Business

Chesterfield business expands despite Covid-19 industry setbacks

Chesterfield-based mortgage advice firm Mortgage 1st have continued their ambitions growth plans with the recruitment of two new Mortgage Advisers, despite huge setbacks and disruption to both the financial services industry and the housing market due to Covid-19.

Two new advisers have just completed their ‘virtual’ induction and will be authorised to start looking after clients by the end of May. A further three new Advisers have also recently accepted a position at Mortgage 1st and once their applications are complete the Adviser head count will reach 20 by the end of the year.

Mortgage 1st was established in 2008 by Jon Stones at his dining table. His passion and hard work over the years has seen his team grow from a one-man-band to a strong and capable team of 28 today. Jon has ambitious future plans for Mortgage 1st and even a global pandemic hasn’t stood in his way in continuing with the recruitment and growth of his team.

Mortgage 1st has always offered ‘remote advice’ meaning everything can be done on email, Zoom or over the phone. As well as the Chesterfield based head office team, over half of the advisers work remotely and are based all over the UK. This has meant that they have seen very little disruption and have been able to continue working as normal for their customers during the last few uncertain months.

The Mortgage 1st head office has been closed for the duration of lockdown, their team were set up to work from home safely from day 1 meaning it’s been business as usual for their clients. The team have stayed in touch with one another using video and conference calls and were even able to conduct a virtual 2-day induction course for their new advisers.

Lisa Stones, HR & Marketing Director at Mortgage 1st (below) said: “We are delighted to be welcoming two new faces to the team who bring years of experience with them. Continued growth is a huge part of our company vision and even though we have had to adapt quickly, like all businesses have, during the past few months this hasn’t stopped us, we’ve just become more virtual!”

Since some of the housing market restrictions were lifted earlier this month Mortgage 1st have already seen a large spike in new enquires as the property market safely kick starts. This is great news for the industry, for house buyers & sellers and for the economy in general.

Click here to read more about Mortgage 1st

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

Chesterfield Royal Hospital retains ‘GOOD’ rating

The Chief Inspector of Hospitals has confirmed that the Chesterfield Royal Hospital has retained an overall rating of GOOD for the services it runs, following a recent visit from Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors.

The report published on Friday May 29 2020) showed that the Trust had maintained its high standards in the regulator’s five domains that asks whether a hospital is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. The report also highlights five areas of outstanding practice within urgent and emergency service, medical care and surgery.

Commenting on the rating, Chief Executive Angie Smithson (below) said: “I’m incredibly proud of what our colleagues have achieved to once again show that the care and services we provide have met the high standards set out by the CQC. Our teams across the Trust work hard to provide the best possible care to our patients and visitors. This rating reflects that dedication and gives us a solid platform as we continue our journey to ‘OUTSTANDING’.”

Inspectors visited the site in February 2020, spending three days on site to look at a number of different services.

The report, in particular noted high levels of kind and compassionate care throughout the Trust with good, visible and approachable leadership providing a good, inclusive service to the local population.

Meanwhile services were praised for being appropriately staffed with a good skill mix to keep patients safe from harm with staff quick to identify and act upon patients at risk of deterioration. It also highlighted a high level of understanding from staff as to how to protect patients from abuse, working well with other services and agencies to do so.

The report sets out just two areas that the Trust must do – ensuring staff wear personal protective equipment at all times when taking bloods and inserting a cannula. The second is to make sure Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) assessments are carried out in a timely fashion and that families are informed of the outcome and involved in best interest decision meetings.

There are also 32 actions the CQC recommend the Trust to undertake to make services better that range from patients being told how to use the call bells and keeping up to date with mandatory training to keeping corridors clear of obstructions and the appropriate storage of emergency equipment.

Director of Nursing and Patient Care, Lynn Andrews, said: “This is a highly detailed report and we will take the time to go through it line by line to make certain that we can put plans in place to address those recommendations and maintain our successes.”

Lynn added: “I would like to thank all of our staff for their dedication and hard work in achieving this outcome. We have such a strong platform to build on and this report gives us what we need to continue our journey towards ‘OUTSTANDING’.”

To view the full report, click here www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RFS

Angie Smithson – Chief Executive of Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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

Dronfield Open Art Exhibition goes virtual

For the first time, Dronfield Arts Festival is now hosting its popular Open Art Exhibition as an online event.

Although the exhibition is no longer taking place at Dronfield Hall Barn, local digital design agency FWD Motion, managers of the Dronfield Arts Festival, are now sharing the artwork online, to allow everyone to enjoy a fantastic selection of unique pieces, created by some of our most talented local artists.

The diverse array of styles and mediums on display, reflects the varied backgrounds of the entrants. Award-winning artist Carole Slinn, whose modern, mixed-media artwork focuses on an individual’s personal history and how this influences their identity, is just one of the artists featured in the exhibition.

Heron Publications, the publishers of Twist Magazine, are this year’s festival patrons, will be awarding the two most outstanding pieces of art with the titles of ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Highly Commended.’

Art lovers, or those looking to treat someone special, can purchase any of the original artwork currently being exhibited in the online gallery, subject to availability.

Click here to view the online art gallery

Dronfield Arts Festival, FWD Motion and Heron Publications are all members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme.

To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

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

Talent contest by local care group lifts spirits amid coronavirus crisis

Local care provider, Heathcotes Group, has been helping to keep its service users engaged during lockdown with a talent contest inviting their services to show off their creative abilities.

Fifteen services took up the invitation to enter Heathcotes’s Got Talent, which showed off a fantastic mix of artistic styles recorded on audio and video, including choreographed dancing, drawing, rapping, Elvis impersonations and a COVID-19-themed dance mix. Many of the entries promoted an uplifting message expressing positivity and solidarity in dealing with the coronavirus crisis whilst thanking the UK’s courageous key workers in the NHS and social care.

Gemma Hollingsworth, Director of Operations (North) said: “All the entries had plenty to admire and it was difficult to pick out winners. We ended up choosing four winners and all the other services received certificates of commendation. They certainly showed that they’ve got talent and they put a big smile on our face!”

“COVID-19 has impacted many people’s mental health and the pandemic has been an enormous challenge for a care provider that support adults with learning disabilities and complex mental health needs. The response from our staff has been amazing – our services nationwide have been coming up with all kinds of creative ways to lift spirits, keep our service users occupied and help them cope with the disruption. We’ve seen baking contests, photo shoots, rainbow-themed parties, art galleries, newsletters, garden makeovers and numerous other activities and events.”

Natalia Lysiuk, Director of Business Development, said: “Under immense pressure, our Support Workers, Team Leaders and Service Managers have shown unwavering commitment in support of some of the most vulnerable people in society, at a time when they need that support more than ever. We are incredibly proud of their work and the difference that they’re making. We’re also proud of our service users – their spirit and resilience have been incredible during such a difficult time for everyone.”

With expertise in providing living environments that closely resemble typical family homes, Heathcotes Group currently has 72 services nationwide. The company offers a wide range of specialist support for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, personality disorders, physical disabilities, Prader-Willi Syndrome, sensory impairments, speech difficulties and severe epilepsy.

Click here to find out more about the Heathcotes Group

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

Derbyshire Times launches interactive online map to support local businesses during lockdown

The Derbyshire Times has launched a special new interactive on-line map as a way to support local businesses during lockdown and let residents know where they can find the goods and services they need in the town.

The map is an opportunity for businesses, many who have had to adapt and evolve to stay afloat, to let locals know they are still trading.

Phil Bramley from the Derbyshire Times said: “During these turbulent times we know that our communities need us more than ever – not only to keep them informed and entertained but to keep them connected.”

“As part of our #supportlocal campaign we bring you this interactive map to back those businesses who continue to provide services during the pandemic.”

“It’s a simple way of keeping our communities connected – but such an important one.”

Businesses that are open, or offering a delivery or takeaway service in the town and north Derbyshire area, can be included on the map at no charge.

Click here to see the interactive map

Create Change Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Cheese Factor launches click and collect service

An online store has been opened by Cheese Factor to offer a more convenient and safer shopping experience for customers.

Over 40 British and continental cheeses have already been made available for click and collect, with further lines being added each week. The shop also boasts a growing range of pickles and chutneys, and many locally produced items: from beers, ales and gins, to freshly baked bread, cakes and oatcakes.

The opportunity to pay online before visiting Cheese Factor, which is based on the outside of Chesterfield Market Hall, has enabled busy and self-isolating shoppers to browse at any time of the day, from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Customers have been offered peace of mind by knowing their items are available. They have also been given the option to wait with their cars outside the shop while their shopping is loaded by the team.

Owner of Cheese Factor, Simon Davidson (right) said: “The coronavirus outbreak has been challenging for everyone and we are pleased to be able to do our bit to help. Our ring and collect service has already proven very popular as a more accessible way to shop. It’s great to extend this now to customers who prefer to shop online.”

“It’s easy to use the click and collect site. During the check out process, customers can add a note about their preferred day to collect. Once they have paid, they will receive an automated email receipt, followed by a personal email from the Cheese Factor team within 1 working day to confirm the order is ready to collect.”

“The shop is following Government guidelines with only 2 customers served at any one time and screens currently being installed for extra safety. Customers can also let us know if they would like us to load their order into their car.”

“As well as helping customers to navigate through the new normal that has been created by Covid-19, the click and collect service will also offer a streamlined shopping experience during the busy Christmas period. I like to plan ahead to make sure Cheese Factor delivers the best customer service and I’m already looking into pop up collection spots with plenty of parking to make it even easier for people to pick up their Christmas food and gifts.”

Chesterfield residents can visit Cheese Factor’s click and collect store here or call 01246 201203 to order over the phone.

Cheese Factor is one of 180 Chesterfield Champions supporting the marketing and economic growth of the town.

Click here to read more about the Cheese Factor

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield Champions

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

Chesterfield Borough Council issue Business Grants update

Under the Government’s business grants scheme, Chesterfield Borough Council has now processed more than £22.9 million of payments to almost 2,000 local businesses.

This represents most of the businesses that the council believe are eligible for the scheme, but there are still some local businesses that haven’t yet applied.

Councillor Terry Gilby (right), Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “We want to help as many local businesses as possible to claim the grant support to which they are entitled to, but we need you to get in touch. Please let us have your application form, so that we can check out your eligibility and process your payment as soon as possible.”

Grants are available for:

  • any business that receives small business rate relief
  • retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000

You can find the application form and more details about the grant and other support packages for business here.

Once completed, please return your application form to revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk

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

Local residents invited to help name new Wingerworth development

Local residents in are being invited by housebuilder Rippon Homes to name a new development of homes in Wingerworth.

The development located on Deerlands Road will comprise 180 properties, split over four phases. Each phase requires a title as well as the overall development. This is the second development Rippon has built in the village having provided 51 high quality new homes at Kings Meadow also on Deerlands Road back in 2015.

The mix of two, three and four bedroom homes will help meet the demand for starter and affordable homes in the area, allowing younger and expanding families to return to Wingerworth and support local facilities such as the schools, village hall, health facilities and local retail businesses.

Carefully designed to blend with the existing homes in the village with a mixture of two-storey properties and bungalows, the new Rippon homes will still boast modern interiors and features alongside the thoughtfully designed exterior designs which benefit from off road parking and electric car charging points.

The village itself offers an excellent range of amenities including shops, pubs, communal facilities and well- reputed schools available for a range of age groups from nursery to secondary grades.

Ian Dyke, Managing Director at Rippon Homes said, “We are very pleased to be bringing our quality homes to Wingerworth once again and look forward to selecting the perfect name to reflect that.”

“We know Wingerworth has a very close knit community and the new development will become an integral part of the village life, hence it was a natural decision to invite local people to name it!”

Entries should be submitted to ripponhomes@unsworthsugden.co.uk by Monday 22nd June 2020. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number alongside your name suggestion and reason behind it.

Rippon is hosting a public consultation for the development online for the first time via its website on Friday 29th May 2020, which can be accessed here.

Feedback can be given via the online form and the plans are available to view on the web page as they would be if we were having a physical event.

You can view the Site Plan & Street Scenes here.

Images credit: Rippon Homes

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

Chesterfield company create virtual community art gallery

Seymour & Lerhn, a division of Chesterfield-based technology Oasis Studio, have created The Rainbow Gallery, an online community art project where both children and adults can submit pictures of their artwork to be showcased in the virtual gallery.

In order to adhere to the latest government advice, Seymour & Lerhn decided to think creatively and decided to host a virtual art exhibition. Delivered online in an immersive 360-degree environment, visitors can view and submit their images of colourful paintings, sculptures, and even poetry. The aim of the gallery is to be inclusive and available for everyone, whilst celebrating the fantastic efforts that NHS staff and key workers are going through.

Seymour & Lerhn Associate, Charlie Power (right), explains: “We created The Rainbow Gallery as a way to bring people together, even during social distancing. As you walk down the street or look on social media, lots of people are creating artwork to celebrate the key workers of the UK. We thought we’d create a virtual space to bring all the fantastic artwork together in a central place, in an immersive, interactive way.”

The exhibition is free to tour around, and visitors can observe the artwork created by people from across the UK, without even having to leave their own home.

Oasis Studio Founder & Director, Paul Deakin, said: “It’s easy to just focus on the physical effects to public health during COVID-19, however we also need to focus on the mental health of the nation. With people not being able to see family and friends, getting furloughed, or potentially spending a lot time on their own, the morale of the nation is low.”

“We’re not saying that all mental health problems will go away with a single painting, but art offers escapism to focus on a project, have a fun time, and enjoy the end result.”

Seymour & Lerhn are encouraging residents across the country to submit and create their own artwork, as they are promoting the benefits to mental health by doing so. To tour The Rainbow Gallery or to submit your artwork, click here.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

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

Chesterfield town centre prepares for retail reopening

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this month regarding plans to restart the economy and ease lockdown restrictions over a planned period, Chesterfield Borough Council is working with retailers and market traders to assist wherever possible with the phased re-opening of shops and stalls in the town centre.

The safety of those who live, work and shop in Chesterfield town centre is the council’s number one priority. Over the next couple of weeks, people visiting the town centre will start to see a number of physical changes in advance of more market stalls opening, potentially from Monday 1 June and more shops from Monday 15 June.

Signage will be visible around the town centre to advise shoppers where to queue outside individual shops, and where restrictions may be enforced, as they are currently at the Market Hall, regarding limiting the number of people who can enter premises at the same time.

There will also be signs in other areas such as Chesterfield Borough Council car parks and green spaces reminding people to follow social distancing guidelines keeping two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, and not to congregate in groups.

Barriers will be available for shops to use to make it clear where people should queue and wait to enter shops and this process will be supported by a number of council appointed ambassadors who will be deployed around the town centre to assist shoppers and maintain safe social distancing.

The council has been working with a number of town centre retailers to establish what assistance they might need in controlling queuing outside their stores, particularly in terms of barriers, signage and floor markings; the intention being to create safe queuing zones and pedestrian flows in these areas.

The public toilets located in the Market Hall will re-open from Monday 1 June, with social distancing measures and extra cleaning processes in place; this may mean increased queues for the toilets.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Our priority is to ensure that Chesterfield town centre is as safe as possible for everyone. Whilst we are still awaiting further government guidance about the relaxation of lockdown measures, the council is committed to supporting local retailers and market traders to return to the high street.”

“We have conducted a specific review looking at how the council can help our town centre retailers and traders to start to return by introducing positive measures such as signage reminding people to follow social distancing guidance and controlling queuing outside shops, all of which will be in place soon.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging its shopworkers and residents to cycle or walk into the town centre, wherever possible.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, added: “Please do think about whether you need to drive into the town centre or take public transport. We would encourage you to cycle or walk. This would good for the environment and good for your health and wellbeing.”

The council will be lowering the car parking barriers and re-introducing car parking charges from Monday 1 June.

Residents are reminded to use their Resident’s Permit, which entitles them to park for free in most car parks before 10am and after 3pm Monday to Saturday and all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Find out more about this here: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking-car-parks-and-parking-fines/free-parking-for-chesterfield-residents.aspx

Funding generated from town centre car parking charges helps the council to cover the cost of several essential services, including CCTV, street cleaning and public toilets provision.

If you would like to find out more about the location of car parks in Chesterfield or car parking charges visit https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking-car-parks-and-parking-fines/car-parks-in-chesterfield.aspx

Chesterfield Town Centre

 

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

BRM Solicitors announce appointment of new Director

Local law firm and Chesterfield Champions, BRM Solicitors, has appointed a new director to their Litigation Department.

Giles Searby, a respected commercial litigation solicitor with over 25 years’ experience, joins BRM from another regional firm. Prior to that he spent the first decade of his career at a Top 10 firm in London before moving to DLA in Sheffield.

On his appointment, Giles said: “I’m delighted to be joining BRM’s growing team, at this challenging time for businesses. Having lived in Chesterfield for the last 9 years and continuing to act for a number of local clients, the opportunity to base my practice here, whilst still also keeping in touch with the Sheffield business community represents the perfect mix for both myself and my clients.”

Adrian Sheehan, Executive Director, commented: “We are very excited to boost our firm and our litigation department with a lawyer of Giles’ calibre.”

Giles’ expertise in the manufacturing and technology sectors, and experience with international trade issues are a valuable addition to BRM’s Litigation Department.

Click here to find out more about BRM Solicitors

Click here to find out more about the Chesterfield Champions

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home