35 new homes are being developed in Clay Cross, offering a flexible option for local tenants looking to get on the property ladder.
Six two-bed houses and a three-bed home were on display to the public recently, to showcase the new development at Clay Lane.
These homes have been built in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council, Rentplus, and Woodall Homes, helping fill the need for affordable quality homes in the district.
The scheme is the first affordable rent to buy scheme in NE Derbyshire. Tenants move in with no deposit and pay an affordable rent (which includes all repairs and service charges) which gives tenants the opportunity to save towards a future mortgage.
At key pre-set points at years 5, 10, 15 or 20 they can buy their home and are given a 10% sum from Rentplus towards their savings. The average total household income of tenants on the scheme is £33,000 and the properties have been allocated to local residents, mostly key or essential workers. who otherwise would have struggled to purchase a property on the open market.
Steve Collins, CEO of Rentplus explains why affordable rent to buy schemes are needed: “With the average house price for first-time buyers in North East Derbyshire over £211,000, many working households on lower or middle incomes are locked out of home ownership as they are unable to save enough for a deposit, even though they could afford mortgage repayments.
“Tenants move in without paying an initial deposit and then rent their home at an affordable rent (which includes all repairs and service charges) for between 5 and 20 years whilst they save. When ready to buy, they receive a gifted deposit of 10% from Rentplus towards their savings”
North East Derbyshire District Council Leader, Councillor Nigel Barker said: “I’m delighted to see such a fantastic scheme for some of our wonderful residents, who will be moving into these brand new houses in the coming weeks. In our Council Plan, we have demonstrated our commitment to increasing the number of affordable homes in the district in the years to come.”
MP Lee Rowley has also welcomed the scheme: “I’m very impressed with what I have seen today and I’m looking forward to seeing people move into their Rentplus home. They key thing is to give people choices: whether to rent or to buy, or something in-between. What’s so good about this is that it allows people to become homeowners in the medium or long term but doing it in a way that helps people in the short term.”
Did you know that Chesterfield was recently ranked as the 2nd best place in the UK to raise a family? Find out more about the excellent lifestyle offered to residents in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living/
Woodall Homes supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
The popular Peddler Market in Chesterfield is getting ready to welcome businesses from across the town and region to Peddler Connect, an exclusive networking session at its next market in September.
The event, which is one of the UK’s leading street food markets, launched for the first time in Chesterfield back in June and was enjoyed by visitors from Chesterfield and further afield, who enjoyed a wide range of food, drink, crafts, and live entertainment.
Visitors will once again be able to enjoy the buzz of Peddler Market in the scenic and historic setting of Chesterfield town centre next month, and the event has partnered with Destination Chesterfield to ensure businesses hear how they can get a slice of the action.
A free, informal networking session is being hosted on Friday, 15th September, offering delegates an exclusive opportunity to meet and purchase food and drink before the event opens to the public.
Luke Hood, Head of Marketing at Peddler Events commented: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming businesses to our next event in Chesterfield and are delighted to be playing our part in helping to create connections, which will benefit the local economy.
“On top of that, guests will be able to sample some of the amazing food, drink, and entertainment on offer, ensuring they can enjoy networking with a twist in a relaxed and informal setting. Our launch event in June was a huge success, and we can’t wait to welcome more people to Peddler Market Chesterfield this time around.”
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “It has been fantastic to see the popularity of Peddler Market since its launch in the town this summer. We are pleased to be supporting firms by bringing them together in a unique setting and helping them to make those all-important links which businesses thrive on. I would encourage anyone in the business community to come along and enjoy the afternoon.”
Chesterfield Borough Council received £2.69m of UKSPF funding which will be invested across the borough over the next three years. A portion of this will be invested into promoting the borough as a place to visit, and providing support for arts, culture, and heritage activities.
East Midlands Chamber has revealed this year’s finalists for its Derbyshire Business Awards, including six Chesterfield Champions that have made the lineup.
CarMats.co.uk, Eco Tech Engineers, Hopkinson Waste, Penguin PR, Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare, and Rosewood Wealth Management are set to be celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony taking place in November.
The dinner is one of three taking place to honour around 150 companies across the three counties of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
Finalists now have a chance to state their case for winning at virtual judging panels taking place in the week commencing 11 September. Panels will comprise sponsors, a Chamber board member and a representative from the Chamber’s senior leadership team.
An overall Business of the Year is also selected for each county from all finalists by headline partner Mazars. Last year’s winner for Derbyshire was Katapult.
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The resilience, ingenuity and hunger for growth within the East Midlands business community never ceases to amaze.
“Our firms have faced some of the greatest challenges they will have ever encountered in recent times. Rather than become consumed by these, they have instead found new ways to succeed, whether that be through collaborating with other organisations, adopting new technologies to innovate, connecting with local communities, developing new export markets, or identifying opportunities for driving environmental and cost efficiencies.
“These achievements are reflected across the lineup of this year’s Business Awards, along with individual honours that recognise the tremendous entrepreneurship existing in our region, as well as the future generation of talent among our outstanding apprentices.”
A gala dinner takes place for Derbyshire Businesses on Friday 10 November at Derbyshire County Cricket Club. Hosted by ITV Central news presenter Sameena Ali-Khan, the evening features a three-course gourmet dining experience, keynote speakers, live entertainment and networking opportunities.
The full list of finalists for the 2023 Derbyshire Business Awards are:
Business Improvement through Technology, sponsored by Purpose Media
Coach Hire Comparison
Devtank
LT VA Services
Strive Business Solutions
Test Your Intolerance
Community Impact, sponsored by University of Derby
Archaeological Research Services
Derventio Housing Trust
Penguin PR
Sporting Communities
Outstanding Growth, sponsored by Amazon
AG Group
Bloc Digital
EcoTech Engineers
Ocean King
Test Your Intolerance
Excellence in Collaboration, sponsored by ITS Technology
Be the One in 111
Bloc Digital and JCB
Colleague Box and Blue Light Card
Cosy Direct and Derby Kids’ Camp
Partnerships for Better Business
Sunbelt Rentals UK
Environmental Impact, sponsored by Futures Housing Group
HSG UK
Licence Check
Hopkinson Waste
Commitment to People Development
Longbow Bars & Restaurants
Midland Lead
Morrison Design
Purpose Media
Vibrant Accountancy
Apprentice of the Year
Anthony Yeomans – Devtank
Elena Richards – Rolls-Royce
James Bird – The Silver X Group
Leah Bancroft – Longbow Bars & Restaurants
Lucy Hilton – Cosy Direct
Molly Grice – EEM
Entrepreneur of the Year
Ian Chambers – App4 Developments
James Bowers – Enicor
Jonathan Edgeley – Montrose Health Group
Rob Hattersley – Longbow Bars & Restaurants
Steven Thai – Ocean King
Education and Business Partnership Award, sponsored by Concertus, part of Vertas Group
Althaus Digital
EMA Training
Embark Federation
Penguin PR
Excellence in Customer Service, sponsored by Aston Lark
Longbow Bars & Restaurants
Motorcycle Funerals
Peak Translations
Reformed IT
The Silver X Group
Excellence in International Trade
Bloc Digital
IVC Brunel Healthcare
Spatial Global
Small Business of the Year
Bloc Digital
CarMats.co.uk
Cedar Tree Chiropractic
EcoTech Engineers
Reformed IT
Rosewood Wealth Management
Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Rolls-Royce
Bloc Digital
Engine Mobile
Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare
Derbyshire Business of the Year, sponsored by headline partner Mazars
Winner to be announced on the night
Several businesses, charities and community organisations in Chesterfield are continuing to launch new initiatives, aimed at supporting people across the area.
The town’s network of Chesterfield Champions is continuing to help raise the profile of our area and strengthen links, by hosting charity events, launching new support groups and more.
Find out more about some of the latest news from across our community in our latest roundup.
Spireites launch new LGBTQ+ supporters group
Chesterfield Football Club is now working alongside a new supporters group, aimed at improving the matchday experience for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The group was formed by supporters, Darren Yates and Ellie Yates, with the aim of creating a safe space and ensuring everyone feels welcome at the SMH Group Stadium.
Darren explained: “Our main aim is to be that safe space for LGBTQ+ supporters, who don’t want to come to the game on their own.
“It is also to be a critical friend of the club to help them reach into the community more.
“A group like this can really help fans feel welcome at games, and not have to worry about feeling alone or unwelcome.
“Everyone at the club has been brilliant and totally supportive. We were at Chesterfield Pride and the response was really good. People were saying that they were really happy to see the group being formed.”
Outlining plans for the future, Ellie said: “We’re hoping that now we’ve started getting a few members on board, we can start doing some meet-ups and talk to our members to see what they want to get out of the group as well.
“We’ve joined a regional alliance with some LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups. At the moment, we’re just letting people know we’re there and once we’ve got more members, we’ll look at pre-match meet-ups to encourage fans who might not feel safe enough going to games.”
Vicar Lane to support children’s charities with One Great Day event
Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will once again be supporting the UK-wide annual charity day ‘One Great Day’ on Saturday 2nd September.
One Great Day is a series of family and community charity events being held throughout the country to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and another local charity close to the heart of each community. This year Vicar Lane is proud to be sharing donations with GOSH and Sheffield Children’s Hospital, The Children’s Hospital Charity.
The event includes a range of free outdoor activities, a tombola and face painting for the youngsters.
From 10am – 3pm, mini aspiring footballers will have a chance to meet Chester the field mouse for a fun shoot-out challenge. For a minimum donation of £1, visitors can show off their skills to score against Chesterfield FC’s cheeky mascot.
To help raise as much money as possible the centre will be running a raffle draw – including a grand prize of 4 tickets to see Chesterfield Football Club play at home.
Brandon Howard, Centre Administrator said: We’re really looking forward to welcoming the people of Chesterfield to Vicar Lane to help us raise much-needed funds for two amazing charities. With the help of Chester the field mouse and Theo the bear, we hope to bring a smile and beat the amount raised last year.
Charity skydive supports children with additional needs in Chesterfield
A charity skydive has recently took place to raise funds for Fairplay, a charity which supports young people with additional needs in our area.
Rachel Middleton took the leap, and has so far raised more than £1,000 for her efforts. Rachel commented: “I’ve worked for Fairplay for over two years now and I want to support them to do more great work!
“We support families, child and young adults with disabilities and promote independent living skills in SCaRT, Moving Forward and Enterprise. We have lots of groups running including our gorgeous cafe, craft and gardening groups. Along with the new addition of our shop which the young people make things to sell and will be helping to run themselves!”
Chesterfield Royal Hospital awarded ‘Trailblazer’ status from Race Equality Matters
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the prestigious Trailblazer status from Race Equality Matters, a not-for-profit organisation seeking to improve racial equality.
Trailblazers are organisations that are successfully taking action and making an impact on race inequality and Chesterfield was selected for work on The Big Promise solution, where people and organisations make a public commitment to create meaningful and positive change.
Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status is determined by an independent panel of experts – all with lived experience. It aims to identify meaningful impact, keep momentum going, inspire others and evidence an organisations commitment to tackling race inequality.
Becoming a Trailblazer means that the work Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CRH) has done to implement The Big Promise has resulted in significant change and made an impact across the breadth of the entire organisation. This is a step that contributes to their aim to successfully address racial inequality and become a more diverse, inclusive and equal organisation.
Hailey Pottinger, Co-Chair of the Race Equality and Cultural Inclusion Network at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Big Promise helped us to create an inclusive environment where everyone could get involved and talk to us about Race Equality. By giving the Big Promise a central focus, especially as part of Race Equality Week, we created a positive statement and encouraged conversations with colleagues and members of the public. The aim was to increase the understanding that race equality is everyone’s business and secure buy-in and a sense of personal responsibility.
“At Chesterfield, a lot of work is being done to raise awareness of anti-racism (and how that is different to simply not being racist). This work is laying the foundations for conversations around racism and feeding into the creation of our Anti-Racism Strategy. There was a big focus on as part of Race Equality Week.
Kevin Sargen, Medical Director and Race Equality Network Exec Sponsor, at Chesterfield Royal NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are pleased to be highlighted as trailblazers; however, we recognise that this is an ongoing process and there is a lot more we all need to do as an organisation and as individuals to ensure that that we not only highlight this agenda but actively drive action and change. As a Board of Directors, we have made a commitment to tackling race inequality and to be accountable for taking actions. It is something that is very important to all of us and to our colleagues across the organisation.”
BHP hosts work experience academy to provide a taste of the workplace for young people
BHP offices at Chesterfield Waterside. Image supplied by Derbyshire Economic Partnership
Chesterfield accountancy firm, BHP has recently supported a number of young people by providing a work experience programme this summer.
The firm launched its first ever work experience academy, which the firm expained on its Linkedin page was well recieved by those who took part. The company said: “Our participants really enjoyed the practical, structured programme and many of them said they’ve been inspired to pursue a career in finance following their time with us, which is so great to hear!
“We’re really looking forward to meeting and getting to know our new Graduate and Non-Graduate trainees, who will be joining us very soon.”
Chesterfield FC, Vicar Lane, Fairplay, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and BHP support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Work is due to begin on the new 650-home community in Mastin Moor, near Staveley after planning approval was granted this week.
The Devonshire Group, which owns the 46-hectare site, will now begin enabling works for phases 1 and 2 of the project, which will pave the way for the first homes to be delivered. These include creation of a new access road, services and the formation of public open space.
The preparatory works are due to complete in late spring 2024, with work on the new homes set to begin over the summer of 2024 on the first phase of 143 three, four and five- bedroom homes, by local developer Harron Homes.
The enabling works will also pave the way for the launch of the Construction Skills Hub, a Staveley Town Deal project, developed by Chesterfield Borough Council and to be operated by Chesterfield College in conjunction with the University of Derby. The Devonshire Group has collaborated on and supported the Council to deliver this innovative project.
The Skills Hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site. Over ten years, the hub aims to provide training, careers insights, and work experience for over 5,000 learners.
As well as providing support for trade skills, this partnership provides the opportunity to progress to a university level and develop the skills needed for roles like quantity surveyor or estimator, helping develop skills in the local community and provide new career opportunities.
Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at the Devonshire Group, said: “Receiving planning approval marks an exciting next step for our development at Mastin Moor. We are now able to get underway with works in earnest and start to see the project really take shape.
“Our focus now is to ensure that we move the project forward quickly, while also prioritising a considered, sustainable and sensitive approach for the benefit of the wider community that we serve. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey and creating a place that will contribute to the area and provide new homes for local people.’
Upon completion, the new community at Mastin Moor will deliver 650 new homes, including affordable and accessible properties, elderly accommodation and a local centre. The development will also provide almost 20 hectares of publicly accessible open space and landscaping, significantly enhancing the biodiversity on site.
The project is expected to take 10 years to complete and create 150 direct construction jobs, as well as 250 roles in the supply chain and elsewhere.
Outline planning permission for the site was approved by Committee in December 2022.
The Devonshire Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Shed Grounds Maintenance, a provider of landscaping and facilities management services, has announced a significant achievement in its partnership with Scania, a world-leading provider of transport solutions.
The Chesterfield firm has now expanded its services to cover an impressive 30 sites across various locations for Scania since the companies’ first successful collaboration in 2017.
Since securing its initial contract with Scania, Shed Grounds Maintenance has continuously demonstrated its commitment to excellence in delivering exceptional and reliable outdoor maintenance services, including grounds maintenance, building cleaning, tree surgery and winter maintenance services.
Scania is renowned for its global presence, with operations spanning over 100 countries and a workforce of approximately 54,000 employees. The company has built a solid reputation as a leading provider of sustainable transport solutions, delivering cutting-edge products and services to meet the evolving needs of the transportation industry.
Scania specialises in the production of heavy trucks, buses, and engines, striving to lead the shift towards a sustainable future. The company places a strong emphasis on reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, making significant contributions to the industry’s environmental sustainability efforts.
Peter Botham, Managing Director of Shed Grounds Maintenance commented: “We are thrilled to have reached this significant milestone with Scania.”
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the strong partnership we have built with Scania over the years. We are committed to providing them with exceptional outdoor maintenance services as they continue to lead the way in the transport industry.”
Shed Grounds Maintenance also said that the company takes immense pride in upholding Scania’s commitment to a greener future by caring for their outdoor areas and offering guidance on biodiversity solutions for their properties.
Julie Dispaine, Lead Facilities Manager for East and Central Regions at Scania UK, said: “At Scania, we pride ourselves on Driving the Shift towards a better future, which includes respecting the environment and limiting our impact.
“Which is why our relationship with Shed is so important. They are always looking for solutions to help us lessen our impact, which has included the creation of habitats for our birds, bees, and insect communities.”
Shed Grounds Maintenance supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Three organisations which are part of the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions have announced further growth to their teams and wider offer.
Derbyshire Voluntary Action and Bridge Help recently added new members to their teams, while training provider Workpays has expanded its range of qualifications for people in the area.
Find out in more detail in our roundup below:
Workpays expands offerings with Chartered Management Institute qualifications
Chesterfield training provider, Workpays has announced the integration of Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications into its extensive range of offerings.
This strategic move aims to empower professionals with valuable skills and internationally recognised credentials, reinforcing Workpays’ commitment to fostering career growth and helping people to achieve success.
The Chartered Management Institute, widely regarded as a leading professional body for management and leadership qualifications, offers a host of benefits that resonate with individuals and organisations across industries.
A Workpays spokesperson commented: “CMI qualifications not only enhance employability but also open doors to higher-paying roles and increased job satisfaction. With CMI’s industry-recognised credentials, professionals can differentiate themselves in the job market, showcase their commitment to continuous improvement, and gain a competitive edge.
“With Workpays’ expertise in providing tailored training solutions and CMI’s prestigious qualifications, professionals can now access a comprehensive suite of programmes that cater to their specific needs and goals. Whether through online courses or blended learning, Workpays ensures flexibility and accessibility for individuals at different stages of their career journey.”
Derbyshire Voluntary Action welcomes new Deputy CEO & Operations Manager
Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA), a leading charity dedicated to supporting and empowering communities, and health and social care in Derbyshire, has announced the appointment of Juliet Grace as the new Deputy CEO & Operations Manager.
Juliet brings with her a wealth of experience from an environmental background, having served with distinction at the National Trust, The Fieldfare Trust, and Green Estate and collaborated with various groups and charities over her career.
Renowned for her problem-solving prowess and arriving with an unwavering passion for contributing to the communities within Derbyshire, Juliet is committed to empowering local individuals to thrive through their involvement with the Voluntary Charity Sector (VCS).
Derbyshire Voluntary Action say that Juliet’s dedication to empowering communities is a perfect match for the organisation’s core values. By embracing her leadership, DVA aims to continue its mission of providing support and resources to those in need, driving meaningful change across Derbyshire.
Juliet commented: “I am honoured and excited to join the exceptional team at Derbyshire Voluntary Action.
“Together, we will work tirelessly to empower individuals and strengthen the social fabric of Derbyshire. I am deeply committed to fostering collaboration and inspiring local people to thrive through their involvement with the Voluntary Charity Sector. Together, we will make a positive impact on the lives of the communities we serve.”
Bridge Help expands Business Development team
Chesterfield-based Bridge Help has appointed Iona Reid to its Business Development team.
Iona brings a background in property sales and lettings to the role, joining the short-term commercial finance provider from Keepmoat Homes where she was a sales executive. Prior to this, she was a lettings manager with a national estate agent.
In her new role as Business Development Manager, Iona will be working with Bridge Help’s broker network supporting them to secure bridging finance for auction purchases, commercial and semi-commercial acquisitions and buy-to-let properties, as well as re-financing existing loans.
Her appointment follows growth at Bridge Help and a surge in new enquiries and there’s no doubt that her expertise and enthusiasm will make her a great addition to the team.
Iona commented on her new appointment saying: “I am really looking forward to working with such a supportive team and within the short-term finance sector. I have plenty of transferable skills from previous roles within the property industry and I’m inspired by new Manager, Katie and what she has achieved!”
Welcoming Iona to the team, Katie Snodden Head of Sales at Bridge Help added: “Iona is a welcome addition to the team as we continue to increase the support we offer to brokers across England and Wales. Her experience in sales and property makes her well-placed to help us continue to deliver great outcomes for their clients.”
Workpays, Derbyshire Voluntary Action and Bridge Help support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Chesterfield’s MTM Products, one of the leading UK industrial graphics suppliers, has announced a strategic partnership with CarbonQuota, a print and packaging carbon measurement and reduction specialist.
The partnership reflects MTM’s firm commitment to delivering a more energy-efficient and carbon-reduced operation.
Catering to a diverse range of industries, MTM supplies original equipment manufacturers in the UK and EU, with a particular focus on automotive, electrical and electronic, rail, medical, construction, and machinery equipment sectors.
The company’s industry-specific stock management systems, including lineside stocking, buffer stocks, and call-off orders, ensure seamless and efficient supply chain operations for its esteemed clientele. The company already operates to recognised industry standards, including BS, ISO, and UL/ANSI, and holds ISO9001/14001 certifications.
Mark Niblett, Managing Director of MTM Products commented: “We take pride in our technical and applications engineering expertise, the expertise and proficiency of our teams, competitive pricing, and our signature MTM Express quick turnaround service.
“It is now becoming increasingly important to our clients to also understand our environmental impact. Our partnership with CarbonQuota signifies our commitment to decarbonise as much as possible by 2030.
“This not only benefits the environment but also brings with it many other advantages for MTM Products Ltd, including competitive differentiation.“
MTM Products engaged CarbonQuota to accelerate its carbon reduction efforts, aligning with the 2030 government directive and rising client demands for environmentally conscious practices.
CarbonQuota’s expertise in carbon management and granular three-step approach provided MTM with a clear roadmap to establish baselines, set objectives, and execute their decarbonisation plans.
One of the primary goals of this partnership was to demonstrate MTM’s commitment to delivering measurable carbon footprint reduction results. Independent assessment by CarbonQuota has confirmed the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of MTM’s energy use and carbon footprint data.
As a result of their implemented carbon reduction strategies, MTM has successfully decreased its operational carbon footprint by an impressive 34 tonnes of CO2e over the past year.
Looking forward, MTM Products is determined to continue reducing its carbon emissions, furthering environmental responsibility, and setting new benchmarks for lower carbon manufacturing practices. By partnering with CarbonQuota, MTM is poised to drive positive change within its business and beyond.
MTM Products supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
A business which provides outdoor activities and unique life experiences for adults with additional support needs is set to launch in Chesterfield.
The Adventure Service is expanding into the town, following successful growth in nearby Nottinghamshire since its inception in 2011.
The organisation enables people to participate in outdoor adventure activities, many they have probably never experienced – thus enhancing their quality of life, skillsets and personal development.
Terry Harris-Ellis, Director at The Adventure Service explained how the business has grown over recent years: “By working closely with my wife Helen (a former special needs teacher), who witnessed my frustrations daily, we created The Adventure Service Ltd. Fast forward twelve years and our business model is going from strength to strength thanks to a dedicated, trained team of over 30 staff members.”
“We have chosen to expand our services into Chesterfield to allow us to continue providing a service with unique life experiences to adults with additional support needs.”
Terry hopes the new service will help in boosting Chesterfield’s visitor economy: “The Adventure Service Ltd has the potential to help increase visitor numbers by drawing in residents from neighbouring areas to access our services.
“We continually look to expand the experiences of our Adventurers and to do this we look to showcase and tap into the resources on our doorstep. As Chesterfield has some wonderful attractions and historical buildings, our aim will be to visit and learn about their heritage and utilise the local leisure economy in the process.
“This unique service will increase the life skills and personal development of individuals through the use of outdoor adventure, and we are extremely keen to develop relationships with the Chesterfield community.”
The business is hosting a series of open days for people in the area to find out more about its services. These will take place at St. Thomas Church in Chesterfield on the following days, all between 10:30am -2:00pm.
The refurbishment of the former Chesterfield register office, based in a prominent town centre location has now been completed.
Charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service, one of the largest third-sector providers of counselling services in the region, has undertaken the total refurbishment of the building on New Beetwell Street.
The three-storey centre, which will be officially opened with a launch event on September 22, has become DRCS’s new Chesterfield base and includes office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area.
DRCS Trustees were taken on a tour of the building ahead of the therapists moving in from mid-August. The building also offers options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace, with disabled access via a new state-of-the-art lift.
Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, said: “This has been a huge project for our team and one of the most important in the charity’s 30-year history. The need for mental health services has never been greater as people struggle post Covid, with the pressures of work and family, and challenging economic times.
“This will be one of the largest talking therapy centres in the county and we look forward to welcoming people to our new centre, served by our team of experienced therapists.”
Mark Serby, chair of DRCS Trustees, added: “The building is fantastic. Not only has DRCS brought an empty facility back to community use, but it has created a valuable asset for people and businesses in the region to access on their journey to wellness and well-being.”
The Beetwell Street hub is part of ambitious plans for DRCS which operates a large team of freelance and employed staff based at seven centres across the county covering the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District.
Over the last 30 years, DRCS, which can be accessed via self-referral or through a GP, has offered talking therapies for common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long-term conditions through pathways including counselling, CBT and guided self-help.
In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.
To find out how you can access DRCS services across Derbyshire call 0800 047 6861.
Tourism businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire can benefit from a new series of free webinars aimed at boosting the local cycling economy.
Supported by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and Derbyshire County Council, visitor economy businesses can learn about the benefits of being a cycle-friendly business on a series of webinars taking place in September and October.
The webinars aim to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Derbyshire to be more competitive and to gain a greater understanding of the cycle tourism market, which is worth £2.9 billion to the UK economy annually and is growing at a rate of 10-15% every year.
As well as helping businesses learn how to attract cycle tourists, the webinars will help businesses understand how they can play a valuable role in making the area the ultimate destination for active travel.
Derbyshire has over 260 miles of traffic-free cycle routes to explore, and the webinars are part of Derbyshire County Council’s ambition to make Derbyshire the most connected and integrated county for cycling in England.
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire has identified cycle tourism as a key area of growth for the local visitor economy, highlighting its ability to increase the value of tourism, extend the visitor season and enhance the area’s sustainable visitor offer.
The 60-minute webinars will be held weekly from 20th September to 17th October 2023 and consist of five modules:
What cyclists want: Wednesday 20th September, 10:30am
Hear top tips from local cycle-friendly businesses, understand how becoming cycle friendly can boost your business, and discover the free resources available to help your business attract cyclists.
Cycling for all: Wednesday 27th September, 10:30am
Learn how to encourage participation in cycling for all abilities and discover the steps you can take to provide a warm welcome for visitors with additional access needs.
Enabling sustainable travel: Wednesday 4th October, 10:30am
Understand the importance of active travel and how cycling can support the development of sustainable tourism.
The cycling pound: Wednesday 11th October, 10:30am
Learn about the economic value of cycle tourism and discover how your business can access the fast-growing domestic and international cycling tourism market.
How to become cycle friendly: Tuesday 17th October, 10:30am
Learn about the facilities that make a business ‘cycle friendly’, gain top tips on how to exceed customer expectations, and hear about some of the latest cycling tourism developments.
The webinars are FREE for visitor economy businesses (accommodation, attractions, activity providers, cafes, pubs, restaurants etc) based in Derbyshire.
Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change Councillor Barry Lewis said:
“This joint initiative shows our commitment to supporting local businesses to be more sustainable in a way that can also help them to thrive and gain more share of the cycle tourism market.
“It also supports our ambitions to become a net zero county by 2050 or sooner. We have some great speakers lined up and I hope local tourism businesses will sign up for these free sessions and find out about how they can benefit their business and enhance the well-being of our communities and visitors.”
Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Derbyshire County Council to offer local tourism businesses this new programme of cycling webinars, which will provide useful and practical information on how to provide a warm welcome for cyclists.
“As an environmentally sustainable form of tourism, cycling benefits local communities as well as bringing numerous economic benefits to the area, and making your business cycle friendly doesn’t always require major or expensive changes. These webinars offer a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain a share of the growing cycle tourism market, helping to extend the tourism season, obtain loyal customers, and, above all else, promote our world-class cycling offer.”
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