Business

New development of bungalows for Chesterfield

25th January 2019

Bungalows set within an exclusive gated development are now available to purchase in Chesterfield.

The development has been designed and built by luxury property developer Woodall Homes and will be marketed by award-winning Chesterfield estate agent, Redbrik.

St. Mary’s Walk is a brand-new gated development of 10 luxury bungalows in the sought-after suburb of Newbold, a short distance from Chesterfield town centre.

The development is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached properties, all of which are completed to a very high specification.

Woodall Homes Managing Director David Wood said: “Each property in this new development has been thoughtfully designed with the purchaser in mind and we are delighted to be bringing these to market.”

“We’re pleased to be working with Redbrik to market these bungalows. We believe in creating homes that buyers can be proud of and we are certain Redbrik will help buyers find their ideal new home at St. Mary’s Walk.”

The Barlborough-based Woodall Homes team have been delivering sought after homes since 2011 and pride themselves on providing a high specification and finish to all their homes.

Mark Ross, Director at Redbrik, added: “The team at Woodall Homes have created a bespoke development of luxury bungalows, ideal for those looking to downsize and relocate to the lovely area of Newbold.”

“Our New Homes marketing department continues to go from strength to strength, and with a combination of our expertise and Woodall Homes’ high-quality properties, we believe together we can help even more people find their perfect home.”

For more information, visit www.redbrik.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Award for Careline service

24th January 2019

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Careline service has been accredited by a leading industry body.

Following an audit by the Technology enabled care Services Association (TSA), the service has achieved full accreditation to the TSA’s quality standards framework which covers the monitoring and installation of Careline alarms, and the falls recovery service.

TSA commended Chesterfield on the delivery of its Careline, response, and support services, a number of areas of good practice, and helping over 4,500 customers to achieve positive outcomes.

Councillor Helen Bagley, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Customers said: “The accreditation demonstrates the council’s commitment to follow best practice within the industry, and highlights our strengths and commitment to continually improving our services by putting customers first.”

The team was presented with the certificate by Mayor, Councillor Stuart Brittain, and Mayoress, Anne Brittain.

Councillor Bagley added: “Our services are aimed at helping and supporting people to maintain independent living in their own homes, and TSA has recognised how we tailor our services to individual needs, how we work effectively with key statutory and voluntary organisations, and how we continue to develop and enhance our services to meet changing needs and technology.”

For more information about the Careline and support service visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/careline or call Careline on 0300 323 0076.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Banner Jones’ Executive Director appointed as Vice President of The Notaries Society

23rd January 2019

Executive Director at Banner Jones Solicitors, Stephen Gordon, has been appointed as Vice 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.

Stephen, who specialises in Commercial Property at Banner Jones Solicitors, has been a qualified as a Notary Public for over 25 years, dealing with international matters for both private and commercial clients. Stephen is now the only remaining Notary Public in Chesterfield.

Having been appointed as Vice President and retaining his role as Treasurer, Stephen will continue to work alongside the wider Council – including the current President, Andrew Johnson – to 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 Vice President of the Society and am delighted to further my involvement in supporting the work of fellow Notary Publics across England and Wales.”

“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.”

Among its many functions, The Notaries Society maintains contact with the other Notaries in the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland through membership of the United Kingdom and Ireland Notarial Forum, and through direct contact with other notarial associations throughout the rest of the world.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

More money to support Derbyshire businesses

21st January 2019

Derbyshire County Council are earmarking more than £120,000 to extend and enhance support for businesses across the county as part of a £12.1m project.

Cabinet Members have agreed to help fund the D2N2 (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) Growth Hub project for a further three years.The D2N2 Growth Hub offers expert, impartial advice and support to local small and medium-sized businesses with ambition to grow and be more productive, providing a one-stop shop for all business needs.

Over the next three years it will provide:

An enhanced and ‘first port of call’ service where businesses can contact dedicated advisors for support and information about issues they may be facing
A referral service where advisors assess the individual needs of the business to identify the most appropriate source of support and funding to help increase the resilience of the business, boost productivity and help the business to grow
An intensive support programme of one-to-one support sessions, workshops and small seminars as well as access to grant schemes.
Targeted support to help businesses improve their use of digital technology and apply for a grant of up to £20,000 to help them achieve this
Access to a wider network of business support outside Derbyshire

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are a vital part of Derbyshire’s economy and we’re committed to helping them start-up, thrive and survive.

“By working together with partner organisations across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and beyond, we can help to make sure that local businesses have access to high-quality business support programmes to help drive economic growth and create more job opportunities for local people.”

Funding for the project is also being provided by other councils in the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, the European Regional Development Fund and the Government’s Department for Business, energy and Industrial Strategy.

Two additional staff will be employed to help run the project including a dedicated business advisor working through the services provided by the Derbyshire Economic Partnership.

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

University joins forces with local charity to raise aspirations and improve health in Chesterfield

21st January 2019

The University of Derby and a Chesterfield-based charity are joining forces for a National Lottery-funded project to support voluntary and community work in the town.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) has been awarded almost £487,000 over the next three years to fund COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD, which aims to raise aspirations in the area, as well as to help local people live healthier lives.

The charity will work with the University’s College of Health and Social Care, based at the St Helena campus in Chesterfield, and the town’s voluntary sector to explore how those aims can be achieved. The funding will also enable the creation of a community innovation centre and four new jobs.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action chief executive Jacqui Willis said: “We’re thrilled to have won this exciting opportunity to bring new support and resources to Chesterfield’s community sector.

“In the current climate of funding cuts and uncertainty, it’s vital that we build new partnerships and find different ways of working. We hope the COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD programme will strengthen our sector through opportunities for volunteering, training, work placements and research projects.”

Michelle Brown, Head of Adult Nursing at the University of Derby, said: “As the county’s only university we are committed to having a positive impact here in Chesterfield. The majority of our students are local and will stay here to become the health and social care workforce of the future.

“Our partnership with Derbyshire Voluntary Action will provide great new opportunities for our students and staff – and for many of the exciting things that we’re working on here in Chesterfield to be integrated into the community.”

The COMMuniTY CHESTERFIELD Centre will open in April.

For more information contact Derbyshire Voluntary Action at info@dva.org.uk. For more information about the University of Derby’s College of Health and Social care, visit www.derby.ac.uk.

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

Businesses to benefit from funded internship scheme

18th January 2019

Sheffield Hallam University are offering funded internships in 2019 to businesses, charities, social enterprises and NGOs.

The Hallam Internship Scheme is a funded scheme to support Sheffield Hallam University graduates wanting to gain quality work experience to support their employability after graduation.

This scheme is exclusively supporting Graduates who completed their studies in 2018 and Sheffield Hallam University are able to fund approximately 200 hours of work. Last year, the scheme placed 351 graduates, 79% are now in highly skilled employment.

It also provides businesses and organisations with talented graduates who are keen to gain experience in their sectors. Employers will have the opportunity to provide match funding to extend the internship period.

Companies seeking interns can advertise internships through the scheme and the University will provide Candidate Matching to help find the best graduates for the role. Employers must be able to support a minimum of 25 hours a week.

The Hallam Internship Scheme runs until September 2019, so organisations that don’t need an intern now can specify an ideal date for the internship to take place.

Businesses can apply here.

For more information contact the Sheffield Hallam Internship Team on 0114 2253433 or email employment.service@shu.ac.uk

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

Historic Chesterfield building to become luxury apartments

18th January 2019

Leverton UK have been granted planning permission by Chesterfield Borough Council to convert the historic building at 87 New Square into nine luxury apartments.

The company has been in the process of acquiring the building since early July 2017 and were successful in their bid, completing on the building in June 2018.

Director Marcus Leverton said: “We always intended to buy the building and convert it in to luxury residential living accommodation and immediately after securing the building we set about applying for the necessary planning permission to allow this, which was granted on the 4^th January 2019.”

“This building is a beautiful double bay fronted red brick structure that we believe dates back to the late 18^th century, on land that was leased from the Duke of Devonshire. It will be subdivided in to 7 apartments and 2 penthouse units. Broken down into 3x one bedroom units, 5x two bedroom units and 1x three bedroom Penthouse unit with a stunning roof terrace overlooking the Peak District and the Town Hall.”

“We intend to provide high specification, technologically advanced living spaces, with an abundance of natural light, modern textures and high quality appliances throughout, with open plan communal areas paying testament to the original features of the buildings Georgian heritage.”

“What sets this building apart from any other town centre development is clear, it is a beautiful listed building of significant historical importance with many period features that we intend to lovingly restore.”

The building sits in the corner of New Square, with the convenience of easy access to the town centre shops, café’s, bars and restaurants. It has lift access to all floors making the development fully accessible, with secure car parking to the rear, additional storage areas with space for bicycles and miscellaneous items within the building for added security. In addition, Chesterfield is centrally located, with excellent public transportation links to the rest of the country.

Marcus added: “We are very much looking forward to expanding the business and investing in the future of our local town’s infrastructure.”

Work on the development will commence this year, with the units expected to be released in 2020.

For more information please contact Marcus Leverton m.leverton@levertonuk.com

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Avant Homes acquires land for development of 177 new homes at Chesterfield Waterside

16th January 2019

Leading UK housebuilder Avant Homes has acquired a significant parcel of land at Chesterfield’s £340 million Waterside development where it now plans to build 177 new homes.

As a result, Avant Homes has now submitted an application to Chesterfield Borough Council for reserved matters planning approval for the £36m development which will deliver a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes in ‘The Park’ neighbourhood of the Waterside project.

Subject to approval of the application, construction at Waterside Quarter will commence in summer 2019 with the first homes released for sale in autumn 2019.

The construction of homes on the 12-acre former timber yard site on Brimington Road will be the first official ‘spade in the ground’ at Chesterfield Waterside following the completion of site enabling works.

A new highway bridge, which will provide the main access to this phase of the development, will also be constructed as part of the proposals. Planning permission for the bridge was granted by Chesterfield Borough Council at the end of last year.

Waterside Quarter is the third site acquired by Avant Homes in north east Derbyshire in the last six months and will be managed by the company’s Avant Homes Central operation which was established in May 2018 and is based in Holmewood.

Avant Homes Central also has developments in Woodthorpe near Barlborough, Chesterfield, and South Normanton. Waterside Quarter will be the company’s largest development to date in the Chesterfield area.

Avant Homes Central managing director, Stuart Rowlands, commented: “Chesterfield Waterside is a high profile regeneration project and forms an integral part of the housing delivery strategy for the town.

“Avant Homes Central are proud to be at the forefront of these plans with our striking and contemporary proposals for a new community. This is a fantastic opportunity for Avant Homes to demonstrate our good, better and different approach to urban regeneration.”

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

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The deal with Avant Homes is the start of an exciting new phase in Waterside, one that I know the people of Chesterfield has been waiting for.

“I am delighted to welcome Avant Homes to the project. The homes planned for the site embody the aspiration for Chesterfield Waterside. They are both contemporary and high quality in design which, when combined with their location, will create a highly desirable and sought after residential neighbourhood.”

Chesterfield residents have shown their support for the site. A survey last year found it is the development local people are most looking forward to seeing complete.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “Chesterfield Waterside will bring many benefits to the town and it’s pleasing to see the plans for the new homes to be built as part of the development move a step closer.

“The detailed plans are subject to final approval by the council’s planning committee, which will carefully examine the application to ensure the needs of our residents are best met.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Waterside

Stuart Rowlands Managing Director of Avant Central Copyright Paul David Drabble www.pauldaviddrabble.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

D2N2 Growth Hub celebrates four years in business

14th January 2019

The D2N2 Growth Hub marked its fourth ‘birthday’ in December with a celebration event including some of the more than 7,000 businesses it has engaged with.

Launched in December 2014, by the then Business and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock MP, the D2N2 Growth Hub uses its wide range of (mostly free or heavily subsidised) services to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Services offered through Growth Hub advisors include help with starting and growing a business, accessing growth finance, training and skills development, leadership training, and expanding into new and international markets.

The D2N2 Growth Hub is part of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); a private sector-led Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations, which promotes economic growth, jobs creation and business start-ups in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The celebration event featured speakers from some of the D2N2 LEP area businesses which have benefited from the D2N2 Growth Hub’s help; including physiotherapy service Jolly Back, Lucy Rennie Communications and business consultancy Talk Staff.

In customer surveys, D2N2 Growth Hub clients have consistently given its services high ‘satisfaction’ ratings. Video testimonies from businesses helped by the D2N2 Growth Hub are on its YouTube channel.

In September 2017, the Growth Hub launched its ScaleUp Service; giving specialist help to SMEs experiencing high growth; characterised as having a turnover of between a million and £15m a year, and which had experienced consistent annual growth of at least 20% for the past three years.

For more information on the D2N2 Growth Hub and its services see its website at www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk

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

Have your say on Local Plan for Chesterfield

11th January 2019

A six-week public consultation is to be held to get the views of residents and businesses about Chesterfield Borough Council’s draft Local Plan.

The plan sets out the proposed future housing, industrial, commercial and leisure land use in Chesterfield until 2033. Residents and businesses can give their views on it between Monday 14 January and Friday 22 February.

Once the consultation is completed the plan will then be considered by an independent Government planning inspector at a public planning inquiry, which it is expected will take place later this year. The inspector will consider any comments made as part of the consultation as well as take representations at the hearing.

Two drop-in information sessions are being held so residents and businesses can find out more about what the plan could mean to them. They will be held on:

Tuesday 5 February at Chesterfield Market Hall, Market Place, between 10am and 7pm
Wednesday 6 February at the Speedwell Rooms, Inkersall Road, Staveley, between 1pm and 6pm

The draft Local Plan can be seen by visiting www.chesterfield.gov.uk/localplan, which will also have details of how to respond and make any comments.

Paper copies of the plan, along with consultation documents, will be available at Chesterfield, Brimington, Newbold, Old Whittington and Staveley libraries, as well as Chesterfield Town Hall in Rose Hill East and the Chesterfield Borough Council Customer Service Centre in New Square.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “This stage of the Local Plan builds on the previous public consultations and is a more formal process which requires us to ask for the public’s views on the soundness of the plan and whether it meets the legal duties the Government sets out.

“The Local Plan is important to local residents and businesses because it is the starting point for assessing the merits of individual planning applications.”

“I would encourage everyone to give us their views and make sure they do it within the six weeks as we are not allowed to accept any late representations.”

Between now and 2033 the plan proposes:

Setting aside enough land for around 5,250 new homes, with a requirement to build at least 4,374 of those. This is a lower figure than in previous versions of the Local Plan. Most of the sites identified were included in the 2017 draft Local Plan but have been updated following comments made during that consultation process.
Continuing to use the existing Community Infrastructure Levy and ‘Section 106’ planning agreements to provide community facilities, such as schools and GP services, in places where development takes place
That major housing developments have up to 20 per cent affordable housing included within them
Up to 25 per cent of homes on major developments meet the higher ‘accessible and adaptable’ standard in the building regulations, which means they can be altered to suit people with mobility issues
All new homes and commercial developments are required to include electric vehicle charging points
Continued support for the restoration of Chesterfield Canal
Continued protection of the Green Belt, and a group of new ‘green wedges’ and ‘strategic gaps’
Developing 44 hectares (108 acres) of employment land
Providing 7,736 square metres of new retail space

Most of the proposals within the draft Local Plan build upon the existing document but have been updated to reflect new planning guidance and legislation, as well as the latest statistical information on a range of topics including population size, housing need and requirements for open spaces.

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

Free Employability and Skills Conference to be held to ensure school leavers are work ready

9th January 2019

Business leaders and the education sector in North Derbyshire are being urged to come together to address employability and skills in the area at a free conference next month.

With more than 14,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A Level qualifications over the next five years, the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference aims to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses to ensure school leavers are work ready.

Returning for a third year, the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference, will be held at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa from 8.00am – 10.30am on Wednesday 13 February 2019.

The conference is organised by Chesterfield Borough Council, Gail Widerman of Placing Futures, D2N2 Enterprise Advisor Network and Destination Chesterfield.

The conference is an opportunity for employers and education providers to develop solutions together that will ensure young people leaving education have both the skills employers in the area require and are also aware of the employment opportunities available to them.

One of the headline speakers at the event includes Brendan Kelly, Managing Director of Heathcotes Group, the industry-leading providers of residential care for adults which is headquartered in Chesterfield.

Brendan Kelly commented: “Bringing on talented and dedicated people through apprenticeships has been vital to Heathcotes’ success in what is currently a very challenging health and social care sector. Working with our learning partners, Chesterfield College, we have developed a work-based learning programme which has been very successful in developing long-term careers in this region, so we welcomed the opportunity to speak at this conference to advocate the enormous value of apprenticeships for school leavers and businesses alike.”

Mr Kelly will also be joined by representatives from Capgemini, Brookfield School and St Marys Roman Catholic High School, who will be speaking at the event.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, explained why the conference is so important to Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. He said: “One of the council’s priorities is to ensure that local people benefit from the economic growth that we are seeing in Chesterfield.

“We have to plan now for future opportunities like HS2 and some of the other large developments so that, when those jobs become available, local people are skilled and able to take advantage of them.

“People in well paid jobs get more life opportunities, which means their health and wellbeing tends to be better and they have more cash in their pocket. This means they can spend more in the local economy. In turn, this supports other jobs.”

Gail Widerman, Director of Placing Futures Ltd – an independent consultancy service based in Chesterfield which links vocational learning to schools and employers, said: “Research has shown if a young person has four or more encounters with people from the world of business from year 7 to 11, they are 86% less likely to leave school and fall into NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and on average earn 15% more in their working lifetime. The more engagement students have with businesses while in school helps inform their aspirations and choices post education. It also gives businesses the opportunity to inspire young people to look at careers in our local industries.”

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