Leisure

36 retailers go head-to-head in 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards

More than 200 shops and stores nominated in fourth annual awards

36 Chesterfield retailers are set to go head-to-head in the annual Chesterfield Retail Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Addooco, with one hoping to take the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, which is sponsored by East Midlands Chamber.

This year, more than 800 people nominated their favourite shops and stores in the annual awards, which are sponsored by Addooco. Now in their fourth year, the prestigious awards are open to retailers and market stall holders in and around Chesterfield town centre, as well as those in Brampton and Whittington Moor

Following the nomination process, a panel judges selected 37 finalists who will battle it out across 17 categories at the Chesterfield Retail Awards ceremony on Wednesday 24 May.

Nine businesses are hoping to defend their 2016 Chesterfield Retail Award titles, including Adorn Jewellers, Lamb’s Cupcakes, Specsavers, R.P Davidson Cheese Factor, Burlingtons Hair Salon, Debenhams, Three Store, StraightCurves and Warren James Jewellery.

Organiser of the popular awards, Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield, said: “We were blown away by the amount of nominations we received this year. We had more than ever before. It was great to see so many first time nominees and new businesses being recognised by shoppers for the fantastic contribution they collectively make to Chesterfield’s retail scene.”

Discover the shortlisted businesses across the 16 categories in this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards 

The winners of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards will be announced at a special awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 24 May later this year.

As well as Addooco and category sponsors, other supporters of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include Temple Safety, R.A. Information Systems, eBusiness Works, City Taxis and the Derbyshire Times.

retail awards

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

New occupier for former BHS Store

TJ Hughes will open its doors for the first time at Vicar Lane Shopping  Centre on 13thApril, taking over the former BHS unit.

This new addition to the shopping centre will bring 50 management, full and part time jobs to Chesterfield. TJ Hughes is renowned for selling famous brands at discounted prices, specialising in home, fashion, fragrances, cosmetics, technology and electrical goods.

To celebrate the store opening on 13th April, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with a visit from the Mayor of Chesterfield and the Town Crier. There will also be enticing opening offers across all ranges throughout the store on the day along with a raffle where entrants can win an Easter hamper.

Shaun Brown, the Operations  Manager at Vicar Lane says, “we are very excited for the arrival of TJ Hughes. It is just what Vicar Lane needed and will be a great new addition to our current tenant mix. We are delighted to be able to offer this new experience for our shoppers and I am sure it shall be very popular and successful”.

To coincide with the new  store opening, ad bikes have been booked to distribute leaflets containing information and offers to the surrounding area. Peak FM radio will also be featuring the new TJ Hughes store in the lead up to the new store opening.

Anil Juneja, Managing Director at TJ Hughes says, “We are delighted to be opening our 29th store in Chesterfield and our aim is to provide savvy shoppers with top brands at affordable and competitive prices”.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting

Route for Women’s Tour Stage 4 in Derbyshire announced

Further details of the Derbyshire stage of this year’s Women’s Tour have been announced.

Organisers finalised the route after driving it as part of a nationwide “recce” of the five-stage race.

Top women cyclists from across the globe are set to take to Derbyshire’s roads on Saturday, 10 June 2017, to battle it out for first place in the penultimate stage of the hotly-contested race.

As the Tour’s toughest stage, it will take in a wide mix of rural and urban areas starting and finishing in Chesterfield and passing through some of the county’s best-known market towns including Belper, Bolsover and Wirksworth.

Today organisers named the locations of some of the stage’s most exciting elements − the Eisberg Sprints and SKODA Queen of the Mountains sections.

Eisberg Sprints will take place in Belper and Staveley, while the SKODA Queen of the Mountains climbs will be in Crich and Middleton Top. Final details are due to be confirmed in May.

Women's Tour Route

Women’s Tour Stage 4 Route – Courtesy of Derbyshire Sport

Derbyshire County Council, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said:

“Bringing this prestigious race back to Derbyshire is a great opportunity for us to showcase the county on an international stage.

“The best cyclists from around the world will be competing to win what’s going to be a very tough stage and I’d urge everyone to get involved.

“This year it takes in lots of places it didn’t visit last year, including Bolsover and Staveley, and now we know the exact route families can plan the best place to watch it from. I hope people will come along and enjoy everything it offers − a very exciting event in one of the country’s most spectacular counties.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:

“This is going to be a great weekend for people in Chesterfield and Derbyshire with The Women’s Tour, the RHS Flower Show at Chatsworth House and the Race for Life taking place in Chesterfield on the Sunday.

“There will be lots of places for people to follow the action of The Women’s Tour with the start and finish in Chesterfield town centre and I’m particularly pleased that the route will go through Staveley this year − allowing residents to join in the excitement.

“We are planning cycle and fitness activities and we will be releasing details about them closer to the event.”

Women’s secretary of the Bolsover and District Cycling Club, Jay Stocks, said the whole club was excited to see the race coming to their “patch” and would be out in force to support it.

She said:

“It’s even more accessible because it’s on a Saturday this time, so more people will be able to come and see it.

“We have some cracking hills around here with amazing views and we’ll be riding the route ourselves before the race.”

All of the world’s top 15 teams will take part in the race, which is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour. It includes the world’s number one team Boels Dolmans, of defending race champion Lizzie Deignan (formerly Armitstead), ensuring British fans can again look forward to cheering on the world’s best riders.

In addition the British-based Drops and Sheffield-based WNT teams will complete the 17-team field.

Highlights of every stage will be broadcast on ITV4 and available on demand via the ITV Hub.

Mick Bennett, race director for The Women’s Tour said:

“We’re delighted to be returning to Chesterfield and Derbyshire after the success of last year’s stage. With the stage coming on a weekend we’re hoping it will be even bigger and better than ever.”

Find out more about the event here.

Womens Tour Stage 4 Route Chesterfield Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

New Gastro Pub opens this week

The Secret Dining Company, the team behind award winning sites in Derby & Burton on Trent, will open their 4th site on the 16th March at 12.00.

The Rectory in Chesterfield is at the site of the former Crooked Spire pub.

The refurbishment has seen a six figure sum invested to create a cutting edge gastro pub.

The Secret Dining Company’s managing director Martin Roper said “We’re pleased and excited to be working with Enterprise Inns for a third time. The Rectory will bring our cutting edge gastro pub, cask ale and craft keg offer to this iconic Derbyshire town, as we look to develop and expand our vibrant brand”.

Posted in Business, Leisure, Visiting

3G artificial pitches feasibility study for former sports centre site

A detailed feasibility study will be carried out with a  view to installing 3G artificial sports pitches on the site of the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

At a meeting of Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet today, Tuesday 7 March, councillors agreed that the study should look in greater detail at options for having 3G artificial sports pitches on the Boythorpe Road site that are suitable for use by different sports. These could include football, rugby, hockey and athletics.

The study will be developed with the input of key stakeholders, including potential contractors, operators of similar facilities, local sports clubs and the Friends of Queen’s Park.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:

“From the options considered in the public consultation 3G artificial sports pitches appears the best way to meet our desire to have a use on the former Queen’s Park Sports Centre site that provides value for money for our residents, fits in with the heritage nature of the grade II* listed Queen’s Park and is financially viable.

The next stage to make this a reality is to produce a detailed feasibility study and business case that examines the different ways this could be delivered, the cost of doing it and the return on investment it would provide. Any income generated would be invested back in providing frontline council services.”

A consultation held with residents in September and October last year found that 69 per cent of the 583 people who responded agreed with this plan for the site.

At their February meeting, councillors also received a petition led by Chesterfield residents Adrian and Donna Todd that the council should build and run an ice rink on the site.

Councillors passed a motion that although the council is not able to afford to build and operate an ice rink, it would support any private operators who may plan to build one in the borough in the future.

Queens Park Sports Centre Consultation

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure

Peak FM’s Cat & Ricky to host 2017 Chesterfield Awards

Peak FM breakfast show duo, Cat and Ricky, have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards in association with Addooco.

Cat and Ricky will be announcing the winners of 15 categories in the prestigious awards which are organised by Destination Chesterfield at a ceremony held at the Winding Wheel on 25 May 2017.

Cat also hosted the awards ceremony last year and is delighted to be returning with Ricky for the fourth annual awards. She said: “The awards are a great event and a real celebration of retail in Chesterfield. I have been at Peak FM and living and shopping in Chesterfield for a year now, so hopefully I will see many familiar faces at the awards ceremony. We’re both really looking forward to it.”

This will be the first year Ricky has hosted the Chesterfield Retail Awards having joined the Peak FM breakfast show in October last year. He said: “I am really looking forward to the awards. Since joining Peak FM I have been taking the chance to get out and about in and around Chesterfield and am amazed at what the town has to offer. I expect there will be no shortage of competition at the retail awards.”

Organiser of the awards, Destination Chesterfield, is urging everyone to nominate their favourite shops, stores and market stalls before nominations close at midnight on Sunday 7 March. Nominations can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate

The 15 categories open for nominations in the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

A further two award winners will also be announced at the ceremony; winners of The Pavements Shopping Centre and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre Retailer of the Year Awards.

As well as Addooco and category sponsors, other supporters of the 2017 Chesterfield Retail Awards include Temple Safety, R.A. Information Systems, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

Chesterfield Retail Awards Green + Benz

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

Women’s Tour to return to Chesterfield in 2017

Chesterfield will host the penultimate stage of The Women’s Tour on Saturday 10 June, with Stage Four of the UCI Women’s World Tour event both starting and finishing in the town.

The 130-kilometre stage will build on the successful first hosting of the race in 2016, when Lizzie Deignan took the win in Chesterfield, a key moment in her overall victory in last year’s Women’s Tour.

The Derbyshire stage of The Women’s Tour will start and finish again in the historic town centre of Chesterfield. The likes of Wirksworth, Belper, Bolsover and Staveley will all feature on the route.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy and Destination Chesterfield Vice Chair, said: “It is a real coup for Chesterfield to host both the start and finish of a tour stage and is part of our commitment to supporting the local economy and bringing visitors to the town.

“I know the organisers were impressed by the crowds and organisation of the event in Chesterfield last year and it is great that this time the route will also take in Staveley, Walton and other parts of the borough, which will enable more residents to see some world class cycle racing on their doorstep.”

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said: “We’re delighted to welcome the Women’s Tour back to Derbyshire this summer. Last year’s event was brilliant and attracted lots of cycling enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Commenting on the announcement, Mick Bennett, Race Director for The Women’s Tour said; “We are delighted to be returning to Chesterfield and Derbyshire after the success of last year’s stage. This year with the stage coming on a weekend and Chesterfield hosting both the Start and Finish it will be a fantastic occasion and attract cycling fans from far and wide.”

All of the world’s top 15 teams will take part in the race, which is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, including the world’s number one team Boels Dolmans, of defending race champion Lizzie Deignan, ensuring British fans can again look forward to cheering on the world’s best riders. In addition the British-based Drops and WNT teams will complete the 17 team field.

Highlights of every stage will be broadcast on ITV4 and available on demand via the ITV Hub. The Women’s Tour is a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, comprising 20 events around the world in 10 different countries.

Further details of all of the stages of The Women’s Tour will be announced over the coming weeks, including the locations of the SKODA Queen of the Mountain climbs and Eisberg Sprints for Stage Four.

Aviva Women's Tour Chsterfield

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

Chesterfield Theatres new season on sale now

The new season of events for the Pomegranate Theatre and Winding Wheel is now on sale.

Chesterfield Theatres are pleased to announce that this season’s biggest productions include Babe, the Sheep-Pig live on stage for the first time. This exciting production is directed by West End director Michael Fentiman, with beautiful puppets designed by Cirque Du Soleil’s Max Humphries and amazing puppetry from War Horse’s Matthew Forbes.

Also set to be a hit this season is West End sell out sensation Dreamboats and Petticoats. The Musical which features some of the greatest hit songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era; inspired by the smash hit multi-million selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats One, Two, Three, Four and Five.

This season, playgoers will be pleased to know Chesterield Theatres have the return of the annual Spring Play Season – John Godber’s new play The Empty Nesters’ Club, Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged) presented by Reduced Shakespeare Company and Ventoux – the story of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani in the 2000 Tour de France.

Each year Chesterfield Theatres grows ever more popular with the family audience and this year they would recommend booking early for shows such as David Walliams’ The First Hippo on the Moon, Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live!, Beauty and the Beast Easter Panto (starring Keith Chegwin and Basil Brush), the already mentioned, Babe, The Sheep-Pig and Dinosaur World. Looking further ahead to the Summer Season, they also have Sooty and The Very Hungry Caterpillar taking to the stage.

Comedy fans should make way for Rob Beckett, Count Arthur Strong, Rory Bremner and a whole series of comedians from their very own Spotlight Comedy Club.

New tributes to be introduced this season include Cilla (selling fast!), The British Beach Boys, Spice Girl’s tribute – Spice up your Life, Paul McCartney tribute – Macca, One Night of Adele and The Take That Experience.

In addition to their theatre events, they are delighted to offer an exciting programme of films and satellite broadcasts including Star Wars, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Girl on the Train and A Street Cat Named Bob. Satellite broadcasts include RSC Live The Tempest, NT Live Amadeus, Royal Ballet Live Sleeping Beauty, Royal Opera Live Madama Butterfly and RSC Live Julius Caesar.

The Pomegranate, Chesterfield Theatres

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Demolition dates set for old Queen’s Park Sports Centre

Demolition of the old Queen’s Park Sports Centre will start in January.

Earlier this year Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee approved the demolition of the building, in Boythorpe Road, which has been empty since the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre opened in January.

Following a procurement process the council has appointed a contractor to carry out the demolition work in January. It will take between three and four months to complete.

The news comes as the council has published the results of a public consultation into the future use of the site. More than 580 people responded over a six week period during September and October.

The council’s preferred option, outlined in the consultation, is to use the site to house 3G multi-use games pitches that will help meet an identified shortage of these facilities in the borough, as well as support the council’s priority of getting more people to lead fit and active lifestyles.

During the consultation residents were asked for their views on this option and to consider other viable alternatives. Any options suggested had to meet four principles that the site use should:

  • Generate income and not cost council taxpayers any extra money
  • Support Council Plan objectives to improve the quality of life for local people, support a thriving borough, and deliver value for money
  • Complement Queen’s Park, with its grade two star heritage listing, and other facilities in the town centre and borough
  • Be well-used throughout the year and provide added value for the community

Of the people who responded 69 per cent agreed with the suggestion of using the site for 3G pitches, with 23 per cent disagreeing and eight per cent giving no view.

Of the other suggestions made 22 of the 583 respondents suggested building an exhibition hall, with 21 people proposing a water play area and ice rink respectively.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:-

“I am pleased that we are now in a position to start demolishing the old sports centre.

“While that takes place we will consider in detail the consultation responses and investigate how well they meet the four criteria we are working to when considering future options for the site.

“It is really important that whatever we agree fits in with the heritage and leisure use of the site but is also financially viable so that it doesn’t have to be subsidised by council tax payers’.

Former Queen's Park Sports Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure

Visit Revolution House this Christmas

Visitors to Revolution House can see the house decorated for a traditional Christmas this festive season.

The historic house in Old Whittington, owned by Chesterfield Borough Council, will open daily from Thursday 15 December to Christmas Eve, Saturday 24 December and from Tuesday 27 December to New Year’s Eve, Saturday 31 December from 11am to 4pm.

The house will be decorated with traditional greenery in the style of Christmases of yore as well as beautiful flower displays.

There will be a carol concert at the house on Thursday 15 December with Holymoorside Band playing a variety of well-known and well-loved Christmas carols.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy said:-

“Revolution House is a popular destination for many of our visitors. This is a perfect opportunities for families to come and look at the decorations and get in the Christmas mood.”

Revolution House played a significant role in the plot to overthrow King James II in 1688.

The house opens at weekends in the spring and summer each year and again during the Christmas period. Admission is free.

Christmas at Revolution House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure

Well dressers offered chance to take centre stage at world-class Chatsworth Flower Show

Talented Well Dressing teams have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a world-class event – the first-ever RHS Chatsworth Flower Show.

Imaginative ideas on the show’s main theme, Design Revolutionaries, are now being invited by the RHS to win the chance to become one of just five successful designs to go on display to tens of thousands of visitors at the prestigious show from 7 to 11 June 2017.

Throughout the event, visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite design, and the creators of the people’s choice will be awarded an RHS engraved trophy, as well as an exclusive invitation to tour the show before the crowds on Preview Day, Tuesday June 6.

Revolutionary thinkers particularly associated with Chatsworth are its architect William Talman, landscape gardener Capability Brown and architect and gardener Joseph Paxton, best known for designing London’s pioneering Crystal Palace.

Contemporary designers and architects such as Dan Pearson, Thomas Heatherwick and Tom Stuart Smith are among the leading lights continuing to keep Chatsworth at the cutting edge of creativity and innovation.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, said:-

“This is a wonderful chance for Well Dressing teams across the Peak District and Derbyshire to let their imaginations run wild and submit stunning designs that could be admired by tens of thousands of visitors to the RHS’s world class event next June.

“Well Dressing is an ancient tradition unique to the area, which already attracts many visitors from both the UK and overseas between May and September – and this competition offers the rare opportunity to showcase this colourful and authentic custom to an even wider audience.

“I’d urge as many Well Dressing teams as possible to put forward entries well in time for the closing date, Monday 30 January 2017.”

Liz Patterson, Deputy Show Manager, said:-

“Having recently met with members of a local Well Dressing group and seen first-hand their passion for this unique custom, we’re really happy and excited that this wonderful local and historic tradition will be a part of the new RHS Chatsworth Flower Show next June. If you want tickets, be sure to visit our website soon, as they’re going fast!”

rhs-chatsworth-well-dressing-land

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Visiting