About Chesterfield

Two new mental health support services open in Chesterfield

A charity has partnered with the NHS to open two new crisis support services in Chesterfield, providing support for those with mental health concerns.

The first of the two services to open is the crisis house in Chesterfield, which opened on 18 September, and the safe haven in Chesterfield which will open its doors on 26 October, both run by charity – P3.

The new crisis house will provide 24/7 residential support for those referred by NHS mental health professionals at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, while the safe haven will offer out-of-hours support on a self-referral basis every day of the week between 4.30pm to 12am for anyone who is struggling and needs a friendly face to talk to, including during the festive period.

P3, the social inclusion charity, work with people to change their lives for the better, providing a variety of services all across the UK, that aim to give everyone the chance to be part of the community they live in and feel connected.

The crisis house, safe haven and urgent crisis drop in service are part of a wider programme of partnership activity led by NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Joined Up Care Derbyshire which aims to improve outcomes for people and reduce the need for people to attend hospital Emergency Departments when they are experiencing immediate mental health needs.

Other elements of the programme that are already established include the 24/7 Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service, the crisis house and safe haven in Derby as well as the mental health street triage service across Derbyshire.

Jenny Appleby, Head of Adult Mental Health Commissioning at NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a fantastic new addition to our local offer for people with immediate mental health needs.

“We are so pleased that this is up and running and it really responds to what local people have told us they need. It is the result of collaboration between community and voluntary sector and statutory organisations, working together with local people.”

Fiona White, Area Service Manager at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that these local services are open to the people of North Derbyshire. These services will be a great addition to our crisis and helpline services.”

Ann-Marie Humphries, Operations Manager at P3 Derbyshire, is pleased to announce the launch of these new services. Ann-Marie said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to support people living in Derbyshire to access the right support for their mental health at the right time.

“We have seen the success of the Safe Haven in Derby and hope the Chesterfield service achieves the same positive outcomes, benefitting people in the area.”

If you or a loved one are experiencing distress or anxiety, or feeling that you cannot cope, please contact Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service on 0800 028 0077 for support over the phone.

For more information on the crisis support drop-ins as well as job opportunities for the service please visit the Derbyshire Mind website.

mental health support centre chesterfield

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Chesterfield gastro pub awarded 3 AA rosettes

A pub in the picturesque village of Holymoorside, on the outskirts of Chesterfield has won 3 coveted AA Rosettes at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards.

The Bulls Head was crowned with the accolade at a glittering awards ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, hosted by TV presenter Claudia Winkleman.

The prestigious awards span 15 categories, and is one of the industry’s most highly anticipated events, celebrating the UK’s top hotels, restaurants, and pubs and the people behind them.

The Bulls Head is set on the edge of the Peak District National Park and has a widespread reputation for fine dining. Their overall aim is to provide a high-quality dining experience using produce that is fresh, seasonal and locally sourced.

The Bulls Head has roots dating back to 1881 and great care has been taken during recent renovation of the rooms to preserve the building’s original features, such as stone walls and wooden beams

Mark Aisthorpe, patron, aged 31, who shot to fame in 2022 after appearing on hit BBC show Great British Menu, said: “I would like to thank the AA for this award and we fully respect the trust that has been placed upon us. This prestigious award is a supreme accolade for The Bulls Head. I am so proud of what the Bulls Head stands for and the magnificent efforts of each and every member of the team.”

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media said: “Every year we present awards to the very best AA-rated hotels, restaurants, spas and their teams across the UK. We introduced the renowned star rating scheme for quality in 1908 and are honoured to shine a well-deserved spotlight on individuals and establishments who consistently deliver excellence to their guests.”

Chesterfield has a quiet food revolution happening – with award-winning restaurants that are attracting national media recognition, and independent coffee shops and pubs with a belief in local produce.

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Chesterfield Champions collaborate to secure 50 jobs at historic local bakery

Two Chesterfield Champions have played a key part in securing the future of Jacksons, a historic bakery in Chesterfield.

Allen Jackson Bakery Limited, part of Lifft Group Limited, has acquired Jacksons the Bakers in a deal which has safeguarded dozens of local jobs.

With its history dating back as far as the late 19th century, Jacksons supplies a wide range of wholesale clients including schools, supermarkets, and English Football League Clubs, operating out of its head office, bakery and factory shop in Clay Cross.

The business also has a retail shop in Chesterfield town centre and is well known across the region for its quality baked goods, as well as its support of the local community including supplying Ashgate Hospice with fresh bread and cakes for patients and staff free of charge.

The acquisition, which completed earlier this month for an undisclosed sum with a turnaround time of just two weeks, follows news that the company had gone into administration amidst challenging trading conditions following the COVID 19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, including rising energy costs.

Andrew Fielder from Chesterfield law firm Banner Jones, and Andrew McDaid from Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, advised Allen Jackson Bakery Limited on the purchase of the company’s trade and assets.

Looking to the future the company’s new owners say they hope to build on its heritage and success over the years in order to establish new contracts with local independent pubs, restaurants, and cafes.

Commenting on the deal Allen Jackson Bakery Limited founder and Lifft Group Limited Director, Giles Allen, said it formed part of group’s strategic growth ambitions to expand its portfolio of businesses which operate commercial fleets and companies specialising in transport training.

He added that the move was also aligned to the group’s ethical, social and governance values (ESG), and its commitment to invest in companies that can help to create sustainable job opportunities in the local area.

“Jacksons the Bakers is a wonderful bakery which employs great people. It has an impressive heritage dating back more than 100 years, and a long-standing reputation for supporting the local community,” Giles commented.

“Like many businesses it has faced some challenges in recent years, brought about by the pandemic and increasing operating costs, but it also has an expansive, loyal customer base and there is considerable opportunity for further growth and expansion.

“We are delighted to be bringing Jacksons into the group, and to have secured the company’s continued presence in Chesterfield. We hope everyone in the community will now get behind the business and help us to grow by buying local.”

Andrew McDaid, Partner at Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers who acted as a representative for Giles in his negotiations with the administrators, added: “It great to work alongside ambitious, entrepreneurs such as Giles who share our passion for Chesterfield and want to improve the economic prosperity of the area.

“At a time when there has been so much in the press about businesses shutting down, resulting in thousands of redundancies, we are pleased to have been able to work together quickly to ensure that jobs were safeguarded, and the business moves forward.”

Andrew Fielder from Banner Jones added: “Banner Jones is delighted to have acted for Allen Jackson Bakery Limited in its acquisition of Jacksons the Bakers. The purchase has secured the future of a well-respected local business and protected the jobs of the businesses’ employees.

“We wish the new owners every success moving forwards.”

Chesterfield is excellently located on the edge of the Peak District, and well-connected to several major cities with road and rail links. Find out more about investment opportunities in the town.

Banner Jones Solicitors and Mitchells Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Jacksons the Bakers with Banner Jones and Mitchells

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Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care owner takes prestigious national award

Chesterfield’s Dawn Brown, founder, and owner of Rose Cottage Luxury Doggy Hotel & Daycare, has been awarded the prestigious title of “Best Businesswomen in the Animal Services Sector 2023.”

The esteemed recognition highlights Dawn’s exceptional contributions and dedication to the industry.

Since its inception, Rose Cottage Luxury Doggy Hotel & Daycare has been at the forefront of providing exceptional animal services, setting new standards in the industry.

Through innovative approaches, personalised care, and a genuine love for animals, Dawn has created a business that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of pet owners.

The award, presented by Best Businesswomen Awards is a testament to Dawn’s unwavering commitment to excellence in the animal services sector. With a passion for animals and a deep understanding of their needs, Dawn has built a thriving business that has become a benchmark for quality and professionalism.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award,” said Dawn. “It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of myself and my entire team at Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare & Luxury Dog Hotel part of the amazing DogLand Ltd. We are passionate about providing the best possible care for animals and this recognition further motivates us to continue raising the bar in our industry.”

Dawn’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the services provided by Rose Cottage Doggy Hotel & Daycare. She actively participates in community initiatives, promoting responsible pet ownership, and supporting local animal welfare organisations. Her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of animals and their owners has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and clients alike.

Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare and Doggy Hotel supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

dawn rose cottage award 2

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Revamp for popular stretch of Chesterfield Canal towpath

A 3-mile stretch of Chesterfield Canal towpath is set to undergo key maintenance work, providing a revamp for the popular route.

Resurfacing work will take place between Brimington Road, near Tapton and Works Road, Hollingwood, along with work to widen the path in places.

The work, which is expected to take 2-3 months, is to keep the towpath fit for purpose for cyclists, walkers and other canal visitors.

The public footpath along the route will be closed on occasion but only when necessary to maintain the safety of the public and of the workforce.

Derbyshire County Council says all efforts will be made to keep the towpath accessible and any closures should last no more than a few days. There will be signs on the route to indicate when it is closed and announcements on the Chesterfield Canal page of Derbyshire County Council’s website and the Tapton Lock Facebook page

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “This towpath is a well-used route for off-road commuting and leisure and that it’s important to keep the path well-maintained to encourage more walking and cycling as well as to retain the area’s appeal for visitors.

“We will carry out the work with the least disruption possible to users and keep people informed as it progresses.”

Sustrans’ National Cycle Network route 67 and the Trans Pennine Trail are both routed along the towpath which is an important part of our cycle network.

The work has been part funded by £108,000 from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy. This levy is paid by developers towards infrastructure. A further £145,000 for the work has been allocated from central government to our Highways Capital Maintenance Programme for Cycleways.

Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “The Chesterfield Canal is a key attraction in our borough and it is fantastic that we have secured funding for these improvements through our Community Infrastructure Levy.

“This levy is charged on certain new developments in Chesterfield and is used to improve infrastructure including roads, parks and primary schools for the benefit of the local community.

“I look forward to the towpath works being completed to help our residents and visitors explore our historic canal.”

canal walking festival 873

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Chesterfield taxi firm announces rebrand

Chesterfield’s leading private hire service City Taxis is changing its name to Veezu, following their acquisition by the Veezu Group earlier this year.

This rebrand marks a significant milestone in their journey towards revolutionising transportation services in Chesterfield and neighbouring areas.

Established in the 1980s, City Taxis began with 34 cars and a paper booking system. Over the years, City Taxis has grown exponentially and extended its reach across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, largely thanks to strategic acquisitions, including the well-loved Chesterfield taxi company Club Taxis, in 2016.

In February 2023, City Taxis joined forces with Veezu, an alliance that promises not only a name change but a complete transformation of the way driver-partners connect with passengers and their communities.

Veezu’s Group Innovation Director, Scott Ashmore, expressed his excitement, saying: “The rebrand is more than a name change. We are firmly putting the Veezu name on the map in Chesterfield and are committed to serving the local community. We’re introducing new technology to make it easier for people to access transportation and are building on our hyperlocal activities to ensure we remain at the heart of our communities.”

Whilst passengers can call the usual Chesterfield number 01246 222 222, Veezu is introducing a new mobile app so that passengers can skip call queues and book their rides in a matter of seconds. Veezu offers multiple payment options, including Google Pay, Apple Pay, AirPay, card, or cash, making travel even more convenient for passengers.

Veezu is proud to be the UK’s fastest-growing private hire technology platform, with a track record of helping passengers in local communities complete an average of one ride every two seconds in 2022.

As part of its rebranding efforts, Veezu is excited to unveil an extensive marketing campaign entitled ‘Smarter Local Rides’ in the Derbyshire PHV market. The campaign also introduces its ‘funded by Veezu’ local community initiatives to residents across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Driver-partners, local businesses and passengers are invited to embrace the Veezu identity and continue its mission to provide safe, efficient, and affordable transportation services to the communities of Chesterfield and beyond.

The new Veezu app is available for download at www.appsend.me/veezu

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

City Taxis rebrands to Veezu (Chesterfield)

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Top marks for Chesterfield in regional ‘In Bloom’ competition

Chesterfield has scored top marks in the East Midlands In Bloom competition.

The town has once again won the Best Small City category, alongside a Gold Award – improving its score from last year.

As well as winning the overall Small City category, the town also won a number of other awards including a Judge’s Discretionary Award for Hunloke Allotments, Least Littered Community, a Gold Award for the Britannia Inn and Best New Permanent Landscape for the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Representatives from the Chesterfield In Bloom committee and Chesterfield Borough Council were presented with the award at a ceremony on Wednesday 20 September.

Councillor Jonathan Davies, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It is absolutely brilliant that we have managed to win this competitive category once again and the other awards are also a fantastic victory for our borough. I want to thank all the volunteers and officers who put their time and effort into supporting our entry every year.

“Awards like this are important because they help raise the profile of our town but also recognise the way in which fantastic green spaces can have a positive impact in our community.”

Chris Turner, chair of the Chesterfield In Bloom committee, said: “There is a lot of preparation from many different community groups and the council to ensure the borough is looking its best in time for judging. I’m delighted that we’ve won this award again, it’s fantastic to be recognised for our efforts.”

Judging for East Midlands In Bloom took place in July and the judges were taken on a tour of the borough, starting in Queen’s Park, they visited the town centre, the Dementia Awareness Garden, the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, Holmebrook Valley Country Park, the Britannia Inn, Hunloke Allotments, Brimington community garden and the pocket park on Edinburgh Road Park.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield – a great day out or to stay, located in the centre of the UK.

Chesterfield in Bloom July 2023

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Construction progressing on major cold store expansion for Magnavale

Magnavale, one of the UK’s leading providers of temperature-controlled storage, has announced that its development currently taking place at its Chesterfield cold storage facility has made significant progress, and is on track to be completed in late 2024.

Since breaking ground in February 2023, construction of Magnavale’s Chesterfield cold storage expansion has progressed smoothly. As of August 2023, the company reports that the steel framework is now complete, and the installation of insulated wall and roof panels is also nearing completion.

A Magnavale spokesperson said: “Over the month of September, the construction crew will be finishing the roof membrane and intumescent painting of the new steelwork. Concurrently, work will commence on the small plant rooms and internal services including electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and other systems.

“On completion, the expansion will add a significant 25,000 pallet positions to the cold stores’ existing capacity of 44,000, bringing the total pallet capacity of the facility to 69,000, making it one of the largest cold stores in the area.

“This expansion will not only accommodate the increasing volumes of Magnavale’s existing customers but also open doors to new customers wanting to utilise Magnavale’s temperature-controlled facilities and value-added services.
The facility features one of the most comprehensive portfolios of value-added services, encompassing, blast freezing, microwave up-tempering and contract packing.

“Coupled with its strategic location, just off the M1, Magnavale Chesterfield is extremely desirable for food manufacturers that wish to cut unnecessary cost, risk, and complexity from their cold chain.”

Well served by the M1 and the Midland Mainline, Chesterfield is within one hour’s drive of four major airports and London is under two hours by rail. Find out more about why the town is perfectly located to base your business.

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

magnavale cold store expansion

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Investors praise Chesterfield’s location and lifestyle in new campaign

A series of short films celebrating small and medium-sized companies investing in Chesterfield during 2023 have been premiered online by Destination Chesterfield, the organisation responsible for promoting Derbyshire’s largest town as a place to invest, work, live and visit.

The Why Chesterfield, Why Now? films, which are being published and promoted across a range of online and social media channels, including YouTube and the Destination Chesterfield website, seek to inspire more businesses to locate in Chesterfield and attract investors to the Chesterfield Investment Summit, which will take place in October.

They feature four companies – ChargedEV, Rosewood Wealth Management, NeoDyne and Voeberg Hospitality – that have already created more than 100 jobs in Chesterfield and are expected to invest over £5.6 million in the town’s facilities over the next ten years.

All four business leaders featured in the films cited Chesterfield’s central location and transport connections as significant benefits of being located in the town. They also mentioned lifestyle, access to talent and a supportive investment environment as reasons to base businesses in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield will hold its eighth annual investment summit on 18 October 2023, which will outline the town’s growth strategy, detail new investment opportunities, and provide an update on development activities. More than 200 delegates, including domestic and commercial property investors and business leaders from the UK, are expected to attend the event, which is sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend.

Data shared in Chesterfield’s growth strategy, published in April 2023, show the town’s business population grew by more than a fifth (21 per cent) in the last decade and created 2,000 new jobs. Chesterfield aims to attract 400 more businesses and a further 2,000 jobs by 2030.

Matt Close, UK Business Lead at NeoDyne, an Irish industrial automation and electrical engineering company that opened its first UK office at Spire Walk in August, said: “There’s a huge benefit to be able to go and see our manufacturing customers and their processes. Getting to them easily and quickly is why we’ve opened the UK office, and Chesterfield is close to many areas that undertake manufacturing in the UK. There are good transport links from airports, public transport and the road network, a history of engineering excellence in the area, and several local universities we’re partnering with and have recruited from.”

Emily Smith, Director of Voeberg, the property investment company developing The Holywell Hotel in Chesterfield town centre, comments: “We moved from Scotland almost two years ago looking for a new investment area for our residential and commercial projects. Chesterfield was one of the first places we looked at because of the location, and it stood out because of the demand in the area. Chesterfield gave us that kind of local feeling that you don’t get in big cities and the ability to bring something new to the area. Going through this project, we’ve worked closely with the council, which has been massively supportive.”

Mark Pymm, Founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV, an electric vehicle chargepoint installation specialist which relocated to The HQ in March, comments: “We’re already one of the leading installers of EV charging points in the UK, and we expect to maintain that position. We needed new premises that allowed us to grow and scale our customer operations and office-based functions, and this building was prime for that. We chose to maintain a team in Chesterfield because of its transport links and central location, which offer easy access nationwide, and because of the diverse and talented range of people we can get here.”

Donna Robertson, Director of Rosewood Wealth Management, an independent financial advice company relocating to One Waterside Place, part of Chesterfield Waterside, comments: “Chesterfield has a great community feel, people do want to help each other out. It is exciting to be part of that and to be able to grow the business and give back to the community. It was great to get in when Chesterfield Waterside was just starting to take off, and be here from the start, knowing how amazing this development is going to be.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Entrepreneurs and SMEs are vital for economic growth and Chesterfield provides this section of the business community with everything they need to thrive. Businesses in Chesterfield enjoy a strategic location in the centre of the UK, offering access to great talent, great transport links and a great quality of life. Chesterfield is investing in the facilities and homes required to deliver sustained growth, support local startups and scaleups, and attract great people and businesses from elsewhere looking for a compelling alternative to big cities.”

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.

The HQ Chesterfield Charged EV

 

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Approval granted for Staveley Waterside regeneration project

Approval has been granted for the Staveley Waterside project, which will revitalise the Staveley Canal Basin site.

£2.664 million has been earmarked from the Staveley Town Deal fund, to enable Derbyshire County Council to construct a 2-storey building, offering flexible space for new and existing small businesses, some retail use, and a food and beverage opportunity, with indoor and outdoor dining space, along with an access road, and mooring space.

A total of 11 units are planned within the centre, each equipped with kitchen and restroom facilities, while a new 40-metre footpath is planned along Hall Lane.

The project aims to encourage more visitors to use the canal and will also create space for around ten new businesses. Proposals were unanimously approved recently by councillors at Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee.

Councillor Tony King, cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve put together proposals for an exciting new development, which will help to bring jobs to the area and boost the visitor economy.

“Derbyshire County Council has been working alongside partners over a number of years to improve the Staveley Basin area and the Staveley Town Deal has given us a great opportunity to turn our ideas into reality, using our expertise from Markham Vale to create high-quality business accommodation as well as a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”

The Staveley Town Deal is a £25 million fund, which will bring forward multiple employment sites, and bring higher-level skilled jobs to the area.

As part of the Staveley Town Deal, Chesterfield Canal Trust is working on the restoration of the canal by extending it from the existing limit at Eckington Road. As well as improving outdoor space and creating new leisure infrastructure, it is expected that the restoration project will lead to a 20% increase in visitors to the Staveley area boosting the amount of money spent in the local economy.

Find out more about the range of benefits associated with locating your organisation in Chesterfield.

staveley waterside

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Sustainability Summit encourages green growth across the East Midlands

East Midlands Chamber has praised the ‘shining examples of success’ of green growth in our regional business community at its latest Sustainability Summit.

The event explored how to unlock the green growth for SMEs and the wider East Midlands economy – across themes including leadership, innovation, international trade and best practice.

It took place against a backdrop in which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the Government will water down net zero policies, including delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and phasing out gas boilers.

Speakers at the Sustainability Summit said “flip-flopping” over net zero commitments from Westminster created huge uncertainty that undermined long-term investments and would ultimately harm the UK’s quest to become a global leader in the green economy.

About 200 people representing organisations from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire gathered for the event, held in partnership with the University of Derby, Mazars, Thompson Tree Services and Epson.

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “We heard at our Sustainability Summit about some of the great things that businesses are doing in pursuing green growth and the very tangible rewards they are reaping with innovation and financial growth.

“These are the shining examples of success we can glean from embracing net zero, which means viewing it as not just a challenge but a golden opportunity.

“Yet while our national leaders correctly talk up the research and development strengths of our businesses and ambitions to be a global leader in developing low-carbon goods and services, there is a huge disconnect between this messaging and Government policy – as evidenced by the Prime Minister’s ill-judged shifting of the goalposts on our country’s net zero commitments.

“We saw first-hand the impact policy flip-flopping has on business decision-making during the chaotic political landscape of 2022, which quashed business confidence and thus investment. The lack of certainty about the future direction of our economy will unfortunately have a similar impact at a time when we should be encouraging transformational long-term investment.

“Having net zero targets is one thing, but to get us there we require a roadmap that will be led by business innovation. The vacillating from our political leaders instead undermines our ability to make real progress in this space and we instead find ourselves stuck in limbo when it comes to the most significant economic opportunity of our lifetime.”

Findings from the Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands research conducted by the Chamber and University of Derby were discussed by report author Dr Polina Baranova, associate professor of strategy and sustainability.

It showed the proportion of East Midlands businesses that have made any income from environmentally-friendly goods and services dropped from 45% in 2022 to 36% in 2023, decarbonisation investment varies significantly according to business size and sector, and a widening gap in business support and information.

Dr Baranova said this illustrated not only the impact of the cost-of-doing business crisis but the “fragility” of the current policy landscape, with green growth yet to be a firmly embedded business philosophy.

Other highlights at the Sustainability Summit included:

  • East Midlands Chamber president Stuart Dawkins discussed how sustainability is at the heart of businesses’ responsibility to support their communities and future generations
  • Professor Chris Bushell, pro vice-chancellor and head of sustainability at the University of Derby, outlined how the institution is taking a lead in the net zero agenda via its research, innovation, thought leadership and knowledge capital
  • Ian Meikle, director of clean growth at Innovate UK, explained how Britain can create jobs and sustainable economic growth by developing its own low-carbon products and services, but this required stable policy and regulation, innovation in business models and supply chains, and a step-change in access to capital
  • Chris Fuggle, global head of sustainability services at audit, tax and advisory services firm Mazars, provided practical strategies to upskill leadership teams on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda and embedding sustainability at board level
  • Charlie de la Haye, communications manager at Epson UK, gave an insight into how the global printing manufacturer had pivoted its business model to deliver green goods and services while demonstrating how it could deliver cost-saving benefits to customers.

Chris Hobson speaking at the East Midlands Chamber sustainability summit

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