An employer-led board aims to inspire local employers to boost employment and skills opportunities for young people in Derby and Derbyshire.

The D2 Skills & Employment Board (D2 SEB) bridges the gap between the private sector and those delivering the local skills agenda. Set up by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and supported by both Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council, the Board aims to ensure there is appropriate employer ownership and leadership to steer opportunities for local young people. The D2 SEB also works closely with local partnerships to ensure employment and skills activity contributes to local economic growth ambitions.

The Board is chaired by Graham Mullholland from epm: technology group and involves employers from a range of private sector businesses including: Pentaxia, Katapult, Advanced Roofing, One to One Support Services, Toyota, Greenbank Group UK, The Derby Conference Centre, Yews Residential, Bowmer & Kirkland, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, Jurys Inn (East Midlands Airport), Holiday Inn Derby- Riverlights, Signal House Group Ltd, Fairgrove Homes, Brighter Directions and the Arkwright Society. There are also key representative bodies that sit on the board including the city and county councils, DWP, Federation of Small Businesses, East Midlands Chamber, Destination Chesterfield and First Steps.

Graham Mulholland, CEO of epm: technology group, said:-

“It is important that the business community has a voice in shaping the skills agenda, and although the D2 SEB has taken time to form and mature, it is now in a great position to move forward. Our annual report reflects this and business leaders should now be confident to join in and have a voice.”

D2 SEB will focus on four priority sectors; Engineering, Construction, Health & Social Care and Visitor Economy, with an equal focus on Work Readiness.

Councillor Sarah Russell, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Derby City Council, said:-

“We’re passionate about improving opportunities for young people in the city to gain new skills and have more employment opportunities. It’s fantastic to have the Derby & Derbyshire Skills and Employment Board so employers are directly involved and pushing this agenda forward.”

An Annual Report has been published for 2015/16 which provides a detailed account of all the key activities achieved in the past year and what the priorities are for the next year.

Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, said:-

“The job market is changing all the time so it’s a vital part of our work to make sure our young people are equipped with the most relevant skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our young people are the ones that will shape the future so it’s important we give them the best opportunities. By working closely with our partners in the Derbyshire Economic Partnership we’ll be to learn from each other about how best to support young people, businesses and local communities.”

Businesses are benefiting from upgraded internet and phone systems at Chesterfield Borough Council’s two innovation centres.

Following IT upgrades tenants at Tapton Park and Dunston Innovation Centres now receive:

• 1GB high speed digital connectivity, boosting their ability to sell and promote their products and services online
• A state-of-the-art Mitel telephone system which enables tenants to work in agile ways, taking calls when away from the centres. All call charges are part of the managed services provided at the centres.

Councillor Tricia Gilby,  Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:-

“A thriving local economy is our key priority. The provision of state-of-the-art facilities to encourage new business ventures as well as supporting more established businesses is essential to achieving that objective.”

Councillor Mick Wall, Chair of the Chesterfield Innovation Centres Management Board said:-

“Our innovation centres, supported by a team of excellent staff, provide a superb environment for businesses to grow and expand, providing valuable, high skilled jobs for local people.”

Hundreds of companies have used the centres over the years to successfully grow their businesses and feedback about the improvements is very positive:

Ian Ford, of First B2B said:-

“Coming to Tapton Park was one of the best decisions we have made and with the initiative of bringing in very high speed fibre and telephony we would struggle to find a better solution to our accommodation requirements anywhere else in the area.”

Matthew Brailsford, of Custom Solar, said:-

“Having vision for the future is why I love having my business at the Dunston Innovation Centre. With renewable energy, super fast broadband and affordable offices I cannot think of a better space close to Chesterfield.

“Along with fantastic centre staff who support local apprenticeships and innovative businesses I feel very much at home.”

Various office sizes are available at each centre and range from a virtual office or furnished rent a desk suite to offices from 202 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft.

Leases can be put in place quickly and have flexible easy in-easy out terms to encourage take-up. This allows businesses to be operational within a minimum time period and adjust quickly to their changing accommodation requirements as they develop.

Other key features include telephone, admin, post and reception support, a free on-site business advisor offering access to specialist innovation support and access at discounted rates to the conference and meeting rooms in both centres.

While the centres have high occupancy levels offices continuously become available as start-up businesses expand and move to bigger premises in the town.

Click here to see available business units at the Innovation Centres.

Chesterfield Borough Council is seeking the views of interested parties to bring forward the development of the Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

The council has appointed Chesterfield-based architects WCEC Group to come up with designs of how Elder Way could be developed to make it a more attractive environment for residents, shoppers and visitors.

WCEC is holding meetings with groups including taxi drivers, bus companies and businesses on Elder Way to find out what types of landscape improvements they would like to see in the development of Knifesmithgate, Elder Way and parts of Saltergate outside the former Co-op department store.

No decisions have yet been made on what will be included in the area.

Following the consultation meetings WCEC will produce a proposed design of how the area could be redesigned. The plans will form the basis of a public consultation with residents that will be held in late March.

The landscape improvement works will be partly funded by a £5.83 million grant from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.

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

“The Northern Gateway scheme is key to regenerating the northern side of the town centre and is set to create around 500 jobs for local people.

“We are keen to hear the views of groups who work day-to-day in the area to see what improvements will benefit them before gaining the views of residents.

“We are really pleased to be working with a Chesterfield company on this scheme as they have extensive local knowledge and are in the best position to help bring the vision for the site to reality.”

Andy Dabbs, Design Director of WCEC, commented:-

“We are delighted to have been appointed on such an important project in a town that is also our home!

“The importance of this regeneration project cannot be underestimated and we are looking forward to working closely with the council and their stakeholders in delivering what we will be a landmark development for Chesterfield.”

The Northern Gateway scheme will see the development of the former Co-op department store and a new enterprise centre on the site of the current Holywell Cross (Donut) car park to help more local businesses to grow, complementing the existing innovation centres at Dunston and Tapton Park.

The first stage of work has been carried out on the refurbishment of the Saltergate multi-storey car park with further work expected to take place later in the year.

The owners of one of Chesterfield’s newest bar and restaurants, Bottle & Thyme, are looking to expand their workforce just one month after opening due to the ‘overwhelming response’ it has received from customers across the area.

A joint venture between entrepreneurs Stephen Milner and engaged couple Gavin Grainger and Hannah Milner, the venue offers a relaxed café bar environment serving locally-sourced beverages and rustic style food during the day, and a sophisticated bar boasting live music and botanical-infused cocktails and craft beers by night.

With strong legal support from the business legal services department of law firm Banner Jones, the ambitious team took over the lease on the Knifesmithgate site in September of last year, before officially opening the doors to the public less than three months later on December 17.

Now, just weeks later, the venue is set to further bolster its 10-strong team of baristas, bar staff and chefs in response to high demand from customers throughout the day and into the evening.

Gavin Grainger, Co-owner and Director, said:-

“We have been absolutely blown away by the support we have received to date from our customers, as well as everyone who has helped us get Bottle & Thyme to where it is today – particularly Ian Osborn of Banner Jones who has been a huge help throughout.

“We are now looking to recruit a number of new members of staff and are focused on building the right team to ensure that we continue to further our reputation for excellent service delivered in a laid back, trendy environment. Training, as a result, will of course be a key ingredient.”

Despite demand from customers exceeding expectation to date Gavin, Stephen and Hannah all say they remain committed to continuing to work with other Derbyshire-based businesses to meet their supply needs wherever possible – including Arden Coffee in Clay Cross, Owen Taylor and Sons Butchers in Leabrooks, Brampton’s JMJ pottery and fellow town centre-based business Chocolate by Design.

Taking over the former Barclays Bank space, which had previously sat empty for a significant period of time, the business offers a range of gluten free food and drinks – with head chef Tom Barnett responsible for delivering a unique menu offering predominantly free-from options.

And despite setting their sights on expansion and growth in the future, Gavin says the priority is to ‘solidify’ the brand’s existing offering first and foremost.

Gavin said:-

“Over the coming months our absolute priority is ensuring that this venue is getting it right, and that includes constantly listening and responding to feedback with regards the menu, the service, the live music, the drink options and the atmosphere.

“What we don’t want is to be become victims of our own success; having to compromise on our vision for the venue, or our ambitions to source everything locally where possible and make everything from scratch because we have tried to expand too quickly.

“That said, when the time is right I have no doubt we’ll have just as much fun launching venue number two as we have getting the original Bottle & Thyme up and running.”

Ian Osborn, Solictor at Banner Jones who are working with Bottle & Thyme, said:-

“It is fantastic to see such a unique and vibrant brand such as Bottle & Thyme come to Chesterfield and it was immensely rewarding to work closely with the company in negotiating a suitable lease from the landlord with concessions that have allowed the new venture to prosper.

“Chesterfield has seen significant regeneration over the last few years with exciting opportunities for new businesses cropping up all of the time.  It was terrific to be involved with the development of Bottle of Thyme from the outset and I wish Gavin, Stephen and Hannah all the very best for the future as the brand grows.”