Development

New home and new era for Derbyshire Institute of Sport

A new era has begun for Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS). It has a new home at the iconic Derby Arena and has expanded its operations to work with athletes and team players across the country.

DIS was founded in 2012 and since then it has been based at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Rd campus.

Managing Director Chloe Maudsley said: “We have had eight wonderful years working onsite with the university. They were a major, founding partner – alongside the city and county councils – when we began work as Derbyshire’s legacy project following the 2012 Olympics. We are so grateful to the university and founding partners for their support and unfailing belief in our mission.”

The original DIS goal was to increase the number of Derbyshire-based, world-class athletes. Its target of developing 20 such champions by 2020 was achieved in February 2020. These champions included marathon runners Jessica Piasecki and Ben Connor who have BOTH been confirmed in Team GB for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. DIS also worked with hurdlers Alex Knibbs and Jess Turner; para badminton world number one Jack Shephard; heptathlete Niamh Emerson, who is world junior champion and is now being coached by Toni Minichello and Jessica Ennis-Hill, and five times world champion para cyclist Katie Toft.

When the pandemic arrived, DIS recognised there was a need to provide support for talented sportspeople who could no longer get to gyms or train with their local teams. During the lockdowns it has worked with athletes online, offering strength and conditioning classes, nutrition, psychology and lifestyle support and virtual physiotherapy screenings.

DIS, which became a community interest company in 2017, is continuing to work with elite individual athletes and is also now working with team sports players and amateur athletes who want to be a champion at any level.

Chloe said: “We are coming out of the third lockdown on a high with our move to Derby Arena, which has great facilities and enables an expansion to our work to develop, inspire and support people who want to be the best they can be at the sports they love.”

DIS is following all Government guidance and working closely with the Arena to offer its athletes full membership of the Arena gym and face-to-face support from its world-class coaches in a Covid-secure way.

Chloe added: “For those who live further afield, we will continue to offer a package of 100% online support. This gives us the chance to help team sports players and individual athletes based anywhere in the world. Whether people choose a face-to-face or a virtual programme, they are all delivered by our multi-disciplinary team of experts who have supported Olympians, Paralympians and world champions.”

Rachel North, Strategic Director for Communities and Place, said: “We are delighted that Derbyshire Institute of Sport has chosen the excellent facilities of Derby Arena for its new base. It is fantastic to see how we have achieved the vision of 20 elite athletes by 2020 and look forward to seeing the Arena play its part in building more world champions of the future. Now that our leisure centres can start re-opening again, we look forward to welcoming our athletes in person.”

DIS 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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Peak Pipe Systems continues development by announcing several staff promotions

Chesterfield manufacturer Peak Pipe Systems has recently announced several internal promotions after staff at the company showed ‘outstanding commitment’ during the covid-19 pandemic.

As part of the company’s values and strategy, it looks to invest in employees and empower staff. Despite describing the last year as tough, Peak Pipe Systems has continued to develop and has made changes in order to enable the team to work more effectively.

Mark Bottoms has extensive experience working on Extrusion since 2014 when he joined Peak and has recently been promoted to Senior Operations Coordinator.

Meanwhile Marcin Ablomiejko, who joined Peak in 2017 working on Extrusion has been promoted to Team Leader following years of continued personal development.

Marcin Ablomiejko, Peak Pipe Systems

Within the sales team, Beccy Thompson joined Peak in 2014 and has shown her dedication and support to the team in varied roles, such as Team Leader. Beccy has recently been appointed to Internal Sales Project Support, which will enhance her strengths and skillset.

Beccy commented: “These last 7 years at Peak have flown by and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges working within a number of roles predominantly within the Sales Team. Peak have offered me fantastic opportunities which have enabled me to grow professionally and personally.

“They have been a great support throughout my maternity leave during the pandemic, allowing me to come back to work 4 days a week whilst my children are still young. I am looking forward to my new role and getting back to some sort of normality in 2021.”

Katrina Simmons joined Peak in 2017 and has supported the team over the last year, recently being appointed as Internal Sales Team Leader.

Katrina commented: “Whilst working at Peak, I’ve always felt encouraged to expand my knowledge and development. This has been via utilising the in-house knowledge from other experienced colleagues as well as having access to outside courses.

“Within the company we have years of industry knowledge and everyone is more than happy to pass on this knowledge to help aid individual development. Last year I gained my BTEC level 2 certificate in team leadership, which has helped me secure a promotion within the company. I’m now looking to start my level 3 which will further my development alongside my new position.”

Katrina Simmons, Peak Pipe Systems

The company is a UK leader in the manufacture and supply of polyethylene (PE) multi-utility pipeline solutions. You can find out more about the company here.

Peak Pipe Systems supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Peak Pipe Systems

 

 

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , ,

“We now have a chance to get back to our high streets and show our support upon their re-opening”

In his latest blog, Destination Chesterfield Chairman Peter Swallow has shared his thoughts about the reopening of non-essential retail in Chesterfield, along with providing an update on several regeneration projects taking place across the town.

With the gentle easing out of lockdown and the continuing success of the vaccination programme, the future is definitely looking brighter for everyone.

The re-opening of non-essential business is another positive step forward for the town. We have all been deprived of the things we enjoy doing whilst lockdown measures have been in place, such as shopping, attending events and eating out.

With Chesterfield’s wealth of independent shops and eateries, we now have a chance to get back to our high streets and show our support upon their re-opening. Just a few pounds spent in local shops will make a huge difference to these businesses and I personally feel it is a far more enjoyable experience to visit these outlets as opposed to clicking on a website.

The re-opening of the high street also coincides with the launch of the brand new Love Chesterfield Awards. They celebrate the town’s favourite food and drink and retail businesses, local entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, community contributions and sustainability. Nominations for the awards open in May, If you know of someone or something in Chesterfield that deserves recognition, please do put them forward for an award.

We also got the chance to recognise success across the borough at this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield event- and it was indeed a celebration. We celebrated our resilience as a town during the pandemic, we celebrated our community that continuously pulls together and we celebrated the positive future ahead for the town we love.

Part of Chesterfield’s success is its ability to join forces for the good of the town, and the launch of the town’s new Construction and Property Group at the event demonstrated this perfectly. The Group represents the coming together of public and private individuals and organisations in our town who, together, are committed to driving forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

In spite of the pandemic, developments in Chesterfield have continued at pace and there are many more on the horizon. Most recently construction has begun on a McDonalds restaurant and drive-thru on the site of a long-derelict former multi-storey car park at West Bars. Staveley has also received £25.2 million from the Government’s Town Deal programme, which will help deliver inclusive growth opportunities over the next five years.

It is schemes like these as well as Chesterfield Waterside, PEAK and Northern Gateway that are creating immediate and future opportunities for our young people ensuring they are able to acquire skills that will help them achieve their future ambitions.

The past year has shown just how strong we are when we pull together and I know that is this strength and determination that will continue to drive us forward into our bright future and beyond.

Posted in Blog, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Derbyshire companies invited to bid for funding to boost the local economy

Organisations in Derbyshire are being invited to bid for funding to deliver projects that will get people back into work and boost the local economy.

Derbyshire County Council has been identified by government as the lead authority in the county to deliver the new national Community Renewal Fund which has been set up to support people and communities most in need, tackle disadvantage and break down the barriers to employment and better skills.

Derbyshire Dales and High Peak have been identified by government as 2 of the 100 areas prioritised for access to the fund, based on an index of economic measures around productivity, household income, unemployment, skills and population density – although other places can apply. Applications from other areas that demonstrate a good fit with the grant criteria and links to the priority areas may also receive funding.

From April 2021 to March 2022, up to £3 million has been targeted by government for projects in each of Derbyshire’s priority areas with bids being welcomed from a range of organisations including local authorities, public sector organisations, higher and further education institutions, private sector organisations and registered charities.

Piloting new approaches and innovative ideas at a local level will be a key part of the projects to be funded.

The bidding process is now open and the authority is inviting applications for funding for projects that will secure:

  • Investment in skills – work-based training; retraining, upskilling/reskilling; and promoting digital skills and inclusion
  • Investment for local business – supporting entrepreneurs to create more job opportunities; encouraging businesses to develop their innovation potential; and supporting decarbonisation measures
  • Investment in communities and place – feasibility studies for delivering net-zero/local energy projects; promoting culture-led regeneration and community development; improving green spaces and preserving important local assets; and promoting rural connectivity.
  • Support people into employment – supporting people on their journey towards employment; identifying/addressing barriers to employment/moving closer to the labour market; raising aspirations / supporting individual to access employment support; supporting people to develop basic skills for sustainable work; testing what works in helping people move towards work.

Tim Gregory,  Director of Economy, Transport and Environment for Derbyshire County Council, said:

“We welcome this opportunity to bring more government funding into Derbyshire to boost skills and employment, improve quality of life, aid regeneration and support our ambition to cut emissions from the Derbyshire economy to net zero by 2050.”

The closing date for sending applications is midnight on 10 May 2021. All applications will be assessed and a proposed list of projects submitted to government by 18 June 2021.

Government will announce which projects have been successful in late July. All projects must be delivered and complete by 31 March 2022.

Find out more information about the Community Renewal Fund here

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield 42k challenge aims to get local people active and outdoors

A brand-new initiative has been launched in Chesterfield which encourages local people to get outdoors and increase their exercise levels, whilst showing off the town’s finest sights and trails.

The 42k Challenge launched by Top Kat Events is made up of seven unique routes, which participants can choose to run, walk or jog in any order and at any time before the end of the year. All you need to take part is a pair of trainers and a smartphone!

There’s plenty of variety among the Challenge routes, which are spread across Chesterfield. They range in distance from 4.5k to 10k and include road, mixed terrain and trail so there’s loads to keep participants interested. Chesterfield 42k Challenge has been designed to be enjoyable and also achievable by anyone, something that is core to the ethos of the Challenge.

Kat Valk, Chesterfield resident who set up Top Kat Events last year during the pandemic and designed the Challenge commented: “I’m really excited to be launching this fun and innovative local challenge. I’m passionate about being outdoors and active and we live in such a beautiful Town.’

“More people than ever are getting active, which is amazing. I wanted to create something that would encourage local residents to get outdoors and take part in a challenge that they can choose to do their own way.”

Kat has set up an event Facebook group to help keep participants motivated and connected. It’s a place where they can share stories, tips and pictures. Keeping with the theme of fun, there will be spot prizes for the pictures that make Kat smile the most!

Kat explains, “Everyone has been hit hard by Covid-19, and we’ve really missed opportunities to connect via shared experiences like sports events. I hope that the Chesterfield 42k Challenge will bring people together (virtually via the Facebook group and in real life on the routes) in a new way.”

Entry to Chesterfield 42k Challenge is via the event website. Once signed up participants will receive full instructions on how to download the routes and the navigation app. Pick a route, pick a day and off you go! Once you’ve finished each route, record your completion time and upload your results to the website. Complete all 7 routes before 31 December 2021 to receive an exclusive finisher’s medal. Entry is open now and the first 100 entries are only £20.

Participants are encouraged to make a donation or raise money for Ashgate Hospicecare, one of many charities that has been hit hard during the last 12 months.

For more information, go to https://topkat-events.co.uk/chesterfield-42k-challenge/

Five Pits Trail- Cycling in Chesterfield

Posted in Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

UK Asbestos Training Association welcomes its first international member

The UK’s leading authority for asbestos training, the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), has welcomed its first international member from Kosovo.

Professor Mimoza Dugolli of Pristina University and manager of Kaizen Environment is now the only provider of asbestos awareness training in Kosovo despite the fact the use of asbestos has been prohibited in in the country since 2005.

Professor Mimoza Dugolli, who is an asbestos trained architect, has worked on many projects including United Nations’ rebuild projects following the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s, and energy efficiency projects for public buildings in Kosovo, will now deliver asbestos awareness training not only in Kosovo but to other Balkan countries that also have no asbestos regulatory bodies.

Explaining why she chose to become a member of UKATA, Professor Dugolli said: “Although I could have gone to other countries for asbestos awareness training, UKATA was the only quality provider where I could become a trainer myself and enable me to deliver much-needed asbestos awareness training.”

Professor Dugolli, who has written a number of academic papers on asbestos safety in Kosovo, added: “Currently in Kosovo there is a huge gap in legislation framework where asbestos is concerned. Most of the industrial complexes and buildings in Kosovo constructed both before and after the war contain asbestos. Unfortunately, Kosovo has been very slow on adapting and preparing specific laws, rules and regulations relating to asbestos, so there is a severe training shortfall in the country.

“Becoming a UKATA member gives me the opportunity to organise and offer asbestos awareness training in Kosovo and other countries like us that lack regulatory bodies. I see asbestos awareness training as a starting point and hope to expand the future training offering to include asbestos removal.”

Professor Dugolli completed her application to UKATA virtually during lockdown. “I received superb support whilst applying and the process was excellent. I even learnt a few new facts and can’t wait to start sharing my knowledge. There is a big job ahead of us,” she commented.

UKATA’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans, added: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Dugolli to UKATA and would like to congratulate her on becoming our first international UKATA-approved training provider.

“Professor Dugolli’s commitment to raising awareness of the dangers of this deadly material in her country is highly commendable and we wish her every success and are delighted that we are able to assist in her mission.

“Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous material when handled incorrectly which is why widespread training is so important. The UK and UKATA has long strived to remain at the forefront of asbestos training and awareness since use of the mineral was banned in this

country in 1999. Hearing about a shortfall in legislation in countries like Kosovo, highlights the progress we have made both as an industry and country over the last 20 years.”

Since being established in 2008, UKATA has gone from strength to strength, now numbering more than 190-member organisations from all corners of the UK and now also in Kosovo who, together, deliver asbestos training to in excess of 200,000 people each year.

For details on becoming a UKATA member or to find a UKATA-approved training provider in your area, please visit www.ukata.org.uk, call 01246 824437 or email info@ukata.org.uk.

 

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Entire FM announces partnership with iconic motorcycle manufacturer

Chesterfield’s Entire FM has announced another major partnership, this time with possibly one of the most iconic names in British manufacturing and motorcycling; Royal Enfield.

The facilities management company, which has recently moved into a new 4,000 sq.ft headquarters in Bolsover are delighted to announce the new deal to provide support to Royal Enfield’s facilities management requirements in the UK.

Managing Director, Peter Currey said: “This partnership is one I’m particularly proud of. To have successfully joined forced with such an iconic brand is great and affirms our continuous development in the FM sector. It has been a pleasure working with the team at Royal Enfield and I look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

Over the past six months the team at Entire FM has worked with Royal Enfield to propose a seamless facilities management solution to support their UK operations and in March of 2021, working with both their UK and India offices, pen was put to paper to seal the deal.

Now with a strong work force of 52 employees across the UK, 12 of which are local to Chesterfield, Entire FM is continuing its rapid growth  in the facilities management industry and firmly making roots as a leading service provider. The company also has satellite offices in several major UK cities, and one in Chicago, USA.

The latest partnership comes fresh off the back of very positive Q1 2021 figures for Entire FM, which showed business growth up five-fold when compared to Q1 2020.

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield has created and crafted motorcycles since 1901, and proudly celebrates it’s 120th anniversary this year. From its British roots, a manufacturing plant was established in modern-day Chennai in 1955, a foothold from which Royal Enfield spearheaded the growth of India’s mid-sized two-wheeler segment.

Entire FM 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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Derbyshire Voluntary Action celebrates 30 years

An organisation which supports the work of the health and wellbeing charities and volunteer organisations in the North Derbyshire area, is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA), which has created a network of more than 300 organisations with the aim of making the voluntary sector stronger and more joined up with each other, has reached the milestone after forming in 1991.

The organisation specialises in supporting health and wellbeing related voluntary and community sector organisations – from tiny volunteer-led self-help groups through to local and regional charities delivering projects to the benefit of large numbers of Derbyshire residents.

Charlotte Repton, Project Manager at DVA, said: “If you were going to sum up what DVA does, I think the simplest version is that we is a charity which supports other charities – but there is much more to it than that!

“Healthy communities really are the key to why we do what we do. The voluntary sector is vital to delivering specialised, responsive support in the community, enhancing what is offered by public services such as the Council and NHS. I think the pandemic has made that more clear than ever.”

DVA supports the voluntary sector in a range of ways including regular forum meetings where members can meet, share updates and find out about local and national news.

Jacqui Willis, Chief Executive of DVA, said: “When DVA was formed in 1991 it was a very small operation, but the ambition was always there to provide a voice for the voluntary and community organisations and to look for innovative ways to strengthen the sector, and our local area as a whole. You could say that the forum is where it all started.

“But now we do so much more. On top of communicating through our weekly bulletins and the quarterly Network magazine, I attend lots of meetings, committees and boards with statutory partners where I am able to be the voice for the voluntary sector. Campaigning for and championing the voluntary sector is one of the most impactful things we do.”

DVA also leads on a specialist Mental Health Liaison Service, which creates a network and hosts forums for mental health support organisations across the county.

The charity also has a history of delivering ‘social prescribing’ where, rather than medication, individuals are prescribed services and activities in the community to help them improve their health.

As with all essential services, funding is key to the work of DVA. The organisation distributes grants to groups, allowing them to continue the great work they do.

As well as giving out funds, as a charity DVA applies for national funding, bringing money and resource into the local area and allowing the organisation to run innovative projects. Two examples of projects currently running are Community Chesterfield, a partnership with University of Derby, and the ConnectTo… project which promotes social connectedness.

Jacqui added: “We are going to be using our birthday to celebrate the voluntary sector and we hope that we can encourage people to show some appreciation for local charities and groups which make a big difference.”

Derbyshire Voluntary Action 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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Chesterfield welcomes Windowcharm into new office space in the heart of town

Windowcharm, a third generation family-owned company has revealed exciting details of its expansion into new office space on Whittington Way in Chesterfield.

Having served South Yorkshire and beyond for over 45 years, the team felt that reaching out into Derbyshire would be hugely beneficial to both them and to the area as they spread their expertise in window dressings further throughout the UK.

In 1975 Leonard Warrilow, father of James, the current CEO, began Windowcharm, seeing the need for quality window furnishings in the Rotherham and Sheffield region. Shortly after the company was started, it occupied small premises in Wellgate, Rotherham, and from there the company has evolved.

The company tagline, which has now evolved into a hashtag, dates back nearly as far as the company itself, as Leonard said “every window needs a blind and there is a Windowcharm blind for every window”.

Now in its third generation, Windowcharm Blinds & Curtains has seen excellent growth over the years and 2020 has been no exception! Already well-established partners with the NHS, the company’s products were converted to meet the demands of the pandemic and the team worked with the NHS to provide additional bed spaces and to increase infection control on the frontline.

Sales Director, Arné Warrilow, grandson of founder, Leonard, and actually a resident of Chesterfield, says “As a group, we are excited to be strengthening our position in Chesterfield and the new office will certainly give us further focus and direction to support the town and the development in the area. Our passion and keen interest for the town dates back many years.”

Windowcharm’s impressive timeline of progression through 2020 alone, can be seen on their website, highlighting their innovative support of the healthcare sector. That too, expanded into the other sectors that they work with, including education, construction, residential-developments, leisure, hospitality, retail…

Two excellent achievements of 2020 were the opening of a franchise serving the West Midlands, and partnering with an excellent company who hold distributorship in the South West – carrying window furnishing excellence to other regions of the UK.

Pleased to offer the full ‘concept to completion’ service, the company’s manufacturing plant, based in Sheffield is currently undergoing works that will nearly double its size, resulting in increased efficiencies and improved turnaround for all products. Being basically on the doorstep from Derbyshire will mean delivery times into the area will be excellent.

Find out more about Windowcharm at https://www.windowcharm.co.uk/ or by calling 01246 586 056

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, HomeTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield College gives graduates an insight into a teaching career in further education

Keen to play a role in developing the next generation of talent into further education, Chesterfield College has welcomed a new cohort of eager graduates and undergraduates into the organisation to give them a unique insight into a teaching career as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s programme, Talent to Teach. This is the second year the college has been part of the programme and they are already seeing many positive benefits.

The Talent to Teach programme was mentioned in the recent Skills for Jobs white paper, published by the government, as one important initiative which will be developed to help tackle the growing recruitment problem in the further education sector. The document highlights that half of principals in the UK say recruitment is difficult, so the need to act now is vitally important.

Becoming a provider of Talent to Teach programme was an opportunity for Chesterfield College to nurture talent and build a workforce for the sector. Equally, the team were keen to share their passion for role they play in their community, and the difference they make to their students and apprentices.

Jo Kershaw, Director of Business Professional and Service Industries, who manages the Talent to Teach programme at Chesterfield College said:

“Like many other colleges up and down the country, Chesterfield College wants to attract the very best talent to pass on their knowledge and expertise to students and apprentices. The Talent to Teach programme gives us the chance to highlight the benefits of a career in further education. It also helps graduates to understand that their knowledge and skills are in demand in the sector.

“For too long further education has been overlooked by many who might have a desire to teach. It has been fascinating to see the participants on this programme discover the possibilities open to them in colleges and we have seen our staff develop their mentoring skills too.”

During the programme the participants work alongside, and are mentored by, college staff as they take part in a range of activities to give them an insight into the breadth and scope of teaching in further education. They also experience day to day life helping students to succeed.

After mandatory safeguarding training, the participants observe and take part in lessons as well as carry out a micro teach. They also attend ask the expert sessions to learn about a range of other topics from Ofsted to supporting students with special educational needs.

The first intake of students on the programme, who took part before the pandemic, worked in the classroom with groups of students. The new intake has been experiencing teaching online and working with college staff virtually.

The fact that the programme is now being delivered virtually has had hidden benefits, allowing participants from a larger geographical area to access it. This was important because the pandemic meant only a quarter of the colleges who normally take part in the programme were able to offer places this year. Chesterfield College were keen to continue and demonstrate how they had adapted teaching and learning over lockdown.

Feedback from the previous intake of students highlights that 100% of those who took part have a higher level of interest in a teaching career in further education following the programme. The value of taking a hands on approach during the scheme was a huge benefit to the participants who may have been witnessing the world of further education for the first time.

One politics and history graduate on the current Talent to Teach programme, Tyler Yves, commented: “I left school with a handful of GCSEs but studied in FE as a mature student on an access to HE course. I understand the motivations of adult learners who study in FE colleges. There has always been this preconception that you were born to teach but I think so much has changed and I think we need to see how we can transfer skills into teaching as a viable career option. I can see the day to day difference I could make in a young person’s life by being part of FE. After a few sessions on the programme, I already find myself googling PGCE information!”

Sanaa Khalifa, a second year economics student said: “There are so many jobs and careers out there and you don’t know what to do unless you experience it first-hand which is why I wanted to take part in Talent to Teach. Now I am doing it, I do see myself in a teaching career in FE as opposed to working in business. It really has changed my outlook.”

Raina Roberts, Project manager for Talent to Teach at Cognition Education, the organisation running the programme on behalf of the Education and Training Foundation, said:

“It has been an absolute delight having Chesterfield College as a provider with the Talent to Teach in FE programme. Jo Kershaw and the team at the college have been incredible to work with and have put a great deal of passion into delivering the programme. Our partner providers, including Chesterfield College, are passionate about helping us raise the profile of further education and support us in establishing a high-quality pipeline of entrants for the sector.”

Chesterfield College 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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Conference hears how Chesterfield’s resilience has set the town on a path of swift pandemic recovery

Chesterfield’s resilience in the face of adversity has been borne out by figures shared at today’s (31 March) Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Addooco IT.

At the virtual conference it was revealed that SMEs are reporting growth in turnover and staff numbers during the pandemic, while estate agents in the borough are achieving up to 103 per cent on asking price with up to eight buyers per property.

Despite the pandemic, more than £1bn of regeneration projects are currently underway in the borough, including the multi-million pound Chesterfield Waterside, Glass Yard, Northern Gateway and PEAK schemes.

Speaking at the conference Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council praised the sector’s can-do attitude during the pandemic.

He said: “There is a fantastic landscape of development happening in the town in the middle of the pandemic. I think it says everything about Chesterfield in terms of the ambition of the place and the fact we are not going to just bunker down but actually get on and invest in quality developments right across the town and borough.”

Work has also begun on a McDonalds restaurant and drive-thru on the site of a long-derelict former multi-storey car park at West Bars. Sixty-five jobs will be created when the fast-food giant opens at the location later this year.

Most recently, Staveley received £25.2million from the Government’s Town Deal programme. It is being billed as one of the largest economic programmes in the borough in recent history.

Speaking at the conference Ivan Fomin, Chair of Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “We want Staveley to become a place to start, to stay and grow to deliver inclusive growth opportunities for the people of Staveley over the next five years.”

While 1,100 Chesterfield businesses temporarily closed during the latest lockdown, Dr Bowen is optimistic they will re-open and access the support and grants the Council has put in place to enable them to re-start. Nearly £60million in business rates relief and grants has been distributed by Chesterfield Borough Council to businesses during the pandemic.

“Our first priority is to support existing businesses to survive and restart,” added Dr Bowen.

Marketing the town, he said, was critical to the council’s Economic Recovery Plan post pandemic and praised the work of Destination Chesterfield in its work to attract inward investment.

He added: “We want people to relocate and start up in business here, so we are working closely with other Derbyshire councils and the East Midlands Chamber to make available start-up funding to encourage entrepreneurs to the town and borough.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield welcomed Dr Bowen’s comments saying: “Chesterfield has proved time and time again that it is a resilient and strong town which consistently performs well in the face of adversity.

“During the pandemic we have seen major projects start to come out of the ground which is testimony to our forward-thinking council and a key reason why investors from outside the area are keen to do business with us on major projects like PEAK, Waterside and HS2.

“Twelve months ago our annual Celebrate Chesterfield event looked to be anything but a celebration. However, we have attracted investment, jobs have been created and a plan is in place to ensure not only that we recover quickly from the pandemic but that we are stronger because of it. There is much to celebrate now and for the future of Chesterfield.”

In addition to Dr Bowen, speakers at the annual free event also included Andy Dabbs and Jillian Mitchell the Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the newly formed Property and Construction Group, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and was launched at Celebrate Chesterfield 21

The group brings together leaders from the area’s property and construction sectors to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

Celebrate Chesterfield 2021 was sponsored by University of Derby, Whittam Cox Architects and Markham Vale – Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, who joined headline sponsor Addooco IT.

Richard Walters, owner of Chesterfield technology specialist Addooco IT Ltd, commented: “The concept of ‘Celebrating Chesterfield’ really resonates with me as there is such a rich history of innovation here. Having identified early in 2020 how challenging the next 12 months and beyond would likely become we accelerated our investment plans to help minimise the impact of the situation, whilst creating four new job roles to help cope with demand. This ensured ample capacity and performance for our existing clients and those who we’ve welcomed to Addooco over the last year.”

If you were unable to attend the live Celebrate Chesterfield 2021 event, the presentations are available to watch via the online platform until 14 April. For free access to the platform please contact mollie.brown@chesterfield.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , , , , ,

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