Chesterfield’s sustainable businesses recognised with new award
Three of Chesterfield’s top sustainable businesses have been named in the brand-new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management.
Astra Designs, Designer Contracts and Superior Wellness have been shortlisted for the Sustainability Award for demonstrating a commitment to sustainable business practices. This is the first time sustainability has been recognised in Destination Chesterfield’s annual awards.
Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council, the award is designed to highlight the importance of businesses working towards becoming carbon neutral. The three finalists commended not only measure and report their progress, but have also demonstrated a commitment to sustainability during the past five years.
Chesterfield Borough Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has since committed to the Council and borough becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and 2050 respectively.
Donna Swift-Moore, Owner and Designer at Astra Designs commented: “When I found out that we were shortlisted for this award, you would’ve thought I had won the lottery! Our whole business model is based around sustainability and reducing fast fashion pollution, with the company using 80% recycled fabrics. We just think it’s so important and, with the introduction of this new award, I think it says a lot about Chesterfield.”
Rob Carlin, Managing Director of Superior Wellness said: “We are delighted to be a finalist for this award. Sustainability is high on the agenda at Superior Wellness – we care about wellness and about the environment. Within the last few months, we have reviewed our waste strategy, purchased electric forklift trucks, installed solar panels and have electric charging points. This is just the start as we seek to become more sustainable as a business.”
Louise Walters, Commercial Director at Designer Contracts explained: “Sustainability improves the quality of our lives. As a business, we believe it’s really important to be invested in making more sustainable choices and developing strategies that contribute to our environment.”
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader, commented: “We are proud to be sponsoring the inaugural Sustainability Award as part of the Love Chesterfield Awards.
“As a council we have set ambitious targets to reduce our own carbon emissions and those of the wider borough, but we cannot do this alone. We need to work with businesses, individuals, and community organisations to realise this ambition.
“This award is one of the ways we hope to reach the business community and demonstrate the actions businesses can take to reduce their carbon footprint. But it is also an opportunity to celebrate those businesses which have been leading the way and implementing sustainable business practices.
“I want to congratulate all the finalists for the fantastic work they have done and wish them the best of luck.”
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented on the importance of the new award: “Climate change is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed, so it was important for us to recognise those that are pushing to make a positive change here in Chesterfield.
“For these local organisations to remain on top of sustainability issues, during what has been such a challenging time for everyone, is impressive, inspiring and a testament to the type of businesses we have here in our town.”
The Sustainability Award is one of 16 categories in the new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management. The new awards have combined Chesterfield’s annual High Street and Food and Drink awards and also recognised the contribution of entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, apprentices and sustainability to the local community over the last 18 months.
See the full list of 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/
The 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Addooco IT, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Digital High Street, The Chesterfield College Group, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, Greatest Hits Radio South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, JP Fire Safety Solutions, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Van Dyk by Wildes.
Peter Swallow added: “It’s never been more important to show our appreciation of the business community, so we’d love for the awards ceremony to be our biggest and best yet. This can only be made possible with sponsorship.”
Destination Chesterfield has two sponsorship opportunities remaining. If you would like to support the town, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.
