Development

Cash boost for Markham Vale Enterprise Zone

29th January 2014

Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone is set to receive more than £14 million to speed up the delivery of vital infrastructure for the Markham Vale logistics development.

The money will come from a £100 million ‘nuts and bolts’ fund designed to transform land at enterprise zones across the country and fast-track new jobs in key industries, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced today.

As part of the Government’s long term economic plan, 12 bids have been shortlisted from locations across the country to share the cash pot.

Markham Vale, a leading logistics and distribution park off the M1, could win up to £14.2 million. The grant will generate a further £95.7m of private sector investment, create more than 2,100 jobs and build new access roads, around 16,720 sq m of commercial floor space, and unlock a further 33 Ha of land for development.

The £100 million set to be released by Government will fund projects such as road building, refurbishment, utility supply and land clearance to unlock previously dormant areas and turn them into prime economic sites that attract new businesses and develop local economies.

Across the country the funding for road building, refurbishment, utility supply and land clearance will lead to 3.5 million square metres of land being brought back into use and the creation of 124,000 square metres of new commercial floorspace by 2015 (over 10 football pitches). In addition 10km of new road and 2 new bridges will be constructed, reducing congestion for residents and increasing the access to new Enterprise Zone sites for business.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:

“Enterprise zones are at the centre of our long-term economic plans to build a stronger, more competitive business environment and a better future forBritain.

“This funding will give these areas the infrastructure they need to attract more investment, support the growth of local businesses and create up to 3000 jobs for hardworking people across the country.”

James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“The UK economy will be getting an excellent return on this investment from Government which will help to unlock more than £80 million of new business investment and over 2,000 new jobs for the Sheffield City Region.

“The Government’s decision to invest £14 million in our Enterprise Zone will be welcomed by international investors looking to set up in the Sheffield City Region. This important funding will enable us to meet unmet investor demands by making improvements to our Enterprise Zone at Markham Vale, including medium-sized business units and developing larger areas for bigger investors.

“Improvements at Markham Vale will help us to build on the success of our Enterprise Zone, which in its first year attracted 15 new occupiers, created 228 new jobs and was picked out as the number 1 UK free zone by the Financial Times.”

Since they opened for business in April 2012 Enterprise Zones have laid firm foundations for success, attracting international companies, building centres of excellence in key industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy, and delivering the infrastructure and training that will ensure that Britain continues to be competitive and successful on the global stage.

In total they have:

· attracted 250 businesses

· secured £1.1 billion of private sector investment

· created over 7,000 jobs.

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Development

Public’s favourite design chosen for Hornsbridge Roundabout in Chesterfield

22nd October 2013

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has approved plans for a key entrance into the town, as chosen by the public and local businesses.

At their meeting on Tuesday 22 October, cabinet members approved plans for work by a local artist, guided by the outcome of a public consultation, to be installed at Hornsbridge roundabout, the main gateway into Chesterfield from the M1.

£300,000 in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Barratt Homes, who is currently building 68 homes on the site of the former Chesterfield Football Club on Saltergate, has been provided to improve the area.

This funding can only be used for public artwork and work to improve the look and feel of the roundabout.

The aim of the project is to provide a talking point and to attract inward investment into the town centre.

Members of the public and business leaders in Chesterfield have chosen a design by Derbyshire-based artist Melanie Jackson for the site.

The public were given the opportunity to choose between four shortlisted designs during a consultation held during August and September, 507 members of the public commented online and in person during an event at the Pavements Shopping Centre.

The design was also chosen by the Chesterfield Champions, a network of local business leaders.

The chosen artwork, entitled Growth, features a wheel or cog, integrated into the landscape, symbolising Chesterfield’s strong industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “At the junction of the A61 and A617 and next to the Midland Main Line, the area’s rail link to London, Hornsbridge is the most important entrance to Chesterfield, it is, therefore, only right that we take any opportunity to improve this area.

“The funding for this has been provided by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes and can only be used for this purpose with the aim of attracting more economic development in the town centre.”

A further £190,000 in funding will be spent on the pedestrian approach from Chesterfield Railway Station to the town centre.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Revamped Market Hall prepares to open its doors

18th October 2013

The finishing touches are currently being added to Chesterfield’s Market Hall, which opens later this month after a £4 million redevelopment. Click here for photographs.

The new Market Hall, owned and operated by Chesterfield Borough Council, opens on Monday 28 October after the work, which has taken 12 months to complete.

The main retail hall has been transformed with a glazed atrium above first floor level providing natural light and the 1970s extension on New Square has been redesigned to be more in keeping with the original Market Hall whilst providing high quality offices at first floor level.

The majority of existing traders who were trading in the Market Hall were offered space in the new one and are currently fitting out their premises.

The new Market Hall will offer an improved shopping mix for the town centre with a wide variety of stalls including: perfume, mobile phone repairs, sweets, footwear, wools, butchery and seafood.

A new central café area is at the heart of the ground floor operated by Market Plaza Café, managed by mother and daughter team, Lynne and Shannon Benison.

Market Plaza Café is owned by SLIC Training. The company will offer opportunities for new apprentices to train on the job in the new café.

The new Market Hall will open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The butchers and café will open from 8am.

The shopping offer will be further improved as new external units prepare to open. Fred’s Haberdashery has expanded and will be moving to the bigger former Douglas Turner unit on 28 October. Further external pitches will be opening during December.

The upper storeys contain rented office accommodation for businesses.

The Assembly Rooms have been restored to their former glory. They will host the CAMRA beer festival, sponsored by G F Tomlinson, which takes place on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November.

The Assembly Rooms, based right in the heart of Chesterfield, will also available to hire for parties, weddings, business meetings from December.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “I am proud that at a time of cuts, when many councils have been forced to scale down their markets, we have been able to invest in the Market Hall and the traders who offer a wide range of choice to shoppers in Chesterfield.

“I’d like to thank the traders for their patience while the work has been carried out and I hope they are as excited as I am to see the jewel of the market place restored to its full glory.”

£2.1 million for the project was provided by the European Regional Development fund and Lottery grant with the remainder by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The work has been overseen by the council’s asset management partner estate management partner, Kier with G F Tomlinson as main contractor. Project management has been carried out by Mace with IBI Taylor Young as architects and Ramboll as engineers.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Visiting

Have your say on art scheme for Hornsbridge roundabout in Chesterfield

5th August 2013

Chesterfield residents are able to vote for the public artwork they would like to see at a key gateway to the town centre.

The project, led by Chesterfield Borough Council, aims to raise the profile of Chesterfield as a place to invest, visit and live.

Funding of £500,000 has been secured from Barratt Homes, who are responsible for new housing developments in the borough, including on the former Chesterfield Football Club site on Saltergate, and from the European Regional Development Fund for the project.

The funding must be used to make environmental improvements and install public art at key sites around the edges and entry points to the town centre.

The first site is at Hornsbridge.

The borough council is running a consultation with residents to choose the design of the artwork at this key entry point into town.

There will be a one-day event in the Pavements Shopping Centre where residents can votes for the design they would like to see installed at Hornsbridge from a shortlist of four designs,.

The event runs on Friday 9 August from 10am to 4pm.

The shortlisted designs for the Hornsbridge site are:

The Tutelar
The Portal
Field and Fort
Growth

Each of the designs which have each taken inspiration from a different aspect ofChesterfieldand its history.

The survey will also be available on the council website from Friday 9 August until Friday 13 September: http://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/Gateway-Enhancement-Options-1173.html

The results of the public vote will be combined with the votes of the business community, gathered through Destination Chesterfield, and recommended to the council’s cabinet, who will have the final say.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “We are proud ofChesterfieldand keen to attract new investment into the town – so we feel it is right to give our residents and local businesses a say in the artwork that will used at Horsbridge, a key entry point into the town from the M1.

“I would urge anyone involved to go along to the event at the Pavements Shopping Centre on 9 August to meet the artists and leave comments or to vote online before 13 September.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

More great job news for Chesterfield

29th May 2013

Henry Boot Developments Ltd, has joined forces with Euro Garages Ltd to table plans for a petrol filling station and Starbucks Drive Thru Coffee Shop at Markham Vale off M1 junction 29A near Chesterfield.

The filling station will include a convenience store, Subway sandwich bar, public toilets and a cash machine while the Starbucks will have 65 indoor seats and 10 outside for customers not wishing to use the drive-through facility.

The 1.5 acre site will have 53 parking spaces of which three will be for disabled motorists. The site will be landscaped with 10 trees and substantial shrub planting.

The filling station and convenience store will create 22 jobs while the Subway and Starbucks will create 15 and 26 jobs respectively. Of the 63 total jobs, 37 will be full time.

All operations will be open 24 hours a day.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council, Cabinet Member for Jobs, the Economy and Transport, said:

This latest investment in Markham Vale underlines again the value of having a bespoke site in the middle of England that’s served by its own motorway junction and has excellent transport links.

“The new development comes just days after Ready Egg Products Ltd submitted plans to move to the site, and brings to 323 the number of new jobs secured for the local economy by Markham Vale in the last eight months.”

Ready Egg Products Ltd wants to build its new manufacturing plant at Markham Vale in a move that will create 50 jobs over two years.

Ready Egg is a key player in the egg processing industry and supplies both UK and Irish food manufacturing markets.

The firm sees the European Union as a growing market but transport costs to and from its current location put it at a commercial disadvantage.

The Euro Garages and Ready Egg applications will both be determined by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Last month (April) saw the opening of a £905,000 stretch of road linking the A632 at Long Duckmanton with the M1. The link road unlocks a further 40 acres of land for development.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Markham Vale jobs boost for Chesterfield

20th May 2013

A Northern Ireland-based company is to move to our flagship employment site bringing the number of new jobs created to 260 in the last eight months.

Ready Egg Products Ltd has selected Markham Vale off M1 junction 29A near Chesterfield to locate its new manufacturing facility which will create 50 new jobs over two years.

Ready Egg is a key player in the egg processing industry and supplies both UK and Irish food manufacturing markets.

The firm sees the European Union as a growing market but transport costs to and from its current location puts it at a commercial disadvantage.

Derbyshire County Council’s Joan Dixon, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“More and more companies are making Markham Vale their home because of its location in the centre of England and excellent transport links afforded by its purpose-built junction 29A just off the M1.”

Ready Egg’s vote of confidence in Markham Vale follows last autumn’s decision by car parts distributor Andrew Page to base its new national distribution centre there in a move that is expected to create 120 jobs.

And fast food restaurant McDonald’s created 90 jobs when it opened a drive-through restaurant on the site last September.

There was more good news for Markham Vale last month (April) with the opening of a £905,000 stretch of road linking the A632 at Long Duckmanton with the M1. The link road unlocks a further 40 acres of land for development.

Ready Egg Products plans to build a 34,700 sq. ft. warehouse on nearly three acres of land. A planning application for the development will be made by Henry Boot Developments Ltd which is managing and marketing the site for us.

The application will be determined by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Councillor Dixon added:

“This announcement by Ready Egg Products further underlines Markham Vale’s importance to the local economy as a catalyst for inward investment and job creation.”

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Top listing for Chesterfield Waterside set to bring it to the attention of investors

1st May 2013

Chesterfield’s commercial property offering has been brought to the attention of national investors after the town’s Waterside development was announced as one of the UK’s largest Regeneration and Renewal projects in a prestigious list of major schemes issued for 2013.

The £340m development, has moved four places since 2012 to be ranked at number 47 in the top 100 list of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, published this week in the sectors leading publications, Planning Magazine, and Regeneration & Renewal.

The 60-acre development is being led by Chesterfield-based company, Bolsterstone Group, working in partnership with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group and Chair of the town’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield, is delighted with the project’s position in the list. He explained: “Acknowledgment of Chesterfield Waterside as a key regeneration project in the UK will bring it to the attention of national commercial property agents, and inward investors/employers looking to establish new locations, which will in turn bring new jobs and opportunities to the Town.”

The first commercial/employment phases of the mixed-use 10-year development project will feature office space located on the site of the former Trebor Bassett factory, adjacent to the railway station. Bolsterstone are currently in detailed negotiations with a number of potential occupiers, which should lead to a start on site in the coming months. In addition, negotiations in respect of the family housing element of the project, which is to be developed on the former Arnold Laver timber yard site, are also at an advanced stage.

He added: “Chesterfield Waterside’s first phase location, right beside the station and within walking distance of the town centre will, I believe, make it particularly attractive to technology and digital media companies. It’s an opportunity to attract these rapidly growing new business sectors to the town and create opportunities and jobs for the people who live and work here.”

Chesterfield Waterside forms part of the A61 Corridor Regeneration area, which has already delivered the independent four-star Casa Hotel, Tesco and the Pro-act stadium. The Waterside development is one of two projects by Bolsterstone Group to appear in the prestigious Top 100 list; the other being the £244m New Bolton Woods scheme in Bradford, which is listed at number 65.

Mr Swallow added: “The strong positioning of our schemes across the region highlights the achievement in maintaining project momentum at a time when some major regeneration projects across the UK have stalled.”

Posted in Business, Development

Chesterfield Waterside to welcome Communities and Local Government director general

29th April 2013

Chesterfield Waterside is to welcome Communities and Local Government director general. D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is hosting a visit from Peter Schofield, the Director General of the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), on Friday, May 3.

CLG are one of the Departments that have provided resources for the Growing Places Fund (GPF) and Mr Schofield will be visiting to look at projects that are already, or could in the future be benefitting from the work of the D2N2 LEP.

D2N2 chairman Peter Richardson and chief executive David Ralph will show Mr Schofield the growth potential of business locations, and small and medium sized firms, in our region by touring projects and businesses in the area.

One stop on his tour will be the Chesterfield Waterside project, where they will meet withPeter Swallow, the developer of the site and chair of Destination Chesterfield, as well as representatives of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Chesterfield Waterside is an innovative and sustainable £340 million scheme and is currently the (47th) largest regeneration project in theUK, which will rise from the remains of the old Trebor factory and is a major mixed-use regeneration scheme located immediately adjacent to the town centre.

The site, which incorporates elements of the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal, and sits alongside the A61, will provide a thriving and successful new destination, including the creation of a new community with 1,500 modern houses and apartments, new employment opportunities, shops, cafes and bars around the new canal basin and public square.

David Ralph said: “We are building a relationship with Government and through our senior sponsors it is critical part of our Growth Plan. Therefore we welcome Peter Schofield to look around the area and hear about the work D2N2 is doing and proposing to grow the region’s economy.

“We are looking to take him to both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, including to the Chesterfield Waterside project, and I am sure this will be the start of a number of visits to our area. We will continue to help grow the region and we are working relentlessly towards doing that.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said, “We welcome this opportunity to work with D2N2LEP in hosting Peter Schofield’s visit to Chesterfield to discuss the importance of the Chesterfield Waterside project to the town, and the region, and how the Government’s ‘Growing Places’ funding scheme will be instrumental in bringing forward the first phase of development.”

Mike Hayden, head of regeneration at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome such a senior government official toChesterfieldto see the great opportunities the town has to attract investment and create jobs and new homes.

“Chesterfield Waterside is set to transform the town and with the help of £750,000 from the Growing Places Fund awarded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to support the infrastructure costs, we expect development to start by the end of 2013.”

Posted in Business, Development

Gateway improvement sites in Chesterfield chosen

28th March 2013

Two entry points into Chesterfield will get a £500,000 facelift after being selected for improvements by Chesterfield Borough Council following a public consultation.

The improvements will happen at the Hornsbridge roundabout and the Railway Station Link – which includes Crow Lane from the railway station past the Chesterfield Hotel and across the public footbridge, which links to Corporation Street and the town centre.

The work will be carried out using funding from Barratt Homes and the European Regional Development Fund in a project designed to improve the attractiveness of entry points into the town.

They were chosen by public vote from a list that also included West Bars roundabout, Lordsmill roundabout, Saltergate, the bus station and Markham Road.

Partner organisations including Destination Chesterfield,Chesterfield College, Chesterfield Civic Society and the Town Centre Forum were also asked their views and a two day public consultation was held in the Pavements Shopping Centre in January.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “There was already a strong consensus that the Hornsbridge roundabout needed improving and the Railway Station Link came out the clear winner in the public consultation as it is the first impression people get of the town when arriving by train.

“The whole purpose of the Chesterfield Gateways project is to respond to requests from business leaders for us to do more to make the approach routes into town more appealing to potential investors, visitors and our own residents.

“The best thing is that we can use external funding to make these improvements without any impact on the core services the council provides to Chesterfield residents.”

The council, working with project managers TEP, will now appoint designers and artists to begin work on the project, which is due to be completed by December 2014.

Examples of things they could do at the two sites include installing new direction signs, lighting, paving, planting, sculptures, art installation or interpretation.

Members of the public will be consulted about the design ideas to get their views before any actual work takes place at either of the two sites.

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s marketing campaign, said: “We very much welcome the news of improvements to the Hornsbridge roundabout and Railway Station Link.

“Both are key gateways to Chesterfield and play an important role in ensuring a sense of arrival and welcome, whether visitors stay in the town or pass through us to the Peak District.”

The announcement of the improvement sites was made today (Thursday 28 March) by Chesterfield Borough Council chief executive Huw Bowen during the Celebrate Chesterfield event held by Destination Chesterfield at the ProAct Stadium.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

New TK Maxx store creates up to 50 new jobs

22nd January 2013

A brand new TK Maxx store is set to open its doors in Lordsmill Street, Chesterfield on 14^thFebruary and will be creating 50 new jobs in the area. This new TK Maxx store will feature over 19,235 sq ft/ 1,787 sq metre store of this season’s must-have fashion and accessories for women, men and kids as well as homeware at a fraction of the normal retail price.

The TK Maxx concept is simple. TK Maxx buyers shop the world all year round working direct with designers to negotiate great deals bringing customers designer and famous brands at a fraction of normal retail prices. With a modern and stylish, but no frills store environment, further savings can be passed on to customers. A typical TK Maxx store stocks an average 50,000 items with daily deliveries bringing up to 10,000 new items to store every week so customers will always find a constantly fresh and exciting mix of top brands and great quality at the lowest prices, every time they visit.

TK Maxx spokesperson, Helen Gunter said:

“We are very excited to be opening up a new store and bringing Chesterfieldshoppers savings of up to 60% off the RRP on great brands and labels for all the family under one roof.”

The first 500 shoppers through the door will receive a £10 Gift card to spend in store. Doors open 9am.

Source:TK Maxx

Posted in Business, Development

Road to jobs creation in Chesterfield as latest Markham Vale development begins

5th November 2012

Work has begun on a new link road which will open up further land for jobs creation at a flagship regeneration site.

Derbyshire County Council are investing over £70 million laying the foundations to drive long term employment opportunities at Markham Vale which is just off the purpose-built junction 29A of the M1 in Chesterfield.

An increasing number of companies are making Markham Vale their home because of its location in the centre of England and excellent transport links.

Car parts distributor Andrew Page has recently moved into its new national distribution centre on the east side of Markham Vale, with 120 jobs expected to be created. And McDonalds will open the doors on its new drive through restaurant on the western part of Markham Vale this week, bringing 50 jobs.

Now work has begun on a new £905,000 stretch of road which will link the A632 at Long Duckmanton with the M1 to open up further areas the western section of the site for development. Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve laid strong foundations for long-term job creation at Markham Vale and are delighted that companies are choosing it as their home.

“The creation of this new road will open up a further five-and-a-half hectares for development at the site’s western side and we are confident we are providing the right environment to attract further growth.”

Work on the new road is expected to be completed by March 2013. It will also include footpaths, street lighting and provision of ducting to enable the easier installation of gas, electricity, water and telecommunications links for future developments.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances − offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery. The county council is working with partner Henry Boot Developments Limited to attract national and local companies to Markham Vale.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Development