About Chesterfield

Proact to stage Blades U23 matches

The Proact Stadium will stage the majority of Sheffield United’s competitive U23 matches during the 2019/20 season.

The two clubs have agreed a deal for United’s oldest development age group to use the Proact, with games scheduled to be played on a Monday whenever possible. Matches will not be played the day before a Chesterfield home fixture.

Season ticket holders of both clubs will be admitted to the U23 games free of charge.

Spireites chief executive Graham Bean said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the players and staff from Sheffield United’s U23s to the Proact. This will hopefully be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the two clubs.

“I would like to thank the representatives of both clubs who have spent time on putting this agreement together.”

Blades boss Chris Wilder is expected to bring a full-strength first-team squad to the Proact for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 23 (7.30pm).

A limited number of hospitality places remain for this fixture, priced at just £35 for adults and £20 for U16s. The reduced cost for SBK Spires Restaurant members is £25/15. To book, please visit www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk and click the ‘Tickets’ tab.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Region’s leading estate agency in top 3% nationally

Redbrik has once again been ranked as one of the award-winning agencies – representing the top 3% of agencies in the country – following this year’s assessment for the Best Estate Agent Guide.

Last year Redbrik was named the number one estate agency in the region in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2019, which assessed the performance of 25,000 branches across the UK, at the EA Masters Awards. They will find out in November which award it will add to its growing list of industry accolades by the leading nationwide guide.

The ranking takes into account more than a million properties listed at any point in the last six months, plus more than 1.5 million transactions, 25 million leads, 1.5 billion property views and 50,000 mystery shops. Also, each branch then audited and scored against a unique set of performance and customer service data.

Estate agent branches which display a Best Estate Agent Guide rating are among the best in the country, with the marks providing an essential indication of the quality of each agent.

Redbrik director Mark Ross, who co-founded the business in 2013, said: “This is another incredible achievement for Redbrik. Since we founded the company just over six years ago, we have continually sought to improve and find better solutions for our customers.

“Awards and recognition from the Best Estate Agent Guide are as good as it gets in our industry.

“Recognition such as this cannot be bought; agencies are put through stringent examination that it is a real demonstration of the hard work which goes into continuously ensuring that our customers receive the best service.

“It’s such an exciting time for us as a business as we continue to grow and evolve. We are working with our amazing team, as well as adding the very best new talent, to keep improving and offer more and better quality service lines to our customers.”

Mark Ross, Redbrik Estate Agents

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New jobs on the way as Superior Spas announces £1.6m expansion

The UK’s largest independent distributor of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas, ‘Superior Spas’, located in Chesterfield, has successfully secured £1.6m funding to complete its planned expansion, which will see the family brand relocate to specialist 20,000 sq ft premises.

The announced expansion comes as a result of continuing growth and success, which has seen the family-run company quickly become the UK’s leading name in high-end spas. In addition to helping the brand to expand its European reach and capacity, ‘Superior Spas’ is excited to announce the move will also create 30 brand new jobs for the local community.

Currently based in Brimington’s Station Road, ‘Superior Spas’ will be moving to a state-of-the-art warehouse location, which will provide the brand with comprehensive showroom, offices and parking facilities at the former GKN Stokes site, on Sheepbridge Lane in Chesterfield.

Being a family-owned business built on a foundation of family values, ‘Superior Spas’ is committed to playing an active part in supporting the local community. Reflecting this commitment, the company is thrilled to be creating 30 new local jobs as a direct result of the expansion.

Superior Spas was able to obtain financial support for the ambitious expansion, securing £750k from NatWest with the support of Relationship Director, William Islip and also a £150k loan from University of Derby’s Invest to Grow programme.

Assisted by the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Access to Finance team, Superior Spas has also secured a £249k grant from the Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund.

Neil MacDonald, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board Member, said: “The Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund helps businesses across the region to unlock investment to secure growth and jobs. It’s great to see Superior Spas’ expansion, which is in turn creating 30 new jobs for the region and helping to grow our economy.”

Andrew McDaid, a Partner from Mitchells Chartered Accountants who supported Superior Spas with the raising of finance, said: “Having maximised turnover from their current location, the next natural step was to secure funding for larger premises to enable Superior Spas to continue its growth strategy in Europe.

“We specialise in helping businesses grow, assisting firms of all sizes, to overcome big challenges. We are delighted to assist Superior Spas’ expansion into new premises and drive the company forward in an exciting period of growth.”

On completion the newly built warehouse will bring many benefits to the company including more efficient storage, which will dramatically reduce despatch timescales, a high-end showroom and larger offices allowing for the expansion of the workforce.

The Managing Director of ‘Superior Spas’, Robert Carlin, commented: “The move to our new premises will bring with it a range of benefits to both the company and the local community. The facility will dramatically improve our efficiency by reducing dispatch times, whilst also providing a high-end showroom and offices.

Mr Carlin continued: “With our UK and European business growing year on year, we’re happy to confirm that we’ll be needing another 30 employees to support our success. As a leader in our marketplace, we’d simply outgrown our old premises and needed more modern space to continue moving from strength to strength, both in the UK and abroad.”

Superior Spas is the UK's largest independent distributor of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Local Enterprise Partnership decision

Chesterfield Borough Council has resolved to remain as a member of Derby Derbyshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire (D2N2) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and to relinquish its membership of Sheffield City Region (SCR) LEP. The Council will, however, remain a non-constituent member of the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a decision that I neither take lightly nor is it a decision that I believe is necessary. But there is no option if we are to comply with the Government’s requirement for Chesterfield’s businesses and communities to in future be represented by a single LEP.”

“Chesterfield’s businesses and communities have benefitted greatly from the Council being a member of both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP since 2013 with £60 million plus of external funds having been secured for investment in infrastructure, business growth, skills and employment support.”

“We would like this position to continue, however, Whitehall appears determined not to allow the geographies of two LEPs to overlap.”

At a meeting of full Council on 27 February this year, councillors received and considered a detailed report on the Government’s July 2018 review of LEPs.

Councillors noted in particular that councils were to be represented by one LEP from April 2020 contrasting with the position that has existed across many parts of England since 2013 where the businesses and communities of particular local authority areas have been represented by two or more LEPs. This has been the case in Chesterfield borough, where our businesses and communities have been represented by both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP.

Councillors also noted the Secretary of State’s statement that there would be consequences for non-compliant LEPs. This would include withholding payment of additional capacity funds to support LEPs to develop their respective Local Industrial Strategies and reducing the value of post-Brexit funding allocations (UK Shared Prosperity Fund).

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, continued: “I have a responsibility to act in the best interests of Chesterfield borough’s businesses and communities and indeed of all businesses and communities located within the D2N2 and SCR geographies in not limiting the ability of the two LEPs to realise the full value of their respective post-Brexit funding entitlements.”

“By taking this decision today, D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP will be able to finalise their respective proposals to the Government for geographies which best reflect real functional economic areas and remove overlaps.”

“Whilst our LEP membership will remain with D2N2, Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to maintain an active interest in SCR through its non-constituent membership of the Mayoral Combined Authority. This is viewed as essential to ensure the future alignment of D2N2’s and SCR’s key strategies on critical cross-boundary matters such as HS2 and strategic road networks.”

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re pleased that Chesterfield Borough Council has confirmed its decision to remain a member of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership area. The UK Government had requested that all local authorities, located where two Local Enterprise Partnerships’ areas overlap, must decide which LEP they wished to be a member of.”

“We very much recognise that the borough’s location means its communities look towards both Yorkshire and Derbyshire.”

“We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Sheffield City Region LEP, to provide the Chesterfield area with the best support for its economy.”

The Leader of the Council will provide a full account of the reasons behind the decisions now made at the next meeting of full Council, which takes place on 17 July.

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

2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards finalists announced

The nominations are in and the finalists for the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards have been announced, with three eateries vying for the overall title of Restaurant of the Year.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, and sponsored by The Chesterfield College Group, the prestigious awards ceremony will return for its seventh year, recognising the very best in the town’s growing food and drink sector.

A total of 27 businesses have been shortlisted across nine categories. Bottle & Thyme, Ciuri Ciuri Restaurant and Lombardi’s all hoping to take the top title.

This year, 7 of the businesses have been nominated for the first time and 5 are hoping to defend their 2018 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards titles, including Bottle & Thyme which, last year, won the coveted title of Best Restaurant.

As well as some of Chesterfield’s best loved venues, three of Chesterfield’s newer businesses are also shortlisted in this year’s awards. Patisserie Valerie, Pig & Pump and Sorbo Lounge are all recognised in the Best Newcomer category.

All the shortlisted businesses were nominated by members of the public earlier this year. A panel of judges will now visit each shortlisted business to sample food, drinks and service to determine the winner in each category.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “It’s fantastic to see so many new businesses nominated this year, reflecting growth in the town’s food and drink sector.

“Thank you to the people of Chesterfield for getting behind us in the nomination stage, helping us to recognise more businesses than ever in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

“The competition gets stronger every year. Everyone that has been shortlisted in the awards must be congratulated for their commitment to high standards.”

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony which is being held at the Winding Wheel on 23 October later this year and hosted by a soon-to-be announced celebrity chef.

The finalists in each category are:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Bottle & Thyme
Ciuri Ciuri Restaurant
Lombardi’s Restaurant

Cafe/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier Group

The Lilypad Café
H&F Vintage Tea Rooms
Qoozies

Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

The Market Pub
The Rectory
The Red Lion at Peak Edge Hotel

Pub/Bar of the Year

Pump & Grind
The Rose & Crown
The Three Horseshoes

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Chartered Accountants

Afat’s Grill
Pig & Pump
Sorbo Lounge

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Bottle & Thyme
Junction Bar
The Lilypad Café

Best Out of Town – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants

The Horse & Jockey, Wessington
Orangery Restaurant, Darley Dale
Southgate Brasserie, Van Dyk, Clowne

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller

Cocina at Casa Hotel
Dehli 41
O-Tokuda

Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Creative Design

The Bulls Head, Holymoorside
Chesters
The Six Halts, Clay Cross

Conference Venue of the Year
Casa Hotel
Chatsworth House
Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

At the awards in October, winners of a further five categories will also be announced, including Food Producer, Young Chef, Food Hero, Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year.

Other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Casa Hotel, Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.

For more information about the 2019 Chesterfield food and Drink Awards visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Finalists 2019

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Solicitors open new office in North Derbyshire

Commercial law firm Dawson Radford is celebrating the launch of its new office premises. The firm has recently relocated to Barlborough.

Dawson Radford Solicitors is a specialist legal practice, dealing with all aspects of Company and Commercial law.  Owner Joanna Dawson brings over 14 years of experience in Company and Commercial Law.

Jo Dawson said “We really do have some amazing businesses operating in this region, and I’m proud that we can deliver the high quality legal advice they need”

Dawson Radford Solicitors have also made a series of new appointments including the promotion of Jean Holden to Senior Paralegal, and the recruitment of two new interns through the RISE Sheffield City Region initiative.

Team photograph - Dawson Radford

 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Art group for carers donates paintings to Trust base

A Chesterfield art group for carers of people with mental health issues has donated paintings to brighten up one of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s bases in the town.

Reception and office areas at Bayheath House, location for the Chesterfield Central Neighbourhood Team in Rose Hill West, Chesterfield, now look a lot more appealing thanks to the work of the town’s Mental Health Carers’ Art Group.

The art group meets every Friday from 10.30am–12.30pm at Chesterfield Labour Club, in Saltergate, Chesterfield, and members are encouraged to use the group to express themselves – even if they begin by saying they can’t draw.

Karen Wheeler, OT Lead and Professional Lead for Chesterfield Neighbourhood and Central, said: “At a service user and carer engagement meeting, members of the art group suggested that they would love to contribute to enhancing the environment of the waiting room. The local staff worked closely with the carers and our estates team to make this possible.”

Jo Slinn, Admin Manager at Bayheath House, was involved in the major task of organising and hanging the artwork, with subjects ranging from still life and landscape to an impressive series documenting a recovery journey.

Malcolm Grieve runs the art group, which he started about four years ago with the aim of encouraging any carers who enjoy, or might enjoy, creative work which would also give them some relief from their caring responsibilities.

He said: “The group offers two hours of respite and everyone is really encouraging. When we were asked if we would like to contribute some pictures to Bayheath House, of course we said yes. Staff have supported us so well.

“All the evidence is that when patients and carers engage in this sort of activity, people’s mental health and wellbeing improves, so that’s the message we want to get across. I really want to push the importance of art as a therapy.”

Community Art

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Stories of bravery and strength celebrated at the Peak FM Awards 2019

Incredible stories of bravery, resilience and strength were heard as Chesterfield’s biggest local radio station once again hosted the glitzy Peak FM Awards at the Winding Wheel last Thursday.

Red carpet welcomed a VIP audience that ranged from councillors to local businesses who were treated to stellar live performances launched by Britain’s Got Talent’s acrobatic roller-skating duo Rosie and Adam who wowed the audience with an impressive array of stunts setting a dramatic tone for an evening that never failed to excite or move.

Peak FM presenters Ricky, Becky, Craig Bailey and Richie Pearson introduced live acts including Grenfell Tower survivor Leanne Mya who sang a beautiful and poignant rendition of Des Ree’s “You Gotta Be”

The annual Peak FM Awards recognise the outstanding achievement of people from Chesterfield and the surrounding towns often in extraordinary situations.  We heard, for example the story of Annette Fathers whose young son was saved from drowning in a Menorca pool when his quick-thinking grandparents dived in and performed CPR earning them the Adult of Outstanding Bravery Award.

Other highlights included the story of Daniel Jones, who despite a dislocated knee managed to trek across Outer Mongolia in temperatures below minus 30.   Star of the show, though had to be 103 year old Edie Littlewood who was presented with the most prestigious trophy of the night, the Imogen Ellis Award (so named after Imogen herself received a Peak FM Award in 2017 ahead of her tragic death last year to a rare form of bone cancer).

The full list of recipients at the Peak FM Awards 2019:

Homegrown Talent – Charlie & Imogen Clark (aka “Sweet Harmony”)

Carer of the Year – Carla Bartley

Young Fundraiser of the Year – Hayden Hudson

Fundraiser of the Year – Dawn & Robert Mycroft

Special Recognition Award – Daniel Jones

Community Hero Award – Jason Cotton

Family of the Year – The O’ Halloran Family

Exceptional Sporting Achievement – Sophie Widdowson

Adult of Outstanding Bravery – Colin & Maggie Fielding

Child of Courage – Evie-Rose and Benjamin-Mark Wain

Young Person of Courage – Hannah Kinsell

The Imogen Ellis Award – Edie Littlewood

Peak FM Awards 2019

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Pronto Industrial Paints announces major investment in new factory

Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd have announced the acquisition of a new site that will open in the Holmewood community in the near future.

Named PP2, the main investment is an additional factory for Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd located within close proximity to their HQ. The premises will more than treble their existing footprint to 80000 sq. ft.

Further investment in their production site will increase potential output to over 36,000 litres of paint a day.

David Beckford, Managing Director at Pronto, commented “the new purchase comes at a time when other manufacturing businesses are pausing investment, I believe this is a time to be brave and believe in our team and what we can offer. A program of work at Pronto Paints HQ is also underway to make the most of PP2. It is yet to be confirmed how the company will utilise all of the new space. As the building is in need of some restoration we have plenty of time to decide on the most suitable use moving forwards.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Manufacturing

New tourism sector deal set to boost tourism in Peak District and Derbyshire

The Prime Minister announced last week the UK’s first ever Tourism Sector Deal – providing a huge opportunity to boost tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

The Peak District and Derbyshire’s valuable tourism industry is worth over £2.15 billion, attracting 40.45 million visitors each year and supporting over 28,000 jobs.

By 2025 experts predict that there will be an additional 9 million overseas visitors to the UK – and the new Tourism Sector Deal identifies tourism as a leading industry for the Government’s future economic planning.

The Tourism Sector Deal includes the creation of an independent Tourism Data Hub which will revolutionise the way data is collected – allowing organisations, including SMEs, to better understand activity and product preferences in their area so they can tailor their services as a result.

It will also support the creation of 30,000 apprenticeships per year, in England, by 2025. A mentoring programme will support 10,000 employees as they enter tourism careers.

In response to demand for improved infrastructure, the deal also aims to create 130,000 new hotel rooms – with 75% of these outside of London.

The deal also outlines the government’s ambitions for the UK to become the most accessible destination in Europe for disabled visitors – aiming to increase the number of international disabled visitors by 33%.

Developed in partnership with the British Tourist Authority and the industry, the sector deal forms part of the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy supporting growth of the tourism sector.

By 2025, the Tourism Sector Deal will:

  • More than double the size of the UK’s tourism industry to £268 billion
  • Grow those employed in the sector to 3.8 million
  • Deliver a 1% increase in productivity worth £12 billion
  • Make the UK the most successful destination in Western Europe

Other commitments in the Tourism Sector Deal include:

  • A sum of £250,000 to improve broadband connectivity in conference centres across the UK for business visitors
  • Pilot of up to five new ‘tourism zones’, bringing businesses and local organisations together to establish a coordinated strategy for growth in their local visitor economy and a reduction in the impact of seasonality
  • Grow the number of Business Events and Conferences, helping to increase off-season visitors

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said:  “This tourism sector deal is fantastic news for the Peak District and Derbyshire – highlighting the importance of one of our most valuable industries which is worth £2.15 billion to the local economy.

“This deal ensures we can continue to compete internationally as a top destination for visitors, driving major economic growth across the area and helping us to make the Peak District and Derbyshire a truly world-class destination.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Culture and tourism is an essential part of the local economy, employing more than 28,000 people.

“We want Derbyshire to continue to be recognised as the key national and international tourist destination it is, with more visitors choosing to stay longer. Anything that helps us achieve this – and create more jobs – is most welcome and we look forward to the new opportunities the Tourism Sector Deal will bring.”

For more information on the Tourism Sector Deal, please visit www.visitbritain.org/tourism-sector-deal

Chatsworth House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Centenary celebrations in Chesterfield

More than 400 school children came together to celebrate the centenary of the Treaty of Versailles on the 28 June.

The event, organised by Chesterfield Borough Council in collaboration with the Combined Ex-Services Association, saw the group meet at the Town Hall War Memorial to take part in a short service, followed by a walk down to Queen’s Park where the pupils took part in a range of activities all themed around the Treaty of Versailles and life during the war years.

All of the pupils are in Years 5 and 6 at Abercrombie Primary School; Cavendish Junior School; Hady Primary School; Hasland Junior School; Holme Hall Primary School; Mary Swanwick Community Primary School; New Whittington Community Primary School; Norbriggs Primary School; Old Hall Junior School and Staveley Junior School.

The children were joined by teachers, many of whom commented the importance of educating young people about the Treaty of Versailles which officially ended the First World War.

The 28th June marked 100 years since the treaty was signed, officially ending the conflict and returning Chesterfield to a time of peace. Scenes of thanksgiving were witnessed around the country including in our own Queen’s Park where over 20,000 people joined together to celebrate the war finally being over.

To mark this occasion, the World War One Commemorations Working Group recreated the atmosphere of the war being over, and invited everyone attending to join them for a thanksgiving celebration in the same park that had been the scene of the celebrations 100 years ago to the day.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The Treaty of Versailles, signed in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, officially brought World War One to an end.  Unfortunately another world war was to occur just 20 years later.

“World War One took the lives of over 16 million people, both military and civilian. It continues to affect people’s lives and memories with over 280,000 British and Commonwealth soldier’s bodies yet to be recovered. Engaging our young people in this event will hopefully encourage a generation to pursue peace at all costs”.

The event began with a multi-faith Drumhead Service at the Town Hall War Memorial at 11am. This was followed by a short march to the park where the children enjoyed their picnics, and explored displays and exhibitions about life between from 1914 to 1918.

Local history and community groups hosted the stalls in the park, with many of the activities being hands-on to encourage the children to ask questions and want to learn more about what happened 100 years ago.

Treaty of Versailles event

Posted in About Chesterfield