About Chesterfield

Familiar face returns to Conference & Banqueting department at the Proact

10th August 2017

Another familiar face is returning to the conference & banqueting department at the Proact Stadium with Jack Winfield rejoining the club as duty manager.

The lifelong Spireites fan will also be involved in business development as part of his new role.

The restructuring of the conference & banqueting department will also see the return of Paul Watts on a part-time basis.

Winfield, who will take up his new position next Monday, said:- “I’m thrilled to be coming back as the football club is in my blood.

“I worked well with Paul Watts during my previous time here and I’m looking forward to being part of a new team.”

The Proact have recently been announced as a finalist in Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards in the Conference and Banqueting Venue of the Year category sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Have your say on skills shortages to help shape skills training budgets going forward

10th August 2017

As employers everywhere worry about finding skilled staff, a ground-breaking initiative by the Sheffield City Region (SCR) is being launched to find out exactly what business needs.

In one of the most in-depth surveys into skills gaps and hard-to-fill vacancies, hundreds of business leaders across the region’s key industrial sectors are being approached to complete a brief survey. It will take less than 5 minutes to provide the details the region needs to provide the right skills, and help employers to fill jobs. Anyone else in business who is interested is encouraged to complete the survey at http://bit.ly/SCRskills.

The survey will be open to business leaders from the construction, manufacturing, business, professional, financial and digital sectors. Running alongside it will be a series of round table discussions throughout the region with key influencers and decision makers.

The findings, which will be known by September, will allow the SCR to make well-informed decisions about adult education and skills training to help boost growth and jobs across the economy.

Nigel Brewster, Vice Chair of the SCR’s Local Enterprise Partnership, said:-

“We know we in the Sheffield City Region, along with many areas of the UK, face a skills shortage. Here in this region we are already tackling those issues. We also provide funding for business training which can be designed by the employer.

“However, we need much more detailed information from employers so that we can really provide first class access to skills training. We want to know if there is a link between certain missing skills – perhaps technical and social skills for example.

“We just need a few minutes of employers’ time to fill in the survey – job hunters and unsuccessful applicants are also being asked what holds them back.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield College invite local organisations to say a ‘big hello’ to new students

9th August 2017

Chesterfield College are inviting local organisations to say a ‘ big hello ’ at a special event taking place on Monday 18th September.

Designed to highlight the opportunities available to young people in the area, the entire Infirmary Road campus will be transformed into a festival venue for the afternoon and will feature live music, free food, entertainment and competitions for students to get involved in.

Faye Ellis, Events Officer at Chesterfield College, said:-

“There will be around 3,000 new students joining us in September and our Big Hello festival is designed to welcome them in style, giving them a taste of what is on offer for them as a student in college and around the local area. It is a great opportunity to promote the products and services your business or organisation offers. So if you run a club students may be interested in joining, a place for students to eat or hang out, or even an organisation looking for student volunteers, we’d love to hear from you.

“Both local independent businesses and national chains based in and around Chesterfield are welcome to be part of the festival. You can book a free stand for the afternoon or if you offer prizes, freebies or vouchers.”

Local businesses and organisations that want to be part of the festival can contact Faye Ellis on 01246 500500 ext 1580 or ellisf@chesterfield.ac.uk for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s first botanical gin room to feature in new Italian restaurant

8th August 2017

Chesterfield’s first botanical gin room is set to feature in a new Italian restaurant for the town, Cipollini Ristorante Italiano.

The new restaurant, which specialises in homely traditional Italian cuisine, is set to offer a new experience in the already booming Chesterfield Food and Drink scene.

The restaurant will be situated on the mezzanine above the The All Saints Tap – a new food, drink and live sports venue, specialising in craft beers, cocktails, artisan burgers and pizzas which opened its doors last weekend.

A spokesperson from Cipollini said:-

“Our concept is simple, we’re not messing about with the classic recipes and ingredients that’s been served in Italy for century’s – no twists, nothing but fine Italian food done right by our chef Fabrizio.

“We pride ourselves on staying true to our Italian roots and recipes, and serving them with a smile.

“Our Gin room will be open at weekends for pre meal drinks and available to hire out for celebrations with your own bar tender and music of your choice.”

With a focus on the Italian tradition of families dining together, the restaurant are offering all children under 12 to dine for free at all times. Every Sunday they will also be offering half price pizza and pasta between 12pm-8pm.

The prominent building on St Mary Gate now home to The All Saints Tap was previously occupied by York House, in the buzzing and vibrant Real Ale Quarter just 50 yards away from the famous Crooked Spire.

The restaurant joins an number of new businesses that have recently opened in the town over the last year – including Odyssey, Spire by Stephenson’s and Bottle and Thyme – who are nominated in the Best Newcomer category at this years Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Free help and support available for small businesses in Derbyshire

7th August 2017

Small businesses looking to expand are being offered help and assistance through a free business health check from the D2 Business Advisory Growth Service.

Derbyshire County Council have contributed £36,000 towards the project to help small Derbyshire-based businesses to reach their full potential and a further £36,000 has also been contributed from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The free business health check will:

look at where your business is now and where you want it to be
identify the areas where your business could benefit from additional help and support
identify what you need to do to achieve your goals
help you apply for grants that are available to businesses across Derbyshire

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

“We’re pleased to help fund projects that give small Derbyshire businesses the step-up they need to grow and develop.

“Small businesses play a vital role in boosting Derbyshire’s economy through supplying to other local, national and international companies, bringing in business to the county and employing local people.

“If you’re a small business looking to expand or have just started trading and want to progress to the next stage, don’t miss out on your business health check − it could be a great benefit to you and your company and it’s free.”

The D2 Business Advisory Growth Service is run on behalf of D2N2 − the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

For more information about business support for Chesterfield business please click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

More space at Markham for small businesses

7th August 2017

Thirteen new modern units for small to medium-sized businesses have been built at the Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Development’s flagship regeneration site Markham Vale.

The units, ranging in size from 1,200 to 3,050 sq. ft, are available to purchase or lease and have been built by Barnsley-based property developer Priority Space in partnership with the Hunt Group.

An online campaign was launched by the company to name the new development and the winning entry was Wilson Business Park in memory of Johnny Wilson who lost his life while working on site as a miner in the former Markham Colliery in 1987.

The name was submitted by local Derbyshire resident Andy Carroll − Johnny’s friend and colleague.

Lee Buchanan, Director at Priority Space, said:

“We are delighted to have brought forward a new modern industrial scheme at Markham Vale and are extremely happy with the level of enquires that we are receiving. There will be an open day on the morning of the 5 and 6 September for people who would like to view the new units.”

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

“We’re delighted to welcome these new units to Markham Vale. They offer a great space for small to medium-sized businesses looking to either expand or start-up and have fantastic transport links being located just off junction 29A of the M1 motorway.

He added:-

“It’s an exciting time at Markham Vale − the site is now home to 42 businesses and more than 1,000 new jobs have been created so far. And we look forward to welcoming even more businesses over the next few months to join Markham’s thriving business community.”

Businesses interested in the new units can contact Stuart Waite from CPP Commercial Property Partners for more information by emailing stuart@cppartners.co.uk or by calling 0115 8966611.

Anthony Clitheroe from Henry Boot Developments − Derbyshire County Councils’ private sector property partner – said:-

“We are delighted to see the Wilson Business Park open for business and look forward to welcoming new businesses to Markham Vale in the near future.”

Scunthorpe-based construction firm Britcon (UK) Limited built the units on behalf of Priority Space and the Hunt Group.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Craft beer and sports bar to open in Chesterfield

3rd August 2017

A new food, drink and live sports venue, specialising in craft beers, cocktails, artisan burgers and pizzas, is set to open in Chesterfield this weekend.

The All Saints Tap, based on St Mary’s Gate will open officially at 7.00pm on Friday 4th August.

A spokesperson from the All Saints Tap said: “Our concept has already proven to be extremely popular in some of most innovative cities across the UK, and we’re pleased to bring it to Chesterfield.

“Our vision is simple. We want to create somewhere that has a leading selection of the top craft beers the world has to offer, great food and exceptional service.”

“We will combine a number of the world’s most popular beers and carefully created cocktails with artisan burgers and pizzas. As well as all of this, we want to give you somewhere to watch your favourite live sports events on the big screen in a lively, social and laidback atmosphere.

“Plain and simple, we want to give you and your friends an unrivalled experience that you can shout about. No nonsense, just great food, drink and sport.”

The prominent building on St Mary Gate now home to The All Saints Tap was previously occupied by York House.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Striker extends Spireites stay

3rd August 2017

Chesterfield striker Kristian Dennis has signed an extension to his contract, which now runs until the summer of 2019.

After penning his new deal, Dennis said: “I am delighted to have extended my stay here at Chesterfield and I can’t wait for the season to start on Saturday.”

Chesterfield director & company secretary Ashley Carson said: “We are delighted to have secured Kristian on an extended contract as he is a very talented player.

“Signing him until 2019 shows the club’s commitment to the player and we think he will do very well this season.”

Dennis, 27, joined the Spireites last summer after leaving Stockport County and was Chesterfield’s top scorer last season with ten goals.

Destination Chesterfield: Chesterfield Football Club B2net stadium match day experience.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Rotary wins award

3rd August 2017

Chesterfield Rotary Club has been named Best Club in District 1220 by District Governor Michael Longdon.

The prestigious Gordon Taylor Trophy is presented to one club each year in Rotary District 1220, which covers 69 clubs throughout Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and parts of Lincolnshire.

The award is recognition for Chesterfield Rotary’s thriving Satellite Club – the first of its kind set up for young professionals, who have so far contributed significantly to the local community.

The Gordon Taylor Trophy also commends the Rotary’s varied programme of charitable events.

Chesterfield president Peter Barr shared the success with Satellite Club members at the July monthly meeting held at The Manor at Brampton.

For more details about the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield contact secretary Rachel Trueman 07792 719 238.

Image: Chesterfield Rotary president Peter Barr with satellite club chairman Peter Blant and members of the satellite club with the Gordon Taylor Trophy.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Have your say on proposals to tackle anti-social behaviour in Chesterfield town centre

1st August 2017

Residents and local businesses have the opportunity to take part in a consultation on measures to curb anti-social behaviour in Chesterfield town centre.

The consultation, run by Chesterfield Borough Council, is open until Monday 25 September and gives people the chance to have their say on the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) the council plans to introduce in areas of the town centre.

Currently, anyone found drinking alcohol in Chesterfield town centre can be required to hand this over to an authorised officer or police officer. The new laws would require anyone drinking to hand over alcohol opened or unopened.

The new rules would also:

· Ban positioning or occupying any tent or other temporary structure without the landowner’s permission

· Ban any activity or behaviour causing nuisance, alarm, harassment or distress to any other person

· Ban loitering around cash machines, shopping centre entrances, shop entrances or car park ticket and payment machines for the purposes of begging

· Ban urinating or defecating other than in a facility specifically designed for such use – i.e. in public toilets

· Ban leaving unattended any personal effects or belongings or any other material or paraphernalia.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We are aware that anti-social behaviour is a problem in the town centre which is why we are working with the police and partners to introduce measures to curb anti-social behaviour and make it a safer place for people to work and visit.

“The council recently co-hosted a summit with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hardyal Dhindsa to look at anti-social behaviour issues in the town centre. Partners agreed to focus on enforcement, treatment and support, and welfare policies.

“I would encourage people to take part and let us have their views.”

The consultation is available at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/pspo.

Paper copies will be available at:

· Chesterfield Town Hall, Rose Hill

· Customer Service Centre, New Square

· Queen’s Park Sports Centre

· The Healthy Living Centre, Staveley

· Chesterfield Library.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Spireites welcome Barrow

1st August 2017

Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell has strengthened his backroom team with the appointment of Graham Barrow as assistant-manager/chief scout.

Barrow, who assisted Caldwell during his time as manager of Wigan Athletic, said: “I’m delighted to be here. I’ve had a good working relationship with Gary and we’ve always kept in touch.

“On matchdays, I’ll be up above in the stand watching the game and provide input. I’ll also help Guy Branston with recruitment.

“The set-up here is great and it’s all geared for success. I’ve got a wide range of experience so I hope to make a valuable contribution.”

Caldwell is pleased to be reunited with his former colleague. “I have 100% trust in Graham and I value his opinions,” he said.

“He has great knowledge at every level of the game. He will be a great help to me in various ways, including preparing for matches and signing players.”

After a playing career which took in lengthy spells at Wigan and Chester City, Barrow managed Chester (twice), Wigan, Rochdale and Bury. He also took charge of Wigan on a caretaker basis on several occasions.

The 63-year-old left Wigan in May, shortly before the appointment of former Spireites boss Paul Cook as manager.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting