Business

Launch of Vicar Lane’s big screen

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is delighted to announce the launch of their brand-new big screen on Friday 6th December.

The new LED screen is located outdoors, on St. James’ Square and will be used throughout the year and during key seasonal events to create a much more animated focal point and a lively new meeting area for shoppers within the town, as well as being a key feature in free events run by Vicar Lane.

The launch event will begin at 11am, allowing time for visitors to arrive before the ribbon cutting and official switch-on of the screen at 11:30am.

Visitors will then be able to enjoy a series of screenings from new independent stores at Vicar Lane – Shop Indie and Rate Cute – as well as Let’s Go Peak District and Destination Chesterfield.

Between 1pm and 3pm customers will have the chance to enjoy a PIING social gaming event, while a local business networking event takes place in the store underneath the screen, with presentations from Alterx – owners of Vicar Lane – and a special guest speaker before the day comes to a close at 4pm. Local business people and those working in community groups or other local organisations can claim a free ticket here.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane, said, “We’re really excited about the launch of our big screen. It’s the first really visible change we’ve made to Vicar Lane in a long time and we hope it’s the start of great things to come, with lots of exciting events throughout the year.’’

The installation of the big screen is the first step in a list of improvements that Alterx, who bought the centre out of administration earlier in the year, plan to make to Vicar Lane having identified an opportunity to revitalise it. So, this event is a celebration of their plans coming to fruition and tangible evidence of the investments being made in Vicar Lane.

Find out more here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Former Chesterfield magistrates court sold for residential conversion

The Grade II-listed former magistrates court in Chesterfield has been sold for residential conversion following a deal by Innes England.

ARC Vantage, who specialise in residential conversion and are experienced in refurbishing listed buildings, bought Knightsbridge Court for an undisclosed sum.

Knightsbridge Court is centrally located in the town between Rose Hill and West Bars. Set within 1.1 acres, it has been granted planning permission for 30 apartments over three floors.

Designed by Professor Joseph Stanley Allen, a renowned architect, planner and academic, the property was completed in 1956 and was listed in 1998. It was used as Chesterfield’s Magistrates Court until the court moved to a new building on Tapton Lane.

Chris Wright, Associate Director at Innes England, said: “Knightsbridge Court has been empty for a number of years and had sadly become the target for vandalism and fallen into disrepair.”

“This deal will see the building being brought back into use and bring employment opportunities for local people during the construction.”

“The conversion will not only deliver much-needed housing to Chesterfield but also safeguard the future of this landmark building.”

Adam Cavell, Director at ARC Vantage Limited, said: “This is an exciting project for ARC Vantage. As developers, we are highly motivated in the regeneration and restoration of Listed Buildings and relishing the opportunity to restore this building to its former glory.”

“We also understand the need for high quality, inner city housing stock. It is our aim to deliver premium city living to the market next year.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield

New business moves to Markham Vale

Markham Vale partners Derbyshire County Council and HBD (Henry Boot Developments) are pleased to report that another company is moving to the flagship regeneration site.

RB1 Ltd have moved in to Unit 3 Waterloo Court in order to meet their growing business needs. The company comprises a team of specialist electrical engineers with a strong background in the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) industry who also have a passion for all things engineering related.

The company, who are ISO9001 accredited, design and manufacture AC and DC switchgear specifically for the UPS industry. By utilising 3D and electrical CAD design tools along with their in-house Plasma and Laser CNC machinery they can design and build first class high quality engineered solutions to meet specific solutions. They also have a range of standard products to meet all UPS needs.

The company are currently fitting out their new premises with the aim of being fully operational in early 2020.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre business park with direct access to the M1 motorway via a dedicated junction, J29a. This prime development site offers build-to-suit units from 2,500 up to 300,000 sq. ft. for industrial, warehouse, hotel, office or retail builds.

2018 saw 1,600 jobs maintained at the development, along with 164,500 sq. ft. secured of new commercial space for three global businesses; Protec International, Sterigenics and Grangers International.

Read more about Markham Vale and the opportunities available here.

Markham Vale

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

Specsavers Chesterfield emphasises importance of eye tests following Diabetes Day

Specsavers Chesterfield is raising awareness of the importance of having regular eye tests following Diabetes Day on November 14.

Those suffering with diabetes are up to 20 times more likely to lose their sight than those without the condition. However, only one in five adults are aware that their optician can detect the signs through a regular eye test.

Dr Nigel Best, Clinical Spokesperson at Specsavers, said: “An estimated 1 million people in the UK are living with diabetes without even realising it – meaning they’re at huge risk of developing serious eye health complications and even sight loss.”

“Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health conditions today – fuelled by record levels of obesity, excessive sugar consumption and sedentary lifestyles. If we continue to turn a blind eye to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as a result, we can only expect to see the number of undiagnosed cases escalate.”

A complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy which can occur when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the back of the eye. If left untreated it can cause blindness.

Dr Best adds: “At Specsavers, we offer digital retinal photography free of charge as part of a standard eye test for customers aged over 40. This takes a detailed picture of the back of your eye allowing the blood vessels to be monitored more closely – helping to detect any signs of diabetes that might be present.”

Allissa Charlesworth (below), Optometrist Director at Specsavers Chesterfield, said: “A trip to the optician can do so much more than check your vision. Less than half the time taken during an eye appointment involves testing sight – most of the time we are assessing the health of the eye itself, and signs of your wider health too.”

Allissa concludes: “We encourage everyone to get their eyes checked every two years. As well as a check of your vision, a routine sight test might just reveal a more serious sight-threatening or wider health condition.”

To find out more or book your next appointment head to the Specsavers store on Chesterfield’s Burlington Street or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/chesterfield, where you can currently avail of a free eye test, valid until 31st December 2019 (terms and conditions apply).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure

The Lily Pad celebrates refurbishment and extended Friday night opening hours

The Lily Pad Café and Restaurant, located on Soresby Street in Chesterfield, are celebrating an extensive refurbishment and exciting changes to their menu. They welcomed customers to enjoy the new Friday night dinner menu last week.

The refurbishment brings a new look, a new menu and new opening hours to this popular town-centre eatery which recently won the accolade of the Café / Tea Room of the Year at the Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards 2019.

Head Chef and Manager, Ryan Purrington said: “It is wonderful to welcome our customers back through our doors and we are really pleased to be able to offer our new dinner menu on a Friday evening too. I hope everyone is as impressed with our new look as we are.”

“Our new menu includes some of the old favourites which we know people love us for, but we’ve also developed the menu to include some exciting new additions. We have a much more extensive selection for vegetarians and vegans too. There are a whole host of new features and food and drinks specials for people to try which we are really excited about.”

The Chesterfield College Group own the business and has invested in the refurbishment process. They work with the dedicated front of house and kitchen team at the Lily Pad to help them develop the business.

Jo Kershaw, Director of Business and Professional Services at Chesterfield College said: “The Lily Pad not only offers local diners an amazing choice of menu options, it also has a unique atmosphere which comes from the passion of the team. They work tirelessly to keep their customers happy. When we invested in this business we saw how the passion of this relatively young team created a popular eatery and how apprentices are supported to grow into key roles in the organisation.”

“We also saw the potential to support this town-centre business in its development. It has been a pleasure working with Ryan and his team over the last few months. I hope both new and existing customers will be as pleased with the results of the refurbishment as we are.”

The Lily Pad is now open for breakfast and lunch from Monday to Sunday (closed all day Wednesdays) as well as now serving evening meals on Friday evenings.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Christmas, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Tenders invited from local business support specialists

A procurement opportunity has arisen for a bank of high growth business support specialists to supply 1-2-1 business advice and workshops to businesses and entrepreneurs in the Sheffield City Region (SCR).

Tenderers should have extensive experience and or technical expertise in delivering high growth business support in one of the following disciplines:

  • Legal, HR and Health and Safety
  • Finance, IT and Risk Management
  • Sales and Marketing

ScaleUp 360 brings together a consortium of expert business partners from across the SCR to deliver on a tailored scale-up support programme designed to provide the inspirational advice and support that businesses and entrepreneurs need in order to sustainably scale their ventures and become investment ready.

The consortium comprises East Midlands Chamber; Doncaster Chamber; Barnsley Business Village; and Sheffield Hallam University.

The project is receiving funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

The deadline to apply is 4pm on 6th December 2019. Applications can be made here.

Building an Effective Team, Successful Communication and Engagement

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

Chamber offers free year-long membership to businesses affected by recent flooding

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) is working with partners to offer support to local businesses which have been – and continue to be – affected by recent flooding.

A month’s-worth of rain fell in just one day in some areas, resulting in significant flooding for parts of Derbyshire.

And while crucial short-term support is available, including a flooding hardship fund, the Chamber is offering longer-term support by providing free Chamber membership for a year to businesses directly affected by flooding in the Derbyshire Dales, Amber Valley and High Peak.

Those taking advantage of the complimentary membership will enjoy the same wide-ranging, comprehensive benefits available to paid-up standard members.

David Pearson, Director of Partnerships at the Chamber, said: “Local businesses are the lifeblood of communities and we’re pleased to offer our support to those affected at an extremely difficult time.”

“The impact of flooding will be felt for some time and by offering free year-long Chamber membership, those affected can be sure that the support available to help them recover and thrive will be available short, mid and long-term.”

“I would urge businesses in the affected areas to fully explore the extensive level of support available to them – whatever challenges they are currently facing.”

Businesses wishing to take advantage of free Chamber membership for a year can contact the Chamber’s Membership team on 0333 320 0333 extension 1 quoting ‘Derbyshire flooding’.

Alternatively, fill in the online application form – leaving the payment section blank – and send to Charlotte Leivers at charlotte.leivers@emc-dnl.co.uk with Derbyshire flooding in the email title.

While this offer is not available to existing members, there are a number of benefits within membership that affected businesses can utilise at this difficult time, including Chamber Legal advice, which can be accessed here.

If you are a business directly affected by the recent flooding and have a specific query, contact the Chamber’s Information team on 0333 320 0333 or email info@emc-dnl.co.uk.

East Midlands Chamber won Chamber of the Year at the British Chambers of Commerce Business Awards 2018

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Winners of Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 announced

The winners of the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 have been announced, with local company O’Connor & Co Removals named 2019 Business of the Year.

The awards ceremony took place at Chesterfield’s Casa Hotel on Thursday 14th November and honoured the very best of trade and commerce in the area, as well as recognising the outstanding contribution of local business leaders and entrepreneurs.

Chesterfield’s Fairplay, a children’s charity that supports children and young people with disabilities and their families, was named Charity of the Year.

The Derbsyhire Times website states: “Our awards attract a wide range of entries from across all sectors from both small and larger organisations. But the winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and have proved this by winning a Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Award.”

The headline sponsors for the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards 2019 were Global Brands & Casa Hotels.

A full list of winners can be found below.

Winners

Innovation Award
Winner: Jane-Louise Photography UK
Shortlisted: UK Asbestos Training Association

Community Contribution
Winner: Men-Talk
Shortlisted: Move with Mumma, Bookworms

Customer Service Award
Winner: O’Connor & Co Removals Limited
Shortlisted: Casa Hotel, Dales and Peaks, Morley Hayes

Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Millie Walker – Auto Windscreens/ Markerstudy Group
Shortlisted: Carrie Price – KT Hair Academy for NJUK and Megan Thompson – Van Dyk by Wildes

Independent Retailer of the Year
Winner: Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
Shortlisted: OhSoBoss, Timeless Life Casting & Keepsakes

Leisure and Lifestyle
Winner: Morley Hayes
Shortlisted: Casa Hotel, Matlock Farm Park and Peak Edge Hotel & Red Lion Pub and Restaurant

New Business of the Year
Winner: Edwards Employment Solutions
Shortlisted: Jane – Louise Photography UK, O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd, Timeless Life Casting & Keepsakes

Professional Services Award:
Winner: BHP
Shortlisted: Dales and Peaks, Mortgage 1st, Shorts

Small Business of the Year: 
Winner: Dales and Peaks
Shortlisted: Dawson Radford Solicitors, Moss Valley Fine Meats, Recruit 2 You Ltd, The Accountancy Recruitment Group

Excellence in Manufacturing
Winner: Moss Valley Fine Meats
Shortlisted: H D Sharman Limited

Charity of the Year
Winner: Fairplay
Shortlisted: Nenna Kind

Business Person of the Year:
Winner: Peter Botham – Shed Grounds Maintenance Ltd
Shortlisted: Jon Stones – Mortgage 1st and Tom Currey – Dales and Peaks

People Development Award
Winner: Banner Jones

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Robert Banner, Banner Jones

2019 Business of the Year
Winner: O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Winners of this years Business Excellence Awards pictured. Picture: NDET-14-11-19-DTBusinessAwards-1

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield

D2N2 welcome record number of delegates for Annual Conference

Over 200 delegates attended the 2019 D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Conference on Wednesday 13 November, which took place at Pride Park Stadium.

Delegates included senior representatives from companies of all sizes, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and voluntary services organisations, and others.

They came to hear speakers including Karen Smart from East Midlands Airport), Barry Lewis from Derbyshire County Council, Stephan Hayward from The Framework, and Emma Rigler from Laing O’Rourke.

The conference began with Sajeeda Rose, D2N2 Chief Executive welcoming delegates before outlining how D2N2 is supporting job creation, promoting skills, and helping create the infrastructure needed to grow the economy of its area.

It is doing this through a wide range of business support programmes, funding and major investment; made possible through its access to more than £500million worth of public sector funding, via the UK Government and European Union.

Chair of D2N2, Elizabeth Fagan, then told conference of D2N2s commitment towards a Carbon-Free Tomorrow saying, “Lasting change is not something that is done to us, rather it is something that can only occur because of us.”

The Non-Executive Chair of Boots went on to emphasis the essential space D2N2 occupies in England, “D2N2 is at are the heart of England. The heart of transport, the heart of knowledge, the heart of innovation, science, and culture and so much more.”

The conference drew praise from attendees including John Forkin of Marketing Derby said: “It’s great to see D2N2 evolve a calm, assured & confident pitch as a collaborative catalyst focused on productive & inclusive growth, we at Marketing Derby are delighted to be part of that delivery.”

Seleena Creedon of Silver Birch Creative said: “I was thoroughly engrossed in all that was said. It was clear there was a packed room full of people passionate about the success of our region.”

The Conference was organised by D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. D2N2 is a partnership of both private and public sectors tasked with stimulating the local economy and improving the lives of local residents.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New President announced and members celebrated at Chamber’s AGM

East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has announced Dawn Edwards as its President for 2019/20.

She received the chains of office from outgoing President Kevin Harris at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting on 7 November.

Dawn is founder and Managing Director of Challenge Training and Consultancy, an award-winning provider of bespoke and accredited leadership, management and business skills training.

Based at its own training centre in Nottinghamshire, it is the largest delivery centre for Institute of Leadership and Management qualifications in the East Midlands, with a prestigious client list.

In 2007, Dawn bought a failing Children’s Day Nursery in Nottinghamshire, which was turned around to create a thriving business with an excellent reputation. The nursery was sold on in 2014, and continues to thrive.

Dawn is a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute.

Accolades over the years include being recognised as Nottinghamshire Woman Achiever of the Year in 2003; Nottinghamshire Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 and voted as one of the top 100 Nottinghamshire Women of Influence in 2011.

Addressing delegates, Dawn said: “My first duty as President is to thank Kevin for the amazing work he has done over the past year. He will be a hard act to follow since he has a natural ability to engage and enthuse others.”

“I’ve been involved with the Chamber for many years and am truly honoured and feel privileged to have been asked to be your President for 2020.”

Dawn has said her key areas of focus for the year ahead will include continuing to drive the skills agenda – an area of significant activity for the Chamber –, helping to create an even more inclusive Chamber as well as focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility as the Chamber continues to deliver on its vision of enhancing not just businesses but the communities they serve.

Eileen Richards MBE, founder and Managing Director of Leicester-based Eileen Richards Recruitment, was named Vice-President for 2019/20.

With over 25 years’ experience in the recruitment industry, Eileen is also Co-Chair of Enterprising Women, Trustee for Hope Against Cancer and Committee Member for Wooden Spoon Children’s Charity.

She was named 2018 Leicester Mercury Businesswoman of the Year and in the same year was awarded an MBE by the Queen in recognition of her dedication to empowering and supporting local businesses.

In one further announcement Steve Midgley, retiring by rotation, was re-elected to the Board unopposed, while Hari Punchihewa retired from the Board with the Chamber’s thanks.

The Chamber’s AGM, chaired by Ian Morgan, Chair of the Board of Directors, also acted as a celebration of its members, with presentations from Bloc Digital, Integrated Transport Planning and Jake and Nayns’, which won the 2019 Chamber Business Awards for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire respectively.

Six award-winning businesses – Air IT, Forsyth Barnes, Futures Housing Group, Integrated Transport Planning, TTK Confectionary and Wildgoose Construction – received their regional British Chambers of Commerce awards and all will go on to take part in the national BCC awards later this month.

No fewer than 105 businesses were also recognised as long-standing members of the Chamber, including Eggleston Steel, which was acknowledged for 90 consecutive years of membership.

Other notable landmarks included Rieke Packaging (60 years), RE Bowers & Freeman and HSBC (both 55 years) and Greygate Chemical Products, Nottingham Post Media Group and Trowell Plant Sales (all 50 years).

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at the Chamber, concluded the formalities by thanking members for their ongoing valued support, while reflecting on 2018/19 and looking ahead to 2019/20, one which he said would be a “year of investment” for the Chamber.

Dawn Edwards receives the Presidential chains of office from Kevin Harris

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Mortgage 1st raise £1,648.94 for local charities

7 members of the Mortgage 1st team took part in this year’s Chesterfield Redbrik Half Marathon and Peak FM 5 Mile Run on 20th of October in support of two great local charities, Ashgate Hospicecare & Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Mortgage 1st encouraged their team to sign up earlier this year as part of the Pronto Paints Wellbeing challenge and kindly offered to pay all their entry fees. The majority of those who signed up weren’t already runners but fully committed to the challenge and began their training.

On the day, 6 members of the Mortgage 1st team ran the Peak FM 5 mile and all completed it within an hour or less. The 7th team member Ethan, ran the full half marathon in 2 hours exact.

As a team they raised a whopping £1,648.94 in donations which they have shared equally between the two charities, meaning they will receive just over £820 each.

Lisa Stones, Marketing Director at Mortgage 1st said: “When I asked around the office who wanted to take part I was delighted when 7 of our team said yes. They all did brilliantly with their training and it was great to hear how their health & fitness started to improve as a result.”

“On the day there was a large group for us from Mortgage 1st along with their friends and family all cheering them on, the atmosphere in Queens Park was great and we’re all already talking about next year’s event.”

More than 1,500 people registered for the event’s three elements – the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, Peak FM Five Mile Run and Blachford UK Fun Run – with new course records also set by both the female and male Redbrik Half winners. Read more here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

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