Development

Dronfield Hall Barn to strengthen ties with local business community

A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant has been awarded to The Dronfield Heritage Trust for work on a campaign to attract more commercial users to Dronfield Hall Barn.

The High Street heritage building is home to a wide range of arts, cultural and community events as well as having an outdoor and indoor coffee shop.

The Trust has appointed PR consultant Louise Third MBE who is originally from Holmesfield to work with the DHB managers and current business partners to shape the new plans.

Alan Powell, chair of the Dronfield Heritage Trust, believes the new commercial landscape presents the perfect opportunity to plan ahead and offer somewhere unique where businesses can work and meet.

“If the past few months have taught us anything, it is that we need to adapt and serve our community in different ways. During the Covid lockdown, we stayed active by putting many of our activities online and our home grocery delivery service proved vital to many Dronfield residents.

“We now we feel we can do even more to maximise our brilliant facilities and at the same time help the business community as they continue the process of recovery. Put simply, the more activity we can generate, the more sustainable The Barn becomes for the future.

He added: “Louise has been a Friend of DHB for several years and brings strong commercial and creative expertise to this project. Back in 2004 she handled the press work when Sainsbury’s gifted the Barn and has followed our progress ever since.”

Covid-related travel and social distancing restrictions are placing more pressure on employees to work closer to home, and on businesses to find alternative places to meet. This project will look into how the Dronfield Hall Barn might help solve some of these issues for Sheffield and north Derbyshire businesses and other organisations.

Louise is keen to hear from local business owners and managers who can help her research. “I used to work in Sheffield and my family was well-established in the business communities of the city and north-east Derbyshire. So it is a privilege to be back working in a familiar part of the country.”

Anyone interested in talking to Louise can email her at louise@louisethird.com or message via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisethird/

Dronfield Hall Barn supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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New consultation to be launched on North East Derbyshire District Council’s local plan

A new consultation is due to be launched on North East Derbyshire District Council’s draft Local Plan, which sets the plan for future development in the area. This will allow over seven full weeks for the public and groups to comment.

The draft Local Plan is currently under examination and the new consultation will be on changes to the plan, called ‘Main Modifications’ which are proposed by the independent inspector.

It is expected that the consultation, set to be approved by the Cabinet on the 29th October, will run for 7 ½ weeks, from the 2nd November 2020 to the 23rd December 2020. Full details on the consultation and how it will work will be posted on the Council’s website and social media over the next week.

Cllr Charlotte Cupit, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, commented: “This consultation will allow residents to have their say on the changes proposed by the Inspector to the draft Plan so far, including the removal of three large previously allocated Green Belt sites and the updated housing land supply in our District.

“I would urge everyone to submit their views on the proposed changes as part of this consultation. I understand there is particular concern over the remaining allocations in the Green Belt and why the Inspector has only removed some allocations from the Plan but not others. This is the last chance for communities to highlight their concerns and test the Inspector’s reasoning by commenting on her Main Modifications proposals.

“We recognise that Covid-19 provides challenges to how consultations were previously run, but we’ve been working hard to make sure this consultation is accessible to residents and making extra provisions, including for anyone who may be self-isolating. As well as being available online, consultation documents can be posted out on request, to local residents who are self-isolating and unable to access deposit venues or view material online.”

You can find the Cabinet paper, including details of the proposed Main Modifications consultation, here https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1137&MId=1763&Ver=4

Previous Examination updates are available here. https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/planning-and-local-plan/planning-policy-and-local-plan/examination/latest-news-and-updates

The Avenue, Wingerworth

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Mortgage 1st go ‘back to school’ to teach students about future financial planning

Mortgage 1st, a Chesterfield based Mortgage Advice firm have been ‘Back to School’ this October delivering a lesson they created for year 9 students as part of the schools personal development topic, the lesson focuses on future financial planning which is a very important and key life skill for young people.

The team at Mortgage 1st are passionate about supporting young people, they already offer an ‘Apprentice to Adviser’ program to school & college leavers and more recently have taken part in the My Future Platform which is a virtual careers fair showcasing the jobs available in their industry to inspire the next generation.

Developing a partnership with local schools and designing a lesson plan based around financial planning, mortgages and buying a house is something HR & Marketing Director, Lisa Stones has been keen to do for a while and after linking with Shirebrook Academy earlier this year the project took shape.

Along with her colleague Carly Montisci, Senior Manager at Mortgage 1st, Lisa delivered the lesson to 6 tutor groups, over 150 students in total, over a course of 3 weeks. The lessons were well received by the tutors and students alike even after the shock of discovering the actual cost of buying a house!

Many students expressed an interest in the financial service industry as a career option they may now consider but most importantly a seed has been planted with the 13 year olds about the importance of budgeting and sensible money management to enable a financially stable future.

Lisa Stones, HR & Marketing Director, Mortgage 1st said: “I am thrilled to have been able to see this project through, I wasn’t going to let any COVID restrictions get in my way this year! The team at Shirebrook Academy have been fantastic and provided me with all the guidance I needed to create an interesting and engaging lesson for the students. The feedback from the tutors has been great and the level of engagement and questions from the students was amazing, they were genuinely interested in what is a fairly complex and ‘grown-up’ subject. This is only the start as we hope to be able to offer this programme to more local school on a regular basis.”

Mortgage 1st will soon be on the lookout for their next new young apprentice to join their head office team in Barlborugh, Chesterfield. Details will be published on their website and social media later in the year.

Mortgage 1st supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Knight Frank appointed on long awaited Chesterfield Waterside offices

Knight Frank has been appointed to find tenants for office space in Chesterfield’s newest and most long awaited £340m regeneration project.

Construction of No.1 Waterside Place at Basin Square at Chesterfield Waterside, in the high quality mixed-use scheme set on the canalside in the Derbyshire town, will be completed in September 2021 after the project has spent many years in planning.

The project will see the eastern side of the town revitalised with the office accommodation, Basin Square, featuring No.1 Waterside Place – a detached 36,000 sq ft seven-storey Grade A office building, with the next phase seeing the delivery of a hotel, multi storey car park and build to rent apartments.

Accountants BHP have already signed up for 5,500 sq ft, leaving up to 30,000 sq ft available at the development by Chesterfield Waterside Limited, a joint venture between Bolsterstone Group, Laver Regeneration and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Harry Orwin-Allen from the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, said: “Chesterfield Waterside is an exciting, high quality, mixed-use scheme which will revitalise the eastern side of Chesterfield on an unprecedented scale for the town.

“The superior office accommodation at No.1 Waterside Place suits requirements from 2,500 sq ft upwards, and meets the needs of on-going requirements for a COVID secure environment.

“This development has been a long time in planning and comes at a time when Chesterfield is becoming a popular base for SMEs with its good town centre facilities and links to the motorway network.

“The development sits both at the edge of the town centre, next to the mainline railway station and on a major arterial route to the M1 motorway.”

No.1 Waterside Place also incorporates two passenger lifts, raised access flooring, air conditioning, LED lighting, a high quality entrance foyer, showers and cycle parking facilities on-site, plus attractive landscaping.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Economic Development Unit and partners in Destination Chesterfield are offering support for inward investors and existing Chesterfield businesses wishing to move to the Waterside project including free guidance on access to finance, recruitment and training.

Historic market town Chesterfield nestles on the edge of the Peak District National Park and has a population of approximately 103,800. It has excellent links to the motorway network, via Junctions 29 and 30 of the M1 and is well served with train connectivity, including fast links to the capital and a proposed HS2 station in the future. It also benefits from being well located within easy access of Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

Knight Frank has been appointed as letting agents for the offices alongside Derby-based FHP Property Consultants.

For information please contact Harry Orwin-Allen at Knight Frank on 0114 272 9750 or Tim Richardson at FHP Property Consultants 01332 343 222 or visit chesterfieldwaterside.com

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Uncategorised

Lime Living Estate Agents announces collaboration with local coffee shop

Lime Living Estate Agents has created its own branded coffee in collaboration with a local coffee shop.

The partnership has been created in response to the current climate in a drive to support the local economy. Lime Living are working with Society Coffee Shop & Bar to provide those moving into a new home with a bag of ground coffee as a welcoming gift.

Director at Lime Living Estate Agents, Jamie Wajs is keen to trade locally in order to support other local companies.

He said: “Over the last year or so, we have established a good business working relationship with Society Coffee Shop & Bar and the owner Liam, who has kept us in good supply of arabica coffees, tasty grilled Cheeses and speciality cakes and donuts, both at the office and also for our client and staff meetings. So, it was only natural when we had a discussion on how we can help each other in the current climate and the outcome was the branded bags of coffee.

“Originally we looked at offering a goodwill gesture drink for our clients, however with the ever changing Covid restrictions, we decided to offer the ground coffee for Cafetieres, handy for home movers, so they can enjoy a nice coffee to destress once they have completed the rush of move in day. Anybody enjoying the coffee and wanting more, can simply pop down to Society to purchase further coffee or enjoy other offerings down at their town centre shop.

“As well as raising that little extra awareness for both our businesses, it also shows the crossover many town centre independent businesses can create and how we can all help support & work together, so people know we are all still here and very much open for business, especially at a time the town centre is struggling for footfall, in particular the towns hospitality sector. Support Local, use local!”

Lime Living Estate Agents supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Destination Chesterfield celebrates 10 years with message of positivity for the town

Chesterfield could be set to repeat history and, once again, come out of a global recession stronger.

This month 10 years ago, amidst a global financial crisis, a marketing campaign was established to promote Chesterfield to potential investors. Since its launch, it has supported Chesterfield Borough Council and its Economic Growth team in securing more than £1bn of investment into the borough.

To mark the anniversary, Destination Chesterfield was celebrated recently in a special online breakfast event, hosted by Virtual World Studios, virtually attended by more than 40 people.

At the event, future marketing plans were unveiled detailing how the town, as a whole, can come back stronger from the Coronavirus pandemic.

At the event it was revealed that community, distinctiveness, sustainability and growth will be core to Destination Chesterfield’s marketing campaigns for the town. Two brand new campaigns – Sustainable Chesterfield and Experience Chesterfield, will also join long-running, successful projects and events, including Made in Chesterfield and Celebrate Chesterfield.

Peter Swallow, who was appointed Chair of Destination Chesterfield when it was established in 2010 said: “I am confident Chesterfield can come back stronger from this pandemic. Ten years ago we were in a recession and Chesterfield Borough Council took the bold move of establishing Destination Chesterfield – sending out the message that the town was ready and open for business.

“Now we have more than £1bn of developments and more on the horizon, including HS2 which is already attracting investors to the town putting us in a strong position coming out of the pandemic.”

Since the Destination Chesterfield campaign was launched, declaring Chesterfield open and ready to do business, the town has attracted more than £1bn of investment, with the borough now home to some of the UK’s largest and exciting regeneration, industrial and leisure schemes at PEAK, Markham Vale and Chesterfield Waterside.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The past few months have been incredibly difficult for many of our local businesses. Rebuilding the local economy is a top priority for Chesterfield Borough Council and together with Destination Chesterfield, we have already implemented a number of financial and promotional measures to help our businesses through these challenging times. By working together, we can ensure that Chesterfield continues to be a thriving borough.

“Over the past 10 years, Destination Chesterfield have really helped us to reinvigorate the town. We’re look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at Destination Chesterfield as we look to build on the strong relationship that we’ve had for the past decade, one that will put us in a strong position to keep moving the borough forward.”

Destination Chesterfield has also created a supportive network of businesses, education providers and charities, known as Chesterfield Champions, who are all united in their desire for Chesterfield to thrive. The Champions network remains crucial to Destination Chesterfield’s future plans.

Peter added: “The Chesterfield Champions are intrinsic to the success of Destination Chesterfield. Their support and active involvement makes Destination Chesterfield happen and allows us to push forward the marketing of the town, as well as offer business support though during good and tough times. The facts really do speak for themselves. Together we make a difference.”

If your organisation would like to become a Chesterfield Champion, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk or get in touch on 01246 207 207.

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D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership opens application process for new board members

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has begun recruitment for two new private-sector board members who can help the organisation continue the economic growth of the region.

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) play a central role in deciding local economic priorities, driving drive economic growth and creating jobs and D2N2’s central goal is to improve the productivity of the economy of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire through inclusive growth.

To aid the organisation in this remit, D2N2 has begun looking for new board members who can help to shape the economic strategy across the region.

D2N2 Board members represent the LEP’s interests to partners and stakeholders in the private and public sectors and work collaboratively with them to deliver a shared agenda for our economy.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced senior leader or business owner with an outstanding ability to communicate, lead, and influence.
Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 board, said: “We’re keen to hear from business leaders with energy, creativity, and passion to help us shape and deliver our ambitions for the region.

“This is an important time for our region as we drive forward our strategy to rebuild and grow our economy delivering a more prosperous and lower carbon region, creating better skilled and higher value jobs for our future generations.

“We are committed to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and having a board that truly reflects the communities we serve. We would encourage applicants from all background and experiences to ensure we can deliver on our aim of being a truly diverse board.”

Applications are welcome from across the D2N2 area and from all sectors of the economy to reflect our diverse business community.
The deadline for applications is Monday 9 November 2020.

For more information on the role and application process, please visit the vacancies section on the D2N2 website.

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Construction begins on Chesterfield’s Glass Yard development

Work has now started on an exciting new development in Chesterfield, which will feature office space, retail units and an artisan food hall.

The Glass Yard will be situated on Sheffield Road, directly opposite the Technique Stadium and is set to bring 50,000 sq.ft (4,645 sq.m.) of commercial space along with a 163 space customer car park.

It has been designed sustainably and ergonomically by developer Blue Deer Ltd. allowing for an open plan, daylight filled environment. Each office will have a minimalist design and will incorporate the latest IT infrastructure.

The development will also be incorporating The Batch House; serving and selling premium artisan food and drink in a relaxed and sustainable environment.

A range of independent catering kitchens will surround a communal indoor and outdoor seating area with welfare spaces and meeting rooms.


The development has been designed to:

  • Create a safe, friendly atmosphere to work, eat and meet in
  • Dog friendly
  • Focus on quality food and drink served and sold in the nicest possible way
  • No single use plastic

Tim Turner, managing director at Blue Deer Ltd. said: “We’ve decided the town and the country wants to get on. Covid 19 is a real nuisance and could be around for sometime, but if we all behave it will be controlled.

“Chesterfield has many advantages moving forward, a great geographical position, good road network to the North and the Midlands and a very positive Council determined to encourage investment into the town. The town today does lack that little bit of style in places and The Glass Yard is squarely aimed at bringing a new kind of working environment to plug that gap.

“I’m really pleased we are on site, it’s been a challenge during the pandemic but the interest shown already is really encouraging and by the time the development is completed next August we should have a really exciting addition for the town. Hopefully by then, we’ll have some great new tenants and the Country will have tamed this horrid virus, I’m hoping both these things come true!”

Ideally located in Chesterfield, The Glass Yard is situated within two hours of 60% of major English Destinations.

The Glass Yard and Batch House are an enduring testimony to the site’s historical significance and a gesture to the significant part that Chesterfield played in the British glass industry.

Dema Glass once stood directly opposite the new development, and was the country’s largest manufacturer of domestic glassware. Developers at The Glass Yard think this special connection with the town should be remembered.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Giraffe Graphics upscales to new office

Chesterfield print and embroidery company, Giraffe Graphics has expanded into new headquarters.

The new office, which is located at Dunston Place, has allowed the company to increase capacity and take on the print and embroidery industry from a fresh perspective.

From the humble beginnings of a spare-bedroom-business, Giraffe Graphics has seen rapid growth over the last 5 years.

Like many other business owners, Chris and Rebecca Blackwell made the difficult decision to close during the beginning of lockdown. Once the appropriate safety measures were put in place, and it was deemed safe to turn on the embroidery machines once more, Giraffe saw demand soar for workwear, paper print, design, and signage.

This proved timely, as the company had plans for new premises in the pipeline, as co-director Rebecca explained: “We were beginning to reach the limits of what we could achieve as a business within our previous office space, and were eager to expand.

“Naturally at the beginning of March, these aspirations seemed to become a little far-fetched! But thankfully, we have a great bunch of loyal, returning customers and friends who appreciate our services and keep coming back!

“We spent time refining our website, and tried to ensure that despite the difficult circumstances, our clients could still reach us. We’re so grateful to those who have supported us through the years, and we’re excited to see how Giraffe continues to grow in our new HQ!’”

Looking to expand or relocate your business to Chesterfield?  Search commercial property in Chesterfield here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Mentoring scheme launched to support female leaders and managers in the construction sector

A key milestone has been celebrated at the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in Chesterfield. The building’s floor slabs and roof have been carefully poured into place using approximately 925 tonnes of concrete.

The significant step was marked during UK Construction Week, by leaders from the construction company, Robert Woodhead Limited, Chesterfield Borough Council and project architects Whittam Cox. Chesterfield Borough Council will be supporting the scheme which will see female leaders and managers from across the construction industry support young women from Chesterfield.

The partners will come together and deliver an innovative mentoring programme to build on the success of the recently launched online gateway “My Future.” It will provide real life support to help local young women into the construction industry. By linking with the D2N2 North Derbyshire Careers Hub and Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Forum, the programme will offer school and college students the opportunity to work with female leaders from across a broad range of disciplines in the construction sector.

The programme is a result of Woodhead’s employment and skills commitments to deliver a lasting legacy and social value whilst on site.

Councilor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Improving the skills and work readiness of people in Chesterfield is our top priority because it will help ensure our ambition to create a thriving borough. We require all new developments to commit to supporting the local economy through both skills development and opportunities for local businesses.

“This programme is a great example of how by working with our partners we can strengthen the links between education and business, which will help ensure that more school leavers are developing the skills they need to enter the workplace. We want to raise aspirations in Chesterfield and show that it is a great place plan your future and build a successful career. Working with young women in sectors where they are underrepresented is key to ensuring our success. Women currently make up around 14% of professional roles within the construction industry, this number can only be set to rise with more and more women choosing construction jobs. Misconceptions about gender specific roles are diminishing with the growing number of women choosing a career in construction.

The council has a strong track record on supporting female leadership, of the nine positions in our senior leadership and corporate management teams four are held by women, we also have an all-female leadership of the council and this further demonstrates the important role women have in the future of Chesterfield.”

The new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is a highly sustainable building that will provide 32 high-quality offices for the town. As the mentoring programme gathers momentum, it is hoped that the young women will also be able to participate in site visits to see the building take shape.

Robert Woodhead ltd, Chesterfield Borough Council and Whitham Cox Architects supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

(L-R) Kerri Grocock, Teresa Westwood, Duncan McKenzie, Cllr Tricia Gilby and Andy Dabbs.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Augmented reality fly-through brings Chesterfield Waterside to life

Ahead of construction starting on the new seven storey office block at Chesterfield Waterside on 19 October, Chesterfield’s £340million mixed-use regeneration scheme has been brought to life in a new augmented reality film created by local company Oasis Studio.

Combining drone footage with illustrations, the film brings to life the 16-hectare Chesterfield Waterside site which is located on the edge of the A61 corridor adjacent to the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal.

Existing drone footage of the site has been overlaid with the five colour-coded neighbourhoods which make up the scheme, to show what Waterside will look like and how it will sit within the local environment once complete.

The fly through details each of the five neighbourhoods – Waterside Quarter, Basin Square, Waterfront, Riverside East and Station Place – and the buildings which will be constructed in each of them. The construction phase alone is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.

Tony Buck, Associate Director of Oasis Studios, commented: “It’s the first time we’ve combined real life moving drone footage with superimposed buildings but we are delighted with the result. It takes the conceptual stage of the project to another level.”

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group Plc which is leading the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, instructed and worked alongside the team at Oasis to create the flyover animation.

He added: “The film is an important element of the marketing campaign for Waterside. Rather than just seeing a patch of land, potential investors can now see the scale of the scheme and understand its significance to the town. It also gives a clear picture of the scheme’s prominent location, adjacent to both the town centre and train station. Chesterfield Waterside will completely regenerate the north east side of the town centre creating an attractive environment in which to both live and work.”

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.

Last month it was announced that Chesterfield Borough Council has secured a forward funding agreement with Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, to bring forward construction of No.1 Waterside Place in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the development.

Britcon (UK) Ltd, a leading Civil Engineering, Building and Steel Frame Solutions company, has been appointed as the main contractor to construct the office building and will start on site on Monday 19 October. The building is being marketed by property agents Knight Frank FHP.

Already, construction at Waterside Quarter is underway. House builder Avant Homes began construction of 173 two, three and four bedroom homes in the neighbourhood and in August the showhomes were opened to the public. Avant Homes is reporting strong interest in the development.

Avant Homes Central Managing Director, Stuart Rowlands, said: “Waterside Quarter is a hugely important development for us.

“Waterside Quarter is a development that we believe will be ideal for a number of different buyers such as those looking for their first home and young families. As well as quality, attainable, design-led homes for those living in Chesterfield, we believe that it will also help bring other buyers to the area, further boosting the town.”

In addition to the office accommodation Basin Square, the first commercial element of Chesterfield Waterside, will comprise Grade A office accommodation, 350 Built-to-Rent apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a high quality public realm area overlooking the newly constructed canal basin.

Find out more about Chesterfield Waterside

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