Chesterfield-based smart meter supplier Meter Provida has become the latest business to get the keys to new premises at a Chesterfield regeneration site.
Up to 20 jobs are being created now that the firm’s new 40,000 sq. ft. unit just off junction 29A of the M1 motorway is complete.
Meter Provida supplies gas, water and electric metering products and services for home, commercial and industrial use nationwide for suppliers such as British Gas.
Stephen Burr, Director at Meter Provida Ltd said
“Our company is growing rapidly and now we have our new premises at Markham Vale we can increase our product range and expand our workforce.”We wanted to stay within Derbyshire but be closer to the motorway for better transport links, making Markham the perfect choice for us.
“We are delighted with our new facility and we look forward to our future at the site.”
Meter Provida moved to Markham Vale from Broombank Business Park in Chesterfield.
Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:
“I’m pleased Meter Provida have chosen to join the ever-growing business community at Markham, bringing 20 new jobs to the area.”It’s great that Chesterfield-based companies continue to choose Markham Vale to relocate to instead of moving outside Derbyshire.
“A steady stream of enquiries are also coming in for the new offices available in our new Environment Centre and we’d encourage more small businesses that are looking to start-up, relocate or expand to get in touch.”
The firm’s new premises have been designed and built by the county council’s private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.
Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s Regional Director, said:
“The Meter Provida unit was one of the fastest units to be completed at Markham Vale.”We have had a huge amount of interest in Markham Vale over the past 12 months with some major announcements such as Great Bear, Gould Alloys, inspirepac, Meter Provida and many others.
“We expect more interest is now likely to follow with our Phase 3, Markham Vale North, now in development and due for completion summer 2016. This will deliver a further 70 acres in addition to the current available eastern and western development plots.”
Meter Provida is the latest in a line of companies to acquire premises on the regeneration site off junction 29A of the M1. Existing occupiers include inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods, Ready Egg Products and Euro Garages.
Chesterfield residents will benefit from a range of sport and physical activities for all ages and abilities when the new £11.25 million Queen’s Park Sports Centre opens for the first time.
The Chesterfield Borough Council-run centre will open its doors from Tuesday 5 January and will open from 6.30am Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturday and Sunday
The official opening will take place on Thursday 7 January, ahead of a community open day for residents at the centre on Saturday 9 January that will feature Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle McDonald in the ITV soap.
Kym will lead a fitness class and meet fans from 10am to 1.30pm before having lunch with some competition winners. Residents will also be able to try out a range of different activities, see demonstrations by local sports groups, try out the new facilities for themselves and sign up for memberships of the new centre.
The centre has been made possible by funding of £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a partnership agreement, £2 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from England Squash.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy said: “I am proud that we have made this investment in a new state-of-the-art sports centre at a time when many councils are having to make difficult decisions about reducing funding for leisure activities or closing facilities.
“Investment in the health and well-being of residents is a priority for the council because national statistics show the number of people in Chesterfield living healthy and active lifestyles is significantly below the national average.
“Having a brand new town centre sports centre will help us to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take part in sports activities but also to take advantage of the associated facilities, such as the services being provided at the midwifery base.”
Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, added: “Having the right sports facilities in the right areas are fundamental in offering more people to take part in sport and leisure activities.
“This is why we have invested National Lottery money in the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and ensure they receive a quality experience”
Students of the Chesterfield College Sport and Wellbeing Academy will have use of state of the art training rooms in the centre during the day in term time and will continue to use the sports facilities alongside members of the public as at the previous Queen’s Park Sports Centre.
Stuart Cutforth, Chesterfield College principal said: “We’re delighted that we could invest in this exciting modern health and leisure facility. The partnership approach benefits both local residents and students.
“Our Sport and Wellbeing Academy located in the sports centre means that we can ensure students are able to train in the best facilities. It is wonderful to know that students will be getting this experience in a fully functioning public facility.
“We are training the next generation of sports and leisure experts who will be the ones providing services for local residents in the future.”
The centre will house the only pay and play squash facility in the borough.
Mark Williams, director of participation at England Squash said: “At England Squash, we are really looking forward to working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council to make sure the fantastic new courts are well used.
“It is an exciting time for sport in the town and we are delighted that squash is part of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre”.
Facilities in the new centre include:
An eight lane main swimming pool with spectator seating
A learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features
An eight court sports hall a viewing area and moveable spectator seating for events
80 station gym
Activity studio with latest features in active technology
Two glass back squash courts with moveable wall for other activity use
Three training rooms
Freedom climbing for fitness and fun
Village changing facilities individual and family cubicles for swimmers and modesty showers
Changing facilities for fitness and dry sports or activities
Café service, vending machines and social space including healthy eating options
Midwifery centre
Free car parking for users of the centre with space for more than 150 cars
Cycle access, and storage shelter
Access to outdoor Games area on Queen’s Park and existing outdoor tennis and bowling facilities.
Care has been taken to make the new centre accessible for all residents including with physical disabilities, including:
Lifts for access between floors
Assisted changing rooms
Group changing
Pool access lift
Graduated steps to the main pool.
There is a range of membership options available at the new sports centre, visit www.queensparksportscentre.co.uk for more details.
The project also features a piece of public art as part of the council’s Percent for Art scheme.
Jump is a sculpture of a time lapse motion of the human figure jumping. The design, manufactured from copper, represents the beauty of movement and the joy of life itself.
Mick Thacker, the artist responsible said: “The theme and form of the piece is inspired by the human body in motion a simple and poetic form reflecting the power, grace and elegance of movement in a static, sculptural form.
“My wish is for the work to inspire and motivate, to stimulate debate and contemplation and to generate interest from all site users now and into the future”.
The existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Boythorpe Road will be demolished during 2016 once work to decommission the building is complete.
A public consultation will be held to look at long term options for the future of the site that is in keeping with the neighbouring grade two star listed Queen’s Park.
Derbyshire’s Royal London One-Day Cup fixture versus Yorkshire Vikings on Sunday 12 June will now take place at Queen’s Park, Chesterfield.
The move means there will be even more cricket at the picturesque out-ground in 2016, with the popular week-long Chesterfield Festival of Cricket to follow in July.
In total, there will be seven days of county action at Queen’s Park next summer, beginning with the 50-over fixture with neighbours Yorkshire in June.
The annual cricketing festival follows, beginning on Sunday 3 July, which will once again include a traditional first-class fixture and two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures in the space of seven days.
The festival concludes on Sunday 10 July with a second local clash versus Yorkshire Vikings, this time in the NatWest T20 Blast – a fixture that sold out in advance in 2015.
Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “It was a record year at Chesterfield in 2015 and we’re delighted to now be able to offer even more cricket at the picturesque ground next summer.
“The support has always been great at Queen’s Park, especially for the local fixtures against Yorkshire. A lot of away supporters travel down from north of the county border creating a unique atmosphere and a special event for Members and supporters.
“The NatWest T20 Blast fixture in 2015 was a complete sell out and we’re expected similarly high-interest for both matches in 2016.
Derbyshire County Cricket Club has reinforced its commitment for The 3aaa County Ground in Derby to become a more environmentally sustainable venue by agreeing a ground-breaking partnership with fellow Chesterfield Champion, Custom Solar.
The Chesterfield-based renewable energy company will be installing 550 solar panels on the roofs of the Elite Performance Centre and the 3aaa Pavilion as part the Club’s overall ground development project.
The panels, which will be installed this month, will help significantly reduce the Club’s energy costs by up to 30% per year and help drive long-term sustainability.
Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “The Club are always looking to find ways we can operate more efficiently in order to increase our investment in cricket.
“Not only will the addition of solar panels help drastically reduce our energy bill costs, it will also modernise the ground and, as a Club in the heart of the community, reduce our carbon footprint as we drive to become an environmentally sustainable venue.
“We’re delighted to announce this ground-breaking partnership with Custom Solar. They are a local Derbyshire-based company who are specialists in solar technology and during the rigorous selection process, they demonstrated their expertise and experience in this area.”
Custom Solar Director, Matthew Brailsford said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working alongside Derbyshire County Cricket Club. It provides an amazing opportunity to deploy solar into an environment that will be enjoyed and utilised by people of all ages for decades to come.
“The partnership, however, is not just about the installation of a solar system it shows the intentions of Custom Solar and Derbyshire to focus on the future and to provide a sustainable platform for future generations.”
Over 100 Chesterfield College students and staff joined forces with local organisations and businesses for a festive Chesterfield Santa Dash around Queens Park today, raising almost £700 to help a group of students get to Ghana to volunteer in some of the poorest communities in the country.
Councillor Barry Bingham, the mayor of Chesterfield started the dash and cheered on the sea of Santas and festive runners as they did two laps of the park before presenting prizes donated by Inc Print and Field Design for the best dressed runners.
Stuart Allen, Director of Health Wellbeing and Society at Chesterfield College said:
“What a great way to start a Monday morning in December! I’ve seen some amazing outfits and fantastic Christmas spirit from all involved. It’s been an absolute credit to the volunteers and staff from college who have worked really hard to plan this event.”
“Thanks to all the students, staff, organisations and local businesses who have taken time out to support the volunteers by taking part today. This will help them to make a difference when they get to Ghana. It’s a great start to our fundraising efforts and I know there is still sponsorship money to come in so I look forward to seeing the final total.”
The student volunteers travelling to Africa with African Adventures* will work on construction, teaching and sport coaching projects in Summer 2016. This is the first of the fundraising events planned to raise a target of £21,000 to support the work they will do.
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is anticipating capacity crowds for the derby against Yorkshire Vikings. The match which was an advance sell-out in 2015 – will bring the curtain down on next summer’s Chesterfield Festival of Cricket on Sunday 10 July.
The popular week-long festival at the picturesque Queen’s Park will once again feature two NatWest T20 Blast matches, starting on Sunday 3 July, and a traditional first-class fixture, which will this year be against Northamptonshire.
Derbyshire Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “The first fixtures we look for each year are the local NatWest T20 Blast derbies against Notts and Yorkshire. Once again we’re delighted with the dates that have come our way. Yorkshire at Chesterfield, was a complete sell-out last summer for the first time ever.”
“We hope that Members, supporters and local people will once again get behind our side and we can secure another sell-out.”
Captain Wayne Madsen added: “The fixture announcement is always an exciting time as we continue our preparations for the new campaign. There are a lot of things to look forward to next summer. “We’re really looking forward to returning to Chesterfield. It’s a great place to play cricket and the crowds are always great.”
The Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and LEP are asking residents and businesses to have their say and get involved in the debate on the in-principle Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal with Government.
The proposed deal, which will mean £900m of additional funding and more power to make important economic decisions locally, has been welcomed by local business and political leaders from across the Sheffield City
What are the benefits to Chesterfield?
The major benefit to Chesterfield of the Devolution Deal is a share of £900 million over the next 30 years to support the delivery of key regeneration projects, improve the skills of local people and help local businesses become more competitive.
Current and future schemes supported via Sheffield City Region include:
Work starting in the near future on the construction of Basin Square, the commercial heart of the Chesterfield Waterside scheme.
Funding allocated for the development of a scheme at the town centre’s Northern Gateway, increasing the attractiveness of the town for shoppers and visitors.
Funding ring-fenced to enable the Peak Resort development to start on site, supporting the creation of a large number of new jobs.
The development of a new Housing Investment Fund that could unlock opportunities for housing growth in places such as the Staveley and Rother Corridor.
The establishment of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, providing a one-stop-shop of support for local businesses and start-ups.
Local business access to an Sheffield City Region funding pot of £52 million, to support capital investment that creates new employment.
The establishment of a Skills Bank providing a flexible pot of funding for businesses to provide 42,000 qualifications over the next six years. Many Chesterfield based companies have already engaged with the current ‘Skills Made Easy’ programme to take on apprentices and train their workforce.
Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We are fully engaged in this devolution process. We believe from our first-hand experience the deal is good for our town and the whole Sheffield City Region.
“Our involvement with the Sheffield City Region has already brought real benefits to Chesterfield and we look forward to working collectively on improving the living standards and opportunities for people in the Sheffield City Region.
“I would encourage Chesterfield residents to read the information on the public consultation website and then give their comments during the consultation process.”
Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s business marketing campaign, said: “I would urge all local businesses to take part in the consultation.
“Chesterfield’s position within the Sheffield City Region means we do a lot of business with neighbouring towns and cities in the region. Devolution will give the town a seat at a more influential ‘local’ table not to mention more control over our own financial affairs.
“It could also help bring potential funding to the area further boosting our ambitious plans for growth and development in the area over the next 10 years.”
Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “We’re asking residents and businesses to have their say on our proposed deal with Government. We know that business growth and better job opportunities are issues that people really care about and that’s why we’re encouraging as many people as possible to take part.”
This deal is ultimately based on our belief that decisions that impact on local people will be better made by local leaders, who live and work locally, rather than by civil servants and Ministers in London.”
James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “The LEP’s success means that local business leaders now have an increasingly important part to play in creating stronger local economic growth in Sheffield City Region. This deal enables our local political and business leaders to take decision-making to the next level, making bigger and better local decisions over skills, business growth and infrastructure. I encourage anyone with an interest in expanding their businesses and creating job opportunities for local people to show their support for the deal by visiting our consultation website.”
In October 2015, local politicians and business leaders secured the in-principle deal with the Chancellor George Osborne to transfer national powers and control over funding from national Government departments to the Sheffield City Region – as well as securing a massive £900 million additional cash boost over the next thirty years to deliver major regeneration, infrastructure and business growth schemes.
The deal needs to be formally approved by each of the local Councils within the Sheffield City Region and is subject to a programme of consultation and engagement with residents and businesses over the coming months. It is also dependent upon the Government delivering on the promises it has made in this and previous deals, and the City Region agreeing to the creation of a directly-elected Mayor.
It is a deal that marks another step in the journey that the Sheffield City Region has taken over the last five years in securing greater control over its own economic affairs. It enables the City Region to build on some of its world class assets, including the Sheffield and Rotherham based Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District, aligning the new Doncaster-based National College for High Speed Rail with the new Institutes of Technology to help meet the wider set of national infrastructure challenges, major town centre improvement plans in Barnsley and the Enterprise Zones across the whole City Region.
The deal covers a range of themes including transport, skills, creating new jobs, inward investment and support to help local businesses export as well as committing to working with Government on new ways to incentivise local growth.
Chesterfield based Cathelco have won orders to supply equipment for two projects which are being undertaken by Keppel yards in Singapore.
The first is to provide marine growth protection systems (MGPS) for a KFELS semi-submersible drilling tender (Project B374).
The Cathelco MGPS system will eliminate blockages in sea water pipework caused by the growth of barnacles and mussels. A total of four seachests will be protected, each with flow rates of 1,160 m3/hr. This involves fitting two copper anodes and one aluminium anode in each of the seachests which are wired to a control panel.
In operation, the copper anodes produce ions which create an environment where barnacles and mussel larvae do not settle or breed, but are carried through the system to discharge. At the same time, the aluminium anode produces ions which create an anti-corrosive coating on the internal surfaces of pipes.
The Cathelco MGPS system operates effectively with very small concentrations of copper, between 2- 24 parts per billion depending on the individual application. This discourages the organisms from settling in pipes but does not kill them which is better for the wider marine environment, resulting in a system that is environmentally benign.
Cathelco is one of the few manufacturers of MGPS systems conforming to Article 95 of the EU biocides Regulation (528/2012). They are listed as an Authorised Supplier of copper based anti-fouling systems for the marine and offshore market.
The second project in Singapore is to supply MGPS and hull corrosion protection equipment for an FPSO conversion which is being undertaken for Armada Madura EPC. Keppel Shipyard has already commenced work on the conversion which is scheduled for completion in the 3rd quarter of 2016. The FPSO will be deployed in the Madura Strait Block BD which is located 65km east of Surbaya and about 16km south of Madura Island, Indonesia.
The MGPS systems on the Armada Madura will protect pipework connected to the main seachests, fire water seachest and sea water lift seachest, the largest having flow rates of up to 1,300 m3/hr.
The Cathelco impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system for the vessel will protect the hull against corrosion throughout its design life of 20 years. This is particularly important on FPSOs which remain on station for prolonged periods of time without drydocking.
As the Armada Madura has an overall length of 246.8 metres it will be installed with forward and aft ICCP systems. The 300 amp forward system consists of a two C-Max disc anodes mounted port and starboard and two reference electrodes connected to a thyristor control panel. C-Max disc anodes maintain a smooth hull profile and have the advantage of being diver changeable, enabling anode replacement to be carried out at sea, if necessary. The aft system, also 300 amps, utilises two linear loop anodes and two reference electrodes.
In operation, the reference electrodes measure the electrical potential at the hull/seawater interface and send a signal to the control panel which raises or lowers the output to the anodes. In this way, the hull receives the optimum level of corrosion protection at all times.
The Quantum control panels store data about the performance of the system which can be monitored through a series of displays. All of the data can be relayed to a control room or bridge computer system via an RS485 link.
A sports-based programme is being delivered by the Chesterfield FC Community Trust to help former substance abusers with their recovery.
Called ‘A Spire Right’, the project is being held in The HUB at the Proact Stadium three times a week, from 9.30am to 1pm, over eight weeks. It is completely free and participants also receive a free bus pass to cover their travel, together with a Chesterfield FC tracksuit.
The sessions are a mixture of theory and sports and are aimed at boosting former addicts’ mental and physical wellbeing while providing them with new coping strategies.
The Community Trust’s Keith Jackson is delighted with the way the programme is shaping up. He said: “I have never been part of something so structured and so involved. It addresses the daily battle of former addicts and creates a realistic routine for people, providing them with a support network and decreasing that chance of relapsing.
“They have a classroom in the stadium, which they clean and look after and they make cups of tea in the morning. It is giving them a routine, a responsibility and something to be proud of. Coaching and participants wear the same club tracksuit, so we are all in this together. It gives them a sense of pride; they are proud of the classroom and proud to wear the club badge.
“The sessions also include aftercare, a gym membership that continues for three months after the programme finishes and opportunities to work around the club, whether it is gardening or gaining the qualifications to become a steward on match days.”
Shane, 47, who is one of the participants, praised the initiative. “It is about finding new escapes once you have recovered,” he said. “Four or five years ago there was nothing like this. Everywhere would work on the beginning part but then there would be no aftercare and that is where the recovery really starts. Here we get those opportunities.
“What is amazing for me is that I can finally look my family and friends in the eye when they ask how I am doing or if I am clean. I don’t have to lie anymore. I can actually look them in the eye and say, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m doing just fine’. More importantly, I can stop lying to myself about it. I can finally be honest with myself about being clean and being okay.”
Leo, 32, also spoke in glowing terms about the programme. He said: “I got an email about it which featured the club logo and I didn’t think it was real because it sounded too good to be true. I can be quite restless, so a lot of classroom work could cause some issues as I may need to move about or talk too much, whereas this breaks it up.”
Gill Quayle, who works with Derbyshire County Council on their substance support schemes, urged people to grab the opportunity available to them. She said: “The combination is really useful because you can learn about different things for your health, listen to the brilliant speakers they have and then you can get some exercise.
“You will have a really full day and meet some new people, which then reduces the isolation, because sometimes you can feel on your own. You don’t realise that other people are going through what you are going through, but the truth is they are.”
Chesterfield have named Mark Smith as their caretaker manager following the departure of Dean Saunders at the weekend.
Smith, who is the club’s academy manager, will take charge of the team on a temporary basis while the search for a permanent manager is conducted. He will be assisted by goalkeeper coach Mark Crossley and Paul Mitchell, who is the director of player recruitment.
Smith previously had a spell as Sam Allardyce’s assistant at Notts County and held senior academy roles at Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United and Barnsley. He joined Chesterfield as youth team coach in May 2013.
As a player, Smith made over 500 appearances in a career which took in spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle. He was also capped by England at under-21 level.
The Spireites will be hosting a Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) event on Tuesday, December 8 at the Proact Stadium to teach young people about the dangers of racism.
The event, which runs from 9.30am to 3pm, will feature Chesterfield players and other special guests on a Q & A panel.
Pupils from a number of local schools will take part in an SRtRC workshop, ground tours and a workshop run by Global Education. They will also see a screening of the SRtRC film and have the chance to pose questions to the panel.
Ged Grebby, chief executive of SRtRC, said: “We a very grateful to Chesterfield Football Club for their support of the campaign. The team are looking forward to their trip to the Proact Stadium and to be working with the team from Chesterfield Community Trust who we know are doing some really important work in the area.”
The educational event at football club allows young people to experience a first-hand interaction with anti-racism role models in the form of professional footballers and spend time thinking critically about this important issue.
Michael Noon, the Community Trust’s sport & activity officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Show Racism the Red Card by hosting an event in Chesterfield. They do a lot of good work tackling racism around the UK and it’s a pleasure for us to be involved.
“By joining forces with Show Racism the Red Card to deliver a day’s workshop for local primary school children, we’re hoping it will provide awareness of the effects of racism for the next generation of Spireites and ensure the Proact Stadium remains a great place for everyone to watch football.”
During the 2014/15 season, the campaign held 33 events in England, attended by 67 current professional footballers and managers and educating 3,088 young people.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Preference cookies are used to store user preferences to provide content that is customized and convenient for the users, like the language of the website or the location of the visitor.
