Author: Dom Stevens

Ground-Breaking Markham Deal Set to Bring 400 Jobs

21st April 2015

Up to 400 new jobs are set to be created at a Chesterfield regeneration site with the opening of a new distribution centre at Markham Vale.

Chester-based firm Great Bear Distribution will move into a purpose-built warehouse and offices − Markham’s biggest development to date bringing the largest number of jobs in a single development.

Established in 1994, Great Bear Distribution operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as Sainsbury’s, BMW, and Unilever.

Glenn Lindfield, CEO of Great Bear Distribution said:

“Bringing our business to Markham Vale is a positive step forward for our company.

“The site is exactly what we’ve been looking for with tailor-made facilities in a prime location just off Junction 29A of the M1 motorway, providing easy access to our customers and other bases across the UK.

“We look forward to becoming part of Markham’s growing network of companies.”

Work to build the 479,285 square feet development is expected to start in autumn this year, and reach completion in spring 2016.

The premises are situated next to Markham Vale’s Environment Centre and will be built by our private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments on the site off Junction 29A of the M1 motorway.

Peter Storey, head of Markham Vale said:

“Great Bear Distribution will be a real feather in Markham’s cap bringing 400 jobs which is great news for the Derbyshire economy.

“Markham’s fantastic transport links next to the M1 make the perfect choice for a wide range of businesses and we look forward to welcoming even more companies to the site this year and in the future.”

Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

Ben Ward at Henry Boot Developments said:

“We are delighted to secure such a ground-breaking deal with Great Bear Distribution.

“This last year has been exceptional for Markham Vale with six major deals and a huge amount of development activity.

“We have worked very closely with Great Bear Distribution in designing this bespoke facility to meet their exact requirements and many of the features are at the forefront of technology.”

The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone Developments with the final phase, which is a further 100 acres currently being prepared for development using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

t-mac technologies Acquired by Utilitywise PLC

21st April 2015

Chesterfield based t-mac Technologies has been acquired for £10m by Utilitywise PLC, a leading independent utility cost management consultancy.

t-mac Technologies is a family-run business which began in 1978. The sale will see current directors Jonathan Wilkinson and Lisa Gingell remain at the helm while owners Alan and Irene Wilkinson retire.

t-mac allows clients to monitor and reduce their energy consumption, making savings and helping them comply with government legislation. It provides real-time energy and environmental metering and monitoring as well as building controls and equipment performance management. The interactive, cloud based central software platform means that users can analyse, manage and operate one or many buildings through a single software interface from anywhere in the world.

The sale, which was advised by BRM Solicitors, enhances t-mac’s existing customer relationships, whilst providing an opportunity for Utilitywise’s current customer base to benefit from t-mac’s cutting edge technology.

Lisa Gingell, co-founder and Director at t-mac Technologies, commented:-

“This is an exciting time for our business. We have truly valued the advice and support we received from the team at BRM who helped make this sale as seamless as possible.

“Working with the Utilitywise group we will continue to build business across UK, Europe and Asia Pacific and develop the t-mac brand of products and software as a service.”

Sarah Rowland, Head of the Company Commercial Team at BRM Solicitors, said:-

“t-mac and its directors are high quality and long-standing clients of BRM and we always enjoy working with them. We have seen t-mac grow from its incorporation and we are very proud to have been able to assist in this important evolution.

“My colleagues and I wish Irene and Alan well in their deserved retirement and Jonathan and Lisa every success in playing a key role in the future development of the t-mac brand and new products. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of the t-mac brand”.

The initial consideration payable is £10m, £6.25m in cash and 1,782,319 new ordinary shares in Utilitywise. Up to a further GBP £12 million will become payable once earn out accounts have been finalised, in cash (70%) and new Utilitywise shares. The initial cash consideration is being funded by a new £25 million revolving credit facility with Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Utilitywise CEO, Geoff Thompson commented:

“The market for BeMS is growing and modern cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms, such as t-mac, provide significant cost advantages over traditional solutions which require intensive capital investment and offer long term ROIs.

“We know that our customers are increasingly looking for rapid impact, cost-effective services that provide them with more control over their electricity, gas and water usage, to help drive their business efficiency agenda as well as mitigate against future price volatility. This acquisition continues to expand our broad range of services that address the breadth of our customers’ energy needs.

“The acquisition of t-mac Technologies will play a major role in helping us to deliver significant added-value services and develop closer, more profitable relationships with existing customers, as well as supporting our new customer acquisition strategy”.

Posted in Business

Queen’s Park named as one of the top ten Cricket outgrounds in the Country

14th April 2015

Queen’s Park in Chesterfield is one of ten outgrounds to visit this year according to the Independent.

The picturesque setting at the ground and the enchanting old-school pavilion makes it a must visit destination for Cricket fans this summer.

The Chesterfield Festival of cricket which returns this summer, will feature three Derbyshire matches, to mark a tenth successive year for the festival.

Queen’s Park will play host to the visit of Northampton Steelbacks in the NatWest T20 Blast on Sunday 5 July, before Glamorgan arrive the following day for the start of the LV= County Championship fixture.

The festival concludes the following Sunday, with Derbyshire meeting Yorkshire Vikings the NatWest T20 Blast, in a clash that is expected to draw in a huge crowd.

The ground will also host international cricket in the summer with England U19’s taking on Australia U19’s

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Franke Sissons lobbied for change at Westminster Briefing

14th April 2015

Franke Sissons Ltd, who have been manufacturing for over 230 years, has headed a hard-hitting parliamentary discussion to outline the lack of surveillance for genuine CE Marking, required by UK Law, on products fitted in commercial buildings.

Franke Sissons Ltd employs the majority of its staff from the Derbyshire area and says it could expand its business and create even more employment opportunities if mandatory proof of CE Marking at tender stage was instigated.

The Company, based at Carrwood Rd, Chesterfield has solicited the support of local MP Toby Perkins and the industry body that supports manufacturing in the bathroom industry, The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), to host a hard hitting briefing session for MP’s in Westminster.

Aiming to highlight the obvious shortfalls of legislation that currently goes completely unchecked, the briefing detailed to MPs how contractors are regularly substituting unlawful and inferior products in the final fit, through either lack of knowledge in the law or in ignorance for the cheapest option.

Franke’s Managing Director, Andy Dukelow explains, “This is a problem right across the building industry not just in our sector. Without a CE Mark on products for bathrooms and washrooms, consumers may endure scalding injuries, product failure under load and ultimately products will fail completely, there is no back up and absolutely no guarantee. Those manufacturers and suppliers who have made the investment to comply, with what is actually a law not just a guideline, will continue to be undercut by non-conforming companies putting UK jobs at risk. I am personally deeply frustrated by the slow pace of understanding at Government level, this is a UK Law, and one of the few that could offer UK business a tangible level of support and actually add longevity to cash savings to the British tax payer.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield Marathon awarded official racing licence

14th April 2015

The Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon has been awarded an official road race licence from UK Athletics (UKA).

The race, one of biggest mass participation events in Chesterfield, was granted the important affiliation after officials carried out full checks to the route.

The licence is awarded to all events which observe strict guidelines from UKA, including correct route measurement and full risk assessment of the course and headquarters, as well as providing adequate medical facilities.

In return, race organisers benefit from listings on the UKA’s event website amongst others and access to Run Britain’s online race entry system, as well as public liability insurance for the event.

The licence also means that runners who are affiliated to a club can now take their time from the event and add it to their official results from the racing calendar.

The Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon, sponsored by local company The PK Group, is operated by the Chesterfield-based Kids ‘n’ Cancer charity, one of the country’s leading organisations in supporting families and patients to access proton therapy treatment, which is not currently available in the UK.

Mike Hyman, Kids n Cancer co-founder, said: “Being granted the official UK Athletics licence is fantastic news for us. This affiliation will really allow us to enhance the reputation of the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon and build on the huge success of the 2014 race.

“The feedback from some runners last year was that they were disappointed their race times could not be part of their official results from the racing season, but the licence has changed this.

“Our aim with the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon was to help put the town on the map and attract people from all over the world. Our official road race status will only help in ensuring we can make the event one of the best in the country.”

Registration is now open for this year’s race, which will take place on Sunday 20th September.

Runners can now sign up online to take part in the event, which will include a full marathon, half marathon, fun run and a team relay race, where four competitors take a share of the full Marathon course.

The event will once again be in support of children’s charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer, along with other local charities and good causes.

This year, both the full and half marathon – as well as the fun run – will start and finish at Queen’s Park in Chesterfield.

Early bird prices for entry are available until midnight on 31 May 2015 and are £35 for the full marathon, £30 for the half marathon, £100 for the team relay and £5 for the fun run. As last year, any individuals raising £250 or teams raising £500 for Kids ‘n’ Cancer can enter for free. Runners will also have the option to have their ‘chipped’ race bib posted to them before race day.

To sign-up for the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon or to become a volunteer visit www.chesterfieldmarathon.org.uk.

Posted in Uncategorised

American Partnership for Chesterfield FC

13th April 2015

A partnership has been agreed between the Chesterfield FC development centre and the Gordon Hill International Football Academy, based in Florida.

As part of the agreement, up to nine youngsters from the USA will spend time in the UK with the Chesterfield FC development centre.

Chesterfield’s head of youth recruitment, Liam Sutcliffe, believes the link-up is a major step forward for the club. He said: “Joining forces with the Gordon Hill International Football Academy will provide us with the opportunity to tap into a source of emerging young talent in the United States, which is a very exciting prospect.”

Gordon Hill, who starred for the likes of Manchester United, QPR and Derby County, points out that the partnership will present many aspiring young footballers with the chance of a lifetime. “They have a desire to play and I help them develop,” said Hill.

“I know Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner very well from our time with Manchester United and Chris said to me that with Liam Sutcliffe, who runs the development centre, these kids will get a good chance.

“It’s only a matter of time before the players start making their way over here so I bring them over so clubs like Chesterfield can have a look at them, take them into the development squad and hopefully take them into the youth squad and then push them into their reserves and first team.”

Hill, who won six full England caps during his time at Old Trafford, recently brought some of his players over to this country and they took in a visit to the Proact Stadium. He said: “After looking at the training ground and the stadium, the lads were saying, ‘Wow, I didn’t think it was this serious’!”

Spireites chief executive Chris Turner said: “The link-up provides a great opportunity for Gordon’s players and for us as a club. Forging links with players and business partners can only be a positive step forward for all concerned and we are delighted to have established the relationship.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Candidates Announced for Parliamentary and Local Elections in Chesterfield

13th April 2015

The candidates for the Parliamentary and local elections in Chesterfield have now been announced.

Chesterfield Parliamentary Election

The following candidates are confirmed as standing in the Chesterfield constituency in the general election on Thursday 7 May:

Julia Dawn Cambridge (LD)
Matthew James Genn (Green)
Tommy Holgate (Peace)
Toby Perkins (Lab)
Mark Richard Egner Vivis (Con)
Matt Whale (TUSC)
Stuart David Yeowart (UKIP)

Most people in the Chesterfield borough will vote to elect the MP for Chesterfield. However, voters in the Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward and the Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward fall within the North East Derbyshire constituency, so they will vote to elect the MP for that area.

Polls are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May.

Votes for the Chesterfield constituency will be counted at the Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield after the polls close at 10pm on Thursday 7 May. The result is anticipated between 2am and 3am.

Chesterfield Borough Council elections

Elections to Chesterfield Borough Council will be held on Thursday 7 May.

All 48 seats on the council across 19 wards are up for election.

Listed below are the candidates standing in each ward.

Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward – three seats

Phillip Bailey (Ind)
Joanne Iris Barnett (Lab)
Richard Bexton (UKIP)
Barry Bingham (LD)
Jane Stephanie Collins (LD)
Lisa-Marie Derbyshire (Lab)
Susan Gibbons (Con)
Christopher Kevin Edward Heels (UKIP)
Andy Jakins (LD)
Shelton Joseph Mann (Ind)
Sissy McMahon (Ind)
Lewis Mark Preston (Con)
Linda Rowley (Con)
Paul Christopher Stone (UKIP)
Marion Thorpe (Lab)
Matt Whale (TUSC).

Brimington North ward – two seats

John Burrows (Lab)
Jolyon James Favreau (LD)
Terry Frank Gilby (Lab)
Richard Gingell (Con)
Harry Edward Holloway (LD).

Brimington South ward – three seats

Andy Bellamy (Lab)
Ian William Callan (Lab)
Joanne Favreau (LD)
Paul Gibbons (Con)
Tricia Gilby (Lab)
Keith Doran Shutler (LD).

Brockwell ward – three seats

Steve Brunt (Lab)
Maureen Davenport (LD)
John Anthony Dickinson (Lab)
Jill Mannion-Brunt (Lab)
Ray Russell (LD)
Chris Slack (LD)
Simon John Temperton (Con)
Stuart David Yeowart (UKIP).

Dunston ward – three seats

Sue Christopher (LD)
Lee Anthony Cooper (UKIP)
Sarah Hollingworth (Lab)
Alexander Joseff Millward (UKIP)
Patrick Proctor (LD)
Mark David Rayner (Lab)
Gordon Simmons (Lab)
Irene Wilkinson (Con).

Hasland ward – three seats

Mick Brady (Lab)
Steve Cadywould (LD)
Lorna Hall (LD)
Andrew Hollyer (LD)
Amanda Jayne Serjeant (Lab)
Andy Slack (Lab)
Anne Margaret Sterland (Con).

Hollingwood and Inkersall ward – three seats

Mick Bagshaw (Ind)
Barry Dyke (Lab)
Helen Ann Elliott (Lab)
Claire Gratton (LD)
Anthony Hill (Lab)
Andrew Jervis (Con)
Paul Alan Mann (Ind)
Ruth Marina Perry (Ind).

Holmebrook ward – two seats

Glenys Falconer (LD)
Keith Falconer (LD)
Stephen Paul Hitchin (Lab)
Tommy Holgate (Peace)
Suzie Perkins (Lab)
Annetta Jean Woodhead (Con).

Linacre ward – two seats

Jeannie Barr (LD)
Peter Ian Barr (LD)
Sharon Buxton (UKIP)
Ian Leslie Jerram (UKIP)
Andrew Oakley (Lab)
Diane Marie Oakley (Lab)
Gordon Franklin Partington (Con).

Loundsley Green ward – two seats

Christopher John Patrick Beirne (LD)
Kevin John Maher (LD)
Terry McMahon (Ind)
Avis Joan Murphy (Lab)
Luigi Postiglione (Ind)
Mick Wall (Lab)
Richard Frederick Woodhead (Con).

Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward – two seats

Christopher Robert Austin (Con)
Dean Collins (Lab)
Lisa Kelly Collins (Lab)
Joe Mann (Ind)
Michelle Joan Mann (Ind)
Malcolm Benjamin Rowley (Con).

Middlecroft and Poolsbrook ward – two seats

Alice Georgina Blyth (LD)
Chris Ludlow (Lab)
Margaret Ann Moss (Con)
Donald Parsons (Lab).

Moor ward – two seats

Sonia Marie Allen (LD)
Keith Brown (Lab)
Kate Caulfield (Lab)
Lisa Kate Gingell (Con)
Tony Rogers (LD).

Old Whittington ward – two seats

Norman Andrews (Con)
Joan Bentley (UKIP)
Laura Bentley (UKIP)
Jean Mary Innes (Lab)
Peter Innes (Lab)
John Arthur Rimington (LD)
Sean Vickers (TUSC).

Rother ward – three seats

Clive Archer (LD)
Stuart Brittain (Lab)
Jenny Flood (Lab)
Stella Louise Hunt (Con)
Keith Miles (Lab)
Lisa Danielle Pritchard (TUSC)
Carl Walters (UKIP).

St Helen’s ward – two seats

Helen Claire Bagley (Lab)
Fran Lomas (UKIP)
Keith Lomas (UKIP)
Daniel Wayne Marshall (LD)
Tom Murphy (Lab)
Michelle Elizabeth Stevenson-Briggs (LD)
Jonathan James Wilkinson (Con).

St Leonard’s ward – three seats

Sharon Lesley Blank (Lab)
Maggie Cannon (LD)
Shelley Dale (Con)
Ken Huckle (Lab)
Yvette Denise Nicole Marsden (LD)
Adrian Mather (Ind)
Kate Sarvent (Lab).

Walton ward – three seats

Graham Frederick Barnett (Lab)
Helen Blair (Lab)
Paul Dale (Con)
Alexis Saliou Diouf (LD)
Vickey Diouf (LD)
James Liam Hunt (Con)
Gordon Alexander McLaren (Lab)
Nick Redihough (LD)
Bentley Strafford-Stephenson (Con)

West ward – three seats

Howard Borrell (LD)
John David Lee Boult (Con)
Ray Catt (Lab)
Rod Harrison (UKIP)
Marcus Stanton Linsey (Con)
Paul Adam Niblock (LD)
Shirley Anne Niblock (LD)
Paul Packham (TUSC)
Rachel Rush (Lab)
Nigel Robert Sterland (Con)
Sharon Wall (Lab)
Robert Christopher Warwick (UKIP).

Polls are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 7 May.

Votes for the Chesterfield Borough Council elections will be counted at the Queen’s Park Sports Centre, Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield, from 11am on Friday 8 May. The first results are expected around noon, with the final results expected by 2pm.

Sixteen current councillors have decided not to stand for re-election. These are:

Councillor David Stone (Barrow Hill and New Whittington ward)
Councillor Julie Lowe (Brimington South ward)
Councillor Bob Gibson (Brockwell ward)
Councillor Dave Allen (Hasland ward)
Councillor Martin Stone (Holmebrook ward)
Councillor Mark Higinbottom (Linacre ward)
Councillor Michael Fanshawe (Loundsley Green ward)
Councillor Vicki Lang (Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward)
Councillor Jim McManus (Lowgates and Woodthorpe ward)
Councillor Graham King (Moor ward)
Councillor Neil Rayner (Old Whittington ward)
Councillor Steward Bradford (Rother ward)
Councillor Linda Clarke (St Leonard’s ward)
Councillor Chris Collard (Walton ward)
Councillor Keith Morgan (Walton ward)
Councillor Denise Hawksworth (West ward).

Key:

Con = Conservative Party

Green = Green Party

Lab = Labour Party

LD = Liberal Democrats

Peace = Peace Party

TUSC = Trade Union and Socialist Coalition

UKIP = United Kingdom Independence Party.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Videos show latest progress at Markham Vale

13th April 2015

Work to develop a Chesterfield regeneration site at Markham Vale is gathering pace.

Derbyshire County Council have been filming the progress of two of their latest developments, inspirepac and Gould Alloys.

The first development is a 50,000 square feet building for Chesterfield-based metal distributors Gould Alloys which is due to be completed in April.

And work to build a 100,250 square feet printing factory and office building for Derbyshire-based company inspirepac is due to be completed in May.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Visit England Chooses Chatsworth For Excellence Awards

13th April 2015

Chatsworth has been chosen as a finalist in the ‘Large Visitor Attraction’ category of Visit England’s Excellence Awards – a celebration of the cream of English Tourism.

The winner will be announced at a glittering Awards Ceremony at the Sage Centre in Gateshead on 9 May 2015.

Chatsworth has seen significant investment in recent years. More than £14 million was invested in upgrading the visitor experience as part of the Masterplan programme of improvements while major events like the ‘Beyond Limits’ monumental sculpture exhibition in the garden, the ‘Chatsworth Country Fair’ and the ‘Chatsworth Festival – Art Out Loud’ draw in thousands of visitors.

The Large Visitor Attraction category covers visitor attractions of all kinds, with over 50,000 visitors per annum, including attractions that offer pre-booked tickets, museums, interpretation centres, theme parks, historic houses and castles. Chatsworth is facing competition for the top prize from Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in Shropshire, Liverpool Cathedral, The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall and the Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath, Somerset.

James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland said: “It’s been another successful year for our Excellence Awards as we’ve received hundreds of applications of an extremely high standard.

“That’s why all the finalists should be incredibly proud that they’ve been short-listed against such tough competition. I’d like to congratulate all the finalists who now represent the top five in their category in England and wish them all the very best of luck on Awards night at the Sage Centre in Gateshead – a spectacular venue to celebrate the industry’s best.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

New Cancer Unit to be Built In Chesterfield

9th April 2015

Plans for a brand new state-of-the-art cancer centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital have been given the go-ahead sparking a £2.5million fundraising appeal by Macmillan.

The Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre is a joint venture between Macmillan and the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to bring vital cancer treatment, care and support together in one purpose built facility.

This exciting new £8.9 million development, due to open in Autumn 2016, will mean that more people with cancer in North Derbyshire will be able to access joined up services closer to home.

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has committed £6.4 million of the total cost. Macmillan has launched a fundraising appeal for the remaining £2.5 million needed.

Every year, more than 1500 people in North and North East Derbyshire are told they have cancer and as many as 9,000 people receive cancer care in North and North East Derbyshire at any one time.

Currently cancer care and treatment is given from different clinics across the Chesterfield Royal hospital site, and the chemotherapy unit is no longer large enough for the number of patients it sees. There is also only a limited information service.

The new centre will change all that – enabling specialist teams to provide a range of appointments in one place – including all out-patient chemotherapy and clinical haematology. There will be an increase from 8 to 25 chemotherapy chairs and 2 beds. The centre will also include a specialist Macmillan information and support service which will offer cancer information, benefits advice, emotional support and also signpost patients to other local services such as support groups.

The new centre will benefit patients such as James Colhoun, 73, from Bakewell, who was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia called myelodysplastic syndrome in July 2013.

The condition cannot be cured so James receives ongoing chemotherapy and haematology treatment at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The new centre will mean James will be able to access all the cancer services he needs under one roof, reducing delays and repeat visits to the hospital.

James said: “Although my condition cannot be cured, with chemotherapy, it can be contained. However, this does mean a large portion of my time is spent in hospital receiving treatment. I have to go to the hospital seven times a month to have treatment across 4 different hospital departments which are at opposite ends of the hospital. It can be quite stressful having to travel around different departments for treatment and can result in a huge amount of time being wasted.

“Being able to have my treatment in one place so I don’t have to visit lots of different departments will make things a lot easier for both me and the staff, and reduce delays. The nurses and specialists do a brilliant job but they are let down by the situation they are in, which is not their fault and should be sorted out.”

Jane Rudge, Senior Macmillan Development Manager, commented: “This is a vital new centre for the people of North Derbyshire. Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the toughest things that anyone can face and the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre will give local people the very best in treatment and support. But we won’t be able to do this without the generosity of local people.”

Chief executive at the Royal, Gavin Boyle said: “This is a really exciting development for the hospital, our patients and the local community. By working in partnership with Macmillan we will create a really special cancer centre that will absolutely enhance the fantastic work our cancer teams do. It’s a massive ask but I’m convinced people will be behind the plans and fundraising campaign.”

For information about the new centre, how to make a donation or for details on how you could get involved in supporting the Appeal, visit macmillan.org.uk/chesterfieldappeal, call 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

AW Repair Group Opens at Markham Vale Bringing More Jobs to Chesterfield

8th April 2015

A vehicle accident repair centre has opened up its new state-of-the-art bodyshop at a Chesterfield regeneration site bringing 14 new jobs.

AW Repair Group, which provides a range of crash repair services, opened its fourth bodyshop at Markham Vale this month in a £450,000 expansion.

The firm’s new premises just off junction 29A of the M1, adds to their existing sites in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.

Managing Director of AW Repair Group, Andrew Walsh said:

“Markham Vale fitted perfectly with the group’s expansion plans being located just off the M1. We are excited to be opening up job opportunities in the surrounding areas and looking forward to working with the local community.”

AW Repair Group work in partnership with prestige manufacturers such as Land Rover, Jaguar and the Volkswagen Group, and currently employs 85 people across three sites.

A further 14 jobs have been created at the Markham site, 12 of which have been filled and two will be advertised shortly.

Peter Storey, Head of Markham Employment Growth Zone at Markham Vale said:

“AW Repair Group is the latest in a line of companies signing up to move in at Markham, bringing more jobs to the area.”Markham Vale continues to thrive and plays a key role in achieving the council’s long-term vision of building a strong economy in Derbyshire that creates jobs and provides a bright future for our young people.”

The firm’s 15,000 sq. ft. bodyshop was designed by our private sector developer, Henry Boot Ltd as part of the Waterloo Court building.

Ben Ward from Henry Boot Developments commented:

“We are delighted to welcome AW Repair Group to Markham Vale. The recent flurry of successful deals makes Markham Vale one of the most active enterprise zones in the UK.”We recently welcomed Ready Egg and Euro Garages, delivered additional space for Holdsworth Foods and are currently underway with significant new buildings for Gould Alloys and inspirepac for occupation this summer.”

Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.

The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone developments and this latest development is being funded using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development