Chesterfield Retail Awards

Peak FM’s Cat & Ricky to host 2017 Chesterfield Awards

1st March 2017

Peak FM breakfast show duo, Cat and Ricky, have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards in association with Addooco.

Cat and Ricky will be announcing the winners of 15 categories in the prestigious awards which are organised by Destination Chesterfield at a ceremony held at the Winding Wheel on 25 May 2017.

Cat also hosted the awards ceremony last year and is delighted to be returning with Ricky for the fourth annual awards. She said: “The awards are a great event and a real celebration of retail in Chesterfield. I have been at Peak FM and living and shopping in Chesterfield for a year now, so hopefully I will see many familiar faces at the awards ceremony. We’re both really looking forward to it.”

This will be the first year Ricky has hosted the Chesterfield Retail Awards having joined the Peak FM breakfast show in October last year. He said: “I am really looking forward to the awards. Since joining Peak FM I have been taking the chance to get out and about in and around Chesterfield and am amazed at what the town has to offer. I expect there will be no shortage of competition at the retail awards.”

Organiser of the awards, Destination Chesterfield, is urging everyone to nominate their favourite shops, stores and market stalls before nominations close at midnight on Sunday 7 March. Nominations can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate

The 15 categories open for nominations in the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield College
Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – sponsored by In the Works PR
Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre
Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year – Presented by Chesterfield Healthy High Streets
Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Progression Accountancy
Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Custom Solar
Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Presented by Addooco
Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) – Sponsored by Peak FM
Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane Shopping Centre
Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Arvato
Best New Store (Opened 2016/2017) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
Retailer of the year – Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber

A further two award winners will also be announced at the ceremony; winners of The Pavements Shopping Centre and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre Retailer of the Year Awards.

As well as Addooco and category sponsors, other supporters of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include Temple Safety, R.A. Information Systems, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

Chesterfield retailer to open second boutique

13th February 2017

Blanc will be opening a second store at 177 Chatsworth Road on Friday 17^th February 2017 and will specialise in Mother-of-the-Bride/Groom, Guest to a Wedding, Racewear and the popular Prom market.

The new Boutique, set over two showrooms, will provide ample room to show case and store a wide range of stylist outfits, dresses, accessories including big hats and fascinators — all aimed at discerning customers who want to ensure that their outfit is unique.

A Blanc spokesperson said “Since we first opened our doors in 2011 we were confident that our range of clothing and accessories would go down well with our customers; nearly six years on and we’re running out of room to cater for all our customers.”

“Opening a second boutique will allow our Blanc to focus on our growing casual wear range and we are also looking to introduce two new major labels. With the new boutique, whatever the occasion we will dress you from head to toe. We are recruiting three new members of staff in order to maintain the high levels of customer service that we pride ourselves on.”

Blanc was a Chesterfield Retail Awards finalist in 2016 and winner in 2015. Nominate your favourite retailers for the 2017 awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development

Nominate your favourite shops, stores and market stalls now!

13th February 2017

Nominations now open in the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Chesterfield’s shoppers are being called on to nominate their favourite shops and stores in the town’s 2017 Retail Awards.

Now in their fourth year, the prestigious awards are open to retailers and market stall holders in and around Chesterfield town centre, as well as those in Brampton and Whittington Moor.

People can nominate across 15 categories in the awards, which are designed to recognise the very best independent and high street retailers in Chesterfield.

Everyone who nominates will also be entered into a free prize draw to win a three course Sunday lunch at the Chesterfield Restaurant of the Year 2016, Cocina at the Casa Hotel.

Organiser of the popular awards, Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield, said: “The Retail Awards are an excellent opportunity for people to show their appreciation for the many shops, stores and market stalls within Chesterfield.

“Each and every one of the town’s retailers ensure that shoppers gain an experience that they couldn’t possibly get online, whether that is brilliant customer service, choice or advice. If you think someone deserves an award, make sure you nominate them.”

This year, Chesterfield-based IT and communications specialist Addooco, has been announced as the headline sponsor of the 2017 Retail Awards. Richard Walters, Managing Director of Addooco, said: “As a long-standing Chesterfield business Addooco is proud to be sponsoring the 2017 Retail Awards.

“We recognise the great value our retailers bring to ensure our town remains a vibrant and interesting place for residents and visitors alike. In these times of the online shopping generation our retailers have done a great job of offering a strong range of quality products to ensure consumers continue putting their money back in to the local economy. Addooco has a stated business objective to buy locally wherever possible and we would encourage others to do the same.”

Nominations, which can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate , are open until midnight on Sunday 5 March.

The 15 categories open for nominations in the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

• Hair and Beauty Business of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield College
• Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – sponsored by In the Works PR
• Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre
• Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year – Presented by Chesterfield Healthy High Streets
• Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Progression Accountancy
• Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Custom Solar
• Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Presented by Addooco
• Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) – Sponsored by Peak FM
• Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
• Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
• National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane Shopping Centre
• Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
• Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Arvato
• Best New Store (Opened 2015/2016) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
• Retailer of the year – Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
The winners of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 24 May later this year.

A further two award winners will also be announced at the ceremony; winners of The Pavements Shopping Centre and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre Retailer of the Year Awards.

As well as Addooco IT and category sponsors, other supporters of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include Temple Safety, R A Information Systems, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

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

Retail and leisure developments approved for Spire Walk

9th December 2016

Chesterfield Borough Council have approved plans for a new outdoor and camping store and gym to be developed at Spire Walk in Chesterfield.

The approved proposals include the reconfiguration of the existing units next to Toys’r’us to create a 3700 sq. feet retail unit and a 2,800 sq. feet gym. The interested occupiers named in the planning application are Go Outdoors and Xercise4less

Once occupied this will fill the remaining retail units available at Spire Walk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development

New retailer opens on Chatsworth Road

25th October 2016

Cockayne’s Gift Emporium has recently opened on Chatsworth Road.

The new shop is all about local, home made, hand made products with 26 stockist in total from Derbyshire and South Yorkshire including items such as clocks, jewellery, art, clothing and furniture.

Opened by local artist Matt Cockayne, who runs Goo Design which creates unique art of local places in and around Sheffield and recently created the Henderson’s Relish Elephant for the Herd of Sheffield which sold for £11,300.

All the fixtures and fittings were bought from Ashgate Hospice and they donated nearly £1000 in total as they wanted to support a local charity.

Matt said “I’m hoping to get my art recognised in Chesterfield as it has in Sheffield and thought the best way to do this was to open a shop as I have lived here for 7 years now and settled into town life.”

“Cockayne’s is all about making shopping an experience rather than a chore, all our stock is home made by local people and you can enjoy a hot drink and some homemade cake while you browse what’s on offer from a large selection of stockist.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Visiting

Finalists announced in 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

18th July 2016

Cocina at Casa Hotel is hoping to retain its prestigious Restaurant of the Year title for a second year running in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. The 2 Rosette, 4-star restaurant is joined by 27 other eateries, food producers, pubs and bars who have all been shortlisted across 12 categories in the annual awards.

As well as Cocina, three winners from last year’s awards – H&F Vintage Tearooms, The Proact Stadium and the Red Lion Bar and Bistro, are hoping to retain their titles for a second year running.

Two other restaurants – The Manor at Brampton and Delhi 41 – are also hoping to retain their Family Friendly and Best International Restaurant titles respectively for a third year running.

Now in its fourth year, the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards are more popular than ever before. This year, six new establishments have been shortlisted in the competition, including Einstein’s, The Craft Burger Company and The Lilypad, who will fight it out for the Best Newcomer of the Year title.

The Rose & Crown at Brampton, Chandlers and Harry Ramsdens at the Wingerworth are also first time finalists this year.

Organisers Destination Chesterfield, in association with Chesterfield College, had hundreds of nominations from the general public who put forward their favourites across the 12 categories in the popular awards. The nominated restaurants, cafes and bars will be mystery shopped and taste-tested by a panel of judges over the summer and the winner of each category will be revealed later this year.

The winners will be announced by celebrity chef and couture cake maker to royalty and the stars, Mich Turner MBE at a glittering award ceremony which is being held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building on Wednesday 26 October 2016.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “This year we’ve had more nominations than previous years and also more businesses put forward for the awards, which is testament to Chesterfield’s food and drink scene.

“Every shortlisted business can count themselves as one of the best in Chesterfield. Everyone has their own favourites, however there can be only one winner. Unfortunately, we can’t reveal that until the award ceremony. It’s going to be a tense few months for the people and businesses that have all been shortlisted.”

The finalists in each category are:

Restaurant of the Year –sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Blu Bistro and Coffee House
Calabria
Cocina at Casa Hotel

Café and Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Stephenson’s Coffee Shop
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Northern Tea Merchants

Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
The Tickled Trout
Red Lion Bar and Bistro
Chandlers

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Barca Bar
The Market Pub
Rose and Crown – Brampton

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
Einstein’s
The Craft Burger Company
The Lilypad

Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Chandlers
H&F Vintage Tearooms
Cocina at Casa Hotel

Best Out of Town – presented by Chesterfield College
The Tickled Trout
The Red Lion Bar and Bistro
Stones

Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by Casa Hotel
Lambs Cupcakes
Liza Bakes
Teresa Lambarelli

Young Chef of the Year – sponsored by The Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints
Jordan Elliott
Josh Clark
Sophie Warren

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Delhi 41
O-Tokuda
Indian Blues

Family Friendly – sponsored by Jumble Design
Chesters
Harry Ramsdens at The Wingerworth
The Manor at Brampton

Conference and Banqueting – sponsored by Mitchells Chartered Accountants and
Business Advisers
Casa Hotel
Peak Edge Hotel
Proact Stadium

A further award Food Hero, which is sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors, will also be announced at the awards ceremony. The Food Hero award is presented to a local business or individual who has made an impact on the local food scene.

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

More information about the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

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

Green + Benz scoop coveted Chesterfield Retailer of the Year title

26th May 2016

Four retailers retain titles in 2016 awards

Only six months after opening its new flagship store, Green + Benz has scooped the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Green + Benz was among 14 Chesterfield retailers to scoop one of 18 prestigious awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The Chesterfield College Group.

The awards which returned for the third year running were the biggest yet and saw four retailers – Adorn Jewellers, R P Davidson Cheese Factor, Libby’s and Debenhams, retain their 2015 titles.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Green + Benz also took the title of Best New Store following the relocation of its Chesterfield store on Glumangate to 120sqm of premium retail space on South Street in December last year.

The increased space means Green + Benz can accommodate an open shop floor, a private viewing room and a workshop for bespoke commissions. Inside, the store boasts luxurious leather and velvet upholstery, glittering chandeliers and individual branded display bays which are framed by polished chrome edge details and numerous mirrors, which all adds to the overall sense of glamour of the store. Figures for Green + Benz showed a 68% overall growth in prior year sales results in December 2015 following the opening of the new store.

Manager of the Chesterfield store, Abi Noakes was presented with both awards at the sell-out award ceremony, which was held at the town’s Winding Wheel venue and hosted by Peak FM breakfast show presenters Cat and Stu.

Abi said: “We’re so overwhelmed and very proud and happy to receive the awards. It means so much that the awards have come from Chesterfield and everybody in Chesterfield. We really try and strive to make our clients ultra-happy and give them the best service that we can.”

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the retail awards were a huge success and highlighted how strong Chesterfield’s retail scene is. The town has an excellent mix of independent and high street retailers as well as an historic market and a key reason why so many people, locally and nationally, visit each year. It’s a winning mix that consistently sees Chesterfield buck the trend for shop vacancy rates, contributing significantly to our growing economy.”

Discover all the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Celebrity host of 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards confirmed

24th May 2016

Professional cake designer to the stars, Mich Turner MBE, has been confirmed as the celebrity host of this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Founder and director of London-based Little Venice Cake Company, Mich has created cakes for Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Gordon Ramsay, David Beckham and Pierce Brosnan. Her bespoke cakes start from £2500.

As well as her high profile cakes that have been featured in films, Mich has also presented and judged Britain’s Best Bakery, one of the top five performing daytime TV shows on ITV, as well as her own Mich Turner’s Couture Cakes for Sky. In addition to her TV credits, Mich also has five international best-selling books to her name.

Delighted to be hosting the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Mich Turner said: “I am a firm believer in using quality ingredients whether you’re creating indulgent cakes or a memorable meal. A cake, like any food or drink, should be a feast for the eyes and a memory for the palate.

“Chesterfield has a thriving food and drink sector we all have our own personal favourites. It will be wonderful to see so many businesses and individuals within the sector recognised at the awards.”

Mich will be announcing the winners of 13 awards at a glittering award ceremony which will, once again, be held in Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building. The popular awards return for the fourth year running and are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

The winners of the Chesterfield Food and Drink awards are decided following a public nomination. People can nominate cafes, bars, restaurants, pubs and food producers online across 10 categories in the awards until midnight on Monday 13 June at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards

The 10 categories in which you can nominate in the 2016 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier
Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by arvato
Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Accountants
Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – presented by Chesterfield College
Chesterfield Food Producer – sponsored by Casa Hotel
International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, Holdsworth Foods, Banner Jones, the Crooked Spire Church, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Central Technology Ltd, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan and Reflections.

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

Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016 Finalists Revealed

20th April 2016

Eight retailers are set to defend nine titles at this year’s 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards. They join a total of 36 of the town’s retailers who have been shortlisted across 17 categories in the prestigious awards organised by Destination Chesterfield.

Last year’s winner of the coveted Retailer of the Year title, Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce, has been shortlisted for the second year running in the Market Trader of the Year category, which it also won last year. Fellow double award winner last year, Adorn Jewellers, which is based in The Shambles, is also hoping to retain its titles of Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year and Excellence in Customer Service in 2016.

As well as the eight returning finalists, 18 retailers have been shortlisted for the first time ever in their Retail Awards categories. The Awards return for the third year running and recognise the very best independent and high street retailers and market traders in Chesterfield. Three businesses have been shortlisted in each category but only one can win.

Organised in association with Chesterfield College, the winners will be announced on Wednesday 25 May by the new Peak FM breakfast duo Stu and Cat at a special award ceremony held at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel.

The breakfast duo commented: “It’s a real honour for us to present the awards. We love the fact that all the shortlisted businesses have been nominated by shoppers. We’re both really new to the area and are working and living in Chesterfield so have seen for ourselves what a great retail scene the town has and a supportive community behind it.”

The winners of each category will also fight it out for the prestigious Retailer of the Year Award, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber. A further two award winners will also be announced at the ceremony; winners of The Pavements Shopping Centre and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre Retailer of the Year Awards.

Discover the full list of finalists for the Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Visiting

Hosts for Chesterfield Retail Awards 2016 Announced

19th April 2016

Peak FM breakfast show presenters, Stu Haycock and Catherine Kilvington have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

The pair will host the glittering award ceremony, which will honour the town’s very best jewellers, independent stores, food and drink retailers, and multiple retailers at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel on Wednesday 25th May 2016.

The awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

More than 170 businesses have been nominated across 14 award categories, and the shortlist will be announced by the pair on the Peak FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday 20th April 2016.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Stu and Cat have agreed to host the awards ceremony and I’m sure they will make the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards ceremony a memorable event.”

For more information about the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards or follow on Twitter using the hashtag #retailawards16.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure

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, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting