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UKATA Urges Construction Industry Employers to Ensure Apprentices are Asbestos Aware

This National Apprenticeship Week, a leading UK authority on asbestos training is urging employers to ensure asbestos awareness training is provided to all apprentices, to reduce the number of tradespeople contracting fatal asbestos related diseases.

Research has shown that younger people, if routinely exposed to asbestos fibres over time, are at greater risk of developing deadly asbestos related diseases than older workers.

Providing apprentices with key information about asbestos at an early stage will enable them to challenge poor work practices and protect themselves.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), urged: “With the death toll from asbestos exposure over 5000 per year, UKATA is calling on all employers of apprentices working in trades, to ensure asbestos awareness training is conducted as soon as possible.”

Apprentice electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners, heating and ventilation engineers, painters and decorators are just some of the 1.3 million tradespeople that are at risk from exposure to the killer building material. And the facts are startling:

• Asbestos kills around 20 tradespeople in the UK every week, making it the single biggest cause of work-related deaths (www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/tradesperson.htm)
• Electricians are almost 16 times more likely than the general population to develop the killer lung disease mesothelioma in their lifetime. (Occupational, domestic and environmental mesothelioma risks in the British population: a case-control study.)
• Asbestos exposure kills 4 plumbers every week (Health & Safety Executive)
• The UK has the highest death rate from mesothelioma in the world. The risk is highest in people who were exposed to asbestos before age 30. (Institute of Cancer Research)

Despite the well-publicised health risks posed by asbestos, a 2017 survey conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of 500 tradespeople showed that less than a third were aware of the correct ways to deal with and handle asbestos in the workplace.

Craig explained: “It’s never too early to provide asbestos awareness training to your workforce. The statistics show that the earlier in a person’s career they receive the appropriate training, then the better protected they are against developing asbestos related cancers in later life.

“A half day awareness course could prevent them from contracting a deadly disease and also ensure they don’t expose others to the dangers of asbestos.”

For employers whose apprentices are yet to receive asbestos awareness training, UKATA advises that they access UKATA approved asbestos awareness training, either with a local provider or online.

“Asbestos awareness training is low cost and readily available. I urge all employers to book their apprentices on these half-day courses and provide them with a safe foundation for a long and safe career within the construction industry,” added Craig.

UKATA approved asbestos awareness courses are available both online and in training centres throughout the UK. Alternatively, the training provider may deliver on site.

To find a UKATA approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice call our team on 01246 824437.

UKATA supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Junction Arts appeals for volunteers to get involved in community events

Junction Arts is looking for Chesterfield residents to help with a number of community projects and events, which help bring people together across the town.

The local Charity which helps to celebrate our community through the arts and other creative projects, is looking for people to help with initiatives ranging from supporting family art workshops, visitor support at festivals and parades, and assisting project coordinators in the set up of these vital projects.

Junction Arts says no previous experience is needed, just a willingness to get involved and have some fun. The charity has a number of events lined up throughout 2022, with voluntary roles available in February and March. Opportunities include behind the scenes event prep and site specific live art events.

Upcoming events include the Love Bolsover event in Bolsover Town Centre on Saturday, 26th February and the Bolsover Artisan and Craft Market on Saturday 19th March.

Katie Petraitis originally started with Junction Arts as a volunteer and is now the lead artist at the Bolsover Lantern Parade. She commented: “I’ve been volunteering for Junction Arts for over 10 years, and it is always a fun, varied and worthwhile experience. I volunteer because I believe that having access to creative experiences is important for everybody.

“Creative activities allow people a space to pause, think, reflect and express themselves, and the better supported these activities are, the more enjoyable and fulfilling they are for the participants.

“Junction Arts provide workshops and activities which are accessible in a way which gallery-based or city-based experiences might not be, and encourage shared creative experiences in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

“No creative experience happens without people supporting it, and through volunteering for Junction Arts I’ve met some amazing people and learnt lots of brilliant new skills.”

All volunteers are given a free Junction Arts T-shirt and have their travel expenses to the project or event covered. Anyone interested in volunteering for the charity is invited to contact the team by emailing hannah@junctionarts.org.

Junction Arts supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Posted in Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Derbyshire’s visitor economy receives £500,000 boost from community renewal fund

The area’s official destination management organisation has secured £500,000 to boost jobs, encourage growth and support the recovery of visitor economy businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire following a successful bid to the Government’s Community Renewal Fund.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, working in partnership with East Midlands Chamber, the University of Derby, The Food and Drink Forum and Nottingham Business Venture, has been awarded a share of an overall project totalling £1.47 million that will run until 30 June 2022.

Investment in low carbon solutions, business growth, employment, training and digital skills are amongst the key aims of the project, which is set to create jobs and breathe new life into local communities as part of the Government’s commitment to levelling-up the nation and achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Financial support for businesses will include growth vouchers and start-up grants of up to £2,000, plus flexible grant funding of up to £8,000 to help businesses access green solutions, adopt digital technology and receive specialist training.

Activity for the project will be delivered under five key strands, known as ‘Accelerators’, with Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire delivering the support for visitor economy businesses.

The five ‘Accelerators’ in the project are as follows:

• Race to Zero Carbon Accelerator to encourage investment in net zero business practices and to offer financial support for ‘clean growth’ such as the implementation of carbon reduction plans.
• Digital Transformation Accelerator to help businesses implement e-commerce solutions and become online bookable. This will also include collaborative pilots for the cultural and heritage sector to access technology solutions, develop town-based festivals and drive market town footfall.
• Start Up to Scale Up Accelerator to deliver mentoring to help start-ups launch a business idea and grants of up to £2,000 to launch a new business or product.
• The Kickstart Accelerator to deliver training and mentoring support to improve job retention, as well as a wage subsidy to convert a Kickstart or Graduate placement into a new sustained job.
• The Financial Accelerator to offer flexible grant funding of up to £8,000 to help businesses fund digital adoption, carbon reduction solutions and specialist training. Growth vouchers of up to £2,000 will be available for consultancy advice to support business growth and a wage subsidy will be available to support Kickstart or Graduate job retention.

The project also includes feasibility studies into the development of two apps, including a visitor app that would provide real-time data on visitor behaviour, and a transport planning app that would align bus and rail routes to popular destinations in the area.

More information on the Community Renewal Fund project, including the grants programme, can be found at: visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/community-renewal-fund

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “We’re delighted that our Community Renewal Fund bid has been successful, creating a host of new opportunities to drive the post-Covid recovery and long-term growth of visitor economy businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire

“As highlighted in our Tourism Recovery Plan, our ambition is to become a leading destination in sustainable tourism and this, alongside our ongoing commitment to boosting jobs, skills and growth, clearly aligns with the Government’s aims for the Community Renewal Fund.

“We look forward to working alongside our partners and hope this project will pave the way for future funding to ensure visitor economy businesses can not only survive, but thrive, as we embark on the road to recovery.”

Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive and Community Renewal Fund lead at East Midlands Chamber, said: “The East Midlands Accelerator project will look at what the needs are locally and seek to address them with targeted, bespoke support that brings together key stakeholders across the region – with each strand connected by the golden thread of acceleration.

“We strongly believe these schemes, which will enhance the existing support out there, will have a transformative impact for so many businesses and individuals in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

“This area is a hive of entrepreneurship and we’re looking forward to assisting people to get great ideas off the ground and then scaling them up, while for more established businesses we can help them navigate their net zero and digital transformation journeys.

“We’re also excited about building on our success in the Kickstart Scheme, having been the UK’s largest and most successful gateway organisation in supporting businesses to create more than 1,800 placements in our region.”

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, East Midlands Chamber, and the University of Derby support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Conference hears how delivery of post-16 green and digital skills a priority to support area’s economic growth

Green and digital skills have been identified as a priority to support economic growth in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Speaking at the sixth annual Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference (9 February 2022), Fiona Baker Head of People and Skills at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We lag behind the rest of the UK in terms of productivity, and this is because our workforce doesn’t have the right skills.

“There has been an exponential increase in employer demand for digital skills recently.  Businesses and education and training providers must work together to ensure that young people are equipped with the right skills to meet the local growth agenda.”

With more than 16,000 students in North Derbyshire set to gain their GCSE and A level qualifications in the next five years and thousands of jobs expected to be created following investment in Staveley, the free conference brought together business leaders and the education community to address the future employability and skills of young people.

The conference followed the Department for Education’s announcement last year that it plans to reform post-16 technical education and training to support people to develop the skills needed to get good jobs and improve national productivity.

Organised by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, with support from D2N2 Careers Hub – Derbyshire North, the conference also heard from businesses and education and training providers in the local area.

Nick Catt, Managing Director of Weightron Bilanciai who spoke at the conference urged local providers to work together, saying: “Schools, colleges and businesses need to engage with each other to identify the skills needed in the economy. Having a generic approach to skills doesn’t work as every local economy is different.”

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of the Chesterfield College Group, welcomed the proposed changes to post-16 education saying: “”The need has never been greater to work in partnership to provide our young people with post 16 options which ensure everyone in our society has opportunities to develop at all levels. We must meet their needs, and the needs of our economy now and in the future.”

Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “The conference has highlighted that one in 4 young people fall out of their post-16 education choice at age 17. We must ensure that young people get the right information at 16 and that they make an informed decision to take up the correct training provision for their own future. In turn this will help ensure they get the right training to work in highly skilled jobs which will contribute to a thriving local economy and provide a high quality of life for local people.

“It is crucial that we look to the future and the skills we will need to transition to a low carbon economy in Chesterfield. Ensuring that we have the right mix of skills to support a sustainable future is key to mitigating the effects of the climate crisis. It was great to hear from employers and training providers about how they will be helping to support this transition and providing the skills needed to support a low carbon, high value local economy.”

Around 100 people attended the conference at Speedwell Rooms in Staveley. The annual conference aims to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses to ensure that school leavers are work ready and have the skills required by businesses in the area. As well as representatives from the business community and skills and education providers, students from Springwell Community College, which is based in Staveley, also joined the conference.

Emily Carter, Operational Careers Hub Lead at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said “For young people, meeting employers and experiencing different workplaces is a key element in helping them find their best next step.  We are delighted that local cornerstone employers, strategic partners of the D2N2 Careers Hub and Careers & Enterprise Company joined the conference to share best practice, and a huge thanks to the young people from Springwell Community College who facilitated table discussions.

With a regeneration programme currently underway in Staveley and thousands of jobs expected to be created over the next few years, Ivan Fomin, Chair of Staveley Town Deal commented: “It’s important that businesses, the council and education and training providers work together to make sure these opportunities are fully realised for local people. The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference is the first step in making this happen.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Redbrik promotes Jessica Risorto to Director role

Redbrik has promoted Jessica Risorto to Director as the firm looks to develop a greater diversity of skills amongst the senior management team.

Since joining the company in 2015, Jessica has continually delivered and grown in every position within the sales department. Most recently, she held the position of Area Manager in Chesterfield, which she will continue to lead on.

Jessica will join Managing Director Mark Ross and Directors David Cooper and Peter Lee as a member of Redbrik’s board of directors.

Mark said: “Jessica has been with us for six years, and in that time, has gained a wealth of knowledge which we believe she will apply to her new role. David, Peter and I are thrilled that she will be supporting us with the delivery of strategic plans in 2022 and beyond.”

Jessica added: “I would like to say thank you to Mark, David and Peter for giving me this fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of the business. Coming from a hospitality background, prior to joining Redbrik, I understand the importance of exceptional customer service. I’m excited to bring this and many new ideas across the entire organisation.”

The company has also announced that Laura Molloy has been promoted to Area Manager for the Crystal Peaks branch, after previously working as Sales Manager and then most recently Assistant Manager in Chesterfield.

A newly created position of Head of Residential Sales will now be held by David Cooper. As well as his roles as Director and South West Sheffield Area Manager, David will oversee the residential property sales operations of the business. This will involve facilitating an enhanced property sales service for home movers.

With branches in Chesterfield, South West Sheffield, Crystal Peaks and North West Sheffield, Redbrik is looking to further expand its team during 2022 with several new hires and promotions.

Redbrik supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Family Law Group moves to employee ownership model

Family Law Group, which has an office in Chesterfield has announced that 2022 will see the transfer of ownership to the firm’s staff, by becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

This is the first step in empowering the company’s lawyers to drive the business forward and to support the strategic growth plan to become the largest and best Family Law Firm in the country. The aim is to grow to 15 offices, creating up to 100 new jobs, and the launch of a national telephone advice line, in the next five years.

75% of the group, which currently has over 130 employees across 10 offices, will now be owned by the EOT, and all staff, regardless of seniority, will receive equal annual bonuses based upon the firm’s performance. Whilst the day to day running of the firm will remain with the existing management team, as an employee-owned business, any decisions taken are now done for the benefit of all staff.

This move is about empowering lawyers to take ownership of the firm in respect of its direction and commitment to Family Law Group’s core values and purpose. They will now have a greater input in to the day to day running of the firm, and the decisions that are made as it grows.

A statement on Family Law Group’s website said: “The company has already grown considerably over the last 4 years. It is imperative that we ensure our model is right to not only retain the lawyers who contribute to our success, but also to be able to attract the highest quality talent to our growing business.

“The move to an EOT is a way of ensuring the longevity of our firm. We really value our staff, and this was one way of demonstrating that. In the long term as we grow, we intend to become 100% employee owned.

“We don’t intend upon standing still and we differentiate ourselves from other firms by not just targeting high net worth individuals, but by also ensuring that the most disadvantaged in society have access to our expert legal advice. In addition to the move to becoming an EOT, we have invested heavily in our IT infrastructure this year and have refreshed our brand. We are confident that these changes, and our whole ethos, will ensure that we continue to grow within the family law world.”

Established in 2005, Family Law Group has over 130 employees across 10 offices in Nottingham, Chesterfield, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Wellingborough, Derby, Loughborough, Peterborough, Bedford and Cambridge.

Family Law Group provides expert legal advice across the full range of Family Law matters including Divorce & Separation, Child Arrangements & Social Services, Care Proceedings, Matrimonial Finance & Property, Mediation, Collaborative Law, Forced Marriage and Domestic Abuse Injunctions. Family Law Group is Investors in People and Lexcel accredited.

Derbyshire Family Law supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

World leading company moves to Markham Vale

After spending several decades in their old site at Staveley, BeaconMedaes Limited, the world’s leading medical gas pipeline (MPGS) turnkey provider has recently relocated to a 42,000 sq. ft. facility in Markham Vale.

Having outgrown their old premises in Staveley, the move indicates the growth the business has experienced over recent years.

The new facility on Greaves Close has two clear objectives for the company. First, it is an opportunity to improve logistics support by consolidating the company’s off-site storage and expanding their export stock holding, centralising export picking, and bringing their export packing in-house. Furthermore, the facility will house the company’s UK Customer Centre which acts as a global Competence Centre for HTM medical installation in the UK and across the Globe. Alongside three floors of office space, the building hosts a demonstration area and a state of the art training facility.

With the company’s move there is a real focus on sustainability and environmental improvement. The consolidation of logistics will bring a solid reduction in their road transport footprint and the use of solar panels, alongside a complete switch to LED lighting which will help them to deliver on their sustainability commitments.

General Manager, Sean Fairest commented: “The relocation of our business is an exciting time for everyone. We are very proud of our new home in Markham Vale and are delighted to add our globally recognised brand to the growing list of successful companies on this prestigious site.

“Looking to the future, this long-term commitment to expansion sends a clear message to the market that BeaconMedaes is determined to build on its history by further strengthening our position in the market for decades to come. I see no reason to doubt that we will be in Markham Vale for as long as we were in Staveley and with this, we will add to the growing reputation of Markham Vale as a Blue-Chip site.”

Markham Vale supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

Kickstart Scheme Delivers Permanent Jobs For Young People on Chatsworth Estate

Young people on work placements at Chatsworth set up to address rising youth unemployment have praised the valuable experience with several now progressing into permanent roles.

The Devonshire Group created a number of six-month placements under the Kickstart scheme last year across the garden, catering, farmyard, textiles, collections and wider operations at its Chatsworth and Bolton Abbey Estates.

Now several of the young people who have completed their placements have been offered permanent jobs. The good news looks set to continue with further roles being offered to others due to complete their Kickstart placements over the coming weeks, while other candidates successfully used the experience as a launchpad into related employment elsewhere.

Kickstarters Beth Cartwright and Georgia Wilson, who have been taken on as Collections Assistants, found the placements were an invaluable experience.

Beth said: “I’ve really enjoyed my placement here at Chatsworth, I’ve learned lots about conservation and what goes into keeping a collection. This is something I never thought would be available to me and I’m thrilled to be staying on full time.”

Georgia added: “I have learnt so much about the work that goes into running and maintaining a heritage site such as Chatsworth. I am delighted to now have a job as a result of my placement, allowing me to continue working in a field I love, and gain new experience.”

Chatsworth’s Head of Textiles Susie Stokoe said: “ Kickstart has been a great way to bring young people into the workplace giving them the flexibility to work in positions they may not have originally thought of.”

Over in the Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground, Josh Nicholls will be joining as an apprentice and Jordan Henshaw now has a permanent job as Farmyard and Adventure Playground Assistant.

Melissa Underwood, Farmyard and Adventure Playground Manager, said: “Kickstart has been a great programme and it has been a pleasure to watch our Kickstarters grow in confidence and gain new skills in a variety of ways.”

Farmyard apprentice Josh said: “I’ve had lots of fantastic support from everyone at Chatsworth. I’m absolutely thrilled to be starting an apprenticeship and look forward to learning more about animal care.”

Jordan added: “I feel like I’ve learnt a lot. The placement has also improved my general agricultural knowledge and I enjoy sharing the farming story with visitors. I feel brilliant about gaining a permanent job and look forward to the start of lambing and the new season.”

With Sustainability such an important area for the Devonshire Group, Tom Hendry was keen to create a high quality placement for a young person in this area. Following a successful placement, Ella Thompson has now been offered a full time role.

She said:  “I knew I wanted a job where my work could contribute towards supporting the community or environment and that’s what sustainability is all about. I was happy that this placement allowed me to build experience and then continue into a permanent role, as I felt very welcomed here by colleagues. I hope to continue to become more confident and get involved in more sustainable initiatives.”

Nathan Fairhead, Talent and Training Coordinator, Devonshire Group, said: “We are thrilled at the progress of our Kickstarters and the attitude they have shown to working with us. They have thrown themselves into their placements, becoming valued members of their teams. We are very excited for how their experience with us will influence their careers, especially those who will remain with us.”

The Government’s Kickstart Scheme is open to young people aged 16 to 24 who are receiving Universal Credit, and at risk of long term unemployment.

Chatsworth and 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.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Derbyshire named as one of 55 areas to benefit as a government ‘education investment area’

Derbyshire is one of the areas to be included in new government plans to transform education.

The County has been identified as one of 55 ‘cold spots’ across the country to benefit as an ‘Education Investment Area’.

In these new areas the Department for Education will target investment, support and action to help children from all backgrounds and areas to succeed at the very highest levels.

Derbyshire County Council’s Member for Education, Cllr Alex Dale said: “We very much welcome today’s announcement that Derbyshire has been recognised as one of 55 areas across the country to benefit from this new government investment in education to ensure every child has the same opportunities, wherever they live and whatever their background.

“This investment into the county is a great opportunity to support our schools and will complement work we’ve already started by investing £1m into local programmes to improve reading and essential life skills for young people.

“The detail of exactly what this announcement means for Derbyshire is to follow and we will be studying it closely, but meanwhile we look forward to working with the Department for Education on our collective ambition to improve education in Derbyshire and give every child the best possible start in life.”

The new government investment will build on the county’s work during the coronavirus pandemic to deliver a £2.8 million Holiday Activities and Food programme, which established a network of 62 community and voluntary providers to deliver more than 60,000 holiday activity and food places to vulnerable children eligible to free school meals over summer and Christmas.

At the height of the pandemic between June 2020 and October 2021 the council also offered an additional 816 places through its sports and outdoor education services, delivered more than 9,000 digital devices to Derbyshire children through government schemes and provided internet connection to 562 children and young people across Derbyshire.

Find out more about learning and skills in Chesterfield here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/learning/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

DBCP provides advice to local homeowners and tenants following increase in energy prices

With energy prices on the rise, people are turning off their heating to save money. However, it could end up costing them more long term.

Derbyshire’s building control services provider, DBCP, is urging people to try and keep their heating on and not block ventilation in their homes, as they risk causing damp and mould problems which are damaging not only to the fabric of a building but also pose a health hazard.

Building Regulations require all new buildings and alterations to existing buildings to include damp proof courses where walls and floors are in contact with the earth. However, damp proof courses do not protect the building from internal moisture build up caused by condensation which can damage plaster and paint, as well as lead to window frame decay.

A family of four generates around 280 full buckets of moisture on average per year through everyday activities such as cooking, showering, drying clothes and even breathing. In new build homes, the problem is worse as up to 8,000 litres of water (about 800 full buckets) may be included in mixtures and materials and will take up to two years to evaporate.

If excess moisture cannot escape, then it can also become a health hazard. Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances.

According to the NHS website, inhaling or touching mould spores can cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, a skin rash and even asthma attacks. Babies, elderly people and those with respiratory and skin problems or weakened immune system are among those affected the most.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP explained: “To conserve heat as we try to manage our energy bills, people can be tempted to block all draughts, like covering an air vent, in an attempt to make their homes warm. However, it’s important to ensure that air is able to circulate in order to maintain a good moisture balance. If there isn’t a good moisture balance in then it will cause damp and mould problems in your home.”

To ensure you have a moisture-balanced home, David recommends five simple steps:

  1. Open a window – when moisture generation is higher than usual, (e.g. when showering or cooking) increase ventilation by simply opening a window or turning on an extractor fan.
  2. Keep gutters clean – ensure there are no rainwater or plumbing leaks which could cause damp.
  3. Dry laundry outside – drying laundry inside typically increases interior humidity by 30% on laundry day and 15% overall. Even in freezing temperatures, your clothes will dry eventually.
  4. Take cooler showers – lowering the temperature of your shower by just a few degrees, won’t add as much steam to the air, which helps with humidity levels.
  5. Heat your home – although energy prices are continuing to rise, avoiding damp and mould issues will save you more money long term.

David added “Dampness and mould in properties has always been an issue and it’s partly due to the cold climate we have here in the UK. Fortunately, there are many low cost and free solutions we can put in place to tackle the problem and ensure we all maintain a healthy, moisture-balanced home. However, if you are worried about moisture build-up, damp, mould or any other issue with your property, seek advice from a property maintenance of construction professional.”

DBCP is the leading provider of building control services in Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands. It was formed following a collaboration of  eight established Local Authority Building Control Services from: Derby City Council, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

This collaboration has created the most effective and efficient service to deliver building control requirements throughout Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

If you’re worried about potential structural damage caused to your home by damp, get in touch with DBCP’s team for advice, by calling 0333 880 2000 or via the website – dbcp.co.uk.

DBCP supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Superior Wellness adds two new brands to its growing portfolio

Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness has announced the launch of two new brands for 2022, both welcomed extensions to its growing brand portfolio.

The two new brands, AquaSolus and Fiji Spas, will offer improved choice, innovation and exceptional designs.

AquaSolus is Superior Wellness’ most high-end product offering in its ten-year history. The new hot tubs from this range will be marketed to prospective partners looking to expand their product offering.

Superior Wellness, the world’s fastest growing hot tub manufacturer, currently offers a wide range of hot tubs and swim spas from leading brands including Platinum Spas, Be Well, Thermals Spas and California Spas.

The two new brands were recently soft launched at SPATEX: The Pool, Spa & Wellness Show 2022. Superior Wellness proudly showcased a variety of hot tubs at the show. Six of the models displayed were completely new to the market for 2022.

AquaSolus

AquaSolus, meaning ‘health through water’ in Latin, is the essence of what users will experience with this range. The hot tubs have been developed with wellness and hydrotherapy at the forefront, offering the most premium hot tub range from the Superior Wellness portfolio yet.

The range encompasses various well sculptured models, from all seater models to models with one lounger. There are six hot tubs in total, all which are named after famous lakes from across globe.

The moulds and placements of jets have been carefully crafted to offer a world-class hydrotherapy experience. AquaSolus will help Superior Wellness and its global partner network attract a completely new target market.

Fiji Spas

Fiji Spas, the new Canadian built hot tub range from Superior Wellness, brings together quality engineering alongside industry leading materials and experienced manufacturing.

The hot tubs have been carefully designed with the end user in mind offering a selection of family orientated hot tubs that incorporate a range of benefits to suit all customer requirements. Fiji Spas encompasses various well sculptured models, from a compact single lounger to a 3-hydrotherapy pump social seater.

Graham Message, Business Development Manager at Superior Wellness, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to launch the new brands at SPATEX this year. This was our first return since the 2020 show, and it was fantastic to return with such a strong presence.

“The response we received from prospect partners was incredibly positive. We are excited about the latest additions to our brand portfolio and are confident that both AquaSolus and Fiji Spas will offer customers across the globe improved choice and exceptional hydrotherapy.

“We welcome any new partners who are interested in partnering with Superior Wellness to reach out to us. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the journey.”

In addition to the new brands, Platinum Spas, the long-standing flagship brand by Superior Wellness, has also launched three new hot tubs for 2022. The Marseille, Monaco and Mykonos are the latest additions to the Platinum Spas premium range. The Monaco hot tub was proudly displayed on the Superior Wellness stand at SPATEX 2022.

Superior Wellness supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

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