About Chesterfield

Work to begin on Elder Way improvements

4th January 2021

A multimillion-pound project to revitalise the heart of Chesterfield and improve the public space is set to begin.

The works, which will cost £3.25 million, will begin this week (w/c 4 January 2021) and will include a series of improvements to the footpaths and the public space around Elder Way – creating a more inviting pedestrian route from the Northern Gateway development to the retail centre of the town.

During the week commencing 4 January a works yard will be established in the lower Devonshire Road car park which will reduce disruption in the town centre. All works should be complete by Summer 2021.

It is a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Northern Gateway project which over the past 18 months has seen the opening of the new town centre Premier Inn and the new Saltergate multi-storey car park, as well as the start of building works on the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre located on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

The project aims to create a more attractive environment for users and businesses looking for opportunities to invest in the town centre.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This ambitious project will breathe new life into the town centre and improve the quality of the area by making it a more attractive place to visit. These changes will also lead to increased space for businesses to have outdoor seating which should further guarantee this area’s role in the town’s visitor economy.

“This work will cause some inevitable disruption in the short term, but we’re working with the contractors to limit this as far as possible. We have attempted to contact those businesses affected and will continue to provide updates as the works progress on the council’s website.

“Improving the town centre in this way should help set a vision for the future of Chesterfield and further demonstrates how important our high street is to the future economic success of the borough.”

Danaher & Walsh Civil Engineering has been appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to undertake the public space improvement works.

A spokesperson from Danaher & Walsh, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and look forward to working with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver this exciting programme of improvements to Chesterfield’s town centre.

“Our site team is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure timely delivery of the works whilst mitigating any potential disruption. We are confident that the delivered scheme will be a source of pride for the people and businesses of Chesterfield.”

Improvements in this phase of the project will focus around Elder Way and should be complete by Summer 2021. The works planned include:

• The reconstruction of existing footways and paved areas with a mix of high-quality paving
• Pavement widening
• Taxi rank improvements on Knifesmithgate
• A range of formal and informal pedestrian crossing improvements.
• The de-cluttering of the street scene by removing obstacles to pedestrian movement
• The introduction of trees into the street
• Introduction / improved design of loading bays
• New bus shelters and re-positioned bus stops on Elder Way
• New street furniture
• Carriageway resurfacing

Funding for the project has been provided by the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Due to the nature of these works and the location there is the possibility of some inconvenience for businesses and visitors. Regular updates will be provided directly to affected businesses, and further updates on progress and impacts on the area will be published on the Council’s website (https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/elder_way_public_realm_improvements).

Vicar Lane Launches a Brand New Reward App

28th December 2020

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield, is excited to unveil Local Rewards, its brand new loyalty programme.

Local Rewards, created by tech specialists Maybe*, launched at Vicar Lane this month, meaning Chesterfield locals can now earn rewards while shopping at Vicar Lane.

App users can get up to two hours free car parking when they spend £50 shopping local with Qoozies, Shop Indie and Ministry Clothing, all of which are independent business (more coming soon).

Those wishing to start earning rewards can sign up here https://www.localrewards.chat/. Every time a user spends a pound in any participating business, they will receive points to be redeemed against free car parking.

Check out the Local Rewards Guide here https://maybe.chat/4i47mds and sign up to support local businesses whilst earning rewards.

Plus, Vicar Lane is giving users of the app the chance to win £500 to spend at Vicar Lane. Find out more here https://www.localrewards.chat/.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, ‘’Now more than ever it’s so important to shop local and support independent businesses, so we’re proud to be launching Local Rewards to encourage Chesterfield locals to support our indies whilst earning rewards for themselves!’’

Chesterfield plays host to a wide range of independent shops and suppliers. You can always pick up something special and different, whether you’re looking for a special gift for a loved one or something special for your home. There’s a wide range of independent shops, restaurants and coffee shops to explore across the town.

Click here to find out more about local shopping in Chesterfield, including a great range of independent shops, and recognised high-street brands.

Vicar Lane shopping centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield shopping, Vicar Lane

Council leaders urge Government to back HS2 Eastern Leg in response to NIC report

23rd December 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council has released a response to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC)’s recently published report that has recommended scaling back HS2’s Eastern Leg in favour of regional rail link development.

Don’t Cut Here! A Case study on Why the economies of Chesterfield and Sheffield need HS2 in full has been released today (Wednesday 22 December 2020), urging the Government to deliver on its promise of developing HS2’s Eastern Leg to “regenerate, level up and make a real difference to people and communities” in Chesterfield and Derbyshire.

The case study has been released by Chesterfield Borough Council, in conjunction with Connecting Britain to highlight what it says are HS2 East’s “enormous opportunities for the UK economy that will drive growth, but which are currently at risk of being thwarted.”
It follows the NIC’s Rail Needs Assessment for the North and Midlands, which was published in December and included an option to leave out most of Line 2b East until 2050 and beyond, something which local authorities claim would have a “devastating” economic impact on the region.

Chesterfield Borough Council has referenced the Staveley Corridor regeneration, which is centred around a new HS2 Staveley Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) and promises a huge scope of opportunity for the area, with creation of jobs, infrastructure, housing and inward investment.

Opportunities for growth and regeneration include the £125m reopening of the Barrow Hill Line, a £100m link road, the development of 3,500 new homes and the creation of 2,200 new jobs around the area. But the IMD will only be required if HS2 East is delivered in full by 2040.

The document also covers the lasting legacy of HS2 in the eastern region, which would see one million people better connected by the line, 10,000s of cars taken off the roads and 1,000s of bi-modal trains replaced, supporting the government’s decarbonisation targets.

Much of HS2 East’s proposals are focused around masterplans which are already in place for the development of Chesterfield and Sheffield Stations, incorporating pedestrian friendly access and local public transport links.

Responding to the publication of the report last week, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council Leader, said she was ‘hugely disappointed’ that of the options presented the National Infrastructure Commission does not recommend delivery of the eastern leg of HS2 in full.

“This directly conflicts with the Government’s pledge to levelling up in areas like ours. It also seriously undermines local plans for growth in the North and the Midlands,” Cllr Gilby added.

Now Councillor Gilby joins other regional leaders in pushing forward the case for the Government to commit to the HS2 Eastern Leg in full – to realise the ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to shape the region’s future, and avoid land already earmarked for related development being left in limbo for years.

“After decades of underinvestment in strategic rail infrastructure, delivering HS2 is a once in a generation chance to transform connectivity, attract investment, create new jobs, build new homes, boost skills and opportunity and level-up communities across the North, Midlands and beyond. This is even more crucial to our economic future in optimising recovery from the pandemic, which has hit the North and Midlands hard.

“For Chesterfield, the failure to deliver the Eastern Leg in full means facing the prospect of reduced connectivity for our communities, as well as damaging the momentum we have built up around our ambitious comprehensive plans for both Staveley and the area around Chesterfield Station.

“In the Staveley area alone, planned growth worth at least £1bn has been catalysed by the planned HS2 maintenance depot. Taking this away would be a huge blow for an area that has had its hopes raised on the back of HS2’s plans and would leave a huge question mark over how we can deliver the ambitious growth plans our communities need and deserve.

“It is vital that the Eastern Leg of HS2 is delivered in full and that delivery starts as soon as possible. This is about more than just rail and trains – it’s about new jobs, new homes and new starts for communities that have been denied these opportunities over many years.

“This is a critical issue for Chesterfield and Staveley. I will not rest in working with council and business leaders along the planned Eastern Leg to hold Government to account and to ensure that the Prime Minister honours his commitment to deliver HS2 East in full. Time is of the essence to re-assert the strength of Chesterfield’s social and economic case ahead of Government’s planned publication of its Integrated Rail Plan.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “HS2 East is home to 13 million people, and about six million jobs, equating to 20% of the UK, larger than the economy of Denmark. Chesterfield shows how the investment does far more than just getting people to city centres. The importance of this opportunity to regenerate, level up and make a real difference to people and communities cannot be overstated and must not be missed.”

Dom Stevens, manager of Destination Chesterfield commented: “Chesterfield is already moving forward with significant plans and developments so that the town can maximise the wide range of economic benefits HS2 has to offer.

“The originally proposed spur of the line arriving at Chesterfield Station will improve connectivity, journey times and capacity on our rail network locally and nationally, bringing with it vital investment opportunities.

“We would urge the NIC to rethink its recommendations and take into the account the huge strides our town has already made to regenerate its economy, with HS2 playing a huge role in attracting new people into the area to invest, live and work.”

To read Don’t Cut Here! A Case study on Why the economies of Chesterfield and Sheffield need HS2 in full online visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/media/1492665/chesterfield-borough-council-hs2-document.pdf

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield developments, chesterfield news, HS2, Rail, rail infrastructure, regeneration, transport

Ambitious regeneration plans for Staveley submitted to Government

22nd December 2020

Regeneration plans for the Staveley area worth over £25m have been submitted to the Government for approval as part of its Town Deal programme.

The Government’s Towns Fund provides a once in a generation opportunity to regenerate Staveley. To unlock this funding, a Town Investment Plan has been submitted, featuring a wide range of projects that will drive long term economic growth, offer quality skills and employment opportunities and improve the green spaces and canal network around Staveley.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Board and Destination Chesterfield board member, said: “Staveley is blessed with great assets including land for development, heritage buildings and transport links, but these all need investment and local leadership to drive forward the growth and prosperity of the area. At a time when Covid-19 has re-energised the discussion about the use of outdoor spaces. We also have a unique opportunity to link Chesterfield and Staveley to the national canal network for the first time in 113 years.”

There has been an extended period of consultation with local residents and businesses on the Staveley Town Investment Plan. This has been done through online sessions, direct surveys and initiatives with local schools. This has helped develop a comprehensive and ambitious Plan that has the potential to transform the lives of local people.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “We are proud to submit the Staveley Town Investment Plan to Government and look forward to receiving feedback in the New Year. In the meantime, we will continue to consult with local people on and develop the business cases for the projects and programmes that will secure Staveley’s future for generations to come.”

Through the Towns Fund, Staveley has already been awarded £0.5m accelerator funding which is being used to fund sport and football pitch improvements at Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club and Springwell Community College; install new play equipment at King George V Playing Fields; improve CCTV across the area, and develop plans for the development of a major Rail Innovation and Training Centre at Barrow Hill.

The Government’s Towns Fund will invest more than £3bn into 101 communities across England as part of the levelling up agenda. The Towns Fund recognises the important role that towns like Staveley have in driving economic growth across England and aims to fund improvements and regeneration projects to unlock their potential.

The Staveley Town Deal is managed by the Staveley Town Deal Board, which is made up of local representatives including council and business leaders, education and voluntary sector professionals, the MPs for Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire and other local stakeholders.

Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal and read the Town Investment Plan

Read more about the regeneration of Staveley and Markham Vale

Staveley Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Chesterfield-based SDL Minorfern continues growth by adding new branch in Leeds

21st December 2020

A Chesterfield company has continued its growth by opening a brand new branch in Leeds. SDL Minorfern has established itself as one of the UK’s leading distributors of replacement parts for cars and vans, having been a family-run business for more than 40 years.

Locally, the company already has its head office in Clay Cross along with branches in Chesterfield, Derby, Mansfield and Sheffield all part of a 12 branch network across the North Midlands and Yorkshire.

Now it has expanded again by moving into a Leeds facility in October 2020, making it the biggest standalone branch in the business. The company is also making full use of new technology to improve its output, with the Leeds branch being the first to fully integrate a barcode management system.

The move will also improve connectivity for SDL, with the branch having superb access to the M1 and M621 motorways and Leeds City Centre, enabling the business to expand its customer base further into the Yorkshire region.

SDL now stocks more than 60,000 products, including its own brands and completes around 885,000 deliveries per year. The company has more than 250 employees across 12 branches, with 19 people now working in the new Leeds store.

Darren Murray, SDL Minorfern Commercial Director said: “At SDL Minorfern we pride ourselves on excellent availability of quality parts, a fantastic logistics department for fast deliveries and superb sales teams with decades of quality experience. We then put this all together to provide a quality and reliable customer experience that is second to none, while still remaining highly competitive.

“Now the customers in Leeds and surrounding areas have the opportunity to experience our new site for themselves, and we very much look forward to welcoming them.”

SDL Minorfern Managing Director, Nick Holland said: “We are delighted to open our branch in Leeds. Leeds is a great strategic location to enable us to expand our customer base further into Yorkshire. The Leeds branch offers over 25,000 sq. ft of parts storage, and with state of the art technology we will offer industry leading levels of service to the automotive aftermarket in the Leeds area.”

SDL Minorfern supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Images by Ben Marriott

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in business development, Chesterfield, chesterfield business news, Clay Cross, Leeds, SDL Minorfern

DBC Training continues growth with opening of new centre in Chesterfield

18th December 2020

Midlands based award-winning Training Provider, DBC are delighted to announce the opening of their new centre in Chesterfield, adding to their existing centres in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Hinckley. The Chesterfield office is in a prime, central location on Holywell Street and has easy access to parking and all the amenities Chesterfield has to offer.

The new centre will provide the local community with enhanced opportunities to learn new skills and receive expert support, providing a pathway to a new career across a wide range of sectors. DBC also work in partnership with local employees to match people to opportunities, providing a vital role in both supporting the local economy and local people.

The centre was officially opened by Toby Perkins, the Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning and Labour MP for Chesterfield and Staveley on 7th December.

Mr Perkins said: “This is an incredibly exciting development, I know how crucial apprenticeships are and how important the independent training sector is in enabling smaller employers to access apprenticeships. Apprenticeships also support young people into taking those first steps onto that career ladder or providing opportunities for more experienced people to retrain and learn new skills and begin a new career path”.

He continued “At a time when skills and training need to be at the top of the political agenda it is incredibly pleasing that DBC is opening a site in Chesterfield”.

Managing Director Kerry Bentley expressed her delight at being able to open a new centre and continue the Company’s next phase of growth: “We are proud to open our new centre as it signifies real opportunities for local people and local employers to grow and develop their careers and businesses. We work exceptionally hard to ensure the specialised work-related training we offer is able to be accessed by as many people as possible to provide opportunities that transform lives and fulfil aspirations.

“The new offices in Chesterfield will, without a doubt, help us to keep moving forward and allow us to offer our services to Employers and Apprentices in a new and exciting location”.

Founded in 2000, DBC Training is a leading provider of training and employment solutions.VFor more information visit http://www.dbc-training.co.uk

DBC Training supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Toby Perkins MP

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield developments, chesterfield news, DBC Training, Toby Perkins MP

Chesterfield building brought back into use by charity

17th December 2020

A former supermarket building close to Chesterfield Town Centre has been brought back to life by the Chesterfield Salvation Army, who have moved premises for the first time in more than twenty years.

The Christian church and charity which has been in the town since 1881, has renovated the former Lidl store on Foljambe Road to provide a worship space as well as a large charity shop and donation centre.

Money raised from the sales of donations will go to help The Salvation Army’s work.

Salvation Army leader in Chesterfield, Captain Elizabeth Di-Palma said: “We are excited to move into our new building that we are sharing with our donation centre run by the Salvation Army Trading Company as together, we provide a great opportunity to meet people and support the local community.

“Opening at Christmas is especially poignant to us as this is a time of new beginnings. Our church and donation centre hopes to be a blessing to the people of Chesterfield and we warmly welcome people to come for support, to shop or join a meeting once our worship space has opened.

The donation centre, which offers a range of furniture, clothes and bicycles opened on 10th December, with the new worship space opening in January next year.

Lee Foster, the new manager at Chesterfield donation centre, said: “From day one, customers will be able to browse a fantastic range of quality second-hand items at affordable prices.

“The main difference between a charity shop and a donation centre is the range of goods available and volume of donations we are able to accept. People often walk into a charity shop carrying a bag of donations, but as you can drive to the donation centre, there is parking space at the front to help manoeuvre bigger items, such as furniture. It is easier to donate more items, such as clothes too.”

“We have introduced extra safety measures to help keep everyone safe and it’s a large store with plenty of space for customers.”

Other features at the centre include a community refrigerator and cupboard, providing free food for people who need it and a community space which will give visitors a chance to sit and enjoy a cup of tea, when COVID restrictions lift.

Visitors can also browse a range of second-hand bicycles, safety-checked by a qualified bike mechanic as part of the on-site ‘Recycles’ workshop.

Lee added: “We welcome donations which we can reuse and recycle, giving them a new lease of life for others.”

You can find out more about Chesterfield developments here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in charity, Chesterfield, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, regeneration, Salvation army

Chesterfield Champions get into the festive spirit

16th December 2020

A number of Chesterfield Champions have been getting into the Christmas spirit this season, whether it’s been through charitable donations, donning those festive jumpers or embellishing their businesses with dazzling decorations..

We’ve been so impressed to see the community spirit well and truly alive here in Chesterfield, despite the challenges posed by covid-19. So we’re showcasing some of our favourite festive stories and photos from our fabulous local businesses!

Wishing all our champions, businesses and residents a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Jumper Day 2020

A number of Chesterfield Champions sent us photos of their teams wearing some truly excellent knitwear on Christmas Jumper Day, which took place on Friday, 11th December in aid of Save the Children. Well done to all those who took part and donated!

Mortgage 1st

The team at Mortgage 1st raised a fabulous £140 for Save The Children by sporting their Christmas jumpers in the office and eating Christmas jumper day cakes!

Salute

Natalia and Daniela from Salute sent us this adorable photo of their little helper getting cosy in one of their jumpers… You can find out more about their Christmas hampers here.

Rosewood Wealth Management

Donna, Shannan and Abigail have at Rosewood have certainly been getting into the festive spirit this year! The team have been collecting toys for the Nightingale Ward at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, along with decorating the outside of their business with a fabulous reindeer model… Not forgetting those all-important Christmas jumpers!

Banner Jones Solicitors

We love this collage of Christmas jumpers put together by Banner Jones solicitors! A huge well done to all who got involved…

Charity Appeals and Donations

Many of our Champions have worked hard to ensure those who are less fortunate are able to enjoy Christmas this year. Whether it is collecting toys to help Santa deliver presents to Chesterfield children, or donating to local foodbanks so families are able to enjoy a proper Christmas dinner, Chesterfield’s businesses have shown true community spirit. Here’s a few examples:

Greatest Hits Radio’s toy appeal and festive jingle campaign

The team at Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire have been incredibly busy this year. Back in November they launched their Mission Christmas Toy appeal, which has provided gifts for underprivileged children across the region. But they certainly weren’t finished there! Now, the team have launched the Christmas Eve Jingle campaign to raise festive spirits, by asking people to gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve. Find out more here.

Chesterfield FC toy appeal

Chesterfield FC’s Community Trust have been keen to support local residents ever since they took over the ownership of the football club back in the summer. This Christmas has been no exception, with the Spireites collecting hundreds of toys for local children.

Bridge Help Foodbank Appeal

Chesterfield Champions and other local businesses have rallied around the Bridge Help appeal to support Chesterfield Foodbank this Christmas. The company matched all donations of luxury items with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods.

Specsavers foodbank donation

The team at Specsavers Chesterfield generously donated supplies to Chesterfield Food Hut this Christmas, along with paying for all of the charity’s costs until February 2021. The money will be put towards covering costs and providing 250 hot meals per week to the most vulnerable in our area.

Central Technology and BRM Solicitors gift Smart TV’s and Netflix licenses to Ashgate Hospicecare

Chesterfield’s Central Technology and BRM Solicitors have generously gifted Ashgate Hospicecare a total of three smart TV’s to help the charity to help upgrade it’s patient rooms and enable patients to view films and TV shows on Netflix.

Spreading festive cheer in Chesterfield

A number of Chesterfield Champions have come up with new and creative ways of bringing people across the town together this year, and there’s still time for you to get involved with some of them!

Spire Radio Christmas Carol singalong

With many Christmas Carol Concerts cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Middlecroft Community Group have teamed up with Spire Radio to hold a one-off special on Spire Radio on Friday 18th December from 6pm.

Make sure you join the on-air team for some festive fun!

Crooked Spire festival of lights

With their regular Christmas schedule disrupted due to the pandemic, the team behind Chesterfield’s most famous landmark have still managed to put together a range of festive features and events this Christmas.

Carol singing will be taking place outside the Church from 1.00pm for 20 minutes each day from the 17th until the 24th December, along with a dazzling display of light being projected onto the spire from the 16th December until the 31st December.

Dazzling Decorations on Chesterfield’s high-street

Make sure you head into Chesterfield Town Centre to take a look at the wonderful decorations in our local independent shops. And while you’re at it, you could enter the S40 Local Advent Town competition by spotting the numbers of the advent calendar in the windows of some stores!

Here are some of our favourites:

Adorn Jewellers

Fred’s Haberdashery

Shop Indie

Don’t forget you can find out more about local festive events, activities, gift ideas and shopping times over on our Christmas In Chesterfield pages.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Adorn Jewellers, Banner Jones Solicitors, Bridge Help, Chesterfield blog, Chesterfield busiess news, chesterfield champions, chesterfield charity, chesterfield fc, Christmas in chesterfield, Community news, crooked spire, Freds Haberdashery, Greatest Hits Radio, mortgage 1st, rosewood wealth management, Salute Prosecco, Shop Indie, specsavers, Spire Radio

Chesterfield business leaders urge government to deliver HS2 Eastern Leg in full

16th December 2020

The chief executive of East Midlands Chamber says there are “No excuses for the HS2 Eastern Leg not to be built in full,” after the National Infrastructure Commission published recommendations earlier this week.

Responding to the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) Rail Needs Assessment Plan in which it outlines recommendations on the future of HS2, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “HS2 is the single-biggest transport infrastructure project in a generation and represents a huge opportunity for businesses, with the potential to unlock economic benefits of more than £4bn for the East Midlands and part of Yorkshire.

“By connecting the region with a first-class UK and Europe-wide rail network, it will bring enormous opportunities to local firms and make the East Midlands a much more attractive location for inward investment.

“However, these benefits for both the region and country will only be realised once it is delivered in full. That means the Eastern Leg being built exactly as the Government has promised all along, rather than a diluted version of this, and at pace.

“We will have major capacity issues on the Midland Main Line within the next two decades unless something is done to upgrade the rail network, so this needs to be addressed urgently. HS2 would achieve this, while also offering much-needed improvements in connectivity between the region’s towns and cities.

“However, this is so much more than just a railway line. It’s been great to see many parts of the East Midlands come together to commit to a blueprint for the future of the region that will bring economic growth and jobs. We have been very clear on our vision, which is built on the idea that the Toton hub station becomes a destination in its own right – a magnet for inward investment and an industrial hub that unlocks further development opportunities.

“The NIC’s report is therefore very concerning as it doesn’t take any of the regional growth plans into account and we absolutely do not accept its findings.

“Any suggestion that involves stopping HS2 at East Midlands Parkway would not work for the region, and has already been considered and dismissed from a feasibility perspective years ago.

“When the Government makes its decision about which option to include in its Integrated Rail Plan, it will have a clear choice between an exciting vision created by a region that’s focused on long-term growth and prosperity – one that will shape how we want our country to look as we leave the UK-EU transition period – and another that applies rough methodology, offers short-term logic and ultimately doesn’t deliver the same benefits.

“We have a plan that’s ready to go and it’s time the Government delivered on promises it has made so many times over the past 12 months since it firmly committed to the scheme – and in the years that preceded it.

“The East Midlands currently has the lowest transport spend per capita – £245 per head – of any region in the UK, receiving just 51% of the £483 UK average. The region is in desperate need of investment and finally putting any questions to bed on the HS2 Eastern Leg would go some way to proving the Government is serious about delivering on the ‘levelling-up’ agenda – a point on which it has repeatedly banged the drum without any serious proof of what this actually means.

“To do anything else would be a huge mistake, critically undermining the entire project and blowing a huge hole in Government rhetoric.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council has responded to the NIC publication. She said: “We are hugely disappointed that of the options presented the National Infrastructure Commission does not recommend delivery of the eastern leg of HS2 in full. This directly conflicts with the Government’s pledge to levelling up in areas like ours. It also seriously undermines local plans for growth in the north and the midlands.

“We have been working with our partners across the north and midlands for a number of years, making it clear that the full eastern leg is a critical requirement for Northern Powerhouse Rail as well as investing huge amounts of money in developing growth plans that will help our communities make the most of HS2.

“For Chesterfield, the failure to deliver the eastern leg in full means facing the prospect of reduced connectivity for our communities, as well as damaging the momentum we have built up around our ambitious comprehensive plans for both Staveley and the area around Chesterfield Station.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Destination Chesterfield, east midlands chamber, HS2, HS2 Chesterfield

Chesterfield College awarded £500,000 towards centre of excellence focusing on modern construction and digital technologies.

15th December 2020

A new Centre of Excellence focusing on modern construction and digital technologies will be built at Chesterfield College after the scheme was awarded a £500,000 grant from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The investment will support the D2N2 LEP’s vision of greener homes and technology, along with more energy-efficient public building; with construction being one of the most important sectors to the regional economy.

The project is one of ten across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire which has received funding from D2N2’s £44 million share of the government’s £900 million Getting Building Fund.

The programme of investment is being used to improve digital infrastructure; support skills and career opportunities; and the transition to a low carbon economy to drive economic growth following the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The funding award will allow Chesterfield College to create a new centre where local students will be able to learn state-of-the-art techniques such as Building Information Modelling and Virtual and Augmented reality.

The new centre, which will be housed in pre-existing premises owned by the college, will complement the current curriculum being delivered to teach advanced manufacturing and building techniques. It will offer learners the opportunity to develop the skills which employers need to meet current and future demands in their sector.

It’s hoped that these new skills will enhance learners employment and career development opportunities as well as their earning potential. The facility will also support the growing demand from employers for a workforce well versed in new technologies and construction methods..

With funding for the £875,000 facility now secured work will begin on the site ready to accept learner by April 2021.

The Centre of Excellence is just the latest capital investment D2N2 has made in Chesterfield and follows recent investments into the construction of the Hollis Lane Link Road, the station area redevelopment, and the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project totalling £6.85 million.

D2N2 Chair Elizabeth Fagan CBE said: “Through the Getting Building Fund, D2N2 is investing in projects that will drive the regeneration of our regional economy, adapt to new opportunities, and create a more resilient economy for everyone.”
“I’m pleased D2N2 has been able to invest in this Centre of Excellence at Chesterfield College. Ensuring our workforce has the skills to take advantage of ever more sophisticated and greener construction methods is an essential part of our vision for a cleaner and more sustainable economy.”

David Malone, Deputy Principal of the Chesterfield College Group said: “This funding will allow us to give local people the chance to develop the skills they need to be competitive in the job market as demands of the construction and engineering sector change.
“The Centre of Excellence will allow us to enhance what we already offer students and apprentices and ensure employers have access to a talent pool of people with the skills they need. We are excited to be able to bring together expertise in digital technology with modern construction in one purpose built facility and we look forward to welcoming the first students through the doors in 2021.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “We’re supporting students across the country gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s new and emerging industries.
“That’s why we’re supporting Chesterfield College’s Centre of Excellence with a £500,000 Getting Building Fund investment.

“The innovative new facilities will allow local people to progress to high quality, well paid jobs while also meeting the recruitment demands of the region’s businesses.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in Chesterfield college, chesterfield news, D2N2, Destination Chesterfield, education, Made in Chesterfield, STEM

NLT becomes one of the first in region to offer new ‘drive-thru’ CCNSG Test Only Renewal

15th December 2020

NLT Training Services in Chesterfield has become one of the first in the region to deliver the new CCNSG National Safety Passport ‘Test only Renewal’.

This is the first time that the industry-required qualification has been delivered in an online test-only format, replacing what traditionally has always been a full day’s course.

The new online multiple-choice course, which is for existing passport holders, enables attendees to limit their time in a training room minimising their Covid exposure and also, more importantly, return to work the same day. It also costs less that the day-long course.

The CCNSG (Client Contractor National Safety Group) Safety Passport is the engineering construction industry safety card. Workers must have a valid CCNSG Safety Passport to enter many engineering and construction sites. As a result, around 30,000 people complete the course each year.

The Engineering Construction Industry the ECITB and CCNSG developed the Test-Only option for renewal of existing CCNSG Safety Passports.

Sarah Temperton, Chief Executive of NLT Training Services, said: “The new test-only option is a real step forward for the industry and it has been warmly welcomed by contractors who appreciate the fact that they no longer have to sacrifice an entire day’s work to renew their CCNSG Safety Passport.”

A CCNSG Safety Passport must be renewed every three years. Delegates are allowed to undertake the Test Only Renewal twice in six years after which they are required to undertake the full-day classroom-based course.

If candidates cannot pass the test only renewal option, they will be required to successfully complete the full two-day CCNSG course rather than the one-day renewal one to renew their CCNSG passport.

To book on to the new CCNSG National Safety Passport ‘Test only Renewal’ at the NLT Training Services centre on Station Road in Brimington please call 0333 880 3540 or book online www.nlt-training.co.uk

NLT supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, NLT, training