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Shorts hires Lynne Gill as senior VAT manager

Chesterfield Champion, Shorts Chartered Accountants, are delighted to announce the appointment of Lynne Gill as Senior VAT Manager.

An indirect tax specialist with over 35 years’ experience, Lynne joined the Shorts Tax Planning Team at the start of October 2021.

Lynne’s previous roles have included 27 years at HMRC, where she worked as a VAT inspector dealing primarily with small and medium enterprises, before later moving on to large national businesses.

Following her time at HMRC, Lynne worked for a large, independent regional accountancy firm, before working for a company providing specialist VAT advice and VAT compliance services to the healthcare sector.

Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner at Shorts, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a highly experienced specialist such as Lynne on board. VAT is a tax that pops up everywhere, often without people realising, so bolstering our VAT advisory capacity is very important to enable us to continue to offer our clients high quality, comprehensive tax advice.”

Speaking about her appointment, Lynne said: “I am delighted to be joining one of the most reputable and ambitious Chartered Accountancy firms in the region, and very excited to be working with such a talented and dedicated team. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of VAT to a tax team which has proved to be highly effective in helping regional businesses reach their goals.”

Shorts is recognised as an award-winning, leading regional firm, using deep knowledge, technology, and expertise to find new ways to make clients’ business better and their personal finances stronger.

This appointment will further strengthen Shorts’ reputation for excellence in tax planning and advice, and will solidify the firm’s position as a regional leader in all things VAT.

Shorts Chartered Accountants 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 appointment brings three decades of industry experience to DBCP

DBCP has further strengthened its team of building control surveyors at its Derby office with the appointment of Richard Buxton.

Experienced building surveyor Richard, who boasts more than 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, will be based at DBCP’s Friar Gate office in the city centre.

He joins from Erewash Borough Council where he was a Building Control Officer covering the Erewash, Broxtowe and Mansfield areas. As part of the DBCP team of Building Control Surveyors, Richard will now work with builders, architects and property owners in Derby city centre and throughout South Derbyshire.

Richard commented: “DBCP offers me a brilliant opportunity to expand my skills and experience, with city-based and larger commercial projects. I’m excited for the brand-new challenge ahead in Derby.”

Richard’s role will include providing plan checks, site inspections and advice and support to clients and contractors for commercial and residential developments in the region. He will also be on call for requests to assess dangerous structures.

Prior to joining the building control sector six years ago, Richard worked within construction, however decided to retrain and completed a Building Surveying degree at Sheffield Hallam University. He is continuing his ongoing professional development with the University of Wolverhampton where he is studying a Building Control Surveying Degree Apprenticeship.

The Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Building Control Surveying was introduced in 2019. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) and LABC created the now nationally recognised and approved Building Control Apprenticeship Standard.

He added: I’ve been in the construction industry for 32 years and working in building control for the last six years. This has given me an excellent appreciation and understanding of projects from both a developer and regulatory position. My skills and experience enables me to contribute to DBCP’s commitment to working with clients to achieve the best outcome on projects.”

For expert building control advice and guidance, please get in touch with the DBCP team at www.dbcp.co.uk or call 0333 880 2000.

DBCP 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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Dawson Radford Solicitors continues impressive growth with new appointment

North Derbyshire-based Dawson Radford Solicitors has continued its growth plans with the appointment of Liam Kenealy as Head of Employment law.

As the practice celebrates its 5th anniversary, DR continues to provide high quality legal services to businesses in the local area (and beyond) and sees this as a key appointment to further expand the range of services it offers.

“Athough the last 18 months have certainly brought about some challenges, it was really important to me that we stuck to the plans we had in place” says managing director, Jo Dawson. “Providing employment law services to our clients, to me, is a key area we can support with, and it really does go hand in hand with the existing corporate, commercial and property work we undertake”.

Liam is well known in the Chesterfield area having worked at law firms in both Sheffield, and most recently Chesterfield. The task of establishing a new department is not unknown to him, which was exactly the track record Dawson Radford were searching for. “It has taken some time to find the right person to join our team. Obviously it had to be someone with the technical ability and drive, but it also had to be someone who fitted with our culture and values, and the working environment we’ve created – for me that was absolutely key” said Jo.

Speaking of the importance of employment law, Liam comments: “Anyone who has employed a team, large or small over the past 18 months will have had to make some employment law decisions at some point, whether that be choices about flexible working, furlough payments, maybe even restructures and redundancies. It’s such an important part of running a business, and it is vital to get this area of law correct – I’m really looking forward to supporting Dawson Radford’s clients, existing and new, with their employment law decisions”.

Dawson Radford can now offer employment law support to business, both on an ad-hoc and retainer basis. Their services range from the preparation of key employment documents through to representation at The Employment Tribunal. To find out how the firm can assist your business you can visit www.dawsonradford.co.uk or call 01246 932100 for a no obligation chat.

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

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

Recruitment Event returns to Chesterfield Market

People searching for work in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being invited to a recruitment event where they can meet local employers and find out more about training schemes.

Following the success of the last Recruitment Event, Chesterfield Borough Council has once again teamed up with DWP Jobcentre Plus to organise an event designed to give job seekers a helping hand to find their next role and support local businesses to recruit.

It will run between 10am and 1pm on Wednesday 10 November at Chesterfield Market, with employers from sectors hospitality, leisure, construction, and health care attending on the day.

The last Recruitment Event held in September helped more than sixty people find employment with more securing places on specialist training schemes.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The last event we held worked really well, it allowed job seekers to directly meet employers and find out more about the opportunities available in the area. We got great feedback from both employers and job seekers at the event and felt it was important to host another one before the new year.

“If you’re looking for work, then this event is here for you. You will be able to find out more about current opportunities and may even find your next job on the day.”

Angela Stansfield, Derbyshire Partnership Manager – Department for Work and Pensions, said: “Jobcentre Plus are delighted to be involved in a second Recruitment Event with Chesterfield Borough Council following the successful event in September. These events are a great way to bring jobseekers and recruiting employers together creating the opportunity for interviews to take place on the day & jobs to be filled quickly. Especially on the run up to Christmas this event will ensure people looking for work find the right job for them and their families”.

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be a special focus on the Kickstart scheme, which provides 16–24-year-olds with a six-month paid work placement, that could lead to a full-time role. There will be the opportunity to find out more about current placements by speaking to the employers directly.

There will also be a selection of local training providers and other organisations who will be able to offer help and support with your job search. They will be able to offer advice on apprenticeships and the training available.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

£20m boost for Chesterfield set to enhance cultural offer

Chesterfield Borough Council has secured £19.98m of Government funding through a successful bid to the national Levelling Up Fund. The funding was confirmed as part of yesterday’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review.

£11.4m will be allocated towards the costs of a £15.6m project to remodel and refurbish Chesterfield’s ‘striking’ Stephenson Memorial Hall extending the Pomegranate Theatre, reconfiguring and modernising Chesterfield museum, and introducing new gallery space, a café bar, education, and community facilities.

The remaining £8.5m of funding will be used to further regenerate Chesterfield’s historic town centre, with investment centred on four key public spaces and the connections between them – Corporation Street, Rykneld Square, Market Square and New Square.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Chesterfield. The funding that we have secured from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will complement the significant investments the council and its partners are already making in Chesterfield town centre and will ensure that we can continue to create a better future for our market traders, retailers, residents, and businesses.

“These investments coupled with the council’s business support activities, which include our Digital High Street Project, new business start-up programme, and Love Chesterfield campaign, also complement the ground-breaking Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project, which aims to sustain the future vitality and viability of Chesterfield town centre.

“We want Chesterfield to be a go-to place for visitors. The projects that will be enabled through the Levelling Up funding will go a long way to helping us achieve this ambition by enhancing our cultural offer and creating new experiences in and around the town’s most iconic building – the Crooked Spire (Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints) – and our historic market grounds.

“We are an ambitious council, committed to making Chesterfield a thriving borough and improving the quality of life of local people. We have achieved part one, which is to secure Government funding, the next part is to deliver these Levelling Up projects at pace and with the desired impact for the future prosperity of our town and borough.”

Under the council’s plans, the four key public spaces that make up Chesterfield town centre will be re-imagined to accommodate a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings. This will be achieved through enhancements to the current public realm, comprising new seating to encourage people to dwell and socialise, new landscaping, new lighting, and digital connectivity for all.

At the Stephenson Memorial Hall, the council will be looking to create a unique facility, using the very latest technology to fuse all forms of performing and visual arts whilst also showcasing and celebrating Chesterfield’s heritage. The aim is to ensure that all our residents can experience the arts and culture in much improved facilities, which we hope will also attract many new visitors to Chesterfield’s economy.

Chesterfield Borough Council made its funding submission to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in June 2021, but it has not stood still with a planning application submitted last week for the works of refurbishment planned for Stephenson Memorial Hall.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Local doggy day care and doggy hotel wins prestigious industry award

Chesterfield-based Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care and Luxury Doggy Hotel have won one of their industry’s most prestigious awards – the Pet Industry Federation Awards (PIF), Kennel of the Year.

The Pet Industry Federation provides a quality assurance of businesses in the pet care sector with all members agreeing to adhere to their charters, representing best practice for the different sectors of the pet trade on joining the relevant association.

The PIF Awards celebrate success across a wide range of products, services, companies and individuals and provide the perfect platform to recognise excellence and innovation in the industry.

Dawn Brown founded Rose Cottage in December 2017 and has grown it to where it can now look after over 200 clients at their 5 ½ acre site.

Speaking on the achievement Dawn said, “The PIF Awards represent the very highest accolade in our industry and to have been acknowledged as a finalist was amazing, but to win – well that was phenomenal. Kennel of the Year is always an extremely well contested category and winning it really does reflect the lengths we go to ensure our canine companions are happy and extremely well looked after every time they come to stay with us.

“I want to say thank you to my whole team for helping to make this happen. After the last 18 months winning this award is an incredible pick-up and we’re all so very grateful.”

Rose Cottage is also finalist in three categories in the prestigious regional awards the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards.

Dawn added: “Yes, in the same week as winning the PIF Award, Kennel of the Year we also heard that we’re finalists in all three categories we entered in the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards including Customer Service Award, Small Business of the Year and Team of the Year.

“Honestly the news couldn’t get any better! Congratulations to all the other finalists and good luck for the finals! We’re up against some stiff competition but to have been recognised in the finals and to be included with these other amazing companies and individuals is fantastic and, again, testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone here at Rose Cottage.”

The Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards take place on Thursday 25th November 2021 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park.

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in Business, Development, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield’s Pinewood Property Estates wins at prestigious awards

The Chesterfield based agency Pinewood Property Estates received the Gold Grand Prix Award for Best Letting Agent in the UK, along with Silver and Gold for Best Estate and Letting Agent in the East Midlands at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2021 sponsored by Coadjute, the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

Pinewood Property Estates finally finished with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers at the awards. The winners were announced at the largest event in the property industry in 2 years held at the Grosvenor House in London and hosted by the country’s favourite TV property presenter Phil Spencer in front of 1,100 guests.

Now in their 18th year the awards, which are powered by ESTAS own customer review platform, recognise the best estate and letting agents for customer service based on ratings from clients who have been through the whole moving experience with an agent. This year’s results were calculated from over 200,000 customer review ratings.

Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 addressed the live audience: “You’ve had to work incredibly hard, you’ve had to adapt your businesses, you’ve had to absorb considerable costs to follow the protocols and to enable things to happen safely. Quite simply delivering great service has never been more challenging so The ESTAS Awards for 2021 are the most well deserved ever in their entire 18 year history!”

Estate and letting agents were recognised in counties and regions around the UK. National Grand Prix Awards were also announced for the Best Single Agent Office in sales and lettings.

Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS said “When we started we wanted to create a set of property awards which were completely pure, where winners were selected solely on customer service ratings from actual transactions. Eighteen years on ESTAS is now the customer review platform of choice for property professionals and the most prestigious award an agent, a conveyancer or mortgage broker can win in the property industry.”

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director of Pinewood Property Estates said “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS and walk away with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers is absolutely amazing. It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice.

“We have always been very proud of the personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise. We are just an independent Estate Agent from Chesterfield fighting against some of the largest Agents in the country so to win Gold at the ESTAS is even more humbling”

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

New enterprise and training centre opens in Loundsley Green

A new centre has opened in Loundsley Green providing start-up businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire with work spaces, meeting rooms, expert coaching and advice.

‘The Green’ is run by Loundsley Green Community Trust (LGCT) who have been operating the adjacent community centre (previously a church) for over 10 years.

One of the free services being delivered during that time has been an Enterprise Coaching programme, helping people to get back into work through self-employment.

Over the years that has helped over 60 people to start new businesses. Around 3 years ago the Trust looked at the Old Vicarage which was unoccupied for most of the time, and saw in it the potential to grow its support for people looking to get back into work.

The team behind the new business support centre overcame several hurdles before its opening, however the space now includes a large training room, a smaller meeting room, and five individual workspaces for use by new businesses.

Office rents are inclusive of all costs including broadband and two of them are already let: one to a husband and wife business, and the other to local community radio station, Peak Radio.

The downstairs meeting and training spaces have been used to provide employability training to young people, health and safety training for people looking to work in construction, first aid training and a variety of meetings of local organisations.

An important feature of The Green is the continued support that will be provided for people looking to start new businesses, and additional funding has been received from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to deliver a programme of training and coaching through 2021-22.

Volunteer enterprise coach Paul Davies explains: “Even though there are reports of over 1 million vacancies being available, many of the people with whom we work have caring responsibilities, disabilities, illnesses and other constraints which mean that working nights for Amazon or Wetherspoons are simply not options. For them, working for themselves, is a practical and realistic alternative”.

Another benefit of taking on the new building is that it has provided the Trust with an enclosed garden which will be a facility used by other centre users. Parent and toddlers, scouts, cubs, beavers, brownies and wide range of other groups will be able to use it for play, environmental projects or simply a healthy outdoor space in which to meet.

LGCT Chair, Ian Birchmore sees this as a really important new asset for the Trust: “The Green has opened up huge new opportunities for the Trust to support and serve its local community. It will provide support to local people who are looking to improve their skills, and look for new work opportunities. It will also provide a further facility to enable people to get together – something they have been missing for the last year and a half”.

Chesterfield Community Hubs support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Robinson wins ‘Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider’

Robinson – the Chesterfield manufacturer specialising in value-added custom packaging – has been named ‘Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider’ at the 2021 Midlands Enterprise Awards.

Now running for four consecutive years, the Midlands Enterprise programme is created to acknowledge and award those SMEs of all different sizes covering a range of businesses and industries that are based within the Midlands. The region is often described as the beating heart of the British industry and is a strong force in opening new avenues and business opportunities to most SMEs.

Dr Helene Roberts, CEO at Robinson, says: “We are thrilled to be named Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider. With nearly 200 years within the industry, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide our customers with customised solutions that meet their packaging needs.

Roberts continues: “Being an independent business, it gives us the advantage of being highly adaptive and flexible, our in-house team can help develop sustainable packaging formats, introduce innovative features and designs, or refine functionality, to make sure our customers meet their goals.”

The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.

Awards Coordinator Dean Taylor commented: “I am incredibly proud of all of the winners this year and would like to congratulate them on achieving so much. It has been a pleasure managing this programme and I wish all the winners the best of luck for their future endeavours!”

Headquartered in Chesterfield, UK, Robinson has three plants in the UK, two in Poland and recently acquired a plant in Denmark, Schela Plast. The firm was formerly a family business with its origins dating back to 1839, currently employing nearly 400 people.

Robinson supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield College’s virtual jobs board gives employers access to student talent pool

Chesterfield College has launched a virtual jobs board to help employers promote work related opportunities to more than 2,000 college students who are looking to launch their careers in a range of sectors from construction to catering, and many more.

The new jobs board is already giving students access to quality work experience and industry placement opportunities, full-time and part-time jobs, as well as apprenticeships. Local employers are using the service to find students who are keen to start work in roles related to their course or chosen career goals.

The college has highlighted how the virtual jobs board service could help students get the vital work experience they need, at the same time as helping employers fill the skills gaps they have in their organisations, now and in the future.

David Malone, deputy principal of Chesterfield College said; “In today’s market of labour shortages it is vital that employers and colleges do all we can to make sure new entrants to the market are well equipped and ready to contribute to our economy. The jobs board is just one way we hope to develop our partnership with more local employers.

“We have a talent pool of passionate students who are looking for the right opportunities to develop their skills in a working environment. Work experience is as vital as studying to ensure students are ready to develop their careers. When we mix the two elements, we ensure students complete their course equipped with the right mix of knowledge and experience to make valuable employees of the future.”

It is free for employers to advertise jobs, volunteering and apprenticeship opportunities on the virtual jobs board. The college’s work experience team, made up of experienced recruitment and training professionals, supports employers through the process and ensures a quality match with potential candidates.

For more information or to advertise an opportunity on the virtual jobs board please email wex@chesterfield.ac.uk or call 0345 850 1055 and select option 1.

Chesterfield College supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Plans to revitalise Staveley’s high street to be considered by Chesterfield Borough Council

Draft plans to revitalise Staveley town centre as part of the wider regeneration of the area are being considered by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The Staveley Town Centre Draft Vision Master Plan is to go before the council’s Cabinet on 2 November and, if approved, will be subject to a six-week public consultation starting on 8 November.

The proposals set out a vision for the future development of Staveley’s town centre, including improvements to the look, feel and flow of Market Square and High Street, and are designed to harness the opportunities presented by wider investment in the town.

The draft plan has been brought forward as part of an ambitious regeneration package being delivered under the Staveley Town Deal programme, which has created a ‘golden opportunity’ to breathe new life into the former mining town for generations to come.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Staveley town centre is a place with rich heritage and character – and a lot of untapped potential to make it the best it can be for the benefit of Staveley’s growing community.

“Taken together with the significant investment and regeneration which is planned for across this area, we have a golden opportunity to transform Staveley for generations to come.

“Currently, like town centres up and down the country – particularly those which are relatively small – Staveley is being hit by the rise of online shopping and changing customer habits, as well as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is also much more that could be done to better connect some of the area’s key sites and buildings, to make the town centre a real retail, leisure and community hub.

“Our draft vision master plan sets out a framework in which some key improvements can be brought forward and, if approved by Cabinet, we will continue to work closely with the community.

“Staveley’s businesses are key to the future success of the town centre, and we are committed to working with them to adapt and shape these draft plans.”

The draft vision master plan has been put together following initial consultation with Staveley Town Council, local business representatives and key partners – with a view to gathering more detailed feedback as part of the six-week consultation period.

The purpose of the consultation is to get public and business feedback on the draft proposals, so they can then be adjusted and finalised.

Just over £4.85m has been earmarked for town centre improvements as part of the Staveley Town Deal programme – with funding subject to final approval by Government early next year.

Key proposals include:

  • Regenerating Market Square, including proposals for a new building called ‘The Market House’ which would create a commercial and community hub, with potential to host large indoor and outdoor and outdoor events
  • Revitalising High Street, including plans to upgrade and improve landscaping, street furniture and cycle parking
  • Unlocking the development potential of underused or derelict sites which could be used to support a more vibrant evening economy, family facilities and leisure opportunities
  • Installing town centre Wi-Fi, to create a more digitally connected town centre for the benefit of businesses and shoppers
  • Improving signage, and adding new walkways which will link the canal with Staveley Hall and local shops / services – helping people to explore further and stay longer

The updated draft master plan is designed to replace a previous version of the document which was drawn up in 2009 and now – due to changes in within the borough, as well as the national economic context – must be reviewed to ensure it provides a relevant and robust framework for the development of the town centre.

Councillor Sarvent added: “This is a hugely exciting time for Staveley. Together with our partners, our aim is to deliver significant investment and improvements across key aspects of the town in support of our vision to create a legacy for the future – a place where people can start, stay and grow.”

If approved, the draft vision master plan proposals will be subject to a consultation period running from 8 November to 12 December.

This will be via a virtual exhibition, supported by a staffed exhibition at The Healthy Living Centre in Staveley.

 

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

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