Business

Town’s manufacturing businesses called on to make their voice heard at free event

5th April 2016

Representatives from manufacturing and engineering businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being invited to have their voice heard at the Chesterfield Manufacturing Forum on 28 April.

The free event, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield with support from United Cast Bar and NatWest, is being held at the Casa Hotel from 12.30 – 2.30pm. It is designed to give companies currently operating in the sector the opportunity to learn about the latest news and developments.

Sheffield’s 377th Master Cutler Craig McKay, who himself is CEO of Sheffield engineering firm Evenort Ltd, is speaking at the Forum. Mr KcKay will also be joined by Andy Tuscher from EEF Ltd, an organisation that supports and champions manufacturing and engineering in the UK and Europe.

The Forum, which was established by Destination Chesterfield in 2012, brings together key representatives in the town’s manufacturing and engineering sector and feeds into Growth, Skills and Funding plans in Sheffield City Region and D2N2 LEPs. The Forum has also led a programme of activity of awareness raising of jobs and careers within the sector amongst young people,

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar and Chair of the Forum said: “We want to ensure that the views of Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector are properly presented at a regional level and the Forum plays an important role in this. The more businesses that get involved, then the louder voice we have.

“The Forum is a great opportunity for firms to get together, share success and access 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.

Places are strictly limited and are only available to manufacturing and engineering businesses. To reserve your place visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chesterfield-manufacturing-forum-tickets-23084479299

Posted in Business, Manufacturing

Chesterfield firm to speak at major new European exhibition

5th April 2016

Chesterfield-based UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has been unveiled as the official media partner for a major new European exhibition.

The Contamination EXPO Series, taking place in London this autumn, will offer the latest knowledge, products and innovations to manage all aspects of contamination, from land remediation, spill response to air pollution and hazardous materials.

UKATA will exhibit at the event, while a representative from the UKATA board is also set to address delegates.

“UKATA is proud to be one of the official media partner for the Contamination EXPO this year,” said UKATA Marketing Officer, Victoria Castelluccio. “The event will have a major focus on asbestos, which is perfect as part of our overall awareness campaign strategy, and we are looking forward to both exhibiting and to putting forward one of our directors to address this important EXPO.”

The exhibition will feature over 120 hours of CPD accredited, free-to-attend seminar conference content, networking and the exhibition show floor will be filled with companies and associations like UKATA offering the most innovative products, solutions and expertise in cleaning up, or preventing contamination.

UKATA exists to set and verify standards and to emphasise the importance of best practice in training when it comes to the safe handling, removal and disposal of asbestos. Tasked by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2008 for taking-on, managing and developing the list of training providers for licensed asbestos work in the UK, UKATA is now the leading authority in all levels of asbestos training in the UK.

Posted in Business

Expansion at Markham Vale company

4th April 2016

Chesterfield distributor Industrial Ancillaries has unveiled its new, larger headquarters at Markham Vale.

After just under 4 months, Caddick Construction has completed a new extension across the front of the building, which has added 3500 sq ft of office space for the growing firm.

In line with the company’s continuous efforts to be energy efficient, the new build features rainwater harvesting and solar photo-voltaic panels; ensuring the firm keeps up with its low CO2 emission rate and company ethos.

The development also boasts an array of new facilities including:-

• Industrial Ancillaries’ brand new training academy – for the company to focus on delivering it’s BFPA Accredited courses;
• A re-vamped trade counter to offer customers a welcoming and more widely-stocked store;
• A re-vamped workshop;
• New canteen and welfare areas for staff;
• New meeting room facilities furnished with modern equipment, created for both staff and customer use;
• Additional car parking space to add to the already ample parking available on-site;
• Additional Kardex Remstar© vertical lift machines to provide enhanced storage facilities and increase product lines.

Jamie Dennis, managing director at Industrial Ancillaries comments:-

“The new ultra-modern facility undoubtedly brings more value to the company and an enhanced capability to provide more improved service to customers. Industrial Ancillaries looks forward to welcoming visitors to the new premises and continuing to build the business from strength to strength.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield College student lands Thailand business trip

1st April 2016

This week a young entrepreneur from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy course at Chesterfield College was invited to speak at a business seminar taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Scott Levers, aged 18, landed the opportunity, along with one other UK student from Leicester, to present to 150 directors and senior practitioners, teachers and students from Thai vocational colleges following his successful work in a local business and his approach to developing his entrepreneurial skills.

Organised jointly by the British Council Thailand and the Office of Vocational Education, the seminar was designed to help share best practice about developing, encouraging and enabling entrepreneurial attitudes, skills and knowledge.

Before Scott flew off to Thailand he told Chesterfield College how the course and his experiences working in a developing wholesale jewellery business creating a sales and marketing database was a real bonus to help him develop his business acumen.

He said: “Doing a vocational course like the one the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy offers allows you to test your own ideas and gives you the ability to try out the theory in a practical situation. Learning in this way helps you to develop logic and reasoning which is so important in business.

“It’s a huge honour to be asked to go to Thailand. I am looking forward to learning more about doing business in different cultures from the Thai students and bringing back new ideas. I hope that this experience will help me during the rest of my course and in my business career.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire revealed

31st March 2016

BHP Chartered Accountants has published this year’s list of top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire, along with an overview of the economy locally.

Speaking positively about the results, Dominic Staniforth, Partner at BHP said:-

“North Derbyshire continues to be home to a wide variety of businesses which contribute significantly to the economic prosperity and provide a substantial number of employment opportunities which all help, together with fantastic infrastructure links, to ensure that North Derbyshire remains a great place to do business.

“A broad snapshot of the numbers reveals some key trends: the combined turnover of the Top 50 amounting to £734 million, a rise of 18 per cent on the previous year, profitability at £67 million has increased by an impressive 40 per cent and very encouragingly, employment at just under 5,000 employees has shown a nine per cent increase on last year.

“These statistics make impressive reading and show that there continues to be a lot of confidence in the area.”

Download the report and discover the Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire in 2016.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre scoops bronze

30th March 2016

The team at Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is celebrating after bringing home a bronze award from the prestigious England for Excellence Awards 2016 held in Blackpool earlier this month.

Run by Chesterfield Borough Council, it is the second time in two years that the centre has been shortlisted in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre provides an efficient and friendly service to the thousands of people who visit the town centre each year and for our residents.

“Whether it’s giving information about attractions and events in the borough or the wider area of Derbyshire and the Peak District or selling tickets to our theatres, our staff go the extra mile.

“We have lots of positive feedback from people who use the service and I’m proud that we have received bronze in the England for Excellence Awards this year.”

Commenting on the Award, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland said “We received hundreds of applications this year of an extremely high standard.

“Winning a Bronze Award is a considerable achievement, especially against such tough competition.

“Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is now ranked as one of the top three businesses in their category for excellence in England and I warmly congratulate them on this achievement”.

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm.

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

Major funding boost for historic railway site Barrow Hill Roundhouse

29th March 2016

Britain’s only surviving operational railway roundhouse is set to receive a £1.17m cash boost to help safeguard its future as one of Chesterfield’s top attractions.

The funding, confirmed by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will be used to repair and refurbish Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and transform it into a nationally-important museum.

High quality visitor facilities, a dedicated learning and meeting space and a conservation workshop will all be created at the site, which will also enjoy a new entrance, shop and café. A wide range of learning, training and skills activities will accompany these developments, ensuring that the roundhouse can attract a much wider and more diverse audience.

Mike Kennedy, chair of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, said: “We are delighted by the news of our success. The project will enable us to safeguard the roundhouse for future generations, and provide the improved facilities that we need to attract a new audience, while retaining our existing audience of rail enthusiasts.

“It will also provide us with the expertise and equipment to tell the story of the roundhouse and its workforce to a wide range of people, particularly local people including families and schoolchildren.”

Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 for the Midland Railway and houses an operational turntable serving 24 radiating roads or tracks. It was used to repair and maintain engines and rolling stock for the Staveley Iron and Coal Company.

As one of the few roundhouses to survive the transition from steam to diesel engines, it operated until the industry went into decline during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1991 it was saved from demolition by local campaigners with just 48 hours to spare and has since become a popular place to visit, primarily for railway enthusiasts. Visitors can currently see a host of rare locomotives and over 4,500 items including tools, lamps, uniforms and photographs.

Now the Engine Shed Society wants to attract local people as well, many of whom are unaware of what is on their doorstep and its history.

The main building also requires urgent attention to make it watertight and prevent the collections from getting damaged. There is also a pressing need to record the memories of people who worked at the site, many of whom are now elderly.

Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the story of the UK’s evocative transport heritage.

“There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we’re delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much-needed project to repair the building and enhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the site.”

HLF previously provided a £96,400 development grant in 2014 to work up plans for the project. Now, following a further application, the full grant has been awarded allowing the major works to commence.

It is hoped that work will start at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in June this year and be complete by mid 2019.

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

Successful Opening for new Designer Menswear Store

24th March 2016

Local lads from Chesterfield have secured a place in UK fashion history this month when they opened their new designer store doors last weekend on Chesterfields high street, becoming the only stockist outside of London to sell famous fashion designer Joshua Kane tailoring.

The Chesterfield-born brothers, George and Joe Ward, have been rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous fashion brands to secure this exclusive contract, as well as several other fashion designers including Hackett, 7 for all Mankind and local clothing manufacturers Smedley’s, who will be providing their excellent range of casual t-shirts, cardigans and jumpers – all made just down the road.

“Our little medieval town has a lot going for it, from our famous spire attracting tourists to our booming nightlife and shopping – being ‘born and bred’ here, there was no better location for our new store than the town centre. We named the store ‘Weekend Menswear’, after all it has everything a guy needs, ready for the weekend or night on the town” says George.

“Our opening last weekend was a fantastic success, we met hundreds of local people and some even travelling from further afield to come celebrate with us and take a look at our ranges; we were surprised how much we sold just on opening weekend – this clearly shows a desire for men of Chesterfield and surrounding areas to look good, which reiterates we’ve pitched the business at the right point and market”

London is well renowned as the most fashionable city in the world – yet, with the launch of Weekend Menswear in Chesterfield, that title could be up for the taking…

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

DIY SOS star opens Chesterfield College Construction Centre with gold medal winning joinery apprentice

18th March 2016

Celebrity carpenter Mark Millar from DIY SOS helped to celebrate the opening of the new construction workshops on Infirmary Road today, along with Chesterfield College’s Worldskills UK gold medal winning apprentice, Jack Chambers.

The duo gave expert advice on how to carve a career in construction as well as judging a ‘We Built That’ competition for Year 8 & 9 school pupils from across Derbyshire.

School teams were given a brief to build the best rocket before spending the day working in the joinery, plumbing and painting and decorating workshops of the new construction workshops under the watchful eye of Chesterfield College students and tutors.

The competition finished with a rocket launch for VIP guests, prize giving ceremony for the winning team from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School and the official opening of the new building by Mark Millar, Jack Chambers and the Chair of the College Corporation Frank Smith.

Mark Millar said:

“It is a fantastic honour to be part of the opening of the new workshops and to be able to spend time with the next generation of construction experts. I can see already that the college is training people with the ability to shine. Who knows, they might be the construction stars of the future.

“When I started my career as a carpentry apprentice, learning at work and in a college, I never thought that I would be doing what I do. Not many carpenters end up on TV, but it is amazing where construction skills can lead to. It‘s fantastic to see young people being inspired and learning important construction skills in modern facilities like this because I know skilled employees are in demand.”

The new building was part funded by the Skills Funding Agency and houses several workshops and classrooms designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in a range of construction disciplines from plumbing and joinery to painting and decorating. The facility provides internal and external space for students to gain practical experience in areas that replicate real construction sites.

Joinery apprentice, 18 year old, Jack Chambers is one of the students benefitting from the facilities at Chesterfield College. He recently beat the best of the best to bring home the gold medal in joinery from the Worldskills UK competition. He says that mixing college study and his apprenticeship at Pennine Woodworking in Bradwell gave him the skills he needed to succeed and could help him compete internationally in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Jack spent some time explaining to the school teams where apprenticeships and studying at college can lead to. He said:

“When I left school I knew I would end up doing a hands-on job but I had no idea that learning a trade through studying at college and doing an apprenticeship would give me the chance to compete at an international level. It has given me a brilliant opportunity to prove what I can do and it has helped me to be better at the job I do every day too.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Post Office to grow operations in Chesterfield

17th March 2016

Business leaders in Chesterfield have welcomed news from the Post Office that it is to grow operations at its town centre base. A total of 160 jobs are to be brought to the Future Walk offices on West Bars in Chesterfield.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with The University of Derby.

The jobs have arisen following the centralisation of the majority of the Post Office’s internal contact centre/helpline work for employees and agents (franchisees) which will complement its Finance Service Centre which is already based at Future Walk. So far 45 roles of the 160 have been centralised with additional jobs expected in the near future.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “Since opening at Future Walk in the 1960s, the Post Office has been a major employer in Chesterfield and these moves which will bring up to 160 jobs to the town underlines that.
“The centralisation will bring more people into the town centre, using our shops and businesses and will help grow our town centre economy.”

250 of the town’s business leaders gathered at the town’s sell-out Celebrate event on 17 March at The Winding Wheel. Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby, the event update the business community on the progress made with developments, including the £320million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, at the event which was sponsored by Central Technology and Markham Vale, also included representatives from University of Derby, Meter Provida and Central Technology.

The breakfast event also looked back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Waterside scheme moves into planning phase following £2.7m grant

16th March 2016

Chesterfield’s £320million Waterside scheme is set to take a major step forward following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant.

The grant, which was secured by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with developers Chesterfield Waterside Limited, has enabled the first phase of the development’s £75 million Basin Square scheme to be brought forward by the site’s developers.

A Planning Application for the Basin Square Site Enabling and Infrastructure Works, and Phase 1 Layout, has been submitted, comprising:

Clearance of the former Trebor factory site, preparation of building platforms and delivery of site infrastructure.
Relocation of the existing temporary carpark to the north of the site
Creation of an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site
Illustrative proposals indicating the proposed height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Phase 1.

If approved, the planning applications will facilitate delivery of the development of Phase 1 at Basin Square, on the site of the former Trebor factory. The exciting mixed-use first phase of Basin Square is of a scale and quality not previously seen before in Chesterfield and will elevate the town’s profile, delivering office accommodation, apartments, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The applications are the result of months of planning and design work, which has included a full review of the proposals by Opun, the regional design panel.

Work on site infrastructure and preparation is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the end of 2016. Delivery of the works will pave the way for the development of the first phase of Basin Square in 2017, which is expected to create more than 300 new jobs.

Material excavated from the site as part of the site clearance will be used to construct the acoustic noise bund ahead of The Park residential development on the site of the former Arnold Laver Timber Yard, which also forms part of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

Chesterfield Waterside is recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being developed by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc said: “The submission of planning applications for the first phase of Basin Square is a significant step forward for the Chesterfield Waterside development. Once preparation works are complete and the infrastructure is in place, it will facilitate delivery of development on both Basin Square and The Park, enabling us to progress with the second phase of detailed planning applications for the buildings themselves shortly afterwards.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “By getting this funding from the Sheffield City Region we can kick-start development on this important and high profile site in the town.

“We will continue to seek grant and loan funding from every possible source to help grow businesses, build homes and secure and create jobs for Chesterfield people.”

Additional progress with the Chesterfield Waterside scheme includes the recent granting of planning permission to replace the road bridge over the river Rother on the former Laver timber yard site which will serve The Park residential development. The completion of the bridge and the acoustic bund will pave the way for approximately 300 family homes to be delivered in The Park area.

The first phase of residential housing at Chesterfield Waterside, comprising 19 new homes on part of the former Arnold Laver DIY site on Brimington Road, was completed in 2015 on behalf of Great Places Housing Association, and the properties are now fully occupied.

Read about all the regeneration sites in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development