About Chesterfield

Planning events to mark First World War anniversary

16th January 2018

Chesterfield businesses and voluntary groups are invited to work with Chesterfield Borough Council to help plan commemorations in the borough to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Armistice Day on 11 November this year will mark 100 years since the signing of the Armistice which brought an end to more than four years of fighting in which an estimated 37 million people were killed.

It is anticipated that a range of organisations in Chesterfield may be planning events during the year and in particular for the period 11 October to 11 November.

The council has put together a 2018 World War One commemorations working group with a remit to collate events. Anyone planning events during the year is asked to contact the group with details so that the events can be publicised.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“The end of the First World War was a significant moment in modern history and we anticipate a range of organisations – schools, colleges, the University of Derby and local businesses – may be planning events during the year.

“As a council we will be staging events at the Pomegranate Theatre and the Winding Wheel, including a new play commissioned by the council, a series of First World War films, together with a special exhibition at the Museum and the annual October CAMRA Beer Festival on a First World War theme will also be included.

“We are planning a ‘poppy fall’ either side of the entrance to the Town Hall and would like to see our town centre bathed in commemorative displays during that month.

“We asking that anyone planning events or activities – be it window displays in local shops or specific activities relating to the commemorations – should be in touch. Our aim is to collate all the information, publish it on our website and through our communication channels.”

Anyone planning events should contact Rachel Appleyard, senior democratic and scrutiny officer, by emailing rachel.appleyard@chesterfield.gov.uk or calling (01246) 345277.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield Champion celebrates growth with three senior promotions

15th January 2018

Whittam Cox Architects are pleased to announce three senior promotions following a sustained period of growth and diversification.

Central to this is the promotion of Andrew Dabbs who joined the practice 14 years ago. He has played a central role for many years in reinforcing the company’s design approach and credentials as well as driving efficiency to the practice’s management processes.

The promotion will see him join the board of directors to provide strategic leadership to a growing number of large design led projects and to drive a consistent design review process through the organisation.

Whittam Cox are also pleased to announce the promotion of Rachel Bentley and David Turner to Associate Director level to further support the company’s management structure.

Rachel, who started at the practice 6 years ago, has specific expertise in urban mixed use regeneration projects, masterplanning and residential design. She was shortlisted in the ‘Best Architect’ category at the Women in Construction Engineering (WICE) awards in 2016. Rachel is currently leading a number of high profile residential projects through planning stages.

Since joining the practice 3 years ago, David has earned himself a reputation for working tirelessly to ensure Whittam Cox service provision is at the highest possible level. He is a highly experienced technical designer and project leader with expertise in small and large scale residential developments. He is currently leading the delivery of Middlewood Locks Build to rent scheme in Salford.

Alex Wall, Managing Director at Whittam Cox Architects, commented:-

“We have a very exciting and growing range of projects progressing in 2018. It is a genuine pleasure to recognise the drive and determination of these three individuals who continue to play a vital role in our commitment to design excellence and project delivery.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New jobs created as family-run barbers opens in Tesco Extra

15th January 2018

Customers visiting the Tesco Extra in Chesterfield can now add a haircut to their supermarket shopping list – a barbers has opened inside the store.

The supermarket giant has selected the Lockoford Lane site to trial ‘Gould Barbers’, a growing family-run barbers founded by two brothers.

Darran and Leigh Gould worked in their father’s own barber shop for 20 years before starting their own business in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.

In 2016, they partnered with Tesco’s and entered retail space at a nearby store. Over the last few months, that has grown with the opening of six more shops, including Chesterfield.

Darran said:-

“The welcome we’ve received in Chesterfield so far has been fantastic, and we hope customers will make the most of our high standards and convenient service.

“Our other sites are mainly dotted around the East of England. While we are a growing brand, we value the importance of also providing an excellent service to the local community.

“All ages are welcome, from little ones right through to the older generations. Definitely pop in and see one of our stylists whether you need a simple trim or want a completely new look for 2018.”

The Gould Barbers store in Chesterfield is creating 12 jobs and a recruitment drive for skilled barbers to join the team is ongoing.

Darran added:-

“Feel free to pop into the store or message us on Facebook for more information. This is a very exciting time to join and be part of the team.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Helping local companies’ benefit from housing development

12th January 2018

Local companies are invited to a meet the buyer event to find out how to tender for work connected to the construction of new apartments in Chesterfield town centre.

MJ Developments Ltd has secured planning permission to create ten flats from the conversion of a commercial building on Knifesmithgate, Chesterfield.

Work has begun on preparing the site to allow building work to begin this month.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local economy Chesterfield Borough Council, includes local labour clauses in developments such as this to ensure developers use local suppliers and allocate as many jobs as possible to local people.

To maximise the opportunities for local companies to win this business MJ Developments and Chesterfield Borough Council will hold a Meet the Buyer event at Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill, from 10am to 11.30am on Thursday 25 January to provide details of a range of sub-contractor packages available during the project.

Opportunities include:

Windows
Kitchen fitting
Flooring
Electrical appliances
Painting and decorating
Wall tiling
Cleaners
Furniture Packs

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“There is more than £1 billion of investment currently underway in Chesterfield and one of the key priorities of the council is that Chesterfield residents directly benefit from this by getting new jobs, business and skills and training opportunities.

“I would encourage all local businesses to attend the meet the buyer event and see what opportunities are available for them and their workforces.”

MJ Developments will also be organising work experience opportunities for young people from Chesterfield College and local schools.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival returns for 2018

11th January 2018

After the overwhelming success of the event last year, the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival returns to Queen’s Park for a second year on the 4th and 5th August.

The festival is designed to celebrate the very best in Chesterfield Food and Drink with over 50 regional traders and businesses coming together at Queens Park to sell and showcase their produce and services. Traders already confirmed for 2018 include Nonnas Chesterfield, Global Brands and Ashgate Hopsicecare.

This year Chesterfield Champion, The Cheese Factor, has also been confirmed as main sponsor for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival.

The Cheese Factor, a well known family run business in the town, is a specialist cheese shop which stocks over 130 different cheeses from around the world. The Cheese Factor are proud to be a Chesterfield Champion, avidly supporting any initiative that will help Chesterfield to develop and grow as a destination – including sponsoring the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival.

Laura Ashby, Co-organiser and Creator of Edge Events, comments:-

“After an amazing first year we have expanded the site, adding more traders and activities to create a bigger and better festival for 2018 – there really will be something for everybody.Once again the festival will be free entry to everyone enabling everybody within Chesterfield and the surrounding areas to join in the event.

“We are really happy to have Cheese Factor as our main sponsor this year – a really well known company throughout Chesterfield and their products speak for themselves.”

Simon Davidson, Owner of R.P Davidson Cheese Factor, says:-

“The Cheese Factor is thrilled to be main Sponsor of the 2nd Chesterfield food and drink festival. Chesterfield has so much to offer and this will show people the diversity of food we have in the area and an event we can look forward to.”

Over the weekend there will be something for the whole family with delicious hot and cold food from around the world, talks and presentations, a live music stage, dance demonstrations, children’s entertainment and much more.

The Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival is just one of Edge Events growing programme of events in the town joining the Street Food and Grooves Festival which was recently announced set to take place in Chesterfield town centre from the 11th – 13th May.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Two new businesses and more jobs at Markham Vale

10th January 2018

Distribution and logistics giant Great Bear and supply chain specialist Gist Limited are the latest businesses to be handed keys to new premises at Markham Vale unlocking the way for up to 600 new jobs.

Great Bear Distribution is set to create up to 400 new jobs at its new 479,285 sq ft bespoke distribution centre − which is their second base at the site located just off junction 29A of the M1.

And Gist Limited is set to create up to 200 new jobs at its 90,760 sq ft bespoke, high-spec chilled warehouse and storage facility.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Derbsyhire County Council, said:-

“We’re delighted to handover the keys to Great Bear Distribution and Gist Limited − both companies will be creating jobs for local people which is fantastic news and they will be a real boost to the Derbyshire economy.

“Driving economic growth and creating more job opportunities are key priorities of ours and we’re really pleased that Markham continues to play a vital role in bringing investment into the county.

“We look forward to following the progress of both firms over the coming months and welcoming even more businesses to the site this year.”

Chester-based Great Bear Distribution − which is part of the Culina Group − was established in 1994 and operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as PZ Cussons, BMW, Unilever, Mars and Mondelez.

The firm now occupies just under one million sq ft of land at Markham Vale making them the largest business on the site to date.

Peter Yarwood, Regional Operations Director at Great Bear Distribution, said:-

“We are very impressed with how quick not one, but two units have been delivered by Henry Boot Developments and Derbyshire County Council in such a short build time. On the back of the first unit, we agreed a deal for a second on Markham Vale North and due to the transition of a large part of our Midlands operations to Markham Vale, we needed a speedy delivery with no bumps along the way.

“We look forward to our second base becoming fully operational in the coming months, to benefit from the excellent motorway links and access routes which will help us to service our clients much more effectively.”

Gist Limited manages the supply chains for perishable and chilled products for a wide range of customers in the commercial and industrial sector and has 5,000 employees based at more than 40 sites throughout the UK and Europe.

Alan Devine, Managing Director, Gist, said:-

“We are happy to be working with Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot on the development of this important new extension to our national food and logistics network, on time and on budget.

“The new consolidation centre will significantly increase our ability to bring great service to our customers.”

Gist Limited is the third business to join Ferdinand Bilstein UK and Great Bear Distribution on Markham Vale North.

Both firm’s new bases were built by Henry Boot Developments − private sector property partner for Derbyshire County Council.

Vivienne Clements, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:-

“The announcement of the second unit for Great Bear Distribution and the Gist Limited facility at Markham Vale was absolutely brilliant and reflected great confidence from the firms in the region. Now that the near 500,000 sq ft unit for Great Bear Distribution has completed on Markham Vale North, we are extremely pleased to have delivered circa one million sq ft for them, creating excellent job opportunities for local people.

“Following this we are delighted to announce practical completion of the 90,760 sq ft unit for Gist Limited, the third unit on Markham Vale North. On the North, more than 20 acres of land now remains capable of sub-division into units from as little as 15,000 sq ft up to 300,000 sq ft.”

two new businesses

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chief Executive announced for Ashgate Hospicecare marking 30th anniversary

9th January 2018

Ashgate Hospicecare has announced the appointment of Barbara-Anne Walker as the charity’s new Chief Executive.

The Chesterfield-based hospice works to provide specialist palliative and end of life care to local people and their families across North Derbyshire and the High Peak and Dales and is proud to be celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year.

The charity which has grown rapidly in the last five years, responding to the growth in demand from patients who are living with a life-limiting illness, wanted to secure an exceptional leader to continue its success in delivering excellent clinical services, and to uphold the Outstanding rating given to them by the CQC in 2015.

Barbara-Anne, formerly an Operations Director with the British Red Cross, joins Ashgate Hospicecare with 30 years’ experience within the voluntary and public sectors throughout the UK.

Jean Horton, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Ashgate Hospicecare, comments:-

“The Board of Trustees is absolutely delighted with the appointment of Barbara-Anne as our new Chief Executive.

“She has a proven track record of being a very successful senior leader, and her skills and experience are exactly what we need to lead our Hospice.

“Her passion about the work done by Ashgate Hospicecare and palliative end of life provision makes her determined to develop our services so we can reach as many people as possible who need our quality specialist care and support.”

Barbara-Anne began her career in the third-sector working in HIV and sexual health services; she has held management roles at Macmillan Cancer and British Red Cross and until recently she was Deputy Chair of Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.

Barbara-Anne said:-

“I am thrilled to join Ashgate Hospicecare in this 30th anniversary year. It’s a real privilege to become the Chief Executive of one of Derbyshire’s most cherished charities and to work with such a committed and special team of staff and volunteers. Their compassion and the warmth of their welcome shines through everything they do.

“For 30 years Ashgate has grown and developed services in the hospice and in the community to meet the needs of people with life-limiting illnesses. We are blessed with the support of many local people who give up their time to volunteer for the hospice and to raise the vital funds that we need every day to provide our services, including many generous donations from local businesses. I am passionate about making sure that Ashgate continues to be at the heart of the local community, whose generosity and goodwill has enabled us to respond to their needs and to provide outstanding care.

“There are exciting opportunities to build on the achievements of the last 30 years to take Ashgate Hospicecare into the future, putting patients and their loved ones at the centre of everything that we do. We know that there are still people who need hospice care, whom we are not yet able to reach. I am looking forward to working with my Ashgate team to ensure that we are able to provide our care and support to everyone who needs us.”

Roger Start, Consultant Histopathologist and Clinical Director of Pathology at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Ashgate Hospicecare Trustee, said:-

“I am delighted that Barbara-Anne is joining us as our new Chief Executive. She has worked for some of the biggest charities in the UK and I’m confident she will lead the further development of our vital services so that we can help more of our community who need us.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

Replacement Saltergate car park work begins in February

8th January 2018

Work to demolish Saltergate car park and replace it with a modern 24-hour a day multi-storey car park will begin next month.

Chesterfield Borough Council will close the existing car park at 7pm on Saturday 3 February so contractors can decommission the lifts, electric, water and telecoms supplies, ahead of demolition work a month later.

Motorists will be able to use a wide range of alternative Chesterfield Borough Council-run car parks while the work takes place. Signs and leaflets giving drivers further information are being issued this week.

During the spring a planning application will be submitted seeking permission to build a multi-million pound replacement that offers:

Safe, secure, 24 hour parking
Better parking facilities for motorists
Increase the number of parking spaces to 531
A more contemporary building.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“The new car park is part of the wider Northern Gateway project. It will deliver a better quality multi-storey car park for shoppers, commuters and users of the hotel, restaurants, bar and gym that are currently being developed as part of the scheme to refurbish the former Co-op building.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this causes motorists in the short term but we believe it will be worth it once the improved 24-hour car park opens, which will increase the number of spaces available.

“We have sufficient spaces in our other car parks to cope with all the motorists who currently use Saltergate. We have already begun talking to customers to make them aware of alternative arrangements and will also be putting up signs across the town to direct people to their nearest convenient car park.

“The existing Saltergate car park is showing its age and does not provide the modern facilities that modern motorists need. We did look at renovating the existing one but the level of structural engineering work required meant that it made financial sense to build a replacement one instead.”

During the work alternative short and long stay car parking is available at the following car parks: Beetwell Street multi-storey car park, Holywell Cross, Rose Hill, Soresby Street, Albion Road, Devonshire Street, Durrant Road, Theatre Lane, St Mary’s Gate, Station Road, Derbyshire Times, Spa Lane, Hollis Lane, Queen’s Park Annexe, Queen’s Park South and North.

Monthly permit holders will be able to use them at Beetwell Street multi-storey or on selected surface car parks.

From 15 January day saver tickets will only be available for use at Beetwell Street multi-storey car park. Scratch cards for surface car parks can be bought from the Visitor Information Centre or Beetwell Street multi-storey car park.

More details, including an interactive map of alternative car parks, can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/saltergate.

Work on the Northern Gateway scheme began in December 2017 when developers Jomast started refurbishing the former Co-op department store. When completed, the building will include:

Seven ground floor family restaurants and bars
A 92 bedroom Premier Inn hotel on the first and second floors
A health and fitness centre in the basement.

To support this Chesterfield Borough Council is going to build the new Saltergate multi-storey car park and use a £5.83 million grant from Sheffield City Region to:

carry out major environmental improvements to Elder Way and Knifesmithgate that will transform the area
build an enterprise centre on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park to meet the demand for town centre business units for start-up and small to medium sized companies. This will create jobs and bring more customers to the town centre.

Chesterfield Borough Council is in the final stages of procurement for a contractor to build the new Saltergate multi-storey car park. The date for the opening of the new multi-storey car park will be confirmed once the building designs have been prepared and planning permission has been granted.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Big House offers business support for creative or digital enterprises

8th January 2018

As part of a new programme called The Big House, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is supporting the growth of creative and digital businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

At NTU, The Big House runs the Elevator workshop series. The series supports businesses refine areas such as growth planning, marketing strategies, digital marketing practices and client relationships. Along the way, participants can have 1-2-1 mentoring sessions with creative and digital business specialists.

Events in the local area include:

Business Refresh – North East Derbyshire Council Offices – 26 January 2018
Refresh your business plan and ideas for growth using the Business Model Canvas. Clarify what works, what doesn’t, where you want to get to and how you will get there.

Building Stronger Sales – North East Derbyshire Council Offices – 21 March 2018
Improve your capacity of gaining new clients and potential investors through writing effective sales proposals and delivering knock-out pitches.

Creating Content for Digital PR – North East Derbyshire Council Offices – 15 May 2018
Successful marketing is underpinned by great content. This practical workshop will teach you how to make video and write copy that is appealing, engaging and useful to your target audience.

Elevator grants are also available for businesses bringing in external expertise for their projects.

Erica Horne, set up her own CAD for Fashion business in Derby three years ago, running training sessions in computer-aided design packages for those working or hoping to work in the fashion industry.

Most of her clients have been in the education sector which can leave her with little work during the holiday periods. She says:-

“The Big House came at the perfect time for me as it was approaching the summer holidays and I knew I needed to explore other opportunities because I couldn’t rely solely on work within universities during the holiday period.”

As a result of the individual mentoring advice and workshop series, Erica is now reaching out to new, larger clients.

Dan Lamoon’s video production business, Colab Creation also benefited from the Big House support at NTU. He signed up to the Elevator programme which he heard about when he was establishing Colab’s Nottingham office.

Dan said:-

“The business has recently undergone quite a lot of growth and I really wanted to make sure I was investing and focusing on the right areas to expand the business.”

From the support he received, Dan was able to put into practice some of his new plans and insights he developed during the series, particularly around staff mentoring.

The Big House is delivered by several partner organisations who between them provide a diverse range of support to different types and stages of businesses within the creative and digital sectors in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Partners in The Big House programme are Nottingham Trent University, Creative Quarter, Derby University, Derby Quad, Nottingham Business Ventures and Derby Theatre.

The programme is part of a £5 million investment in the creative and digital industries in the D2N2 Local Economic Partnership area. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and will run until 2019.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Just one week left to apply for primary places

8th January 2018

Parents have just one week left to apply for their child’s primary school place for September 2018.

Parents of children who were born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 must apply to Derbyshire County Council by midnight on Monday 15 January 2018.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People at Derbsyshire County Council, said:-

“Parents have just one week left to apply for their child’s primary school place so if you haven’t already applied please send us your application as soon as possible.

“The first years of a child’s education are the most important in their development and it is essential that parents apply before the deadline to give their child the best chance of getting a place at their preferred school.

“It’s really quick and easy to apply online and we’re here to support you throughout the application process.”

Applying online is the easiest method and can be done in the school admissions section of our website.

Online applications also allow parents to make changes to their application at any point up to the closing date. Anyone who applies online will receive an email to confirm their application has been received and another email on Primary National Offer Day − Monday 16 April 2018 − stating the outcome of their application.

Parents who do not have access to the internet can telephone Call Derbyshire on tel: 01629 533190 between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and between 9.30am and 4pm on Saturdays.

When completing the application form parents will be asked to list, in order of preference, the three schools they would most like their child to go to. Parents are advised to consider including their normal area school as one of their preferences.

Parents can still choose to complete a paper form, which they can get by email: admissions.transport@derbyshire.gov.uk or by calling tel: 01629 537499. This must be returned to our admissions and transport team at the address shown on the form by the closing date.

Although parents have a legal right to express preferences they have no automatic right to a place at any particular school.

Applications submitted to Derbyshire County Council after the deadline will not be considered until places have been allocated to those children whose parents did return their form on time.

Parents who fail to meet the deadline may find that the school they want their child to go to is full.

Any parents who are a refused a place for their child have a right of appeal to an independent panel.

primary places

Posted in About Chesterfield

Spireites sign duo

4th January 2018

Chesterfield have completed the signing of former West Ham winger Zavon Hines and secured Millwall central defender Sid Nelson on loan until the end of the season.

Hines, 29, joins the Spireites on an 18-month contract after scoring seven goals in 22 appearances for Maidstone United. Nelson, who is 22, has just completed a loan spell at Yeovil Town.

Jack Lester, Spireites manager, is delighted to have signed the pair. He said:-

”Zavon is an exciting player who can play on either wing or down the middle and he gives you energy.

“Sid is a very aggressive player who is a leader for a young lad. He comes very highly recommended by Millwall manager Neil Harris and he’s an important signing for us.”

Hines, who made 31 appearances for the Hammers, said:-

“It’s all happened very quickly, but I’m happy to be back in the Football League. Hopefully I can repay the faith that the manager has shown in me.”

Hines also had stints at Burnley, Bradford City, Dagenham & Redbridge and Southend United before joining Maidstone in August.

Nelson, who has made 38 appearances for Millwall, said:-

“It’s a pleasure to be here. I know this is a big club for this division and we’re in a position we shouldn’t be at the moment.

“I am someone who gives 100 per cent, week in, week out and I want to try and help get the team moving up the table.”

Posted in About Chesterfield