Business

Chesterfield Apprentices Battle it out in Town Centre Competition

11th March 2015

Apprentices from Learning Unlimited and business students from Chesterfield College will be battling it out at Chesterfield market on Thursday 12 March to decide the winning team of a challenge set to coincide with National Apprenticeship week.

The competition is the end of a 4 day challenge in which the teams were given £150 and a brief to create a product to sell to shoppers in Chesterfield town centre. The winning team will be the one that make the most profit at the end of the day. All profits will be donated to Ashgate Hospicecare and the winning team members will receive a prize of £50 of Love to Shop vouchers each.

During the week the apprentice teams have been putting their business, marketing, finance and production skills to the test, highlighting just how apprenticeships can prepare young people for a successful career in business.

Holly Thompson, apprentice at Learning Unlimited said: “Challenges like this really make you appreciate how much you learn on an apprenticeship. It gives you the knowledge and the practical skills you need to achieve so much. This competition has given us the chance to show others what we have learnt and the skills an apprenticeship can give you.”

Paul Champion, Operations Director from Learning Unlimited said: “I am looking forward to seeing the products that the teams are creating. I have seen them demonstrate some good business skills and fresh ideas so far and I can see how passionate they are about business. Apprenticeships give businesses so many benefits including making the most of this type of talent. Putting apprentices to the test like this proves what they are capable of when they have had the chance to earn and learn in a real business situation.”

Learning Unlimited advisers will be at Chesterfield Market on Thursday to talk to young people and businesses about how apprenticeships can work for them.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Visiting

Road Opens New Business Opportunities at Markham Vale

10th March 2015

Work to bring more businesses and jobs to Markham Vale will reach another milestone with the re-opening of Erin Road on Monday 16 March.

The road closed to motorists in August last year as part of plans to turn an area of land – where the former Seymour Colliery once stood – into commercial space for businesses, with the potential to bring an additional 2,000 jobs to Derbyshire.

Closure allowed for the removal of the ‘Bailey’ bridge over Erin Road, and for groundwork to begin for gas, water and electricity supplies.

Erin Road will now serve the next section of land to be developed at Markham Vale North and Derbyshire County Council has already received a number of enquiries from businesses looking to relocate to the new site.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said:

“We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and support while this important work took place.

“This is an exciting development for Markham Vale which takes us a step closer to achieving our long-term vision of creating 5,000 jobs for local people within the area as well as boosting the local economy.”

A total of £1.2m has been invested in the road refurbishment which has been funded as part of a £14.2m cash injection from the government.

Construction work will continue to join Erin Road to the Markham Vale North site and temporary traffic lights will be in operation during this time.

Posted in Business, Development

Footballers Trade Places with Engineers for National Apprenticeship Week

9th March 2015

20 apprentices from Chesterfield Football Club will hang up their boots and swap the pitch for the workshop when they trade places with 18 mechanical engineering apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week (9 – 13 March).

The Big Apprentice Swap, which takes place on Friday 13 March, has been organised by Chesterfield Champion NLT Training Services; a specialist training and provider of apprentices in welding, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

The Chesterfield FC apprentices will experience a day in NLT Training’s workshop gaining hands-on experience in welding, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. NLT’s apprentices will spend the day as footballers undergoing physical training both in the gym and on the pitch at the Proact stadium.

14 of the NLT apprentices taking part in the event are currently undertaking Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships with local employers. Four outstanding learners from NLT’s pre-apprenticeship programme Evolve, have also been selected by tutors to take part in the training at Chesterfield Football Club.

Andy Sheppard, CEO of NLT Training Services said: “The Big Apprentice Swap highlights perfectly the diversity of apprenticeships available in Chesterfield today. There is literally something for everyone.

“National Apprenticeship Week 2015 gives us the opportunity to showcase the far reaching benefits of apprenticeships. For young people they provide them with a solid platform for their future career. 83% of young people who are in apprenticeships tell us that their ability to do their job and career prospects had improved. For employers, apprenticeships, particularly in the manufacturing and engineering sector, are essential to filling the skills gap and securing the future growth of these companies.”

Spireites Chief Executive, Chris Turner said: “We are pleased to be able to support this initiative to help raise awareness of apprenticeships and the opportunities they offer. The club’s youngsters will benefit from the experience of spending a day in a different environment, learning new skills in the NLT Training workshop, while our coaches will enjoy putting the NLT apprentices through their paces!”

Since 2010, two million apprenticeships have been started with 90% of apprentices remaining in employment after successfully completing their apprenticeship.

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

The Big Apprentice Swap is just one of number events being organised by NLT Training Services during the week-long celebrations for National Apprenticeship Week both locally and further afield. Other events include:

Monday 9 March: A day in the Life of an Apprentices. Staff will be taught by NLT’s own Level 3 apprentices;
Tuesday 10 March: NLT is holding a mini careers convention for Yr11s at Springwell School;
Wednesday 11 March: NLT learners are attending the UK’s young scientists and engineers fair The Big Bang at Birmingham’s NEC;
Friday 13 March:The Big Apprentice Swap
Saturday 14 March: NLT Training Services Open Day from 12:00- 4:00pm. A chance for local companies and young people to view the facilities, and talk to the Business Development team about the Evolve Engineering programme and apprenticeships.

(Image features apprentices Casey Allen and Matt Jamson.)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Celebrate Chesterfield Event a Sell Out!

5th March 2015

Destination Chesterfield’s event to toast the town’s success has been declared a sell out.

Celebrate Chesterfield, which is being held at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 25 March from 07:30am – 11:00am, is now set to welcome more than 200 people to the venue.

To add your name to the waiting list in case of cancellations, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate.

The free event, held in association with headline sponsors Markham Vale and The Corrugated Case Company, offers local businesses the chance to be the first to hear about the exciting plans for the town in 2015.

The breakfast event will also look back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months. The campaign, which has been running since 2011, and will launch a new plan to promote the town until December 2016.

People who have missed out on getting a place at Celebrate, can keep-up-to-date with what’s being discussed at the event by following it on Twitter @desches and using #celebrate15.

Delegates at the event will also have the opportunity to question local leaders and politicians on a Question Time-style panel.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “There has once again been exceptional demand attend our annual Celebrate event. It’s a great opportunity to look at all we have achieved together as a town as well as what is going to be happening.

“It is with the support of our sponsors, Henry Boot Developments and The Corrugated Case Company that we are able to run this event bringing people together to celebrate and share in the success of our thriving town.”

The event will also include talks from local business people, including the University of Derby which will present the much-anticipated plans for the St Helena’s site in Chesterfield.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments said, “Markham vale has grown successfully to become one of Chesterfield’s prime employment sites over the last 12 months which is great news for the local economy. During the next 12 months we are hopeful to be able to announce some further significant new investment projects for the site and region.

“We are delighted to sponsor this event and continue our support to promote Chesterfield, often overshadowed by its larger neighbours. There is a wealth of good news in the area which needs to be celebrated. This includes the decision by both Inspirespac and Gould alloys to retain their roots in Chesterfield and invest to significantly grow their businesses at Markham.”

Tony Hession, Director of The Corrugated Case Company said: “As a Chesterfield based company with customers and staff based here, we’re thrilled to be involved with the Celebrate Chesterfield event. It is vital that we promote all that is good about our town; its centrally located geographic position, its historic (and present day) creative manufacturing and engineering prowess and of course its location on the edge of the magnificent Peak District and all that has to offer! We look forward to meeting friends both old and new at the Destination Chesterfield event.”

As well as following the event on Twitter, people are also being urged to Like Chesterfielduk on Facebook and to check Destination Chesterfield’s website: www.chesterfield.co.uk to ensure they don’t miss out on the news throughout the event.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chinese Tour Buyers Welcomed to Peak District

2nd March 2015

A group of Chinese tour buyers checked out some of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s top tourism highlights during a whistle-stop tour lead by VisitBritain.

The 20-plus delegation enjoyed a bird’s eye view of breathtaking countryside from cable cars at The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of Chatsworth and Haddon Hall.

The flying visit was part of a week-long fact-finding tour of key British destinations, including Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London – and is just one of a number of VisitBritain hosted trips showcasing the country’s finest attractions, accommodation and activities until March 6.

Latest figures from VisitBritain reveal that China is Britain’s 30th most important market for the volume of visits, and 13th for the amount spent by visitors. In 2013, Chinese tourists made 196,000, or 0.6 per cent, of all overseas visits to Britain, and spent £492 million pounds.

“China is one of Britain’s fastest growing visitor markets, so we were delighted that VisitBritain chose to include the Peak District and Derbyshire in – and worked in partnership with us to arrange – one of its escorted itineraries after ExploreGB,” said Jo Dilley, Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board.

“More and more Chinese visitors are coming to the Peak District and Derbyshire – including students at surrounding universities in Manchester and Sheffield, who are often visited by friends and relatives – and Chatsworth has already signed up to VisitBritain’s Great China Welcome Charter, as one of the country’s leading Chinese-friendly tourism businesses.

“We hope that this brief visit has given Chinese tour buyers an informative and interesting insight into the wide range of attractions, accommodation and activities that are available in our unique and accessible area – and that they will encourage more Chinese visitors to come and discover more of its many delights in the future.”

Charlie Li, Deputy Manager China for VisitBritain, added: “The Peak District and Derbyshire has everything that Chinese tourists are looking for – including heritage, culture and countryside, plus interesting literature and film links – so this was an ideal opportunity to showcase its assets to our key tour buyers.

“I’m sure they will all be considering how to build the area into their British itineraries to bring more Chinese visitors here as the market develops and grows.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

S40 Local Small Business Club announces Event Programme

2nd March 2015

Booking is now live for a range of monthly evening seminars designed to help local small businesses to succeed.

Hosted by S40 Local Small Business Club and held at StraightCurves on Saltergate, the first event will be lead by Paul Stuart, one of Chesterfield Borough Council’s own business advisers. Paul has been supporting the development of StraightCurves since 2013.

Karen Rogers, Owner of StraightCurves says:-

“Having gone through some really tough times setting up my own small business over the last two years I want to help those going through the same issues. Sometimes all you need is someone who understands what it is like to listen to you and share a cuppa and that is what our get-togethers are all about. There won’t be any formalities or awkward network selling – just chats and cuppas. Equally it great to be able to jump up and down about your successes and bounce ideas off other people.”

“Paul has been key to the success of my business so far and without him I would not be where I am today. He is a font of knowledge, a great support and always there when I need him. I want more people to be able to access the help that is available to them from the Council and other local business providers too; hopefully our club will enable this to happen.”

Workshops run by the S40 Local Small Business are open to both members and non-members, priced at £10 and £15 respectively. Further details are available at www.s40smallbusinessclub.co.uk or by calling 01246 807575.

Posted in Business

Celebrate Chesterfield welcomes Two Headline Sponsors

26th February 2015

Limited places remain to toast the success of Chesterfield’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield at the Winding Wheel, on Wednesday 25 March from 07:30am – 11:00am.

The free ‘Celebrate Chesterfield’ event, held in association with headline sponsors Markham Vale and Corrugated Case Company, allows local businesses to be the first to hear the exciting plans in store for the town in 2015. The morning will also reveal Destination Chesterfield’s upcoming marketing activities until December 2016.

The breakfast will also look back on the campaign’s success during the last twelve months and offers the opportunity to question local leaders and politicians on a Question Time panel.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The annual Celebrate event is so important. All too often we hear about the good news in isolation and it can be overshadowed by the bad which means it can be forgotten in the melee. This will be our third Celebrate Chesterfield event, following the success of last year’s which was standing room only, however the stream of good news delivered by the Destination Chesterfield team left us all uplifted! This year, Celebrate will be no different. We’ve made a point of building on last year’s success and striving to be even better in 2015.”

The event will also include talks from various local business people. Corrugated Case Company will discuss how it secured RGF funding to develop the business, a tenant from Markham Vale will talk about their expansion and the University of Derby will present its much anticipated plans for the St Helena’s site in the town centre.

Destination Chesterfield was established in 2010 during which time it has engaged the business community as Chesterfield Champions in actively supporting the marketing of the town and driving investment and bringing it to the attention of national investors.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments said, “Markham vale has grown successfully to become one of Chesterfield’s prime employment sites over the last twelve months which is great news for the local economy. During the next twelve months we are hopeful to be able to announce some further significant new investment projects for the site and region.

Tony Hession, Director of Corrugated Case Company said: “As a Chesterfield based company with customers and staff based here, we’re thrilled to be involved with the Celebrate Chesterfield event. It is vital that we promote all that is good about our town; its’ centrally located geographic position, it’s historic (and present day) creative manufacturing and engineering prowess and of course its location on the edge of the magnificent Peak District and all that has to offer! We look forward to meeting friends both old and new at the Destination Chesterfield event.”

Celebrate Chesterfield is free to attend however spaces are limited and places should be confirmed online. More than 200 delegates have already registered and so businesses are being encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment at www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate.

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Franke Sissons Sponsors Bike Racing Team

25th February 2015

RSR Racing, based in Hasland in Chesterfield has received another round of sponsorship from local manufacturer, Franke Sissons.

Rodger Turner, team principal and chief engineer explains “Franke’s support has been invaluable – and being supported by a local company is always a bit special too. Our Franke 125cc Bike won the championship last year so I hope we can build on the relationship.”

RSR Racing is a specialist road racing motorcycle team that enters races from the East Midland Racing championships. The team actively supports and encourages young riders to take up the sport and develop their skills both in the UK and Spain.

Managing Director, Andrew Dukelow from Franke Sissons says. “RSR Racing has enjoyed some notable success in the EMRA series and we are proud to be encouraging young people to get involved in the sport via our association. I wish the team all the best for the 2015 season which starts in March.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Manufacturing Businesses Invited to Forum

24th February 2015

Booking is now open for the next Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum taking place at Casa Hotel on Thursday 5 March from 12.00pm – 2.00pm.

The free event, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with NatWest and United Cast Bar Ltd, will welcome Richard Hall from the University of Derby as guest speaker.

Richard is Director of the university’s new Institute for Innovation (IISE), Director of Research, Innovation and Impact (RII). He is also Professor of Engineering Design & Simulation, a chartered engineer and a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Richard will talk about the opportunities available for manufacturing businesses in Derbyshire to work with Derby University following its announcement to open a campus in the town this year. He will also explain how firms can access the university’s Regional Growth Funded grant scheme.

Launched to give the manufacturing and engineering sector a voice in Chesterfield, the forum has made a big impression since it began in 2012. It also ran during the first Made in Chesterfield Week last November which was designed to raise awareness of careers in the sector among local young people. The event was such a success that Made in Chesterfield will return for a fortnight later this year.

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar and Chair of the forum said: “Engineering and manufacturing is thriving in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, however it is not often talked about. The forum is a great opportunity for firms in these industries from across the area to get together and share our success and access the information and advice to grow and prosper further.”

There will be a two course lunch as well as a chance to discuss business with colleagues in the sector.

Spaces at the forum are limited so people are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

To ensure you are able to attend, book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-manufacturing-forum-tickets-15707541680 or for more information visit www.chesterfield.co.uk.

Posted in Business

Help on Hand to Drive Export Sales

23rd February 2015

The Government has awarded East Midlands Business (EMB) a five-year contract to deliver export trade advice and support to companies in Chesterfield and across the East Midlands.

EMB is a not-for-profit organisation which is 75% owned by the Chambers of Commerce for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire.

As part of the deal, it will deliver UKTI services aimed at helping companies to start exporting or increase their overseas business by finding customers in new markets, taking part in trade shows and exporting online around the world.

Firms will also be eligible to bid for a share of £100m in additional export support through European structural and investment funds.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “The Chamber is delighted that EMB has won the contract to continue to deliver UK Trade & Investment services to businesses across the East Midlands over the next five years.

“International trade is a key part of the Chamber’s services – to members and non-members – and it looks forward to working closely with UKTI in the months ahead to help more businesses export and fully realise their potential in the global marketplace.”

Posted in Business

Markham Vale Goes Green

23rd February 2015

The first business at Markham Vale has been turned green thanks to the region’s experts in solar energy, Custom Solar Ltd.

MSE Hiller will now be totally self-sufficient in electricity following the switch on of the firm’s final Photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Based at a £3 million purpose-built facility at Markham Vale following a move from Clay Cross in 2010, MSE Hiller, supplies and rents centrifuges and environmental engineering products to the water, food and other industries throughout the UK.

The new facility is more than four times the size of the old premises, yet annual energy costs will now be less than half thanks to low energy lighting, efficient heating systems and the recovery of heat and water. Heat from the welding bay will even be recirculated throughout the building and their high speed balancing machine will actually recovers so much energy it will put power back into the National Grid.

Ivan Fomin, Director of MSE Hiller explained: ““With environmental management being a prerequisite for the business with many of MSE Hiller’s customers, and in a period where reporting of carbon footprints and reducing emissions has become such an important aspect when looking to build partnerships with customers, the installation of a renewable energy system like this is a major step forward for the company.

Electricity prices historically have risen at approximately 10% per annum so generating our own electricity like this can protect us against future price rises and ensure that our business is not exposed to uncontrollable growing overheads.”

Pleased to be supporting a fellow Chesterfield Champion to grow, Custom Solar Ltd hopes the project will kick off a green revolution in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.

Matt Brailsford, Director of Custom Solar Ltd said: “Renewable energy sources like the PV system at MSE Hiller are ideal for any business with their own premises. It doesn’t matter what size the building is, all businesses can benefit from investing in PV systems as the like for like percentage of income and savings is relative to the investment.

“Although the financial benefits are very attractive companies will also benefit from being known as an eco-conscious organisation in terms of marketing.”

Custom Solar Ltd has also recently installed PV systems at both Knights Care Homes including Drovers Call in Gainsborough, and Shorts Accountants of Sheffield and Chesterfield.

Posted in Business