Author: Dom Stevens

Chesterfield decorator wins national award

8th August 2022

A painter and decorator from Chesterfield has been presented with a national award for his work at a Derbyshire residence.

Stuart Yates, of Stuart Yates Décor, was named winner of the Small Contractor category at the annual Premier Trophy Awards hosted by national trade body, the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).

Stuart is a long-serving member of the PDA, current Vice-Chair of the Association’s Management Board and last year, was Very Highly and Highly Commended in the same category.

The PDA appoints six independent judges who visit projects across the UK ahead of the awards ceremony at the prestigious Plaisterers’ Hall in London.

The judges said: “The redecoration of the kitchen, orangery and staircase was to an exceptionally high standard, with crisp, clean lines and an air of pure class.

“The wallpapering to the primary bedroom was magnificent.”

The PDA is the UK’s largest trade body for the painting and decorating sector, and each year, the Premier Trophy Awards celebrate the best work across seven categories: Decorative, Highly Decorative, Small Contractor, Residential, Commercial, New Build and Industrial, with one project declared the Supreme Winner.

Chief Executive of the PDA, Neil Ogilvie said: “I’d like to thank our award sponsors and our independent judges, who are all members of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI).

“They visited all short-listed projects to assess the quality of work and gain insight into the challenges overcome to produce the final result.

“Congratulations to Stuart Yates Décor, on the skill, professionalism and commitment to quality that is recognised with this award.”

For more about the Premier Trophy Awards, or to find a PDA member near you, visit: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Property and Construction

Chesterfield parks awarded five coveted Green Flag Awards

4th August 2022

In a record-breaking year five Chesterfield parks are raising the prestigious Green Flag Award

Chesterfield Borough Council is celebrating after receiving Green Flag Awards for Eastwood Park, Queen’s Park, Holmebrook Valley Country, Poolsbrook Country Park and the gardens of Chesterfield and District Crematorium. There were 2208 UK winners.

The award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

After two years that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that these five sites have achieved the Green Flag Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space a great space that everyone can enjoy.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It is great news that we have retained our five Green Flag Awards and is a testament to the hard work our teams do to maintain these green spaces. We know how important green spaces are for our community as a place not only to socialise in but also as a space to improve both physical and mental health.”

Commenting on the news that these five sites have met the Green Flag Award standard, Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making these sites worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“These sites are a vital green space for the community in Chesterfield. This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available the Keep Britain Tidy website.

Looking for ideas for outdoor spaces to visit? Check out our guide.

Thinking of taking a picnic with you to the park, why not source it from a local producer?

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

‘Accessibility Champions’ recognised through new scheme for tourism businesses

4th August 2022

17 local tourism businesses have received recognition as ‘Accessibility Champions’ after completing a unique new scheme through the area’s official destination management organisation.

The Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme – the first of its kind in the area – has been designed to help tourism and hospitality businesses deliver ‘a warm and inclusive welcome for visitors with additional access needs’.

Through a series of webinars, the scheme covers topics including hearing loss, sight loss, mobility impairment, autism and dementia, highlighting the barriers faced by visitors with access needs and providing businesses with practical tips on how they can overcome them.

Businesses who successfully complete the scheme, which is delivered by Derbyshire-based industry experts Access For All UK, receive official ‘Accessibility Champion’ status, identifying them as one of the most accessible and inclusive tourism businesses in the country.

The first cohort of Accessibility Champions received their certificates at a ceremony held at Chesterfield’s Casa Hotel in June. Recipients included accommodation providers Lane Head Barns, Peak Venues and Beechenhill Farm, plus visitor attractions Treak Cliff Cavern, Discover Buxton Tours and The Children’s Country House at Sudbury.

In addition, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire became the first destination management organisation in the UK to receive Accessibility Champion status from Access For All UK, signalling its ambition for the Peak District and Derbyshire to become one of the country’s most accessible and inclusive tourism destinations.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is now encouraging local tourism and hospitality businesses to sign up for the next cohorts of the scheme, which will run on Tuesdays from 13th September 2022 to 11th October 2022, and on Thursdays from 29th September 2022 to 3rd November 2022 (excluding 6th October 2022).

Businesses can sign up for the Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme at: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry/accessibility-champions

The Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire Accessibility Champions scheme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and there is no cost for eligible businesses to attend.

Known as the ‘purple pound’, the accessible tourism market is estimated to be worth £15.3 billion to the visitor economy according to national tourism body VisitEngland, with huge potential for future growth.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to our new Accessibility Champions who are excellent ambassadors for accessible tourism and beacons of inspiration for many other local businesses to follow.

“One in five of the UK population is disabled and the Accessibility Champions scheme offers a unique opportunity for businesses to gain a share of the £15.3 billion accessible tourism market, obtain loyal customers and, above all else, provide memorable experiences for visitors with additional access needs.

“We encourage businesses to sign up to the scheme for expert advice on how they can provide a warm and inclusive welcome for all visitors – and to help us showcase why the Peak District and Derbyshire is truly one of the UK’s most accessible holiday destinations.”

Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Chesterfield businesses confirmed as finalists for East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2022

3rd August 2022

The finalists of this year’s East Midlands Chamber Business Awards have been revealed.

Businesses from Chesterfield up for awards include Banner Jones Solicitors, UKATA, Great 2, Future Life Wealth Management, DBC Training, Rose Cottage Doggy Day Car, The Accountancy Recruitment Group, Aztec Oils and Sheds Ground Maintenance.

In total more than 150 organisations from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire have been recognised in the 2022 edition of the annual awards, celebrating the region’s world-class businesses, and are once again delivered in partnership with principal sponsor Mazars.

The awards are split into three events for each county and feature 14 categories, ranging from Community Impact and Excellence in Collaboration to Excellence in Innovation and Commitment to People Development.

Finalists will now have a chance to state their case for winning at a virtual judging day in which they will be interviewed by a panel including sponsors, a Chamber board member and a representative from the Chamber’s senior leadership team.

An overall Business of the Year is also selected for each county from all finalists by Mazars.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Despite the challenges of the past few years, our region continues to show its resilience, ingenuity and hunger for growth, and the line-up of this year’s Business Awards is testament to this.

“The East Midlands is packed with so many hugely successful businesses that are at the pinnacle of their industries, and it’s fantastic to have a chance to put them under the spotlight.
“Alongside showcasing the great examples of innovation, green growth and global trading – which are all integral to the future economic landscape – our Business Awards also celebrate how our companies support their people, communities and each other through collaboration.”

The Derbyshire Business Awards take place on Friday 11 November at Pride Park.

Derbyshire Business Awards 2022 finalists

Business Improvement through Technology (sponsored by Purpose Media)
• Banner Jones Solicitors
• Glide Group
• Scenariio

Community Impact (sponsored by University of Derby)
• Ask the Chameleon & The Swap Shop
• Derby Museums
• Enthusiasm Trust
• Treetops Hospice

Outstanding Growth (sponsored by Amazon)
• Archaeological Research Services
• Baytree Cars
• Neos Composite Solutions
• Reformed IT
• Shed Grounds Maintenance

Excellence in Collaboration (sponsored by EMA Training)
• Composite Braiding, Transport Design International and WMG
• Cosy Direct and Derby Kids’ Camp
• Derby Ram Trail
• DHU Healthcare and Joined Up Care Derbyshire
• Heathland Grove and The Butler’s Pantry

Environmental Impact (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)
• Bowers Electricals
• Cosy Direct
• Devtank
• FA-ST Filtration Analysis Services Technology
• Tarmac Cement and Lime

Commitment to People Development (sponsored by Eight Days a Week Print Solutions)
• Bam Boom Cloud
• BEAR
• EMA Training
• Midland Lead
• UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA)

Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Access Training (East Midlands))
• Cameron Browne, Devtank
• Michael Wheatley, EMA Training
• Matthew Wragg, O’Connor and Co Removals
• Courtney Bower, Recruit 2 You
• Skye Peat, Rural Action Derbyshire

Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Ryley Wealth Management)
• Sarah Stevenson, Astute Recruitment
• Vicky Critchley, Bam Boom Cloud
• Natalie Bamford, Colleague Box
• Jillian Thomas, Future Life Wealth Management
• Andy Ball, Great2

Education and Business Partnership (sponsored by Concertus)
• Access Training (East Midlands)
• DBC Training
• E4E Derby
• Futures Group
• UTC Derby Pride Park

Excellence in Customer Service (sponsored by Aston Lark)
• Anoki
• BEAR
• Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care
• The Accountancy Recruitment Group
• The Silver X Group

Excellence in International Trade (Sponsored by RH Automotive)
• Aztec Oils
• Container Components Europe
• Graphoidal Developments
• Katapult

Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Barclays)
• Derby Museums
• EMA Training
• Future Life Wealth Management
• MacMartin
• White Peak Distillery

Excellence in Innovation (sponsored by Rolls-Royce)
• Devtank
• Neos Composite Solutions
• Peak NDT

Derbyshire Business of the Year (sponsored by Mazars) – Winner to be announced at awards ceremony

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Chesterfield manufacturer flies the flag at the Commonwealth Games

3rd August 2022

The Chesterfield manufacturer, Flagmakers, won the contract to produce all the flags for the Commonwealth Games, including national flags and bespoke Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth flags.

Flagmakers, which are part of the Specialised Canvas Group, produced over 7,000 flags with design, printing and finishing being completed at their Staveley factory.

Paul Noble, Flagmakers’ Managing Director said “In total, Flagmakers produced over 7,000 flags in a little over 6 weeks, delivered to the game’s organisers with a couple of days to spare! A project of this magnitude requires great skill and coordination, and I am super-proud of the team at Flagmakers for their hard work in securing and realising this project.”

Post games many of the flags will be re-used, with arrangements made for them to be used at further international sporting events hosted in the UK over the next 12 months. Any flags that cannot be re-used will be recovered and recycled.

The 22nd Commonwealth Games is taking place from the 29th July until the 8th August, with the Birmingham welcoming more than 5,000 athletes representing 72 nations and territories.

There have been medal winning performances at the games from athletes from North Derbyshire, these include table tennis player Liam Pitchford and swimmers Jacob Whittle and Imogen Clarke .

This success follows the news, this week, that Chesterfield is second best in England for access to sporting facilities.

Check out some of the great manufacturers based in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Chesterfield’s entrepreneurs to be recognised at awards

3rd August 2022

The importance of entrepreneurship to Chesterfield’s economy is set to be recognised at the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management.

Great2Grow – part of Great2, RD Models and MD Hair are all in the running for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The accolade recognises the achievement, leadership, vision and success of new sole traders and limited companies in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

In addition to the award, the winner, which will be announced on 12 October, will receive 10 hours free mentoring with the award’s sponsor, Banner Jones Solicitors. They will also receive a year of marketing support through Chesterfield Champions with Destination Chesterfield covering the contribution cost for a financial year.

Andy Ball, CEO at Great2, which is a provider of co-working space and business support services in Chesterfield, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected as a finalist in the Love Chesterfield Awards. Chesterfield is a wonderful location with such a strong industrial heritage, and it’s fantastic to play even a small part in supporting the growth of new start-ups, solo-entrepreneurs and small businesses as they establish themselves in the economy.”

Gemma Hanson, Company Director at RD Models, a remote-control car and accessories store on Sheffield Road, commented: “As a brand-new business, we are so excited to be a finalist in the Love Chesterfield Awards.

“When we decided to set up our business, Chesterfield was the obvious choice for the location of our store. We are proud to call Chesterfield home. With Chesterfield’s Technique Stadium, Northern Gateway and The Glass Yard on our doorstep, RD Models is excited to be a part of the revitalisation of Chesterfield.”

Michelle Dalman, Owner of MD Hair, a salon located at The Glass Yard, said: “I am thrilled to have been shortlisted. With so many creative and driven individuals who have also set up their businesses in Chesterfield, it really is an honour.

“I personally believe that Chesterfield is a fantastic place to set up a business. As well as great transport links and an array of both independent and regional businesses within the town, there are a number of ongoing developments, which demonstrates the demand for growth in the area.

“Since our move to The Glass Yard development on Sheffield Road, we have taken on a number of clients who travel from outside of Chesterfield. This shows that if we invest in the right areas and offer quality products and services, we can encourage more visitors from out of town to boost the local economy.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield explained the importance of the award: “Chesterfield is an ambitious town and without entrepreneurship we simply can’t grow at the pace we want to. We have some great talent here which shows in the success stories we see regularly. It’s important for us to recognise the hard work of those helping our economy thrive.”

The Entrepreneur of the Year award is one of 15 categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. The winners of all the categories will be announced at a glittering black-tie ceremony at The Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

As well as Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management and Banner Jones Solicitors, the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are also supported and made possible by BHP Accountants, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Sutton McGrath Hartley.

Peter Swallow added: “After the uncertainty of the last two years, the Destination Chesterfield team is working to ensure the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards is the best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors.”

There are a limited number of sponsorship packages available. If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards, information is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Love Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield Awards

Town centre transformation key to success of Chesterfield

2nd August 2022

A need to reimagine Chesterfield’s town centre to complement social and cultural changes has been identified by a cross-industry panel of local experts.

Speaking at Willmott Dixon’s ‘Towns of the Future’ round table, hosted at Casa Hotel, the panel highlighted the importance of a town or city understanding, strengthening and marketing its unique selling proposition (USP).

Using Chesterfield as an example, attendees agreed that – as with many towns and cities across the UK – Chesterfield has the raw social and cultural elements to meet public demand and expectations, but further evolution is required. This includes the need for a strong mix of retail, office and leisure.

Chesterfield has a number of regeneration schemes in progress or in the pipeline that are set to redefine the town following the Covid pandemic.

Jenna Frudd, relationship manager at Willmott Dixon and member of the Chesterfield Property & Construction Group run by Destination Chesterfield, said: “Chesterfield is a prime example of a town with hidden gems – it’s incredibly welcoming and you have a local council and business community that is really open to conversations.

“A collaborative approach between the public and private sector is key to getting to this stage and having this enthusiasm for change is one of the reasons why Chesterfield is well placed to make the right moves going forward.”

A Place Story and brand identity was created in 2010 by Chesterfield Borough Council in collaboration with the local community.  This focuses on the elements that makes Chesterfield unique and is used to market the town to potential investors and visitors. 

Destination Chesterfield was created at the same time and is a collaboration of over 200 businesses, organisations and public sector partners working together to promote Chesterfield.

As part of the discussion, the group analysed the changing nature of how town centres are used and how the mix of commercial, retail, and social spaces can best be balanced in a rapidly changing world.

Chesterfield is looking to transform the town centre with the £10.28m Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme.   This will change the look, feel and flow of the town centre – creating a contemporary market town that has better connections between key public spaces, and a more attractive physical environment.

It includes plans for significant improvements to Chesterfield’s historic market grounds, along with proposals that will help maximise the potential of the iconic Crooked Spire as a key attraction for visitors, while also re-imagining town centre spaces for a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations and community gatherings.

Together with the £17m refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall the project is being brought forward thanks to almost £20m which the council secured from the Government’s levelling up fund at the end of last year.

David Willis, director at Chesterfield-based Frank Shaw Architects, said:  “A real shift in our urban planning mindset is required, moving away from the traditional town centre mix and towards more social spaces. Chesterfield is a prime example of this – the town square is massively underused, so reinvigorating it is fundamental to what the place has to offer.”

The future of the office was another key talking point, as the panel looked at how a changing approach to hybrid and in-office working will impact town centre spaces.

The need for high quality, flexible, sustainable, energy efficient office space is being addressed in Chesterfield with two Grade A office developments opening in 2022.

Businesses have started to move into the stunning new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.  The centre, which opened in July, is the first of two recently constructed high quality office developments in Chesterfield town centre.

One Waterside Place at Chesterfield Waterside will open later this year giving the town much-needed modern large floor plate office space which will help attract investment as well as provide space for growth for established businesses in the borough. Tenants have already been identified for significant elements of the space, who will take up occupation on completion.

The Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place are a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s ambitious growth strategy that will see large scale investment and regeneration across the borough.

Rebekah Bacon, land and partnerships manager at Pulse Developments, said: “When thinking about the new role that offices have to play, it’s really important to consider how they sit within the town centre and whether that is a space people want to be in.

“If people want to be in the office, this creates a huge ripple effect across the town, as people are already out of their homes and much more willing to engage with the spaces in the town centre.”

If you are interested in the regeneration of Chesterfield, you can find out more at the Chesterfield Investment Summit which takes place on the 28th September at the Casa Hotel

The ‘Towns of the Future’ roundtable was chaired by Liz Cartwright (Cartwright Communications), and featured Jenna Frudd (Willmott Dixon), Mark Deakin (Turner & Townsend), Amy Revell (We Are Spaces), Lydia Sadler (DLP Planning), Philip Riden (Chesterfield Civic Society), David Willis (Frank Shaw Architects), Spencer Ryan-Prewitt (University of Derby), Rebekah Bacon (Pulse Developments), Andy Dabbs (Whittam Cox, Chair of Chesterfield Property and Construction Group) and Joanne Neville (Harworth Group).

Wilmott Dixon, We Are Spaces, DLP Planning, Frank Shaw Associates, University of Derby, Whittam Cox and Harworth Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chesterfield Property and Construction Group is a collective of Chesterfield Champions who are working together to represent and support the property sector and help promote Chesterfield as a place to invest.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Property and Construction

Vicar Lane to broadcast The Hundred on their big screen

2nd August 2022

From the 3rd August, Vicar Lane is thrilled to debut The Hundred cricket tournament on their Big Screen and delighted even more so, to champion local player Bess Heath.

Born in Chesterfield, 20-year-old Bess currently plays for Yorkshire, Northern Diamonds and will feature for the Northern Superchargers in the upcoming tournament, with their home games being staged at Headingley.

To get behind Bess and the whole Northern Superchargers team, Vicar Lane is thrilled to be giving away a handful of tickets to some of the Northern Superchargers fixtures [at Headingley] and is encouraging shoppers to keep an eye out for how to get involved to win!

More information can be found across the Vicar Lane social media channels.

Vicar Lane is proud to shine a light on Bess’ achievements so far and hope that they can encourage their younger visitors with an interest in sport to stay determined, keep practicing and follow their dreams!

Bess Heath ahead of the upcoming tournament said: “I’m really excited to be taking part in The Hundred this summer and playing for the Northern Supercharges again. It’s an exciting, fast-paced cricket competition with music and family entertainment, which will only be bigger and better this year. I can’t wait to be part of it and it’s a great feeling to have Vicar Lane get behind us as a team and show support by streaming all The Hundred games live on their big screen!’’

Check out what is happening this Summer in Chesterfield

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Lionesses victory will show girls what they can achieve, says Enterprising Women leaders

1st August 2022

Following England’s success at the Women’s UEFA Euro 2022 football tournament, Eileen Perry MBE DL and Jean Mountain, co-chairs of the Enterprising Women network run by East Midlands Chamber, said: “It’s been so wonderful to see the Lionesses unbelievable achievement at Euro 2022 – featuring two of our own in Chesterfield-born defender Mille Bright and Nottingham-born goalkeeper Mary Earps – celebrated up and down the country, and this moment feels like a defining moment for women’s participation in sport.

“At our Enterprising Women events, we hear from so many inspirational people about the importance of having role models to aspire to in any walk of life –highlighting women in leadership positions or traditionally male-orientated industries shows younger girls about what’s possible for them to achieve in life.

“So by showcasing the success of a women’s team in a sport where usually only men’s achievements are in the public eye, the legacy of Sarina Wiegman’s heroes could be felt for decades to come as more young girls realise they too can have dreams in football.

“As the Enterprising Women network marks its 25^th anniversary this year, we couldn’t think of a more fitting way of celebrating the power of women than through our national sport.”

East Midlands Chamber support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield announced as second best in England for access to sporting facilities

1st August 2022

Chesterfield is the second best place in the country for access to sporting facilities according to new research.

The England Sports Accessibility Index has been created by Runners Need.

It analyses how much town and city councils across England have invested in local sports and activity schemes over the past five years and which places have the best access to sports facilities.

Chesterfield has 137 local facilities per 100,000 residents and an average spend of £57.59 per person per year.

The research highlights on average, a town or city has 73 listed sports facilities per 100,000 people and spends £35.70 per head per year on sports funding.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We welcome the positive news that Chesterfield has been ranked as England’s second most accessible town for sports.”

“We want to be able to help our communities to improve their health and wellbeing and we understand how important it is to have access to facilities and opportunities for people to be active.”

“We have some fantastic local facilities and lots of groups that help encourage everyone in our community participate in sport and physical activity.”

“This ranking is a testament to the fantastic work that everyone involved in sport and physical activity does to help our residents and visitors across the Borough.”

This survey follows announcements that Chesterfield is the happiest place to live in the east midlands and the second best place in the UK to raise a family.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Visiting

Enterprising Women Awards 2022 finalists revealed as East Midlands Chamber’s network celebrates 25th anniversary

13th June 2022

From rising stars to established leaders, the best of the region’s female business talent is recognised in a special edition of East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards this year.

Owner of Chesterfield based Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care, Dawn Brown was one of the finalists who were named across 11 categories for the 2022 awards, organised in partnership with headline sponsor Futures Housing Group, at a summer barbecue held at Winstanley House, in Leicester.

Three new categories have been added to the bill for the annual gala dinner, which takes place at Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on 30 September at to mark the 25^th anniversary of the Enterprising Women network.

These include a Diversity Champion, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement Award, the latter of which doesn’t have a shortlist and will instead be given as a surprise to an unsuspecting winner on the night.

Long-time categories such as Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Team of the Year and the headline award of Business Woman of the Year return alongside these.

A judging panel, comprising members of the Enterprising Women team, Chamber board of directors and category sponsors, will be held on 5 July for the finalists to get their chance to pitch before winners are decided.

Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain said: “In a big year for the Enterprising Women network, we wanted to celebrate with an extra-special awards, and we firmly believe this shortlist delivers this.

“It features some truly inspiring women across a wide range of sectors and backgrounds, as well as across different parts of their career journey – from those just starting out in apprenticeship roles to highly successful business leaders representing everything that is great about our region.”

Fellow co-chair Eileen Perry MBE DL added: “We were overwhelmed to receive so many fantastic entries that selecting who goes through to the final was a massive challenge, and we can’t wait for the judging panel now to decide our 2022 winners.

“One of our favourite new additions this year is the Diversity Champion category, which opens the door for the first time to some incredible men who play a pivotal role in supporting our enterprising women, while we’re very excited about recognising a very special person with the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night.”

Enterprising Women Awards 2022 shortlist

Business Woman of the Year – Sponsored by Futures Housing Group

Olivia Pritchard – Bustler Market @ The Chocolate Factory

Samantha Bennett – Hear4u & Healthscreen

Emily Smith – Michael Smith Switchgear

Monica Huang – Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Laura Cook – The Learning Support Centre

Female Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Midlands Engine Investment Fund

Olivia Pritchard – Bustler Market @ The Chocolate Factory

Jaz Kaur – Fraser Stretton Property Group

Dawn Brown – Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care

Charlene Brand – The Wellness Brand

Sarah Withers – Withers Gin

Social Commitment Award – Sponsored by She Inspires Global

Gift Wellness

Michael Smith Switchgear

Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Treetops Hospice

TTK Confectionery

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by Unique Window Systems

Access Training East Midlands

Cross Productions

EMA Training

Fraser Stretton Property Group

Noble Events

Female Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Smallman & Son

Victoria Philp – Everards Brewery

Katie Stephens – Noble Events

Lizzie Peate – Penny Price Aromatherapy

Karen Miles – trentbarton

Leah Binney – TTK Confectionery

Team of the Year – Sponsored by PPL PRS

Balls2 Marketing

Everards Brewery

Loates HR Consultancy

TTK Confectionery

TwentyTwenty – Love4Life

Outstanding Contribution to Work in STEM – Sponsored by Pick Everard

Bam Boom Cloud

ChangeXtra

De Montfort University

Lotus Maternity

PERFORMS Assessment

Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by EMA Training

Rebecca Houlston – Cross Productions

Polly Oakes – Express Recruitment

Lucy Bamford-Jones – Fidler & Pepper Lawyers

Esme Wade – MacMartin

Rubie Birks – Purpose Media

Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Amanda Daly, The Turnaround CEO

Lottie Hardy – EMA Training

Emma Baumback – Future Life Wealth Management

Grace Golden – Purpose Media

Jessica Barnett – Timms Solicitors

Santa York – TTK Confectionery

Diversity Champion – Sponsored by Breedon Consulting

Stephen Gould – Everards Brewery

Narinder Nijjar – Fraser Stretton Property Group

Maria Hanson – me&dee

Gill Heppell – PerCurra

Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan – Zinthiya Trust/She Inspires Global

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Paradigm Wills

*Finalists not announced for this category – winner announced at the gala dinner on 30 September

Posted in Business, Home