Business

Shorts advise on MBO of Bullseye Car Parts

11th June 2019

Chesterfield Champions Shorts recently teamed up with Keebles and NatWest to act as lead advisors, legal representatives and funders, to Stacy Phillips on his recent management buy-out of motor parts specialists, Bullseye Superfactors Ltd.

Bullseye have been supplying car parts to South Yorkshire and the surrounding areas for over 38 years. Stacy first joined the company in 1989 and for the last six years has been Managing Director, playing an active role in the development and growth of the business. This culminated in being given the opportunity to put together a Management buy-out when the owners decided to sell.

Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner with Shorts comments: “We are delighted to have advised Stacy on the successful completion of this transaction. This transaction required key support on tax (David Robinson) as well as corporate finance (Adam Ames) and great teamwork between ourselves, Stacy, Keebles and NatWest. We look forward to seeing Stacy continue to grow the business.”

Steve Mayor, Relationship Director at NatWest’s South Yorkshire Commercial Office added, “We are delighted to assist Stacy with funding to complete the MBO of Bullseye and are confident the business will progress under his leadership. It has been a pleasure to work with local professionals on the deal and we wish Stacy every success for the future.”

Corporate Finance Partner at Keebles, Paul Trudgill said: “It was a pleasure to assist Stacy to complete the buy-out of a business which he has been key to driving over recent times.”

Stacy added “I will continue to manage the business, and as far as existing clients are concerned it will be business as usual. I am very excited for the next phase of what promises to be an exciting period for the company.”

A family run business, Bullseye’s reputation has built on providing a friendly and helpful service, carrying an extensive range of top brand components and accessories. With 17 branches throughout South Yorkshire and surrounding region, they offer a competitive and responsive service for customers.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

BHP tax department strengthened with new starter

11th June 2019

Yorkshire and North Derbyshire’s leading accountancy firm BHP has added to its ever-growing tax department after taking on chartered tax advisor Peter Dobson.

Peter, aged 30, makes the move to the firm, having previously worked for Deloitte in their Global Mobility team based in Manchester.

Originally from Doncaster, Peter is a graduate of Leeds Metropolitan University where he earned an undergraduate and a master’s degree, both in accounting.

Peter has previously worked in personal tax before shifting to expat matters and is looking forward to combining the two at BHP. His appointment boosts the team to a total of 53 tax advisors, 23 of which are chartered – making it one of the largest in the Yorkshire region.

He said: “I like working with numbers, tax was always a favourite topic of mine at university and I decided that was the route I wanted to go down afterwards,”

On his decision to join the firm, he said: “Having spoken to people who know BHP personally, it was so highly recommended by them that I was convinced to join.”

“I was keen to join a firm of this size to allow me to work across all taxes and BHP stood-out in the mid-tier market as both an innovator and a well-known people-centric business.”

BHP was recently recognised by the Sunday Times in their 100 Best Companies to Work For list – now in its 19^th year, the hard-fought and nationally-celebrated list recognises the very best in employee engagement around the country.

BHP has more than 300 staff, including 31 partners. Over the last 10 years the business has increased turnover from £8m to over £22m.

BHP remains in the top 35 accountancy firms in the UK and was also recently recognised with the Community Award at the Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards. The firm has five offices in Sheffield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, Chesterfield, and York.

Posted in Business

University of Derby rises in Guardian University Guide 2020

10th June 2019

The University of Derby, which has a campus in Chesterfield, has risen three places in The Guardian University Guide from 29^th to 26^th place – its highest ever ranking.

As well as being ranked in the Top 30, Derby has been placed joint third out of 121 institutions for the number of students satisfied with teaching quality – a jump of 18 places in the league table for the metric.

The University has also been placed in the Top 10 for student satisfaction with its courses and feedback.

Welcoming the results from today’s The Guardian University Guide 2020, Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “At Derby we have worked to deliver a powerful regional university that addresses the needs of our students, region and beyond. This has established us as a leading institution for social mobility, achieved through our academic and student frameworks, and highlighted by this latest Guardian University Guide position.

“This improvement is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff and students, the support of key partners across the region, and our commitment to delivering excellence in teaching and learning, providing an outstanding student experience, and increasing graduate employability.

“It also demonstrates how our Strategic Framework and our values, which we launched almost a year ago to the day, are driving us forward to where we want our University to be – making a positive impact in our city, county and region, creating the next generation of game-changers, and opening doors of opportunity to anyone wishing to access education, regardless of their background.”

As well as an overall ranking, The Guardian University Guide 2020 also produces league tables for each subject area, which has seen some equally impressive performances for Derby.

These include Top 10 rankings for:

· Accounting and Finance

· Building and Town and Country Planning

· Business, Management & Marketing

· Criminology

· Hospitality and Event Management

The University of Derby has also been ranked in the Top 20 for:

· Art

· Fashion & Textiles

· Journalism, Publishing & Public Relations

· Nursing & Midwifery

· Social Work

The Guardian university league tables, published today, rank universities according to a variety of criteria considered most relevant to students, including students’ satisfaction with the course, teaching, feedback and student-to-staff ratio. Institutions receive an overall score and individual assessments are also given for a whole range of criteria including employability, spend per student and, new for this year, continuation.

Many prospective students rely on annual guides published by national newspapers and elsewhere to decide on where they will study, and Derby showed improved performance across a variety of criteria.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Peak FM’s Craig Bailey to host 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards

10th June 2019

Peak FM’s popular mid-morning show presenter, Craig Bailey, has been announced as the host of this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Craig will announce the winners of 15 categories at the glittering black-tie ceremony, which is being held at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 19 June.

Hosting the Retail Awards for the first time, Craig commented: “I’ve been at Peak FM for six years now and regularly shop locally. I have seen first-hand the hard work of retailers across North Derbyshire and it is great that the Retail Awards recognise and reward this. I am really looking forward to the evening and sharing in the celebration of everyone’s success at being shortlisted.”

34 Chesterfield retailers are now set to go head-to-head in the sixth annual Chesterfield Retail Awards which are organised by Destination Chesterfield. The awards will also honour the work of apprentices in the sector, with three young people shortlisted for the Retail Apprentice of the Year award.

This year, the awards also have a brand-new category – Best Town Centre Event, which recognises the plethora of festivals, events and markets that take place every year in the town centre helping bring in more shoppers.

The shortlisted businesses, individuals and events in the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards are:

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year (Sponsored by Elite Private Education)

Belle Vie
Less than Zero Barbers
TAG Aesthetics

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year (sponsored by In the Works PR)

DHC Countrywear
Dotique
Something Special Bridal

Home & Gifts Retailer of the Year

Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
Astra Designs
Etienne Curtains & Blinds

Food & Drink Retailer of the Year

Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce
Rate Good Brownie Boxes
R P Davidson Cheese Factor

Leisure Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Peak FM)

Geeks Headquarters Ltd
Quinney’s Pet Supplies
StraightCurves

Market Hall Business of the Year (Sponsored by Arvato)

Fairplay Gift Emporium
R P Davidson Cheese Factor
Thanks A Bunch

Best New Store 2018/2019 (Sponsored by Pavements Shopping Centre)

Astra Designs
Ingman’s
The Little White Dress

Market Trader of the Year (Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council)

Roper’s Honey
Spire Vintage
Top Cards

Independent Retailer of the Year (Sponsored by Jumble Creative Design)

H&F
Something Special Bridal
Tech CPR

National/Multiple Retailer of the Year (Sponsored by The University of Derby)

The Body Shop
RSPCA
Specsavers

Excellence in Customer Service (Sponsored by Casa Hotel)

Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
Dotique
Something Special Bridal

Best Town Centre Event (Sponsored by Spire Radio)

Chesterfield Artisan Market
Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival
Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

Apprentice of the Year (Sponsored by Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council)

Kelly Jaggers (Bliss Hair, Nails and Beauty)
Laura Davies (JMJ Pottery)
Rebecca McNair (The Therapy Lounge)

Apprentice Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group)

Bliss, Hair, Nails and Beauty
Fresh Ideas Florists
The Therapy Lounge

All the shortlisted businesses will also battle it out for the coveted overall title of Retailer of the Year 2019, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). The finalists for this category will be announced on the night.

Further supporters of the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards include: Derbyshire Times, eBusiness Works, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety and Temple Safety.

Further Information about Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Huge jobs growth at Markham Vale

6th June 2019

A record number of 2,236 people are currently employed at Markham Vale, an increase of almost 600 new jobs over the past twelve months. The figures are the result of Derbyshire County Council’s Markham Vale Annual Jobs survey.

The 2,236 employees at Markham Vale is now more than the 2,000 people that were employed at the former colliery site in its 1980’s hey day.

There are over 50 companies based at Markham Vale across a range of industry sectors and of varying sizes, with a number of start-up companies employing two or three people and then there are the large multi-nationals employing two to three hundred.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre industrial and logistics development located at Junction 29A of the M1 in Derbyshire, a joint venture between Henry Boot Developments (HBD) and Derbyshire County Council.

One of the region’s most successful industrial locations, Markham Vale is home to the likes of Great Bear, Gist, Ferdinand Bilstein and Sterigenics.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “We look forward to welcoming even more businesses at the site very soon and for those looking to relocate or expand, we still have opportunities available so please get in touch for more information.”

Find out more about relocating to Markham Vale and investing in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

The town centre comes to life at this time of year

5th June 2019

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield‘s latest blogs looks forward to the great events happening this Summer in Chesterfield.

We’re half way through the year and the weather is warming up, which can only mean one thing – the events season is upon us and Chesterfield is certainly getting into the swing of it !!

The town centre fully comes to life at this time of year, with events drawing in visitors who are keen to experience something a little different. This is where being a market town gives us one of many advantages as Chesterfield the ready-made outside space in the market to host festivals and events.

I am delighted to see that event organisers are making the most of this space. In May we welcomed Chesterfield Street Food and Grooves Festival for a second year running and the brand new Vegan Knights Festival and of course the ever popular Artisan Market.

Events like these play a big role in encouraging footfall into the town centre, giving visitors the opportunity to see for themselves our great retail and food and drink offering. Often, people can run down the town, claiming in one breath that it is full of empty shops yet, in the same sentence, admit to never shopping in Chesterfield.

The town is most definitely not full of empty shops. In fact, Chesterfield is renowned nationally for having fewer vacant shops than the majority of towns and cities.

We owe our vibrant town centre in part to the plethora of independent businesses who are located there; long established retailers as well as new shops, stores and market stalls opening regularly.

The wealth of independent retailers has never been more apparent that in the shortlist for year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards. We had a record year for nominations with more than half of the 30 finalists being shortlisted for the first time in the awards. The strong shortlist not only mirrors the year-on-year success of these popular awards but also the town’s high-quality and varied retail scene.

It’s very encouraging to see so many people taking the time to nominate their favourites in both the Chesterfield Retail Awards. We have seen a similar picture in nominations for the Food and Drink businesses. Having such a varied shortlist only adds to the excitement of the awards and makes for a very special awards evening.

If you can’t make the Retail or Food or Drink Awards, don’t worry; there’s a whole plethora of things happening in and around Chesterfield this year which showcase the town’s vibrant retail and food and drink scene.

These events are not only an opportunity to have a great time, but also a way to shop local and invest in the economy. We can all play our part in helping make Chesterfield the place to live, work and invest.

Destination Chesterfield has an up-to-date list of events on its website at www.chesterfield.co.uk. You won’t be disappointed!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

New forum unites Chesterfield’s food and drink sector

5th June 2019

Skills, recruitment and marketing were top of the agenda for the brand-new Chesterfield Food and Drink Forum, which has been launched by Destination Chesterfield.

The new forum builds on the continued success of the annual Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards and is designed to further raise the profile of the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

Open to Chesterfield Champions, the group will meet twice a year and has been established to encourage a closer working relationship between businesses operating within the sector.

It aims to support business growth by providing access to training and development and signposting to local business advisers. It is also hoped the group will spark new marketing ideas to further boost the sector and encourage the whole town to get involved.

Hospitality and tourism is the UK’s fourth-largest industry, supporting 4.49 million jobs and generating one tenth of the country’s economic wealth. Chesterfield is no exception. The thriving sector is growing year-on-year with recent developments including the arrival of Deliveroo in Chesterfield in May, the creation of new food and drink units in the former Co-Op building on Elder Way and the redevelopment of the outdoor space at Vicar Lane.

The inaugural event was held at The Crafty Dog on Chatsworth Road and was attended by representatives from The Crafty Dog, Casa Hotel, Brampton Brewery, Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House, R P Davidson Cheese Factor and Salute. It was chaired by Laura Ashby and Richard Alsop from Edge Events, the company behind the Chesterfield Food Festival and Street Food and Grooves Festival and included information for local producers from the Food and Drink Forum Ltd.

Richard Alsop explained: “As Laura and I work with businesses across the food and drink sector providing an event platform for them to deliver their products, as chairs of the forum, we are not only able to be objective, but also understand what matters to the individuals and businesses operating within the sector.

“The first forum went really well and feedback from the attendees was excellent. It has provided us with a great platform to build on. Now, it’s about increasing numbers, connecting people and ensuring we add value to all those who get involved.”

Future plans for the forums include guest speakers from local cookery schools, marketing support including websites and social media and attendance from Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “Chesterfield’s food and drink scene is thriving as evidenced by the annual Food and Drink Awards which has grown year on year since its launch in 2013. Launching the forum was the next step in bringing together the many individuals and businesses that operate in the sector. The forum will enable them to work together to make the most of opportunities and also collectively find solutions for industry issues such as skills shortages. As the inaugural forum evidenced, together Chesterfield’s food and drink sector is definitely stronger.”

The next Chesterfield Food and Drink Forum will be held at The Tickled Trout on Wednesday 6 November.

If you are a business operating with Chesterfield’s food and drink sector and would like to attend the next meeting, please contact Tara Underhill on 01246 207207 or email tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk.

To find out more about becoming a Chesterfield Champion visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/champions.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure

Former Post Office sold for residential development

4th June 2019

FHP is pleased to announce the sale of the first and second floors of the old Post Office, Chesterfield to Balmoral Investment & Development Limited.

Following the refurbishment and letting of the ground floor to Loungers by PDR Construction, the upper floors were marketed with the benefit of a planning consent to convert the upper parts into 10 high quality apartments.

Phil Daniels at FHP commented “There is still an appetite for small scale town centre living and this property’s excellent location on the historic Market Square appealed to the purchaser for their rental model. We are currently advising a number of clients on former office properties suitable for residential development, with this market continuing to remain buoyant”.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “There are already a number of residential developments already underway in the town centre and the Old Post Office will further add to this. Town centre living is a key component to creating a modern town centre which has a thriving daytime and evening economy – which are both important to the town’s fortunes.”

Work will commence shortly on site for a scheme aimed at the rentals market.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Discover the top 50 most profitable SMEs in North Derbyshire

4th June 2019

BHP Accountants recently released their Top 50 survey of the most profitable SMEs in North Derbyshire. The report published in conjunction with the Derbyshire Times showcases many of the region’s most successful businesses, that all contribute hugely to the local economy.

Download the Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire

Dominic Staniforth, Partner at BHP Accountants said “Confidence in the region has been further bolstered by several-large scale leisure and retail redevelopments which are creating opportunities for employment and supporting the visitor economy. Of particular note are the Elder Way development, Peak Resort and Chesterfield Waterside, as a £320m scheme, is one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK.”

“This year’s Top 50 makes for optimistic reading. SME’s aren’t being put off by uncertainty and they’re not content to sit tight. They’re maintaining momentum – continuing to push forward and remaining positive about the future.”

Find out more about support to grow your business in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Historic Pub Tour launched in Chesterfield

4th June 2019

A new attraction launches in Chesterfield at the end of June. The Chesterfield Great Historic Pub Tour features 8 of the town centre public houses and the town’s historic sites along the way.

Taking place every Saturday from 12:00 noon, at the Pig And Pump on St Mary’s Gate, (formerly the White Swan), this walking tour takes 4 hours.

Launching on the 29th of June and running until the end of August, the tour costs just £5 per person, which can be paid in cash to the tour guide on the day as booking is not required.

“I am hoping to attract visitors from far and wide”, said the Tour’s Creator, Shaun Stevenson. “There is a great deal of interesting history behind many of the pubs in Chesterfield, and I want this Tour to be both enlightening and fun”.

A guidebook, which contains much of the historical information, directions and also an observational quiz, is currently being put together, with the help of local historian, Janet Murphy. The guidebook will be available to purchase from the Tourist Information Centre, and at each of the venues from August.

Shaun is hoping to attract local people interested in the history of Chesterfield through the summer and is also marketing the tour to coach companies.

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

Discovery of items from the 14th century prompts further archaeological work on the Donut

3rd June 2019

Archaeological works will re-commence today on part of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park in Chesterfield following finds made earlier in the year.

The works will take place for at least four weeks.

In recent excavations at the car park, which is owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, archaeologists from ArcHeritage, dug four trial trenches.

In these trenches, they uncovered well preserved archaeological remains of the buildings which occupied the site from the late 18^th century onwards.

Earlier deposits were also found in three of the four trenches with pottery dating from as early as the 14^th century recovered.

There is potential of a deeper layer of remains being present that could represent even earlier occupation and activity on the site.

The limited size of the trial trenches prevented a more detailed investigation taking place at the time.

The new dig will help to characterise these earlier deposits and ensure the site is fully assessed and documented before work begins on the construction of Chesterfield Borough Council’s new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth said: “These investigations are required to satisfy a planning condition as part of the approval for the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

“They also represent a unique opportunity to find out more about the history of this important town centre site”.

The works will cover the entire footprint of the proposed building. The excavation area and spoil storage area will be fenced and secured.

The rest of the car park will remain open with vehicle entry and exit points continuing to operate as normal.

Glyn Davies, ArcHeritage, Regional Manager said “Archeritage is pleased to be teaming up with Chesterfield Borough Council once again on this site.

“The proposed works will greatly improve understanding of the history of this site located along Saltergate, which itself was the principal route used by the Cheshire to Chesterfield salt trade from at least the 12^th Century.

“We will be employing a team of five archaeologists over four weeks on the site. The aim will be to submit our findings soon after completing these works”.

Councillor Gilby added: “Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to town centre users, although the remainder of the car park will continue to operate, drivers failing to find a space can be accommodated in the council’s other surface car parks in the town centre.”

A list of car parks is available on the council website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/parking.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business