Business

Home Instead recognised as a 5 Star Employer

Home Instead Senior Care has been recognised as a 5 Star Employer by WorkBuzz, as a result of positive feedback from their employees.

In June 2019, WorkBuzz invited all Home Instead’s CAREGivers and Key Players to provide confidential feedback about their experience working for Home Instead, including the training and development on offer; the relationship with their manager and day-to-day responsibilities. As independent employee engagement specialists, WorkBuzz then verified the results.

Home Instead was awarded the WorkBuzz 5 Star Employer award in September, based on positive feedback from their employees. This demonstrates Home Instead Senior Care’s high levels of employee engagement, compared to other businesses of a similar size.

Stephanie Metham (right), Care Director at Home Instead  said: “We are delighted to have been recognised as a 5 Star Employer by WorkBuzz. This means so much as it is awarded based on feedback from our fantastic CAREGiver’s and support team.”

Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz said “The biggest challenge facing many organisations is recruiting and retaining the best talent. We would like to congratulate Home Instead for its high levels of employee engagement. Its positive culture means that most employees are proud to work there, would choose to stay even if they were offered a similar job elsewhere, and are highly motivated.”

Home Instead is one of the UK’s leading at-home care providers. Their service is tailored to the needs of individual clients and ranges from companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, post-discharge care, medication reminders, shopping and errands to personal care, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Just last month, Home Instead was named as one of the 20 most recommended providers in the Home Care Awards 2019. In June 2019, the company received an Outstanding Rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which only three per cent of home care providers inspected by the CQC have been awarded.

Home Instead Senior Care 5 Star Employer

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures and Parking Restrictions announced

This year’s Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 20 October 2019, starting at 9.30am in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.  All the Chesterfield Half Marathon road closures and parking restrictions have now been announced.

More information about the Chesterfield Half Marathon

View the routes of the Chesterfield Half Marathon and 5 mile Run

In accordance with traffic authority regulations for Derbyshire County Council, an order has been made prohibiting and restricting the use of certain roads and road junctions by vehicles in order to facilitate the safe holding of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, car parking restrictions as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 04:00 until 16:00 on Sunday 20th October 2019.

A full list of closures, including approximate times, is provided below.

The organisers would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your support of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

ROAD CLOSURES FOR THE CHESTERFIELD HALF MARATHON 2019

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures 2019

PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR THE CHESTERFIELD HALF MARATHON 2019

Chesterfield Half Marathon Parking Restrictions 2019

The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon is pleased to be working in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver the 3rd annual Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

Chesterfield Half Marathon Route

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Banner Jones’ Executive Director appointed as President of The Notaries Society of England and Wales

Executive Director at Banner Jones Solicitors, Stephen Gordon, has recently been appointed as President of The Notaries Society, the representative society for the 775 Notaries practising in England and Wales.

Founded in 1882, The Notaries Society plays a major part in the lives of Notaries offering training, continuing professional development as well as international representation. Notaries represent the oldest and smallest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales and so the work of the Society is crucial in ensuring their interests are best represented.

Stephen, who heads up the Business Legal Services team at Banner Jones Solicitors, has been a qualified Notary Public dealing with international matters for both private and commercial clients for over 25 years, and is now the only remaining Notary Public in Chesterfield.

Having been appointed as Vice President in January 2019 (below), Stephen was elected to the Presidents role on 19th September 2019. Stephen will run the society and continue its work on the development of professional standards.

Commenting on his appointment Stephen said: “I’m extremely proud to have been appointed as President of the Society and am delighted to further my involvement in supporting the work of fellow Notary Publics across England and Wales.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Whittam Cox Architects ranked in UK’s Top 50 Architects

Whittam Cox Architects have secured a place in the Top 50 UK Architects and Top 150 UK Consultants rankings for the fifth consecutive year.

The annual Top 150 Consultants league table, produced by leading industry publication ‘Building Magazine’, has ranked the practice as 79 out of all the firms who made the top 150, which includes Architects, QS’s, Project Managers, and Engineers.

The practice has also secured spot at number 42 in the top UK Architects alongside other top practices such as Foster and Partners, BDP, Sheppard Robson, Allies and Morrison & others. The ranking reinforces the fact that Whittam Cox Architects are one of UK’s largest architects’ practices, servicing clients and projects nationwide.

Commenting on the milestone Board Director Nick Riley commented; “We are delighted to be recognised by Building again; we see this as an endorsement of our focussed efforts in delivering tangible value to our diverse range of clients and projects. Looking ahead we know we can’t be complacent; it’s essential we remain ambitious, agile and responsive to continued times of political and market uncertainty.”

See the Building article and league tables by clicking here.

Whittam Cox Architect of the Year

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Two elements of A61 Corridor Scheme secure D2N2 funding

Two projects to improve transport links through the A61 Growth Corridor Scheme will now benefit from D2N2 funding.

The Sustainable Transport project has been awarded £1.69 million from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund of the total £2.12 million cost whilst 21st Century Transport’s £3.75 million total cost will benefit from £3 million Local Growth Fund injection.

D2N2 Chair Elizabeth Fagan said of the news: “Creating strong and faster transport links across the north of our region are key to helping the economy of our region grow, particularly with work on the nearby North-Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone continuing at pace.”

“D2N2 has a strong commitment to clean growth and maintaining our natural assets, therefore I’m delighted that the projects we’ve funded as part of the A61 Growth Corridor will make it easier for local people to cycle to work as well and help make the air they breathe cleaner.”

With a number of significant residential and employment developments proposed within the corridor including Peak Resort and the Avenue, both projects form part of the larger Transport Mitigation Strategy for the area and aim to improve the resilience of the local transport network.

A more resilient transport network will lead to additional investment in the area including more employment opportunities and a greater number of homes, allowing the area to become more productive, more prosperous, and more inclusive.

This package of measures will provide infrastructure improvements and reduce commuter journey times, provide sustainable transport routes, and also ‘unlock’ further opportunities for major housing and employment growth along the A61 corridor through Chesterfield and into north-east Derbyshire.

Furthermore, as part of D2N2s commitment to clean growth, the improvements to the transport network will prioritise active travel, cycling, and pedestrianisation through new and upgraded paths and cycle routes.

Once works are complete in 2021, residents and local businesses will also benefit from a technology package which will include bus real-time information for bus passengers, car parking guidance and information, and CCTV.

The ‘A61 corridor’ into and through Chesterfield was among the first of D2N2’s named Growth Deal projects.

In addition to The Sustainable Transport and 21st Century Transport projects, the A61 Corridor scheme also includes 3 additional elements: The Chesterfield Station Masterplan, The Avenue Southern Access, and Clowne North projects.

Each element of the plan will be accessed by the D2N2 Investment Board ahead of any final decision on funding allocation.

D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It has been allocated more than £250m in LGF funding from the Government, to part-fund infrastructure projects which directly help its area’s economy and create jobs.

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone. By 2021 Government will have invested over £12billion through the Local Growth Fund, allowing Local Enterprise Partnerships to use their local knowledge to stimulate economic growth across the country.

Local Growth Minister Jake Berry said of the project securing funding: “This Government is committed to boosting economic growth across the Midlands Engine and throughout the UK as we leave the EU on October 31.

“Supporting the development of a more resilient transport network is just one of the ways that the Government helps local communities to thrive. The Local Growth Fund’s £4.69 million investment will drive economic development within the area – tackling traffic congestion, improving air quality and enabling greener transport choices”.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

New phase of rooms completed at GoStore Self Storage Chesterfield

GoStore Self Storage Chesterfield are pleased to announce the completion of a further phase of self storage rooms at their Grassmoor facility.

The new rooms vary in size, from 25 sq ft up to 100 sq ft, meaning there are now over 150 rooms in total at the Chesterfield site. All rooms are located on the ground floor and are inside an insulated building, covered by 24/7 CCTV and alarm systems to ensure items will be safe and secure. Customers are provided with £1000 of free insurance cover that can be upgraded if necessary. The premises are open 6 days a week however 24/7 access is available.

Stephen Molyneux, MD at GoStore Self Storage Chesterfield, said: “We now have over 150 internal self storage rooms of various sizes, up to 150 sq ft. Further expansion is planned in the near future with more rooms at the Grassmoor and Hope Valley sites to be announced shortly”.

He added: “We understand that everyone’s storage needs are different and we work very hard to make sure we offer the most cost effective solution to our customers.”

The minimum term for storage is just 1 month, however to celebrate their recent expansion, their team can offer you up to 2 months at half price if you store at their facility for 6 months, or, 4 months at half price if you store at their facility for 12 months.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Internet grows the high street star

Social media plays an important role in supporting retailers by driving footfall and ultimately increasing sales.

It isn’t a case of the internet destroying retail; the businesses that use it effectively can create interest and build a relationship with customers.

Social media is fundamentally changing the rules of doing business.

At the Chesterfield Investment Summit, Polly Barnfield OBE from tech company Maybe* said: “Social media is fundamentally changing the rules of doing business.  It’s not a question of a business being online or offline anymore – they must be both.  There has been a huge shift in human behaviour over the last 15 years driven by social media.  For the first time ever, people now spend more time on their mobile phone than watching TV.”

Polly Barnfield OBE - Chesterfield investment Summit

Social Media from businesses shouldn’t just be me, me me!

As someone who encourages people to promote their place, it was great to hear Polly reinforce the view that activity on social media from businesses shouldn’t just be me, me, me!

Polly urged retailers not to focus on selling themselves on social media. “Engagement with the community around you is key. You can’t just sell your own product on social media if you want to be successful.  Retailers should post on social media every day and talk to their audience not just about what is happening in their business, but what is happening around them.”

Since Maybe* has been working with Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield, footfall has increased by 29%.  Through social media, the centre is interacting with its customers, asking them what they want and developing new events and facilities based on feedback.  It is not surprising that giving customers more of what they want keeps them coming back.

As a marketeer who has worked with social media for many years, I find it amazing how many people forget where these sites came from.  The clue is in the title!  They are all about social engagement and for conversations, not for shouting views or asking customers to buy.  It’s about engaging, listening, building relationships and creating a community.

Social media is the modern form of word of mouth and with everyone’s support, we can all play a role to engage with local businesses and share Chesterfield’s story far and wide.

Case Studies from Chesterfield business

We have some excellent case studies of businesses in Chesterfield, which are using social media to grow:

Geeks Headquarters

Geeks Headquarters

Alberto Naso

“We use Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitch live streaming to showcase our products and tournaments. This has led to us increase our national and international sales. We have recently sent our 3D printed miniatures across Europe, China, and the USA.”


Ingmans

Ingmans

Andy Ingman, 
“By posting on social media it’s a constant reminder to customers that we are here and keeps the business in the front of their minds. The more independent retailers within the town that use social media to promote local activities, the more it benefits all the other companies and shops.  We are big on supporting each other.”


Adorn Jewellers at Chesterfield Retail Awards

Adorn Jewellers

Laura Jo Owen

“We’re active on most major social platforms, but customers prefer to contact us via Facebook and Instagram. Jewellery lends itself to image-based platforms and our customers can browse, ask questions, buy jewellery and have it delivered all from the comfort of their mobile phone. Join us @adornchesterfield”


H&F

H&F

Louise Peel

“As a town centre furniture retailer we have found that using social media campaigns have been vital in successfully promoting our business. It is also a great opportunity for our customers to visit Chesterfield, supporting the town centre by creating awareness and driving footfall, which helps increase both local and visitor spend.”


Etienne Blinds

Etienne Curtains & Blinds

Stephen Holland

“I only recently started using social media to promote my business, but already I can see it is a great way to reach out to customers and potential new customers by getting them to follow you, and it’s absolutely free. My advice – grow your audience to grow your business.”


Please do give the Destination Chesterfield social media channels a follow and engage with us.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Hashtags

You can follow or use the following hashtags across all social media channels.

#lovechesterfield – positive posts about the town

#chesterfieldnews – local news

#chesterfieldevents – local events

#shopchesterfield – Shopping in Chesterfield

#eatchesterfield – Food and Drink in Chesterfield

Blog by Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager at Destination Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Town Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield

Independent giftware and home décor store to open at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is delighted to announce the opening of a brand new independent giftware and home décor store, ‘Shop Indie’ at the centre on 1st October.

The ethos of Shop Indie is to showcase fabulous products from independent makers and designers from across the UK.

The collection includes unique handmade jewellery, stationery, prints & art plus baby & child décor, cards for every occasion and a selection of gifts available to personalise.

Lisa from Shop Indie said, “As an independent maker myself, I have been constantly impressed by the talent and creativity of people from across the UK. After being in business the last 10 years, John and myself have seen a massive shift towards online shopping which we have so far embraced. However, nothing beats being able to see the detail and work that goes into every product in person, and we wanted to bring this back to the high street.”

Lisa added: “Chesterfield has a lovely range of independent shops already, and we feel that the town would be a great fit for us. We look forward to giving the people of Chesterfield the opportunity to discover something a little different on their high street.”

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “Shop Indie really does offer our customers something special on their visit into Chesterfield. As the high street only continues to face increasing pressures from the rise of online shopping, it’s imperative that we offer our customers a unique and high quality shopping offer, which stores like ‘Shop Indie’ provide.”

The addition of ‘Shop Indie’ to Vicar Lane brings a high-quality, exclusive product offering to the heart of Chesterfield, offering customers greater choice when shopping for a special gift or new addition for their home.

Click here to find out more about town centre shopping

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield College organise Half Term taster sessions

During October half term (28-31 October), Chesterfield College are offering a range of free taster courses for 14 to 17 year olds. The taster sessions are a great way to find out more about college life and the range of subjects available to study at college.

With over 25 different morning and afternoon sessions to choose from, there really is something to suit all tastes; from acting to graphic design, app development to welding, childcare to fashion design and much more. Please see the full list below.

Monday 28 October

  • Sport – 10am-12pm
  • Uniformed Public Services – 10am-12pm
  • Intro to Game Design – 10am-12pm
  • Acting Techniques – 10am-12pm
  • A Level Carousel – 10am-12pm
  • Bread Dough and Pizza Making – 10am-12pm
  • Hairdressing – 10am-12pm
  • Beauty Therapy – 10am-12pm
  • Scientific Skills – 1-3pm
  • Hairdressing – 1-3pm
  • Beauty Therapy – 1-3pm
  • Intro to App Development – 1-3pm

Tuesday 29 October

  • Media (Make a Video in a Day) – 10am-3pm
  • Graphic Design and Mixed Media Applications – 10am-12pm
  • Travel and Tourism – 10am-12pm
  • Automotive Pit Stop Challenge (Lockoford Lane campus) – 10am-12pm
  • Vehicle Body and Repair – 1-3pm
  • PC Strip and Build – 1-3pm
  • Business Studies – 1-3pm

Wednesday 30 October

  • Robot Challenge – 10am-12pm
  • Intro to Welding – 10am-12pm
  • Construction – 10am-12pm
  • Health and Social Care – 10am-12pm
  • Intro to Welding – 1-3pm
  • Robot Challenge – 1-3pm
  • Construction – 1-3pm
  • Childcare – 1-3pm
  • Intro to 3D Modelling – 1-3pm

Thursday 31 October

  • 2D Animation – 10am-12pm
  • Art and Design – 10am-12pm
  • Photography – 10am-12pm
  • Fashion Design – 1-3pm

There is no limit to the number of taster sessions you can try to help you narrow down which course you would like to study after school. However, places are limited and offered on a first come first served basis so it is vital to book your place early to avoid disappointment. For more information and to book click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Progress made on North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone

Work has now started on bringing six key development sites across north Derbyshire into use to help regenerate the area and provide a jobs boost.

In January 2019, the government announced a £220k investment for local councils across northern Derbyshire to help look at ways to accelerate growth across key manufacturing sites.

The sites include the Staveley and Rother regeneration corridor, Clowne North, The Avenue, Coney Green, Egstow Park and Callywhite Lane.

The region has a long and cherished history of manufacturing, something which all the partners involved want to build upon and make it easier for businesses to set up or expand.

Three key strands had been identified to move the project forward, which consultants have now been appointed to lead on and they will report back their findings in spring 2020:

  • A Mobility Strategy that will look at innovative and sustainable ways of allowing people to get to and from the new jobs to be created on the sites.
  • Look at ways of simplifying planning processes for new developments on the sites.
  • Prepare commercial design guidance to help inform the look and style of new buildings and landscapes.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Coupled with regeneration already happening in Chesterfield, the project will look at key ways we could develop sites in Staveley. We look forward to seeing how the regeneration will benefit our residents and businesses.”

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development County Councillor Tony King, said, “Derbyshire County Council are leading on the mobility strategy looking for new, better and easier ways for people to access the jobs on these sites.”

D2N2 Chief Executive Sajeeda Rose said,”D2N2 is the spark in the UK’s growth engine. Government is keen for this project to demonstrate lessons learned that can be used here and elsewhere in the country. The Zone will help us drive forward and deliver on our ambitions for growth across northern Derbyshire.”

Bolsover District Council Leader, Councillor Steve Fritchley said, “Regeneration and development are key to the success of the area, but it’s important that we have the right development in the right place. The design guidance will not only make sure we have this but also make sure we build on our strengths and support existing and new businesses.”

North East Derbyshire District Council Leader, Councillor Martin Thacker MBE said, “The different strands will help us focus our minds on what is needed to bring it all to fruition. These are exciting times for north Derbyshire and this zone will help us fast-track growth and development in the area.”

The work is being undertaken jointly by Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire County and North East Derbyshire councils along with D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

MSE Hiller Welding

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Derbyshire businesses invited to one of Europe’s largest walking & cycling fairs

Derbyshire tourism businesses have the chance to reach thousands of potential international visitors at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs walking and cycling fair in the Netherlands next spring, thanks to an exciting opportunity offered by the area’s official tourist board.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has announced that as part of their £1.2 million ‘Delivering a World Class Visitor Economy within Derbyshire’ project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), they will be flying the flag for the area at the Fiets en Wandelbeurs walking and cycling fair in Utrecht, from 28th February to 1st March 2020.

Fiets en Wandelbeurs is one of the largest events of its kind in Europe, attracting over 40,000 walking and cycling enthusiasts who are passionate about active holidays, excursions and experiences. The fair has a complete offering in walking and cycling, from routes and destinations to the latest equipment and innovations.

The tourist board is inviting a small number of businesses from the Peak District and Derbyshire to join them at the fair for the chance to promote their business and reach new markets, encouraging more international visitors to book a break – and discover great walking and cycling – in the area.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Derbyshire businesses who are interested in reaching overseas visitors. Thanks to our beautiful countryside, amazing landscapes and fantastic walking and cycling opportunities, the Peak District and Derbyshire is already a popular destination for Dutch visitors and the Netherlands is one of our priority markets.

“Together with the help of passionate local businesses at Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Utrecht, we hope to encourage even more international tourists to book an overnight break and discover what we have to offer.”

To qualify for the opportunity to join Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s stand at Fiets en Wandelbeurs in Utrecht, your business must be:

  • Based in Derbyshire
  • An SME (less than 250 employees)
  • A visitor economy business (or part of its supply chain)

Successful applicants will be responsible for their own travel and expenses but will be provided with the trade show space free of charge due to the ERDF project funding.

The closing date for applications is 17:00 on Friday 25th October 2019. Successful applicants will be notified in early November.

To find out more and to apply for a space, please click here.

Image credit: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

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