Author: Dom Stevens

Proact to stage FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final

9th April 2018

The FA Women’s Premier League Cup Final will be staged at the Proact Stadium on Sunday, April 29.

Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers, second and fifth respectively in the Northern Division, will battle it out for supremacy.

Carol West, Chairman of the FA Women’s Premier League, said:-

“The Proact Stadium is a fitting platform for our showcase Cup Final.

“The FA Women’s Premier League Cup is an institution in its own right and I know that both Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City will more than do it justice on the day.

“Both clubs are worthy finalists after very hard-fought campaigns and I’m sure both will be determined to lift the Cup and have their name etched into this competition’s long and distinguished history.”

Gemma Donnelly, Blackburn manager, said:-

“This is the first senior league cup final that Blackburn Rovers have reached in the history of the ladies’ team.

“We are both extremely proud and excited to be involved in this competition. We look forward to the occasion and will enjoy the experience.”

Jonathan Morgan, Leicester boss, added:-

“To reach our first ever national final is a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club.

“Players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and all our supporters should be proud of this milestone for Leicester City Women and should know that they have all played a big part in getting the team this far.

“We are thoroughly looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Proact is celebrating also being chosen as host of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament in May. Chesterfield will host the opening game, 2 groups games, a quarter final and a semi final match.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield Pride returns for fourth year

9th April 2018

Chesterfield Pride returns to Chesterfield on July 22^nd to a new location at Stand Road Park.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of the event and it is growing from strength to strength. Last year over 4500 people attended the event and this year is set to be even bigger.

This year sees a star-studded line up of acts including MOBO award winning Big Brovas, who will be performing their hits “Nu Flow”, “Favourite Things”, and “Baby Boy”.

Also headlining the event are 00’s pop star Lolly (who had 5 top 20 hits) and International dance act Booty Luv. Joining them are a mix of X Factor stars, Pride favourites and local performers.

Dan Walker, Organiser of Chesterfield Pride, said:-

“We are really proud how far the event has come and how well it has been received. The event has a real buzz about it and it continues to grow. Everyone is welcome.”

At the event there will be food outlets, a licensed bar, children’s area and market stalls. The event will be donation only and VIP passes are also available on the day. For more information about the free event click here.

Chesterfield recently celebrated the LGBT+ community with an exhibition at the museum between February and April. The Other Stories exhibit was held in partnership with Derbyshire LGBT+, exploring the personal stories and social history of the LGBT+ community in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Brands Hatch Start for Perez in Porsche

4th April 2018

18 year old Chesterfield motor racing ace Seb Perez is in gear for his first race of the season this weekend at Brands Hatch (7-8 April) in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Championship.

It will be the first outing in the championship for Perez with Team Parker Racing and his 21 year old teammate Nottinghamshire’s George Gamble in the £130,000 Amigos livered and sponsored second generation Porsche Type 991 911 GT3 cars that look absolutely stunning.

Over the past few weeks Perez has been busy testing the car at Silverstone and at local circuit Donington Park and pleased the way things have gone bearing in mind being a rookie to the car.

The first test session at Silverstone was the official media launch for the drivers and their cars and saw heavy rain conditions most of the day with very little track action during the first test session. Rains eased and saw both Perez and Gamble out still on damp tarmac in the second session of the day and both in the top 5 places and topping speeds of over 135 mph over the 1.64 mile circuit.

The later test session saw Perez complete 21 laps of the circuit and by the end of the day both drivers were in the top 10 placing of testing.

Similar weather faced them at Donington Park just over 2 weeks ago and saw Perez 3rd fastest over the 1.97 mile test with Gamble taking fastest at one stage and gain finishing in the top 10 places. Gamble finishing 4th and Perez 8th.

Both drivers have tested in Monza Italy recently, one of the circuits on the calendar later in the season

The new car and championship will be a challenge for Perez, the car is bigger and more powerful and an even more demanding championship lies ahead.

The championship has a lot to offer past Porsche Carrera Cup GB champions have progressed to such as driving for teams in the British Touring Car Championship.

For the past three seasons Perez has raced in Ginetta cars, last season saw Perez in the Michelin Ginetta GT4 SuperCup Championship where he finished tenth overhaul. During 2015 and 2016 he competed in the Simpson Race Products Ginetta Junior Championship, finishing 10th place, taking his maiden pole position, a fastest race lap and four podiums, a first and three third places.

Perez said at the end of last season “My last three seasons with Ginetta, have been fantastic. Last year was a super tough season but of course all part of the learning process,”

A winning combination is hoped, George Gamble from Southwell Nottinghamshire is no newcomer to Perez they were teammates last season as well that saw him finish third in the Ginetta standings and was a GT5 Champion back in 2014.

Team Parker Racing have been in motorsport for many years now, they have an incredibly experienced team with lots of years in Porsche cars under their belt this should help both drivers during their first season, they are doing a great job with the cars and drivers.

Motorsport is no stranger to the Perez family, he is son of 2014 BTRDA Gold Star Rally Champion and Chesterfield businessman Steve Perez, Chairman of Chesterfield based drinks brand development business Global Brands Ltd and owner of Amigos Tequila Flavoured Beer and Kick Energy Drink Brands.

Seb has competed in many motorsports including rallying, at the wheel of a Nissan Micra rally car in the Kick Energy Junior 1000 Rally Championship. Recently over the past few weeks has been rallying in a Mk2 Ford Escort on the Rally Clásico Isla de Mallorca where he took a podium place finishing third and Father Steve piped him at the post to take second in his epic Lancia Stratos rally car

When asked about his racing career to date Perez said

“The Ginetta GT4 Supercup was a great progression from the Juniors as it offered a similar weight distribution but obviously the power increase and the slick tyres were what made the jump significant, enabling me to learn about handling additional power and getting the most out of the tyres in a qualifying run.”

He added “Porsche Carrera Cup GB offers a fantastic playing field for drivers to progress throughout their career and has turned out some of the best. I feel it is important to always progress within your career, and we all felt like Porsche was the next logical step as I also have age on my side!”

When asked about his new car he said ” The Porsche is a unique car to drive with near enough all the weight over the rear, where on paper the Ginetta is a lot more of a balanced car. The speed difference is something that just comes with time and getting the power in at the right time, but the handling aspects of the car are something more unique. You almost drive the car as if you are in the wet. Stop it, turn it, go. As it won’t carry the corner speed like the Ginetta so to extract the time out of the car over a lap is going to be interesting.”

He added “ I am in the Pro-Am class of the series, as I can have a true season of learning but still get some trophies on the way. My main goal will be to win Pro-Am class.”

The Championship is ran over 8 race weekends and is a support to the ever popular Dunlop British Touring Car Championship. After the action this weekend, its followed by the local round at Donington Park on 28th and 29th April.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New Brexit checklist for business launched

4th April 2018

Marking a year before the UK’s formal exit from the EU, East Midlands Chamber has launched a ‘Brexit checklist’ setting out the main issues firms need to be considering now to best position themselves to succeed in a post-Brexit environment.

Download the Brexit checklist

The document has been produced by the Chamber’s newly established Brexit Advisory Group, which aims to help East Midlands businesses navigate their way through the many questions and changes that Brexit will create.

“Despite there being only a year to go, considerable doubt remains over what the future holds for business, with things to consider ranging from customs arrangements through employing EU nationals to contracts and Intellectual Property rights.” said Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at the Chamber.

“In business terms, a year is a very short time in which to go through all the documents, processes and programmes currently in use and revise all those that need it so that trading can continue post-Brexit,”

He added: “The uncertainty is the hardest thing to deal with because you don’t know what outcome you’re aiming for, so you have to plan for the worst case scenario while hoping for the best.

“What we have done with our briefing paper is set out what we see, and what our members tell us, are some of the more critical elements of the Brexit process that companies need to be looking at today to ensure they can continue to trade globally tomorrow.”

The Brexit Advisory Group has been set up in collaboration with Chamber Strategic Partner RSM, one of the UK’s leading providers of audit, tax and consulting services.

It is chaired by Dr Nik Kotecha OBE, Chief Executive at Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals, which has supplied quality pharmaceuticals and medical device products to global markets for over 25 years.

The group will shape and help deliver the Chamber’s wider Brexit influence and support programme, including its ongoing lobbying activities based on business intelligence and needs.

It will lead MPs briefings regionally and at Westminster, help to shape the Chamber’s 2018 Manifesto on Brexit and provide up-to-date information to businesses through seminars, workshops and the media about potential outcomes of the UK leaving the EU.

Scott said: “Whether you voted for it or against it, Brexit is happening. What we need to do today is make sure we can, as far as possible, future-proof against any potentially negative impact of the divorce.

“The aim of the Brexit Advisory Group is to provide a conduit between business and Westminster so that the creators of jobs and wealth can influence the direction of Government and, at the same time, be accurately informed about at the earliest opportunity about the decisions and agreements being made that will affect them.”

Kevin Harris, Office Managing Partner at RSM, a global company with local offices at Leicester and Nottingham, said: “We are pleased to be working with the Chamber to provide businesses with a voice in Westminster and the facts they need to make informed choices for a successful withdrawal from the EU and post-Brexit success.

“We’ll get only one shot at a successful Brexit so it’s important that we get right first time.”

Scott added: “The briefing paper is not a definitive list but it is a guide to what businesses need to be considering today. There will be updates as we get closer and closer to Brexit day, a year from today, but the message we need to get out there is that businesses can’t sit back and wait to see what happens, they have to seize the initiative and plan for all eventualities if they are to succeed post-Brexit.

Download the Brexit checklist

Posted in Business

Derbyshire County Council pulling out all the stops to fix county potholes

4th April 2018

Derbyshire County Council are stepping up efforts to fix the county’s potholes following the worst winter weather to hit the area for 10 years.

Extra roadworker gangs have been mobilised across the county, and they will be working longer hours including at weekends, to tackle potholes reported on the county’s roads.

There will also be extra equipment including more ‘hotboxes’ which keep Tarmac warm and make it easier to transport around the county, and two Jetpatchers which will be used on mainly rural roads.

The condition of many of the county’s roads has deteriorated over the past few weeks after long periods of severe winter weather.

The constant freezing and thawing, prolonged rainfall and heavy snow cover has led to roads cracking, resulting in a significant rise in the number of potholes and carriageway deterioration. In December 2017 the number of potholes listed for repair in Derbyshire was only 120 but by the beginning of March the number had risen to more than 3,000.

The teams have already brought this total down to 2,500 despite dozens of new potholes being reported every day.

They have already set aside £4m to spend on pothole repairs, and last week this figure was boosted by just over £2m extra funding from the Government.

The £6m is being spent drafting in the extra roadworker gangs and a range of machinery, as well as stepping up highways inspections to ensure teams know where to target resources.

The county has doubled the number of ‘hotboxes’ and teams using them from six to 12, which will speed up repairs.

The rapid response teams will be responding to all urgent defects as they are reported, travelling across the county on all roads, from main A roads to minor and rural roads fixing potholes where they’ve been reported.

More ‘patching gangs’ will also be working on the county’s roads to tackle the backlog. The patching gangs will repair larger sections of road where a cluster of potholes has been reported.

The extra teams are also being backed up by two Jetpatchers which will concentrate on repairs to rural roads. The Jetpatcher uses a high velocity air stream to clear existing holes of any debris and water as well as laying and compacting new Tarmac.

Derbyshire County Council, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Simon Spencer said:

“We are well aware of the deterioration of the county’s roads over the last few weeks and I can assure Derbyshire residents that fixing them is a top priority for us.

“Bad weather has severely hampered our efforts over the past few weeks but now we can really get on with the job, helped by the lighter days so teams can work for longer. They will also be out repairing potholes at weekends until we feel we’re on top of the problem.

“We are throwing all we’ve got at this and we won’t rest until the job is done.”

Councillor Spencer added:

“I would ask our residents to please bear with us while we carry out the repairs and I’m confident that they will shortly begin to see a real difference in the roads.

“People can help by continuing to report potholes via our website so that we are aware of where they are and how serious they are. We are inspecting roads as fast as we can but we still need people to tell us so we can get on to them as soon as possible.”

In addition to the pothole budget of £6m, we’re already spending nearly £16m patching, surface dressing and resurfacing the county’s roads and pavements and fixing drains and gullies.

Posted in Uncategorised

Join in the spring fun at Stand Road Park

29th March 2018

Chesterfield residents are being invited to a free community fun day being held at Stand Road Park.

The Spring Community Fun Day will take place between noon and 4pm on Wednesday (4 April).

It has been organised by the Racecourse Rubbish Rangers, a local community litter pick group, with support from local residents, the Friends of Stand Road Park and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Attractions on the day will include:

Games and activities, including rounders, badminton, football, egg and spoon races, sack races and giant skittles
An arts and crafts area
The chance to play bowls on the bowling green
An appearance by Chester the Field Mouse, the mascot of Chesterfield Football Club.

The Friends of Stand Road Park group will also open the café and pavilion to serve sandwiches and other refreshments, costing 50p.

Organisers are looking for volunteers to help run activities on the day. Anyone who is interested should turn up at the park at 11am, where they will be allocated an activity to assist with.

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

“This is a great community event and I hope local residents and others from across the borough will come to join in the fun.

“There are lots of free activities for the whole family so it is the perfect way for children to spend a day of their school holidays.

“To help the event run smoothly the organisers are keen for some more volunteers to help out on the day so if you have a spare few hours here is an opportunity to do something for the benefit of your local area.”

The fun day follows the success of a similar event in August last year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield based Junction Arts to benefit from community arts scheme grant

29th March 2018

Nine community arts groups, including Chesterfield based Junction Arts, are to benefit from grants totalling almost £140,000 from Derbyshire County Council.

All 10 groups work in the community bringing arts, performances, creative activities, music and workshops to a range of people across the county.

Junction Arts, based in Chesterfield, work across Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire and are set to be granted £15,200 of the funding.

Last year more than 143,000 people benefited from the work by the groups including children in care, learning disabled and disabled people of all ages, people at risk of rural isolation or without transport, those on low incomes and residents living in care homes.

Councillor Barry Lewis, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture and Tourism for Derbyshire County Council, said:-

“We’re delighted to be able to support these valuable arts groups for the coming year and recognise the enormous benefits they bring to a wide range of people in our communities.

“It can be difficult for many people to access arts and culture, music, film and live performances because of where they live or their circumstances, but these groups make it possible and open up new opportunities to thousands of people.”

Live and Local is a rural and community touring scheme which was set up in Derbyshire in 2002 to deliver high quality, professional arts performances in village halls and other community venues that will also be covering the whole of Derbyshire including Chesterfield.

Chesterfield based Junction Arts

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Champion advise on sale of F1 logistics business to DHL

28th March 2018

Chesterfield Champion Shorts Chartered Accountants, have teamed up with hlw Keeble Hawson to act as lead advisors and legal representatives to F1 logistics specialists, Delivered on Time Limited, on its sale to Global logistics business DHL, for an undisclosed sum.

DHL is a global business forming part of the DPDHL Group, with revenues of 60 Billion Euros. The acquisition will build on DHL’s existing offering, providing market leading logistics to high end motoring and motorsport events, including F1 and Gumball Rally. Paul Fowler, shareholder and Managing Director of Delivered on Time Limited, will stay on as Head of Motorsport for DHL as part of the deal and will be responsible for the combined business.

Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance partner with Shorts and lead advisor on the transaction commented:-

“We are delighted to have advised Paul on the successful completion of the sale to DHL. This was a complex transaction which required key support on tax (David Robinson) as well as corporate finance (Adam Ames). We look forward to seeing Paul continue to grow the business as part of DHL.”

Matt Ainsworth, Partner of hlw Keeble Hawson, said:-

“Delivered on Time has built a strong track record as F1 logistics specialists. This milestone development provides enormous potential for the business to achieve its growth vision as part of DHL. We wish Paul and the team continued success.”

Paul Fowler commented that the deal will help to accelerate the company’s growth and open up new markets, adding:-

“I will continue to manage the business and as far as existing clients are concerned, it will be business as usual. I am excited for the next phase of what promises to be an exciting period for the company.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Spireites show generosity to Air Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance

28th March 2018

Generous Spireites fans have shown their support for the Air Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance by raising a total of £3,700, to be split between the two organisations.

Fans who attended Chesterfield’s game against Notts County at the Proact were encouraged to donate money and they responded superbly.

The collection came about as a result of the incident which took place during Chesterfield’s recent home fixture against Lincoln City. An elderly male season ticket holder required life-saving treatment and the match was halted to allow an air ambulance to land on the pitch and take him to a hospital in Derby.

Michael Dunford, Chief Executive at Chesterfield FC, said:-

“We are delighted to have raised a significant amount of money for two vitally important organisations.

“I am told that it is a record amount for a matchday collection organised by the club and I would like to thank all those who contributed, together with the volunteers who gave up their time to collect the money.”

Representatives from both organisations will attend Chesterfield’s game against Newport on Monday to receive the money.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Famous Cherry Blossom shoe polish manufacturers set to move to Markham Vale

28th March 2018

Famous Cherry Blossom shoe polish manufacturers, Grangers International, is set to open a new base at Derbyshire County Council flagship regeneration site Markham Vale.

The company is moving its current base in Alfreton to a custom-built headquarters, at the site located just off junction 29A of the M1, which will encompass Grangers’ manufacturing arm, distribution, finance, technical, design, sales and marketing teams.

Established in 1937 in Watford and later moving to Derbyshire in 1990, Grangers International manufactures and distributes a range of cleaning, waterproofing and protection products for outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment.

Karolina Jones, General Manager at Grangers International, said:-

“The new unit at Markham Vale is a vital component of our growth strategy, providing the facilities and space we need to push the business forward. We deliver to over 50 different countries worldwide each year, so we will be looking to drive that number upwards, creating more jobs as we do so.

“We’ve no doubt that Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments will provide us with a high-quality facility that will serve us well, tailored to the needs of our business and operations.”

The firm’s new 43,000 sq. ft. base will be designed and built by the county council’s private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments on Markham Vale West.

Councillor Tony King, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Derbyshire County Council, said:-

“We’re delighted to announce that Grangers International will be joining our thriving Markham Vale flagship regeneration site bringing the potential for more jobs being created at the company in the future.

“The business has been successful in Derbyshire since 1990 and it’s fantastic to see that they’re now ready to expand and have chosen to stay in the county to grow their company.

“We look forward to following their progress as they make Markham Vale their new home.”

The firm’s new base is set to be completed by the end of this year.

Vivienne Clements, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:

“Grangers International is a successful, growing business with a proud manufacturing legacy in Derbyshire which is set to continue at Markham Vale. We look forward to working with Grangers International as the new facility takes shape − I’m sure it will be a hugely successful location for the business as it continues to grow.”

grangers international markham vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Local companies set to benefit from hotel development

28th March 2018

Local companies are being invited to a meet the buyer event to register their interest in tendering to be part of a new Premier Inn development in Chesterfield town centre.

Work has started to convert the former Co-op department store on Elder Way into a 96-bed Premier Inn Hotel and is due to be completed this autumn.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local economy, Chesterfield Borough Council, includes local labour clauses within developments of this kind to ensure developers use local suppliers, have apprenticeships and allocate as many jobs as possible to local people.

Main contractor, Jomast Developments Ltd, is working closely with the council to ensure local firms are given the opportunity to tender their services.

The event will be held on site Friday 6 April between 9:30am and noon at the former Co-op building, Elder Way, Chesterfield, S40 1RF. Firms attending should follow the site office signs, which are across the road from Marks & Spencer.

The following opportunities are available:

Roofing
Aluminium windows (primary and secondary)
Joinery
Floor coverings
Painting and decorating
Wall tiling
Mastic and sealants
Cleaners
Aluminium fabricators and installers (Balustrading and wall protection)
Groundworks
Hard landscapers
Stone restoration
Supply of drywall, partitions and ceilings
Supply and lay screed
Supply and install curtain walling/shop fronts
Fire protection services
Road sweeping
Drain CCTV surveys and cleaning

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said:-

“There is more than £1 billion of investment currently underway in Chesterfield and one of the key priorities of the council is that Chesterfield residents directly benefit from this by getting new jobs, business and skills and training opportunities.

“Jomast Developments has worked really closely with the council to ensure that our borough benefits as much as possible from the opportunities that the Co-op redevelopment project brings.

“I would encourage all local businesses to attend the Meet the Buyer event and see what opportunities are available for them and their workforces.”

Anyone wanting more information about the Meet the Buyer event can contact Emily Williams on (01246) 345254 or email emily.williams@chesterfield.gov.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield