Business

Morrisons is searching for local foodmakers

13th February 2019

Morrisons continues its search for a new wave of local foodmakers to provide locally produced food to its customers.

‘The Nation’s Local Foodmakers’ campaign will see Morrisons aim to recruit new suppliers from across England, Scotland and Wales. The campaign has already seen 153 local suppliers working with Morrisons since it started in 2017.

Morrisons has a priority of sourcing more local food and is keen to reduce the distance that food travels. The Local Foodmaker search will result in more customers being able to buy more food in a British supermarket that was grown, made, picked or packaged around 35 miles of their local store.

The new search will help Morrisons offer more local, British produce to customers. A 2018 report by DEFRA states that 60% of shoppers agree that they try to buy British food whenever they can, and 76% agree it is important to support British farmers.

Suppliers are being invited to apply to work with Morrisons via their website here.

Selected applicants will be invited to an event in their region where they will be able to showcase their food to customers and Morrisons staff, including Morrisons buyers, who will choose which products will take their place in Morrisons supermarkets. Applicants can apply at any time, and do not have to attend an event.

The Local Foodmaker search will be coming to Chesterfield on Thursday 20th June 2019.

Morrisons will also be working with local food groups and food hubs, using their knowledge and expertise to source and select the best suppliers in their area.

Family owned Murdoch Allan bakery is only seven miles from Morrisons Peterhead store. After attending a Local Foodmaker event, Murdoch Allan is now working with Morrisons. Morrisons Peterhead store has a full promotional bay of their bakery products, along with Point of Sale. The bakery’s known and loved product, Butteries, are in a further four Morrisons stores in Aberdeenshire.

Murdoch Allan’s Pie branch, Thaines Bakery, who supply the pies for the Aberdeen football ground, are also now sold in Morrisons Peterhead store. They have since sold around 200,000 packs of pies from the store in less than a year.

Andy Atkinson, Group Customer and Marketing Director at Morrisons, said: “Our customers tell us they like to support local businesses and want to be able to put local products in their shopping trolleys. We have listened and are looking for the next wave of British and local foodmakers to work with.”

Morrisons is in a unique position to support British foodmakers because as well as operating 494 supermarkets, Morrisons is the UK’s largest fresh food maker.

Morrisons Foodmakers food producers Chesterfield

Photo by Theo Moye: ‘The Nation’s Local Foodmakers’ campaign event at the Woolwell Centre, Plymouth.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Growth in Peak FM listener figures

12th February 2019

The latest listener figures show that Chesterfield’s local radio station, Peak FM, is again the most listened-to commercial station in North Derbyshire.

The station is celebrating another huge jump in audience figures, adding a staggering 46% to its listening hours and 35% more listeners in the last year – that means more people listening to Peak FM and for a longer period of time. Peak FM has been the most listened to commercial station in the area for several years but in the last twelve months the growth suddenly rocketed.

85,000 people now tune into the station every week, there are 818,000 listening hours and the market share is ahead of Radio One.

Tim Smith is the Content Controller at Peak FM, and looks after the sound of the station: “We’ve been improving our music mix and asking what you think in surveys so we can get it just right. We’ve been out and about more than ever in the last year with massive stage performances all over North Derbyshire, our Breakfast Show with Ricky and Becky has been to schools, worked with charities like the Sick Children’s Trust and met thousands of people in person. We’re over the moon!”

The station’s Managing Director Sam Fielding said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our latest set of audience numbers – our third consecutive rise in a row. Our local advertisers are also recognising the positive impact radio and specifically Peak FM can have for their business, particularly in an uncertain financial climate.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Local manufacturer Pronto Paints seeks intern for summer

11th February 2019

Pronto Paints, a local specialist industrial paint manufacturer, is looking to take on a paid intern over the summer, from July to September 2019. The internship will give a local undergraduate or A-level student the opportunity to improve their CV and gain insight into the manufacturing world.

Founded in 1989, Pronto Paints is a friendly, family-run company based in Holmewood, Chesterfield. Pronto Paints currently boasts over 300 products and serves a number of industries across the UK. They are always growing and looking at new ways to innovate the business.

The chosen candidate will work on rotation across the different divisions of the company including the marketing, administration, laboratory and production departments. This will allow them to gain as much experience as possible, as well as give them an understanding of the different jobs available in a manufacturing company like Pronto Paints.

Speaking about the new scheme, Managing Director David Beckford commented:

“Many businesses spend a lot of time worrying about where the next generation of talented people will come from, so with this internship we hope to do something about that situation. It will be a great experience for a student who is unsure about what they wish to do next and would like to sample different areas of a business as well as boost their CV.”

The chosen candidate will be expected to work 30 hours a week, at an hourly rate of up to £9/hour.

No previous experience is necessary, but Pronto Paints is ideally looking for someone who:

Lives around Chesterfield and can get to the Holmewood Industrial Estate every day
Has experience using Microsoft software such as Word, Excel and Access
Has a minimum grade C in English and Maths at GCSE level
Has a ‘can do’ attitude and positive outlook to life

As part of your application Pronto Paints would like to learn what makes you the best candidate for the internship, so please include a covering letter outlining what you hope to learn from the experience.

If you or someone you know would be interested in this opportunity, simply apply via this link: https://www.totaljobs.com/job/logistics-administrator/pronto-industrial-paints-ltd-job84959529

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

‘Question Time’ provides opportunity to debate Brexit

11th February 2019

Senior Economist for RBS Strategy, Economics and Corporate Development team, Phillip Bartlett presented an overview of the current UK Economy at a Brexit event organised by Shorts, Banner Jones and Natwest

At the breakfast event at the Proact Stadium, Phillip presented his thoughts on the possible impact of Brexit. Sharing ideas on how businesses should prepare for the economy post-Brexit. This covered areas such as growth trends, interest rates, productivity and employment.

A straw poll of the 150 delegates at the event showed that only 1 in 3 businesses had done any kind of preparation for Brexit.

There was also a question time style panel chaired by David Grey, Executive Chairman of OSL Group Holdings Ltd.

The experience panel included:

Tony Pedder OBE DL, Director of Metalysis Ltd and Director of EEF Ltd
Craig McKay, CEO of Evernort Sheffield and Alexander Cromley Birmingham
Natascha Engel, Government’s Commissioner for Shale Gas and former MP
Phillip Barlett, Senior Economist for RBS Strategy

The panel discussed a range of Brexit related topics and answered questions from the Chesterfield business community on how to approach Brexit.

Find more business events happening in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

ALTERIS announces plans to transform Vicar Lane

11th February 2019

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has unveiled plans to transform the centre following its acquisition earlier this year by ALTERIS.

Purpose-built in 2001 as an open-air scheme, with iconic views through to the famous crooked spire of Chesterfield’s Church of St. Mary and All Saints, the centre draws over 3 million visitors annually.

After five years in receivership, ALTERIS identified an opportunity to create a thriving retail-focused asset in a historic town centre, with one of the UK’s strongest retail heritages, based around the country’s largest open-air market.

ALTERIS is formulating a masterplan vision for Vicar Lane in conjunction with architects Leslie Jones which will see St. James Square become a much more animated focal point within the scheme and re-energise a key meeting point for shoppers within the town.

Bert Broadhead, Director at ALTERIS said: “We’ve identified huge potential in Vicar Lane as it sits in a prime position within a thriving market town. We see a great opportunity to re-imagine the scheme making it more of a centre of gravity for Chesterfield – with enhanced F&B and leisure to complement the existing retail. We also have plans to enhance the public realm to make Vicar Lane a more uplifting place to be.”

“There is much talk of High Streets being in decline at the moment, but this isn’t the case everywhere. We spotted an opportunity with Vicar Lane where we can build upon a positive local catchment, strong asset potential and the prospect of economic growth within Chesterfield – not least via the planned HS2 station a stone’s throw from the centre. After many years of inertia, the centre offers us a blank canvas on which we can build.”

“We will be aiming to work with both national and independent operators, harnessing the latest technologies as well as traditional retail practices to help create a retail experience for the modern age, right in the heart of historic Chesterfield.”

Bert Broadhead will be speaking more about the plans for Vicar Lane at the upcoming Celebrate Chesterfield event on the 20th March, where local businesses come together to celebrate the town and hear about local regeneration work.

Technology is also a key factor and ALTERIS is investing in cutting-edge services which will help make the customer experience more user-friendly and fulfilling.

Tenants at Vicar Lane, which is currently 94% leased, include TJ Hughes, H&M, River Island, JD Sports, New Look, Superdrug, Deichmann, Waterstones, CEX, O2, 3 Store and Holland & Barrett, as well as local brands Quoozies and Ministry.

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

GCL Products launch new SoRoTo Mixers trade-in scheme

5th February 2019

Chesterfield Champion GCL Products are proud to announce their new SoRoTo Mixers trade-in scheme.

SoRoTo Mixers UK, a distributor of forced action mixers, are the first in the UK to offer a trade-in scheme, enabling contractors to update & upgrade their mixing equipment. GCL Products are the sole distributor of SoRoTo products for the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.

From February 1st 2019, SoRoTo Mixers UK, which falls under the parent company GCL Products, are pioneering a trade-in scheme which gives contractors and tradespeople an opportunity to exchange their current forced action mixer for a discount of up to £500 against a brand-new model.

With so many contractors working with older, worn and potentially unsafe forced action mixers in the construction industry, this scheme aims to improve the quality and efficiency of the work of the operators, as well as improving safety standards in potentially dangerous environments.

Forced action mixers can be used in a huge range of applications including the mixing of concrete, render, mortar, the in-vogue resin bound gravel, screed and plaster. This highly versatile nature means that the trade-in scheme could prove incredibly popular with operatives across a broad spectrum of trades.

The SoRoTo range extends from a super-portable 40L model which can mix up to ~100kg of concrete per full load, to the gargantuan 300L which has a maximum capacity of ~700kg per mix.

Fergus Slack, Managing Director of parent company GCL Products Ltd said: “We’re really excited about the launch of our new and unique trade-in scheme. Offering contractors a chance to upgrade and update their vital equipment and improving the levels of safety in the construction industry benefits everyone.”

SoRoTo Mixers are the official UK distributor for SoRoTo Maskiner, the Danish manufacturer of mixers and belt conveyors. Part of GCL Products Ltd, SoRoTo Mixers supply a range of mixing equipment for the construction sector both directly to the consumer and through a network of resellers.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Brampton Brewery opens new pub in Chesterfield

5th February 2019

Brampton Brewery has opened its latest pub in Chesterfield. The Glassworks is the brewery’s third pub and is located opposite the Proact Stadium on Sheffield Road.

The brewery now has 3 cask-ale pubs in Chesterfield – The Rose & Crown, The Tramway Tavern and the new Glassworks. In addition to these tied-houses Brampton Brewery serves a local free-trade area covering Sheffield to the north, through to Burton in the south.

Jon Leeming, Brewery Director at Brampton Brewery said: “We have chosen to name the pub The Glassworks based on the glass industry that was located around Whittington Moor in Chesterfield”

To celebrate the opening of the pub, Brampton Brewery has produced a new beer ‘The Monocled Mutineer’ which is named after Percy Toplis, who was born on Sanforth Street, which the the pub sides onto. Toplis (aka The Monocled Mutineer) had an interesting history, which was serialised by the BBC in 1986.

Brampton Brewery was resurrected in October 2007 by a small group of local enthusiasts, bringing brewing back to Brampton for the first time in 52 years.

Led by Managing Director and Head Brewer Chris Radford, the brewery has gone from strength to strength, winning numerous awards for its range of meticulously brewed cask-ales. Situated on Chatsworth Road, Brampton Brewery is just a stone’s throw from the original brewery which operated successfully in the town for over 130 years.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Visiting

Milestone for Chesterfield’s Twist Magazine

4th February 2019

Heron Publications has delivered the 100th edition of its free Chesterfield publication, Twist, and also published its largest magazine to date, a 150-page special edition of Dronfield Eye – the ‘2019 Dronfield Directory’. Heron Publications are also responsible for Active8, delivered in south Sheffield.

Heron Publications are in their 17th year and moved their offices to Enterprise House at Dronfield a little over three years ago.

Director Mike Firth said: “Having two reasons to celebrate has given us a wonderful start to the new year.”

“A further exciting project is the expansion of another of our Derbyshire magazines, ‘Wings’, ensuring it is read by all the people moving into the hundreds of new homes being built in the Wingerworth and Tupton areas.”

“Readers appreciate the fact that we concentrate on all the positive things that are going on in town and they like the way we present our features in such a bright and breezy manner,” he says.

“They are happy to see Twist land on their doorstep each month and, because people pick it up and read it, advertisers are also delighted with the response they get; that is why many of them feature in our pages every month.”

Twist has the largest distribution of any magazine in Chesterfield. In all, they distribute their free magazines to 51,500 homes and businesses.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Free support to recruit and retain graduates for Chesterfield SMEs

1st February 2019

Are you part of an exciting, growing SME in Chesterfield? RISE helps connect the region’s network of innovative and exciting businesses to graduates with energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas.

RISE is a free graduate recruitment programme to help SMEs based in in the nine regions of the SCR (including Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and the Derbyshire Dales) to find the best graduate talent for their business. The team will write you an advert, advertise your role across the UK and put candidates through a variety of recruitment tasks. You’ll also have access to line manager training, interview guidance and toolkits.

To date, RISE has helped over 300 businesses to fill over 400 graduate vacancies, from manufacturing to marketing. A recent survey of RISE businesses showed that businesses benefit in many ways by taking on a graduate who bring new skills, energy and enthusiasm to their business as well as new ways of working that ultimately help the business to grow. In fact, 72% of businesses who used RISE believe that hiring a graduate helped their business grow.

“RISE worked really well for us. We wouldn’t have had the resources to interview the number of initial applicants ourselves.” Riverside Automation

“The RISE scheme was a breath of fresh air and I learnt a lot about recruitment. All the information was there if we needed it, but wasn’t forced on us if we didn’t.” Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens

“It has been a great service as RISE has done a lot of the selection process for us. It’s great because whilst RISE organises a lot of the recruitment process, we still have the final say on who we hire.” Pyronix

The service is jointly funded by The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, so there is no cost to you except the graduate’s salary and employers NI.

The deadline to sign up to the scheme is 6^th March so get in touch with Oliver Tarrant to discuss advertising a vacancy.

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

Growth of Chesterfield’s Superior Spas leads to new 400,000 sq ft factory

1st February 2019

Superior Spas, the Chesterfield-based UK Spa ‘Supplier of the Year’ has broken ground on a brand new, 400,000 sq ft factory in China as it pushes ahead with plans to up its own brand manufacturing and expand its presence internationally beyond the UK and Europe.

The huge new space will be the largest hot tub manufacturing facility in the world and will give Superior Spas the capacity to further expand into manufacturing for other hot tub firms. Coupled with a new distribution centre being constructed in Chesterfield, it will see the company become one of the largest spa and hot tub firms in the world at a time when many businesses are struggling to shake off post-Brexit fears.

Robert Carlin, Superior Spas MD said: “This is a very exciting time for Superior Spas and we are striding forwards with confidence as we realise our very ambitious growth plans. Having our own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is a game changer for the Superior Spas brand and one that will elevate us to an international presence outside of Europe for the first time. This will also mean we create more jobs, bring more to the local economy at home and generate more export and import business.”

The firm expects to create 20 new UK jobs initially and hundreds of new roles in China. Production at the factory will start in March with Superior Spas products being moved from the current manufacturer to the firm’s own factory over the course of the next 12 months. The firm’s full range of Platinum and Swim Spas will be taken in-house.

Sales Director Gareth Ward said: “When the brand new Superior Spas factory comes online fully in March of this year, we’ll be able to stock 900 hot tubs in the UK at any one time as well as keep over 2000 units in stock in China. What’s more, this means we can explore new business partnerships with the option to extend manufacturing services to other hot tub brands looking for a specialist manufacturer for their own product lines. Our clients will have the option to build their own brand of spas in our factory, give us more opportunity to grow our product range and customer base.”

Rob White, Superior Spa’s Head of Marketing adds: “Having our own manufacturing facility is massive – it means we can control every aspect of quality and production schedules, reduce costs, create jobs, open up big new markets and give us the opportunity to sell to a worldwide audience from one of the most prosperous regions in the world.”

To find out more, visit: www.superiorspas.co.uk

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

Brookfield Community School put careers in the town’s manufacturing sector under the spotlight for students

31st January 2019

The importance of introducing young people to careers in the town’s manufacturing sector has been highlighted by Brookfield Community School.

Eight year 12 students from the school visited Chesterfield-based United Cast Bar as part of the Made in Chesterfield campaign.

The campaign, which is co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and sponsored by University of Derby, is designed to bring together businesses, schools and training providers to showcase the sector to future school leavers.

As part of the visit, Students were taken into the foundry to see first-hand the manufacturing processes involved in producing continuous cast iron bar.

Tim Fagan, Head of Technology and Enterprise at Brookfield Community School, who accompanied the students on the visit, said: “The visit to United Cast Bar was so useful for our students, as it allowed them to see proper industrial practice.”

To mark its fifth year, Made in Chesterfield has now been aligned with the National Curriculum and will run throughout the year.

Mr Fagan added: “The students who took part in the visit love doing technology at school and enjoy making things, but sometimes it’s hard for them to link that up to the opportunities out there in the world of work. I think the visits to companies within the manufacturing and engineering sector helps open their eyes as to where the skills they learn in education can lead.”

Since the campaign was established, more than 2,500 young people from schools have spent time in the area’s manufacturing and engineering businesses. The visits to businesses operating within the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector are being organised by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership.

United Cast Bar is one of a number of companies from Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector which are opening their doors to students from across the borough in an effort to raise awareness of job opportunities.

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar, commented on the importance of developing the workforce of the future: “With an eye on future workforce needs, regularly inviting schoolchildren to the foundry through the Made in Chesterfield initiative plays an important part in our recruitment.

“If we are to develop our young people and retain their talent in the UK, schools must start bringing manufacturing and engineering careers to their attention. To look forward we must look back; getting young people interested in the sector is a great first step.”

Alongside the educational activity there is a programme of business events including a manufacturing conference, manufacturing and engineering forum, business masterclasses and networking events taking place throughout the year.

In addition to Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and University of Derby, Made in Chesterfield is supported by MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest and Placing Futures.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield or to arrange a school visit, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/

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