About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Canal Trust calls for public support

2016 was a big year for the Chesterfield Canal Trust with over £85,000 spent on the restoration of the canal; however, it looks like 2017 will be even more of a defining year for the Trust.

To maintain the level of progress made last year, the Canal Trust are running a restoration appeal entitled ‘A Place in History’. Donations will go towards covering the costs of plant and materials that will allow the volunteer Work Party to complete 400 metres of brand new canal east of Staveley Town Lock, including a spill weir.

The Trust has a history of successful restoration appeals; its ‘Donate a brick for Staveley Town Lock’ appeal raised over £45,000. The Trust hopes that support from locals, businesses and community groups will help them to complete restoration work this year.

Alongside launching a restoration appeal to raise money towards the further restoration of the canal, the trust will also be involved in the HS2 consultation process and will see construction work begin on the development of the terminal basin at Chesterfield Waterside.

Big decisions surrounding the future or the Canal will also be made this year with the HS2 consultation set to close on 9 March. There are two proposed routes in place: the first- proposed in 2013 – would cross the canal three times and the second – government preferred route proposed last year – will cross just once. The Chesterfield Canal Trust is asking for as many people as possible to respond to the consultation to support the second option which does less damage to the Chesterfield Canal’s restoration route than the original proposal.

There are two public consultation events taking place in February for the general public to have their say on the proposed routes – these will take place in Staveley on 3 February and Bolsover on 4 February. For more information or to have your say online click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Low carbon economy and high speed digital get £17m boost

Ambitions for a more digitally connected and ‘greener’ East Midlands’ economy are to receive a boost in 2017, thanks to £17million of investment via the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

D2N2 has opened up bids for funding for two major programmes; one to extend the roll-out of faster broadband technology across its area, and the other to promote more energy efficient business operations and grow the low carbon economy. D2N2 is a private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services organisations promoting economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Organisations with projects which they believe can fulfil these aims can now apply for support from the two programmes; which are both funded via the European Regional Development (ERDF) portion of D2N2’s wider €250million European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).

There is £6.5million available for projects designed to enhance access to, and the use and quality of, information and communications technology (ICT) across the D2N2 LEP area.

This includes extending fibre broadband availability and the roll-out of high-speed networks, and to support the adoption of emerging technologies and networks for the digital economy by businesses.

The aim is to enable more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain access to superfast – 30 megabits per second (mbs) or above – and high growth firms to gain access to ultra-fast (100mbs or above) fibre broadband, through the provision of infrastructure (including cabling and broadband ‘cabinets’).

Applications must be for projects worth a total of one million pounds, with bidders prepared to provide up to 50% matched funding (£500,000).

The deadline for applications for funding is Friday February 17 (2017).

There will be £8.5million available for projects which support the region’s attempts to shift to a ‘low carbon’ economy. This is one where businesses use less energy from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) – which produce the carbon dioxide and other emissions linked to global warming and climate change – through improving their energy efficiency, or by making more use of renewable energy alternatives (solar, wind and water, for example).

The D2N2 ‘low carbon’ programme, just announced, is calling for projects which will promote:

  • production and distribution of renewable energy;
  • more efficient use of energy, and of renewable energy, in business;
  • energy efficiency, smart energy management and renewable energy use in the public sector, including in public buildings and the housing sector;
  • strategies which reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions for all types of environment, including urban areas;
  • research and innovation in, and adoption of, low-carbon technologies.

Applications must be for projects worth a total of one million pounds, with bidders prepared to provide up to 50% matched funding (£500,000).

Funding is technically available until October 31, 2017, but project organisers are advised to make an outline application as soon as possible, as there will be an assessment of the first group of applications received by February 17 (2017).

In both cases, D2N2 will advise Government on which of the projects applying for funding have the best fit with the LEP’s own Strategic Economic Plan. Those project bidders will be asked to make a fuller application, giving more details of their proposed project, which will then be assessed and decided on by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Projects funded by both of the above programmes would need to be completed within three years of their start (approximately mid-2020).

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said:-

“Better digital connectivity, improved energy use and ‘low carbon’ growth opportunities are important business drivers, but they can prove expensive considerations for smaller enterprises.

“D2N2 has been supporting projects which help companies on both fronts for some time, with investment to help SMEs access low carbon technologies and in widening broadband access across the two counties we cover. These two new major programmes will enable us to do even more to help businesses in our area and we are keen to see some ambitious projects coming forward.”

D2N2

Posted in About Chesterfield

Local hospice unveils new ‘Harry Fisher Building’

Ashgate Hospicecare is proud to have opened their ‘Harry Fisher Building’ following a period of crucial renovation works during the last few months.

Since opening its doors in 1988, the Hospice has helped thousands of patients and their families to spend precious moments together at such a critical time in their lives. However, two years ago, Ashgate was given the news that the older part of the building had significant structural weaknesses and was quickly and severely deteriorating. The survey, conducted in 2014, concluded that without intervention, the building would become uninhabitable.

Lucy Nickson, Chief Executive of Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“We decided to have the survey done due to the age of the building. Despite the shocking report coming back that the building was very quickly deteriorating, the potential to make good use of it could be seen, especially to turn what was being used as storage and other wasted space into areas that could be used for counselling and family support. The only big issue at the time was having the money to be able to carry out the work that was required.”

In 2015, after a series of fortuitous events and at such a crucial time, Ashgate Hospicecare was given the opportunity to give patients and their families the additional privacy and dignity they needed thanks to the unbelievably generous gift in the Will of the late Harry Fisher.

Lucy added:-

“Without the amazing gift from Harry Fisher, we would have been left with a building that was unfit for purpose and a complete lack of space for patient and family support services. Harry has left a truly amazing legacy to the people of North Derbyshire.”

Following a robust tender process, H A Briddon were chosen to complete the building work and as chance would have it, they had a connection with the late Harry Fisher of their own. Harry Briddon, who was responsible for the renovation, is a sailor at Ogston Sailing Club where Harry Fisher had been President of the club for over 30 years.

Ashgate House has been a significant part of Ashgate Hospicecare’s history and has been an iconic local landmark that has grown to mean so much to so many people. Seven months later, now the Harry Fisher Building, a sense of community is even more evident.

The hospice now offers more facilities for families including a new restaurant and dining room, which will create a relaxing and tranquil surrounding to benefit patients, staff and visitors, as well as facilities to provide fresh, hot meals. There is now new counselling and bereavement therapy rooms which will provide support within a purpose-built dedicated counselling area, including an art therapy room. These will all have an immediate positive impact on the number of people the hospice can support at any one time. A new alternative entrance has also been built, ensuring families returning for bereavement counselling and support will no longer have to enter the Hospice through the same doors as when visiting their loved ones and walk past patient bedrooms.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Win cash for your old electricals

Have you got any broken or unwanted electricals? Dig them out and take them to your local household waste recycling centre in the New Year for your chance to win one of fifteen £100 cash prizes.

From hair-dryers to hedge-trimmers, fairy lights to fridges and toasters to TVs, there’s a wide range of household appliances you can take to Derbyshire County Council’s recycling centres. And from 2 January, you can exchange them for a golden ticket – which means you could be quids in.

Simply pick up your golden ticket from a member of staff at any of the county council’s nine recycling centres, type in your unique ticket number online at and find out if you’re an instant winner. The more items you recycle, the more tickets you’ll get.

Councillor Paul Dunn, Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said:-

“We throw away more than a quarter of the electrical items we buy in the UK instead of recycling them. In Derbyshire, this contributes to the £20 million cost of dealing with waste which isn’t recycled each year – money which could be better spent on vital services at a time when councils are getting less money from central government.

“If every household in Derbyshire took just one electrical item it would mean more than 333,000 appliances being recycled, saving precious metals and other valuable materials they contain as well as saving council tax-payers’ cash. So dust down those old or unused items and take them to your local recycling centre from 2 January for your chance to win £100.”

The competition and campaign is being funded by Advantage Waste Brokers – the contractor which works on behalf of the county council to collect and recycle electrical items taken to its recycling centres.

Electrical goods can be exchanged for a golden ticket at Stonegravels Household Waste Recycling Centre. For a full list of items you can take to the recycling centre please click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Treecycle this Christmas with Ashgate Hospicecare

Christmas day is over: you’ve done the washing up, binned the wrapping paper and the kids have already broken their toys. But what do you do with your tree after the festivities? Forget struggling to get it in the car for the tip, or cutting up and scattering pine needles everywhere, Ashgate Hospicecare can help.

If your postcode is S40, S41 or S42, the charity can pick up your tree and recycle it for you, for a suggested minimum donation of £8 per tree. The Treecycle scheme not only saves hassle buts also supports the hospice as they can make money from the sale of the chippings from your tree.

Just £6 could pay for an activity book for a bereaved child to help them remember their loved one. If you’re feeling generous this festive season, £10 can pay for a walking stick or a leg raiser so that a patient can get in and out of bed un-aided.

To register fill in a collection form online at Ashgate Hospicecare’s website then simply leave your tree outside your property for collection on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of January 2016. You can also register your collection by calling Ashgate Hospicecare on 01246 567250.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Live music venue to open in time for the New Year

New late-night venue ‘The Avenue’ will open on 30 December and is expected to be one of the UK’s largest, independent music venues in the UK with a capacity of 1800 people.

Owned by Security and Facilities Management services in Holmewood, they aim to introduce a live indie and rock and roll vibe to Chesterfield.

As a venue, club and bar, they hope to revitalise the town’s nightlife and present local bands with the opportunity to display their talents to a huge audience.

Their vision is to attract big named artists to The Avenue to play alongside inspired performers.

The Avenue will be holding their opening night on 30 December in time for New Year, where platinum selling Happy Monday’s member, Mark ‘Bez’ Berry, will be making an appearance. Live acts that will also take to the stage on the evening include local bands The Time Sellers and Fifty-Nine.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Crafty Christmas auction raises money for charity

An online auction of handmade Christmas decorations has raised over £85 for the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire RSPCA. The auction, organised by StraightCurves, ran for three days with the aim of getting the decorations to their new homes before Christmas Day.

Visitors to the Crooked Spire’s Festival of Christmas Trees may have spotted a bright purple tree, adorned with the decorations that were lovingly crafted by StraightCurves customers. People of all ages contributed, with the youngest just 3 years old, and the eldest well into their eighties.

Beautiful felted robins, crocheted snowflakes, decoupage hearts and a very mischievous knitted elf were amongst over 40 contributions, all of which were auctioned off on the StraightCurves Facebook page this week. The items are now making their way to their new homes in time for Christmas, and a total of £87.50 is heading to the RSPCA Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Branch.

StraightCurves would like to thank all of their customers for helping to raise this money, both for creating the items and for bidding on the auction.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Theatres new season on sale now

The new season of events for the Pomegranate Theatre and Winding Wheel is now on sale.

Chesterfield Theatres are pleased to announce that this season’s biggest productions include Babe, the Sheep-Pig live on stage for the first time. This exciting production is directed by West End director Michael Fentiman, with beautiful puppets designed by Cirque Du Soleil’s Max Humphries and amazing puppetry from War Horse’s Matthew Forbes.

Also set to be a hit this season is West End sell out sensation Dreamboats and Petticoats. The Musical which features some of the greatest hit songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era; inspired by the smash hit multi-million selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats One, Two, Three, Four and Five.

This season, playgoers will be pleased to know Chesterield Theatres have the return of the annual Spring Play Season – John Godber’s new play The Empty Nesters’ Club, Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) presented by Reduced Shakespeare Company and Ventoux – the story of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani in the 2000 Tour de France.

Each year Chesterfield Theatres grows ever more popular with the family audience and this year they would recommend booking early for shows such as David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon, Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live!, Beauty and the Beast Easter Panto (starring Keith Chegwin and Basil Brush), the already mentioned, Babe, The Sheep-Pig and Dinosaur World. Looking further ahead to the Summer Season, they also have Sooty and The Very Hungry Caterpillar taking to the stage.

Comedy fans should make way for Rob Beckett, Count Arthur Strong, Rory Bremner and a whole series of comedians from their very own Spotlight Comedy Club.

New tributes to be introduced this season include Cilla (selling fast!), The British Beach Boys, Spice Girl’s tribute – Spice up your Life, Paul McCartney tribute – Macca, One Night of Adele and The Take That Experience.

In addition to their theatre events, they are delighted to offer an exciting programme of films and satellite broadcasts including Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Girl on the Train and A Street Cat Named Bob. Satellite broadcasts include RSC Live The Tempest, NT Live Amadeus, Royal Ballet Live Sleeping Beauty, Royal Opera Live Madama Butterfly and RSC Live Julius Caesar.

The Pomegranate, Chesterfield Theatres

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield celebrates yet another successful year

2016 has been a big year for Chesterfield with the opening of the Queens Park Sports Centre back in January and the University of Derby Chesterfield Campus in October; both offering incredible facilities and considerable opportunities. Preparatory work on the Chesterfield Waterside development has also begun and will continue to develop over the following year.

Local business have also celebrated success in 2016; many who are enjoying considerable growth, moving to bigger premises, employing more staff or experiencing increased turnover.

Destination Chesterfield asked Chesterfield Champions what the highlight of 2016 was for their organisation and their hopes for Chesterfield in 2017:

“Wow, what a year 2016 has been for Start Financial Planning. We launched the business, brought on three new members of staff and began working collaboratively with other Chesterfield-centric businesses like ourselves. Chesterfield has so much potential and it is great to see it being realised. With developments like Waterside, Elder Way and Northern Gateway forecast to get underway, I feel 2017 will be the year Chesterfield is put on the map nationally as a place to live, work and invest. It’s a very exciting time to be part of Chesterfield’s future.” Steve Taylor, Director, Start Financial Planning

“We are very proud to have been ranked as a ‘Leading Firm’ in the UK Legal 500 for the 4th year and to have won the Chamber’s Excellence in Customer Service award back in September.  The most encouraging development has been the expansion of our Business Legal Services team, which is a sign that there is increasing commercial development in the town.  Brexit has made businesses understandably nervous and we hope that this is short lived and that local businesses can begin to feel even more confident about investing here in Chesterfield in the year to come.” Stephen Gordon, Executive Director, Banner Jones Solicitors

“Politically 2016 has been an eventful year, however, once again, Chesterfield has not let UK and worldwide events derail its progress. This year we have seen a number of developments begin to make progress – Chesterfield Waterside and the new University of Derby campus being just two of many. I am confident 2017 will not be any different. Chesterfield is on the cusp of something very exciting and this is the year that everyone – businesses, schools, colleges, training providers and residents, need to come together and actively support each other to ensure Chesterfield continues to make progress and puts itself on the international map.”  Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager

“It’s been a fantastic year for Spire Recruitment. A highlight has been moving to new premises at Staveley Hall. We have also been able to take on a new member of staff, which has helped us build stronger relationships with Chesterfield businesses. I really hope the town continues to thrive, with more and more businesses coming to Chesterfield. The new developments which are coming to Chesterfield will bring even more of a feel-good factor to our fantastic town.” Lee Ashley, Director, Spire Recruitment Ltd

“Our highlight for 2016 was definitely our two apprentices starting with us back in February. We’re so proud of how they’ve developed and are looking forward to them completing their apprenticeship next year and continuing to grow their career with the business. Moving into 2017, I hope that Chesterfield continues to evolve. Yes, it is a beautiful historic market town but there are so many new opportunities and developments that we need to grasp with open hands. I’m particularly excited to see the advancements at Chesterfield Waterside. I truly believe this development will be a game-changer for Chesterfield.” Emma Loughlin, Director, eBusiness Works

“It has been a long time in the making, but 2016 was a landmark year for Chesterfield Waterside. Real progress was made both on site, with earthworks underway, and at a technical level, in gaining planning consent for the first phase at Basin Square. As a result, the scheme is now very real for businesses, residents, potential occupiers and investors. 2017 will be tremendously exciting for the town; as well as Waterside, Chesterfield will see further work on the Elder Way, Peak Resort and Northern Gateway developments – all of which I hope will make great strides in 2017, adding to the town’s prosperity and creating opportunities for young people and their families.” Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc

“Mitchells has had a very exciting year. We have grown the business significantly and created a large number of job opportunities within the firm and shortlisted for two people development awards in 2016.  Looking to 2017, although the media emphasises the uncertainty over the next couple of years due to Brexit, local business owners tell us, and our own experience supports this, that things are good. In spite of the perceived uncertainty, I expect that support will continue at the same level so that local business can forge ahead with their growth plans and create further jobs and investment in the town.” Andrew McDaid, Partner, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

“Industrial Ancillaries has had a brilliant year. Our highlight is opening a new training facility and a larger trade counter. Chesterfield is a vibrant town right now, and this is something we look forward to continuing into 2017. There are a number of exciting projects happening over the coming years that, together, should continue the transformation and regeneration of our region.  Our Markham Vale home is a great example of this – already attracting 40 businesses and 900 jobs to the area, the development is forecast to offer more than 4,000 jobs once complete, representing a huge boost to the local economy.” Jamie Dennis, Managing Director, Industrial Ancillaries

“2016 has been a profitable year for Central Technology as more Derbyshire-based organisations recognise the benefits of IT and Telecom solutions. We have hired two full-time Technical Support Engineers after they both successfully completed an apprenticeship scheme. I hope that the continued profile-raising of the town will lead to greater opportunities for more high-quality office space as this will allow many local businesses to grow, employ local talent and remain in Chesterfield.” Ian Snow, Managing Director, Central Technology

“This year we launched o­­­ur successful ‘Every Person Matters’ campaign which told the story of people who have experienced hospice care. Next year, our aim is to reach even more people. We know that not everyone who needs hospice care receives it and this needs to change. Our hope for Chesterfield in 2017 is that people can get a wider understanding of what a difference that hospice care can make to local people.” Lucy Nickson, Chief Executive, Ashgate Hospicecare

“A highlight for Motorseeker UK in 2016 is our new business initiative, Seeker Styling. This is an exciting development for our business and we are delighted by its growing success. My hope for Chesterfield in 2017 is for the continued success of the Chesterfield Waterside development.  As well as raising the national profile of our wonderful town, this project will provide an invaluable economic boost to our local area, creating investment and employment opportunities as well as attracting additional spend within our local businesses. The future is looking very bright for Chesterfield.” David Merifield, Managing Director, Motorseeker

“2016 has been a great year for us here at Chesterfield College. The work we have carried out with local employers to find innovative ways to fill their skills gaps has certainly been a highlight, amongst many, of 2016. We were also delighted to become one of the approved Sheffield City Region Skills Bank approved training providers. I urge any business to really think about how better skills could help grow the business and take advantage of the fund while it’s available. I hope Chesterfield continues to thrive as the unique town that it is and that we can continue the partnership approach to building a positive future for everyone who lives and works here.” Stuart Cutforth, Principal of Chesterfield College

“2016 was a very important year for Shorts with continued growth, which culminated in the firm being a Finalist for mid-tier firm of the year at the 2016 British Accountancy Awards. Chesterfield currently has several major development and regeneration projects underway; from the improvements in healthcare provision at Chesterfield Royal Hospital to the development of Elder way, the Waterside scheme and Peak Resort.  The region continues to grow through the calibre and strength of the local business community.  These are exciting times to live and work within the area and we hope to see Chesterfield’s national profile continue to rise during 2017.” Howard Freeman, Partner, Shorts

“There have been several highlights for us in 2016.  Thanks to the hard work and effort of all our team we have seen another year of increased growth for the business as well as winning the AI Business Excellence Award for the UK’s Most Outstanding Electrical Wholesale Company. With all of the regional development happening in and around Chesterfield, the region is set to grow and expand which should bring new business, employment and residents to the area, resulting in a brighter future for both individuals and businesses in Chesterfield. Raise a glass to the future of our town.” Russ Gratton, Director, Recon Electrical Wholesale Ltd

“The highlight of 2016 for Adcroft Hilton was moving office to the Tapton Park Innovation Centre, bringing us closer to businesses that may require our expertise.  I hope that the close business community in Chesterfield continues to grow in strength and that Chesterfield continues en route to become the mini city that it is becoming.” James Annerson, Adcroft Hilton Limited

“In 2017 I hope to see the advancement of projects such as Waterside and the former Co-op site, as well as our own move to Affinity House. The development of the Commerce Centre site and Government commitment to electrification of the Midland Main Line at least as far as Sheffield are also key areas I would like to see progress on in 2017.” Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber

“It’s been a celebratory year for One to One Support Services as, this year, we celebrated 10 years in business. To mark this milestone, we opened a new Head Office in Holmewood. As ongoing supporters of the armed forces, I signed the Ministry of Defence Covenant and was awarded the Bronze Defence Employer Recognition Award. I was also invited to represent Private Health Care in the 2016 Parliamentary Review. In 2017, I hope that we are able to develop current and existing partnerships with local Chesterfield businesses. I would also like to see the sustainable growth of the town going into next year.” Melanie Ulyatt, Managing Director, One to One Support Services

“Our highlight of 2016 was working in partnership with St. Marys and All Saints Church to open The Spire by Stephensons Coffee House and becoming a centre of hospitality for the Church. For 2017, we are hoping to develop and expand Stephensons Tea and Coffee House and provide a new experience for residents of Chesterfield and its visitors.” Claire Wood, Owner, Stephensons Tea and Coffee House / The Spire by Stephensons

“Finance For Enterprise has had a fantastic year winning three awards. We have also ended the year on a high with a record-breaking month which has seen more than £1million lent to 25 new and established businesses in the Sheffield City Region. We are looking forward to 2017 to secure additional capital to continue our support and commitment to businesses in the region, to access alternative finance to grow and develop.” Andrew Austwick, Fund Manager & Senior Investment Manager, Finance For Enterprise

“Sporting Futures has made huge strides in Chesterfield in 2016. Since securing Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund, we have enhanced existing sessions in Staveley and have brought new sessions to Mastin Moor, Inkersall and Barrowhill. The growth of Sporting Futures across Chesterfield in 2016 has been unprecedented and we’re reaching more young people in the area than we ever have before. 2017 will see us doubling our investment and branching out further across the area and we hope to implement more projects and programmes for young people to take part in.” Harriet Flint, Sports Coach, Sporting Futures

“The highlight for the University of Derby in 2016 was most definitely the opening of our fantastic new campus building at St. Helena’s. We hope that our presence within Chesterfield will create a greater opportunity for the local community to engage with the university, accessing our expanding range of courses, student talent, research expertise and incubation space.” Michelle Brown, Lecturer in Pre-Qualifying Health Care, University of Derby

“The highlight of 2016 for ra Information Systems was implementing a set of brand new, modern websites earlier this year whilst simultaneously rebranding our logo and house style. Our hopes for Chesterfield going into 2017 are simply that the exciting redevelopment continues to improve the prospects of the town’s residents and businesses. We truly appreciate how far Chesterfield has come in recent years and we’re proud to be part of its future!” Vicki Grove, Marketing Co-ordinator, ra Information Systems

“Staveley Town Council was delighted with the feedback from the public about the quality of the events held this year in Staveley and the surrounding area. The highlights include an annual art and crafts competition for the school in the region, over 700 children benefiting from free summer activities, a free fireworks display and Halloween disco and a fantastic Christmas market with three local school choirs an ice rink. In 2017 the Council aim to build on the success of 2016 and deliver more, high quality community events.”  Chris Ludlow, Leader of Staveley Town Council

“Achieving Highly Commended in The Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2016 in the Small Business of the Year category a and personally being awarded Business Person of the Year has been a highlight for UK Asbestos Training Association in 2016. My hopes for Chesterfield in 2017 is that the town continues to grow and expand, with more opportunities and activities for the local community.” Craig Evans, General Manager, UK Asbestos Training Association

“2016 was our first full year in business and our highlight was moving to our new premises in Sheepbridge and securing nationwide contracts. In 2017 we hope to invest in more machinery, introduce new team members and continue to support local charities.” Rebecca Hancock, Director, Giraffe Graphics Ltd

“Our highlight in 2016 was our Festival at Staveley Town Basin, especially the parade of illuminated boats, and the flotilla of over twenty boats up to Tapton Lock and back the following day. Our hopes for 2017 are to see Basin Square rising up at the Waterside development.” Rod Uton, Publicity, Chesterfield Canal Trust

“2016 has been the best year on record for Crush Design, and by some margin, with a year-on-year growth of over 20%. The main highlight has been smashing our fee target of half million pounds for the year inside of eleven months. A fantastic result only possible with amazing clients and even better staff. The question of what next in 2017 is a big one at Crush Design. Employment definitely, with new roles for new staff. Then continuing to persuade more and more national UK brands that Crush Design in Chesterfield is not only better than their expensive London design agency but far more cost effective and a great deal friendlier!” Jonathan Worsley, Director, Crush Design

“The highlight of the year for The Corrugated Case Company has been the completion and opening of our 12,000 sq ft state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution centre in Danesmoor. In 2017 we hope to see the full implementation of our expansion plans to include installation of our new CAD CAM system, new fully automated multi-point folder gluer and new look sales and production offices.” Mark Wilcockson, Managing Director, The Corrugated Case Company

“The highlights of 2016 for Inspire Resourcing were acquiring our lovely new offices at 79 Saltergate and gaining our ISO 9001:2015 quality accreditation. Our hope for 2017 is to open a branch in Sheffield.” Kirsty Gascoigne and Suzanne Lucas, Managing Directors, Inspire Resourcing Ltd

Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

£700m scheme designed by Chesterfield architects gets go-ahead

Chesterfield Champions WCEC Architects is ending the year by welcoming the go-ahead of the second phase of a £700m urban regeneration project they have designed in Salford.

WCEC Architects is one of largest architects’ practices based in the East Midlands and Yorkshire region and ranked in Building Magazine’s Top 50 UK Architects. The organisation, based in Sheepbridge, will be working on a mix of around 2,500 homes alongside offices, shops, restaurants and a hotel and see the go-ahead as further endorsement of the quality of their design work.

Ian Lowson, Regional Director at WCEC, said he was “delighted” at the latest go-ahead. HE said:-

“Our team has worked tirelessly to maintain the high standard of design they achieved on phase one, which is currently being realised on site.

“We are immensely proud as a practice to be part of Middlewood’s continuing story.”

The scheme adds to WCEC’s portfolio which locally includes works at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane Stadium, St James Retail Park on the site of the former Norton College, the transformation of former post office in the heart of Chesterfield’s historic market place into luxury apartments and other residential schemes on Matilda Street in Sheffield city centre and works at Kelham Island.

WCEC, based in Sheepbridge, Chesterfield has marked 40 successful years in designing innovative and sustainable building solutions.

With growth and diversification over the last few years, it is confident it is well-placed to respond to any changing market conditions.

Current and recently completed projects include major residential developments at Royal Wharf in London and Old Oak in Ealing, the Bond Street retail and leisure development in Chelmsford, multiple retail accounts and a growing student accommodation portfolio.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Students attend sports media workshop

Nine budding sports journalists from Year 13 at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School recently attended a one-day Sports Media Workshop at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium.

The workshop, which was delivered by the club’s head of media & communications, Nick Johnson, focused on helping the students improve their written and verbal communication skills.

After attending a pre-match press conference attended by manager Danny Wilson, the students held their own press conference featuring player/coach Ritchie Humphreys and quizzed him about his long playing career and role as chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

The group gained an insight into the demands of being a professional sportsman, as well as learning more about the role of the PFA.

Taz Smith and Ben Brady, who were among the students who took part in the workshop, wrote a summary of the day for the school’s ‘Spilled Ink’ newspaper, which included the following:-

“The hands-on experience included being taught how to write short, sports-related articles and being educated on how to commentate on football matches.

“We were shown a well-worked Chesterfield goal and were then asked to attempt a professional commentary over it. Whilst this task seemed daunting and challenging, the students remained enthusiastic and returned with superb and highly entertaining results.

“The group unanimously enjoyed their outing and were grateful for the opportunity to witness first-hand how media has an effect on a wider context, such as sport. It was also incredibly useful to see how important communication and writing skills are.”

 

Photography: Tina Jenner 

Posted in About Chesterfield

Stay informed

Keep up to date

Dont miss out on all the latest news, updates & special offers.

Signup to our newsletter