Destination Chesterfield

Lets Celebrate Chesterfield

March is most certainly a month of celebration for Chesterfield. Local and national events and acknowledgements come together to create an opportunity to showcase how we excel as a town.

The annual Celebrate Chesterfield event returns to the Winding Wheel on 20 March, with around 300 delegates set to attend and join us in not only celebrating the recent successes of our town but also looking to the future and ensuring that we have the best plans in place to continue the investment and success for future generations.

More than £1 billion of investment is currently taking place in Chesterfield. With huge investment underway in the town and massive infrastructure and development on its way (such as HS2’s arrival due in 2033), it’s imperative that we have a skilled workforce to support this. That is why apprenticeships are key to Chesterfield’s economy.

HS2 Chesterfield Station

As a town we really excel with Apprenticeships – continually creating them, supporting and raising awareness of them and as usual we’re one step ahead of other towns. For example, we were the first town to establish our Apprentice Town initiative two years ago in order to keep apprenticeships in the spotlight with young people, schools and employers.

Apprentices Chesterfield

You can expect to hear a lot about apprenticeships in March however as nationally they will be celebrated from 4 – 8 March as part of the National Apprenticeship Week.

 

It’s important that apprenticeships are not just given cursory consideration once a year. If you’re a parent of a child, talk to them about the value of apprenticeships at the same time as you may talk about university, A Levels and college.

Last month we were able to strengthen links between education providers, local businesses and school leavers at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference. One thing that came through loud and clear at the conference is that employers are looking for school leavers, and  there are job and career opportunities ready and waiting for them now.

 

Let’s create a bright future for our young people right here in Chesterfield so that the town can continue to thrive as a destination, a place to do business, build a career and, importantly,  call home.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Redbrik acquire property management company

Leading regional estate agency Redbrik have strengthened their lettings proposition with the acquisition of Noble Hardy Property Management.

Redbrik has purchased the assets of the Chesterfield-based property management company and will take over managing the company’s portfolio with immediate effect.

Peter Lee, Lettings Director at Redbrik, said: “This acquisition is fantastic news for Redbrik as we look to expand our lettings service further.”

“We were attracted to the business as it had a very similar ethos to Redbrik in terms of delivering outstanding customer service and striving for 100 per cent occupancy. The company has been run very well by Wilson Spencer, aided by Sam Cauldwell and Joshua Whittaker, and we have inherited a great business with no debt or arrears. It is a really nice fit for the Redbrik brand and a great opportunity to expand our lettings offer in Chesterfield.”

“We are continually looking at ways to attract new landlords so we can work with them and help to maximise their assets. We have an extensive database of tenants waiting for properties and are always eager to add new properties to the market.”

Abigail Wilks, Redbrik’s Chesterfield Lettings Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for the business, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Noble Hardy’s Tenants and Landlords to Redbrik.”

“Providing unrivalled levels of customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and we offer a personal, consistent service with one Lettings Negotiator dealing with properties from beginning to end.”

“Our expert Lettings team provide Tenants and Landlords with a concierge-style service, which is entirely tailored to each individual. We understand what Landlords are looking for in a Tenant and go the extra mile to ensure they find the perfect match.”

When looking so sell Noble Hardy Property Management, Owner Wilson Spencer identified Redbrik as his preferred buyer for the business he started over fifteen years ago. He commented: “I have built a real bond with my clients and my primary focus when I knew I was selling was to choose an agency that would look after and take care of my landlords and tenants. I have known Redbrik’s co-founders Julie Bulheller and Mark Ross for many years, and when I knew they were interested, they were my number one choice.”

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

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

700 new homes planned for Chesterfield’s Staveley Works site

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 700 new homes as part of a vibrant new community at Staveley in what is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Chesterfield area.

As well as new two, three and four-bed housing, redevelopment of the 100-acre brownfield site, known as Staveley Works, will include a primary school, a marina on the Chesterfield canal, retail and community facilities, a cycle and footpath network, and new wildlife habitats.

Formerly an iron and steel works, the site will benefit from more than £100m of investment, which will link the communities of Brimington, Hollingwood, Staveley and Barrow Hill. The first homes are expected to be available in around five years time while redevelopment is scheduled to last around ten years in total. During the building and infrastructure work, the development is expected to create around 200 construction jobs. The completed development is expected to support around 800 jobs in the commercial, leisure and education sectors.

The plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, part of the Chatsworth estate, which has owned the land since the 17th Century.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director: “Since closing as an industrial site, Chatsworth has been keen to put something back into the community by redeveloping Staveley Works in an attractive and creative way that provides modern housing, community facilities and jobs for people in the area.

“We held a public consultation in December and got a very positive reaction to our plans. We believe we’ve put forward imaginative ideas to redevelop the site. We can’t wait to get started.”

The planning application is the latest stage in a regeneration process that links with the overall aims of Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council to deliver new investment and infrastructure into the area.

The once-bustling Staveley Works site has been derelict for several years when its 200-year history of industrial development, including mining and iron and steel making, came to a close.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Plans submitted for offices at Chesterfield Waterside

Chesterfield’s premier regeneration scheme, Chesterfield Waterside is set to take significant step forward in 2019.

A Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted for the construction of a six storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million development, in line with the planning permission granted in May 2017.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the office accommodation will begin later this year and will be the first building to be constructed in phase 1 of Basin Square.

In addition to the office accommodation, Basin Square also has outline consent for residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a public realm area and newly constructed canal basin.

The building will deliver circa 35,000 sq ft of much needed high quality, Grade ‘A’ office space to Chesterfield, and is the first step in creating a new business district for the town.  The developers are in already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space contained within the new building.

The office planning application follows hot on the heels of an application in January by Avant Homes to construct 177 homes in The Park neighbourhood of the 16-hectare site.

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

As a result of Waterside and Chesterfield Borough Council receiving a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant in 2016, extensive site remediation works have been completed to facilitate the delivery of the phase 1 Basin Square construction works.

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The submission of the planning application at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and will deliver the first spade in the ground for this new neighbourhood.

“I am delighted at the progress Chesterfield Waterside is making in 2019. There is great interest in Phase 1 of Basin Square from both investors and occupiers, which has been brought about by the enabling works and granting of consent for the heights and massing of the buildings. It is an exciting time in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the newsCouncillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “I am pleased that the Waterside development is progressing and the planning application for the office accommodation has now be made.

“The decision on the development will be made by my fellow councillors on the council’s planning committee in the coming months.”

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.

Chesterfield Waterside Offices

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Annual Celebrate Chesterfield event to update town on Vicar Lane transformation

The latest developments at Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will be unveiled at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event on Wednesday 20 March 2019 by the centre’s new owner ALTERIS.

Bert Broadhead, Director at ALTERIS is one of the confirmed speakers at the event which is being held at the Winding Wheel.

The town’s shopping centre, which attracts more than three million visitors every year, is set to be transformed and revitalised following its recent sale to property fund ALTERIS.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of the Chesterfield Borough Council, will also be speaking at the event, which is expected to attract nearly 300 delegates. Mr Bowen will be updating on the progress the town is making with multi-million pound commercial and residential developments, including Northern Gateway, which recently got the go-ahead for construction to begin on a new enterprise centre.

Celebrate Chesterfield, now in its ninth year and organised by Destination Chesterfield, is one of the biggest and most hotly anticipated business events in the area.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “It’s been a great start to the year for Chesterfield and we’ve got some exciting things ahead. The recent announcement of the transformation of Vicar Lane is just one of the things we are going to be talking about at the event, as well as the town’s other major developments, including Chesterfield Waterside and Northern Gateway.”

“Celebrate Chesterfield is a great opportunity for the town’s business community to come together, not only to celebrate the town’s success, but to look forward to future plans. We have a lot to look forward to in 2019 and we are eager to share our plans with the town at the Winding Wheel.”

The University of Derby is this year’s headline sponsor with Central Technology and Markham Vale – Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, as associate sponsors.

Julie Stone – Associate Pro Vice Chancellor External Affairs, University of Derby, said: “We are delighted to be working with Destination Chesterfield and supporting the Celebrate Chesterfield event again this year.”

“As Derbyshire’s only university we look to use our academic expertise, research and innovation to foster talent and create impactful partnerships with businesses. The Celebrate Chesterfield event provides a great opportunity for us to have valuable conversations that enable us to understand more about the challenges local businesses face. Our priority remains to understand and effectively service the needs of businesses and to create opportunities for individuals, employers and communities to develop and flourish.”

Ian Snow, Managing Director at Central Technology, added: “Supporting Destination Chesterfield is of huge importance to us at Central Technology. Having been established and working in Chesterfield with year on year growth for over 16 years, we seek to employ local talent and work with mid-market organisations that require IT support and critical data and security protection. 2019 is a big year for Central Technology. We have recently moved to a new 11,000 sq ft office to accommodate our growth and provide more opportunities for jobs in the area.”

“With a key focus on staff training and development, we now have dedicated training facilities and test labs for technical learning time. By attracting excellent technicians and developing our local apprenticeship scheme, we will be able to continue to provide the excellent service our customers expect. The event is a great opportunity for us to meet and work with like-minded mid-market organisations that are keen to grow business in Chesterfield and make it a great location to both work and live.”

Henry Boot Developments (HBD), development partner for the Markham Vale site, will also be attending the event. Vivienne Clements, Director at HBD Sheffield, added: “We are now in our tenth year of development at Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, Markham Vale, and our partnership with Derbyshire County Council has brought about continued economic growth to the Chesterfield area and beyond.

“2018 saw us maintain 1,600 jobs at Markham Vale, along with securing 164,500sq ft of new commercial space for three global businesses: Protec International, Sterigenics and Grangers International. Our goals for 2019 are to continue to attract both local, national and international companies to the scheme.”

“Business development and employment creation within this region has always been a key focus for the partnership and we are set to achieve another successful year. The Celebrate Chesterfield event is a chance for us to develop our business relationships in the local area and explore exciting opportunities with those looking for high-quality, purpose-built premises.”

Tickets for the breakfast event, which is being held from 7.30am to 11:00am, and includes an exhibition with 28 businesses, are available to book now.

To book your ticket at the event, please visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate/.

Celebrate Chesterfield 2019

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

2019 looks set to be a year full of important milestones for Chesterfield

2019 looks set to be a year full of important milestones for Chesterfield. The new Premier Inn hotel was completed in January and handed over ahead of its Spring opening and February sees Twist celebrate its tenth anniversary. Huge congratulations to Mike and all the team for reaching this important milestone.

Twist, like Destination Chesterfield, celebrates all that is good about the great town we live and work in. Each month the magazine is packed with positive news, embodying, I think, Chesterfield on paper. There is always something happening, and the pace never seems to slow down – which in turn always provides us with an array of content for the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event.

To be held on 20 March later this year at the Winding Wheel, this event attracts around 300 people, all keen to hear the latest updates on regeneration projects, housing, tourism, education and jobs in the town. It is an event I very much look forward to each year. It’s an opportunity to not only look back and reflect on how far Chesterfield has come in recent years but also see what is on the horizon. There is always a buzz in the room and you can’t help but feel uplifted and excited about the town’s future. – Book Here

However, if we’re to keep up the pace of developments, it is imperative that the town has a skilled workforce to support it. With more than 14,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A Level qualifications over the next five years, it’s also important that the workforce is home grown. This is why, later this month, the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference is being held. – Book Here

The annual conference aims to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses to ensure our school leavers are work ready;  we also want young people to be aware of the range of jobs and careers they can have on their doorstep so the town can make the most of its home grown talent.

Chesterfield is a town of opportunity – let’s make sure our young people, their friends, families, teachers and schools know it too.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Brookfield Community School put careers in the town’s manufacturing sector under the spotlight for students

The importance of introducing young people to careers in the town’s manufacturing sector has been highlighted by Brookfield Community School.

Eight year 12 students from the school visited Chesterfield-based United Cast Bar as part of the Made in Chesterfield campaign.

The campaign, which is co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and sponsored by University of Derby, is designed to bring together businesses, schools and training providers to showcase the sector to future school leavers.

As part of the visit, Students were taken into the foundry to see first-hand the manufacturing processes involved in producing continuous cast iron bar.

Tim Fagan, Head of Technology and Enterprise at Brookfield Community School, who accompanied the students on the visit, said: “The visit to United Cast Bar was so useful for our students, as it allowed them to see proper industrial practice.”

To mark its fifth year, Made in Chesterfield has now been aligned with the National Curriculum and will run throughout the year.

Mr Fagan added: “The students who took part in the visit love doing technology at school and enjoy making things, but sometimes it’s hard for them to link that up to the opportunities out there in the world of work. I think the visits to companies within the manufacturing and engineering sector helps open their eyes as to where the skills they learn in education can lead.”

Since the campaign was established, more than 2,500 young people from schools have spent time in the area’s manufacturing and engineering businesses. The visits to businesses operating within the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sector are being organised by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership.

United Cast Bar is one of a number of companies from Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering sector which are opening their doors to students from across the borough in an effort to raise awareness of job opportunities.

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar, commented on the importance of developing the workforce of the future: “With an eye on future workforce needs, regularly inviting schoolchildren to the foundry through the Made in Chesterfield initiative plays an important part in our recruitment.

“If we are to develop our young people and retain their talent in the UK, schools must start bringing manufacturing and engineering careers to their attention. To look forward we must look back; getting young people interested in the sector is a great first step.”

Alongside the educational activity there is a programme of business events including a manufacturing conference, manufacturing and engineering forum, business masterclasses and networking events taking place throughout the year.

In addition to Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and University of Derby, Made in Chesterfield is supported by MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, Natwest and Placing Futures.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield or to arrange a school visit, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/

Made in Chesterfield - Brookfield Visit UCB Ltd

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

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

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

The Park - 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

£220,000 of support to create a North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP has announced the creation of a North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone.

The £220,000 funding will support the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the Northern Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone which aims accelerate development on 6 sites across 3 local authorities in northern Derbyshire (Bolsover, North East Derbyshire and Chesterfield). They all have a recognised manufacturing heritage and presence to enable the area to benefit from potential investment associated with the development and maintenance of HS2.

The North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone aims to provide greater certainty on planning issues to unlock investment for growth by manufacturing businesses in the zone, ensuring more productive land-use and boosting investment and productivity in the area.

This is one of four projects, announced today, involved in the space industry, food sector, and the development of HS2, which will form the new and innovative East Midlands Manufacturing Zones,

Melton Mowbray, Space Park Leicester, and the areas across North Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire will together benefit from a total of £500,000 funding to develop their plans.

The investment builds on existing strengths in space, food and advanced manufacturing across the region, helping these important sectors to flourish and boost economic growth and jobs in the Midlands Engine.

The East Midlands Manufacturing Zones aim to reduce planning restrictions to allow land to be used more productively and provide certainty for business investment.

The announcement comes as the Secretary of State, who is also the government’s Midlands Engine Champion, visits organisations across the East Midlands today to hear how they are contributing to a thriving region at the heart of the UK’s economic success.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire said: “Manufacturing, innovation and trade are at the heart of the East Midlands economy, so it is the perfect place for the UK’s first Manufacturing Zones.”

“This is another example of how the government’s is delivering for the Midlands with our modern Industrial Strategy backing local businesses and building on local strengths.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “ This announcement is further proof that Chesterfield’s manufacturing sector has the ‘ingredients’ ready and waiting to attract further investment and respond to HS2 opportunities. Thanks to the town’s strong manufactured heritage, we have the skilled workforce with support in place to deliver future skilled workers through both the Apprentice Town and Made in Chesterfield initiatives.

“For the last four years Destination Chesterfield has worked hard to promote jobs and careers in the engineering and manufacturing industry to schools and students in North Derbyshire. The funding for the North Derbyshire Manufacturing Zone not only signals further investment in the town, but also future job prospects for the 14,000 young people who will leave school in the next six years.”

The government’s Midlands Engine strategy is supporting the East Midlands to realise its huge potential.

Initiatives including over £1.9 billion of funding from the Local Growth Fund and an investment of £20 million in the Midlands Skills Challenge to boost people’s employment prospects are enabling businesses to create more jobs, export more goods and services and grow their productivity. Since 2010 unemployment has fallen 38% and there are 64,500 more small businesses.

The East Midlands has also received sustained investment in recent years, including more than £400 million for the strategic road network, more than £60 million to tackle congestion and improve local transport.

Made in Chesterfield launch

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

One to One Support Services praised in Care Quality Commission report

One to One Support Services is celebrating due to a glowing Care Quality Commission report. The local care and training provider, with head offices based in Holmewood, and offices in Hasland and Sheffield, has been rated “Good” overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

One to One Support Services provides personal care to people living in their own homes in Chesterfield, north Derbyshire and parts of Sheffield. The service supports older persons, younger persons, children and families. This includes people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health needs and people with multi-sensory impairments.

Staff were spoken to about their experiences within the company. One member of the team said: “We get regular supervision sessions and our practice is observed. In between all of those, if we need anything from advice to actual hands-on support it’s there, from our buddy system right through to the seniors and the managers.”

Another commented on the training they received: “The training is good and our competency is assessed to ensure we have understood. It covers all the mandatory areas like moving and handling safeguarding, mental capacity and food hygiene. We also then have training in areas that are specific to the individual care needs of people we support.”

Clients were asked about their care plans: “I have full input into my care plan together with my family and I have it here.” Another said: “My care plan is reviewed with me I review it with them and is up to date. I have a copy here.”

The report stated that people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Where people needed support to make specific decisions, their capacity had been assessed.

Finishing quotes in the report from clients stated: “I am happy with the service. It runs well. I have no issues over the running of it at all.” Another client said: “I would certainly recommend them with no improvements required.”

Melanie Ulyatt MBE, Managing Director of One to One Support Services, said: “We are happy about the report as it shows the high quality, bespoke care we provide to our clients. We care for the whole family and value what they say to us.”

“The care staff are committed people with amazing skills and their attitude towards their clients and personal development is exceptional. I am very proud of the whole company and team that makes this happen.”

one to one support services

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Welcome to 2019 – Blog of Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

I’d like to kick off 2019 by saying Happy New Year to you all!

2018 was a formative year for Chesterfield – This was the year that all the hard work that has been taking place behind the scenes started to take physical shape and create a presence in the town.

Delivery of the much discussed Northern Gateway development is within touching distance. The new Premier Inn hotel on Elder Way will open early this year and the Saltergate multi-storey car park is well underway; all of which is beginning the visual transformation and regeneration of this area of the Town Centre.

2019 is the year that we’ll also see spades in the ground at Chesterfield Waterside; bringing new life into the area adjacent to the train station and the town centre, as well as adding to the housing, work and leisure offering of the  town.

Chesterfield’s rail offering will come further under the spotlight too. We’ve long appreciated the fantastic connectivity of the town, but it has really been brought to the fore with the interest shown in us a result of the HS2 proposals, and by Spanish train manufacturer Talgo.

How ironic that Chesterfield is the final resting place of the father of the railways, George Stephenson, but the town could also be involved in the start of the next rail revolution. This isn’t a pipe dream this could be a reality. The town may have missed out on Talgo’s train manufacturing facility, but we will be getting its £9 million innovation and training centre at Barrow Hill.

Talgo’s interest in the town wasn’t accidental. This, like the developments that are starting to take shape, is the result of the hard work of many people working behind the scenes marketing the town at home and abroad.

The plans which have been taking shape over many years are  starting to come together and arebringing job opportunities with it. By way of example, at the end of last year, I was delighted to hear that I-Grunwerg will be taking over the former Franke Sissons site at Sheepbridge. Opening in May, the company will create 60 local jobs.

It is important, however, that we maintain the pace of progress, and everyone has a part to play in Chesterfield’s ongoing success. Let’s make sure we all take the opportunity to praise and promote the town when ever the opportunity arises rather than talking it down. Praise the development you see and call out the nay-sayers. Chesterfield is still very much on the rise and we must continue to recognise and celebrate that.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

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