Limited places remain to toast the success of Chesterfield’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield at the Winding Wheel, on Wednesday 25 March from 07:30am – 11:00am.

The free ‘Celebrate Chesterfield’ event, held in association with headline sponsors Markham Vale and Corrugated Case Company, allows local businesses to be the first to hear the exciting plans in store for the town in 2015. The morning will also reveal Destination Chesterfield’s upcoming marketing activities until December 2016.

The breakfast will also look back on the campaign’s success during the last twelve months and offers the opportunity to question local leaders and politicians on a Question Time panel.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The annual Celebrate event is so important.  All too often we hear about the good news in isolation and it can be overshadowed by the bad which means it can be forgotten in the melee. This will be our third Celebrate Chesterfield event, following the success of last year’s which was standing room only, however the stream of good news delivered by the Destination Chesterfield team left us all uplifted! This year, Celebrate will be no different. We’ve made a point of building on last year’s success and striving to be even better in 2015.”

The event will also include talks from various local business people.  Corrugated Case Company will discuss how it secured RGF funding to develop the business, a tenant from Markham Vale will talk about their expansion and the University of Derby will present its much anticipated plans for the St Helena’s site in the town centre.

Destination Chesterfield was established in 2010 during which time it has engaged the business community as Chesterfield Champions in actively supporting the marketing of the town and driving investment and bringing it to the attention of national investors.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments said, “Markham vale has grown successfully to become one of Chesterfield’s prime employment sites over the last twelve months which is great news for the local economy.  During the next twelve months we are hopeful to be able to announce some further significant new investment projects for the site and region.

“We are delighted to sponsor this event and continue our support to promote Chesterfield, often overshadowed by its larger neighbours. There is a wealth of good news in the area which needs to be celebrated. This includes the decision by both Inspirespac and Gould alloys to retain their roots in Chesterfield and invest to significantly grow their businesses at Markham.”

Tony Hession, Director of Corrugated Case Company said: “As a Chesterfield based company with customers and staff based here, we’re thrilled to be involved with the Celebrate Chesterfield event. It is vital that we promote all that is good about our town; its’ centrally located geographic position, it’s historic (and present day) creative manufacturing and engineering prowess and of course its location on the edge of the magnificent Peak District and all that has to offer! We look forward to meeting friends both old and new at the Destination Chesterfield event.”

Celebrate Chesterfield is free to attend however spaces are limited and places should be confirmed online.  More than 200 delegates have already registered and so businesses are being encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment at www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate.

Unemployment has fallen, the number of people in employment has increased and there are fewer people claiming out of work benefits now than a year ago, according to new figures released today.

The Office for National Statistics’ latest regional employment statistics showed that in the last three months of 2014, there were 36,593 more people in employment across the East Midlands than in the previous three months, while the total number of unemployed fell by 17,487 in the same period.

In the East Midlands, employment stood at 74.5% compared with 73.2% nationally according to today’s figures. Unemployment stood at 5% for the region compared to 5.7% nationally.

In Chesterfield there was a small increase in the number of people claiming the out of work benefit with many temporary seasonal contracts coming to an end (1,480 in January compared to 1,385 in December). However this figure is 564 lower than that announced in January 2014 (2,044).

The East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses across the three counties, has welcomed the good news on jobs.

Chamber Chief Executive George Cowcher said: “There is usually a seasonal spike in JSA Claimants in January and February each year as temporary employment contracts come to an end after the Christmas period, but that aside, today’s figures were again very positive.

“There are now more people in work and fewer people unemployed and claiming out of work benefits now than a year ago, which highlights how much progress the economy has made over the past 12 months.

“It’s also positive to see that wage growth is now outstripping inflation. A focus on improving productivity from businesses will ensure this is sustainable.”