Author: Dom Stevens

Route change as Race for Life returns to Chesterfield

21st May 2018

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life Chesterfield is returning to town to raise vital funds.

This year’s event will set off from Queen’s Park at 10.30am on Sunday 3 June and follow a different route to previous years, which it is hoped will also reduce disruption to motorists.

Participants will complete a double lap of Queen’s Park and Boythorpe Avenue as part of a 5km route instead of going through the town centre.

As a result there will only be road closures on Boythorpe Avenue and Park Road – between Boythorpe Avenue and the exit from the Ravenside Retail Park in Markham Road – from early morning until early afternoon.

To enable the event to run smoothly Chesterfield Borough Council will also temporarily close the Queen’s Park North and Albion Road car parks. The other town centre car parks at Rose Hill, Soresby Street, Holywell Cross (Donut) and Ashgate Road will remain open as normal.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said: “We are pleased to support Chesterfield’s Race for Life event each year because it is such a good cause.

“All of us will have been touched by cancer at some time in our lives either through having the disease or knowing someone who has.

“The revised route this year will hopefully keep any disruption in to a minimum and roads and car parks will reopen as soon as possible after the race has finished.

“We hope that as many people as possible will either take part in the race or come down to watch it as a spectator.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield Champion Inspiring British Business

21st May 2018

Chesterfield Champion, Whittam Cox Architects, have been listed in the fifth edition of London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘1000 companies to Inspire Britain’ report, published this month.

The report is a celebration of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized businesses across the UK. To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years, significantly outperforming their industry peers.

Of the 1000 companies listed, around 40% are based in London/South East. The East Midlands and Yorkshire region, where Whittam Cox Architects are based, represents 14% of companies listed. Less than 10 Architects practices were listed in total.

The report states that creative industries continue to live up to their name by being one of the most innovative parts of the UK economy, generating an estimated £10.5m every hour and employing 3 million people. Creative industries have also been growing twice as fast as the whole economy in recent years; with a 7.6% increase in the sector’s gross value in 2016 alone. And, while the industry is often associated with the London tech sector, in fact, two-thirds of creative industries jobs are outside the capital, in areas as diverse as architecture music, fashion and museums.

The report has been supported cross-party from leading politicians, including The Rt Hon Theresa May MP who provided opening commentary in the report. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond MP also attended the official launch of the Report on the 15^th May.

Nick Riley, Board director at the practice, commented:-

“We are genuinely delighted to have been recognised in this impressive publication; particularly in the context of its multi-sector national spread. We have put a huge amount of time and energy into redefining and shaping our business direction over the last three years. Whilst change process can of course be challenging at times, we believe we have created a strategic and operational model which will hopefully sustain us for the long-term.”

Ashley Turner, CEO at the practice, added:-

“As an Architect’s practice, our success is defined by our people, who are the reason for our ongoing success and we are grateful to everybody, both within and associated with our business, for supporting us along the way.”

Nikhil Rathi, CEO at the London Stock Exchange Plc, added:-

“We warmly congratulate all of the companies identified in this year’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report. Five years on, the report continues to demonstrate the strength and diversity of British businesses across the country. These dynamic companies are the backbone of our economy, playing an important role in the UK’s ability to innovate, export and grow.”

A full searchable database of all of the companies along with a downloadable pdf of the publication can be found online at www.1000companies.com

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Free workshops aim to create polished Peak Ambassadors

21st May 2018

Budding ambassadors who want to learn how to help promote the Peak District and Derbyshire as a world-class destination are being invited along to a series of free workshops being delivered by the area’s official tourist board.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is to stage a number of ‘Peak District and Derbyshire Welcome’ courses – developed in partnership with learndirect – to empower local businesses with the information and skills they need to welcome visitors to the area with pride and confidence.

The workshops – which are running between now and the end of July and are open to Derbyshire-based visitor economy businesses, including the retail sector – will equip participants to:

Understand the importance of the visitor economy to the Peak District and Derbyshire and how they can contribute to increasing the amount of money visitors spend here
Gain the right approach, skills and knowledge needed to welcome visitors and leave them with positive, memorable experiences
Positively promote the area with pride, knowledge and enthusiasm in a professional and friendly way
Transform them into confident and knowledgeable ambassadors

Lindsay Rae, Deputy Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said:-

“Tourism is extremely important to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy – it currently supports almost 28,000 jobs, brings in around 40 million visitors a year, and is worth an annual £2 billion.

“These workshops are aimed at anyone who is interested in making a positive contribution to complement the wider work we do at the tourist board and add value to the area’s visitor economy for everyone’s benefit.

“Everyone who comes along will get the chance to learn about the area’s rich history, culture, main events and attractions so they can then go out and spread the word about our unique and very special area with knowledge and confidence.

“We all need to work together to shape the destination’s future direction and prosperity, and this is the perfect opportunity to get actively involved in the process.”

The courses are funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) through learndirect, the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and employment services.

Anyone interested in taking part can find further details and enrol at http://marketingpeakdistrictandderbyshire.eventbrite.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Apprentices set to be honoured at Chesterfield Retail Awards

18th May 2018

One of Chesterfield’s apprentices will be named as the town’s best at the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards next month.

Two retail apprentices have been shortlisted for the prestigious Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by the Apprentice Town initiative led by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Jodie Tomlinson a hairdressing apprentice from The Lounge on Chatsworth Road, and Chloe Hall, an apprentice beauty therapist from The Therapy Lounge in Hasland, are both in the running for the brand new award after being nominated by their employers.

Jodie and Chloe will be recognised alongside more than 30 businesses from the town’s retail sector which have been shortlisted across 15 categories in Destination Chesterfield’s annual Retail Awards.

Both Jodie and Chloe are NVQ Level 2 apprentices and have impressed their employers with their enthusiasm for their job and the impact they are making on the businesses they work in.

Social media savvy, Jodie Tomlinson joined The Lounge after leaving Brookfield Community School last year and has ambitions to become a stylist following her apprenticeship. She is the ‘go to’ person for social media activity in the salon and her management of it has had a big impact on The Lounge, resulting in more publicity and an increase in business.

Delighted to be shortlisted Jodie (17) from Brampton said:-

“I was happy and surprised to learn I had been shortlisted for the award. I really enjoy my job, particularly styling and finishing people’s hair.”

Her boss, salon owner Rebecca Ward, added:-

“Jodie really deserves the recognition for all the hard work she puts in to make it in her hairdressing career.”

Fellow nominee and former Bolsover School pupil Chloe Hall (18) from Duckmanton, said:-

“I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship. I love being part of a team and doing the treatments. I really want to progress to a level 3 apprenticeship when I complete my level 2. It’s great how apprenticeships combine training and a wage – it’s what attracted me to doing one.”

Chloe’s boss and owner of The Therapy Lounge, Carly Smith praised her for her work as a salon assistant. Chloe is now starting to do her own treatments with clients and the growth in her confidence since starting her apprenticeship at The Therapy Lounge is reaping rewards for her customer service skills.

Carly added:-

“Chloe has put in a lot of work and effort to get up to speed. She has had to develop a lot of life skills since starting but her lovely personality has helped. We’re now confident Chloe will progress to Level 3 in September.

Alongside the Apprentice of the Year title, this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards will also be honouring the town’s Apprentice Employer of the Year, sponsored by Learning Limited (The Chesterfield College Group).

Three businesses have been shortlisted for the Apprentice Employer of the Year award – Ashgate Hospicecare, Bliss Hair and Specsavers.

This is the first year that apprentices and apprentice employers have been recognised in the Chesterfield Retail Awards. The new awards are designed to recognise and commend the valuable contribution both apprentices and their employers make to Chesterfield’s retail scene.

Commenting on the decision to introduce the new categories to the Retail Awards line up, Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“I am delighted we have been able to introduce the new categories in the Retail Awards. So many dedicated people work in the town’s retail sector and this is reflected in the high calibre of entrants we have in each category.

“It is great to see young people developing their skills and careers in the sector and also to recognise the many employers who are supporting them through apprenticeships.”

The winners of the Chesterfield Retail Awards will be announced on Wednesday 13 June at the fifth annual Chesterfield Retail Awards, being held at the Winding Wheel.

Other supporters of the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards include: Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber, eBusiness Works, In the Works PR, JP Fire Safety, Peak FM, Jumble Creative Design, Temple Safety, The Pavements Shopping Centre and the University of Derby.

For more information about the awards including details of remaining sponsorship packages, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Residents urged to keep Chesterfield blooming

17th May 2018

Green-fingered Chesterfield residents are urged to pick up their trowels and take part in this year’s Chesterfield in Bloom competition.

Chesterfield in Bloom is a community-led campaign, supported by Chesterfield Borough Council, aimed at encouraging residents to take pride in their area and forms the borough’s entry into the regional East Midlands in Bloom competition.

Last year, the borough won a gold award in the East Midlands in Bloom competition for the second year running.

Residents are encouraged to take part in the best kept garden competition to help the borough retain the title.

Categories in the competition are:

Best front garden sponsored by Dunston Hall/New Leaf Garden Centres
Best back garden (up to 80m²) sponsored by Chesterfield Markets
Best back garden (larger than 80m²)
Best container garden/hanging basket
Best blooming pub/restaurant

The winners of these categories are also entered into the best overall garden category sponsored by Killingley Landscapes.

Allotment holders can enter the best allotment competition. Categories are:

Best kept allotment site (six or more allotment plots)
Best kept individual allotment plot (150m² and above)
Best kept individual allotment plot (less than 150m²)

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:-

“Each year we are astounded by the number of fantastic entries into the best kept garden competition – with so many people working hard to keep their areas bright, clean and colourful.

“I’d like to encourage people to enter and help us retain our gold award in the East Midlands in Bloom competition.”

This year also sees a special category introduced for council tenants. Categories in this competition are:

Best garden (this can be front, back or side garden)
Best container/hanging basket

Tenants can also nominate an estate champion to receive an award, this can be an individual or groups of people who take an active role in keeping their local area clean safe and tidy.

Councillor Helen Bagley, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for homes and customers, added:-

“This year we are proud to introduce new categories in the East Midlands in Bloom competition for our tenants including the estate champion award.

“This new award will recognise people who are community champions and encourage others to keep their areas clean and tidy. If you know someone who fits the bill, please download an entry form and nominate.”

The closing date for entries is Friday 15 June, with judging taking place the following week.

Entry forms are available on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/bloom.

The competition is sponsored by Ringwood Hall Hotel. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the hotel in the autumn.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Tommy Lee testimonial match announced

17th May 2018

Having been granted a testimonial match by Chesterfield FC to mark his ten seasons with the club, Tommy Lee’s testimonial match will be against a Wigan Athletic XI on Wednesday, July 25 (7pm).

With former Spireites manager Paul Cook and his assistant Leam Richardson set to lead a team from the current League One champions, a gala occasion is guaranteed as fans can celebrate the career of one of the club’s most popular players of recent years, before his career was cruelly cut short by a shoulder injury.

Tommy said:-

“As soon as the club granted me the testimonial, Paul Cook let it be known that he’d do whatever he could to help and I’m delighted that he and Leam have agreed to send a team to play in the match.

“With Wigan agreeing to come over to the Proact for a game that will be the first at home under new boss Martin Allen, the game is sure to be of interest to all Spireites.

“I have to thank Chesterfield FC for allowing us to stage the game, which will be a major part of the team’s pre-season build-up. The club has been brilliant in ensuring the game can take place and I can’t thank them enough for their support for what is sure to be an emotional evening for me and my family.”

The cost of tickets has been set to encourage supporters to attend in numbers, with a £10 maximum charge for adults and U16s costing just £3. There will also be hospitality on offer – details will be released soon, as will the date when match tickets will be available.

In addition, there will be a very special opportunity for fans to mingle with the largest gathering of ex-players that will have ever congregated at the stadium. The launch of the Chesterfield FC Former Players Association will also take place that night with 50 former Spireites visiting the match and there will be the opportunity for 50 supporters to join them in the Brampton Brewery Lounge for what will be a unique opportunity to meet and chat with so many former heroes.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Second date announced after free #Fit4HS2 seminar ‘sold out’ in a day

17th May 2018

A second date has been announced for a free seminar to steer small and medium-sized enterprises through the HS2 procurement process.

The new event was added after the first ‘sold out’ within 24 hours.

Organised by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with HS2, places at the first event were snapped up by firms looking for ways to cash in on the huge infrastructure project.

With a waiting list of over 50 delegates, the Chamber and HS2, along with the D2N2 Growth Hub, decided to repeat the event.

Once up and running, HS2 will not only improve passenger and freight capacity on rail routes through the East Midlands but will contribute about £4bn a year to the GVA of the region and parts of Yorkshire.

But there will also be billions of pounds worth of opportunities for regional businesses during the construction of the new rail line.

The procurement event highlights the wide range of works, products and services needed before, during and after construction and are more than just civil engineering and rail related.

Ian Bates, the Chamber’s Sector Forums Manager, said:-

“Demand for the first event was incredible and every place was filled within 24 hours of it being announced. We had over 50 people on a waiting list, so decided to run the event again and are pleased to be working with the D2N2 Growth Hub to make this happen.

“HS2 will be transformational for the region and it’s important that local firms know how to identify and grab the opportunities it will offer. Those opportunities exist today, will grow during the construction of the line and continue long after the trains start running.

“But there is a process that firms must follow and unless they know what it is they will either arrive too late at the party for the best of the buffet or simply miss out altogether and we want to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Matthew Wheatley, Interim Chief Executive at the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said:-

“HS2 presents a fantastic opportunity for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands.

“With our excellent construction, transport equipment and supply chain manufacturing businesses, the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area has a lot to bring to the table where HS2 is concerned, but it’s also important that businesses in our area are ready to seize the opportunities HS2 offers.”

Examples of opportunities that sit outside the larger civil engineering, railway systems and rolling stock elements of the project include landscaping, tree surgery, wildlife habitat and woodland relocation, telecoms, site office and compound works, site security, signage, CCTV, traffic surveys and management, ground investigation, drone surveys, labour and staff wellbeing, plant hire, aggregates, ducts and pipework, pest control, specialist photography and more.

The #Fit4HS2 event will be held at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on 14 June. It is underwritten by the European Regional Development Fund through the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Hub.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Martin Allen named new Spireites boss

16th May 2018

Martin Allen has been named as Chesterfield’s new manager.

Allen, who was latterly at Barnet, will have Adrian Whitbread as his assistant while former Spireites keeper Carl Muggleton takes on the joint role of head of recruitment and goalkeeper coach.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be named manager of Chesterfield,” said Allen. “It’s exciting and it’s going to be fantastic. We’re going to build a new team and make fans happy.”

Allen, 52, has experience of non-league football and guided Barnet to the Conference title in the 2014/15 season. Two years before that, he was manager of Gillingham when they won the League Two title.

Dave Allen, who is the club’s majority shareholder, is delighted to have been able to bring his namesake to the Proact Stadium. He said:-

“Sitting down with Martin was quite refreshing, as he ticks a lot of boxes.

“He’s got the same personality as I have and he calls a spade a shovel. He’s the right man at the right time for this job, make no mistake about it.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

Planning permission granted for new car park

15th May 2018

Plans to build a multi-million pound replacement Saltergate multi-storey car park have been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee.

At their meeting on Monday 14 May, councillors approved the plans for the car park with 530 spaces for shoppers and commuters. It will also help serve the 89 bedroom Premier Inn hotel being built at the former Co-op building on Elder Way as part of the Northern Gateway development.

Users of the new car park will benefit from an improved user experience. The new car park will have wider bays and a higher proportion of disabled and parent and child spaces than the old car park, which was demolished earlier this year.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “One of the council’s top priorities is to make Chesterfield a thriving borough and by investing in the new car park as part of the wider Northern Gateway scheme, we will encourage people to use this part of our town centre.

“Now the planning application has been approved, work remains on track for a start on site in September.”

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “The demolition of Saltergate carpark is a welcome and visible sign that plans for Northern Gateway are starting to come to fruition.

“The very fact the carpark is being replaced with a larger structure is a key indicator that there is both footfall and demand in Chesterfield. There are also further multi-storey carparks being built at Waterside to meet future anticipated demand which is being driven by the town’s investment potential.”

Work is currently underway on the Northern Gateway scheme including the transformation of the former Co-op department store which, as well as the Premier Inn hotel, will feature six bars and restaurants on the ground floor and a fitness centre in the basement.

There will also be environmental improvements on Elder Way. A planning application will also be submitted soon for a new enterprise centre on part of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

The Northern Gateway scheme is partly funded by the Sheffield City Region Local Growth Fund.

Find out more about the Northern Gateway development.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Leisure

Chesterfield Champion named as president of British Coatings Federation

15th May 2018

David Beckford, Managing Director of Chesterfield Champion organisation Pronto Paints, was named as the new President of the British Coatings Federation (BCF) at the federation’s Annual Conference and Gala Dinner in Oxford in May.

During the event, outgoing BCF President Vincent O’Sullivan, of PPG Architectural Coatings handed over presidency of the BCF to David Beckford, of Pronto Paints.

Commenting on his new role, David said:-

“The coatings industry faces a number of challenges, including the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the defence of TiO2 and continued pressure on raw material prices. It’s in times like these we need our trade associations, and I know the BCF will continue to work hard on our behalf to ensure that we have the support and knowledge to be able to adapt accordingly, so that we continue to grow and prosper as an association and industry.”

Vincent O’Sullivan thanked the BCF team and said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as BCF President and that he was incredibly proud of the achievements of the BCF during his term.

The Gala Dinner followed a day long business conference, with topics ranging from the political and economic position of the coatings industry, recruiting and retaining talent, to apprenticeships and sustainability. The afternoon focussed on cybersecurity and how to protect your business online, and a review of the last 12 months from BCF completed the programme.

Tom Bowtell, Chief Executive of the BCF, commented:-

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Vincent O’Sullivan as President – he’s challenged myself and the team to take things to the next level, and I look forward to working with David Beckford as we continue working on Brexit and other challenges, to support the future prosperity of the UK coatings industry.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield hospice funding boost thanks to support from four-legged friends

15th May 2018

Ashgate Hospicecare has received a £600 funding boost thanks to the efforts of Chesterfield-based training advisor Emma Stanyard and her four-legged friends Finley and Ralph.

The trio braved the unpredictable elements to take part in the charity’s Woofs and Wellies sponsored walk around the scenic Linacre Reservoirs, raising an impressive £300.50 which was then matched by her employer and local construction training provider, Construction Skills People (CSP).

CSP announced Ashgate Hospicecare as its charity of the year back in January when it committed to double any funds raised by employees for the cause which provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to patients across north Derbyshire and the High Peak and Dales.

The latest fundraising efforts will go towards helping to deliver services free of charge to patients with any life limiting illness, and extended support to patients’ families.

Construction Skills People Client Services Director, Stuart Anderson, said: “This is a fantastic amount raised for a very worthwhile cause, and so we’re really proud of Emma for donning her wellies and braving the elements to take on the challenge.

“This latest fundraising initiative takes our total raised for the year to £850 and are looking forward to further bolstering that figure in the coming months.”

Established in 2008, CSP is the leading provider of vocational construction qualifications and training courses across the UK.

To date it has raised a total of £850 for Ashgate by taking part in sponsored walks and bake sales. The next challenge scheduled will see employees participate in the charity’s Sparkle Night Walk which is taking place in July.

Jack Wood, Events Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “As the demand for our services grow so does the need for funding, and so we are thrilled to have been chosen as Construction Skills People’s charity of the year. As a charity the fundraising and support that businesses provide through events such as this is absolutely vital to ensure that we can continue to support the people in our care.

“The partnership will have a huge impact for Ashgate Hospicecare, enabling us to support more families who have a relative with a life threatening or terminal illness.”

Posted in About Chesterfield