deciding on the company name, managing the company finances and selling to the public. Participants gain practical business experience and key skills.

Volunteers from local businesses are also being urged to get involved as mentors and provide the students with practical advice and guidance. Any businesses interested in taking part can contact the Educational Partnerships Manager: simon.paterson@y-e.org.uk .

As part of the annual programme of activities, Young Enterprise will also be running a launch and pitch event, where the young people will be able to pitch their business ideas to businesses in the area.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Brough Council, said: “We’re really pleased that our Community Grants Fund scheme can fund initiatives such as the Company Programme. When we first launched the scheme, we wanted to make sure that funding could be used to help people prepare to get in to work, and this project does just that.

“Our Skills Action Plan, which we unveiled earlier this year, is all about providing people not only with education, but also the experience of putting those skills into practice.

“Young Enterprise is giving young people the opportunity to improve their work readiness and work experience. It will help them to develop practical business experience and key skills including finance management and public speaking.

“We’re investing in Staveley through our Town Deal and I know many of the board members are keen to support this project and support young people to learn more about starting their own businesses. I am really looking forward to watching this project develop and seeing young people thrive.”

Ian Wingfield, headteacher at Springwell Community College, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project and I know our students are excited to get started. This is a great opportunity for them to develop a range of valuable skills at the same time as connecting further with their community.”

Sharon Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Young Enterprise, said: “We are delighted that Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting Springwell Community College and Netherthorpe School to launch Company Programme to their students. Company Programme provides a real-life learning opportunity that introduces young people to the realities of the world of work. Previous participants have come up with innovative ideas for their companies, often with a strong socially-conscious theme, which have real potential to become businesses of the future. We are excited to see what the young people taking part in Chesterfield achieve and wish them the best of luck for their Company Programme journey.”

Helen McVicar, headteacher at Netherthorpe School, says that the project will enable pupils to develop real-life skills. She said: “The Young Enterprise Scheme is a fantastic initiative, and we are delighted to be involved. We pride ourselves on being connected with our community and this project will help us to further strengthen those ties whilst also testing the entrepreneurial skills of our young people, and developing important real-life skills.”

More information on Young Enterprise, including details on how other schools and young people can get involved in the Company Programme, can be found at: www.young-enterprise.org.uk

Funding for Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

More information on the Community Grants Fund can be found at: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/community-grants-fund

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

Learn more about why Chesterfield is an excellent location to live, work and raise a family: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/

Young Enterprise

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Ceremony celebrates construction of multi-million pound mental health facilities in Derbyshire

A new 54-bed mental health facility for adults is progressing in Chesterfield, providing acute adult care on the Royal Hospital site.

Integrated Health Projects (IHP), the joint venture between VINCI Building UK and Sir Robert McAlpine, has celebrated the ‘topping out’ of the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s new mental health facilities across Derbyshire.

Mark Powell, Chief Executive of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Simon Corben, Director and Head of Profession for NHS Estates and Facilities at NHS England, and Geoff Neild, Programme Director for the Making Room for Dignity Programme attended an event held at Derby Kingsway Hospital alongside members of the project team.

The pioneering new mental health facilities are delivered as part of the Trust’s ambitious £150 million Making Room for Dignity Programme – a project using a blend of central, regional and Trust funding to completely revamp the county’s mental health inpatient (hospital) facilities.

The works include the Derwent Unit, a 54-bed mental health facility for Adult Acute Care at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, and the Carsington Unit, another 54-bed mental health facility for Adult Acute Care as well as a 14-bed Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at Kingsway Hospital in Derby.

Every room across both Adult Acute Care facilities will be en-suite and temperature controlled, with the facilities also including a shared therapy suite, kitchen, indoor fitness room, online library resource room, arts room and access to a secured roof terrace and garden for wards on the first floor.

James Beardmore, Project Manager at IHP, said: “We are proud to celebrate this significant milestone for these important projects and the exemplary collaboration demonstrated by the project team. We look forward to delivering these adult acute care facilities for the Trust’s ambitious Making Room for Dignity Programme. Once completed, they will greatly improve mental healthcare services across the region.”

Geoff Neild, at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Derwent Unit at Chesterfield and Carsington Unit at Derby form the backbone of our dormitory eradication programme giving each service user their own en-suite bedroom.

“For those service users from Derbyshire requiring intensive psychiatric care there is currently no provision within the county and our service users are currently placed in out-of-area facilities. This has a huge impact on the ability of family and loved ones to provide support at a time when it is often most needed. Kingfisher House will provide a 14 bedded unit meeting the needs of male service users in Derbyshire. Along with the newly refurbished Audrey House the Trust can meet the majority of the needs of both male and female service users requiring high acuity facilities.

“I am delighted that these new facilities will give staff, service users, family and friends fantastic settings in which to deliver or receive therapeutic care and support.”

topping-out_group-photograph

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Transition Chesterfield opens Eco Hub thanks to community funding

Transition Chesterfield has benefited from Chesterfield Borough Council’s community grant funding, enabling them to open an Eco Hub in the town.

Based on Low Pavement in Chesterfield, the Eco Hub is a pilot project that will work with residents to:

  • Improve their awareness of ‘Transition Chesterfield’ and the aims and objectives of the community group
  • Improve their awareness of climate action and the protection of the environment
  • Improve their understanding of net zero and a more sustainable Chesterfield
  • Access further learning and volunteer opportunities

Transition Chesterfield was one of the local organisations to benefit from the first round of funding, receiving £2,500 to open the new hub in the town centre.

The Eco Hub is initially open every Friday from 10am to 12.30pm until May 2024 and may open at other times if successful in recruiting enough volunteers.

The Hub at Low Pavement itself is open most days though for other community-based activities.

A total of £59,965 has been awarded to 16 local groups via the council’s new Community Grants Funding scheme so far, and applications for the second round of funding are now open.

The council is looking for grant applications from community groups and local voluntary organisations in Chesterfield and surrounding areas who have climate focused projects to deliver.

Karl Deakin, a volunteer with Transition Chesterfield, said: “We’re excited to win this funding which gives us a much-needed base for our activities. Our hub project will encourage interest and participation amongst residents to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s also a great opportunity for people to volunteer to help our environment and meet new people.”

Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning, and environment said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges humanity faces worldwide, and it needs us all to consider how we can make individual changes to our routines as well as how we can will make substantial changes in the borough of Chesterfield.

“Community groups can play a huge part in helping to educate and inform our communities so we would love to hear about any local project ideas that could benefit from the available grant funding.

“Chesterfield Borough Council has more than £118,000 available to eligible local groups in this financial year (2023/24) so we are encouraging as many people as possible to find out more about the scheme and submit an application.”

The funding allocated through the grant scheme will support local groups to deliver projects that will build resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices.

Funding can also be used by community projects to develop volunteering opportunities, help people prepare to get in to work, and to support organisations to expand their reach into different areas of the borough.

Grants range from £500 to £6,000, and the deadline for applications for phase two is Friday 27 October.

Further information about the Community Grant Scheme, including details of how to apply can be found on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/community-grants-fund.

Funding for Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

transition chesterfield eco hub

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Spectacular new light show announced to mark 30 years of the Bolsover Lantern Parade

The Bolsover Lantern Parade is set to return for its 30th year, and a new light show is coming to Bolsover Castle to mark the milestone this December.

Bright Winter Nights is an immersive light experience that will take place within the castle’s walls on Friday 1st December, the day before the lantern parade. Light projections, images and sounds from the last three decades will bring the castle walls to life, featuring the stories of local people and their lantern parade experiences.

Visitors can also view a newly commissioned community film as part of the magical evening, which has been created using stories and memories from local people.

The event is being organised in partnership with local Bolsover-based charity, the Freedom Project and English Heritage.

There will be 750 tickets available, costing £2 per child and £3 for adults.

Emily Bowman, Managing Director at Junction Arts said: “Bolsover is very close to our hearts and so we’re delighted to be bringing another exciting event to the town, to mark the 30th year of the lantern parade.

“Bright Winter Nights promises to shine a light on the amazing community spirit and creativity that exists in Bolsover, telling the story of the last three decades within the walls of the famous Bolsover Castle.”

Mark North, Freedom Founder and CEO said: “The Lantern Parade has been an important part of our community for the last 30 years. It has given us a sense of togetherness and excitement and we look forward to Bright Winter Nights and taking in the memories of other members of the Bolsover Community and beyond”.

A spokesperson for Bolsover Castle said: “We always love playing a part in the Lantern Parade so when Junction Arts asked us to work with them to celebrate its 30th anniversary, we jumped at the chance. We want the Castle to be at the centre of the community in Bolsover, for residents to really connect with their heritage and to use the space to celebrate the amazing talent we have in the town.

“It will be a night to remember as the Castle comes to life not only with our fantastic illuminations but the creativity and passion of the Bolsover community.”

The first Bolsover Lantern Parade took place on Saturday 26th November 1994 as part of the Bolsover Victorian Festival. Organised by Junction Arts in partnership with community partners, the event has become a cultural tradition for generations of people. Growing year-on-year, the Bolsover Lantern Parade is now one of the UK’s biggest and oldest light parades.

Bright Winter Nights, The Bolsover Christmas Market and the Bolsover Lantern Parade are all part of the NEW Bolsover Winter Festival – a weekend of festive fun that marks the start of the winter season. More information about all the events taking place can be found on the Visit Bolsover website: https://www.visitbolsover.co.uk/events/bwf/

You can view the light show event listing here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/bright-winter-nights-light-show/ and the lantern parade here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-lantern-parade-2021/

To book tickets for the event: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/bolsover-castle-bright-winter-nights-1-dec-23/

Find out more about the wide range of local events for all ages and interests taking place across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Junction Arts supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

bolsover lantern parade junction arts

 

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CarMats.co.uk unveils 7,500 sq ft warehouse in Chesterfield

CarMats.co.uk, a business specialising in UK-manufactured tailored car mats to fit every make and model, has announced the grand opening of its 7,500 sq ft warehouse facility located on Chesterfield Trading Estate.

This new facility is set to play a pivotal role in the company’s ongoing expansion. The spacious facility grants the business the much-needed capacity to diversify its product offerings and creates job opportunities for local talent.

Ash Young, Founder of CarMats.co.uk, shared his thoughts on their new warehouse, the company’s growth journey, the significance of Chesterfield, and their commitment to local job creation.

He commented: “I launched CarMats.co.uk during the COVID-19 lockdown. At the time, I was also running a digital agency in Sheffield. I set an ambitious goal of achieving £1 million in revenue within the first year. I took the leap to document my progress on social media, and gained lots of followers interested in my journey with this start-up. We actually reached the £1 million mark just nine months after launching and, as of 2023, our revenue has reached £5 million.

“Our new warehouse on Chesterfield Trading Estate is a game-changer for us in terms of expanding our business. It brings our remote team together, enabling a more collaborative work environment. Having stock, order processing, customer support, and marketing all under one roof streamlines our operations. Plus, it provides the much-needed space to stock a wider range of products, which is essential for our growth.”

Speaking on how Chesterfield’s strategic location will benefit his business, Ash added: “Chesterfield is the perfect location for our growth plans. It’s got excellent transport connections across the country, which is essential for our distribution network.

“It also provides cost-effective warehouse space and access to a highly skilled local workforce. As we expand, we plan to create more job opportunities in the local area. We’re looking to add another five roles over the next year, with the first hire planned for November. We’re excited about contributing to local employment.

“Personally, this move is significant for me. It brings our team together in a physical location, which is great for collaboration, but as a Chesterfield resident, it also allows me to balance my work with family life. I still want to be able to do the school run every day!”

Looking to locate your business in an area with superb transport links and affordable premises? Look no further than Chesterfield. Find out more about investment opportunities in the town.

CarMats.co.uk supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

car mats chesterfield trading estate

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