chesterfield news

Devonshire Property Group commences construction on major industrial site in Staveley

Six much-needed industrial and warehouse units totalling 22,613 sq ft are being built in North Derbyshire to meet market demand.

Devonshire Property Group has started work on Hartington Business Park, off Farndale Road in Staveley, which will comprise three terraces of brand new, high specification, modern industrial and warehouse units ready to let for the start of 2023.

The development will offer six units across three terraces with units available from 2,429 sq ft to 4,856 sq ft. Alternatively, units could be combined to create single units up to 8,044 sq ft, offering ultimate flexibility and catering for occupier needs. The units are being marketed by the Sheffield office of Knight Frank and Commercial Property Partners (CPP).

Harry Orwin-Allen in Knight Frank Sheffield’s industrial team said: “There is a distinct lack of supply for good quality industrial spaces under 10,000 sq ft. This speculative development delivered by Devonshire Property Group will prove attractive to occupiers seeking high quality accommodation in the region.

“The units are currently under construction and will be ready for occupation in Q1 2023.”

Max Pickering of CPP added: “With the supply of good quality, smaller industrial buildings expected to remain low, Hartington Business Park will address some of the apparent supply imbalance with good quality units that cater for a range of occupier requirements.”

Key features of the units will include modern steel portal frames, steel profile cladding, concrete floor, secure concrete yard areas, ground level loading door, EV Charging points, three phase power supply and fibre broadband.

Hartington Business Park is located on the northern edge of Staveley, which is around five miles northeast of Chesterfield. The site benefits from access to the motorway network via J30 and J29A of the M1, both around three miles away from the development.

For further information contact Harry Orwin-Allen at Knight Frank on 0114 272 9750 or email harry.orwin-allen@knightfrank.com or call Max Pickering at CPP on 0114 273 8857.

Find out more about the range of developments taking place in Staveley at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/staveley/

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

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

Chesterfield Royal installs State-of-the-Art £1.5m MRI Scanner

A state-of-the-art £1.5m brand new MRI scanner has been installed at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust – expecting to help diagnose more than 16,000 patients a year.

An MRI scanner– or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner – uses magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to produce three dimensional detailed images of most areas of the body without the use of radiation. It is used to diagnose and monitor treatments in both adults and children.

The Trust has two MRIs on site with this new Siemens Magnetom Sola 1.5 T replacing an 11-year-old machine, which was removed in September.

The installation was carried out by a 50 tonne crane and took seven hours with the cryogenics and superconductor – needed to operate the machinery – being connected to the power supply and configured. The new machine will become operational from 23 December – just in time for Christmas.

The new MRI will have a life span of between 10-15 years and weighs just over 4 tonnes – the equivalent of a hippopotamus or about three cars. It will operate 12.5 hours a day, seven days a week – with scans lasting between 10-60 minutes. All scans are prioritised with urgent cases often receiving the results on the same day.

Kevin Sargen, Medical Director at the Trust commented: “This is great news for the people of Chesterfield and shows that as a Trust we are investing in modern care and facilities – this being alongside the £27m Urgent and Emergency Care Development and the £2m Paediatric Assessment Unit.”

An MRI is typically used to diagnose a variety of pathologies including stroke, tumours, vascular anomalies and many musculo-skeletal problems.

Rebecca Ward, MRICT lead at the Trust, said: “We’re very excited to be bringing in such an advanced piece of equipment into the hospital. The new technology will offer far greater quality and speed over our previous scanner. We know that it will improve our performance and mean we diagnose more people as well as providing a better experience for patients.”

Kevin Sargen, added: “I’d take this opportunity to flag that people need to access the right care by contacting their GP, 111 or pharmacies before coming to our Emergency Department – allowing us to ensure we can prioritise more serious conditions and those requiring access to diagnostics such as this new MRI.”

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

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Anti-violence bee set to arrive in Chesterfield

A thought-provoking anti-violence monument has arrived in Derbyshire ready to begin a county-wide tour, arriving in Chesterfield on Wednesday, 14th December.

Originally created for Manchester, the 11ft tall monument was created using various weapons, including knives and firearms, seized from the city’s streets.

The monument represents a firm stance against all forms of violence and the visit is set to highlight Derbyshire Police’s dedication to preventing, and talking about, acts of violence.

Whilst it is in Derbyshire, officers will be on hand to give advice, answer any questions and talk to visitors. The aim is to prevent violence, whatever it’s form, through a dedicated campaign which seeks to spread the anti-violence message across Derbyshire and beyond. It is hoped the bee will also get people thinking and talking about the issues affecting their communities and what they can do if they have concerns.

The visit follows the success of the knife angel’s visit to Derbyshire, which is made by the same company and started some really key conversations in communities.

The bee will also be spreading its wings and its messaging to youngsters in a number of schools and colleges during its month-long trek across Derbyshire.

Knitters and crafters have also been sending in hand-made bees, and whilst visitors are speaking to officers there will be the chance to grab one of these, which will contain anti-violence messaging, and sign up to our e-mail alert system, Derbyshire Alert.

Anyone who picks up one of these bees is encouraged to share their photos and engage with us on social media, tagging Derbyshire Constabulary and using the hashtag #BeeUnitedAgainstViolence.

Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett, from Derbyshire Constabulary, was there to welcome the bee and said: “This is very much about education, this is about getting the message out there that, as a society, we will not tolerate violence in any form.

“Whether that’s domestic abuse, whether that’s violence against women or girls, or knife and gun crime which is very much about what this monument depicts.

“All of the guns and knives were recovered from the streets of Manchester, so, every one of those represents, for me, one life saved potentially and also preventing that impact on the families as well.

“So I think it’s a really important piece to get that message out there that we want to both reduce violence and absolutely preventing it in the first place, but actually where violence does take place we want people to have the confidence to come forward in the absolute knowledge and understanding that we will do everything we can to help that person and bring perpetrators to justice.”

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Family fun returns to the town centre with the Christmas Elf Trail

The Christmas Elf Trail is back in Chesterfield and is ready for you to explore.

This is a fun, free activity for the whole family to enjoy, all you have to do is find the elves who are hiding in shop / venue windows in Chesterfield town centre, to be in with the chance of winning an annual family pass to Matlock Farm Park.

The trail is open from Thursday 24 November 2022 to Wednesday 4 January 2023 and can be completed at anytime that is suitable for you.

When you find one of the elves, you can scan the ‘Elf QR Code’ which gives you access to the special and secret elf webpages, which we have hidden on the Destination Chesterfield Christmas website.

Santa has hidden a letter on each of the webpages which spells out a magical word. Collect all the letters, unscramble them and spell out the special Christmas word and you will be entered into a competition to be in with a chance of winning the prize. You will need to fill in the online form to enter.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This is a great activity that allows you to explore the town centre. Not only is it free but it is interesting too as you have to find all of the letters to spell out a festive word to enter the prize draw. I really enjoyed finding the elves last year, so I’d encourage you to give it a try too.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “The Elf trail is always hugely popular.  Why not combine this free festive activity with your Christmas shopping or a bite to eat with friends and family.”

You can find the clues to where the elves are hiding on the Destination Chesterfield website. Each of the elves have different names and will be pictured in the windows of different locations in Chesterfield.

You can also collect a paper entry form from the Visitor Information Centre in Chesterfield and return the completed form there to enter the competition if you would prefer to complete the trail in this way.

Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield have teamed up again to host a variety of events across the town centre including the elf trail, Christmas Lights Switch On and Santa’s Grotto.

Find out more about all of the Christmas events taking place and more ideas of things to do in Chesterfield visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas.

Elf Trail Standard No Dates

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City Taxis wins Taxi Summit award for the second year

Local taxi company City Taxis has been chosen as the winners of the Outstanding Contribution Award at this year’s Taxi Summit Awards.

Held at the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral, the awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of leading industry fleet and suppliers, providing the chance to recognise the hard work put in by all that drive the taxi industry forward.

The award was presented to City Taxis as a ‘thank you’ for their commitment within our communities, including the launch of their City Charity Incubator which has supported The Archer Project over the last year, and their Thank You NHS Gala Ball which raised over £140,000 for Sheffield Hospitals Charity in the summer.

Amy Tingle, Business Director of City Taxis, said: “We are all very proud of what we have achieved as a team, particularly over this last year.

“As part of our City Charity strategy for 2022, we committed to supporting a charity in each of our Operating areas, which saw us getting involved in everything from volunteering at foodbanks to star-studded gala balls to internal collections for local charity shops.

“The journey has been extremely rewarding so far and we are overwhelmed to have received such a prestigious award, that recognises our dedication to our communities.”

Gareth Aston, CEO of Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “It was an honour to present our dear friends at City Taxis with this well-deserved award.

“They do amazing work across Sheffield and South Yorkshire, transforming the lives of thousands of people across the region.”

To read more about City Taxis’ contribution to the community, visit their website here: https://citytaxis.com/charity/

For more information on the City Taxis Thank You NHS Gala Ball, click here: https://citytaxis.com/thank-you-nhs-gala-ball/

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

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BHP becomes first tenant at flagship One Waterside Place in Chesterfield

Leading North Derbyshire and Yorkshire accountancy firm BHP has moved into Chesterfield’s most sought-after address at One Waterside Place.

BHP is the building’s first tenant and takes one floor in the six-storey building, relocating from its current site on Saltergate in Chesterfield town centre, which they occupied for more than 30 years.

The new office will be home to more than 70 BHP employees across its Personal and Corporate Tax, Healthcare, Audit and Accounts, and Payroll teams.

The ‘Grade A’ 5,550 sq ft office space boasts state-of-the-art office facilities, breakout spaces, meeting rooms, a café/bar area, modern kitchen, LED lighting, air conditioning and cycle parking.

BHP Partner Dominic Staniforth said: “We’re delighted to have officially moved into our brand-new office here at One Waterside Place. It’s been exciting to welcome the team in to experience the facilities first-hand.

“We’ve loved being part of the Chesterfield community for the past 30 years and the move demonstrates our commitment to the local economy and employment market, while providing us with a fantastic base for our firm to grow.

“One Waterside Place is superbly located and offers our people a great place to work, with an array of restaurants, cafés and shops on the doorstep. We look forward to being in our new home for many years to come.”

Lisa Leighton, BHP’s Joint Managing Partner, said: “Chesterfield has always been an important location for us. We’ve had a base in the town since 1991 and have built up a fantastic reputation in the area.

“The new office is an excellent space that provides first-class facilities for our team. I know I can speak on behalf of my Chesterfield colleagues when I say that we’re proud to be the first tenants in such a prestigious building and we look forward to our bright future at One Waterside Place.”

As well as nearby motorway links, One Waterside Place is desirably located next to Chesterfield’s mainline train station, with services reaching London St Pancras in under two hours.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome BHP to our new Grade A office accommodation in the heart of Chesterfield. Their investment is a ringing endorsement of our town and will help ensure there are great jobs for our residents. I want to wish them the best for their future,”

One Waterside Place is owned by Chesterfield Borough Council. The building’s property developer was Bolsterstone Group Plc and BHP’s office space was kitted out by Absolute Commercial Interiors Ltd.

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

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How Chesterfield’s business community is supporting local people this Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner, businesses and charitable organisations are doing their bit to help out across our area this festive season.

From toy appeals, donations to local foodbanks and support for local charities, the town is coming together in a number of ways to support those in need.

Find out how you can get involved with some of the great charity and community initiatives below, and don’t forget to find out more about the great range of festive events, activities and shopping guides at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas/

Chester’s Christmas Toy Appeal at Chesterfield FC

Chester’s Christmas Toy Appeal is now underway at Chesterfield Football Club. Any new, unwrapped toys, for children aged 0-18 years, are welcome.

Sponsored by Brett Martin, the initiative provides toys at Christmas for children’s charities and families who have experienced hardship.

To make a donation to the appeal, please call in at the Technique Stadium – main reception or the HUB – from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The following business have also agreed to be a drop-off point for the appeal:

  • Ideal Flooring – behind Morrisons on Chatsworth Road.
  • World Choice Holidays inside Tesco.
  • Chester’s Den.
  • Rosewood Wealth Management Ltd, 388 Brimington Road, Chesterfield, S41 OTF.

Applications are now being invited from charities and families for toys donated to the appeal. Find out more here. 

Bridge Help’s foodbank appeal

Amid the cost-of-living crisis, Bridge Help is urging local businesses to dig deep and donate to its annual Christmas collection for Chesterfield Foodbank.

Launched in 2020, Bridge Help’s annual fundraising appeal has enabled the commercial finance company to donate more than £5,500 of food and toiletries to Chesterfield Foodbank.

Bridge Help is inviting people to donate either money or non-perishable food and toiletries. All monetary donations will be used to buy much-needed items and donated to Chesterfield Foodbank.

The annual appeal is organised by Phoebe Sellars, who is a Business Development Manager at Bridge Help as well as a trustee of Chesterfield Citizens Advice in her spare time.

Phoebe said: “As a volunteer for Chesterfield Citizens Advice I am hearing first-hand how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting people in the community. Some of the stories are heartbreaking. Rather than sit and wait until December we decided to bring our appeal forward. This will hopefully enable us to collect as much as possible and make a very real difference to local people who will be forced to use this vital service over winter.”

Donations to the Bridge Help Chesterfield Foodbank Appeal can be made until Friday 16 December.

You can drop off donations at Bridge Help’s offices on Old Brick Works Lane, off Sheffield Road. Just simply call ahead to arrange a drop off time. If you would like to make a donation, please call Phoebe on 0333 303 4681.

City Taxis supports Cash for Kids Mission Christmas Appeal

City Taxis is supporting the biggest Christmas gift appeal in the UK, Cash for Kids Mission Christmas!

Mission Christmas aims to make Christmas Day different for children and young people living in poverty across the UK.

Christmas is a luxury that some families cannot afford, but by collecting and distributing gifts and cash donations, Mission Christmas can make sure that disadvantaged children have something to open on Christmas morning.

The charity identifies children and provides support through community organisations, social workers, schools, and the emergency services to ensure that help is given to those who need it most at this crucial time of year.

City Taxis, City Grab, and City Connect are proud to be supporting such a fantastic campaign, particularly with the current cost of living crisis affecting many families and their ability to enjoy a stress-free Christmas.

Gifts can be dropped off at the locations listed below:

Chesterfield

  • Pizza Pi – Vicar Lane Shopping Centre (City Grab outlet)
  • City Chesterfield Office – Holywell Street (City Grab outlet)

Paul Gosney, Business Development Director of City Taxis, said: “Having supported Cash for Kids Mission Christmas campaign in previous years, we are so pleased we are able to be involved again, particularly during these difficult times.

“The Mission Christmas campaign is not just about giving gifts – it’s about supporting our communities, spreading the love, and taking care of each other.

“The Cash for Kids team do a fantastic job of putting smiles on children’s faces every Christmas, year on year, so let’s all come together and help make this happen for 2022!”

Volunteer for one of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice’s bucket collections

Fancy spreading some Christmas cheer at a bucket-collection? The fundraising team at Bluebell Wood have the perfect opportunity for you. Across November and December the charity has multiple opportunities where you would be lending a helping hand, in stores local to you, in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice cares for children and young adults whose lives are sadly just too short, helping hundreds of families from across Chesterfield, North Derbyshire and beyond at the hospice and in their homes each year.

Isobel Wells, Regional Fundraiser for Chesterfield and Derbyshire said: “With only fifteen per cent of its funding coming from government sources Bluebell Wood is reliant on its fantastic supporters, without you the charity couldn’t reach as many people who need is as possible”

If you would like to know more, please contact Isobel.wells@bluebellwood.org

Junction Arts hosts ‘The Big Give Christmas Challenge’

Between 12 noon on Tuesday 29th November – 12 noon on Tuesday 6th December, Junction Arts is attempting to raise £2000 in online donations. Donations made through the charity’s Big Give page will be doubled enabling it to providemore engaging opportunities for young people across Chesterfield, Bolsover district and NE Derbyshire.

For more details go to: https://junctionarts.org/the-big-give-2022/

Junction Arts also has charity Christmas cards for sale. Working with artist Ella Bramwell-Hopkins and the Arty Ladies group in Creswell, the design has been based upon stories and artwork created during a session reminiscing previous Christmases. Cards can be bought through Etsy. Find out more.

Hannah Bowdler, Relationship Fundraiser at Junction Arts commented: “Our annual Christmas campaign is Community Christmas because that’s exactly where the money goes, back to supporting the neighbours, friends and families of those who are giving.

“Through our projects, we promote the importance of people coming together creating supportive and caring communities. This is also promoted through fundraising for us through fun activities which create funny memories and great moments to share with others.”

Local businesses sponsor a snowflake for The Childrens Hospital Charity

The Children’s Hospital Charity’s much-loved display, established in 2004, brings people together with a shared goal to build a better future for the staff, patients and the families at Sheffield Children’s.

In return for pledging to raise funds, each sponsor sees their snowflake sparkle on one of our sites, with an attached name tag recognising their contribution for all to see.

The snowflake appeal has now raised more than £1m for Sheffield Children’s Hospital since its inception. The money raised will support the fundraising for a new on-site helipad and a redeveloped Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s.

As well as the Homes-by-Holmes building on Saltergate in Chesterfield (pictured above), snowflakes supporting Sheffield Children’s can also be found on the hospital and various locations across North Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

Chloë Brunton-Dunn, Corporate Partnerships Officer at The Children’s Hospital Charity said: “It has been brilliant to see our snowflakes light up Chesterfield for the second year this Christmas, and we’re so grateful to James Holmes for his continued, amazing support of Sheffield Children’s.

“We’d like to say thank you to every individual, family, business, community group, school, street and suburb that has come together to support our snowflake appeal. We’d also like to say a special thank you to Elev8 Access Platforms Ltd for all their help installing the snowflakes on the Homes-by-Holmes building in Chesterfield.

“The money raised will help Sheffield Children’s where it is needed most, including by building a new on-site helipad. We’re now over two thirds of the way to our target and we hope construction can start in the new year, so the snowflakes will leave a life-saving legacy long after Christmas.”

Rosewood Wealth Management supports Action for Children with family hampers

At Rosewood Wealth, the team is this year supporting Action for Children, a not-for-profit charity, by collecting donations that will build hampers for families that are financially struggling.

These hampers will help provide food for the festive period so families can enjoy Christmas and celebrate without the worry of putting food on the table.

If you can help, please drop any donations to Rosewood’s offices at 388 Brimington Road, Chesterfield , S41 0TF before Monday the 6th of December.

Recycle your Christmas Tree with Ashgate Hospice and Bluebell Wood

If you’ve got a real Christmas tree but don’t want the hassle of trying to dispose of it after the festive season, why not donate to a local charity and get their team of volunteers to collect it for you?

Both Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice and Ashgate Hospice are running the initiative in January 2023, but you can register your collection now on their websites!

Ashgate Hospice: https://ashgatehospice.org.uk/treecycle/

Bluebell Wood: https://www.bluebellwood.org/recycle-your-christmas-tree

Poignant lantern-lit procession to raise funds for Ashgate Hospice

Hundreds of families are set to celebrate their loved ones at a poignant sell-out lantern-lit procession and remembrance ceremony in December – and others are being invited join in from home.

Ashgate Hospice’s new-look Light Up a Life event has launched and the charity is giving the community a way to remember their loved ones during what can be a difficult time for many.
The 1.2-mile procession, which takes place on Sunday 4th December, will see 350 supporters light up the streets of Chesterfield with special lanterns personalised in tribute to family and friends.

It will bring walkers to the hospice’s site at Old Brampton, where they will be joined by a further 200 supporters coming just to the ceremony.

Whilst the event is now full, Ashgate is encouraging people to support the hospice’s appeal by donating for a unique lantern to personalise and keep at home.

The unique remembrance service will be led by local celebrant Jonathan Reeve and will feature gentle live music from local singer Ariarna Joy, in the beautifully-lit gardens from 6pm.

Supporters of the hospice’s Light Up a Life event will receive a lantern in the post which can be personalised with a photo of their loved one and a special message in return for a suggested £20 donation. They will also be sent an electric light to place inside their lantern.

Click here and find out more about how to register for Ashgate Hospice’s Light Up a Life event this winter.

Fortem Solutions Supports Local Foodbank

Fortem’s Chesterfield team recently posted on social media how the company is supporting residents in need by linking up with Chesterfield foodbank!

Sparky Ink Studio produces charity Christmas cards

The team at Chesterfield’s Sparky Ink Studio has been busy getting into the festive spirit, by hosting a charity Christmas card competition!

Mortgage 1st collects donations for Chesterfield Foodbank

Staff at Mortgage 1st have this year decided to forgo their secret Santa in order to provide essential food and items for Chesterfield foodbank:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mortgage 1st (@mortgage1st)

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

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SMH Group completes merger with BCL Accountants

Leeds based accountancy practice, BCL Accountants Limited, have merged into the SMH Group, allowing the firm to offer an increased level of service to its clients backed by the strength of the Yorkshire and Derbyshire based group.

The merger took place on 1st November 2022, with the firm continuing to operate from their office on Pavilion Business Park in Leeds.

The new company, called SMH BCL Accountants Limited, sees existing Managing Director, Chris Nunn start a phased retirement over the next three years, with current co-Director, Stacey Pocklington stepping up into the Partner role. James Hartley and Jonathon Dickens, who lead all operations within the SMH group also join as Directors

The SMH Group offer a full range of business and personal financial services, including accountancy, financial advice, commercial finance, wills & probate, and mortgage advice, to businesses and individuals across region.

Chris Nunn, Managing Director of BCL Accountants Ltd comments: “Having joined BCL Accountants Limited in 1993, and becoming Managing Director in 2002, it is the right time to start phasing in my retirement. We’re delighted to join forces with the SMH Group, a regional firm that has a similar ethos and client focus to ourselves. They’re the perfect fit to ensure we can take BCL Accountants to the next level.

“It is very much business as usual for us – all the current staff will still be on hand, but we now have the resources of a larger firm to ensure we can offer the best all round service for all our clients’ business, personal and family financial requirements.

“Myself, and fellow Director at BCL Accountants Limited, Stacey Pocklington will be continuing, so will be on hand to ensure there is consistency for our clients going forward.

“SMH Group have the expertise to continue to deliver the highest quality service to our clients, as well as introducing their full-service offering meaning they can access all their financial requirements under one roof. I am confident the merger will be of benefit to all our clients and staff alike.”

Jonathon Dickens, Partner at the SMH Group adds: “This latest merger into the SMH Group is an excellent opportunity for both firms – it provides long term security and more added value services for clients of BCL Accountants and allows us to expand the SMH Group into a new area in Leeds, which has been a long-term objective of ours.

“Our thanks go to CMP Legal and Mason Thomas Law, who advised on all the legal aspects of the deal.

“We would like to offer a warm welcome to Chris, Stacey and all staff and clients into the SMH family.”

BCL Accountants specialise in providing accountancy services to a range of businesses, in particular the licensed trade, engineering and building trades. The addition of BCL Accountants Limited into the SMH Group is the sixth merger to take place since 2018, and the second in quick succession with Matlock based Malcom J Harris Ltd joining the group in September 2022.

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

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East Midlands Chamber launches Business Manifesto for Growth to develop region as a ‘Centre of Trading Excellence’

“Back the East Midlands to back the UK” is the opportunity being put to politicians today (Thursday 24 November) by East Midlands Chamber as it launches a blueprint for economic growth in this region and beyond.

Delegates from the chamber of commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, along with local businesses and MPs, visited Parliament to unveil the 12-page document, titled A Centre of Trading Excellence: A Business Manifesto for Growth in the East Midlands and Beyond.

It includes “The Big Opportunity” to further develop the East Midlands as a “Centre of Trading Excellence”, which reflects the region’s key assets in its industrial heritage, leading-edge universities, central location, and the country’s largest pure freight airport.

The Chamber, which represents more than 4,000 businesses, also calls on policymakers to “get the basics right” by outlining what businesses need now to succeed and take advantage of emerging opportunities via a series of key policy asks, covering people, taxation and regulation, and connectivity.

It then urges Government to “grow our competitiveness the right way” by doubling down efforts on net zero and the wider environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “We’ve long spoken about our region being a place that’s great for making things, moving things and innovating in how we do this.

“These strengths really came to the fore during the pandemic and shone a spotlight on our region being a Centre of Trading Excellence, which is about businesses wanting to trade more, trade differently, trade with new partners, and trade in a way that is cleaner and more effective.

“The former Bank of England governor Mark Carney once remarked on how the East Midlands is a bellwether of the UK’s economic health, as we proportionately have more manufacturing businesses and jobs than other regions but we’re not overly reliant on any single sector.

“In many ways, we are a microcosm of the national economy outside London, so our message to Government is if you want a blueprint for what a successful economy looks like, then the key components exist in the East Midlands.

“Creating a policy environment that helps businesses here to succeed can be replicated elsewhere, which ultimately spurs more trade that boosts the national economy, creates more jobs and improves people’s life outcomes. This is why we call on the Government to back the East Midlands to back the UK.”

By responding to a string of policy asks, the Chamber says Government can “establish a formula that will help to deliver on key goals to level up, reboot the economy and boost post-Brexit growth in global trade”. The manifesto covers three key pillars:

  1. The Big Opportunity: Develop the East Midlands as a Centre of Trading Excellence by focusing on the ‘four Is’:
    1. Incentivise longer-term private sector investment at more generous levels
    2. Support greater levels of innovation through enhanced R&D packages and easier links into universities
    3. Improve infrastructure by raising the current level of public investment in the region to parity with the national average
    4. Cut red tape and reduce barriers to international trade, increasing incentives for those looking to grow their international presence or enter new markets for the first time
  2. Getting the basics right: Provide the levers to drive growth via the cultivation of a wider business ecosystem geared around supporting success, which should:
    1. Focus on incentives to invest in people
    2. Support certainty for businesses by developing a long-term approach to business taxation and regulation
    3. Ensure businesses and communities are digitally and physically connected locally and with the wider world
  3. Growing our competitiveness the right way: Now is not the time to go back on the commitments we have made as a country to sustainability and the net zero agenda. The Chamber, whose research shows ESG is rising up the agenda for businesses, says long-term planning allows businesses to grow sustainably and create opportunities for the UK to be world leaders in the products and processes that will drive global growth for decades to come.

A previous Business Manifesto for Growth published by East Midlands Chamber in 2018, titled Delivering A Great Future, called for a dedicated delivery vehicle to create a zone of ultra-high growth in logistics and advanced manufacturing hinged around East Midlands Airport and a linked free trade zone.

This set the wheels in motion for what would eventually lead to the East Midlands Freeport and East Midlands Development Company being established.

A Centre of Trading Excellence aims to maximise the impact of these initiatives while reinforcing the typical barriers to doing business and reiterating the importance of Britain fully committing to net zero.

After its launch at a special Westminster event – which featured speeches from Nottingham North MP Alex Norris and Broxtowe MP Darren Henry – the document will be used by the Chamber in policy discussions with MPs and Government officials to illustrate priorities of the region and its businesses.

The manifesto has received support from key businesses. East Midlands Airport’s managing director Steve Griffiths said: “East Midlands Airport is an engine of growth in its own right. Its role as an international gateway gives businesses in this region a competitive advantage when trading globally. As such, EMA has been the catalyst for much investment across the region in recent years.

“I’m delighted the Chamber is building on the gains already made and will help make the case to Government for increased recognition of the importance of our region and everything we have to offer the UK economy.”

David Williams chairman at East Midlands-based law firm Geldards, added: “The East Midlands region is renowned as an outstanding growth hub both for start-up businesses and established firms alike.

“As well as benefiting from transport links boosting connectivity to and from the region, the innovative development programme of regenerating brownfield sites is transforming our cities and wider region into a world-class arena to conduct business. It’s time for MPs to take note and recognise we are a region to be reckoned with.”

To read A Centre of Trading Excellence: A Business Manifesto for Growth in the East Midlands and Beyond, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/manifesto

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

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber

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

25,000 new trees planted in Stand Wood above Chatsworth

A major replanting of Stand Wood, the woodland that sits on the steep hill behind Chatsworth House, is taking place to restore thousands of trees to the landscape which includes the Hunting Tower and four reservoirs.

The Forestry team at Chatsworth is hard at work planting around 25,000 new trees to create a more diverse woodland with a much wider variety of species including oak, hornbeam, birch, alder, sycamore and yew trees across its 383 acres. All of the saplings have been grown in UK nurseries and while different species grow at different rates, most of the tree canopy is expected to be above head height in the next 10-15 years.

John Everitt, Forestry Manager at Chatsworth: “We have records showing the woodland has been planted and replanted many times over the centuries. It’s part of the natural cycle with older trees and plants replaced with new growth – the trees we have recently replanted will soon grow to create a mature woodland again.”

“In fact, one of our retired foresters, Brian Gilbert, recently brought in some photos of him working in Stand Wood in the early 1960s. One particular photo caught my attention and shows a young Brian with a piece of pine pit wood slung over his shoulder, probably for use in the collieries that were such an important part of the local economy at the time.”

“He’s stood on the road between the Hunting Tower and Park Gate Farm, with the timber on his shoulder being felled from the top side of the track as part of a gale tidy up during a bad winter in February 1963. In the background of the picture are young larch, beech, oak and sweet chestnut trees planted following wartime felling. These are the same larch and sweet chestnut trees which we have recently had to fell as mature trees due to the Phytophthora outbreak.”

The replanting of affected areas with a greater mixture of species will help make Stand Wood more disease-resistant as it replaces trees which had to be felled after approximately 5500 trees (3500 tonnes of wood) became infected with a deadly water mould called Phytophthora Ramorum. The mould affects bark and foliage, usually leads to death and particularly damages Larch as well as some other trees and plants

The diseased trees were cut down to help prevent further spread of the disease to other areas of woodland on the estate and in neighbouring woodlands. Working with the Forestry Commission to identify the infected areas, the Chatsworth Forestry team felled and removed all the larch and sweet chestnut trees within these areas and in surrounding areas where larch trees were at risk.

Old paintings of Chatsworth show that the hillside behind the house was completely devoid of trees until it was replanted in the 18th century with the woodland having undergone partial felling and replanting on a number of occasions since. Among the oldest, at the crest, are several mature beech trees from the 18th or early 19th century.

Comprising nearly 4,000 acres, Chatsworth’s woodlands sequester around 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year – almost four times the annual emissions from owned and operated property in the Chatsworth Estate.

Chatsworth Forestry and Arboriculture is responsible for the stewardship and management of all woodlands and individual trees across the entire Chatsworth Estate. The woodlands are managed under the UK Woodland Assurance Standard, FSC® certified and audited annually to ensure Chatsworth is operating to the highest industry standards.

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

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

Reserved Matters approval for 75 new homes in Calow

Woodall Homes has announced Reserved Matters approval for the residential development of 75 dwellings in Calow.

Further to Outline planning permission having been granted in December 2021, the brand-new development located on Top Road has now received Reserved Matters approval.

The new site will feature a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, including bungalows. The development will be accessed from Oaks Farm Lane, which is to be upgraded and will include a 2m wide footpath.

This development includes comprehensive landscaping proposals, providing for broad undeveloped areas of green infrastructure, wildlife-friendly habitats, native planting and additional hedgerows, plus the retention of existing woodland, which is to be protected. The public right of way through the development will also be maintained, providing recreational access to the countryside for the community.

Darren Abbott, planning director at Woodall Homes said: “We can’t wait to get started on the new development, with work expected to begin in early 2023.

“There is already a fantastic community growing within Calow, with our nearby Churchfields progressing well. We love working within the area and I know the entire team are looking forward to the beginning of this next project.”

Woodall Homes currently have five developments currently under construction across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.  For more information on the available properties, visit the website at https://www.woodallhomes.co.uk/developments/#current-developments

The company also recently announced a new luxury eco-development in Chesterfield, featuring some of the latest sustainable technology. Find out more about the project here.

Whether it’s a town or village experience, contemporary or traditional housing, buying or renting, living in Chesterfield and the surrounding area is affordable and offers something for everyone. Find out more about living in Chesterfield here.

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

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