Business

Chancellor announces support for innovative firms hit by coronavirus

UK businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a £1.25 billion government support package, the Chancellor announced today (20th April).

Rishi Sunak said the targeted and tailored help would ensure firms in some of the most dynamic sectors of the UK economy – ranging from tech to life sciences – are protected through the crisis so they can continue to develop innovative new products and help power UK growth.

The comprehensive package includes a new £500 million loan scheme for high-growth firms, called the Future Fund, and £750 million of targeted support for small and medium sized businesses focusing on research and development.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, said “Britain is a global leader when it comes to innovation. Our start-ups and businesses driving research and development are one of our great economic strengths, and will help power our growth out of the coronavirus crisis.

This new, world-leading fund will mean they can access the capital they need at this difficult time, ensuring dynamic, fast-growing firms across all sectors will be able to continue to create new ideas and spread prosperity.”

Alok Sharma, Business Secretary, said ” The UK is a world leader in innovation and at this hugely challenging time, we know that young, fast-growing firms require tailored support to see them through.  This wide-ranging package delivers important help that will protect some of the most dynamic sectors of our economy.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, said ”  We are the tech and creative capital of Europe, and it’s crucial to maintain our place. This funding will protect high growth businesses and enable the unicorns of tomorrow to thrive so that tech is in pole position to drive our post COVID recovery. The £500 million Future Fund has been designed to ensure high-growth companies across the UK receive the investment they need to continue during the crisis.”

Delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank and launching in May, the fund will provide UK-based companies with between £125,000 and £5 million from the government, with private investors at least matching the government commitment. These loans will automatically convert into equity on the company’s next qualifying funding round, or at the end of the loan if they are not repaid. To be eligible, a business must be an unlisted UK registered company that has previously raised at least £250,000 in equity investment from third party investors in the last five years.

The government is committing an initial £250 million in funding towards the scheme, which will initially be open until the end of September. The scale of the fund will be kept under review.

The £750 million of targeted support for the most R&D intensive small and medium size firms will be available through Innovate UK’s grants and loan scheme.

Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, will accelerate up to £200 million of grant and loan payments for its 2,500 existing Innovate UK customers on an opt-in basis. An extra £550 million will also be made available to increase support for existing customers and £175,000 of support will be offered to around 1,200 firms not currently in receipt of Innovate UK funding. The first payments will be made by mid-May.

This package builds on the government’s existing support for innovative, high-growth firms including the £2.5 billion British Patient Capital fund, the upcoming £200 million Life Sciences Investment Programme, internationally competitive R&D tax reliefs and our major commitments to increase public R&D spending to £22 billion by 2024-25.

For information about national and local support you can also visit the Destination Chesterfield Corona Virus Business Support Page.

We are supporting local during the Corona Virus, check out how you can support local businesses who can deliver to your home, keep you entertained and offer support for your business.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Government launches new coronavirus business support finder tool

A new ‘support finder’ tool will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

The new online platform helps businesses easily access the financial support they are eligible for during the coronavirus pandemic.

Access the platform here

A simple questionnaire takes business owners under a minute to complete and will signpost them to relevant government financial support.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said “Businesses of all shapes and sizes play a vital role in our economy, which is why we want to make it as easy as possible for all of them to access our wide-ranging package of financial support during this challenging time.”

This online questionnaire takes just minutes to complete and will quickly signpost a business to the loans, grants or other schemes they could be eligible for.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said “We’ve launched an unprecedented package of support to protect jobs, businesses and incomes during these challenging times.

Millions are already benefitting and this new online tool will allow firms and individuals to identify what help they are entitled to in a matter of minutes.

We are doing everything we can to make our support as accessible and as easy to navigate as possible.”

To support business, workers and the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak, government has:

  • Made up to £330 billion of loans and guarantees for businesses
    offered to pay 80 per cent of the wages of furloughed workers, up to £2,500;
  • Deferred the next quarter of VAT payments for firms, until the end of June – representing a £30 billion injection into the economy;
  • Introduced £20 billion in tax relief and cash grants to help businesses with cash flow;
  • Introduced the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes for both SMEs and larger businesses to make it easier to access vital financial support;
  • Offered to cover the cost of statutory sick pay;
  • Entirely removed all eligible properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector from business rates temporarily;
  • Introduced the Self-employment Income Support Scheme, offering a taxable grant worth 80% of trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 a month;
  • Deferred Self Assessment payments due in July 2020 until 31 January 2021;
  • Allowed companies required to hold AGMs to do so flexibly, which may include postponing them or holding them online;
  • suspended wrongful trading provisions for company directors to remove the threat of personal liability during the pandemic;
  • Offered a 3 month extension for filing accounts to businesses hit by coronavirus.

For information about national and local support you can also visit the Destination Chesterfield Corona Virus Business Support Page.

We are supporting local during the Corona Virus, check out how you can support local businesses who can deliver to your home, keep you entertained and offer support for your business.

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

Chesterfield tea-blender collaborates with local traders to launch gift hamper deliveries

Gail Hannan, owner of Chesterfield-based Cup & Saucer, is collaborating with local businesses to produce tailored gift hampers that can be delivered to those who are isolating.

Cup & Saucer, who blend and sell quality loose tea with a Peak District twist, won the title of Food Producer of the Year at the Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards 2018. The company has traded at various markets & events and expanded in early 2020 by opening their own shop.

The shop is temporarily closed but now offer online sales and local contact-free delivery. Gail realised this was not an option for many of her fellow market traders so contacted a number of local companies in order to offer support and promotion.

Gail said: “It has all happened really quickly, but the gift hampers are proving to be really popular with our customers! I am working closely with many food & drink producers who I have met primarily through local markets, to create bespoke hampers for people to either order for themselves as a treat in isolation, or to send as a gift to a loved one.”

“Our most recent hamper aimed at chocoholics sold out within a day of advertising! This includes products from ourselves; Rate Good Brownies; Cacoa Elora; Jades Delights; Urban Flamingo and Homemade at Haslemere.”

She added: “It’s actually a really great opportunity for us to showcase our products to a wider audience. It obviously won’t change the fact that this will in no doubt be a devastating year for our businesses, but I am determined to not let this destroy what has taken me so much time and energy to build.”

Hampers include a Totally Tea Hamper, a Chocoholics Dream Hamper and two Derbyshire Producers Gift Hampers and can be ordered directly through the Cup & Saucer website. For a full list of products, or for more information, visit www.cupandsauceronline.co.uk/shop

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

151 new houses to be built next to Chesterfield’s Walton Hospital

A deal to build 151 houses at a site adjacent to Chesterfield’s Walton Hospital, 62% of which will be affordable housing, has been secured by Vistry Partnerships.

Vistry Partnerships has exchanged contracts with Homes England on a portfolio of six developments that will provide more than 570 new homes across England, of which more than 400 will be affordable homes.

Vistry Partnerships has been working closely with Homes England to agree a flexible and pragmatic approach for these sites to ensure that housing delivery continues in spite of the impact of Covid-19.

Chief Executive of Vistry Partnerships, Stephen Teagle, said:“It’s a challenging time for the housebuilding and construction industry, so I am delighted that we have secured these six new housing sites. We have developed a successful partnership with Homes England and are already providing many hundreds of homes together; these new developments will add to that partnership, providing hundreds of affordable homes.

“Thanks to our agile business model and a collaborative approach with Homes England to accelerate delivery, we have been able to identify solutions which will enable us to progress as soon as possible. We know that the demand for affordable, quality homes remains high and we are very well placed to get these underway as soon as we can.”

Preparatory work, including the progression of planning applications for the sites in collaboration with Homes England, will commence immediately by Vistry Partnerships employees who are working from home in compliance with the Government’s current health and safety guidance.

Work on the project is expected to start in early 2021.

Images credit: Vistry Homes / Vistry Partnerships

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

Chesterfield Borough Council staff redeployed to support the community

Chesterfield Borough Council has reprioritised and reorganised staff resources to ensure essential services are maintained and to deliver additional community response activity to support Chesterfield residents and businesses at this difficult time.

In the community, staff have been redeployed in support of local pharmacies to deliver medicines to residents’ homes, have made regular food parcel deliveries to those in need, and are working with local community groups and charities to support a range of activities. Staff have also been redeployed around the council to support the rollout of small business grants, to work at the crematorium and to help ensure the Careline service can keep running for the benefit of the borough’s elderly residents.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m proud of the way our staff have quickly responded to this crisis and the way in which they are continuing to adapt to new roles and responsibilities as required. It’s really important that we use all our resources to effectively support the local community and any residents who may require additional support, especially those who are particularly vulnerable at this time.”

Staff have been learning new skills in order to support essential service delivery. For example, some of the Town Hall’s clerical staff are now working at the crematorium where they are assisting by helping to run services and providing administrative support.

Members of the housing repairs team have been using council vehicles to support the delivery service of several local pharmacies. This small team has delivered around 650 prescriptions in the last week and will continue to assist pharmacies and their customers for the foreseeable future.

The council has also redeployed staff to support its Careline service. Careline supports around 2500 residents, many of whom are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. The service has handled more than 40 call outs because of slips and falls in the last week. The falls recovery service helps to reduce the number of non-injured fallers being referred to the emergency services, which in turn reduces the pressure on the NHS.

Careline staff have also been working closely with local food banks to identify those in need of support and are helping deliver food parcels to vulnerable residents. The service has also been contacting around 200 residents a day to check on their wellbeing and to help them to obtain further support via the Derbyshire-wide Community Response Unit. To access help from the Derbyshire Community Response Unit please call 01629 535091 or register on the website: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/gethelp

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Chesterfield’s MTM Products supplies the NHS with lifesaving equipment

Chesterfield manufacturer, MTM Products, is supplying nurse call handset overlays to a leading NHS equipment supplier to support them during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The label and signage company is making large quantities of front fascia overlays for the nurse call handsets used in the temporary hospitals..

In total, the firm is manufacturing more than 14,000 overlays for one of its longstanding medical sector customers. The first 5,000 have already been delivered following a quick turnaround thanks for the company’s efforts.

MTM has a variety of customers which are also supplying products to the NHS and emergency services. These customers have asked MTM to continue trading so they can fulfil their responsibilities and supply essential equipment to health services in both the UK and mainland Europe. MTM plans to continue manufacturing at both of its Chesterfield sites for as long as possible, while observing Government advice around social distancing and hygiene.

Ian Greenaway, Managing Director at MTM Products said: “We are proud to be able to play our part in ensuring that the NHS and emergency services receive supplies necessary to fight the COVID-19 virus. We are part of a supply chain for many essential medical and life safety products and will do everything we can to maintain continuity of supply.”

Images: MTM Products

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

Geeks Headquarters producing mask straps for key workers and NHS staff

Chesterfield-based independent retailer, Geeks Headquarters, are using their 3D printer to create straps for face masks to support local key workers and NHS staff during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Staff member Massimiliano Naso has produced over 450 mask straps for medical facilities such as Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Barnsley District General, Whitworth Hospital Matlock, Walton Hospital, Royal Derby Hospital plus numerous care homes and care agencies.

Massimiliano said: “We are keen to help cause it is the right thing to do! We are doing everything free of charge, because making a profit out of this wouldn’t be right. If we receive any payment, because people insist on contributing, the sum will be donated to support NHS. Everyone has to play a part in this and we just want to help, in any way we could.”

The Geeks Headquarters store, located on Soresby Street in Chesterfield town centre, is currently closed following Government advice, however the staff are still working behind the scenes to fulfill product orders. A list of available products is shared on a regular basis to their Facebook page and delivery or curb side collection can be arranged.

The team has also created an online hub using Discord to organise online versions of tournaments and games as well as offering a welcoming environment to prevent loneliness during the coronvirus outbreak.

To request mask straps, check product availability or see more of their upcoming events, please contact the Geeks Headquarters team through their Facebook page here – www.facebook.com/geeksheadquarters or email geeksheadquartersltd@gmail.com.

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

Whittam Cox Architects use 3D printers to produce PPE for NHS staff

Whittam Cox Architects are pleased to be supporting the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by producing face masks for NHS staff and key workers at Sheffield’s Teaching Hospitals.

The practice is 3D printing head bands and chin supports for single use face visors, which are then delivered to a central hub in Sheffield to have plastic visors fitted. Once assembled, the masks will be sterilised and packaged, and put into the NHS supply chain.

Ashley Turner, CEO at Whittam Cox Architects said, “It is logical for us to use our resources to help NHS staff and key workers in this national emergency. We are very willing to contribute our time, equipment and materials for this special purpose. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and this is an important way for us to be able to do our part by providing these essential pieces of equipment to those who need it most.”

The initiative is being run by 3DCROWD UK, who are asking for volunteers and crowd funding to help support those on the frontline. Over 5500 volunteers have now signed up to the initiative and between them have provided 345,000 shields.

If you’d like to get involved, please visit https://www.3dcrowd.uk/

Click here to find out more about Whittam Cox Architects

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

Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop launches food deliveries to the vulnerable

The Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop has launched a new home delivery service with priority given to those who are either ill with the coronavirus, particularly vulnerable to infection such as the elderly, or people who are self-isolating.

With capacity for 75 deliveries daily as well as 60+ click and collect slots, the estate farm shop can now help around 140 customers per day (nearly 1000 a week) to receive fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and groceries either direct to their doorstep or straight into their car boot.

As well as the usual estate farm shop opening hours, a dedicated delivery and collection operation has been set up with three telephonists, two till operators, two payment processors, seven pickers and five drivers, operational seven-days a week. Advance orders are being taken by phone for collection at the shop without leaving the car – goods are loaded straight into the boot by the collections team.

From across the Chatsworth Estate, staff normally working in catering, retail, marketing, IT, the Chatsworth Gym and elsewhere have been working around the clock to introduce the delivery service to support local communities.

Initially, a fulfilment centre was set up in the estate farm shop café, closed during the pandemic, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t sufficient. A larger, more suitable space was created by putting up a marquee (usually used at Christmas) in the courtyard and converting it to a fully operational fulfilment centre in just a few hours.

Delivery drivers returning to the estate farm shop are reporting that their jobs are as rewarding as anything they’ve ever done, with some customers in tears on their doorsteps. Local suppliers such as Tomsons Fruit and Vegetables and RG Morris Fishmongers from Buxton, Bloomers of Bakewell and Matlock Meadows Ice Cream have been supporting Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop with both stock and additional vans for deliveries.

As well as these new services, Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop is still open as usual but has implemented a range of measures to ensure that customers can shop safely, respecting social distancing guidelines.

  • Hand wash stations have been installed outside the shop entrance. All customers are asked to clean their hands thoroughly before handling any produce or entering the shop
  • During busy periods a single shopper policy will operate whereby only one person from each family group can enter the shop
  • An external queuing area has been introduced, which will be used during busy periods
  • At checkout and across other areas of the shop, there are marked spaces on the floor to help customers adhere to safe social distancing
  • Customers are asked to use contactless payment and avoid using cash where possible
  • Team members are working throughout the day cleaning touch points such as handbaskets, trolley handles, door handles, till areas and card machines.

A regular award winner, more than half of all the products at the estate farm shop are either produced or prepared on the Chatsworth Estate. With a wealth of talented producers within easy reach, the estate farm shop prefers to source from small local suppliers wherever possible – some relationships stretching back more than 30 years.

Established by the Duchess Deborah in 1977, the shop sold beef and lamb from the estate farms, and venison from the park. Its aim was to sell Chatsworth’s produce directly to the people who wanted to eat top quality, locally grown food.

The house, farmyard, adventure playground, garden, gift shops, restaurants and car parks at Chatsworth will remain closed until further notice. Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Derbyshire estate took the decision to close in response to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

Find out more about the Chatsworth delivery service here.

Images credit: Chatsworth House Trust

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

Banner Jones Solicitors offering half price Wills to NHS staff

Local law firm, Banner Jones, is to offer 50% off its Will writing services to all NHS staff as a way of saying thank you for their ‘tireless efforts’ to help support those across the region affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

The discount, which is available to doctors and nurses, as well as all other NHS workers, comes as pressure on key workers continues to grow; with many being urged to get their affairs in order.

The advice has led to a surge in enquiries for legal services including Wills and LPAs (Lasting Power of Attorney), with Banner Jones launching the scheme in order to ’give something back to the local community, and to help those who are providing life-saving care’

Katie Woodward, Wills Team Leader from Banner Jones said: “These are truly difficult times for all, but with many NHS workers exposed day after day to the Coronavirus we have seen a spike of interest in our Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney writing services.

“We therefore thought it was only appropriate to offer NHS staff a discounted rate to provide what little support we can and to show our gratitude for their tireless efforts to protect our friends and our families.

“We understand that at a time like this, we all need to pull together in order for us all to get through this.”

For NHS staff thinking about putting their affairs in order, the dedicated Wills team can now take your instructions over the phone for everyone’s safety and convenience.  Please call 01246 560 560 or email info@bannerjones.co.uk to make an appointment. To qualify for the discount, staff members will need to provide a copy of their photo ID.

Click here to find out more about Banner Jones Solicitors

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

Businesses offered rent deferrals for three months

Derbyshire County Council business tenants will be given the opportunity to defer up to three months of their monthly rent payment in a move to give them some relief during the coronavirus crisis.

The rent deferral will cover the months of April, May and June 2020 and the scheme then reviewed to see if it needs to be extended. The outstanding rent would be paid back over a period up to the end of March 2022.

Derbyshire County Council own and maintain a number of small business units, larger units and the Markham Vale Environment Centre. The total annual rental income across this portfolio amounts to nearly £2 million a year and the rent deferral would reduce this by nearly £0.5 million with the money being recouped at a later date.

All businesses applying for the rent deferral would be assessed to check that they will be able to repay the rent over the longer term.

Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We welcome the support being given by government but we cannot underestimate the impact coronavirus is having on our local businesses and we’re keen to do what we can to help.”

“We’ve been getting enquiries from our tenants about how we can assist them.”

“We hope that a rent deferral and the other measures we are introducing will help to keep these companies in business and once the crisis is over they can continue contributing to the vibrant economy of our county.”

Find out more about the support available to Derbyshire businesses on the Derbyshire County Council website.

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