Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Peak District & Derbyshire marks English Tourism Week

26th May 2020

For English Tourism Week (25-31 May), Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is highlighting the need to protect the long-term future of tourism – by shining a spotlight on the sector’s value to the local economy.

English Tourism Week is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, dedicated to showcasing the country’s diverse tourism offer. For this year’s event, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has joined with local leaders to pledge support for the sector’s recovery.

Tourism is a vital industry in the Peak District and Derbyshire, employing more than 30,000 people and generating more than £2.3 billion a year for the local economy. But the impact of government restrictions and the seasonality of the industry mean that many businesses now require crucial support.

Recent surveys* collated by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire show that by March, coronavirus had already had ‘a major negative impact’ on over 80% of tourism businesses, with many reporting cancellations as far ahead as October. If lockdown restrictions lasted until the end of September, businesses said they would lose 97% of their income.

Ahead of the potential reopening of the hospitality industry on 4 July, 30% of businesses said they wouldn’t be able to open if restrictions such as social distancing measures remained in place. Over 20% said they may be forced to cease trading entirely – highlighting the need for long-term support to protect the sector’s future.

Throughout English Tourism Week, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is encouraging people to pledge their support for local tourism businesses by using the hashtag #ProtectTourism and #EnglishTourismWeek20.

The tourist board is urging its followers on social media to share a ‘Peak District and Derbyshire Wish List’ of businesses they look forward to visiting when restrictions have eased, and to continue experiencing the Peak District and Derbyshire from home via www.visitpeakdistrict.com/inspiration/at-home.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “English Tourism Week is about celebrating the quality and value of our tourism offer, and during these testing times it has never been more important to support our local businesses and highlight the valuable contribution they make to the local economy.”

She added: “Tourism has been one of the earliest and hardest hit of all economic sectors and we must act now to protect the industry’s future. We’re working closely with our local and national partners to plan for recovery and help businesses bounce back. Part of these plans include the development of common industry standards that will provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for both businesses and visitors, so the sector can open safely when the time is right.”

Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis said: “It’s vital that Derbyshire’s tourism industry has the tools at its disposal to bounce back once restrictions are lifted and people are able to start visiting our wonderful county once more.”

“Derbyshire County Council, together with Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, has a key role to play in helping the sector re-open for business and we’re committed to supporting the industry to safely welcome back visitors when the time comes.”

Robert Largan, Member of Parliament for High Peak, said: “Tourism is a vital part of our local economy. A huge number of High Peak jobs depend on tourism, both directly and indirectly. It’s really important that we do all we can to protect the industry through this crisis, as tourism will play a key role in our economic recovery. I look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Peak District, to enjoy our beautiful part of the world and to spend money here, when the crisis is over.”

*Results taken from Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s Coronavirus Business Impact Survey (17-23 March 2020) and Tourism Recovery Planning Business Survey (27-30 April 2020).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Nominations for the Peak FM Awards 2020 are now open

19th May 2020

Peak FM are urging residents of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to submit their nominations for the Peak FM Awards 2020, which will be taking place virtually in June.

Peak FM is once again looking to recognise the amazing achievements of people from across the Chesterfield area; those who have made a difference to their community, shown courage or helped make the lives of others that little bit better.

In the interests of safety and maintaining social distance, the Peak FM Awards will for the first time be held as a virtual ceremony. The awards ceremony will take place throughout the day on Friday 5th June through Peak FM’s digital platforms and via their daytime shows.

Award recipients will be selected from Peak FM listener nominations and local news stories by a Peak FM judging panel who will consider every nomination received.

Nominations are now open for the following award categories:

Carer of the Year
Family of the Year
Child or Teenager of Courage
NHS Hero
Home Grown Talent
Act of Kindness
Fundraiser of the Year

Anyone can be nominated for a Peak FM award and they can be nominated under more than one category.

The Peak FM judging panel will make sure the nominations are considered for all relevant awards. Peak FM will choose the appropriate winner based on content of the nominations rather than amount of nominations.

Nominations close on May 28th at 12 noon.

Click here to nominate

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Grants available for Derbyshire Visitor Economy Businesses

18th May 2020

Visitor economy businesses in Derbyshire are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to rebuild their business and develop valuable digital assets in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is offering business grants to support a range of activities such as website development, new photography, the creation of virtual tours and the implementation of cashless payment systems to help businesses bounce back and drive the recovery of the sector.

The grant programme is part of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s European Regional Development Fund project, and has been recently updated to reflect new business needs that have emerged as a result of the current climate.

Alongside digitalisation, grants of £1,000 to £10,000 are also available in the following areas:

Accessibility – e.g. accessible equipment and facilities for people with disabilities.
Environmental – e.g. electric car charging points, e-bikes or a water system for use by visitors that replaces the need for plastic bottles.
Cycling – e.g. secure cycle storage and maintenance equipment for use by visitors.
Internationalisation – e.g. website translation or the implementation of online booking/cashless payment systems to encourage international visitors.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to offer this funding through our European Regional Development Fund project. Derbyshire’s tourism industry is incredibly important to the local economy and these grants will enable businesses to rebuild and bounce back stronger than ever.

Jo added: “Grants are available for things such as online booking systems and virtual tours, which are both key in the current climate and will help to enrich the area’s tourism offer and power our recovery plans. I would urge businesses to visit the website for more information and get your applications in as soon as possible.”

Businesses applying for the funding must meet the following criteria:

They must be part of the visitor economy and its supply chain, including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
They must be located in Derbyshire.
They must have less than 250 employees.
They will need to demonstrate how the grant funding will help their business to become more competitive and support the area’s wider visitor economy.

Successful applicants will receive a 50% grant towards the cost of the overall project, with a minimum 50% grant contribution being £1,000 and the maximum £10,000.

A free webinar providing more details on the business grants programme is being held on Thursday 21 May.

Eligible businesses can register their interest for a grant now at https://business-grants-scheme.eventbrite.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Action Grants available for local groups with ‘Derbyshire Spirit’

18th May 2020

Derbyshire County Council are re offering support to community groups, clubs and charities that are at the heart of local communities and show ‘Derbyshire Spirit’.

‘Derbyshire Spirit’ is about us looking out for each other, following the guidance, staying safe and being kind during the coronavirus pandemic. For more details please visit the Derbyshire Spirit website (opens in new tab).

Through the Action Grants scheme money is available to help groups get back on their feet when the coronavirus pandemic is over so they can continue with their invaluable work.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We’re very aware that many groups in our local communities have had to stop their meetings and activities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but we want to reassure them that we’re still offering support for when they can resume. Their work makes a real difference to peoples’ lives and they’re a glowing example of what we’ve termed ‘Derbyshire Spirit’ through their selfless dedication to others and especially those in greatest need.”

“I know that when the pandemic has passed there will be more inspiring projects going on and I would encourage residents to apply for our Action Grants now. It could be just the helping hand needed.”

The Action Grants scheme has been running for nearly 2 years and the final round closes at the end of May. The grants are mostly up to £500 and Derbyshire County Council are looking to support the following activities:

Community Safety: grants for projects to reduce crime and the fear of crime including raising awareness about scams and rogue trading, schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help residents keep themselves safe
Youth Activity: including setting up youth clubs, organising activities for young people, projects to help young people gain new skills or schemes to help them deal with mental health issues
Physical Activity and Sport: money for schemes to encourage residents of all ages to take part in physical activities, keep fit and stay healthy – or which encourage people to get active if they’re not already.

There are also a small number of £5,000 and £10,000 grants available in these 3 categories and for another category called ‘community activity’. The community activity category covers things such as setting up new community groups, organising a local event or starting a community project.

The Action Grant process is quick and simple and decisions are usually made within 4 weeks of the closing date. The deadlines for the final round of applications is 31 May 2020.

To find out full details of the scheme, including all the projects awarded grants so far, click here (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

New report highlights Chesterfield town centre’s potential to recover from coronavirus epidemic

11th May 2020

A new report has claimed that Chesterfield town centre may be more resilient and may recover from the impact of the coronavirus epidemic more quickly than other towns and cities across the UK.

The ‘Impact of Covid-19 on UK town and city centres’ report produced by the Local Data Company claims “More resilient town centres will be those less exposed to the intense challenge leisure occupiers face by the prolonged lockdown.”

Within the report Chesterfield is identified as one of the top 10 towns with the highest percentage of essential retail, which is currently still trading. The local data company suggests this will add strength to the town.

The reports says: “15 of the top 100 town centres have an undersupply of leisure compared to the GB average (25%) with Peterborough, Swindon, Walsall and Chesterfield being the largest of the 15. Out of those 15 with an undersupply of leisure, Peterborough, Chesterfield, Rotherham and Enfield also appear among the top 10 towns with the highest percentage of essential retail which is still able to trade, which will add strength to these towns.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The findings from the Local Data Report confirms what we have long known – Chesterfield is a resilient, forward-thinking town. We have a good mix of chain and independent shops and traders which has always created interest in the town centre and encouraged people to visit.

“Despite the current lockdown, the town’s shops, stores and market stall owners have adapted and Chesterfield remains open for business – either online or with social distancing measures in place.

“Throughout lockdown Destination Chesterfield has pushed the Shop Local message and this is paying off in this time of crisis. It is encouraging to hear town’s independent shops, stores and market traders that more people are embracing Shop Local and pledging to continue to do so after lockdown ends.”

Read the full local data company report

Find details of Chesterfield Business, which are open in the town centre or continue to offer services and products online.

Read how Chesterfield retailers are faring during the epidemic and how they are optimistic for the future.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home

Support for market traders from Chesterfield Borough Council

7th May 2020

The indoor and outdoor markets are an important part of Chesterfield’s heritage and at this challenging time, there are a number of traders who are continuing to provide essential services to local residents.

Chesterfield Borough Council has ensured that these traders can continue to trade and has provided guidance on social distancing in order to help them comply with current restrictions and health and safety requirements.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are working very hard to ensure that market traders and retailers in the town centre receive the support they need to trade safely. For over eight hundred years the market has been part of the fabric of the town and it is heartening that in this hour of need, traders are still there offering food and other permitted goods to local residents.”

Council staff are also ensuring that only one member of the public enters the market hall at any one time in order to maintain social distancing.

Traders on the open market who are continuing to trade are not being charged rent for their stalls and anyone who is not trading but plans to resume will not be charged back-rent when they stand next time.

Rent for the Market Hall traders has been deferred and they will not be charged interest on this. The council is also working closely with traders to highlight the various support programmes available to them. If any traders would like advice on these, please contact the council by calling 01246 345345.

Once restrictions on trading have been lifted, we will be working with traders to re-ignite our shop local campaign and to promote the town centre and its fantastic retail offer. Our ambitious multi-million pound ‘Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield’ project will also continue to improve and support our town centre offer. The next stage of the project will include working with the town centre’s stakeholders and bringing forward design and infrastructure options, with the aim of work commencing later in the year.

You can keep up to date with the latest news from the market including trading times by visiting the Chesterfield Market Traders Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chesterfieldmarkettraders

chesterfield-market place

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

Mural celebrates NHS and key workers

5th May 2020

A mural to celebrate the work of the NHS and key workers during the coronavirus outbreak has been commissioned by a Chesterfield pub.

The team at the Spotted Frog, which is in Brampton, has worked with local artist, Pete Barber to create a colourful rainbow mural to thank everyone, who is supporting the community.

Co-owners & Directors, Trevor & Nicky said “As part of the wider community, we really wanted to do something to show our support and appreciation, but were unsure as to what, We had discussed, having some sort of mural on the wall previously, then it clicked. How fitting, appropriate, lasting and rather large this would, be.”

The Spotted Frog and The Butchers Arms in Brimington are asking people, who like the mural and their situation allows, to donate £1 to NHS Charities Together at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-us-support-the-nhs-key-workers.

The Spotted Frog has donated £250, which will be matched by with a further £250 from the Butchers Arms.

The campaign and mural were created with support from Pete Barber, Helen Rowan Photography and Just Cars Chesterfield.

For ideas for supporting local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, visit the Destination Chesterfield Supporting Local Page.

For details of support available for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak visit the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus Business Support Page.

Images: Helen Rowan Photography

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

New website highlights how Chesterfield’s businesses and service providers are adapting during lockdown

30th April 2020

A new website is helping Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

People are being urged to #LoveChesterfield and use the new website to access the products and services of local businesses and organisations during lockdown.

Developed and launched by Destination Chesterfield www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

And Destination Chesterfield wants to add even more businesses, organisations and supports services to the free online directory!

A listing on the website is FREE and Destination Chesterfield is keen to hear from any business or service provider that is offering or adapting products and services in support of the COVID-19 effort.

There are eight categories on the website – Shopping, Food and Drink, Dine at Home, Keeping Busy, Pets, Education & Training, Business Services and Community Support – all combined in an easy to use directory. Details of the businesses and how you can purchase or access the products or services are listed on the site. Business owners and service providers can supply their details free of charge for inclusion on the new website.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The mission for Destination Chesterfield has always been to encourage as many people as possible to support the town and celebrate its achievements. The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable and we hope the new website will become a valuable tool in supporting them further in their efforts to remain operational.

“We’re encouraging everyone to #LoveChesterfield and continue supporting small independent businesses and service providers throughout lockdown. Every trader and service producer plays an important part in the local economy and we all need to work together to can ensure their survival beyond these extremely challenging times.”

National retailers are currently deluged with consumer demand, causing long queues into both their websites and stores, as well as prolonged delivery times. Shopping local at independent retailers not only supports a small business but also puts money back into the local economy.

If you’re a business owner or service provider and would like to be considered to be included on the new website, please complete the form at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal/get-involved/ .

To find out more about the new ‘Supporting Local’ site, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Quarantine Cuisine cooks up Live Demo Kitchen

28th April 2020

Foodies from Chesterfield and across the UK have been promised a series of live cooking demos to be streamed by new Facebook group, Quarantine Cuisine.

Run by Chesterfield Champion, Edge Events Management Ltd (the company behind the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival), Quarantine Cuisine has been created as a platform for people to share recipes to cook at home and to connect with like-minded food lovers.

The demo kitchen idea is set to take the group to the next level after reaching over 1,000 members in only a week. Filmed ‘alfresco style’ from a Chesterfield garden, chefs will conduct the demos in slow-time so that everyone can cook along. And chefs will be available online during the streaming to answer any questions.

So far the group has focused on interesting cuisines from around the world that can be cooked at home easily. As well as stage-by-stage photo recipes from Richard Alsop, one of the owners of Edge Events Management Ltd, members have also been encouraged to share their ideas and feedback.

Edge Events’ Richard Alsop comments: “It’s fantastic to have hit the 1,000 milestone with the group and we are excited for the launch of our cooking demos.

“Whether it’s just for you or for the whole family, all the dishes are designed to be practical, affordable, healthy and freezable; so there will be no waste whatsoever!

“The demos will be filmed in our own front garden, in line with social spacing. We have already spoken with production and chefs and we can broadcast these events without anybody coming within 10 metres of each other. There will be multi-camera angles and audio production so you will get a really high quality experience to enjoy in your very own home.

“The first demo will be by myself and I am really looking forward to showing you how easy these dishes really are to make. It will be my first time taking to the knives live on camera for the first time ever; so please do go easy on me!

“Prior to the demo, we will announce the ingredients you will need and we will give a full week to allow time to include them in your essential shopping list. We do not want people rushing out just for the ingredients; we still want you to be safe and only add them to your full shopping list.

“Once the cook-along has finished, we then encourage you to post photos of your attempts along with any feedback!

“The more, the merrier, so please do join the group if you haven’t done so already.”

The first cooking demo will take place with Richard Alsop from Edge Events on Saturday 9^th May at 6pm, streamed live from Quarantine Cuisine Presented by Edge Events Management Ltd. Once registered, members are invited to suggest the recipe they would like to see Richard cook by commenting on this post.

Edge Events Management Ltd supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. The company’s past events have included the Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival and the Chesterfield Street Food and Grooves Festival, both of which are set to return in 2021.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield artist to create free open signs for local businesses

27th April 2020

Chesterfield mural artist, Peter Barber is supporting local organisations by offering a free hand painted ‘OPEN’ sign and launching a social media campaign to celebrate Chesterfield businesses as they reopen after the Coronavirus Outbreak.

Peter Barber is a mural and sign painter, based in Chesterfield but working UK wide. He specialises in spray painting, photo realism and advertising murals.

Peter said “I am offering local independent businesses, sole traders, shops and pubs a free hand painted “Open” Sign.

I am hoping that when the time is right there will be a flurry of positive optimistic images shared on social media of local businesses with their Open sign. This will be an opportunity to celebrate and promote Chesterfield based business.”

Chesterfield businesses that would like to request a sign should email info@peterbarber.co.uk or visit his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/modernmurals

Once businesses receive their sign and they are open and trading they are encouraged to share pictures of their business and the sign across their social media channels with the hashtags#lovechesterfield #supportlocal #shoplocal #freeandopen #opensigns #withlove

For further information on how Chesterfield businesses are supporting the local community during the Coronavirus Outbreak visit Destination Chesterfield’s Supporting local website.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council reaches over £15 million paid in business support grants

22nd April 2020

Under the Government’s business grants scheme, Chesterfield Borough Council has paid more than £15.7 million to over 1,300 Chesterfield businesses in order to support them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

The business rates team are working hard to process applications as fast as possible, including working in the evening and at weekends.

Chesterfield Borough Council have stated that a number of eligible businesses still need to provide information before they are able to pay the business support grant. If you are eligible for a grant and you have not yet completed the application form, please apply as soon as possible, so the council can process the grant and make payment to you.

You can download the application form here (opens in new tab).

The council has also produced a new FAQs sheet about the business support grants, which aims to highlight which businesses are eligible and what the funding can be used for. Currently the following grants are in place to support businesses:

a small business grant of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief
grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,000 and £51,000

You can find more information on the council’s website here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Click here to see the Detsination Chesterfield Coronavirus (COVID-19) business support page