About Chesterfield

Fantastic community and charity contributions from people and businesses in Chesterfield

Chesterfield people and businesses are continuing to work together to support charities and community organisations across the town.

Our latest roundup features fabulous fundraising initiatives, support for local community groups, and more.

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “Chesterfield Champions are proud to support our vibrant community, and it is great to see businesses playing their part to help others through a wide range of initiatives.

“Our town is a great place to work and live, and one of the main things that makes Chesterfield unique is the closeness of its community.

“It is great to see Champions continuing this trend by supporting local people and charities, alongside raising the profile of our area.”

Take a look at the latest from our community of Chesterfield Champions below:

Hospice fundraiser raises record-breaking amount towards care

Group of people cheering with fundraising figure on screen in background

Ashgate Hospice’s biggest ever fundraising event, the Sparkle Night Walk, raised more than a record-breaking £340,000 for end of life care in North Derbyshire.

More than 3,400 people sported pink and flashing bunny ears at the 10km walk in Chesterfield on Saturday 22 June.

The total figure raised from the fundraiser, sponsored by NOCN, was a phenomenal £341,854– the most the walkers have ever raised after smashing the record of £317, 671 set last year.

The event will return for its 10th anniversary next year on 28 June 2025 – and supporters can register at a reduced rate of £8 until Sunday 11 August.

Director of Income Generation at Ashgate Hospice, Jack Wood said he was “incredibly grateful” for the support of the event’s participants.

“We are so overwhelmed that our amazing participants have once again raised such an incredible amount towards our care,” said Jack.

“To beat the record amount raised at our Sparkle Night Walk last year, only to do it again in 2024 is a testament to the dedication of our supporters.

“This could fund the care of one of the beds on our Inpatient Unit at the hospice for more than a year, giving patients 24/7 expert care when they need it most.

“We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and their support will go a long way towards funding end of life care and support for patients and their families across North Derbyshire.”

Plans are already underway for Sparkle Night Walk 2025, sponsored by Magpie Beauty, with super early bird tickets being sold now for a reduced rate of £8 until Sunday 11 August.

More than 1,000 people have already signed up to next year’s event, which the hospice hopes will be “even bigger”.

Jack Wood added: “This year’s Sparkle Night Walk might be behind us but we’re already working hard to make next year event better – you can register at our early bird pride for just £8!

“Will you come along to celebrate our 10th anniversary of the Sparkle Night Walk and help us break records for the third year in a row?”

The walk will take place on Saturday 28 June 2025 – sign up now on the hospice’s website.

BRM raises over £200,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support

BRM Macmillan

Leading Derbyshire and South Yorkshire law firm BRM has raised a total of £202,424 since 2015 for Macmillan Cancer Support services at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital thanks to support from clients during its annual free Will months.

Now in its ninth year, the firm’s partnership with Macmillan enables people to make a Will for free during two months of the year. Instead of paying a fee to BRM, it was requested a voluntary donation was made to the charity, with a recommended contribution of just £75 per person.

The donation will go towards supporting people and their families who are affected by cancer across the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire region and will help the charity continue providing their vital care within the community.

Paul Berresford, Executive Director at BRM, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped support our free Wills month in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support since 2015.

“The funds will go towards the charity and help support them continue their much-needed services across the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire community.

“Macmillan is a charity close to our hearts and we’re proud to have worked alongside them for several years.

“It’s very important to have a Will in place, as it ensures that your affairs are in order and your loved ones are provided for so it’s fantastic to see so many people who have taken advantage of our offer.

“Thank you to those who have supported our charity campaign and thank you to our expert Wills team for advising our clients on their Wills.

Hannah Lumb, Local Fundraising Manager at Macmillan, said: “On behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, we would like to thank BRM and their clients for their incredible support to the charity.

“£202,424 is an incredible amount raised and will help those affected by cancer across our communities.

“If it were not for our amazing supporters like BRM, we wouldn’t be able to provide the vital services across the region. As a charity, we do not receive government funding and 98 per cent of our income comes from the public.

“Sadly, the number of people living with cancer is growing every day and we want to reach and improve the lives of as many of those people as we can. We couldn’t provide our essential services without the people who support us.”

“Thank you again to BRM and their clients for supporting the free Will services month – we are so grateful for every single penny raised.”

For expert advice and guidance around writing your Will, visit: www.brmlaw.co.uk/solicitors-for-you/wills-probate/wills

Chatsworth introduces affordable tickets for people receiving universal credit

Chatsworth

Chatsworth House Trust, the charity responsible for caring for the house, collections, garden, woodlands and park at Chatsworth, has announced new lower priced tickets for those currently receiving income support including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.

The aim of the new tickets is to increase accessibility for, and engagement with those who may find cost a barrier to visiting, demonstrating the Trust’s continued commitment to making Chatsworth a place for everyone.

The tickets include access to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground and are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children aged 3-16 years, for those who are eligible.

Paul Hayes, Head of Visitor Strategy at Chatsworth House Trust, added: “As a charity that is dedicated to preserving Chatsworth for everyone to enjoy, accessibility is one of our main priorities, and we are always looking at new ways to remove barriers to visiting.

“This year we have a programme of events around the theme of Celebrating Childhood, so it’s fantastic to hear that so many families are already benefiting from the new tickets.

“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience Chatsworth if they would like to, and we hope these tickets will allow even more people to do just that.”

Universal Credit tickets are available for those who currently receive one or more of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance

The tickets are only available to purchase online in advance, and proof of eligibility is required at the entrance on the day of your visit.

Universal Credit tickets are available to book on a first come first served basis and may sell out on busy days.

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/book-tickets/universal-credit-tickets/

BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax support Chesterfield Canal Trust

Canal Festival 2

BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax is supporting Chesterfield Canal Trust as a sponsor.

The company will make donations to the trust generated through referrals or Canal Trust supporters.

Customers just need to mention the trust, and the firm will donate 20% of the fee income arising (not including VAT) from the company’s work.

Services include:

1.  Maple Tree Wills and Estate Planning work.
2. BusinessWisetax Accountacy & Tax for Year-end accounts.
3. Sorbus Finance / The Lease Hub who arrange finance for Vehicles and Assets.

This offer will be valid for 6 months from August 1st, 2024. BusinessWise owner, Graham Nash is a keen supporter of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and is hopeful of engaging more businesses to work with the canal.

Stepnell launches competition for local artists as part of Walton Hospital construction project

Artist Impression of Chesterfield Diagnostic Centre

As part of it’s social value commitments to NHS Derbyshire Healthcare, Stepnell is looking for artistic Chesterfield residents to design a mural for a wall in the therapeutic garden of Bluebell Ward at Walton Hospital.

It needs to provide a calming backdrop for an area where those using the service will be able to relax and undertake some gardening tasks.

The winning design will cover an area 3m x 2m and will be painted onto the wall by volunteers.

Artists are being asked to prepare their entries on A3 landscape white paper and submit a photograph of their work to eastmidlands@stepnell.co.uk by 31 August 2024.

Mayor visits Heron Publications as company celebrates 22nd anniversary

Mayor wearing ceremonial chains photographed with team members at heron

A special guest at the Dronfield offices of Heron Publications recently was the Mayor of Chesterfield, Coun Jenny Flood.

Accompanied by the town’s Mayoress, Heather Hopkinson, Coun Flood was keen to see how staff at the independent magazine publishers produce their five local magazines – Twist, Wings, Dronfield Eye, Active8 and So Bolsover, distributing them to 59,000 homes and businesses.

Founder members of the Chesterfield Champions organisation, family-run Heron Publications celebrates its 22nd anniversary this August.

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Project provides career inspiration for Chesterfield young people

A new project has provided career insights and work experience for young people in Chesterfield.

The Careers Made in Chesterfield (CMiC) programme has had a successful first year, hosting eight workshops for 275 young people and providing work experience placements for almost 30 students.

It provides students with insights about local career opportunities and aims to create a pipeline of talent to support local businesses. In its first year, the programme has focussed on the property and construction sector but will expand to include the health and wellbeing sector and manufacturing sector over the next three years.

Industry experts have hosted interactive workshops at Ashgate Croft School, Parkside School, Springwell Community College, Netherthorpe School and the Chesterfield YES Youth Hub. As a result of these workshops, students have reported an increased interest in pursuing careers in the construction industry.

The project has been funded by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of its Skills Action Plan and delivered in schools by Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP).

On Tuesday 2 June Gateway 1 students from Ashgate Croft School were visited by G F Tomlinson where they played ‘guess my job’ with three volunteers – Gemma Thorpe, Senior Bid and Marketing Coordinator; Dave Miller, Site Manager; and Olivia Brindley, Assistant Quantity Surveyor – to learn about the varied roles within the construction sector.

In preparation for a site visit, students were also shown the refurbishment plans for Stephenson Memorial Hall, home to Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre, which is currently being refurbished by G F Tomlinson on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.

The students then took on the challenge to come up with their own designs for a cafe, shop, or entire museum using K’Nex construction kits.

Stuart Rooker, Careers Lead at DEBP said: “Collaboration between businesses and schools is crucial to CMiC. It is a fantastic way for employers to engage directly with students and inform them about their business and industry. It also provides the young people involved with the opportunity to learn about the skills they need, which employers value, and the options available to them.”

On Thursday 18 June, the students were given a tour of the construction site. After a health and safety talk from Jack Harvey, Technical Apprentice and putting on the appropriate PPE, Jason Tromans, Site Manager for G F Tomlinson, led a fantastic tour of the building. This included how key parts of the building are being restored and the interesting things that have been found on-site such as old newspapers and messages on the walls. Students were able to see a variety of construction trades at work, including roofers, joiners, ground workers, and scaffolders.

Vicky Bridge, Gateway 1 Teacher from Ashgate Croft School said: “The students thought both the workshop and visit were really interesting. It was a great experience for them to learn all about the company and the trade, and then see it in person and in action. This fits well with our employability lesson where we look at different jobs and types of employment.”

In total 14 employers have supported the CMiC programme including, Stepnell, Fortem, Devonshire Group, Henry Boot, Elliot Mather LLP, Whittam Cox Architects, Turner and Townsend, Castle Owen, Clee Hill, Shelby Group, Frank Shaw Associates and Chesterfield College.

CMiC is a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Action Plan which aims to ensure that local people have the right skills to support career progression and benefit from future employment opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “CMiC has made a great impact in its first year, it’s helped provide young people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their future and by working with employers we can ensure that skills provision in the borough meets their future needs. I look forward to seeing how this programme progresses in future years and hearing from young people about how it has helped them.

If you’re a local business, I would encourage you to get involved in the scheme because it will help guide young people to work in industry and even your business.”

As well as construction and property, the programme will expand over the next four years to include health and social care, and engineering and manufacturing and businesses in these sectors are encouraged to get in touch to volunteer for the scheme.

If you are an employer and would like to get involved in CMiC please email enquiries@debp.org.

Looking for support to improve skills and recruitment in your business? Head over to our business support page to find out more.

DEBP and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Students wearing high viz clothing

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Chesterfield Record Fair to launch new event at The Batch House

A new record fair event is set to take place in The Batch House, giving music lovers even more opportunity to browse their favourite artists.

The new event will run in addition to the regular monthly record fair in Chesterfield town centre, allowing people to attend on weeknights too.

The first Record Fair at the Batch House will take place later this month, on Friday 30th August, 12pm-6pm.

Organiser Adrian Wells, owner of AA Record Fairs said: “The event has always been very popular. Since it began 4 years ago, its reputation is one for a great selection of diverse genres of music and different vinyl dealers attending each month, and traveling from all over the country to stand.

Adrian says he loves to host the market in Chesterfield Town Centre, and looks forward to building on its popularity: “It’s outside which offers us flexibility, it also allows us to keep the rents cheap, and the stalls are bigger than normal tables rented out at other events (so traders get a great deal, which is one reason they turn up in force each month – they can also create a great display of their stock).

“To find a larger monthly record fair, and there are only a few in the whole country, you would have to go to a major city.  Chesterfield record fair punches well above its weight in terms of size of event per capita.  The event still has room to grow for both traders and for attendance; we are always trying to improve.”

The additional date taking place at The Batch House will allow traders and music fans to indulge in some of the unique food vendors based there, serving Greek, Indian, Italian and Peruvian food just to name a few.

Sign outside Modern venue advertising a record fair

Adrian explained why AA Record Fairs has added more dates in the town: “We are always being asked for a record fair in the week, to accommodate buyers who work weekends.  Plus, we run around 100 events a year at weekends, we always have something on every Saturday & Sunday.  So to expand, we are attempting to establish a few key weekday events, with Chesterfield being one of the first.

“We are hoping our large local following will come out to support this first weekday record fair in Chesterfield. We always look for venues with a difference, somewhere that can bring new people to our events and a venue that is interested in getting a boost from our crowd of vinyl hunters.

“The Batch House is perfect. It’s a newly built venue in a great location, with plenty of indoor space for our first mid-week, pop-up venture. Customers can browse records while also meeting friends for a drink or light lunch or have a break in a relaxing atmosphere while thinking over what records to buy.

“Places like Chesterfield marketplace (for large events) & The Batch House (for a smaller, pop-up fairs) are perfect for this approach, tying two different things together.”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “It’s fantastic to see the Chesterfield Record Fair expanding it’s schedule of events, helping to further establish our town as a fantastic and unique destination for music lovers. I’d encourage people to continue supporting these events, which add to the vibrancy of our town and help to provide footfall to our independent shops and food & drink venues.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Record Fair at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-record-fair-chesterfield-market/

People browsing market stalls at Chesterfield Record Fair

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Make the most of the summer holidays in Chesterfield

The summer holidays are now in full swing, which means for the next few weeks, you may need to find innovative ways to entertain the little ones!

Fear not, we’re taking some of the strain off mums and dads in Chesterfield this summer, with plenty of fun activities to help your youngsters let off some steam.

Why not explore our most famous landmark by climbing up to the foot of the crooked spire and taking in the glorious North Derbyshire scenery? Or take a trip back in time at another one of our local landmarks, Hardwick Hall… They’re hosting a Festival of Archaeology for history lovers, and an open-air adventure cinema for families who want to enjoy a movie under the stars.

For more history and heritage with some thrills attached, you’ll feel the tremble of hooves and see spectacular speed and skill at Bolsover Castle’s Legendary Joust on the 24th, 25th and 26th August.

Has your child ever said they want to be an astronaut when they grow up? Get them exploring the wonders of outer space at the Chesterfield Observatory. The facility will be opening its doors on selected dates throughout the summer for you and the family to get a glimpse of the stars and planets.

For something more down-to-earth, you can see the glorious green countryside and hear the peaceful sounds of the birds whilst getting active on Chesterfield Canal! You’re able to hire out paddle sports equipment at Hollingwood Hub on Saturdays and Sundays over the summer, making a splash with your family!

Chesterfield Canal Paddlespots 2

If they still have energy to burn, the kids will have a great time letting off some steam at the Chesterfield Lawn Tennis Club. The tennis camp takes place on three different weeks of the holidays, with several different sports on offer such as dodgeball, football, and hockey.

Don’t forget to make the most of our beautiful town and surrounding area by taking advantage of our wonderful cycling routes, transporting you through our picturesque scenery. Of course, stopping off in Queen’s Park for a cool ice cream and refreshing drink is a must!

Cycling Festival

See the strong men and women in action at Matlock Farm Park for the Peak District Highland Games. Witness the feats of strength on show as contestants pull tractors, lift extremely heavy stones and take part in the traditional caber toss. That takes place on Sunday, 25th August.

Man pulling a tractor

With so much happening on our doorstep for your family to enjoy, make the most of this packed summer in Chesterfield making memories with your loved ones and supporting our local businesses and attractions.

For more information, go to: www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer

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Board launched to strengthen regional business connections

Representatives from across the East Midlands are being sought to help strengthen the connection between East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and local businesses.

EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will provide strategy, advice and guidance to the main EMCCA Board, chaired by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward and EMCCA’s committees. It will help ensure the experience and knowledge of regional businesses is harnessed when making decisions around the economy, skills, transport, housing and the transition to net-zero.

David Williams, Chairman of Geldards, one of the UK’s leading law firms and business representative on the EMCCA Board will chair the new Business Advisory Board.

David Williams, Chair of the Business Advisory Board, said: “I’m committed to raising the economic prosperity of our region and through this board we will build a strong partnership between the public and private sector and ensure that the benefits of devolution can be realised across the region. We need experienced individuals to join the board who are willing to share their insights to help guide the work of the new combined county authority.”

Mayor Claire Ward said: “It is vital that we bring together representatives from across the business community to help shape the future direction of the East Midlands. Our region is home to a huge range of businesses from global manufacturers through to small high street retailers and through this board we can shape policies and support programmes that will drive growth across our region.”

EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will include 16 members, including representatives from the private and public sector and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. Private sector representatives will include experts from large businesses, small and medium enterprises and sectors with a significant chance of attracting further investment.

Members of the Board will be expected to have a good understanding of the East Midlands region and the business sectors that operate within it, experience of leadership roles in business and understand the challenges faced by businesses.

The Business Advisory Board will meet four times during each financial year.

More information about the Business Advisory Board including details about the role of the board and the person specification for members can be found in the East Midlands Combined County Authority Board papers from Monday 17 June: (Public Pack)Agenda Document for East Midlands Combined County Authority – Board, 17/06/2024 11:00 (derbyshire.gov.uk)

Two briefing sessions for businesses are set to take place on the following dates:

  • Weds 14th at 1400
  • Thurs 15th at 0930

Anyone wishing to express an interest in joining EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board should contact Acting Executive Director for Strategy and Inclusive Growth, Will Morlidge at will.morlidge@eastmidsdevo.org.uk

claire ward speaking into a microphone at Celebrate Chesterfield

 

 

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Successful Markham Vale Scheme turns 20 years old

From a former colliery site to a contemporary business hub housing 70 businesses supporting more than 2,700 jobs, Markham Vale is celebrating turning 20.

A joint venture in partnership with property developer HBD, part of Henry Boot, the 200-acre scheme – situated off M1 junction 29a – is centred around what was the mostly derelict Markham Colliery site and has been transformed into a prime business location over the last 2 decades.

The successful partnership has resulted in the creation of bespoke spaces for businesses of all sizes. From local start-ups such as a car body repair shop to large occupiers such as Great Bear logistics, and medium-sized marketing agencies such as Noonah, the site has become a hub of diverse economic activity bringing employment opportunities for the local community.

Plans for further expansion and green initiatives include the installation of 30 electric vehicle charging points in collaboration with Gridserve and the improvement of cycle areas to promote sustainable transport.

Markham Vale has also fostered a sense of community and remembrance through the ‘Walking Together’ memorial as a lasting tribute to men who lost their lives in mining disasters at the site in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

Weaving through the site from the former pithead to the village of Duckmanton, the memorial features 106 individual steel statues – one for each of the men who died down the pit and acts as a permanent reminder of the site’s significant mining heritage.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “Markham Vale is a real success story and travelling around the site today you really get the chance to reflect on its phenomenal transformation over 2 decades.

“From a deserted, overgrown landscape, home to an industry of the past, to a state-of-the-art, dynamic hub attracting business and industry for the future, Markham Vale has gone from strength to strength through uncharted waters including global economic crises and not to mention a pandemic.

“Today Markham Vale continues to attract local, national, and international businesses to Derbyshire and plays a key role in helping to deliver on our commitment to building a strong, diverse, and green economy by creating jobs for local people.”

Vivienne Clements, Executive Director at HBD added: “Our partnership with Derbyshire County Council has been fantastic. HBD is incredibly proud of our close collaboration with the local community and our support in helping occupiers grow and expand their businesses. We look forward to many more successful years ahead.”

Find out more about why Chesterfield is a perfect location to base your business: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

HBD supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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New hires and investment success for Chesterfield Champions

Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions continue to share success, with several businesses marking further achievements in recent weeks.

Our latest roundup includes new hires, promotions and investment success, alongside good news for the area’s women’s cricket scene.

Find out the latest in our roundup below…

Two new hires for Superior Wellness

superior wellness new hires

Superior Wellness has announced the appointment of Richard Walker as their Global Marketing Director. He joins them with over 15 years of international experience in on and offline marketing, above and below-the-line advertising, e-commerce, social media, influencer projects and celebrity endorsements.

Richard is a multi-award-winning International Marketing Director with a proven track record. Before joining Superior Wellness, he was the Marketing Director of Wren Kitchens and the Wren brand guardian since its inception in 2009.

He drove marketing effectiveness and business expansion, contributing to double-digit growth in turnover each year. In less than five years, Wren had grown to become the UK’s leading retailer and distributor of kitchens and bedrooms and now has over 120 showrooms in the UK and US and an annual turnover in excess of £1billion.

Richard said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at such a crucial point in Superior Wellness’ growth. There is a huge opportunity to play our part in the global wellness market – and great things are already happening.”

In addition, the company has expanded its International team with a new International Sales Manager. Victor Puig has over 15 years across a broad range of sectors including consultancy, communication and sales.

Víctor’s previous role was International Sales Manager at Aquavia Spa (one of Europe’s largest spa manufacturers). He spent five years at Aquavia Spa and seven years in international commerce focused on Europe and Latin-America.

Víctor previously served for 8 years (two terms) as the City Council party leader in his local constituency and as the International Officer for a mainstream party in Catalonia.  He also holds a Law Degree by the University of Barcelona, and an MBA by the Barcelona School of Management.

Víctor said: “I am thrilled to join a dynamic team with such proactive leadership and a clear vision to become a global player. The fast-paced environment at Superior Wellness, combined with our ambition to redefine the wellness industry, makes this an incredibly exciting opportunity. I am eager to contribute to our collective success and help drive innovative growth strategies forward.”

Success for Devonshire Group as Peak Shopping Village reaches full occupancy

Peak Village Summer

Visitors to Peak Village are to be treated to the arrival of two Derbyshire-based independent businesses this Summer as the centre continues to evolve its retail and leisure mix in line with a long-term investment strategy by owners, the Devonshire Group.

Now fully let, August will see the centre welcome Ashbourne-based luxury fashion boutique, Young Ideas and pottery studios, The Clayrooms. This latest milestone at Peak Village builds on a strong year at the retail destination, with footfall climbing to half a million in spite of difficult, post-pandemic trading conditions. Positive momentum is likewise being reflected in the centre’s financial performance, with turnover up by over £4m in the past three years, peaking at £8m for FY 2023-24.

Young Ideas has taken on a 1,500 sq ft unit at Peak Village following the runaway success of another of their group brands, Henmores, which itself opened at the centre in October 2023. The boutique will run as a pop-up shop for an initial six months.

The arrival of Young Ideas and The Clayrooms is the latest phase in the development of the retail and leisure outlet at Peak Village, providing greater choice for customers, increasing employment opportunities, and supporting the growth of local businesses.

Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “Fully letting Peak Village marks an exciting milestone in our journey to transform the centre’s appeal to customers. It’s a real testament to, and show of confidence in, what our investment in the site has been able to achieve. In The Clayrooms and Young Ideas, we have two exciting businesses joining us that I know will become favourites for our visitors. With both new arrivals having Derbyshire roots, we’re also delivering on our promise to champion incredible regional brands, as well as giving visitors from farther afield a real insight into everything Derbyshire has to offer.

“The transformation of Peak Village isn’t done yet though. We have exciting updates and developments for the centre on the horizon that are set to further improve our customer proposition and support the efforts of our agents, FHP, who are working hard to ensure that Peak Village is the go-to destination for great new letting prospects.”

Work is currently nearing completion on a project to transform the site’s central courtyard and redesign the Massarella conservatory to provide a modernised and more welcoming areas for customers.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club successful in Women’s Tier 2 bid

Festival of Cricket 873x466 2

Derbyshire Women will play in Tier Two of the restructured domestic pyramid from 2025 onwards, after the Club’s bid to the England & Wales Cricket Board was successful.

Derbyshire’s senior Women’s team, as well as Girls’ Talent Pathway, will run alongside the current Men’s professional and junior development setup, as part of the new women’s domestic structure, which will see all first-class and national counties represented within the three-tier pyramid.

Derbyshire’s bid, which was presented as part of the process to determine which counties would be placed in each tier, was selected by the ECB, after showcasing the Club’s and Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s commitment to growing the women’s game within the region.

As a host venue attracting record crowds for several England internationals, as well as the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, Derbyshire continues to be one of the biggest supporters of women’s cricket in the country and in June hosted the groundbreaking Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day.

The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation has delivered significant growth in the Women and Girls game across the county and in 2023, Derbyshire clubs featured in more than a quarter of all women’s cricket played across the Midlands, while the likes of Danni Wyatt, Sarah Glenn and Bess Heath, have all been involved in the Women and Girls Pathway and gone on to make multiple appearances for the national side.

Further details regarding players and coaching staff for the Derbyshire Women’s team will be announced in due course.

Derbyshire Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “The restructuring of women’s domestic cricket is a huge moment for the game, not just in Derbyshire, but across the country.

“With our successful tier two bid, we now have the opportunity to build on the fantastic work that the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation have done over many years to further grow the women and girls’ game in the county.

“We look forward to competing within tier two, where we want to be one of the standard bearers, and make a push to break into tier one, but also to inspire generations of women and girls across Derbyshire to truly believe that cricket is a game for them.

“Throughout this development of our tier two programme, we will also maintain our strong links with The Blaze, to support the growth of women’s cricket within the East Midlands with double header fixtures alongside our senior men’s team featuring both the Blaze and our Women’s team where possible across the season.”

Whittam Cox Architects shortlisted for three regional awards

Whittam Cox architects team

Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox been shortlisted for three prestigious awards at this year’s forthcoming Yorkshire Property Industry Awards.

Firstly, the practice has been nominated for the Architectural Practice of the Year award. With a dedicated team of over 120 individuals at its headquarters, the company has been a vital part of the region’s architectural landscape for over 50 years. Whittam Cox’s portfolio includes long-standing retail collaborations with nationwide retailers rooted in Yorkshire, as well as landmark urban regeneration projects like Sheffield’s Park Hill, the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (SOLP) and London’s Brent Cross Town.

In addition, the Kangaroo Works project in Sheffield has been shortlisted for both Residential Development Over 100 Units and Design Excellence of the Year. Part of Sheffield City Council’s ‘Heart of the City II’ regeneration masterplan, Kangaroo Works has provided 365 new BtR homes in the City Centre. This project has revitalised an underused area into a vibrant urban hub, showcasing high-quality, sustainable design aimed at fostering community and enhancing city life.

Ian Lowson, Director, commented, “Being shortlisted for these awards means a lot to us. It’s a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team. We’re proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing our work in creating fantastic places for people to live, work, and enjoy. This recognition also reflects our continual pursuit of being progressive by design, always pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in everything we do.”

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Students create new logo for the Chesterfield Town Board

Students from Parkside School were challenged to create a new logo to be used by the Chesterfield Town Board, which is driving forward almost £20 million of investment over the next ten years.

More than 80 designs were submitted by students from the school, and from these Cindy Lin’s design was chosen as the winner by a panel of Town Board members. Cindy Lin, aged 15, said: “I can’t wait to see my design attached to some really exciting projects!”

The logo will be used to help promote initiatives being spearheaded by the Town Board over the next ten years.

Chesterfield Town Board is made up of local business and community representatives, together with public sector organisations, and is responsible for deciding how to spend almost £20 million of funding announced as part of the Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns.

Dominic Staniforth, a Partner at BHP LLP Chartered Accountants and Chair of the Chesterfield Town Board, said: “I want to thank all the students who submitted their designs for the Town Board logo, there were some fantastic entries, and it was a difficult job to select one winner. Cindy’s design reflects our town and will help identify the projects led by the Town Board.

“Chesterfield is already a great town full of wonderful people and organisations that share a common purpose to make it even better – a place to live, work, invest and study – and this funding will further bolster our ability to deliver on that collective ambition.”

The winning design includes the town’s most iconic landmark, the Crooked Spire, and will now be turned into a digital logo that can be used throughout the programme.

Andy Kelly, Headteacher at Parkside Community School, said: “We are delighted that Cindy’s design for the Chesterfield Town Board logo was chosen as the winner. She is an incredibly talented artist who has done a fantastic job in capturing an iconic image that shows our town moving from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing Cindy’s design across Chesterfield over the next 10 years!”

The Board is overseeing the development of a long-term vision statement and three-year investment plan, based around the priorities identified through a public consultation which took place earlier this summer.

More information about the Chesterfield Town Board can be found by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/chesterfield-town-board/

Group of school pupils with teacher holding up logo designs

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Leaders call for improved rail services across the East Midlands

Leaders across the East Midlands region have come together to call for a long-term plan for improving regional rail services.

It follows a report from Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) that shines a spotlight on the opportunity to improve rail travel across the area.

The report, titled “A Platform for Growth”, highlights the need to develop a more competitive rail offer in the East Midlands, improve performance standards, and for an East Midlands voice within the new Great British Railways.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Railway Station is one of the busiest in the East Midlands and of vital importance to unlocking the economic potential of our borough and the wider economies of north Derbyshire and the Peak District.

“We need our train services to be catalysts for growth bringing more and better jobs to our economies, stimulating inward investment, enabling social mobility and introducing new audiences to the area’s visitor attractions.

“To achieve this, there needs to be investment in our stations, better quality trains, more frequent and reliable services, and fare structures that encourage people to leave their cars at home.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of TfEM, said: “Our evidence suggests that regional rail services in the East Midlands are directly worth around £356 million per year to our regional economy. We have major population growth forecast and exciting local plans for many more new jobs and homes.

“Due to years of underinvestment, the East Midlands rail network is sparse and infrequent compared to other regions. This inevitably impacts on punctuality and the ability to run the level of services the region requires.

“Around 75% of stations in the East Midlands are served by just one train per hour or fewer, with even lower levels of service levels on Sundays and increasingly overcrowded trains on Saturdays.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way.

“We need to see a new clear plan for growth for this region in terms of both services and performance. The rail industry cannot ‘cut itself’ to financial sustainability – it must grow patronage to survive, and the East Midlands is a great place to start!”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “Rail is proudly embedded in the culture of our region, yet there is so much more room for improvement when it comes to infrastructure and regional services in the East Midlands.

“Our regional rail network doesn’t yet match the ambition of our towns and cities. Commuters, local communities and business can see what rail investment has done elsewhere and rightly expect the same standards here.

“If we’re going to reduce the number of car journeys and meet our climate goals, we need to boost sustainable travel by investing in our rail network and making sure commuters are getting a fair deal. If we get this right, we could unlock tens of millions of pounds of direct economic benefits.”

Will Rogers, Managing Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Although our regional fleet is undergoing a major £28.2 million refurbishment, the East Midlands transport spend per head has been significantly below the UK average level for all of the last 25 years.

“We are keen to work in partnership with Transport for the East Midlands, our mayors and other stakeholders to improve this situation. Rail is a key enabler of economic and social value and for our region to compete, grow and meet the ambitions of its citizens, greater investment in rail infrastructure and services is vital.”

Transport for East Midlands leaders call for investment in rail services

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Chesterfield Italian restaurant fulfils dream to cook for their football heroes

An award-winning Italian restaurant in Chesterfield has achieved a dream by cooking some of its signature dishes for their hometown football club.

The team at Sicily Restaurant are originally from Palermo, and have been avid supporters of the city’s football team for many years.

Last week, the Palermo team came to Chesterfield to play a friendly match against Leicester City at the SMH Group Stadium, enabling the team at Sicily Restaurant to provide a post-match meal for the players.

Monica Sardisco, owner of Sicily Restaurant commented: “We couldn’t believe it when we got the call a couple of days before the match, asking us to make pizza for the whole squad!”

“Most of our staff are from Palermo, so it’s fair to say this order was pretty special to us. We always keep an eye on how Palermo are doing, and to cook for them was a huge honour.”

The restaurant was still open for customers on the day, meaning a busy evening service for chef Alex del Vecchio, but he explained how he was more than happy to step up to the plate.

Alex said: “It was the best experience I have ever had as a chef. Making pizza and pasta for such a big team from my country was truly special.

“We were able to meet the players when we delivered the food. It was such an amazing experience for us, and we hope they enjoyed those familiar flavours of home, right here in Chesterfield.”

The Sicily Restaurant team have also received plenty of publicity in their home town after the football club thanked them for providing the food for the players.

Monica added: “We’ve had plenty of messages from people back home saying they saw us on Palermo’s social media channels. It’s fantastic to be based in Chesterfield, a town we love, while still having a strong connection to our roots back home.”

Sicily Restaurant supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Man and woman stood outside Italian restaurant smiling for camera

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West Studios to celebrate 10 years of creativity in Chesterfield

West Studios, a facility set up as a hub to support creatives in Chesterfield is marking 10 years of success this August.

The centre on Sheffield Road is a vibrant community hub where people can connect, share, learn and collaborate. Whether you’re a creative business, an independent artist, or a community group, West Studios offers a welcoming space for everyone and is home to creative businesses, independent artists, and community groups.

From hosting exhibitions and networking events to participating in community groups, it’s a supportive environment where ideas flourish and creativity thrives.

To mark the 10 year anniversary, West Studios will host a celebration event with the local community, including partners, tenant businesses, and venue clients.

Speaking about the milestone, Joby Parsons, Events and Sales Coordinator at West Studios commented: “Reaching the 10-year milestone is an incredible achievement for West Studios, our tenant businesses, and the entire West Studios community. It’s a celebration of a decade of creativity, collaboration and growth.

“West Studios has made a significant impact on the Chesterfield area. We’ve created freelance opportunities by hiring artists to deliver workshops and have a dedicated team of five people ensuring the smooth operation of the centre and supporting the hire of the centre and its facilities.

“By collaborating closely with the Chesterfield College Creative Industries Department, we provide students with invaluable experiences in a professional environment, helping them develop their skills and industry knowledge. Our initiatives support local creatives with studio spaces, virtual tenancy options, creative networking events, exhibitions and more.”

West Studios partners with various organisations to enrich the community through the arts. It serves as a venue for events, workshops, training, and meetings and collaborate on exhibitions with partners like Chesterfield Museum.

The team also carries out fundraising efforts alongside Junction Arts, such as the postcard show, to further support its mission.

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Destination Chesterfield Board Member, commented: “West Studios is a fabulous facility for our community, allowing local artists and creatives to flourish in a brilliant setting. The centre has been involved with some fabulous collaborations through the years, including the Chesterfield Postcard Show, which shines a light on talented local artists across our town.

“Congratulations to everyone involved on reaching the 10th anniversary, and here’s to many more years of success in the future.”

Find out more on the West Studios website or social media:

West Studios supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

West Studios interior

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