Author: Dom Stevens

The University of Derby appoints new Director of Finance

29th June 2020

The University of Derby has appointed Craig Jones as its new Director of Finance, to help drive forward the institution as it looks to take advantage of opportunities for growth and commercial development within the region and beyond.

In his new role, Craig will be working with the University’s executive team, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, responsible for the strategic management of all finance related functions, as well as the delivery and implementation of future-focused strategies that secure the long-term financial sustainability of the University.

Commenting on his appointment, Craig said: “I am delighted to have joined the University of Derby, an ambitious institution with significant scale and influence in the city, county and region. There is no doubt that changing roles and sectors during a global pandemic is a challenge, but I am excited to be in a position where I can help navigate change while also building for the future.

He added: “The value the University places on its civic responsibilities is important to me, as is the opportunity to contribute to the skills and progression of my hometown, and I look forward to being a part of that.”

Craig, who hails from Derby and began his career as a trainee accountant with the city council, has joined the University after 18 years in the corporate finance sector, working for some of the industry’s best-known firms, including KPMG, PwC and Deloitte.

While with Deloitte, he led major projects across a range of government departments including health, housing, local government and further education. He has also overseen public sector mergers and service reconfigurations and led large-scale public procurement projects.

For the past six years, Craig has been a director in the social housing and care sector in the Midlands, helping to develop new companies and attracting substantial investment from within the UK and overseas.

Professor Mitchell added: “Craig joins us at a time of real momentum and positive change and his vast experience in corporate finance, and strong track record of success in delivering the investment needed to realise complex and large-scale projects, will add huge value to the institution.”

“As a university we have a significant role to play in the local economic recovery resulting from Covid-19 and we need to ensure we are in the best possible position to maximise any opportunities that not only support this, but help us to realise our greater ambitions.”

“While we are still operating under the conditions necessary for controlling the pandemic, we are very much pushing ahead with our longer-term plans and Craig’s expertise will be pivotal in this.”

For further information about the University of Derby’s Strategic Framework, click here.

Click here to find out more about the University of Derby

The University of Derby are members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme. To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Free advertising for Chesterfield businesses

29th June 2020

To help support local businesses that are re-opening, and to showcase Chesterfield as a great place to visit, Chesterfield Borough Council is offering retail, hospitality and leisure businesses the chance to take out free listings on the VisitChesterfield website until 31 March 2021.

Councillor Kate Sarvent said: “We know things have been tough for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses over the past few months. It is hoped this advertising opportunity will assist them with the process of reopening and provide a timely sales boost.”

Kate added: “VisitChesterfield aims to promote the town and its businesses to potential tourists as well as local residents, so this free advertising provides a great opportunity for these businesses to let customers, both old and new, know that they are back open for business.”

Independent businesses who are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should visit www.visitchesterfield.info/advertising, complete the application form and send it to events.promo@chesterfield.gov.uk along with high resolution landscape images of their business.

Destination Chesterfield are also offering free listings to local businesses on their new Supporting Local website – www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal. It currently has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that have adapted to provide and supply their products and services remotely.

Many town centre businesses are positive about their future following the success of the Shop Local message which has been championed by Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Borough Council throughout lockdown.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

City Taxis install protective screens

27th June 2020

To make passengers and drivers feel safer, City Taxis have introduced protective screens to give customers and staff greater peace of mind when travelling together.

City Taxis have also provided drivers with free cleaning equipment in the form of a Virucidal cleaner, in addition to masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and blue roll. All drivers are advised to clean down their screen after every journey and are advised to wear facemasks when customers are in the car. There is also the three-rule policy which allows only three passengers to travel in the rear of a saloon car leaving the front passenger seat free.

Kevin Flint, Operations Director of City Taxis, said “Currently there have been over 500 screens installed in our saloon fleet. We feel the screens are a huge step in restoring confidence to the taxi trade through these difficult times. By having the screens installed it creates a safer environment for both passengers and drivers to travel. The screens aren’t compulsory for drivers, but customers can request a ‘Screened Vehicle’ through all of our booking sources, including the City Taxis app.”

Aftab Ahmed, who is a long serving and loyal driver for City Taxis, added: “I am in my sixties, self-employed and in the high-risk category for Covid-19. My wife has an underlying lung condition which would probably mean an unsurvivable case if she caught the virus. For her and my own safety I chose to stop work on the 18th of March and isolated for ten weeks. The clear polycarbonate screen presented me an opportunity to get back to work – it is hardly noticeable yet provides a divide between the driver and the passengers on the back seat. That and the use of anti-viral cleaning products to wipe down all surfaces after every trip, gives me confidence to work knowing that both passengers and I are safer. I’m happy to recommend the safety screen to all my colleagues.”

Additionally, throughout the Covid-19 period, City Taxis have been providing essential patient transport for the NHS, Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) across the Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Humber regions.

City Taxis are committed to providing communities with the very best in private hire transportation and will constantly monitor their customers’ experiences to ensure they are doing the very best to keep the region and its drivers moving safely.

City Taxis are members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme. To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Champion helps businesses to get back to work safely

26th June 2020

iSAFE – Health, Safety and Quality Services are supporting businesses to reopen by providing a tailored COVID risk management service, which helps them to get back to work safely and legally following the COVID lockdown.

As one of over 180 Chesterfield Champions supporting the marketing and economic growth of the town, iSAFE has recently supported fellow Chesterfield Champions Mitchells Chartered Accountants, Derbyshire Voluntary Action and Fairplay.

Other local businesses that have benefitted include Vines Legal Solicitors, Wilson Howe Accountants, Paperclip, Not Just T-Shirts and First AED.

Jack Marshall, Senior Partner at iSAFE, comments: “Over the lockdown period we have noticed that many team members in the organisations we are working with have been incredibly anxious about returning to work. We want to re-assure staff that their workplace is as safe as possible. We also want to re-assure employers that they are fulfilling their legal and moral duties. This service has helped alleviate the stress of returning to work for both employers and employees.”

iSAFE support businesses in returning to their offices and places of work. The COVID Management Service includes a site visit to assess legal requirements and the development of a COVID policy, risk assessment and action plan. The iSAFE team also provide a briefing session with members of the team to communicate the action plan and address any concerns that staff may have about returning to work.

Destination Chesterfield have compiled a range of information from businesses that are supporting re-opening across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. These include The Sanitaryware Supplies Company, 247PPE, FASTSIGNS, Love Brewing, Pronto Paints, ra Telecom, FWD Motion, plus other local businesses.

Click here to see a list of local companies that can assist businesses to reopen

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield’s independent retailers share their reopening experiences

26th June 2020

Non-essential retailers in Chesterfield town centre returned to their shops and stores on Monday 15th June.

Supporting retailers and visitors, Chesterfield Borough Council has implemented social distancing measures throughout the town centre, market and Market Hall.

The implementation of safety measures mean that some retailers are now promising a ‘celebrity’ shopping experience for Chesterfield shoppers.

For shoppers who are still shielding however, the Supporting Local website created by Destination Chesterfield has details of around 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that have adapted to provide and supply their products and services remotely.

Below, owners of three independent retailers in Chesterfield share their experiences since re-opening to the public.

Laura Jo Owen, Owner of Adorn Jewellers in The Shambles, has been in contact with customers via social media throughout lockdown finding out how they wanted to shop once lockdown was lifted. They told her that they didn’t want to queue to get into the shop do an appointment-only system was introduced when the shop re-opened on 15 June.

Laura Jo said: “Because we are just a small shop, we put an appointment-only system into place to manage the social distancing guidelines, but we didn’t know how it was going to work out. However, it has gone really well. On the first day of opening we were fully booked and have been nicely booked up since which is very positive. We have hand sanitiser in the shop, which we are encouraging customers to use and we clean in between appointments.”

“It’s been a lovely week back at the shop. People are considerate, understanding and happy to be out. There’s still a spirit of ‘in this together’ which is encouraging to see.”

“I really hope this new-found momentum for high street shopping continues. Now, more than ever, people are voting with their feet for the shops and stores they want to see remain on the high street.”

Lisa Swift, Owner of Shop Indie in Vicar Lane Shopping Centre said: “We’re delighted to re-open. We’ve had a steady flow of customers in the store since re-opening. Lockdown has given people a new appreciation of going into a shop and being able to browse, particularly when they’re looking for a gift and don’t know what they want.”

“The shop has hand sanitiser throughout the store which customers are encouraged to use. We’ve also put stickers on the floor reminding people of social distancing and added a Perspex screen to the counter.”

“The feedback from customers has been great. We’ve spent lockdown finding new suppliers and products for the shop and we’ve had great feedback from customers. At the moment the shop is only open on Monday, Friday and Saturday as we’re having to combine operating the business with home schooling our young children. We’ll be increasing the opening hours of the business gradually. We’re very much looking forward to getting back to being open six days a week.”

Dorothy Robinson, Owner of Dotique on Chatsworth Road, re-opened on Monday 15 June. She said: “We are so excited to be open again,. It’s a relief to re-open our doors after so many weeks and welcome customers into the store. Some were nervous coming in for the first time but seeing the safety measures we have in place has given them confidence to return.”

“We’ve thought a lot about keeping our staff and customers safe. Only four customers are allowed in the shop at any one time and, once inside, we ask them to sanitise their hands from one of our sanitiser points. We have two-metre marking throughout the shop, free masks and gloves and Perspex screens on the till point. Customers are allowed to use the changing rooms to try on clothes but afterwards we fully clean the changing room and the clothes are steamed and put in isolation for three days – luckily we have a lot of clothes.”

“It’s early days and despite talk of reducing the two metre rule to one metre, we’ll keep two metres in place as we want to ensure everyone is safe when shopping with us.”

Many town centre businesses are positive about their future following the success of the Shop Local message which has been championed by Destination Chesterfield, the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Borough Council throughout lockdown.

A report released yesterday (25 June) by East Midlands Chamber has revealed optimism among local businesses for a full recovery following the outbreak of Covid-19. Click here to read more.

Destination Chesterfield are always passionate about supporting local businesses and are keen to encourage people to continue to do so at the moment. In the latest blog by Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, read why Supporting Chesterfield retailers is vital for our local economy.

Click here to visit Destination Chesterfield’s Supporting Local website

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Tourism businesses encouraged to apply for new industry standard mark

26th June 2020

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has welcomed the announcement of a new UK-wide industry standard mark that will provide a ‘ring of confidence’ for tourism businesses as the sector works towards reopening on 4 July.

The ‘We’re Good To Go’ accreditation, introduced by VisitEngland in partnership with national tourist organisations, means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to Government and public health guidance and have the required processes in place.

The scheme is free to join and Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is encouraging local businesses to apply as soon as possible to ensure they are COVID-secure and ready to welcome visitors.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire says: “We’re encouraging all local tourism businesses to apply for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard, which will play a vital role in ensuring visitors can enjoy a holiday in the Peak District and Derbyshire this summer and be confident they can do so with peace of mind.

Jo added: “We know that businesses are already working incredibly hard to prepare for reopening on 4 July, and this new industry standard provides a welcome boost of confidence for the sector and added reassurance for our visitors that we are putting all the right measures in place.”

To obtain the accreditation businesses must complete a self-assessment through an online platform, before receiving certification and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark for display in their premises and online.

Businesses must align with the Government’s official guidance for the sector including ‘Working Safely during COVID-19: Visitor Economy’, which outlines the processes and facilities that tourism businesses in England need to put in place before reopening.

The scheme has been developed in partnership with national tourist authorities with input from more than 40 industry bodies including Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire. For more information on the industry standard mark, click here.

Details of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s ‘welcome back’ campaign will be released shortly.

Please note: images were taken prior to the Coronavirus pandemic

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Summer adult education courses are moving online

25th June 2020

Residents across Derbyshire can take part in a wide range of free online courses this summer organised by Derbyshire County Council.

Some courses can be done online at a pace that suits you while other courses will be delivered remotely using Zoom where learners will be part of a live class with a tutor and fellow learners.

Learners will be provided with a list of materials or equipment they need for each session. All you need is a laptop, tablet or smart phone with internet access.

Online courses include:

environmental awareness
interview skills
sign language
Spanish
dealing with uncertainty and stress
art and crafts

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Our adult community education service is committed to providing quality learning for Derbyshire residents for skills, leisure and fun.”

“Staff have been working hard to keep our service running during the current coronavirus crisis and provide opportunities for residents despite the barriers we all face.”

“Through online learning our learners have access to a range of courses and a high quality and safe learning experience during this period of uncertainty.”

“If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or learn a new skill while spending more time at home this summer, we have something for you. Spaces on our courses are limited so make sure you sign up soon to guarantee a place.”

Due to the current coronavirus crisis, adult education community centres are unable to open. Derbyshire County Council be issuing further guidance on when facilities will reopen once it is safe to do so in line with government guidance.

Find the course for you and register your place now

Full details of online courses available can be found in this brochure.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local businesses optimistic for recovery

25th June 2020

A report released today (25 June) by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has revealed optimism among local businesses for a full recovery following the outbreak of Covid-19.

As part of the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 2020, firms were asked a series of questions about how they view their post-coronavirus prospects, with one in five responding that they anticipated their business to return to 100% or more of its pre-lockdown activity levels by the end of the year. A further 45% said they would achieve this by the end of 2021.

To help them do so, 36% said they would actively look to invest in activity that would help to diversify their offer to access new markets, while 25% said they would invest further in staff training to improve efficiencies.

Chamber Chief Executive, Scott Knowles, said: “Although national figures published over the past few weeks have given a broad overview of what has happened to the economy in general, the findings of our survey provide the first real, tangible evidence of the impact that Covid-19 has had on businesses across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.”

“The speed at which the economy shut down because of the pandemic and the resulting lockdown was unprecedented. Whole swathes of the business community either ceased or dramatically reduced activity, with some yet to get back underway.”

“For most businesses, this period has been defined by uncertainty and a wait for much-needed clarity about how and when the economy may unlock and any further health implications this may have.”

“The key thing many businesses need right now is focused support to assist in the transition of their staff out of furlough and back into the workplace and to adapt their operations, to help them return to pre-lockdown levels of economic performance as quickly as possible.”

“Clearly, there’s a long way to go before the economy can fully recover, and there will be many hard stories at both an organisational and an individual level in the months ahead.

“However, regardless of the individual experiences of businesses over the past three months, many see opportunities to grow and succeed outside of this current period, perhaps taking a different approach to how they do this.”

“To help them in this, continuing to support businesses to innovate, diversify, enhance their resilience and think differently must become a central focus of the Government’s policy response as we come out of the pandemic.”

In its report, East Midlands Chamber highlights the full extent to which the Covid-19 crisis affected local firms in the second quarter of the year. Read the full report here.

Click here to find out more about the East Midlands Chamber

East Midlands Chamber are members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme. To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Development approved for site of former multi-storey car park

24th June 2020

A McDonald’s restaurant and drive through has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee for the site of the former West Bars multi-storey car park.

The new development will create 65 jobs and will see regeneration of a site, which has laid derelict since the car park was demolished in 2015.

The application has explained that the new building will have a distinctive glazed frontage, which will offer views into a bright and lively customer area.

The development will create 65 jobs for the community and staff will be given the opportunity to develop through McDonald’s internal training programmes, including nationally recognised qualifications in hospitality, literacy and numeracy.

Chesterfield currently has over £1 billion of regeneration projects moving forward.  Find out more about the regeneration of chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Specsavers Chesterfield staff member features in national TV advertisement

24th June 2020

An optometrist from the Specsavers store in Chesterfield has played a starring role in a national television advert as part of the company’s new campaign.

The 90-second video, titled ‘We Were There’, aired on ITV1 on Saturday 13^th June and tells real life stories of store colleagues and their customers during lockdown.

The video explains how store staff had to change the way they worked to help people outside the normal test room environment, offering eye and hearing care for people in car parks, on doorsteps and even at picnic tables.

Allissa Charlesworth is currently the Optometrist Director at Specsavers Chesterfield and Matlock. Allissa is the first Specsavers staff member to appear in the advert, which you can watch below. Allissa said: “I was quite nervous to find out that I’d been given a role in the national advert. However, when I watched it for the first time, the overriding feeling changed to pride, as it’s certainly testament to all the hard work and community spirit people are showing across the UK.”

“Over lockdown, the most surprising and rewarding part for me has been the power of a simple phone call. So many people are vulnerable and have to self-isolate, but they still develop problems with their eyes and giving advice over the phone has become a daily routine.”

“A calm and reassuring voice on the end of the phone makes such a difference to people and you can hear the relief in their voice when they realise they don’t have to deal with this problem alone.”

The Specsavers store in Chesterfield has now re-opened, yet with increased health & safety, as well as social distancing, measures.

With Specsavers’ RemoteCare service, you can speak to the experts by video or over the phone about any sight or hearing questions you have. It’s free to use and you don’t need to be a previous customer to use it.

Click here to find out more about Specsavers Chesterfield

Specsavers Chesterfield are members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme. To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield College’s annual Arts Festival goes virtual to celebrate the work of creative students

24th June 2020

Students from across Chesterfield College’s visual and performing arts courses are celebrating their work in a virtual Arts Festival.

The virtual festival includes an end-of-year exhibition of work from photography, fine art, graphic design, digital, media, fashion and performing arts students, which would normally take place in the college. Teachers at the college were keen to ensure students didn’t miss out on the chance to exhibit their work because of Covid-19 so they have created a virtual showcase.

Dave Smith, Curriculum Operations Manager for Visual and Performing Arts, said: “It has been a privilege to see the work created by such a talented group of students. They have worked extremely well over the last few months, under challenging circumstances. It is a credit to their dedication and passion for their subject which has resulted in well executed final pieces.”

Dave added: “The virtual Arts Festival gives us an opportunity to celebrate, congratulate and thank our students and teachers for their hard work and successes over the year. Exhibiting work is also an important part of preparing students for working in the creative industries. We might not be able to do that physically at the moment, but the virtual festival does allow us to share their achievements with a wider audience so it actually gives us a fantastic opportunity.”

Chesterfield College has a long history in supporting people across the region to develop skills for successful careers in the creative industries. Their excellent facilities, including a range of well-equipped studios for everything from ceramics and silversmithing to fashion and theatre, have been the launchpad for many designers, artists and performers for many years. The Arts Festival has been an integral part of the creative courses the college offers so it was important to continue the tradition this year in spite of the challenging circumstances.

You can access the festival at www.chesterfield.ac.uk/artsfestival20.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting