Work to begin on Chesterfield’s new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre
Work is set to begin on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.
Chesterfield Borough Council has appointed local contractor Robert Woodhead Ltd to build the new development for businesses, with work to begin in Spring 2020.
This appointment follows an extensive procurement process undertaken by Chesterfield Borough Council in which Robert Woodhead Ltd has proved successful amidst a highly competitive field of design and build contractors. The good response by the construction market to this opportunity indicates there is a high level of interest for schemes in Chesterfield.
The new building will provide 32 high-quality offices in a range of sizes (26 to 120 square metres) over three floors. It offers a shared reception and lobby area, meeting rooms, first floor break out area, bicycle store, shower and changing facilities, air conditioning throughout, lift access, internal bin store, kitchenettes on the first and second floor for use by occupants, individually metered power supplies, access control to all office doors, CCTV coverage to internal communal areas and external area. IT fibre connection into building with maximum speed multi bandwith and Wifi is provided throughout.
Businesses moving in to the new facility will benefit from its central location, being in easy access to the town centre, Chesterfield train station, local buses and there being car parking nearby, and will benefit from having access to business support.
The development is estimated to take 12 months to build, so will be open for business in early 2021. Those interested in occupying one of the spaces should use the contact details below to discuss options available.
Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “The new centre will allow those based there to have access to in-house support services to encourage and nurture start-up and early stage businesses in a wide variety of industry sectors.
“The contractor appointed is based in the East Midlands, and as with all our contractors we will work with them in the support of the local labour clause promoting the use of a local supply chain and the employment of local people.
“The council declared a climate emergency in Chesterfield last year so being environmentally friendly in our forthcoming building projects is essential.
“This building has been deliberately designed to reduce its demand for energy and related carbon emissions. Through this design we are looking to achieve a 39.11% reduction in carbon omissions and 41.28% reduction in annual energy consumption when compared with a standard building.
“The combination of building fabric design and efficient building energy management systems will help us to achieve these targets. To demonstrate the sustainability credentials of this building we aim to achieve a BREEAM – New Construction Rating of Excellent.
“The location of the building in the town centre also ensures it benefits from proximity to a range of public transport services. The building will provide shower and changing facilities for those occupants who cycle or travel to work on foot. A building travel plan will also help promote more environmentally sustainable forms of transport to those using the building.
“The new centre will be the third managed workspace in the council’s portfolio, and we are seeking to build on the success of our well let Tapton and Dunston Innovation Centres.”
Leo Woodhead, Business Development Director at Woodhead Group, said: “Woodhead Group is delighted to be taking part in this exciting opportunity collaborating with Chesterfield Borough Council.”
“Our partnership will allow Woodhead Group to grow and develop our business within the local community.”
The centre will be developed on the same area that the archaeological dig took place last year, with hoarding going up around the site over the next few weeks. It has benefited from grant funding support from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.
To find out more about your business being based in the Enterprise Centre call either Claire Cunningham or Hannah Ramsdale on 01246 345255 or email hannah.ramsdale@chesterfield.gov.uk or claire.cunningham@chesterfield.gov.uk .
