Leisure

Record visitor numbers boost Chesterfield economy

19th September 2018

New figures showing a record number of visitors to Chesterfield are providing a £175 million boost to the borough’s economy were announced this morning at the Chesterfield Investment Summit.

The industry figures show that in 2017, Chesterfield received 3.7 million visitors, an increase of 5.1 per cent on 2016. This compares with an average 1.3 per cent increase across the rest of Derbyshire.

The year also saw tourism contribute £175.21 million to the Chesterfield economy, a 6.9 per cent increase on 2016.

As a result, the visitor economy sector also supported 2,165 full-time equivalent jobs in Chesterfield, an increase of 4.8 per cent on 2016. This compares with a 2.5 per cent increase across Derbyshire.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “With the Peak District National Park on our doorstep, Chesterfield has long been a convenient place to visit but the fact we see so many people returning to visit us, shows we have a lot to offer in our own right.

“With attractions such as the world-famous Crooked Spire, the traditional open-air market, two theatres offering major shows and plays, Chesterfield Museum, Revolution House and Barrow Hill Roundhouse, it’s no wonder people choose to visit Chesterfield.

“This is great news for our local economy and we will continue to organise regular events to encourage people to visit the borough and, while they are here, take advantage of the many shops, cafés, restaurants and bars we have on offer here.

“I think it is easy to take what you have on your doorstep for granted but when I talk to visitors they are always very complimentary about Chesterfield and what it has to offer. These latest figures back that up and show how important tourism is to our economy.”

Chesterfield Borough Council organises regular events to attract visitors to the borough, such as the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket which brings in cricket fans from across the country. The next event is the 1940s market which takes place in the traditional open-air market place on Thursday 1 November.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield and events

Crooked Spire in Spring

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

Experience life on the Western Front at Chesterfield Museum

13th September 2018

Visitors to Chesterfield Museum this autumn can experience what life was like for soldiers on the Western Front during the First World War.

Part of the art gallery at the museum, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, will be transformed into a section of a trench like those on the Western Front in France and Belgium from 1914 to 1918.

The trench experience will run from Friday 12 October to Saturday 19 January and has been made possible thanks to £1,500 in funding from Museum Development East Midlands and Arts Council England.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This autumn is a special moment in our history marking 100 years since the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“We came up with the idea of The Trench Experience to give people an insight into what life in a trench would have been like.

“Sights and smells are included to give visitors a good idea of a soldier’s life during the conflict.

“The exhibition also has a local focus on Chesterfield soldiers and visitors will hear extracts from their letters.”

For more information click here.

Could you volunteer your time to help build the Chesterfield Community Poppy Cascade? Click here to find out more.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Children’s TV favourite cast as Chesterfield’s Cinderella

12th September 2018

Pomegranate Theatre and Paul Holman Associates have announced that popular Children’s TV Presenter Naomi Wilkinson will star in this year’s spectacular family pantomime in the title role of Cinderella from Saturday 1^st December 2018 to Sunday 6^th January 2019.

Starting her career as a Butlin’s Redcoat, Naomi soon made a splash as the effervescent host of Channel 5’s Milkshake! which she presented for 10 years. She has been a constant and well-loved face on UK TV screens ever since, notably as the presenter of Marrying Mum & Dad, Countryfile, Finger Tips and Live ’n’ Deadly with Steve Backshall among many others.

Naomi quickly established herself as a Children’s TV favourite, well-loved by children and parents alike for her bubbly, energetic persona and daredevil attitude. She found herself travelling the globe in her own show, Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature, now in its 4^th series, in which audiences see her conquer her fears and face extreme challenges including sky diving, swimming with sharks without a cage and coming nose to nose underwater with a 4.8m crocodile in Australia. She was nominated for a prestigious Children’s BAFTA as Best Presenter for her work on the hit show.

Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said: “I’m delighted to have secured Naomi to play Cinderella. Not only will she be adored by audiences of all ages but, as an experienced pantomime performer, she will bring magic to Chesterfield this Christmas’.

Cinderella, also starring Rhydian Roberts (X Factor) as Prince Charming, promises to be Chesterfield’s most enchanting pantomime yet with good old-fashioned family fun and plenty of audience interaction plus sensational special effects, breath-taking costumes and scenery and an exciting line-up of stars ready to whisk audiences off to the ball.

Cinderella runs at Pomegranate Theatre from Saturday 1^st December 2018 to Sunday 6^th January 2019.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon passes 1,000 sign-ups

7th September 2018

Event organisers, sponsors and charity partners are ‘overwhelmed’ by support for the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon – which is set to become one of the region’s biggest-ever mass participation events after more than 1,000 people signed up to take part.

Following a sign-up total of around 800 in its inaugural outing in 2017 and with more than six weeks still to go until race day, a four-figure turnout is expected across the event’s three main elements – the biggest entry seen in advance of a Chesterfield Half Marathon.

This year’s event will include three separate challenges – the 13.1-mile half marathon, the Peak FM Five Mile Run and Blachford Fun Run. Also open for entries is the team-focused Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge, with its £80 entry fee including two entries into each challenge on event day.

Online entries into all elements will remain open until two weeks before the race, with entries into the 1km Blachford Fun Run to be accepted on the day.

The event will be held in aid of multiple good causes, including charity partners Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. Last year’s Half Marathon raised more than £50,000 for charity, with event organisers hopeful of beating that figure in 2018.

Charity partners are also on the lookout for marshals to get involved on race day, to contribute to an enjoyable, efficient and safe event for runners.

Marshals will be stationed around the course at various points to assist and support participants, as well as local residents and spectators when needed.

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved a four-figure sign-up total for the Half Marathon event day already, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support for this year’s event.

“With around a month still to go until registrations for the Half Marathon come to an end, we’re optimistic of that figure growing even further in the build-up.

“It’ll also be great to see volunteers turn out in large numbers to support the event and our fantastic charity partners. Event marshals played a huge part in the success of the 2017 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon and will no doubt provide more crucial support this year.”

For more information on the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon click here.

Ashleigh and Charlie were the fastest male and female runners in the 2017 event.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Visit Peak District website in Top 10 for UK Destinations

30th August 2018

New data released by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire reveals for the past six months, the tourist board’s website www.visitpeakdistrict.com has consistently ranked in the top ten most visited sites for around 150 UK destinations, alongside such places as Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton, Bristol, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

More than a million user sessions were logged between 20 February and 19 August, a rise of more than 37 per cent on the same period in 2017.

The site now also outranks Trip Advisor when people enter the keywords Accommodation in the Peak District and Things to Do in the Peak District on Google.

In addition, the tourist board’s social media following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has increased by 22 per cent in the past year from just under 75,000 in July 2017 to more than 92,000.

It was recently revealed that tourism’s value to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy rose to £2.15 billion in 2017 and annual visitor numbers rose to 40.45 million.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said: “When we relaunched our consumer website our main aim was to put visitors right at the heart of our planning and offer them a much better, more streamlined experience”

“We’re delighted that, for the first time, we’re ranked in the top ten most visited UK sites out of about 150 UK destinations – previously the best position we’ve achieved has been 13^th.

“It’s also great to see that our social media following has grown substantially over the past year, thanks to our emphasis on posting engaging, image-led content – particularly on Instagram, where our following has increased by 46 per cent.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the team for their hard work and commitment to putting the Peak District and Derbyshire where it belongs – as the UK and overseas visitors’ destination of choice, regionally, nationally and globally.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Approval for sports pitch on former sports centre site

29th August 2018

Councillors have approved plans for an artificial turf sports pitch on the site of the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield.

Members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee approved the plans for the site of the former sports centre on Boythorpe Road at their meeting yesterday, Tuesday 28 August.

This will see a 61m x 43m sports pitch built on the site suitable for seven-a-side football games built to Football Association requirements. The pitch could also be split to be used for two five-a-side games.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Queen’s Park is a key park in Chesterfield and the new sports pitch will meet a need identified by Sport England to increase the number of pitches available in the borough.

“Chesterfield has some of the worst health inequalities and providing extra opportunities for people to exercise, get fit and enjoy themselves is a priority for us.”

The pitch would be sited to minimise the visual impact from within Queen’s Park and nearby properties. The floodlights will be designed to reduce light emissions, with the fencing and lighting columns in dark colours to blend in with the park environment.

The remaining area would be landscaped with trees, shrubs, bedding plants and grass so it is closer to the original park design by William Barron that was in place before the old Queen’s Park Sports Centre was built in 1968.

Councillor Ludlow added: “With the heritage nature of the grade II* listed park, it is important that any development fits in with its surroundings, which is why time and effort has been put into making sure that the plans are sympathetic to the nature of the park and the original landscaping restored.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure

Value of Peak tourism hits new heights

23rd August 2018

The value of tourism to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy exceeded all expectations in 2017 – rising by six per cent to £2.15 billion.

New research released by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire reveals that the increase on 2016 was double the average annual rise of three per cent since 2011.

Annual visitor numbers rose to 40.45 million, an increase of more than 1.3 per cent, while the number of full time equivalent jobs supported by the visitor economy is up by almost 2.5 per cent at 28,630.

The latest figures also reveal a trend for more visitors to stay in non-serviced accommodation such as self-catering and at camping and caravanning sites.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said “This is excellent news for the Peak District and Derbyshire economy, and for everyone who lives, works and comes to stay here”

“The significant rise in tourism’s overall value over the past year signals that our long-term policy to run innovative and targeted marketing, PR and social media campaigns to encourage more people to come and stay for longer and to spend more money here is really paying off.”

“The latest figures also show that our efforts to attract more visitors at quieter times of the year to extend the season from February to November are also effective, with more people staying for three or four nights rather than two.”

Vote for the Peak District and Derbyshire in the ‘Best Holiday Region or County’ category as part of the British Travel Awards 2018. Click here to find out more and cast your vote!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Ashgate Hospicecare raises over £26,500

20th August 2018

Ashgate Hospicecare has announced that over £26,500 was raised at Ashgate Hospicecare’s Open Air Cinema and Summer Fair events thanks to the generosity of the North Derbyshire people.

The Open Air Cinemas, which showed Bridget Jones’s Baby and The Greatest Showman, saw over a thousand supporters turn out over the weekend, rain and shine. The Summer Fair, which offered everything from handmade gifts made by Ashgate’s Day Hospice patients to go-karting and trampolining, also saw hundreds of families attend and raise vital funds for the Hospice.

Anna Drake, from Chesterfield said: “At the weekend at Ashgate Hospicecare’s Summer Fair, my little boy brought two strawberry rocks painted by someone who uses the Day Hospice facilities at the Hospice. Ashgate cared for my Gran before she passed last year. It’s a home from home and a place where people have the dignity they deserve. The staff work tremendously hard and nothing is too much trouble for both the patient and their family. We will always support Ashgate Hospicecare as a family as my Gran did for most of her life, never knowing she would need their help and support in her last few months.”

Laura Winson, from Chesterfield said: “What a great night at Ashgate Hospicecare’s Open Air Cinema. Popcorn, fizz and Bridget with good friends, all whilst raising money for the Hospice!”

Local businesses all rallied together to make all the weekend’s events run so smoothly and ensure that every penny raised from the fundraising can go directly to patient care. A huge thank you to the University of Derby for being the main sponsors of the Open Air Cinemas, Barclays UK, Andrews Of Tideswell for providing the park and ride service, DXC and Brookfield Community School, G. W. Price Ltd, Total Hire and Sales and M-VIS.

Jack Wood, Events Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “A huge thank you to all of our wonderful supporters for coming along to both our Open Air Cinemas and our Summer Fair this weekend!”

“You all turned up undefeated by the rain and helped us celebrate 30 years of caring for our community! Events like these help us to support our patients and their families in North Derbyshire when they need it most.”

There are lots of photos from the events on the Hospice’s Facebook page.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Chesterfield hosts new festival for motor lovers

14th August 2018

Chesterfield town centre will host more than 200 vintage vehicles this Sunday at the first Chesterfield Motor Fest.

There will be something for every car enthusiast – with displays ranging from supercars to American classics, and a ride through of bikes and scooters will take place after 11am.

At the event there will also be more than 70 stalls in the market place selling a range of autojumble goods including: engines, machinery, parts, tools and accessories.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’re committed to hosting a variety of events in Chesterfield town centre and with more than 200 vehicles visiting, the first Motor Fest looks set to be a fantastic event.

“I hope families will come along, enjoy the fun and boost the local economy by visiting the many shops, pubs and restaurants in the town centre.”

Chesterfield residents can also park for free on the day by using their residents’ parking pass in the following car parks:

Albion Road
Derbyshire Times
Devonshire Street
Durrant Road
Hollis Lane (excluding on-street bays)
Holywell Cross (the ‘Donut’)
Queens Park (North and South)
Spa Lane
Station Road
St Mary’s Gate
Theatre Lane.

For more information view the event listing here

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer

Ringwood Hall’s new spa awarded 5 Bubbles

8th August 2018

The Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa has been awarded the prestigious 5 Bubble rating for its newly opened Garden Secret Spa – the first to be awarded within Derbyshire in 2018.

The Bubble rating is awarded by the Good Spa Guide which is the expert guide to the best UK spas and treatments. Just 21 spas within the UK have achieved 5 Bubbles during 2018.

This latest accolade for Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa comes just four months after the hotel achieved its 4 Star AA Status.

Meeting a strict inspection covering all aspects of the spa journey, the spa scored top marks in all areas, in particular highlighting the food quality, spa facilities and customer service.

The inspector noted that they loved the impressive gardens, the garden theme and the Lola’s Apothecary treatments, stating: “This hidden gem of a spa embraces nature at every turn, making it a supremely soothing place to escape to. Treatments are unique and professionally delivered, the facilities are top-notch, customer service is great and the gardens are simply stunning.”

Spa Manager, Jemma Whitney said: “I am delighted that the Garden Secret Spa has been awarded the 5 Bubble status.

I think I speak for everyone at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa when I say we are so proud to receive such recognition. To be the first Derbyshire Spa with 5 Bubbles just makes the hard work the whole team have put in even more rewarding.

I am thrilled that the spa spy loved their Lola’s Apothecary treatment, we are the only spa in the UK to have treatments incorporating this brand and we feel honoured to be associated with such a beautiful product”.

The Garden Secret Spa features a Vitality Pool, Herbal Sauna, Foot Spas, Himalayan Salt Sauna, Blossom Steam Room, Ice Fountain, Experience Showers, Relaxation Lounges, 7 treatment rooms and its own Brassiere.

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

Chesterfield Theatres new season announced

8th August 2018

Chesterfield Theatres is pleased to announce its Autumn 2018 season.

At the Pomegranate Theatre, highlights include a new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion from Monday 24 – Saturday 29 September and Salad Days; an absolute romp of polite naughtiness and saucy encounters starring Wendi Peters (Coronation Street) from Monday 24 – Saturday 29 September.

At the Winding Wheel, highlights include G4 Live in concert, Jason Donovan’s Amazing Midlife Crisis tour, the Shaolin Warriors and Dave Spikey’s Juggling on a Motorbike tour.

From Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 November, Chesterfield Theatres is delighted to welcome the return of the hit musical Blood Brothers. The legendary play tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.

There are also additional cinema screenings at the Pomegranate Theatre, with newly – released films, and satellite broadcasts of performances and events, including from the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera, NT Live, RSC Live, and many others.

100 years since WWI

To commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One, there is an extensive programme of events scheduled for September to November and including The Fulstow Boys, Pack up your Troubles and a stage adaptation of Michael Morpugo’s Private Peaceful.

On Wednesday 31 October, celebrated military historian, Peter Hart will present his fascinating talk The Last Battle: Endgame on the Western Front, 1918. On Sunday 4 and Monday 5 November, a two day film festival at the Pomegranate Theatre showcases some of the best films about the war; including Lawrence of Arabia, War Horse, Regeneration, All Quiet on the Western Front and Oh! What a Lovely War. The series concludes with new play The Eleventh Hour, showing from Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 November.

For the family

Highlights for families include The Snail and the Whale, Little Baby Bum and Peppa Pig’s Adventure. With a more festive feel, Father Christmas Needs A Wee returns on Sunday 18 November.

This year’s spectacular pantomime is Cinderella, starring Roxanne Pallett (Emmerdale & Dancing on Ice) and Rhydian Roberts (X Factor). Running from Saturday 1 December to Sunday 6 January 2019.

70 years of the Pomegranate

During spring 2019, the Pomegranate Theatre will be celebrating it’s 70^th anniversary with a season of seven plays over seven weeks, and there will be a special season ticket offer – seven plays for the price of four!

The series of plays include Arsenic and Old Lace, Billy Liar, The Killing of Sister George, How the Other Half Loves, An Evening with Gary Lineker, Anybody for Murder and Don’t Dress for Dinner.

For more Chesterfield events visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure