About Chesterfield

Funding deal to create 28,000 jobs in the region

A £320 million cash boost has been secured by local leaders from the public and private sector to create over 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people across the Sheffield City Region (which includes Chesterfield).

This is the fifth most substantial Growth Deal that any city region local enterprise partnership (LEP) has made with government as ministers make their announcements for the 39 LEP areas across England.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was in Sheffield City Region on Friday (4 July) to confirm the final investment during a visit to a local business, which is already benefiting from investment from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The new funding will enable the City Region’s leaders to create a £130 million Skills Bank, which will provide training for 40,000 people in the Sheffield City Region, including between 5,000 and 7,500 apprentices.  The funding will also be used to build new facilities at existing colleges, including a brand new British Glass Academy.

£50 million of the funding will mean that the LEP can extend its highly successful business investment and support programme and create 4,000 new jobs for local people.

James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP, said:

“Sheffield City Region is getting a bigger share of the new funds than we might have expected and is clearly punching its weight when it comes to newly devolved powers and funds from Government.

“Our Growth Deal is the first step on a journey to enable the Sheffield City Region to take control of its own economic destiny. This is a strong start and, although we have not got everything we wanted, we have done well and we look forward to working with Government to increase their trust in our LEP so we will be able to take even more of our own funding and strategic economic decisions in the future.”

Photograph: LEP Board member Paul Houghton shakes hands with DPM Nick Clegg with the SCR Strategic Economic Plan, at Chapmans Agricultural in Sheffield

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Two foodie families sought for Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Awards

Two families are being sought to uncover Chesterfield’s most family-friendly restaurant or café.

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s annual Food and Drink Awards, is looking for two families with children aged under 12, to judge shortlisted family-friendly establishments.

As well as having an all expenses-paid meal for four, the lucky winners will also receive two tickets to attend the glittering awards ceremony which is being hosted by TV chef Ainsley Harriott.

The Family-Friendly Award is a new category for the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. It seeks to find the town’s ultimate eatery that offers great food, excellent facilities for young children, special menus and goes that extra step to make sure families can enjoy their dining experience.

As well as enjoying a meal, the winning families will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens commented: “The Food and Drink awards were a huge success last year and we wanted to welcome them back again with a brand new category that recognises the wealth of family friendly restaurants that we have here in Chesterfield, and who better to judge them than families.

“This competition is a great chance for families in the area to voice their opinion and get to enjoy a meal out too!”

If you want to get involved then simply enter online at http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/chesterfield-food-and-drink-awards-become-a-judge-competition or send the names and ages of your family members and 200 words explaining why your family would make the perfect judges, to  :

Food and Drink Awards Competition,

Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield Commerce Centre

Canal Wharf

Chesterfield

S41 7NA

The closing date for entries is Monday 21st July. The winning families will receive a meal for two adults and two children in up to three shortlisted establishments. The adults will also receive two tickets to attend the awards ceremony.

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair. If any businesses would be interested in becoming a sponsor of the new awards contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or emaildom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Retail Awards winners announced

11 of Chesterfield’s retailers have fought off stiff competition from more than 240 businesses to be named the very best in the town.

The winners of the first Chesterfield Retail Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by Slic Training, were named at an awards ceremony held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18 June 2014.

Pelican Cycles, based on Old Road in Brampton, scooped awards across four categories, including the coveted Retailer of the Year award. The cycle shop was opened in 2012 by owner and keen cyclist Neil Armitage. It stocks an extensive range of cycling parts and accessories, including big name quality brands, as well as offering a full workshop repair and maintenance service. Outside the shop, Pelican Cycles holds free weekly evening road rides in the summer and holding private indoor cycle spinning sessions for customers at Queens Park Leisure Centre during winter.

Prior to opening the shop Neil had never worked on retail. He said: “I followed a dream when I opened Pelican Cycles. I was genuinely gobsmacked to win the awards. We have worked our socks off but it’s worth it.”

Since opening, the business achieved a six figure turnover in year 1 with turnover growing by more than 50% in its second year of trading. Neil said: “We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and personal service. We have created a welcoming informal atmosphere in the shop with the use of touches like an espresso machine and screen showing Tour De France highlights. Because of these touches and our approach to customer service we have developed a loyal repeat customer base.

“I was convinced there was a gap in the local market for a quality cycle shop that treated people with respect and gave a good, honest and personal service. Essentially I wanted to provide what I had been looking for. To receive these awards shows that we have achieved this. I am delighted.”

Multiple awards were also won by new business M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms based on Sheffield Road in Whittington Moor. It was named as the Best New Store and National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year. The family run business, which opened its first store in Tideswell, Derbyshire in 1935, launched in Chesterfield in 2013.

Some of Chesterfield’s oldest businesses also won awards at the ceremony, including John Stevenson Jewellers, Northern Tea Merchants and Fred’s Haberdashery who, between them, have been serving customers in the town for more than 120 years.

 

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

  • Viviennes Hairdressing

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oxspring Technical Ltd

  • Zebra Menswear

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre

  • John Stevenson Jewellers

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

  • Bigwicks

Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

  • Babyluv

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

  • Northern Tea Merchants

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year

  • aGeek

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)

  • Pelican Cycles

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

  • Unstone Plant Centre

Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

  • Pelican Cycles

National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source

  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by ChesterfieldCollege

  • Pelican Cycles

Market Hall Business of the Year

  • Fred’s Haberdashery

Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones

  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

  • Pelican Cycles

Destination Chesterfield manager Dominic Stevens said: “The awards were a runaway success. From the offset we were overwhelmed with nominations for so many retailers in the town. The shortlisting and judging process was incredibly difficult with so many strong contenders in each field.

“Chesterfield is envied nationally for its retail success. While other town and city centres are struggling, ours is thriving and it’s no wonder seeing the passion, innovation and customer service so many of the town’s retailers are delivering on a daily basis. These awards recognise this.”

Other supporters of the awards included Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

Find out more about the awards at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Sculpture to transform Hornsbridge Roundabout

Work to transform a key gateway into Chesterfield town centre is set to begin after planning permission was granted by Chesterfield Borough Council.

An eight metre-high sculpture by local artist Melanie Jackson will start to be installed at Hornsbridge Roundabout from July with completion expected by the end of the year.

The design, which was voted for by residents and Chesterfield Champions, features a wheel, or cog, integrated into the landscape showing the borough’s industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “It’s good that work is about to start on Hornsbridge island.

“This is a key gateway into Chesterfield when you drive into the town centre from the M1 or when coming into or leaving the town by train and is a great opportunity to showcase what is great about Chesterfield.”

John Dillon, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “Community investment is extremely important to us as a company and we are really excited to be involved in a project which promises to have such a significant impact on the landscape of the town itself.”

The project has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes.  This funding can only be used to make environmental improvements to install public art at key sites and entry points to the town centre.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

More than 1000 entries for Chesterfield Marathon

A 67-year-old man from Clay Cross has become the 1,000th person to sign up for the Chesterfield Marathon.

John Edward Bee, a former member of North Derbyshire Running Club, will take part in the 26-mile distance event on September 14.  While an experienced runner, it will be the first full marathon for John, who has taken part in a number of half marathons, 10km and 5km races in the past.

John said: “I’m hopeful I can finish the full distance, but whether I can run all the way is another matter!  It’s really all about taking part and showing support for charity.  I just really hope I can finish before everyone else has gone home!

“I was going to keep entering the Chesterfield Marathon a secret from the running club’s members, but I may need to rethink that now! It’s great to be the 1000th entry.”

Daniel Lane, Landlord of John’s local pub, the George and Dragon in Clay Cross, has already offered him a generous sponsorship amount, which John is aiming to at least match as his own sponsorship target.

Daniel added: “John has taken part in the pub’s own charity event – the ‘Dragon Run’ – a five-mile annual race in and around the Clay Cross area for a number of years.  John is yet to be beaten in that race, despite his humble attitude towards his own running ability. We have every confidence he will do very well in the Chesterfield Marathon.”

The Chesterfield Marathon is set to be one of the biggest participant events in the town for more than 30 years. It is in aid of children’s charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer, along with other local charities.

Mike Hyman, founder of Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the Chesterfield Marathon, says: “We are delighted to pass the 1,000th entry milestone for the race.  Interest in the event is really growing with entrants coming in daily.  It should be a fantastic day for Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.”

Runners can take part in a full marathon, half marathon, fun run and a relay race, where four competitors take a share of the course.

In addition to the races, fun activities will be taking place at Queen’s Park throughout the day.  The Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon post-race celebrations kick off straight after the fun run finishes with entertainment and live bands managed by Red Butterfly, John Proctor fairground rides, an inflatable arena and sport fun with Premier Sports. The day will finish with a finale of fireworks by Pyrotex award winning professional firework displays.

Entry into the events costs £45 (full marathon) £35 (half marathon) £100 (relay) and £5 (fun run) and anyone raising £200 for Kids ‘n’ Cancer can gain free entry.

To sign-up for the Chesterfield Marathon visitwww.chesterfieldmarathon.co.uk.

Source:Released on behalf of Kids ‘N’ Cancer by HR Media Ltd

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

Music fans flock to the Proact

Thousands of music fans enjoyed two fabulous concerts last weekend at Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium.

Legendary Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones, who was supported by Andrew Cole and Toploader, attracted a crowd of 12,253 on Saturday night while Party at the Proact the following day was attended by 5,495 people.

Sir Tom Jones belted out a string of his hits from over the decades in a set lasting around 90 minutes.  Celebrating his 74th birthday on the day of the concert, he told the audience that being on stage singing was the best way to mark the occasion.

Party at the Proact was opened by Tich at around 4.30pm on Sunday and featured superb performances from Ms Dynamite, Union J, Katy B, Lawson and Labrinth before headline act Tinie Tempah closed the show.

Spireites Chairman Dave Allen was delighted to hear such positive feedback from those who attended the shows.  He said: “I thought Tom Jones was outstanding and the fans clearly enjoyed his performance. The mainly younger audience at Party at the Proact were also thoroughly entertained for over five and a half hours.

“Many people have praised the organisation of both events – including the conference and banqueting side – and commented on the great acoustics.  Following on from the success of the Elton John concert two years ago, the Proact is establishing a reputation as being a superb venue for live music featuring some top acts.”

Photograph courtesy of Jamie Whitehouse.

Source:Chesterfield Football Club

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Celebrity Chef Ainsley Harriott announced as host of 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

TV chef and presenter Ainsley Harriott has been confirmed as the host of Chesterfield’s 2014 Food and Drink Awards ceremony.

Ainsley hosted the inaugural Food and Drink Awards ceremony last year at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building and proved such a hit with guests that he has been invited back once more.

Commenting on the awards Ainsley said: “I am delighted to be involved with the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards once again. It was amazing to see the passion felt by everyone in the room on the night. The evening brought the hospitality community together. Everybody tells me the awards have also created a new standard in food in the town, which is very exciting.”

The Awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor Chesterfield College whose students will also, once again, be catering the entire event.

Ainsley added: “It’s inspiring to hear that Chesterfield College is training the next generation of chefs.”

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Ainsley has once again agreed to host the awards ceremony. He was such a hit with the guests, winners and students, and helped make it a memorable night for everyone involved.”

Nominations across ten categories for the awards open in June and shortlisting will take place in August with the winners being crowned at the star-studded ceremony in October later this year.

This year there are more opportunities for food and drink producers to win with the introduction of two new categories – International Restaurant of the Year and the Family Friendly Award. There are 13 categories in total, including:

  • Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year
  • Gastro Pub of the Year
  • Pub / Bar of the Year
  • Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
  • Best Customer Service – sponsored by Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Best Out of Town – sponsored by Northern Tea Merchants
  • Chesterfield Food Producer
  • Chef of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones
  • Young Chef of the Year
  • International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by BRM Solicitors
  • Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design
  • Best Food Hero – sponsored by Chesterfield College

Other supporters of the awards include Franke Sissons, In the Works PR and the Derbyshire Times.

Voting is now open and can be done online atwww.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards. Alternatively, nomination forms can be picked up from food and drink outlets throughout the town.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Retail Awards shortlist announced

29 businesses have been shortlisted from more than 1000 nominations in the first ever Chesterfield Retail Awards, sponsored by SLIC Training.

The shortlisted retailers will now go head-to-head across 15 categories, with the winner in each being announced at the Retail Awards ceremony held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18 June 2014.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dom Stevens said: “We were overwhelmed with nominations, which highlighted the passion for so many retailers in the town. It was a very difficult task for our judges to shortlist the finalists. The field of entries was very strong, each of them with a passion for Chesterfield and delivering great customer service.

“It is little wonder, from the response to the awards, why Chesterfield’s retail offering out performs the majority of high streets throughout the UK.”

The shortlisted retailers across the 15 categories are:

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

  • Definition Hair and Beauty
  • Harleys Hairdressing
  • Viviennes Hairdressing

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oxspring Technical Ltd

  • Blanc
  • Toad Footwear
  • Zebra Menswear

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Libby’s

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

  • Bigwicks
  • Created Gallery
  • New Dawn

Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

  • Babyluv
  • Giraffe Nursery Store
  • Pooky

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

  • Northern Tea Merchants
  • R. P. Davidson Cheese Factor
  • R. B. Elliot & Son Ltd

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year

  • aGeek
  • Chips Computers
  • Three

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)

  • Fred’s Haberdashery
  • Pelican Cycles
  • Tallbird Records

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

  • Unstone Plant Centre
  • Ibbotsons Fruit and Veg
  • Paul Hinds Greeting Cards

Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Pelican Cycles

National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source

  • H & M
  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms
  • New Look

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by ChesterfieldCollege

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Pelican Cycles

Market Hall Business of the Year

  • Fred’s Haberdashery
  • MarketPlazaCafé
  • R. P. Davidson Cheese Factor

Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones

  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms
  • New Dawn
  • Tallbird Records

Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Retailer of the Year will be announced from the winners on the night.

Other supporters of the awards include Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

To sponsor the 2014 Chesterfield Retail Awards please visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/. You can also keep up-to-date with the awards on Twitter by using the hashtag #retailawards14.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Duke of Devonshire officially opens Chesterfield Market Hall

Chesterfield Market Hall has been officially re-opened by the Duke of Devonshire.

The market hall underwent a £4.3 million redevelopment last year and traders returned in October.

The main retail hall was opened up and transformed by the installation of a glazed atrium above first floor level providing natural light and the 1970s extension on New Square was redesigned to be more in keeping with the original market hall.

In addition to providing a modern and colourful shopping mall downstairs there are 20 offices on the first and second floors, alongside the historic Assembly Rooms, which were also refurbished.

The project was paid for by £2.1 million of grants from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery and the Derbyshire Economic Partnership, with the remaining cost being met by Chesterfield Borough Council.

As he unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening, the Duke of Devonshire, said: “What a tremendous achievement to manage the market hall in a commercial way but in the interests of everyone who lives and works in Chesterfield.

“It’s the beating heart of this great town – and means that Chesterfield will have even more appeal to visitors. Jobs have been created and it is something to be very proud of.”

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I am proud that at a time of cuts, when many councils have been forced to scale down their markets, we have been able to invest in the market hall and the independent traders who have a key role to play in the success of Chesterfield.”

Around half of the £4.3 million cost was spent on refurbishing the historic Assembly Rooms on the first floor of the market hall building and creating a suite of around 20 offices on the first and second floors.

The market hall has 43 retail units, of which 91 per cent have already been let.  Many of the previous stall holders in the market hall have returned, along with some new businesses.

The original market hall offices have been updated and all nine of these have been let. The new studio offices on the first floor have also all been let.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “One of the businesses I have spoken to today has taken on 16 people since moving here. Success stories like that can only be good for the town.”

Photo caption: The Duke of Devonshire (right) with Chesterfield Borough Council leader, Councillor John Burrows, and the plaque to mark the official reopening of Chesterfield Market Hall.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Increase in jobs at Markham Vale development

The latest jobs figures for Markham Vale have been revealed – with a further 200 still to come.

The site, which is situated next to junction 29A of the M1, is currently home to 28 businesses and has so far helped to create 565 jobs – an increase of 208 on the previous year.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“We are delighted that Markham Vale is going from strength to strength and helped to create many jobs in the last year for local people.

“We are committed to building a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs and grows businesses and Markham Vale plays a key role in helping us achieve this.

“The long-term aim is to help create 5,000 jobs and we will continue to work hard to attract more companies to reach this goal.”

New businesses which have recently opened or are set to in the next few months will help to create an extra 200 jobs.

These include Northern Ireland’s biggest egg processor Ready Egg Products which is developing a manufacturing facility and Derbyshire food company Holdsworth which set up a base on Markham Vale four years ago and is building a new warehouse and cold store.

And thanks to funding of £14.2 million from the Government and £12.5m from the county council’s private sector developer Henry Boot Developments Ltd, work has started to unlock a further 81 acres of land on the former Seymour Colliery site.

The work is expected to generate £82 million of private sector investment and create capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the area.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Free workshop to help local businesses get online

Chesterfield businesses are being given the chance to learn first-hand from the experts and set up their own website, in a free workshop being delivered by Chesterfield Champion Magnifica, a leading software agency.

The workshop, organised by Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will be held on Wednesday 21st May, at Dunston Innovation Centre, from 9.30am-12.30pm, with lunch included.

The workshop is available to any Chesterfield business, with up to two participants each.  It comprises of one three hour session, focusing on learning digital codes with the end of the session seeing participants build their own webpage.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “The course is all part of our commitment to help small businesses in Chesterfield thrive and develop.  It’s not just about having a high street presence or office addresses any more.  It’s about having a strong online presence too.  The workshop, which is being delivered by experts in the field, will give people simple and practical skills to help them do exactly this.”

Chesterfield based Magnifica offers a range of services including web design, ecommerce websites, content management systems, mobile ready apps and bespoke software development.

Rob Gregory, Magnifica’s Co-founder said: “Coding isn’t just about sitting in front of a computer.  In fact, today code is everywhere in both our personal and business lives. Knowing a bit about how to code will give you a unique perspective on understanding and solving all sorts of problems.  It will also give you the confidence to communicate with software people, if and when you need to in the future.”

For more information or to register for the workshop visit:http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/websites

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business