A dog care centre in Chesterfield has become the first to receive a licence under new animal licensing laws following an inspection by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Divine Dog Care run by Julie Spooner, offers a home from home for canines during the day and was praised by the council’s inspector for having high standards of care and hygiene, and having all the required documentation in place.

It has been given a licence for the maximum period of three years.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is the first inspection of this kind that we have carried out and are pleased to have found that Divine Dog Care is looking after the animals in its care correctly.”

“We are offering support to other local animal businesses to prepare them for the new inspection regime and to ensure that businesses in the Chesterfield borough meet the highest standards.”

“All existing and new applicants need to comply with new rules under the new licensing regime  including pet shops, kennels, catteries, home boarding for dogs, day care for dogs, dog breeders, hiring of horses and anyone training or exhibiting animals.”

Under new laws introduced from 1 October this year, businesses will now be risk rated on their welfare standards.

One to five stars can be awarded which will see inspections carried out from one up to three years.

Visit the council website to see the list of all animal licensed businesses in the Chesterfield area.

Organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon are targeting further growth after announcing that entries have opened into the 2019 edition, with an Early Bird price available until January.

Event directors, charity partners and sponsors gathered at Chesterfield’s Market Hall to launch the 2019 event following its huge expansion in 2018, when around 1,500 people signed up to take part – an increase from 800 the previous year.

Entry until 31 January is priced at £22, with the regular price of £28 applying after that date. Runners can also enter the Five Mile Run which takes place at the same time for just £18.

Organisers have set sights on a 2,000-runner total for the 2019 event, with more than 200 people having already signed up following the success of last month’s Half Marathon.

Leading estate agency Redbrik will be 2019 title sponsor for year three of its five-year partnership deal, and Ashgate Hospicecare will once again be the events main charity partner with Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice also an event charity partner.

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We were really pleased with this year’s event. The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon is an amazing group of people coming together to make something special happen in the town of Chesterfield.”

“Without all our partners, the event would not happen. The growth that we saw from last year to this year was incredible – let’s hope we can keep doing that, that’s the challenge that we’re setting ourselves.”

“Let’s keep building – we want to get to 3,000, even 4,000 runners, and through our partners I think we’re able to do that. The people of Chesterfield have been amazing in supporting the event – it’s so important to have their support. With their support, anything is possible.”

Mark Ross, Director of the event’s headline sponsor, Redbrik, said: “Being involved in the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon is fantastic for us as a business. It gives us the opportunity to give back to the town and help further enhance the wellbeing culture which everybody is looking to promote.”

“We’re huge advocates of Chesterfield, we want to promote what’s here and it’s a brilliant place to live and work. To have an event which is expanding, as the Half Marathon has done, is so crucial for the area.”

“It’s also a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness for brilliant local causes such as Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, charities which do so much for people across the region.”

For more information on the 2019 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon or to sign up click here.