Business

Post-16 virtual careers fair launched to support Chesterfield and North Derbyshire recruitment during Covid crisis

An innovative online careers and employability platform, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, has been launched to help employers reach prospective apprentices in a virtual careers fair amidst the Covid-19 crisis.

The My Future platform aims to plug the careers information gap which has been left by Covid-19 by providing careers information to Year 11 and 13 young people.

It is completely free for young people to use. And showcases up to 100 businesses, education and training providers across 10 zones in a virtual careers fair setting. As well as providing information about the business, apprentice positions with the company are also advertised.

My Future has been developed by Chesterfield Borough Council, in partnership with Destination Chesterfield and the D2N2 North Derbyshire Careers Hub.

It is designed to provide support for young people facing uncertainty in their future as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. The platform aims to give young people across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire access to the widest range of high-quality careers advice, employment support, skills and educational programmes.

Chesterfield-based Oasis Studio has designed the platform using innovative 360expo software.

The platform was launched to the business community by Destination Chesterfield at a virtual breakfast event on 23 September 2020.

Speaking at the event, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The development of My Future has led to a truly innovative digital platform providing access to a wide range of careers advice, employment support, apprenticeships, skills and training programmes, all under one virtual roof. I hope that My Future will help young people to build the career and future that they want, so that we can continue to build a thriving borough together.”

Ahead of its launch to employers, careers leaders in the D2N2 North Derbyshire Careers Hub, which works with 21 schools and colleges within Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, has already reached out to all Year 11 and Year 13 school leavers encouraging them to access the My Future platform.

On GCSE results day more than 150 young people logged on to the platform and spent on average 207 minutes exploring the virtual careers fair.

James Brand, D2N2 LEP board member and Managing Director of United Cast Bar, a Chesterfield-based business which is featured in the engineering and manufacturing zone on the platform, said: “My Future is a fantastic platform which we were delighted to get involved with. It’s a great opportunity for businesses to reach out to young people during these challenging times. The platform will offer real support and guidance to school leavers who have been unable to access the careers information they would normally have had to help them make informed decisions about their future.”

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, explained: “Everyone has worked tremendously hard to get the platform up and running. We have been overwhelmed by the support and involvement of businesses and training providers to make My Future happen and support local school leavers during this challenging time.”

D2N2 North Derbyshire Careers Hub Lead Dan Heffernan said: “In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to ensure our young people are given high quality and relevant transitions support.  My Future will ensure that we continue to inspire our future workforce, give them advice on their future career prospects, and showcase the types of next steps that are available.

“On behalf of D2N2 LEP I want to thank all of the organisations that have contributed to this project so far, all of whom are helping to transform the skills and employability agenda across North Derbyshire.”

Young people can take control of their future by visiting My Future and learning about the many opportunities available to them at www.myfuture.org.uk.

Employers who wish to have their business featured on the My Future platform should contact Emily Williams Emily.williams@chesterfield.gov.uk .

My Future Virtual Careers Platform

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure

Bridge Help makes the move to new offices

A Chesterfield business has taken an exciting step forward in its growth ambitions.

Short term financing company Bridge Help has secured new office premises in Chesterfield.

The company has taken over the office suite of Dales and Peaks Estate Agents on Old Brick Works Lane, making the move from Bridge House on Hady Hill, Chesterfield. Dales and Peaks has relocated to 131 Chatsworth Road.

Bridge Help has experienced rapid growth since establishing its headquarters in Chesterfield at the start of the year. It has made a number of new appointments in 2020. Most recently, the company welcomed David Fielding to the team as an underwriter.

The move to larger premises enables Bridge Help to accommodate its growing team while observing social distancing measures in the office.

Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help explained: “Like many businesses right now, our staff are splitting their time between home and office working. However, increasing business, staff numbers and the COVID-crisis has led us to acquire larger premises. It’s a very good move for the business, giving us the space to expand the team further and accommodate social distancing and ensure all team members are safe.”

Despite the pandemic, Bridge Help is seeing no slow down of deals and has used video conference technology during the crisis to complete a number of loan applications, including a £1.2million refinance deal for a development site in Sheffield’s up and coming Kelham Island area.

As well as plans to make further appointments, the company is also shortly to launch its new co-funding proposition.

Chris added: “I am very excited for the future of Bridge Help. The current financial climate has shown a very real need for alternative lenders other than high street banks.”

Bridge Help

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Chesterfield businesses urged to get ready for NHS Covid-19 app

Business owners in Chesterfield borough are being reminded they must be ready for the launch of the new NHS COVID-19 app – due to go live on Thursday (24 September).

The app is part of the government’s large-scale coronavirus testing and contact tracing programme (NHS Test and Trace).

It will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.

By law, selected businesses will be required to display a QR code poster linking to the app – this includes businesses within:

  • Hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
  • Tourism and leisure, including gyms, swimming pools, hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks
  • Close contact services, including hairdressers, and facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres (for events), libraries and children’s centres

There is more information for businesses here – including resources to create your own poster.

A large-scale national campaign to encourage members of the public to download and use the app is set to be rolled out from Thursday.

It will urge people to use the app to help protect their loved ones and their community. It can be used to:

  • Report symptoms
  • Order a coronavirus test
  • Check into venues by scanning a QR code

It is designed to help understand if the virus is spreading in a particular area and will allow local authorities respond more quickly to a local outbreak, alongside partners.

People are reassured that the app does this while protecting a user’s anonymity. Nobody, including the government, will know who or where a particular user is.

You can find out more about the app and how it works here and you can search for answers to common questions here.

The app will be available to download from the Apple Store and Google Play.

Track and Trace NHS

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Construction to start on office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside

Construction of the seven-storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million Chesterfield Waterside scheme is due to start in October.

Chesterfield Borough Council has secured a forward funding agreement with the developer, Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, as a key strategic investment opportunity for the town.

Funding for the delivery of the high-quality office building, which already has planning consent in place, was approved as part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s ambitious growth strategy. The investment is designed to kick-start the town’s economic recovery from Covid-19 and will spearhead major developments around the train station as part of the council’s HS2 Station Masterplan.

Tenants have already been secured for some of the Grade A office accommodation, enabling the developers to bring forward construction of the circa 35,000ft² building, which is being overseen by project delivery partner, Bolsterstone Group Plc.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc, said: “Chesterfield Waterside continues apace. Since receiving planning approval for the office accommodation last year, I am delighted that we have been able to secure tenants and bring forward the delivery of high-quality office accommodation for Chesterfield in conjunction with Chesterfield Borough Council.

“It is an exciting time for Chesterfield Waterside with Avant Homes also building out new homes in the Waterside Quarter neighbourhood. Despite the pandemic, 2020 will be a formative year for the scheme with a significant amount of construction activity planned and more investment proposals in the pipeline, benefitting the local economy.”

The new office building, known as No.1 Waterside Place, will provide office accommodation of the highest specification. It represents the first step in delivering the commercial element of Chesterfield Waterside’s Basin Square neighbourhood.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing forward this state-of-the-art office building with Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, which will deliver supply chain opportunities for local companies during the construction phase and new jobs for local people with the companies that will be taking space at No.1 Waterside Place.

“These are uncertain times, but we must not stand still. We must continue to invest in this and other growth projects if we are to meet the council’s objectives of making Chesterfield a thriving borough and improve the quality of people’s lives. No.1 Waterside Place is just the start of what we believe will be a very special journey for the people of this great town and borough.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby and Peter Swallow

Construction of the offices is expected to be completed in August 2021. Britcon (UK) Ltd, a leading Civil Engineering, Building and Steel Frame Solutions company, has been appointed as the main contractor to construct the office building.

As part of the contract with Chesterfield Borough Council, Britcon will utilise local labour and local contractors across the whole build process and will also be working closely with Chesterfield College to provide opportunities for their students.

No.1 Waterside Place will boast two passenger lifts, raised access flooring, air conditioning, LED lighting, a high-quality entrance foyer, showers and cycle parking facilities onsite.

Chesterfield-based accountancy firm BHP Chartered Accountants, a Sunday Times Top 100 Employer, will occupy an entire floor within the building. The firm will be relocating its Chesterfield office to No.1 Waterside Place to benefit from the high-quality specification and unparalleled location at Chesterfield Waterside.

Planning approval for the office building, which was designed by Bond Bryan Architects, was granted by Chesterfield Borough Council last year bringing forward commercial negotiations with BHP alongside other tenants who are also in advanced discussions.

As well as office accommodation, the building also offers ground floor retail space and Chesterfield Waterside Ltd. is already in discussions with a number of potential occupiers.

The new large-plate office accommodation is designed to complement the start-up and incubator units at Chesterfield Borough Council’s Enterprise Centre scheme, which is currently under construction at Saltergate.

It is also anticipated that the new offices will be highly sought after by organisations looking to move out of larger cities such as London, Manchester and Birmingham and establish regional hubs around mainline train stations in an effort to COVID-19 proof their operations.

Basin Square is the first commercial element of Chesterfield Waterside. When complete, the  £75m Basin Square neighbourhood will also see the delivery of 320 Built-to-Rent apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a high quality public realm area overlooking the already constructed canal basin.

This latest step forward for the project follows the announcement that Avant Homes has opened the showhomes at the Waterside Quarter neighbourhood where it is building 174 two, three, and four-bedroom homes. Avant reports strong interest in the development and has already taken a number of reservations.

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

FHP Property Consultants and Knight Frank have been appointed as letting agents for the office space at Chesterfield Waterside.

For further information about Chesterfield Waterside, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Manufacturing, Visiting

DBCP’s Ashgate Hospicecare project wins at LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards

Ashgate Hospicecare’s project to create nine new private bedrooms was named as the Best Small Commercial Project at the virtual LABC East Midlands Building Excellence Awards 2020.

Ashgate Hospicecare now goes through the national LABC Awards, joining winners from across 13 regions to claim the overall winner title.

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) nominated Ashgate Hospicecare for the award following its work with a number of other local businesses and suppliers to deliver the £1 million project to create the private rooms out of multiple bed bays.

The project was made possible and affordable for Ashgate Hospicecare by a number of suppliers, like DBCP, giving their services and materials either free of charge or choosing to forgo any profits.

Hayley Wardle, Director of Quality and Patient Care at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We are delighted to have won this award for what has been such an important project for our patients and their loved ones.”

“Previously we were providing care to some patients in three-bedded bays which hadn’t really changed for 30 years. The bays were very old fashioned and didn’t give patients the privacy and dignity they deserve.”

“The new rooms mean our patients can now talk in privacy without the worry of being overheard. Families are able to create special, precious memories without fear of disturbing other patients. Our visitors can stay with their loved one for as long as they need after they die. The rooms also give them that most precious thing – the time they need to say goodbye and express their grief freely in a private space.”

David Pratt, DBCP Building Control Manager added: “To see the Ashgate Hospicecare project take home the award for Best Small Commercial Project was brilliant. That project meant such a lot to our team and all the partners we worked closely with during its construction.”

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) and Ashgate Hospicecare support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home

BHP launches free support service for SMEs

Leading accountancy firm BHP is launching a free and innovative support service to help SMEs drive post lockdown growth, tackle challenges and pioneer new ways of working.

BHP’s experienced consulting team is offering SMEs the opportunity to meet virtually for a free of charge appointment, which will provide invaluable one to one business support.

BHP Consulting provide businesses with access to high quality solutions and expertise. The team are all successful leaders who have all run and grown businesses. Using their knowledge and experience, they work with business owners and senior managers to further develop skills and confidence as well as improve the effectiveness of management teams, create clear business strategies, and ultimately grow their business.

Mark Roberts, Head of Consulting at BHP, said: “We believe that every business challenge is unique and what was happened over the last few months is something that businesses will have never experienced before.”

“From mobilising dispersed teams, maximising productivity and employee engagement, generating leads remotely, to attracting new talent, the to do list for business owners has been, and is, relentless.”

“We are introducing the free ‘virtual coffee’ initiative to give business leaders the opportunity to speak to an experienced member of our consulting team and talk through short and longer term priorities. Our team is made up of business leaders who all have experience running successful businesses and organisations and have proven track records.

Rachel Hannan from the consulting team said “Even the most experienced business leaders benefit from accessing additional ideas, thinking and a sounding board to help them overcome hurdles and capitalise on opportunities. Especially at a time like this.”

“All of our team are passionate about helping others and sharing our knowledge and expertise to support SMEs, the backbone of the northern economy. This a great chance for business owners to take a breath, take stock and plan for the future.”

“Hamish Morrison & Lisa Leighton, Joint Managing Partners at BHP, said “We are delighted to be able to offer this free support, which underlines BHP’s commitment to businesses in the region.”

“When a company signs up for a virtual coffee appointment, the team will assess their requirements and they will be allocated to the member of the team who best suits their needs. It is very much a bespoke service that’s being offered.”

To book your virtual coffee, please either visit www.bhp-consulting.co.uk or contact jemma.houseman@bhp.co.uk.

BHP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Lisa Leighton & Hamish Morrison, Joint Managing Partners at BHP (image taken prior to the coronavirus pandemic)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Chesters to open second restaurant at Markham Vale

The owners of Chester’s Fish & Chips Restaurant, located on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield, have now revealed their plans for a second location.

The new premises will be located on the Markham Vale services site at Junction 29A of the M1, opposite McDonalds and adjacent to Starbucks.

The new investment will cost over £1 million and will create over 30 local jobs.

Set to open in spring 2021, the new venue will offer a seaside-themed restaurant and a takeaway counter as well as a separate drive-through lane.

The announcement comes after a very busy period for the team thanks to the Government’s recent Eat Out to Help Out scheme. On their busiest day, the restaurant had to turn away over 196 bookings and in just one day served 756 people.

Thousands of customers visited throughout August, and the owners have decided to extend the scheme, offering 20% of bills, including alcohol, every Monday to Thursday throughout September.

Image courtesy of Chesters

Chris Ioannides, Owner of Chesters, said: “We are excited to announce the opening of a second restaurant for Chesters, which will serve all our best known dishes. We will continue to support the local community and charities like we always strive to and give back something to Chesterfield and the suurounding areas.”

He added “We’d like to thank all our loyal customers for their support and we look forward to meeting new customers at our new Markham Vale location!”

Competition

To celebrate the announcement, Destination Chesterfield has teamed up with Chesters to offer a £20 voucher to one lucky winner! Click here to enter the draw.

Markham Vale services

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Take up for industrial and logistics premises increases across East Midlands

Take up for industrial and logistics space across the East Midlands increased markedly in the first half of 2020, with 7% more activity recorded than the same period in 2019, according to the latest market statistics.

The region was ranked third nationally for the period, behind Yorkshire and the South East, with over 4.25 million sq. ft transacted in the East Midlands in just six months, according to data compiled by EGI Radius Data Exchange, which canvasses deal information from the regions key agents.

Commercial Property Partners (CPP) Director Stuart Waite commented: “The sector has proven to be resilient during the pandemic with growth in e-commerce the driving force behind strong levels of take up in the sector.”

“The outlook remains positive moving forward and on the back of this, we are continuing to see strong developer interest in well positioned sites across the region, which is ultimately still starved of good quality warehouse and industrial units across all size ranges.”

The strong performance of the East Midlands region was underpinned with numerous notable deals including Amazon, Games Workshops, Bleckmann and Aldi.

CPP Director Sean Bremner commented: “There continues to be great demand for high quality, modern space, and therefore the take-up has been strong.”

“Increasingly, occupier demand is driven by the growth in online retail. The majority of current leasing and demand activity is created by businesses who are either directly involved in online retail or linked to it such as parcel delivery operators or manufacturers who now sell their product online.”

Click here to find out more about available commercial space in Chesterfield, click here.

Please click here to search the latest list of current available properties from Chesterfield Borough Council.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home

Local company completes free repairs at Chesterfield community hub

After water was discovered leaking into the building of Chesterfield’s Monkey Park Community Hub, a local company have completed the repair works for free.

The volunteer team at Monkey Park approached local business DMG Asbestos Management for a quotation to remove the cause of the leak, an asbestos cement flue pipe, and were delighted when they offered to do the job free of charge.

The not-for-profit organisation is located in Brampton and includes a café, co-work space, bike workshop, space hire and hosts community events.

Three workers from DMG Asbestos Management came on one of the hottest days of the year and erected a scaffolding tower in order to lower the problem chimney safely off the roof.

Local resident and director of Monkey Park, Helen Symons, said: “We were worried about the chimney but thank goodness DMG removed all that stress. I could see them working from my garden. They were efficient, hard-working and highly professional. They made me remember that there are good people out there willing to go the extra mile for their local community.”

Aaron Goodwin of DMG said: “We like to try and give something back to our town and Monkey Park is a great cause in the local community.”

The community hub and the café are currently closed and will be re-opening again in late September. The bike workshops & office co-working space are still open however.

Ahead of the re-opening, the Monkey Park Hub is having building work done, including the fitting of an accessible toilet in the café.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Visiting

Action Grants awarded to over 900 Derbyshire projects and more grants on the way

Derbyshire County Council have awarded almost £1 million through their Action Grants scheme over the past 2 years.

The cash has been a boost to the activities of community groups, sports clubs, charities and parish councils across the county.At the final tally, Derbyshire County Council have awarded Action Grants totalling nearly £905,000 to 906 projects across Derbyshire in 8 rounds. In the final round 77 groups have been awarded grants totalling £220,000 across the 4 categories of youth activity, community activity, physical activity and sport and community safety.

The grants are supporting activities like tackling anti-social behaviour and scams, sports training and facilities, theatre groups, choirs, music events, allotments, developing apps, art workshops, adventure activities for youth groups, counselling support, building refurbishment, equipment for community buildings, toddler groups, green schemes, clubs for older people and activities to support disabled people.

If grants were given for events planned to take place in 2020 but postponed because of the Covid-19 crisis, the money can be used next year instead.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “There’s excellent work going on in our local communities and our Action Grants have helped to give some financial support to many of the activities.”

“Even modest amounts of cash have made an appreciable difference to some of the groups and I have witnessed for myself how the money has helped.”

“People of all ages are benefiting from the work of these groups and I’d like to thank the staff and volunteers who put in so much time and effort to run these schemes.”

“We are continuing to give grant support with our recently launched Youth Activity Grants which I’d encourage residents and businesses to apply for.”

There is £220,000 available in Youth Activity Grants between now and the end of the year or until all the money has been allocated.

Find details of the recipients from all Action Grant rounds here.

Picture taken prior to the coronavirus pandemic

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chesterfield FC appoint new Marketing Manager

Bridget Ball has been appointed as Chesterfield FC’s new Marketing Manager.

This follows recent changes to the Spireites senior management team after the sale of Chesterfield FC to Chesterfield FC Community Trust.

In August, John Croot was appointed Chief Executive of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, while Andy Fantom was appointed as Chief Finance Officer.

Bridget, who recently left her role as Peak FM’s Sales Director, said: “I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

“It is a great opportunity for me to join the club following the recent takeover and I’m looking forward to working with clients I already know as well as establishing new ones.”

Spireites Chief Executive John Croot said: “I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Bridget as she has valuable experience and a wealth of local contacts. Working alongside Jim Brown, she will be a great addition to the senior management team at the club.”

To contact Bridget, please email bridgetball@chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Chesterfield FC supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Image credit: Tina Jenner

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home