About Chesterfield

Local design star to unveil Debenhams Chesterfield Store

The eagerly awaited new Debenhams Chesterfield store will open on Thursday, 20 September.

Local designer, Ashley Thomas – whose designs are currently available as part of the Debenhams Edition homeware collection – will officially launch the store, alongside manager Natalie Collins and her new team.

Ashley studied Art and Design at Chesterfield College before going on to study Surface Pattern Design at Staffordshire University. After graduating she was invited to show her work at the ‘New Designers Show’ in London, and from this went on to work with well-known British brands such as Laura Ashley and Mamas and Papas.

Originally from London, Ashley’s family relocated to Chesterfield to start their own business in 2001, Chesterfield Cattery, which they still run to this day. Her love of animals can be seen in her playful designs for Debenhams, which include cushions, wall art, lamps and mugs.

Store manager Natalie says: “We’re thrilled that one of the Debenhams designers will be helping us to open the store on launch day especially as Ashley is a local girl, just like me.”

Ashley says: “My friends were all making jokes about me opening the Chesterfield store so it was really funny when I got the call from Debenhams to ask if I would cut the ribbon on the opening day. I’m touched to have been asked to welcome the store to my home town. I’m so excited about my newly launched collections for Debenhams, it’s such an amazing feeling knowing that my designs will be available on my doorstep.”

Once open, Debenhams Chesterfield customers will be able to enjoy the designer collections that Debenhams is famous for, including H! by Henry Holland, Principles by Ben de Lisi, J by Jasper Conran, Star by Julien Macdonald and Rocha by John Rocha.

Beauty fans are in for a treat as the store’s cosmetics hall will offer an extensive range of big beauty names such as Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Benefit and Bare Escentuals.

A free Personal Shopping service will be available, offering customers in need of style guidance one-on-one advice on the clothes best suited to fit their body shape and personal style.

Customers can also take advantage of an in-store ordering service, allowing them to order any Debenhams product and either pick it up in store or have it delivered direct to their home.

A Café Estro will also be found in store providing fresh coffees and pastries, hot and cold snacks such as paninis, soups and salads as well as healthy lunch boxes for kids.

Natalie adds: “The team and I have been working hard to get the store ready for launch day and we are all just eager now to get the doors open and start serving customers. We can’t wait to show off the new store.”

Debenhams Chesterfield will open to the public on 20 September at 10am.

Source:Debenhams

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

There’s nothing vacant about Chesterfield

Chesterfield is riding high on the retail front after a national report revealed the town is bucking the north-south divide with low shop vacancy rates. The latest figures from the Local Data Company (LDC) gives a detailed insight and analysis of 506 town centres and Chesterfield is third best of the largest centres in the country with just 8.7% of shops being empty. Compared to the likes of Nottingham (30%), Stockport (28.4%) and Sheffield (26.1%), Chesterfield is one of the few top ten northern towns leading the way to keep its high streets buzzing.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “This is like getting a gold star on your school report! What better indication is there than when an external research company identifies your town as being one of the top retail locations in the UK?

“We’re not surprised by the news because we know the figures, we see how busy the shops and markets are and we get the feedback from visitors and investors that Chesterfield is doing something different, something right. Projects like Destination Chesterfield, investment in our tourism offer, developments such as the Northern Gateway, these are all part of mix that keeps us striving to attract more people to the town to visit, spend money, invest and live here.

“There’s still much to do to improve the local economy and reduce unemployment in the borough but a thriving, bustling town centre is certainly a major bonus and gives us a strong platform to build from.”

Vic Risorto, Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for Retail, Leisure and Tourism said: “It is excellent news that Chesterfield’s high street occupancy is once again being heralded amongst the best in England. With the exciting regeneration plans coming forward for the town centre including the Market Hall refurbishment, extension of Ravenside Retail Park and the proposed Northern Gateway, Destination Chesterfield will continue to work with Chesterfield Borough Council to support existing businesses as well as promoting our town centre to attract further investment.”

Figures from the LDC report show an increase in shop vacancies across the East Midlands from 16.7% in 2011 to 17% in 2012. Chesterfield (8.7%) is the only town centre in the region that is in the top ten with just York (9.6%) and Harrogate (10.3%) featuring amongst a predominant list of Southern based locations, including Central London, Cambridge and Kingston upon Thames. 

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

70 new jobs created at Chesterfield superstore

Chesterfield Borough Council and Jobcentre Plus have worked with one of the town’s newest superstores, The Range, to appoint 70 employees for the store.

The Range, which opened on 29th June on Lordsmill Street, offers more than 65,000 products across 16 departments including DIY, homewares, furniture, lighting, arts and crafts and garden.

The Council and Jobcentre Plus helped The Range to find suitable venues for the interviews and inductions which were part-funded by the Council’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund in order to support unemployed people into the posts. 

The Range successfully recruited 70 employees from the two interview days, 16 of whom were local unemployed people claiming Job Seekers Allowance. A further five local unemployed people were also offered work experience with a view of permanent employment if positions become available.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We’re obviously keen that any new, or existing employer, in the town takes on unemployed people within the borough so we’re delighted that The Range has located to Chesterfield and that so many people will now be in employment as a result. A similar project was carried out at Turning Point in Mastin Moor where we worked with Jobcentre Plus and Chesterfield College to secure jobs for local people in their new Mental Health Unit.”

Angela Stansfield, Employer & Partnership Manager at Jobcentre Plus said: “By working in partnership with the Council we were able to support unemployed people into these jobs which is always a great boost to the local economy.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield school children promote world’s largest steel bar

During February 2012, United Cast Bar (UK) have broken another production record by successfully casting a 635mm diameter bar using the continuous casting process. This increases above the current largest size of 600mm produced a competitor.

To support the presentation of this success, UCB engaged students from Parkside Community School, Chesterfield to produce a digital publication to celebrate the Company’s world record breaking production.

Over fifty students attempted to create a digital publication, ranging from a traditional newspaper article to an animated web publication. Seven students were shortlisted and treated to a tour of the working foundry, where they saw raw materials being melted and cast through the fascinating and truly engaging industrial process.

Lina Green and Rachel West, Year 10 students at the school commented “thank you for your tour of the foundry, it was really interesting to see the work put into making something that is useful for people and businesses around the world”.

The winning entry, a website publication created by Year 9 students Lauren Gaynor, Natasha Cope and Eve Hobson, impressed the judges for its professional quality. The publication can be viewed on the United Cast Bar Limited Website.

James Brand, Group Sales Director for United Cast Bar commented “We are really impressed with the high level of quality and complexity of all of the publications the students have created. We are so pleased to be engaging with Parkside School today, who have a heritage of producing quality students with an industrial related bias.”

Mr Mills, Leader of ICT Innovation and Development, commented “What a marvellous opportunity for our students to be part of this ground breaking venture. This initiative has blurred the edges of education and business development and showed our students how local business and education partnerships can make their mark on a global scale”.

Mrs Gould, Y11 Progress and Transition Leader organised the visit. It is hoped that the advanced ICT skills that have been developed at Parkside School can be utilised to influence the Company’s marketing strategies around the world.

Source:United Cast Bars

Posted in About Chesterfield

Elton John Concert: What was it like for you

History was made in Chesterfield at the weekend with the biggest concert ever held in the town as Sir Elton John, CBE, wooed a record crowd of 15,019 at the Spireites’ B2net football stadium, and the football club is wanting feedback from those who attended as a record of this land-mark event.

 

The 65 year old rocker put on an amazing non-stop show that entranced the crowd for two and a half hours as he performed songs from his endless back catalogue of hits from the last four decades, but what was it like for those who attended?

 

During the show Elton John said: I never thought I would ever play in Chesterfield, it’s a great stadium, so well done Chesterfield.”

 

After a week of heavy rain the sky amazingly cleared and even the sun came out to provide perfect dry weather to which Elton John remarked: “Thank you God for stopping the rain and keeping it dry for tonight’s show.”

 

Just like great football match days, the Spireites B2net Stadium was bouncing to the sound of Sir Elton’s music with the large crowd made up of concert-goers of all ages.

 

Were you in the audience and what was the atmosphere like for you?

 

Elton John said: “Thank you to everyone at Chesterfield Football Club for making tonight’s show possible and to the people of Chesterfield for supporting it. It’s truly amazing.”

 

So from Las Vegas to Chez Vegas it certainly was a night to remember in the history of Chesterfield Football Club and a proud town of Chesterfield.

 

Let us have your feedback

 

What did you think of the Elton John Concert? Let Chesterfield FC know what your experience was like? Send your feedback and to feedback@chesterfield-fc.co.uk or send it via Facebook or Twitter. Full details on the club’s website www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Source:Chesterfield FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield’s revamped Visitor Information Centre nominated as a finalist in the 2012 Visit England Awards for Excellence

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre has been named as a finalist in the Visitor Services category of the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2012.

As a finalist the Centre now goes forward to the glittering Awards Ceremony which is being held on 22 May 2012 at Athena, an art deco gem located in the heart of Leicester’s cultural quarter.

The Information Centre will have to wait until then to find out which award they will receive. All finalists are guaranteed to receive either a Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended Award. The other Information Centres in the Visitor Services category are Bodmin, Greenwich, Harrogate and Manchester.

Commenting on the finalists James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive said: “I would like to congratulate all those nominated as VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finalists this year. This is no small achievement in a year when we have received a record number of submissions. The quality of submissions this year has been outstanding and Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre can justifiably take credit and pride in earning a place at the top of their category in England. I wish everyone all the best for the final in May.”

Cllr Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We’re delighted to have reached the finals of these prestigious awards and thanks must go to all the staff at the Centre who provide a quality service to visitors throughout the year. Tourism is such an important part of our local economy so it’s good to know that our visitor services are being recognised by VisitEngland.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

New look gateway signs to Chesterfield will shout about town’s events

New welcome signs have this week been installed on the key gateways into Chesterfield. The signs, incorporating the Destination Chesterfield branding which is based on the crooked spire, have interchangeable sections that will allow major events and the historic market to be promoted.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The impression we give visitors when they arrive in Chesterfield is vital. The objective of our Warm Welcome Campaign is to improve the arrival at key gateways into the town and also turn them into promotional opportunities.”

The Warm Welcome Campaign, which was an idea by the Chesterfield Champions, the network of businesses in Chesterfield that support and shape the activity of Destination Chesterfield, aims to provide a more consistent and contemporary welcome to the town. The signs are the latest public realm improvements which follow the refurbishment of Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre, new canopies on Chesterfield Market and upgrades to car parking signage. Future projects include improving roundabouts, bus shelters and the coach station.

“The unique idea of these new signs came from a Chesterfield Champions meeting. As local businesses we recognised that many potential visitors to the town drive straight through on their way to and from the Peak District without stopping. By upgrading the signs to include the latest events and to promote the market we can now use the signs to attract people into the town centre,” said Steve Gordon of Banner Jones Solicitors, a Chesterfield Champion.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We want people to receive a consistent message about Chesterfield through the branding they see before they visit the town, when they arrive and while they are here. This all helps to give Chesterfield a unique identity and is one of many projects that the Council is working in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to achieve.”

The production and the erecting of the eleven new signs, costing £10,000, have been funded through the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Destination Chesterfield project.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield bids to be a Portas Pilot

Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council is submitting a bid for Chesterfield to become a Portas’ Pilot town

Up to £100,000 of government cash is on offer for 12 towns to pilot the scheme, which was set up after Mary Portas led a review on revitalising town centres. Local government minister Grant Shapps has described this as a “golden ticket” for town centres.

Against the national backdrop Chesterfield is performing well with high retail occupancy rates and developer interest in the town.

Chesterfield’s Portas Pilot bid is about the future of the town, ensuring that this success and interest continues. The key themes in the bid are the development and growth of new and existing town centre businesses, the historic market and creating a balanced evening economy.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The Portas Report highlighted the importance of markets for towns. Chesterfield Market is at the heart of our bid alongside our independent and high street traders.”

As part of the bid a short video will be submitted, the Chesterfield film entitled ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’ includes local residents and businesses supporting the application in a black and white silent movie.

If successful a Town Team will be carefully selected from the Chesterfield Champions and other town centre businesses to manage the delivery of the project and the future of the Town Centre.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “This bid will allow us to use the public and private sector expertise from the Chesterfield Champions to ensure our town centre remains vibrant and adapts to compliment the future developments in the town.”

Chesterfield will find out if it has been successful in its bid in May.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s revamped Visitor Centre open for business

The doors were opened today (Friday 16th March) on Chesterfield’s new look Visitor Information Centre. The Centre has recently undergone a £40k refurbishment from the Destination Chesterfield project with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Centre was opened by Councillor Peter Barr, Mayor of Chesterfield, MP Toby Perkins and James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland.

The refurbishment includes a new-look interior that reflects the Destination Chesterfield branding, a dedicated section on “Our Future” which features images of developments coming to the town, and quotes from famous people associated with the town including George Stephenson, Bess of Hardwick, Gordon Banks and Lady Baden-Powell.

Councillor Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “The whole interior is a lot more welcoming and open so people can find information quickly. The use of quotes from famous people inside and outside gives visitors and residents a new connection to the town which hopefully inspires pride and interest in what Chesterfield has to offer.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “I think the refurbishment looks fantastic. The whole Centre makes a great first impression for people visiting the town and will certainly help in our aim to promote Chesterfield as a modern, vibrant and contemporary destination.”

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, added: “Chesterfield’s rebranding of its Tourist Information Centre as a Visitor Information Centre, linking in with the work of Destination Chesterfield, illustrates the importance of tourism as a key tool in economic regeneration and the town’s growing role as an eastern gateway to the Peak District.”

The Centre welcomed 155,841 visitors in 2011, an increase of over 12,000 from 2010. The Centre has won the English Tourist Board’s National England for Excellence Awards in 2005 and 2009 and 95% of people interviewed in a customer satisfaction survey last year thought that the service offered was either good or excellent.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Century of Champions for Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield has a century of members for the Chesterfield Champions scheme. Southside Magazine, United Cast Bar Limited and Places and Faces Magazine are the latest businesses to support the project.

Southside Magazine, who are the 100th Champion, spontaneously joined at Destination Chesterfield’s Celebrate Chesterfield Event after hearing the future plans for the Town.

Simon Moreman, Publishing Manager of Southside Magazine said “There are so many exciting projects coming forward for Chesterfield, we as a business have a key role to play in helping the town to promote these changes and wanted to be involved.”

The Champions support the future development of Chesterfield through support and guidance to Destination Chesterfield on how they promote Chesterfield.

James Brand, Sales Director of United Cast Bar Limited said “We are a large local employer and plan to grow further, if the business community can work together to improve Chesterfield and its profile this will increase the opportunities available to companies in the town.

Beverley Bearder, Managing Director of Places and Faces Magazine said “We are keen to support the development of Chesterfield especially the growth of its speciality businesses. Through the support of our magazine we will assist in raising the profile of the town across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “it is great that 100 businesses of all sizes and from all sectors support our approach to promoting Chesterfield. A year ago we launched the scheme and we thank the first 100champions for their support and look forward to working with the current and new champions in the future.

Destination Chesterfield which is funded through money from the European Regional Development Fund, is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promote Chesterfield as a modern contemporary destination. This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

Further information about the Destination Chesterfield project and the Chesterfield Champions Scheme can be found at www.chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

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