About Chesterfield

Local estate agents hires second apprentice

6th March 2019

Chesterfield Champion Lime Living Estate Agents has strengthened its Chesterfield team through the recruitment of a new apprentice.

Charly Kemp (pictured with Director, Jamie Wajs) will be studying for an NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration and is the second apprentice to join the team.

Jamie commented: “We have found the apprenticeship route to be successful in the past and we look forward to supporting Charly in her development within our business”.

Having been established for over 10 years in Chesterfield, Lime Living Estate Agents, based on Saltergate, has continued to grow from initially offering residential lettings to now providing sales, land, auction and commercial services. They aim to offer a fresh and straight forward approach to all property matters for customers and their requirements.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Heathcotes Group becomes Apprenticeship Ambassador

6th March 2019

Chesterfield-based care provider, Heathcotes Group, is helping to increase local apprenticeship participation after joining the town’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

Apprenticeship Ambassadors are businesses and organisations which sign up to actively promote and celebrate apprenticeships in Chesterfield and their benefits in strengthening the workforce. Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’, demonstrating a commitment to growing the careers of young people alongside the economy. Chesterfield Borough Council is at the forefront of the Apprentice Town initiative which, with support from Ambassadors, is raising awareness of apprenticeships and advocating cooperative working across the education, business and learning community.

Heathcotes’ first engagement as an Ambassador was a headline speech at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference, held at the Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, where Managing Director Brendan Kelly spoke about the importance of embedding apprenticeship and skills initiatives into workforce development strategies to facilitate business growth. Heathcotes Group specialises in person-centred residential care for adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs and associated challenging behaviours. The company has been developing local employment through an award-winning apprenticeship programme involving sector-based work academies established in partnership with Chesterfield College.

Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Cllr Tricia Gilby, who opened proceedings at the conference, said: “One of the council’s priorities is to ensure that local people benefit from the economic growth that we are seeing in Chesterfield, which is why, with our partners, we established Chesterfield as an Apprentice Town. It has been wonderful to hear Brendan highlight the importance of developing the skills of your workforce and to learn about the value Apprenticeships have brought to a growing organisation like the Heathcotes Group. We are delighted that the Heathcotes Group has chosen to join the Town’s Apprenticeship Ambassador Network to help raise awareness of the benefits of Apprenticeships in our community.”

Brendan Kelly said: “Heathcotes are uniquely placed to advocate Chesterfield apprenticeships as an Apprenticeship Ambassador. Our work-based learning formula has achieved almost 600 apprenticeship starts over the past five years, including staff at our Chesterfield head office and numerous support workers at our services throughout this region. It has been been a fundamental part of Heathcotes’ sustained growth in a sector which is currently facing a number of challenges. I believe that apprenticeships are enormously important to grow the local economy and we are keen to help establish Chesterfield as a town where young people, parents and businesses think apprenticeship first.”

“Heathcotes are fully committed to supporting the Apprentice Town partnership to develop Chesterfield as a leading apprenticeship destination. We enjoyed being part of the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference and we are looking forward to leading and participating in various other events in 2019.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield to be showcased at ‘Europe’s premier real estate event’

6th March 2019

Chesterfield will once again appear on the worldwide investment stage when it is showcased at the leading property event – MIPIM – this month.

Now in its 30^th year, MIPIM is regarded as the international platform for industry leaders to connect and do business.

Taking place in Cannes, France, MIPIM is described as ‘Europe’s premier real estate event’. It is expected to attract more than 26,000 of the most influential players in the property industry when it opens its doors from 12 – 15 March later this month.

Both Team Derby and Derbyshire and Sheffield City Region will highlight the investment potential of the borough at MIPIM.

With £1 billion of development already underway and an HS2 station expected in 2033, Chesterfield and north Derbyshire is considered an attractive investment prospect.

The town’s central location and transport networks have made it a magnet for commercial, leisure, industrial and residential investment in recent years and there is further potential to unlock in the town with the right investment.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, explained: “Chesterfield has strong investment potential and Team Derby and Derbyshire and Sheffield City Region take a very compelling pitch to MIPIM 2019 on our behalf.

“We have made huge progress in the town during the 12 months since we were last represented at MIPIM. An HS2 station has been confirmed, planning applications have been submitted for homes and offices at Chesterfield Waterside, the new Saltergate car park is under construction and the Premier Inn, which has been developed in the former Co-op building, is about to open on Elder Way. Make no mistake – there is significant investment potential for the town.

“We are already a town already punching above our weight, made possible by the partnership of public and private sector partnership and investment. We have secured more than £1 billion of development in the borough to create significant opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors, and there is lots more potential just waiting to be unlocked by the right investors.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “With £1 billion worth of development happening in the borough and our excellent travel links by road, rail and air, Chesterfield is ideally placed for investment.

“With the council-led Northern Gateway scheme and as a partner in Chesterfield Waterside, as a council we do all we can to help support local developments and continue to work with investors to bring more opportunities to the borough.”

For further information about investment opportunities in Chesterfield, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/invest

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Local residents form ‘Friends of Monkey Park’ community group

6th March 2019

A group of Brampton & Ashgate residents are coming together to form the ‘Friends of Monkey Park’.

The Friends of Monkey Park is a newly established, volunteer run community group facilitated and hosted by Monkey Park Community Hub on Chester Street. The aim to bring local people together to improve and maintain Chester Street Park (a.k.a. Monkey Park).

The main aims of the group are:

To apply for grant funding and raise funds ourselves, to replace the old and dangerous play area with new play equipment
To work with the local council, police and community to reduce key issues such as littering, dog fouling and antisocial behaviour
To arrange events that bring people into the park
To act as guardians of the park

The first meeting of the group is on 13th March 2019 at 6:30pm at Monkey Park Cafe. Local councillors and members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Green Spaces team will be attending the event.

Kevin Walker, Director at Monkey Park CIC said: “We welcome everyone to our meetings and are keen to hear from all points of view. We want to create a park that is open and accessible to the whole community and would love to hear your views.”

For anyone wishing to get involved with the group, they can be contacted via email – admin@friendsofmonkeypark.org.uk, via Facebook – facebook.com/friendsofmonkeypark or via Twitter – twitter.com/friendsofmonkey.

The group are actively seeking donations and raffle prizes to help fund the project. They have a crowdfunding campaign running at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsofmonkeypark for anyone wishing to donate.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

National milestone as BHP is listed in Sunday Times Top 100

6th March 2019

The region’s largest independent firm of Chartered Accountants, BHP, has been named in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list.

Now in its 19^th year, the hard-fought and nationally-celebrated list recognises the very best in employee engagement.

BHP has more than 300 staff, including 31 partners. Over the last 10 years the business has increased turnover from £8m to over £22m.

Louise Allen, Head of HR at BHP, said: “This is an extremely proud moment for the team at BHP. This is one of the best-known and most prestigious employee engagement rankings in the UK and recognises those companies which truly value and care for employees.”

“At BHP, we very much understand that it’s our people who make us we who we are. We celebrate our employees as individuals and support and encourage them to reach their true potential. It is this approach that has seen the company grow and thrive over the last 150 years. BHP is a ‘people business’ through and through. That said we want to be an even better firm and strive to carry on making improvements. We will be using the feedback from the survey to focus our people strategy for the coming year.”

The Sunday Times Top 100 ranks Britain’s best companies to work for based on several criteria around staff satisfaction. A robust workforce survey includes 70 statements about staff wellbeing, pay and benefits, personal growth, their team, and company leadership. This results in each company receiving a Best Companies Index (BCI) score, and potential accreditation ranging from ‘Ones to Watch’ right through to ‘3 Star’ status.

Founder and CEO of Best Companies Ltd, the UK’s workplace engagement specialist, Jonathan Austin, said: “I would like to congratulate BHP on their achievement and being named as one of the UK’s Best Companies to Work for. Best Companies have been producing the Accreditation standard since 2006 to acknowledge excellence in the workplace. We are proud that organisations like BHP focus on their employees and have been rewarded with an engaged workforce who tell us that they’re a best company to work for.”

Representatives from BHP accepted the award at a ceremony held in London on 21 February.

BHP remains in the top 35 accountancy firms in the UK and was also recently recognised with the Community Award at the Yorkshire Dealmakers Awards. The firm has five offices in Chesterfield, Sheffield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, and York.

For more information about BHP click here.

Photo caption: Nick Rodrigues, The Sunday Times, Lisa Leighton and Louise Allen, BHP

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

UKATA shortlisted for two Safety & Health Excellence Awards

6th March 2019

The UK Asbestos Training Association’s (UKATA) Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans, has been named as one of the health and safety industry’s rising stars.

Recognising an individual who has made a significant contribution to the implementation or enhancement of health, safety or wellbeing standards within their organisation, Craig has been shortlisted for the prestigious Rising Star award in the 2019 Safety & Health Excellence Awards.

Late last year Craig was promoted to the newly created role of COO, recognising his commitment to helping implement and maintain high standards of asbestos training for all UKATA members, which currently numbers around 200 member organisations throughout the UK.

Commenting at the time of his appointment, UKATA Chair Graham O’Mahony explained: “Craig shares UKATA’s drive and focus to maintain and improve the industry’s understanding of the dangers of asbestos and reduce the risks surrounding the material.”

“He is a highly respected member of the team and his extensive knowledge of the industry as well as his strategic planning skills will be key in the future development of the association.”

In addition to Craig’s nomination, UKATA has also been shortlisted in the Campaign of the Year category in the annual awards for its Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe campaign.

Since its launch in 2016, the successful campaign has seen over 4,000 hours of asbestos awareness training donated by UKATA members to those who need it most.

The campaign was awarded a Certificate of Commendation at the 2018 Safety & Health Excellence Awards. This year, the UKATA team hope to take the winning title at the awards following a relaunch of the Train Safe campaign last year which saw it partner with Jobcentre Plus, part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Through Jobcentre Plus, UKATA’s Train Safe campaign provides complimentary asbestos awareness training to people who are unemployed, NEETS (Not in Education, Employment or Training) or looking to change career.

Delighted to receive two nominations in the awards, Craig commented: “The UKATA team and I are thrilled to have been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Safety & Health Excellence Awards. It recognises our combined commitment to deliver high quality asbestos safety training and help reduce the number of people suffering from diseases caused by asbestos exposure.”

This year the 2019 Safety & Health Excellence Awards, which are organised in conjunction with the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF), will take place on 10 April 2019 at the prestigious VOX at Resorts World, NEC Birmingham.

Hosted by comedian Sean Lock, the awards are expected to attract more than 400 guests from the safety, health, fire and security sectors.

Craig added: “It will be a fantastic evening and we’d like to wish everybody involved good luck. It’s great to be a part of such an important industry and to see the work companies do in this sector recognised.”

UKATA is a leading authority on asbestos training. To find out more click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Lets Celebrate Chesterfield

5th March 2019

March is most certainly a month of celebration for Chesterfield. Local and national events and acknowledgements come together to create an opportunity to showcase how we excel as a town.

The annual Celebrate Chesterfield event returns to the Winding Wheel on 20 March, with around 300 delegates set to attend and join us in not only celebrating the recent successes of our town but also looking to the future and ensuring that we have the best plans in place to continue the investment and success for future generations.

More than £1 billion of investment is currently taking place in Chesterfield. With huge investment underway in the town and massive infrastructure and development on its way (such as HS2’s arrival due in 2033), it’s imperative that we have a skilled workforce to support this. That is why apprenticeships are key to Chesterfield’s economy.

As a town we really excel with Apprenticeships – continually creating them, supporting and raising awareness of them and as usual we’re one step ahead of other towns. For example, we were the first town to establish our Apprentice Town initiative two years ago in order to keep apprenticeships in the spotlight with young people, schools and employers.

You can expect to hear a lot about apprenticeships in March however as nationally they will be celebrated from 4 – 8 March as part of the National Apprenticeship Week.

It’s important that apprenticeships are not just given cursory consideration once a year. If you’re a parent of a child, talk to them about the value of apprenticeships at the same time as you may talk about university, A Levels and college.

Last month we were able to strengthen links between education providers, local businesses and school leavers at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference. One thing that came through loud and clear at the conference is that employers are looking for school leavers, and there are job and career opportunities ready and waiting for them now.

Let’s create a bright future for our young people right here in Chesterfield so that the town can continue to thrive as a destination, a place to do business, build a career and, importantly, call home.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Offering opportunities for local apprentices

5th March 2019

This National Apprenticeship Week, Chesterfield residents are benefitting from apprentice opportunities thanks to Chesterfield Borough Council’s involvement in the Apprentice Town initiative.

National Apprenticeship week runs from 4 to 8 March and celebrates the work carried out by apprentices of all ages. In 2017/18 1,120 apprenticeships were delivered in the borough.

One development which is benefitting from local apprentices is The Skylarks development on Dunston Lane building two to five bedroom family homes in 15 different designs. The developer, William Davis Homes, has employed four local people as apprentices.

Apprentice Kieran Moulds said: “The benefits of doing an apprenticeship is that you actually get to do more practical work than theory – you do theory at college but I prefer to do more practical.”

Gary Long, Apprentice Manager at William Davis Homes added: “From day one, all of our apprentices have shown tremendous application, from interview to present day.”

“They give 120 per cent both on-site and off-site; their work ethic is second-to-none.”

As a partner in the Apprentice Town initiative, the council is committed to offering and promoting apprenticeship opportunities for local people of all ages.

Councillor Terry Gilby, the council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We think apprenticeships are really important; it gives a lot of people a chance to find employment.”

“Apprenticeships are not just for young people – it doesn’t matter what your age is you can take up an apprenticeship and learn new skills.”

Apprenticeship opportunities available at the council and with other local employers are listed on Chesterfield Borough Council’s website.

There are lots of opportunities available – not only for manual work such as building and construction but also in a variety of roles including business, administration, marketing, healthcare, working with animals and beauty.

Visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/apprenticeship-vacancies to see the current vacancies.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Chesterfield’s Memory Market to return in May

5th March 2019

Chesterfield’s Memory Market will take place on Thursday 23 May 2019 to help show dementia patients and their families where they can turn for help locally.

More than 3,800 patients are living with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia in North Derbyshire and Hardwick. Across the same area it is estimated that a further 2,000 patients are probably living with the early signs of the illness, which affects people’s brain function and memory, and is more common among older people.

Chesterfield-based NHS nurse Trevor Hall is co-ordinating the Memory Market Place on 23 May in Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel from 12pm – 4pm.

Trevor said: “By 2025 the number of people over 85 is expected to rise by 76%. As there is a positive relationship between the number of older people and the number of people with dementia the need for us to create dementia-friendly communities has never been stronger.”

The Chesterfield Memory Market Place – now in its fifth year – has grown in popularity and size as a way to bring together, under one roof, a whole range of support organisations for patients, their carers and families living with dementia.

The free event is open to all, to come and see the range of help available and to get ideas and support for how to live well with dementia. Trevor, who is based at Walton Hospital, added: “This event is aimed at everyone who is worried about a loved one’s memory, is already living with a diagnosis of dementia or simply wants to know more about what’s on offer.

“People can call in for five minutes or stay all afternoon – it is completely free and easy. They’ll have the opportunity to visit stalls, meet and talk in a relaxed and informal environment about all elements of living with dementia or just find out what’s available.

“It’s a unique opportunity to make contact with so many different organisations and agencies who come together jointly to offer help and guidance.”

The different agencies represented will include health, social care, voluntary and private sector organisations.

For more information click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Talk on Chesterfield Canal to take place at the Winding Wheel

5th March 2019

On Wednesday 13th March at 7.30 pm, John Lower, a long-term volunteer at Chesterfield Canal Trust, will be giving a talk at the Winding Wheel on ‘The History and Restoration of the Chesterfield Canal’.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is a charitable company run entirely by volunteers. Their aims are to promote the full restoration and appropriate development of the Chesterfield Canal, and to campaign for the construction of the Rother Valley Link, a navigable waterway to join the Chesterfield Canal to the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

John Lower has been a volunteer on the Chesterfield Canal since 1981, most recently involved in the construction of a replica wooden horse-drawn narrowboat of a type unique to the Chesterfield Canal. He is a well-known writer of waterway guides and magazine articles who has given hundreds of talks about the Chesterfield Canal right across the country.

John’s presentation will feature an illustrated journey along the beautiful and historic Chesterfield Canal. On the way, attendees will discover its history, the 12 miles of restoration already completed and what work is still required to once again link Chesterfield with the River Trent. Guests can also learn about the varied activities of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its more than 1800 members.

For more information and to book click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

#ChallengeDerbyshire charity ball raises over £170,000

5th March 2019

On Saturday 2^nd February the iconic Devonshire Dome in Buxton hosted the second annual #ChallengeDerbyshire Charity Ball. The event was attended by nearly 500 guests and raised a staggering sum in excess of £170,000, taking the total amassed by the initiative so far to well over three quarters of a million pounds.

#ChallengeDerbyshire was formed in 2015 to support the three amazing end of life care charities in North Derbyshire; Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust.

David Hopkins, CEO of M Markovitz Ltd and Co-Founder of #ChallengeDerbyshire said on the night: “Excellent end of life care provided by our three charities should not be a ‘nice to have’ and with all three of our charities receiving barely 30% of the funds they need from government, it is essential that as local business owners and employers we play our part in helping to bridge that shortfall. We are very proud to cover the costs of running #ChallengeDerbyshire, meaning that every penny of every pound donated to our cause goes directly to providing end of life care by our three amazing charities.”

The fabulous evening, hosted by High Peak Radio’s Paul Jenner and Damian Senar, included a lavish four course dinner, live music from band Function Fever, as well as a fantastic guest performance from Derbyshire children’s choir Perfect Pitch, who continue to support #ChallengeDerbyshire, having themselves raised over £10,000 for the cause.

Caroline Morgan, who used the services of Ashgate Hospicecare and Blythe House Hospice when her husband Dean died, gave an emotional speech, saying, “People think of a hospice as a place of palliative care and death… I think of it as a place that gives life to those left behind. Your support is so vital, not just for the person with the illness or life limiting condition, but also for families like mine and for children left to cope with life after loss.”

Many local businesses contributed to the success of the evening and the event organisers expressed particular thanks to the University of Derby for their most generous support, which undoubtedly helped contribute to the incredible total raised.

Co-Founder Esther Wakeman went on to say, “Currently one in four families who need hospice care can’t get it, that’s about sixteen families a week across North Derbyshire. #ChallengeDerbyshire’s support is changing that and giving local people the choice to die at home, free from pain, with dignity and respect. Please help us be there for every family when they need us.”

David urged any people with business links to Derbyshire to consider lending their support to #ChallengeDerbyshire. For more information please contact Jennifer McBain on 01298 72021 or events@challengederbyshire.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting