Leisure

Banner Jones Solicitors partners with Chesterfield rugby club

In celebration of its centenary anniversary this year, Chesterfield Panthers RUFC has purchased new 1919 replica shirts for its mini teams, thanks to sponsorship assistance from Chesterfield Champions Banner Jones Solicitors.

Based on Dunston Road, the club provides facilities for 18 teams, ranging in ages from 2-18 – including two dedicated female teams – each of which practice at the site twice a week.

The minis, which consists of seven teams who compete regularly against clubs across the Midlands region in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, debuted their new striking red-and-white striped shirts at their most recent games against Derby.

Being a non-for-profit organisation, the sponsorship from Banner Jones Solicitors will allow the club to invest its funds elsewhere supporting the day to day running of the club.

President of Chesterfield Panthers RUFC, Maria Allford, commented: “We are constantly looking to develop our facilities at Dunston Road to better support our players and the wider community and it is sponsorships like this which allow us to continue in this work.”

“Thank you, Banner Jones, our players are delighted with their new shirts, and we hope this is the start of a long partnership.”

Ann-Marie Lowe, Marketing Manager at Banner Jones added: “As a firm we are big supporters of grassroots sport and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to sponsor the new shirts. The core values of rugby are very close to our own and as such we will continue to support the club as best we can.”

“As Panthers is one of the largest rugby clubs in the local area, we think it is important that these facilities continue to strive, and we have everything crossed for another successful 100 years ahead!”

Click here to find out more about Banner Jones Solicitors.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure

Win a SONY PlayStation at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is excited to continue their Win the Window competition in 2020, which gives customers the chance to win a new prize every month. This month, there is a chance to win a SONY PlayStation from CEX to celebrate the New Year in style.

The competition starts on Monday 6th January and runs until Sunday 26th January. The prize is displayed in the winning window, located opposite F. Hinds at Vicar Lane.

This competition follows the first which saw the popular Chesterfield shopping centre giving away a generous £30 F. Hinds gift card, the second which saw one lucky person winning a giant teddy from Holmes Amusements and the third, which saw a customer walking away with a tasty £20 Quoozies voucher. In the run up to Christmas, customers had the opportunity to win a fabulous bundle, filled with goodies from a variety of stores at the centre, worth over £170.

For the chance to win the latest prize, customers should simply visit the Centre’s winning window opposite F. Hinds and follow the simple instructions, or comment on the official competition post on Facebook.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “We’re sure our January ‘Win the Window’ competition will be a popular one!’’

Terms and conditions apply.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Preparations in place for progress in Chesterfield during 2020

There is an undercurrent of excitement in Chesterfield. The progress the town made in 2019 means we cannot escape the positivity we feel for 2020.

Forget Brexit and the General Election outcomes, I am proud to say the town has forged ahead with its plans regardless of the political uncertainty of recent years. And it shows.

This year we will see even more projects come out of the ground – Northern Gateway’s new innovation centre, and the office block and family housing being delivered at Chesterfield Waterside being just a few examples.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted reserved matters approval for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the seven-storey office building at Chesterfield Waterside.

These developments send a clear message to local, national and even international investors and occupiers – Chesterfield is open for business regardless of the political uncertainties.

While many towns and cities chose to bunker down during the last recession, and even in the current climate of political uncertainty, Chesterfield purposefully chose to forge ahead with its plans, looking forward for ways to achieve growth for the town, rather than back.

That positivity is evident in all that has been achieved, and the plans we have for the town going forward in 2020 and beyond.

Did you know that more people are now employed in the businesses at Markham Vale than in its hey day as a colliery?

The brand new 55,000 sq. ft. industrial building at Markham Vale, MV55,  is now available for immediate occupation.

Having successful major regeneration sites like Markham Vale and a council that is open to doing business, means that Chesterfield is now invited to sit at the same table as major cities. I’ve even heard Chesterfield referred to as a small city in investment circles.

We may not be a city, or even want to be one, but what we share with our larger counterparts is a vision to be a centre of success for residents, businesses and investors. There are no small town attitudes where the future of Chesterfield is concerned, there is only room for positivity.

Create Change Chesterfield

Blog by Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Free swimming lessons to kick start 2020

Free 30-minute swimming lessons are being offered at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre this weekend to urge more people to learn to swim.

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging residents to secure their place at the open swimming sessions being held on Saturday 4 January 2020 between 9am and 11am where they will be able to find out more about the learn to swim programme and this valuable life skill.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’re encouraging people to head down to Queen’s Park or the Health Living Centre and take advantage of these free sessions on Saturday, regardless of their current swimming ability. Learning to swim is a vital skill that can last a lifetime and is also a great was to keep fit.”

“The new year is a perfect time to try something new and we believe that these taster sessions are a great way to get you started.”

“Chesterfield has some of the worst health statistics in the country across a range of indicators, so by offering people the opportunity to get out there and try something new, we hope to encourage more people to get active in 2020.”

The sessions are available to children from 3 years at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and to children from 12 months at the Healthy Living Centre.

Those wishing to attend the sessions will need to book in advance by calling Queen’s Park Leisure Centre on 01246 345 555 or the Healthy Living Centre on 01246 345 666.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Details for Chesterfield Street Food & Grooves Festival 2020 announced

The Street Food and Grooves Festival is back for its third year and 2020 is set to be the biggest and best year yet, with a brand new festival layout and something for everyone to enjoy.

The festival will kick off with its opening night on Friday 5th June where there will be bars, a choice of hot food and a fantastic line up of some the area’s best live music. The whole weekend will be free entry and everyone is welcome to come down to and join in!

Set in the heart of Chesterfield Town Centre, the weekend is set to have a real celebratory feel with lots of things going on including live music, market stalls, seating areas, and for the food fans there will be a huge choice of delicious street food and drink form around the world.

On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June, trading will start at 9am with a plethora of different hot and cold street food to sample, including vegan and vegetarian as well as artisan alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. As part of the event, the New Market Place will be open with traders selling crepes, olives, preserves and other cold food.

In the New Market Square, hot food traders will be selling food from around the world and bars, all selling from their own unique trailers and gazebos. All of this will be accompanied by a line up of talented local singers, duos, trios and bands performing a range of genres on the ‘Soundbites stage’.

The festival is organised by Chesterfield-based company Edge Events Management. Co-Organiser Laura Ashby states: “We are so excited to be announcing 2020’s Street Food and Grooves Festival and hope people will travel from near and far to support this growing event.”

She added: “Being from Chesterfield ourselves we are passionate in delivering high quality events which will be enjoyed by the whole family. We just love the fact that people are embracing the bubbling food and drink scene in Chesterfield and we are excited to organise a festival which can bring people together to celebrate the talents of regional food producers and musicians.”

Click here to find out more about Street Food and Grooves Festival.

Click here to find out more about Edge Events Management.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Geeks Headquarters host national Pokemon tournament

Independent retailer, Geeks Headquarters (GHQ), hosted a national Pokemon tournament at their Chesterfield store on Sunday 15th December.

There were 48 competitiors for the store’s Pokemon “Cosmic Eclipse” League Cup. The winners were:

Junior Division: Thomas Lambert
Senior Division: Callum Wun
Master Division: Luke Parks

League Cups are the next Premier Events on the competitive Pokémon TCG ladder, right above League Challenges. They not only provide players with the opportunity to earn a greater amount of Championship Points, but they also offer players the chance to win exclusive Champion-stamped playmats and Promo cards that can’t be earned anywhere else.

Taking place on the same day was the Yu-Gi-Oh! Christmas Charity tournament, where rather than paying entry with money, entry was paid with tinned food for the Chesterfield Foodbank. The event was sponsored by Konami, who donated all the prizes for free.

A total of 28 players entered the tournament and 152 tins of canned food were donated. The overall winner was Luke Bowkis.

Geeks Headquarters is a unique retail store that specialises in a wide range of gaming products, such as boardgames, trading card games, miniature games and roleplaying games, with an eye for collectibles and comics. They also produce unique custom made 3d printed items as additional service for our customers.

Since it opened in 2015, the shop has thrived thanks to a large gaming community of all ages, based locally and in the surrounding areas. The events and tournaments hosted by GHQ have attracted a big crowd of gamers from all the midlands and even further.

The Geeks Headquarters Christmas Party takes place on Sunday 22nd December, find out more here.

Find out more about Geeks Headquarters here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Nominations now open for relaunched Chesterfield High Street Awards 2020

Recognising the changing face of the high street, the annual Chesterfield Retail Awards have a brand-new name and look for 2020 – the Chesterfield High Street Awards – as well as two new categories.

The popular awards are now open to almost every business on Chesterfield’s high street from shops, market traders, events and regeneration projects to estate agents, banks, solicitors and accountants.

The new High Street Business category has been added to this year’s awards’ line up to reflect the diversity of Chesterfield’s high street and is open to all non-retailers except food and drink businesses. While the new Future High Street Award recognises the physical improvements and regeneration of high streets across Chesterfield.

Nominations are now open in the quest to find the best customer-facing high street-based businesses across the borough of Chesterfield.

Organiser of the annual awards, Destination Chesterfield, wants you to say which businesses on the town’s high street are your favourites and why. Nominations are open until midnight on Friday 14 February.

All nominated businesses will be evaluated and a mystery panel of judges will visit businesses shortlisted in 11 of the 15 categories before the winners are announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 24 June.

The awards’ relaunch recognises the town’s exceptional businesses, people, events and regeneration projects that are working together to overcome the challenges of a rapidly changing retail environment.

Now in its seventh year, the awards have gone from strength-to-strength; mirroring the town’s economy.

Commenting on the relaunch of the awards for 2020, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The new 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards recognise the contribution that every business based on high streets in the borough is making in creating jobs, attracting visitors to the town, delivering great customer service and collectively helping drive the success of Chesterfield’s economy.

“I urge everyone to get involved and put forward their favourite businesses. We want to celebrate as many as possible in the awards.”

People can now nominate across 12 categories in the 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards:

• High Street Business of the Year
• Future High Street Award
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
• Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
• Best New Store 2019/2020
• Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
• Home, Gifts & Leisure Retailer of the Year
• Market Trader of the Year
• Independent Retailer of the Year
• National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year
• Best Town Centre Event 2019/2020

The 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors, including Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College Group, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), eBusiness Works, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Peak FM and Q2 Creative.

You can nominate online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards until midnight on Friday 14 February 2020.

Information about the various sponsorship packages are available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator, by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207207.

Nominate Now

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Manufacturing, Visiting

Apprentice turns life around with Chesterfield FC Community Trust

Alice Hodgson, a football coaching apprentice at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, has explained how the organisation’s traineeship programme has helped turn her life around.

Alice, aged 17, joined the programme in February after mental health issues resulted in her losing her place at college.

She said: “I was told to leave college because I’ve had issues with mental health and I had a few incidents there.”

“When I came here, I still had a few issues, but I got over them due to the people who were here as they helped me. They didn’t push me away or tell me to leave if I was struggling.”

“I really don’t think I’d be alive without them because they’ve given me the motivation to see life for what it is again, which is great.”

Alice joined the Trust’s traineeship programme, which is for NEET individuals – those aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, education or training – and now hopes to work as a football coach.

“I’ve got such a strong love for football and I feel that would be a positive step for me,” she said. “I hope to become a fully-qualified coach and have a positive effect on people.”

“Kids bring a lot of joy to me because they are very hopeful and optimistic about things. One bit of reassurance from a coach or a teacher makes them feel a lot better about themselves because they’re always in need of reassurance.”

“Knowing that I could help someone in the future is what I want to do and I’m on an apprenticeship now, so it’s all going in the right direction.”

Scott Atkinson, the Trust’s Head of Education & Wellbeing, said: “What Alice was really in need of was something that was more than an education programme and could provide emotional support.”

“She needed something that could nurture her and build her self-esteem, confidence and resilience and develop her communication skills, to really get her believing in herself.”

The traineeship programme takes place over a 12-week period with new cohorts starting every six weeks. The next cohort begins on January 13. To enquire about the opportunities to take part in the traineeship programme, please email scottatkinson@spireitestrust.org.uk.

Photo credit: Nick Johnson

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Magnolia Barbering to serve alcoholic drinks following recent expansion

Magnolia Barbering, based at Chesterfield Market Hall, are the first barbershop in Chesterfield to serve alcohol on the premises.

The barbershop is now able to offer their customers a selection of draught beers, bottles and cans as well as soft drinks and tea or coffee. The shop has also been extended, taking over the empty retail unit next door to expand their premises.

In 2014, owner Ollie Ward had a vision of bringing a different style of barbershop into Chesterfield town centre. Alongside Andy Lakin, Magnolia Barbering was created and the shop has since gone from strength to strength. Three years ago, PJ Farrand and trainee Dan “Massive” Newman joined the team. Dan is now a fully qualified barber and works full time. Earlier this year Alex Bennett joined the Magnolia Barbering team.

The expansion has also allowed the business to employ three more staff members, KJ Nash, Rossco McKay and Sam Hague, each bringing their unique talents to the team. Now the barbershop boasts an experienced team of 8, all with vast amounts of industry knowledge and a range of skills.

Andy Lakin said: “We would like to welcome clients old and new to Magnolia and are really looking forward to what the future holds.”

Magnolia Barbering can be found on the corner of Chesterfield’s Market Hall, next to the Market Square.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield business using augmented reality to support homeless charity

Chesterfield-based technology company, Oasis Studio, are aiming to raise £1,000 for homeless charity Centrepoint, through their augmented ‘Mini Santa’ reality app.

Oasis created a festive, augmented reality animation to raise money and awareness for Centrepoint, a charity who give young homeless people a future. The animation plays from a smartphone or tablet, triggered from 3D pop-up card, which has been delivered to their clients and connections. However, a digital version is available for the general public to experience their Mini Santa animation.

According to Centrepoint, 103,000 young people asked for help with homelessness in 2018, and as digital media company Oasis Studio operate in both the education sector and property industry, they wanted to help change this.

Tom Swallow, Development Manager of The Bolsterstone Group and receiver of one of the Oasis Christmas cards, said: “The card produced by Oasis Studio demonstrates the innovative approach they take to all projects to produce a high quality product. The clever use of technology highlights how AR is becoming simpler to use and an increasingly important marketing tool with so many applications. The support for Centrepoint adds a great touch and is a very worthy charity!”

Augmented reality is a technology that places a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, usually accessed through a smartphone or tablet.

Oasis Studio always aim to do something spectacular for Christmas, and this year set the ambitious target of creating something that is digital, whilst also containing a tangible element, as well as telling a story.

Founder of Oasis Studio, Paul Deakin, explained: “We are a forward-thinking studio with large ambitions, and this translates into everything we do. We set our target high because of this, and I encourage everyone to try our app for themselves, and help us to raise our £1,000 target for a very worthy cause.”

The Mini Santa Christmas card was completely made in-house by Oasis, from the printing of the 3D pop-up card, to the laser cutting, to the augmented reality, to the animation.

Download the Mini Santa App here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Home, Leisure, Manufacturing

Global Brands announces warehouse expansion

Global Brands are expanding their current warehouse at their national distribution centre situated in Clay Cross.

The current expansion work sees the first phase of a £7m scheme. The increase in capacity will see the warehouse grow from 120,000 sq. to 158,000 sq. feet, holding over 10,000 pallets. The continued success of VK, Hooch and Franklin & Sons has required the company to increase the size of the distribution centre.

The second phase plans see the company building a state-of-the-art canning line, and Global Brands project manufacturing over 50m cans within the first year, increasing to over 100m units by year two.

Chairman Steve Perez (below) explains, “This is the first phase of our expansion plans, we have had to increase our logistic capability due to the fantastic success of our core brands. Shake Baby Shake and All Shook Up grab and go canned cocktails are now available in most supermarkets and we are exporting to over 30 countries internationally.”

Steve added: “This is really exciting for the area, we will be employing an additional 40 staff on the line and within our distribution centre. Our brands are British made with 99% of the components made in the UK and exported worldwide.”

Over the past year the company has employed an additional 21 people, bringing new jobs to the Clay Cross community.

Click here to find out more about Global Brands.

Click here to find out more about basing your business in Chesterfield.

steve perez honorary degree

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting