Perry’s Motor Group have announced they are to open their doors to their new Spire Walk site on Saturday 19th May.

Chesterfield Champion, Henry Boot Developments, started work on the site infrastructure back in June 2016 before passing over to Perrys Motor Group to construct their new dealership facility.

Fronting the A61, Spire Walk is situated on the former Donkin Valve Works site and includes a range of mixed uses, including retail, a new Community Fire station for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and office buildings. The car dealership is the final piece of the jigsaw and concludes the redevelopment of the former Valve Works.

Justin Sheldon, Senior Development Surveyor at Henry Boot Developments, who was responsible for the site commented:-

“It will be great to see this gateway site completed as Spire Walk is the first, highly prominent, development that is seen when travelling from the M1 to Chesterfield.”

The Perrys Motor Group store joins a number of new additions to Spire Walk including Go Outdoors that opened in March and Xercise4less gym which is set to open its doors in June.

From a perfect location, to quality workforce and a vibrant business community – Chesterfield is not your typical market town – and there are many reasons as to why businesses are deciding to Invest in Chesterfield.  There is currently over £1 billion of regeneration projects in progress and many more opportunities on the way.

Businesses keen to broadcast their passion for the Peak District and gain a marketing edge for their products and services are invited to a free launch that will reveal how they can highlight and harness their links with the area’s iconic brand.

Places are now available at a special event to unveil the ‘Inspired by the Peak District’ project’s eye-catching logo and toolkit at Thornbridge Hall, Ashford in the Water on Monday April 30, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

Anyone representing a business in or close to the wider Peak District – from Bolsover in the east to Knutsford in the west and Holmfirth in the north to Ashbourne in the south – is eligible to attend to find out how they can benefit.

Each delegate will receive an easy-to-use starter pack outlining practical ways in which they can use the brand – including the new toolkit, case studies showcasing how businesses are already using it, window stickers and labels.

There will also be the opportunity to network over curry and a selection of Thornbridge Brewery’s award-winning beers.

Kate Kearns, Project Officer of Inspired by the Peak District, said:-

“More than 500 businesses have already signed up to Inspired by the Peak District to promote quality and excellence in a distinctive and very special environment.

”This launch will be a great opportunity to show them and other budding Inspired by ambassadors how they can use their relationship with the area to its best advantage – both to showcase their own products and services and also the wider appeal of the Peak District.

“The idea is that, if we all work together, we can use our internationally known logo to help the area’s businesses and overall economy prosper.”

Eligible businesses can sign up for the launch at Eventbrite by clicking here.

Inspired by the Peak District is part of a £1.49 million support programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to boost business quality, profitability and performance over three years. Its main focus is on promotional, marketing and on-line activity and an annual events programme.

Small businesses in Derbyshire considering manufacturing or selling their products and services in China are invited to a free masterclass led by the China-Britain Business Council.

Cathelco have won an order to supply marine growth prevention systems (MGPS) for the Ocean Valiant, a semi-submersible drilling unit operated by Diamond Offshore.

The Ocean Valiant is currently operating in the Janice Field located in the Central North Sea, approximately 175 miles east-south-east of Aberdeen.

The systems provided by Chesterfield business Cathelco will protect the pipework connected to port and starboard seachests against blockages caused by the growth of barnacles and mussels which can impair the efficiency of associated equipment.

This will be achieved by installing copper and aluminium anodes in two electrolysis tanks with pipework connected to the seachests in order to dose the water flowing through the system.

In operation, the anodes are fed with a low impressed electrical current from a control panel resulting in the production of copper and aluminium ions. The copper ions flow through the seawater pipework system and produce an environment where the larvae of barnacles and mussels do not settle or grow. At the same time, the aluminium ions form an anti-corrosive layer on the internal surfaces of pipes.

The concentration of copper is extremely small, around six parts per billion, but effective in preventing marine growth, without harming the wider marine environment.

“Cathelco systems have proved their effectiveness in preventing marine growth on semi-submersibles and offshore platforms operating in the North Sea and around the world”, said Scott Rose of Cathelco Grampian, based near Aberdeen to serve the Scottish offshore oil industry.

Chesterfield businesss Cathelco are the world’s leading manufacturer of MGPS systems for ships and offshore structures with a record of more than 50,000 installations over a period of 60 years.

The company also produce impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems used to protect the underwater surfaces of offshore platforms against corrosion. These are also installed on offshore supply vessels, product carriers and VLCC’s to safeguard hull integrity.

Chesterfield based business owner Melanie Ulyatt MBE, has been newly elected unopposed as National Vice Chairman of the FSB at the Annual General Meeting which was held in Preston on April 11^th.

Melanie, who is Managing Director of Domiciliary Care and Training Provider, One to One Support Services has been a dedicated member of the FSB since 2009 where she has held various positions such as Regional Chair and English Policy Committee Midlands Representative. She says:-

“When I first started One to One, FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) were invaluable, for advice and support. They were there every step of the way when I first started One to One. I felt like I had to give back to them in some way.

“Input and support from local businesses is invaluable. Don’t underestimate the importance of networking and peer support.”

As well as working with the FSB, Melanie has also worked with Sheffield City Region, and the D2N2 LEP.

Melanie is an inspirational and driven business woman, who has been committed to her role within domiciliary care since 2006. Her company, One to One Support Services is now one of the leading home care and training providers in the area, and is recognised as a Gold Standard organisation by Investors in People.

Chesterfield Champion UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), has been awarded a certificate of commendation for the Campaign of the Year, at the Safety and Health Excellence Awards on 11 April at VOX, Resorts World, Birmingham.

Hosted by Rory Bremner, the event saw UKATA join more than 400 of the UK’s leading specialists for an evening of networking that celebrates excellence in all things health and safety.

Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign, delivered thousands of hours of free asbestos training to small business and sole traders nationwide. With asbestos still the biggest killer in the UK workplace, the campaign was conceived to offer free asbestos training to those who need it most yet are least likely to be aware of the dangers.

Victoria Castelluccio, Events & Marketing Manager at UKATA, said:-

“Our campaign to spread awareness of and combat the risk of asbestos in the Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign was given recognition for the significant improvement in health and safety intended.  On a personal level, collecting the award on behalf of UKATA was a true honour, to receive official praise (outside of the organisation) for a campaign that I have been responsible for organising and managing, means a lot.”

The awards were judged by a vastly experienced panel comprising many years’ experience in health and safety including the chief executive of NEBOSH Teresa Budworth, Neal Stone – former policy and standards director of the British Safety Council and Colin Webb advisor to Oxford University.

UKATA was up against Jaguar Land Rover and Edinburgh Airport to name but a few of the competition.

UKATA is the leading authority for asbestos training provision in the United Kingdom. Tasked by the HSE in 2008 to manage the licensed asbestos training providers, UKATA has gone from strength to strength and now has over 180 member organisations from all corners of the UK. For further information visit.

J & R Self Storage will celebrate the grand opening of their newest facility in Chesterfield on Friday 20 April.

The £1.2 million purpose-built facility will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Chesterfield Borough, Maureen Davenport. More than 75 guests are expected to attend the opening including local businesses and members of the community.

The public are invited to join them between 11am to 4pm and enjoy complimentary buffet and celebratory drinks and take a tour of the facility.

Boasting over 200 storage units of varying sizes and a state-of-the-art security system with 24-hour CCTV, intruder alarms and unique PIN code entry access.

Chris Dell, Managing Director and Owner of  J & R Self Storage, said that he hoped Chesterfield could make use of the extra ‘space.’ He continues:-

“I don’t think there is ever a time when we don’t find ourselves wishing for an extra room in the house!  Almost 50% of Brits don’t think they have enough space for their worldly possessions – and that’s where we can help.”

“Whether it’s a place to hide that golfing equipment you don’t want your wife to find out about, a place to store the drum-kit you never want to see again but don’t want to sell or somewhere for the sentimental bric-a-brac.

“We have rooms ranging in size, whether you need something long or short term – consider us an extra room in your home. Every room is clean, dry and individually secured. You are the only key holder so you are able to come and go as you please.

“We provide temporary and permanent storage solutions for personal household items for when you’re de-cluttering.

Mr Dell said the facility was a total business storage solution ideal for small, medium or large organisations for archiving, bulky equipment, stock and secure destruction.

“The team and I are very excited to be part of the Chesterfield business community and we look forward to working with you in the future,” said Mr Dell.

18 year old Chesterfield motor racing ace Seb Perez is in gear for his first race of the season this weekend at Brands Hatch (7-8 April) in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

It will be the first outing in the championship for Perez with Team Parker Racing and his 21 year old teammate Nottinghamshire’s George Gamble in the £130,000 Amigos livered and sponsored second generation Porsche Type 991 911 GT3 cars that look absolutely stunning.

Over the past few weeks Perez has been busy testing the car at Silverstone and at local circuit Donington Park and pleased the way things have gone bearing in mind being a rookie to the car.

The first test session at Silverstone was the official media launch for the drivers and their cars and saw heavy rain conditions most of the day with very little track action during the first test session. Rains eased and saw both Perez and Gamble out still on damp tarmac in the second session of the day and both in the top 5 places and topping speeds of over 135 mph over the 1.64 mile circuit.

The later test session saw Perez complete 21 laps of the circuit and by the end of the day both drivers were in the top 10 placing of testing.

Similar weather faced them at Donington Park just over 2 weeks ago and saw Perez 3rd fastest over the 1.97 mile test with Gamble taking fastest at one stage and gain finishing in the top 10 places. Gamble finishing 4th and Perez 8th.

Both drivers have tested in Monza Italy recently, one of the circuits on the calendar later in the season

The new car and championship will be a challenge for Perez, the car is bigger and more powerful and an even more demanding championship lies ahead.

The championship has a lot to offer past Porsche Carrera Cup GB champions have progressed to such as driving for teams in the British Touring Car Championship.

For the past three seasons Perez has raced in Ginetta cars, last season saw Perez in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship where he finished tenth overhaul. During 2015 and 2016 he competed in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship, finishing 10th place, taking his maiden pole position, a fastest race lap and four podiums, a first and three third places.

Perez said at the end of last season  “My last three seasons with Ginetta, have been fantastic. Last year was a super tough season but of course all part of the learning process,”

A winning combination is hoped, George Gamble from Southwell Nottinghamshire is no newcomer to Perez they were teammates last season as well that saw him finish third in the Ginetta standings and was a GT5 Champion back in 2014.

Team Parker Racing have been in motorsport for many years now, they have an incredibly experienced team with lots of years in Porsche cars under their belt this should help both drivers during their first season, they are doing a great job with the cars and drivers.

Motorsport is no stranger to the Perez family, he is son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion and Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez, Chairman of Chesterfield based drinks brand development business Global Brands Ltd and owner of Amigos Tequila Flavoured Beer and Kick Energy Drink Brands.

Seb has competed in many motorsports including rallying, at the wheel of a Nissan Micra rally car in the Kick Energy Junior 1000 Rally Championship. Recently over the past few weeks has been rallying in a Mk2 Ford Escort on the Rally Clásico Isla de Mallorca where he took a podium place finishing third and Father Steve piped him at the post to take second in his epic Lancia Stratos rally car

When asked about his racing career to date Perez said

“The Ginetta GT4 Supercup was a great progression from the Juniors as it offered a similar weight distribution but obviously the power increase and the slick tyres were what made the jump significant, enabling me to learn about handling additional power and getting the most out of the tyres in a qualifying run.”

He added “Porsche Carrera Cup GB offers a fantastic playing field for drivers to progress throughout their career and has turned out some of the best. I feel it is important to always progress within your career, and we all felt like Porsche was the next logical step as I also have age on my side!”

When asked about his new car he said ” The Porsche is a unique car to drive with near enough all the weight over the rear, where on paper the Ginetta is a lot more of a balanced car. The speed difference is something that just comes with time and getting the power in at the right time, but the handling aspects of the car are something more unique. You almost drive the car as if you are in the wet. Stop it, turn it, go. As it won’t carry the corner speed like the Ginetta so to extract the time out of the car over a lap is going to be interesting.”

He added “ I am in the Pro-Am class of the series, as I can have a true season of learning but still get some trophies on the way. My main goal will be to win Pro-Am class.”

The Championship is ran over 8 race weekends  and is a support to the ever popular Dunlop British Touring Car Championship. After the action this weekend, its followed by the local round at Donington Park on 28th and 29th April.