Visiting

Greatest Hits Radio launches Christmas Eve Jingle to spread Christmas cheer

Greatest Hits Radio is encouraging locals across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire to join the Christmas Eve Jingle and gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative that took the UK by storm during lockdown, families and communities are invited to take part and help create a spark of magic and cheer after what has been an incredibly tough year for all.

The idea was put together by a group of mums in Harrogate and the local campaign has been quickly gathering support across the UK and worldwide, with a Facebook group attracting close to 300,000 members.

Now backed by Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire and its network of sister stations across the UK, the campaign welcomes the reach of millions more people who can feel inspired and excited to help spread some much-needed cheer this Christmas.

What’s more, Greatest Hits Radio has made thousands of jingle bells available for purchase for anyone looking to take part. Priced at just £5 and available on the Greatest Hits Radio website, all profits from the bells will go towards their official charity Cash for Kids, whose mission is to respond to the needs of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities.

The sale of the bells will help raise a potential £30,000 for children living in poverty, and net proceeds from any bells purchased will go directly to the charity’s Mission Christmas campaign, which gifts young people Christmas presents who may otherwise go without.

Speaking about the event, Greatest Hits Radio presenter Steve Priestley said “Communities are at the core of Greatest Hits Radio and we’re privileged to have the ability and reach to take what started as local campaign and share it widely to get the attention it deserves. Spreading festive cheer across the country, we can’t wait for listeners in North Derbyshire to join us out on our doorsteps this Christmas Eve.”

Christmas Eve Jingle organiser Mary Beggs-Reid said “We are so thrilled to have the support of Greatest Hits Radio in helping reach as many people as possible for the Christmas Eve Jingle. We can’t wait to bring hope, magic and the spirit of Christmas to communities across the country.”

Greatest Hits Radio launched in North Derbyshire in September this year, providing a playlist of the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, including music from iconic artists such as Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston.

Listen in on FM, DAB digital radio, online, on your mobile device or smart speaker to hear well-known presenters including Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Janice Long, Pat Sharp, Paul Gambaccini and many more, along with a selection of seasonal hits this Christmas.

To find out more about the Worldwide Christmas Jingle and download a poster to show that you’re taking part, head to the Greatest Hits Radio website.

You can find out more about the wide range of Christmas activities taking place in Chesterfield here

Greatest Hits Radio supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

December blog- Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield chair Peter Swallow has provided an update to businesses and residents in Chesterfield, as we take a look back on the positive developments which have progressed in the town this year and look ahead to Christmas and 2021.

Peter Swallow Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Despite the challenges that 2020 has thrown at us all, we end the year on a positive note and a message of hope.

It would be very easy to write-off 2020 as an unmitigated disaster. We have all been bombarded with Covid-related bad news throughout the year. However, amongst the doom and gloom there has been some good news, and a common thread of hope throughout the year.

Development and investment, which will lay the foundation for future jobs in the town, has continued throughout 2020. Significant headway has been made on the new Enterprise Centre being constructed on the donut car park, and construction of the new ‘grade a’ offices at Chesterfield Waterside got underway.

Despite the imposed social distancing, I believe that Chesterfield’s communities have become closer and more supportive of each other during the pandemic. Although there are high hopes for the vaccine which has recently been announced, it is important that we maintain the Shop Local momentum over Christmas.

Chesterfield is a resilient and adaptable town and nowhere is this more evident that on our high street.

We have seen businesses adapt overnight – from doorstep deliveries of beer, tea and coffee, drive and buy fruit and veg on the market, to website launches and takeaway gourmet meals to cook at home. These small things have kept us all connected and smiling!

Non-food retailers, restaurants, bars and cafes have had it particularly tough. However, we have embraced the Shop Local message and gone out and supported local businesses enabling the survival of many.

In these challenging times it has never been more important to support each other. I am delighted that Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council have continued to work collaboratively this year on the Christmas in Chesterfield Campaign. Combining our efforts will reinforce the Support Local message.

We may not be able to physically get into the high street businesses, but many independent retailers, restaurants and cafes offer us access to their products and services from the comfort of our homes using our laptops, tablets, telephones and perhaps even carrier pigeons (OK, maybe not carrier pigeons——!)

Making the decision to choose an independent retailer for your gifts and food both now and beyond the pandemic will make a huge difference to our high street.

As we look to 2021, there can be no simpler message for the town other than ‘support each other.’

I wish you all a happy and HEALTHY Christmas and New Year.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Manufacturing, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

‘Shop local to help independent retailers overcome impact of lockdowns,’ says East Midlands Chamber

East Midlands Chamber has stressed the importance of shopping locally now the national lockdown has ended.

Ahead of Small Business Saturday on 5 December, the chamber of commerce says it has never been more important to support local businesses that have been badly affected by coronavirus lockdowns.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “As so-called ‘non-essential’ retailers are finally allowed to reopen after a month of national lockdown, it is vital that they receive the support of local people.

“Businesses have invested huge amounts of money into making themselves Covid-secure but have lost out through no fault of their own as they have been forced to close again. Customers who feel safe and comfortable to visit shops again once national restrictions are lifted should be mindful to support small independents in particular.

“At a time when our city and town centres are being decimated by the collapse of chains, these are the businesses that will hopefully remain once stores around them close. They are the beating heart of high streets and a huge part of the character in what makes towns and cities unique.

“Small Business Saturday is a great initiative that highlights the wide variety of businesses that people have on their doorstep, and in 2020 it’s perhaps never been more important to give them our support.”

On Friday 4 December, the Chamber will run a virtual roundtable event with Derby North MP Amanda Solloway to prepare for Small Business Saturday. You can find out more and book your place at the event here

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will speak to her local businesses about the impact of lockdown and their plans for the future.

Find out more about shopping locally in Chesterfield here. High street shops and Chesterfield’s market will also be extending their trading hours on the run-up to Christmas. Find out more and plan your shopping trip here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

School workplace tours go virtual for Made in Chesterfield

Virtual tours of businesses operating in the town’s engineering and manufacturing sector, will ensure that young people in North Derbyshire continue to learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers during the pandemic.

Tours of three Chesterfield businesses – MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar (UCB) and Woodhead Construction – have been produced as part of the 2020 Made in Chesterfield campaign to ensure that young people do not miss out on a STEM workplace experience during the pandemic.

The films feature a tour of the UCB foundry, MSE Hiller’s workshop and laboratory and Chesterfield Borough Council’s new Enterprise Centre which is currently being built by Woodhead Construction.

The first film, featuring UCB, is now available for education providers to download for free and share with students at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/tours-for-schools/united-cast-bar-virtual-tour/.

Sponsored by Chesterfield College, the annual campaign is coordinated by Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, supported by Chesterfield Borough Council and North Derbyshire Careers Hub.

The campaign was originally launched in 2015 in response to companies in the sector reporting long term recruitment difficulties. Over the last five years, Made in Chesterfield has helped introduce thousands of young people in North East Derbyshire to careers in the STEM sector.

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of the Chesterfield College Group explained:

“Initiatives like Made in Chesterfield are really important to inspire the next generation and illustrate the range of exciting careers available in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing. It is crucial for employers and educational providers to work together to find new and innovative ways of showcasing the possibilities in these sectors, despite the current restrictions. Learning and development must continue so we can look to the future, which is why virtual tours and interactive sessions to engage young people are so vital.

“Chesterfield College is delighted to be a sponsor of this partnership and we are proud to playing a role in developing the skills of our local experts of the future.”

Pre-Covid-19, as part of the campaign a number of companies in the sector have led and hosted hands-on tours of their sites as well as going into schools to meet students and give talks.

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield’s board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering in the Borough, commented: “I am delighted that we are able to take STEM experiences into the classroom. Although we are in the middle of a pandemic it is important that we continue to ensure that young people have access to education, training, jobs and work placements in Chesterfield’s STEM sector. With HS2 on the horizon there is the opportunity for the region to become recognised as an international centre of rail research and innovation but only if we have the skilled workforce to meet investor demand.

“Although virtual this year, I am confident that these videos will be successful in bringing together education providers and businesses to ensure local young talent is aware of the myriad of STEM jobs and careers available here.”

Schools throughout North East Derbyshire are now being encouraged to share the films with students and give them a virtual taste of career opportunities in the STEM sector.

To view the virtual tours, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/tours-for-schools

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Manufacturing, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Chamber chief executive writes to Prime Minister demanding greater clarity for businesses in lockdown decisions

The chief executive of East Midlands Chamber has written to Boris Johnson urging the Government to provide greater clarity to businesses over lockdown restrictions.

Scott Knowles told the Prime Minister yesterday (1 December) about the “dissatisfaction” felt by the private sector in the region regarding plans to place Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire into Tier 3 measures.

He said the East Midlands has been impacted by restrictions longer than anywhere else in the country, with Leicester and parts of Leicestershire the first area to be placed under local lockdown at the end of June, and reminded Mr Johnson of the five tests requested by the chamber of commerce – which represents 4,250 members across the three counties – by which to assess decisions taken.

Commenting on the new tiered approach to restrictions in the letter, Scott said: “I understand the difficult discussions involved in this and the numerous factors that have to be taken into consideration.

“However, I wanted to express our dissatisfaction at the outcome for the majority of the East Midlands and ask for greater clarity over the basis on which decisions were taken, future plans for ending these restrictions and greater support for those businesses impacted.”

Five tests for continued coronavirus restrictions on business activity in the East Midlands

The five tests set out in June, when the Leicester lockdown came into effect, were:

1) Any decisions around closures must be based on evidence that can be shared with those affected and taken on as local a basis as possible

2) Businesses must be given enough time to make the practical preparations needed for closing and reopening

3) An exit strategy, including triggers for changes, must be made available to businesses to support them in their planning and decision-making

4) Businesses adversely impacted must be given additional grant support to compensate them for costs associated with being shut, losing trade and investment into making themselves Covid-secure

5) During closures, steps must be taken locally to reduce the risk of further disruption, including improvements made to testing and tracing

Scott added that clear, timely and consistent communication was vital in underpinning these tests.

While businesses accept the country was still learning about the nature of coronavirus in the spring and early summer, he believes there are no longer any reasons why the tests shouldn’t be met nine months on and asked for feedback from Government on decisions taken that affect the East Midlands.

“To be clear, this is not intended to be a petulant request,” he added. “Working with our members, we see the on-the-ground impact that restrictions are having in terms of business failure, livelihoods destroyed and jobs lost, along with the negative social and health fallout of this – which promises to have a longer-lasting and greater deleterious impact than the virus itself – and believe that our businesses and the communities they serve deserve better.”

The Chamber has also offered to work closer with the Government to ensure communication to and from businesses in the region works better than it has to date.

With recognition the pandemic will continue to impact lives for months to come, Scott added: “A strong, growing private sector will be central to securing our recovery and ultimate success. There is no alternative that anything other than a fully open and functioning economy will right the recovery of the region.

“Right now, businesses require more focused and enhanced support, both financial and to support in planning, in order to ensure as many as possible are fit for growth in 2021 and beyond. Meeting our tests will help ensure this happens.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Bridge Help invites local businesses to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank this Christmas

Bridge Help is reaching out to Chesterfield Champions and asking them to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank with a little bit of luxury this Christmas.

Until Wednesday 16 December, Bridge Help is inviting local businesses to drop off donations of new and unopened packs of biscuits, chocolates, crisps, mince pies and Christmas cakes and puddings at the firm’s offices on Old Brick Works Lane off Sheffield Road.

Bridge Help will match all donations of luxuries with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods, and then deliver everything to the Chesterfield Food Bank warehouse in Sheepbridge in time for Christmas.

December is the busiest time for Food Bank. The Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest network of food banks, expects a 61% increase in the number of food parcels needed this winter.

Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, explained: “The team and I really wanted to support a charity this Christmas. Given the current economic climate and the predicament many people now find themselves in because of job loss, the Chesterfield Food Bank was the obvious choice for us all. As well as taking care of the necessities, we think it’s important to extend the spirit of Christmas by donating some small luxuries as well.

Chris explained the decision to offer up Bridge Help as a dropping off point for donations from the business community, saying: “With so many businesses working remotely, we hope we can help with their charitable efforts in the community this year by offering Bridge Help as a central dropping point for everyone who’d like to make a donation to Chesterfield Food Bank this year.”

To ensure a Covid-secure and socially-distanced donation, Bridge Help is inviting people to simply call ahead and arrange to drop their donation outside the door. A member of the Bridge Help team will collect the donation and store it safely until we make the drop off to the Chesterfield Food Bank

If you would like to make a donation, please call Phoebe on 0333 303 4681.

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Report finds Chesterfield is one of the happiest places to live in East Midlands

A report published by Rightmove has found Chesterfield to be the second happiest place to live in our region. The property company compiles a list of happiest places to live across the UK each year, with St. Ives in Cornwall coming out at the top of the list nationally.

In the East Midlands region, Chesterfield sits just behind Loughborough who top the list, followed by Northampton, Derby and Lincoln.

The Rightmove study, now in its ninth year, asks residents to tell the company how they feel about where they live, as well as asking them to rank ten happiness factors.

The ten factors range from how friendly the neighbours are and how good the local services are, to the sense of belonging and the quality of nature and green spaces in the area.

Dom Stevens, Manager at Destination Chesterfield said “With stunning countryside and great outdoor spaces on the doorstep in the nearby Peak District – which proven to benefit mental health, great road and rail connectivity to major cities, superb local amenities and strong and supportive communities, Chesterfield really does have it all when it comes to the ingredients for a happy place to live.”

Rightmove says people living in rural and coastal areas were found to be happier with where they live than respondents living in cities and urban areas, which reflects a nationwide trend of people desiring better access to outdoor spaces.

The study also discovered that people living in rural and coastal locations were more likely to have developed a greater affinity with their local area during the initial lockdown period, with our study suggesting that accessibility to green spaces made people more appreciative of where they live.

Of the people who plan to buy or rent in the next 12 months, over half (56%) claimed they now place greater importance on access to nature and green spaces when deciding on the area and home they want to live in.

Rightmove data property expert Tim Bannister said: “Our latest research shows that despite all the challenges that this year has brought, many people have been able to reconnect with their local area and community which has had a positive effect on how they feel about where they live.

“Overall, I think lockdown has enabled people to rediscover what’s on their doorstep, and spending more time in their local areas has made people value their surroundings and communities so much more. This year’s study shows a greater appreciation for green spaces and nature, and a strong correlation between people living in coastal and rural areas and how happy people are where they live.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , ,

Chesterfield to fall under highest level of local restrictions (Tier 3)

Chesterfield – along with the whole of Derbyshire – will be under the highest level of local restrictions when the national lockdown ends on 2 December.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We understand the concern and frustration that today’s announcement will cause for many people, particularly local businesses which have already endured so much disruption and hardship this year.

“In particular, we know the county-wide tier three restrictions will hit our hospitality and tourism industry hard in the run-up to the festive period. This is something which I and all other Derbyshire council leaders highlighted in an urgent letter to Government this week, urging them to consider less strict rules for our area.

“But unfortunately, while we have seen some improvements in infection rates, they remain too high.

“We must all continue to play our part and abide by the updated restrictions when the national lockdown ends, to continue to slow the spread of the virus, reduce pressure on the NHS and protect the most vulnerable. In doing so we can lower infection rates, and hopefully move to a lower tier in time.

“Our community’s resilience will continue through these ongoing challenges, and as we prepare for the festive season I know this spirit will keep shining through, even though our celebrations must be different this year.

“As a council we will do all we can to keep essential services running for local people, as we have since the start of the pandemic. However, there will be some ongoing impact on some of our services when national restrictions end on 2 December – we are currently reviewing this and more information will be available on our website and social media channels as soon as possible.”

Find out more details about the current restrictions on the Government website: www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#very-high-alert

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

Chesterfield wellbeing centre ready to bounce back from pandemic

Staff at a state-of-the-art wellbeing centre based in Chesterfield say they ‘cannot wait to be back,’ after facing setbacks due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

360 Wellbeing Centre, Chatsworth Road hosts a team of experts on all aspects of mental and physical wellbeing, both medical and complementary. The interior also features décor and artistry created by local artist Sally Anderson.

The centre hosted its grand opening just a month before the first coronavirus lockdown back in March, but had to put a number of big plans on hold as a result of the restrictions.

Managing Director, Samantha Woodcroft explains, it has not been easy: “We had so much planned, including a huge wellbeing event at the Chesterfield Technique Stadium for which we had already sold over 250 tickets. We were one of the first industries to be locked down and the last to reopen.”

However Samantha says she, along with her staff have still been busy behind the scenes further improving the centre and expanding its range of treatments: “It’s extremely frustrating but we’ve used our time wisely, we have developed an exceptional range of wellbeing products and CBD oils, our staff and nurses have been on additional training to add cutting edge treatments to the clinic.”

She added: “The residents of Derbyshire certainly have a fantastic health facility available to them and we’re back even stronger and ready to offer a service.”

Nutritional Director Kelly Hopley added: “Our success stories with clients have been superb and we really cannot wait to be back. Health & Wellbeing is a passion for our team and it is truly worrying the effect Covid is having in so many ways on the local community. We want to be able to support our community to stay well & healthy.”

“The treatment menu is bursting with therapies such as IV vitamin drips, colon hydrotherapy, expert facial treatments and psychotherapy not forgetting a full range of complementary treatments and ear irrigation. Chesterfield Champions can also benefit from 10% off.”

The clinic has recently added the ‘Hear to listen’ campaign giving clients access to a team of experts who specialise in all things mental health from anxiety and depression to PTSD. For more information on the cente, you can contact the team on 01246 938948 or by email: info@360wellbeingcentre.co.uk

360 Wellbeing Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

New international scale tourism destination, PEAK, selects Green Biofuels as construction fuel partner

PEAK, a phased development of an all year leisure, education, wellness, and entertainment destination based on 300 acres of reclaimed parkland at the edge of the Peak District National Park and Chesterfield, has selected the UK’s leading provider of HVO fuel, Green Biofuels, as the sole provider of fuel for the construction of the site in order to fulfil its journey to sustainability from the outset.

The multi-million-pound development will include the UK’s first fully-serviced national park gateway linked to a resort and educational campus. With the principles of sustainable tourism at its core, PEAK will offer domestic and international tourists experiences based around nature, culture, heritage, and activity in the Peak District and its environs. Overnight and short stay accommodation will be available in hotel, hostel and lodge formats.

The first development at PEAK, the Summit is underway and will open 2021. In line with Summit Resort and Development’s sustainability agenda, the construction compound, machines and equipment will be fuelled with Green Biofuels’ low emission high performance paraffinic alternative fuel. All vehicles delivering fuel to the site, and all construction vehicles on site will run on Green D+, which is a drop-in diesel alternative, requiring no changes to engines. Green Biofuels is supporting PEAK’s environmental commitment by supplying the site with a 35,000-litre tank to hold the fuel, in order to reduce emissions resulting from fuel deliveries to a site.

Independent tests at the Millbrook specialist vehicle testing facility have shown that compared to standard diesel emissions, Green D+ has up to an 85% reduction in particulates, and up to a 30% reduction in Nitrogen Oxides, thanks to a special additive not found in any other HVO fuel. This means that emissions contributing to climate change are reduced, as well as pollution affecting the local air quality. The emissions savings at the Summit construction site will be monitored and results announced over the duration of construction.

Gateway developer, Milligan, has appointed Cundall as its key advisor on sustainability and transport, working alongside Birchall Properties the landowner and strategic partners the Peak District National Park Authority, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby.

Alongside its regional attractions PEAK has planning permission for up to 2000 hotel rooms and 250 chalets. The overnight and short stay accommodation will be delivered in phases and in a range of formats from 5-star hilltop hotel with lodges, to village centre hotels with hostel accommodation. The aim is to deliver the quality and scope of accommodation and hospitality more familiar with an international ski resort.

Magnus Hammick, COO of Green Biofuels, said: “Green Biofuels is hugely proud to be on the journey toward sustainability with PEAK right from the start. As one of the UK’s largest privately funded construction projects, this partnership is especially important because it proves how easy it is for large-scale sites to instantly cut their emissions and protect local air quality with small and strategic changes. Ensuring low pollution is especially important at a site like PEAK because of its proximity to the National Park, so we have introduced a super-tank of 35,000 litres to supply the site, thereby reducing emissions from multiple fuel deliveries.

“This is a major commitment to clean air from the private sector, and I sincerely hope to see the Government making green construction practices a rule, so that our other national flagship projects are also built as sustainably as possible.”

The green ambitions of the project have attracted world renowned adventurer and polar pioneer, Robert Swan OBE. Through his ambassadorship of the Summit, Robert seeks to empower and enable people from all walks of life to participate in sustainability through their leisure activities and adventures.

Robert Swan OBE, said: “After everything I have seen and experienced, I have to say I am truly impressed and excited by what Green Biofuels are doing and what they will do for the green footprint of the PEAK construction.

“Now that the journey to sustainability at PEAK has begun, it is essential to take meaningful and strategic steps to ensure every choice is considered and weighed up against its environmental impact. It is for this reason that I am very encouraged to see PEAK select Green Biofuels as its construction fuel partner.”

Mark Hutchings, COO of Summit Resorts & Developments, said: “We as a company and indeed as individuals are passionate about our environment and the world in which we live. We want our legacy to be not only to provide something truly special for the local community and visitors to the area, but to deliver that in a way we can truly say is the most environmentally friendly way we possibly could. We believe that using Green D+ in every aspect of our operation from fuelling the plant and machinery on site to providing the power for our site cabins to run is a huge step towards achieving this.

“We are proud to be part of one of the largest developments in the U.K. at the moment that is adopting such a policy, and we believe that by doing this we will hopefully set a precedent for others to follow.”

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

Pupils get creative to design a new logo for ambitious town project

Pupils at Springwell Community College were challenged to create a new logo to capture the spirit of a major project which aims to regenerate their town.

Almost 70 young people submitted their designs to the Staveley Town Deal logo competition, which was launched in September for year seven pupils at the school.

Alex Atkinson was declared the overall winner for his design which incorporated some of Staveley’s most well-known landmarks.

The winning entry was picked by a judging panel which included the Chair of the Staveley Town Board, Ivan Fomin, and Staveley-based design company, Q2 Creative.

Ivan Fomin said: “The winning logo portrayed hope for Staveley with a bright sun, and blended the canal and waterways whilst retaining the history with the winding wheel.”

Alex then had the opportunity to work with Q2 Creative to turn his hand drawn design into a format that would be suitable for use on the official website and on banners and hoardings in and around Staveley.

Lynne Dawson from Q2 Creative said: “We were delighted to be able to help out with the selection and development of the Staveley Town Deal logo. The students’ work was of a really high standard, with some very thoughtful and well-conceived ideas – it was very hard to choose a winner! It was great to work with Alex in developing his idea and explaining the design process and elements that go to make a successful logo. We wish the Staveley Town Deal project every success.”

The Staveley Town Deal Board has been established to oversee the development and implementation of a long-term Town Investment Plan for the Staveley area.

It is made up of elected members and senior officers from Chesterfield Borough Council, Staveley Town Council and Derbyshire County Council, both local members of parliament, representatives from local charitable organisations, Derbyshire Police, education leaders and representatives of the local business community.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “The Staveley Town Deal will create real improvements that will benefit local people for many years to come. It’s vital that the Town Deal engages young people because it is about ensuring that Staveley is a thriving town with great opportunities where young people can build their future.

“Well done to Alex for his excellent design, and thanks to all the young people who took part.”

As well the opportunity to work with a professional design company and learn how the process works, Alex won a £50 Shopping voucher awarded by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The five runners up were also given prizes of two tickets for a weeks’ membership to the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley or Queen’s Park Sports Centre, to be used in line with government restrictions.

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