About Chesterfield

CT achieves platinum status in Veeam Cloud & Service Provider Program

11th July 2019

CT has achieved Platinum status in the Veeam® Cloud & Service Provider (VCSP) Program, the highest level for a service provider, indicating its experience and expertise in delivering Veeam-powered Cloud Data Management™ services.

CT has evolved significantly with Veeam over the past 12 months, making the transition from a Gold VCSP partner to Platinum. CT uses Veeam software in its Managed Cloud Platform to enhance its availability services to customers. Availability, data protection and data retention are critical in offering the hybrid cloud services that organisations require.

Chris Barr, Technical Director at CT said: “We’ve been highly focused on helping customers achieve what they need from cloud services, namely cost benefits, operational efficiency and agility of virtualising their IT infrastructure. This recognition represents truly exceptional value in the world of security, protection and disaster recovery in cloud computing and provides our clients with assurance of our proficiency in this technology and that we are the ideal partner to provide such solutions”.

Mike Tonks, Hosting Manager UK and Ireland, at Veeam stated, “As a Platinum VCSP, CT has closely aligned with Veeam’s business, playing a key role in identifying solution opportunities that help their customers’ hybrid-cloud requirements. CT also offer a managed service to allow customers to focus on their business needs while knowing that their workloads have the required uptime and availability required. Our Availability solutions, combined with CT service delivery and Veeam expertise, put CT as one of our top service providers in the UK.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Eat, drink, shop and play in Chesterfield this Summer

10th July 2019

Read the latest blog of Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield.

It’s that time of year when many of us are preparing for the holidays, packing our bags or gazing longingly at planes in the sky. But there is lots going on much closer to home, as Chesterfield also gears up for summer.

The market square in Chesterfield town centre is increasingly playing host to events and festivals. They ae proving hugely successful in drawing shoppers to the town and making a real difference for retailers. I am delighted that we were able to recognise this at the recent Chesterfield Retail Awards which, for the first time, had a Best Town Centre Event category.

If you’re in town and are looking for the best retail spots, then take a look at the finalists and winners of this year’s Retail Awards – all nominated by you. Congratulations to everybody involved – it was another stellar event showcasing our town.

Alongside Chesterfield’s retail offering, the town centre also has an abundant food and drink offering. The finalists of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards have just been announced. This celebration of the wonderful eateries we have in town are not restricted to the centre, either. It’s great to see so many businesses firmly established in other thriving areas, such as Chatsworth Road and Sheffield Road.

It’s impossible to be stuck for something to do in Chesterfield this summer. The town has something to cater for every taste – whether it’s food, drink or culture.

When was the last time you visited the museum? It’s free and there are always activities for children during the school holidays. If you’re a walker, then consider the town centre. Did you know there is an art trail? What about a picnic? Queen’s Park offers the perfect spot. If you’re planning a day out this summer, you don’t have to go far from home and you’ll support local businesses.

As we attract more visitors to the town, it’s great to see that Saltergate multi-storey car park is coming soon. Its design may have divided opinion, but it certainly shows that Chesterfield never stands still and is not afraid to push boundaries.

If you want the town to continue to thrive, then it’s important that we all vote with our feet and spend time here. This summer take the time to discover Chesterfield; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Find out what’s happening in Chesterfield this Summer

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

National award for local golf course owner

9th July 2019

Fame Tate, the owner of Stanedge Golf Club and PGA Professional has picked up a National Award.

Fame won the “Oustanding Achievement” Award at The English Women’s Awards – North. Inspiring women were awarded at a glamorous event celebrating female successes. It took place in in Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel on Monday July 1st 2019.

Fame was nominated in this category for her achievements over the past 6-8 months in taking a huge risk in acquiring Stanedge Golf Club and bringing it back from the edge of closure and extinction.

The Awards honoured the talent and hard work of female professionals and entrepreneurs across the region. It celebrated the achievements of women entrepreneurs, business women, professionals, civil servants, charity workers and others that make the North a great and more equal place to live and work.

CEO Irfan Younis said: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists at the second English Women’s Awards North 2019. We were delighted to host exceptional finalists who make such brilliant role models and are leading a new generation of women and girls to greater success and open doors. We look forward to growing this campaign and are excited to see it evolve over coming years.”

Fame took over Stanedge Golf Club in March 2019 and has totally transformed the place from a run down clubhouse and golf course to a thriving facility which now see over 50 players of all ages and gender coming to the club on Wednesday nights for the clubs 6@6 golf league.

Fame set out a vision to make Stanedge Golf Club an accessible, warm and welcoming place where people of all ages, gender and backgrounds can come enjoy having fun playing the golf course of socially in the Clubhouse.

Fame said “ The resurrection of Stanedge Golf Club has not been easy, it really has been a monumental effort by many people who put many unsociable hours into making the club a place people now want to visit and enjoy being at he club”

“Since we acquired the club in February we have attracted over 80 new members and many visitors in response to our various offers, with different groups getting involved in our coaching and learn to play offers.”

Fame started playing golf at the age of 10 at Tapton Park Golf Club on the pitch and putt course and joined Chesterfield Golf Club not long after. Fame soon developed into a talented young player playing for the Derbyshire Girls Team, the Derbyshire Ladies Team and then at the age of fourteen, playing off scratch, she was selected to represent England.

Fame went on to represent England for a total of nine years and represented Great Britain and Ireland in The Curtis Cup in 2002 and 2004 and in The Vagliano Trophy in 2001 and 2003.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

‘Step Up’ Programme Comes to Vicar Lane

9th July 2019

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is working with Derbyshire Adult Community Education (DACES), who work on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, to run an education programme for young adults in Chesterfield.

‘Step Up’ is a programme aimed at young people who have completed year 11, being run in the Hunloke Adult Education Centre for 4 weeks this July. The programme is aimed at 16 year olds with no fixed destination for further education, such as college place or apprenticeship.

Vicar Lane is working with organisers on an ‘employer challenge’ within the programme, whereby the young people are set a task within a real-life employment environment. Participants are required to visit the centre to familiarise themselves with the task at hand, meet the team and gather as much information as possible, before going away to work on their ideas. They then have to present their proposed solution back to the employer at the end of the programme.

Vicar Lane has set this year’s participants the task of developing creative solutions for the utilisation of vacant units within the centre. An initial briefing was held at the centre on 4^th July, when the young people visited the centre, explored the empty units, began work on their initial ideas and met with existing retailers to gain insight into life at the centre.

Proposals will be reviewed and winning plans selected on 24^th July. Their plans will be compared to the centre’s own thoughts to see how they align.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Derbyshire Adult Community Education on this valuable initiative, supporting young people who are unsure of their next steps in education or employment. We can’t wait to see what solutions they come up with for our challenge.”

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager added, “It was great for the team at Destination Chesterfield to be able to support DACES to find a partner to deliver this project in Chesterfield. We thank Chesterfield Champion Vicar Lane for their support of this initiative.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development, Made in Chesterfield

Proact to stage Blades U23 matches

9th July 2019

The Proact Stadium will stage the majority of Sheffield United’s competitive U23 matches during the 2019/20 season.

The two clubs have agreed a deal for United’s oldest development age group to use the Proact, with games scheduled to be played on a Monday whenever possible. Matches will not be played the day before a Chesterfield home fixture.

Season ticket holders of both clubs will be admitted to the U23 games free of charge.

Spireites chief executive Graham Bean said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the players and staff from Sheffield United’s U23s to the Proact. This will hopefully be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the two clubs.

“I would like to thank the representatives of both clubs who have spent time on putting this agreement together.”

Blades boss Chris Wilder is expected to bring a full-strength first-team squad to the Proact for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 23 (7.30pm).

A limited number of hospitality places remain for this fixture, priced at just £35 for adults and £20 for U16s. The reduced cost for SBK Spires Restaurant members is £25/15. To book, please visit www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk and click the ‘Tickets’ tab.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Region’s leading estate agency in top 3% nationally

8th July 2019

Redbrik has once again been ranked as one of the award-winning agencies – representing the top 3% of agencies in the country – following this year’s assessment for the Best Estate Agent Guide.

Last year Redbrik was named the number one estate agency in the region in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2019, which assessed the performance of 25,000 branches across the UK, at the EA Masters Awards. They will find out in November which award it will add to its growing list of industry accolades by the leading nationwide guide.

The ranking takes into account more than a million properties listed at any point in the last six months, plus more than 1.5 million transactions, 25 million leads, 1.5 billion property views and 50,000 mystery shops. Also, each branch then audited and scored against a unique set of performance and customer service data.

Estate agent branches which display a Best Estate Agent Guide rating are among the best in the country, with the marks providing an essential indication of the quality of each agent.

Redbrik director Mark Ross, who co-founded the business in 2013, said: “This is another incredible achievement for Redbrik. Since we founded the company just over six years ago, we have continually sought to improve and find better solutions for our customers.

“Awards and recognition from the Best Estate Agent Guide are as good as it gets in our industry.

“Recognition such as this cannot be bought; agencies are put through stringent examination that it is a real demonstration of the hard work which goes into continuously ensuring that our customers receive the best service.

“It’s such an exciting time for us as a business as we continue to grow and evolve. We are working with our amazing team, as well as adding the very best new talent, to keep improving and offer more and better quality service lines to our customers.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New jobs on the way as Superior Spas announces £1.6m expansion

8th July 2019

The UK’s largest independent distributor of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas, ‘Superior Spas’, located in Chesterfield, has successfully secured £1.6m funding to complete its planned expansion, which will see the family brand relocate to specialist 20,000 sq ft premises.

The announced expansion comes as a result of continuing growth and success, which has seen the family-run company quickly become the UK’s leading name in high-end spas. In addition to helping the brand to expand its European reach and capacity, ‘Superior Spas’ is excited to announce the move will also create 30 brand new jobs for the local community.

Currently based in Brimington’s Station Road, ‘Superior Spas’ will be moving to a state-of-the-art warehouse location, which will provide the brand with comprehensive showroom, offices and parking facilities at the former GKN Stokes site, on Sheepbridge Lane in Chesterfield.

Being a family-owned business built on a foundation of family values, ‘Superior Spas’ is committed to playing an active part in supporting the local community. Reflecting this commitment, the company is thrilled to be creating 30 new local jobs as a direct result of the expansion.

Superior Spas was able to obtain financial support for the ambitious expansion, securing £750k from NatWest with the support of Relationship Director, William Islip and also a £150k loan from University of Derby’s Invest to Grow programme.

Assisted by the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Access to Finance team, Superior Spas has also secured a £249k grant from the Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund.

Neil MacDonald, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board Member, said: “The Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund helps businesses across the region to unlock investment to secure growth and jobs. It’s great to see Superior Spas’ expansion, which is in turn creating 30 new jobs for the region and helping to grow our economy.”

Andrew McDaid, a Partner from Mitchells Chartered Accountants who supported Superior Spas with the raising of finance, said: “Having maximised turnover from their current location, the next natural step was to secure funding for larger premises to enable Superior Spas to continue its growth strategy in Europe.

“We specialise in helping businesses grow, assisting firms of all sizes, to overcome big challenges. We are delighted to assist Superior Spas’ expansion into new premises and drive the company forward in an exciting period of growth.”

On completion the newly built warehouse will bring many benefits to the company including more efficient storage, which will dramatically reduce despatch timescales, a high-end showroom and larger offices allowing for the expansion of the workforce.

The Managing Director of ‘Superior Spas’, Robert Carlin, commented: “The move to our new premises will bring with it a range of benefits to both the company and the local community. The facility will dramatically improve our efficiency by reducing dispatch times, whilst also providing a high-end showroom and offices.

Mr Carlin continued: “With our UK and European business growing year on year, we’re happy to confirm that we’ll be needing another 30 employees to support our success. As a leader in our marketplace, we’d simply outgrown our old premises and needed more modern space to continue moving from strength to strength, both in the UK and abroad.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Local Enterprise Partnership decision

5th July 2019

Chesterfield Borough Council has resolved to remain as a member of Derby Derbyshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire (D2N2) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and to relinquish its membership of Sheffield City Region (SCR) LEP. The Council will, however, remain a non-constituent member of the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a decision that I neither take lightly nor is it a decision that I believe is necessary. But there is no option if we are to comply with the Government’s requirement for Chesterfield’s businesses and communities to in future be represented by a single LEP.”

“Chesterfield’s businesses and communities have benefitted greatly from the Council being a member of both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP since 2013 with £60 million plus of external funds having been secured for investment in infrastructure, business growth, skills and employment support.”

“We would like this position to continue, however, Whitehall appears determined not to allow the geographies of two LEPs to overlap.”

At a meeting of full Council on 27 February this year, councillors received and considered a detailed report on the Government’s July 2018 review of LEPs.

Councillors noted in particular that councils were to be represented by one LEP from April 2020 contrasting with the position that has existed across many parts of England since 2013 where the businesses and communities of particular local authority areas have been represented by two or more LEPs. This has been the case in Chesterfield borough, where our businesses and communities have been represented by both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP.

Councillors also noted the Secretary of State’s statement that there would be consequences for non-compliant LEPs. This would include withholding payment of additional capacity funds to support LEPs to develop their respective Local Industrial Strategies and reducing the value of post-Brexit funding allocations (UK Shared Prosperity Fund).

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, continued: “I have a responsibility to act in the best interests of Chesterfield borough’s businesses and communities and indeed of all businesses and communities located within the D2N2 and SCR geographies in not limiting the ability of the two LEPs to realise the full value of their respective post-Brexit funding entitlements.”

“By taking this decision today, D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP will be able to finalise their respective proposals to the Government for geographies which best reflect real functional economic areas and remove overlaps.”

“Whilst our LEP membership will remain with D2N2, Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to maintain an active interest in SCR through its non-constituent membership of the Mayoral Combined Authority. This is viewed as essential to ensure the future alignment of D2N2’s and SCR’s key strategies on critical cross-boundary matters such as HS2 and strategic road networks.”

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re pleased that Chesterfield Borough Council has confirmed its decision to remain a member of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership area. The UK Government had requested that all local authorities, located where two Local Enterprise Partnerships’ areas overlap, must decide which LEP they wished to be a member of.”

“We very much recognise that the borough’s location means its communities look towards both Yorkshire and Derbyshire.”

“We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Sheffield City Region LEP, to provide the Chesterfield area with the best support for its economy.”

The Leader of the Council will provide a full account of the reasons behind the decisions now made at the next meeting of full Council, which takes place on 17 July.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield

2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards finalists announced

4th July 2019

The nominations are in and the finalists for the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards have been announced, with three eateries vying for the overall title of Restaurant of the Year.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, and sponsored by The Chesterfield College Group, the prestigious awards ceremony will return for its seventh year, recognising the very best in the town’s growing food and drink sector.

A total of 27 businesses have been shortlisted across nine categories. Bottle & Thyme, Ciuri Ciuri Restaurant and Lombardi’s all hoping to take the top title.

This year, 7 of the businesses have been nominated for the first time and 5 are hoping to defend their 2018 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards titles, including Bottle & Thyme which, last year, won the coveted title of Best Restaurant.

As well as some of Chesterfield’s best loved venues, three of Chesterfield’s newer businesses are also shortlisted in this year’s awards. Patisserie Valerie, Pig & Pump and Sorbo Lounge are all recognised in the Best Newcomer category.

All the shortlisted businesses were nominated by members of the public earlier this year. A panel of judges will now visit each shortlisted business to sample food, drinks and service to determine the winner in each category.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “It’s fantastic to see so many new businesses nominated this year, reflecting growth in the town’s food and drink sector.

“Thank you to the people of Chesterfield for getting behind us in the nomination stage, helping us to recognise more businesses than ever in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

“The competition gets stronger every year. Everyone that has been shortlisted in the awards must be congratulated for their commitment to high standards.”

The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony which is being held at the Winding Wheel on 23 October later this year and hosted by a soon-to-be announced celebrity chef.

The finalists in each category are:

Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Bottle & Thyme
Ciuri Ciuri Restaurant
Lombardi’s Restaurant

Cafe/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Kier Group

The Lilypad Café
H&F Vintage Tea Rooms
Qoozies

Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

The Market Pub
The Rectory
The Red Lion at Peak Edge Hotel

Pub/Bar of the Year

Pump & Grind
The Rose & Crown
The Three Horseshoes

Chesterfield’s Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Chartered Accountants

Afat’s Grill
Pig & Pump
Sorbo Lounge

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Bottle & Thyme
Junction Bar
The Lilypad Café

Best Out of Town – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants

The Horse & Jockey, Wessington
Orangery Restaurant, Darley Dale
Southgate Brasserie, Van Dyk, Clowne

International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller

Cocina at Casa Hotel
Dehli 41
O-Tokuda

Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Creative Design

The Bulls Head, Holymoorside
Chesters
The Six Halts, Clay Cross

Conference Venue of the Year
Casa Hotel
Chatsworth House
Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa

At the awards in October, winners of a further five categories will also be announced, including Food Producer, Young Chef, Food Hero, Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year.

Other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (Led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Casa Hotel, Derbyshire Times, Distinctive Magic, Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Vicar Lane Shopping Centre.

For more information about the 2019 Chesterfield food and Drink Awards visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield

Solicitors open new office in North Derbyshire

4th July 2019

Commercial law firm Dawson Radford is celebrating the launch of its new office premises. The firm has recently relocated to Barlborough.

Dawson Radford Solicitors is a specialist legal practice, dealing with all aspects of Company and Commercial law. Owner Joanna Dawson brings over 14 years of experience in Company and Commercial Law.

Jo Dawson said “We really do have some amazing businesses operating in this region, and I’m proud that we can deliver the high quality legal advice they need”

Dawson Radford Solicitors have also made a series of new appointments including the promotion of Jean Holden to Senior Paralegal, and the recruitment of two new interns through the RISE Sheffield City Region initiative.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Art group for carers donates paintings to Trust base

3rd July 2019

A Chesterfield art group for carers of people with mental health issues has donated paintings to brighten up one of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s bases in the town.

Reception and office areas at Bayheath House, location for the Chesterfield Central Neighbourhood Team in Rose Hill West, Chesterfield, now look a lot more appealing thanks to the work of the town’s Mental Health Carers’ Art Group.

The art group meets every Friday from 10.30am–12.30pm at Chesterfield Labour Club, in Saltergate, Chesterfield, and members are encouraged to use the group to express themselves – even if they begin by saying they can’t draw.

Karen Wheeler, OT Lead and Professional Lead for Chesterfield Neighbourhood and Central, said: “At a service user and carer engagement meeting, members of the art group suggested that they would love to contribute to enhancing the environment of the waiting room. The local staff worked closely with the carers and our estates team to make this possible.”

Jo Slinn, Admin Manager at Bayheath House, was involved in the major task of organising and hanging the artwork, with subjects ranging from still life and landscape to an impressive series documenting a recovery journey.

Malcolm Grieve runs the art group, which he started about four years ago with the aim of encouraging any carers who enjoy, or might enjoy, creative work which would also give them some relief from their caring responsibilities.

He said: “The group offers two hours of respite and everyone is really encouraging. When we were asked if we would like to contribute some pictures to Bayheath House, of course we said yes. Staff have supported us so well.

“All the evidence is that when patients and carers engage in this sort of activity, people’s mental health and wellbeing improves, so that’s the message we want to get across. I really want to push the importance of art as a therapy.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield