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About Chesterfield

Derbyshire businesses already reaping energy efficiency rewards

Businesses in Derbyshire are already benefiting from a grant scheme designed to help them save money by becoming more energy efficient.

The energy efficiency scheme offers grants of up to ÂŁ15,000 to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to audit their energy use and introduce energy-saving measures.

The scheme launched in February, with the energy efficiency team already working with 45 businesses to offer energy audits, technical consultancy and advice on saving energy and reducing the cost of bills.

The scheme is a partnership between Derbyshire County Counil, Derby City Council and the University of Derby and is part-funded with a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

One of the first businesses to benefit is healthcare company Sumed International (UK) Ltd of Hadfield, near Glossop. The Graphite Way company received ÂŁ14,375 toward the installation of solar panels which could potentially save more than ÂŁ2,500 a year in energy bills.

Graham Collyer, Executive Chairman of Sumed, said:-

“Sumed is passionate about growing its healthcare manufacturing business in an environmentally responsible way. We achieved ISO 14001 Environmental Systems last year and we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our carbon footprint.

“The energy efficiency grant helped us to invest in banks of solar panels on the factory roof which will not only improve our environmental performance, but significantly reduce our energy costs.”

The firm, which supplies products and services to help maintain healthy skin, including pressure-relief beds and cushions, has already installed LED lighting so when they heard about the energy efficiency scheme they were keen to apply.

Mr Collyer added:

“The energy efficiency team were very professional and helped us get things right. I’d urge any businesses looking to reduce their energy bills to contact them.”

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Counil cabinet member for economic development and regeneration,  said:-

“Small and medium-sized businesses are a vital part of Derbyshire’s economy and by supporting this project we are giving them access to state of the art equipment and technical expertise designed to improve efficiency and innovation.

“Energy efficiency grants are available to SMEs in Derbyshire and Derby which do 90% of their trade with other businesses and I urge companies that are interested in finding out more to get in touch.”

D2 Energy Efficiency

Free energy audits are available for businesses in Derby and Derbyshire to help to reduce business costs. Grants of up to ÂŁ15,000 (and up to 65% of project cost) are available to eligible businesses to carry out energy efficiency improvements, which could include improved lighting, insulation, more efficient process equipment and renewable energy.

For more information see derby.gov.uk/d2ee or contact Gemma Sylva, Carbon Smart Team Leader  e: gemma.sylva@derby.gov.uk  t: 01332 642029

Find out if your business is eligible here.

energy efficiency

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield based architect to develop land surrounding Championship league stadium

A scheme to further develop the land surrounding Sheffield United’s stadium – proposed by Chesterfield based architects Whittam Cox – has been given the council go-ahead.

A planning committee approved proposals to develop the Cherry Street / Shoreham Street corner into Boundary Corner, a four-storey largely residential building including 45 flats, as well as a new ground floor 6,600 sq.ft. Blades Superstore.

The scheme – drawn-up by Chesterfield Champions and Sheffield United’s retained architects Whittam Cox – features in long-term business plans from the owners focusing on ever-improving stadium facilities contributing to the future business performance of the Club.

The development is part of a cohesive Masterplan for the Sheffield United estate, produced to ensure the various opportunities for development work successfully together.

Council approval of the planning application –  submitted in February – was welcomed by Sheffield United director Simon McCabe.

He said:-

“The corner site we are developing could fulfil a dream for some of our supporters – a chance to live at the home of football! It will also enable the Club to expand the Superstore into a 21st century retail outlet.”

Scott McCabe, fellow director said:-

“Further development of the stadium area is a positive move to enhance income streams, ultimately supporting our plans for the key football side of the business.”

The proposals come in the wake of extensive modernisation undertaken in recent years including the installation of a state of the art Desso pitch giving the Club greater use of the ground for events and other activities during close seasons.

Ashley Turner, Chief Executive at Whittam Cox Architects’ added:-

“Following on from completed projects such as the Westfield Corner Stand and Copthorne Hotel, we are delighted that, working with Sheffield United, we now have council permission to further enhance what is already a superb venue.”

Sheffield City Council’s head of planning said in a report:-

“This is a well-designed scheme and does not have any significant impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residents on Cherry Street and Shoreham Street.”

The report also acknowledged the scheme’s sustainable location and the development of a brownfield site.

Whittam Cox

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Facebook and Tweet your Derbyshire women and girls cycling pics to win prize

The 2017 OVO Women’s Tour in Derbyshire promises to be an amazing cycling spectacle – and we’d love to see how women and girls across the county have been inspired!

That’s why in the lead-up to Stage Four on June 10, as well as on the day itself, we want you to post your cycling snaps on social media using your smartphones.

The best image of women and girls that promotes cycling and encourages others to get out their bikes will win a Women’s Tour cycling jersey.

Remember – any kind of cycling counts, whether you are getting the bike out of the shed for the first time since school, or clock up the miles every chance you get.

Your picture could be riding with your family in the local park, or along one of Derbyshire’s many, easy access, traffic-free cycles routes.

You might be a keen mountain bike or track cyclist, have pictures of your daughter at a School Games cycling event or be gearing up for the Eroica Britannia Cycling Festival, which is taking place from June 16 to 18.

Whatever imagery you have, please share it with us so we can highlight to others the huge health and social benefits of cycling, as well as savings on travel costs.

Simply post your entries on the Derbyshire Sport, Cycling Derbyshire, Derbyshire County Council, Chesterfield Borough Council  or ChesterfieldUK Facebook or Twitter pages, using the hashtag #OVOWT.

Images will then be added to a gallery on Derbyshire Sport’s 2017 OVO Women’s Tour website page, where you can also find when and where the race passes through your area, plus all the latest news.

The best picture will be judged by a panel from Derbyshire Sport, Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council. Its decision will be final.

Closing date for entries is Wednesday June 14 at 5pm and the winner will be announced soon after.

You can also keep up to date through the Women’s Tour pages of Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council, who are joint sponsors of stage four through Derbyshire.

Their valued support is part of the push to make Derbyshire the most connected and integrated cycling county in England by 2030, as outlined in The Derbyshire Cycling Plan.

The county wants to be recognised as a world class cycling destination for all, with more people of all ages and abilities on two wheels on a regular basis for leisure, active travel, commuting and sport.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Celebrity host of 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards confirmed

Mich Turner MBE and professional cake designer to the stars, has been confirmed as the celebrity host of this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Mich hosted the glittering event last year to much critical acclaim. She will now return to Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 25 October where she will announce the winners across 13 categories in the annual awards.

Nominations for the popular awards close on Monday 12 June 2017. People who want to see their favourite eatery, pub, bar and food producers recognised in the prestigious awards can nominate across 10 categories at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Founder and director of London-based Little Venice Cake Company, Mich has created over 10,000 cakes including those for Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham.

As well as her high profile cakes that have been featured in films, Mich has also presented and judged Britain’s Best Bakery, one of the top five performing daytime TV shows on ITV, as well as her own Mich Turner’s Couture Cakes for Sky. In addition to her TV credits, Mich also has six international best-selling books to her name, with the latest title ‘Have Your Cake and Eat It’ published in March 2017

Delighted to be hosting the 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards Mich Turner said: “I am so happy to be returning to the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards once again. Last year was a wonderful occasion and a delight to see so many individuals and businesses recognised for their contribution to the town’s hospitality scene.”

The popular awards return for the fifth year running and are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

The 10 categories in which you can nominate in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

• Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
• Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
• Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
• Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
• Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Accountants
• Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
• Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – sponsored by Shorts Accountants
• Chesterfield Food Producer – presented by Chesterfield College
• International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
• Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, the Crooked Spire Church, Casa Hotel, Mitchells Accountants and Business Advisors, Owen Taylor & Sons, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan, Franklin and Sons Ltd, Addooco, Steve Faulkner and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Visiting

Crooked in-Spire-d drinks range launched by Global Brands

This month Chesterfield based Global Brands, have launched a dynamic range of craft Alcoholic Sodas – aptly named the Crooked Beverage Co –  created to shake up the ‘Ready To Drink’ market with an exciting new innovation.

Crafted in the shadows of the Crooked Spire in Chesterfield, the drinks are a blend of its creators Yorkshire and Derbyshire heritage. The range makes references to niche Sheffield bands and artists through the names and designs, further grounding it in the locale. Crooked is available in 330ml cans with surreal character illustrations to bring the brand to life and catch consumer’s attention, created by local Sheffield artist Lisa O’Hara.

Global Brands have identified a sweet spot in a market calling for innovation that lies between RTD, fruit cider and craft beer. Aimed at 20-30 year olds, Crooked Beverage Co features a malted base to give an interesting flavoursome alcohol taste that underpins the liquid. The all natural fruity body of the liquid provides a sweet, but not sickly, alternative to cater for the growing demand from millennials for drinks that aren’t hugely sugary and synthetic, whilst the slightly hoppy notes also appeal to beer drinkers.

Charlie Leaver, Innovation Manager at Global Brands said:-

“Crooked Beverage Co is something completely and truly different and with that it opens up a new realm of possibility. We plan to drive value into the RTD category by innovating and premiumising. We’ve taken a combination of the best from different categories to make a drink that is the first of its kind. We saw that the target demographic of consumers were tiring of overly sweet drinks with questionable ingredients, and so have created a product that tastes great, looks great, and is essentially natural”.

Available in three different flavours Dayglo Skies (Raspberry & Lime) Mother Moon (Pomegranate & Peach) and Midnight Stage (Blood Orange & Passionfruit), Crooked offers an intriguingly developed and complex taste compared to existing RTDs. Lightly carbonated, each delivers a refreshing fruity flavour with a low sugar content (as little as 4.6g per 100ml), sourced from natural ingredients. The taste and aroma of the fruits burst through, without being masked by artificial flavours or sweeteners.

Charlie adds:-

“We’re excited to be bringing this to the market and introducing a whole new category of Alcoholic Soda to the UK. The dimensions that Crooked creates both in its artwork and taste is what make it a stand out product. We’ve crafted this brand by listening to the consumer and with that we’ve made something that’s going to completely change the market”.

Global Brands

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield prepares for Race for Life

Chesterfield Borough Council and Cancer Research UK have teamed up for the town’s ninth Race for Life on Sunday 11th June.

Women of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities can walk, jog or run 5k to raise money to help beat cancer. All women are welcome and boys under 11 are welcome too.

Residents are also being encouraged to volunteer at the event. There are a variety or voluntary roles available to help make the event run smoothly on the day.

  • Event Day Volunteer – Get stuck in with anything – from pitching flags and hanging banners to handing out water and medals.
  • Course Marshal Volunteer – Cheer on the runners, walkers and joggers as they take on the course and lift some spirits along the way.
  • Enquiries Volunteer – Help ease the nerves by supporting runners and spectators with their queries

For more information about volunteering or to sign up as a volunteer click here.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said:-

“All of us will at some point have a personal experience with cancer and, for this reason, we are pleased to welcome women taking part in the race to Chesterfield.

“There will be some disruption for road users and people wanting to park in the town centre but we have worked to keep this to a minimum to allow us to support this worthy cause.

“The very best of luck to everyone taking part.”

The event starts from Chesterfield Town Hall on Rose Hill at 10.30am.

To enable the event to run smoothly Chesterfield Borough Council will temporarily close Queens Park North car park, Rose Hill car park and Albion Road car park.

During the race alternative parking can be found at Holywell Cross (Donut), Ashgate Road or Queen’s Park South car parks.

Soresby Street car park will also open only for participants in the event. It will reopen to the public once the race is finished.

Several roads around the town centre including around the Town Hall, Knifesmithgate, Elder Way, around the Crooked Spire church and sections of West Bars, New Beetwell Street, Boythorpe Avenue and Park Road will also be closed for periods between early morning and early afternoon while the race takes place.

Chesterfield Race for Life (c) Claire Davison Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Spireites agree extended pie deal with Jacksons The Bakers

Chesterfield FC have agreed a new three-year deal with local firm Jacksons The Bakers Ltd for them to remain as the pie suppliers to the club.

Ashley Carson, Chesterfield director & company secretary – after shaking hands on the agreement with managing director Trevor Jackson – said:-

“I am delighted that we are continuing our relationship with Jacksons, who have supplied the pies to the club since we have been at the Proact.

“The pies they supply are excellent and very popular with our supporters. It is also good to be able to support a local company. I would like to thank the two supporters – Phil Marsden and Alan Barnett – who volunteered to look at the pie deal, speak to Trevor and provide an independent view. They will both be treated to hospitality this coming season as a gesture of thanks.”

Trevor Jackson, whose great uncle founded the company, said:-

“As a lifelong fan, I am proud of our association with the Spireites and we are delighted to be continuing to supply the club.”

Jacksons The Bakers was formed in 1944 and now operates from purpose-built premises in Danesmoor. All their products are made using their own unique recipes, some of which have been handed down through generations, each having been developed and refined to give that contemporary twist to fit into today’s modern living.

Jacksons The Bakers

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Holme Hall Unite to join The Big Lunch on the road

Holme Hall Unite is set to participate in The Big Lunch again this June. The annual event encourages millions of neighbours and residents all over the UK to get to know their communities, with over 7 million people taking part in 2016 alone. This year Holme Hall Unite is going the extra mile by joining The Big Lunch on the road through hosting The Great Big Walk, to build up an appetite for the biggest community celebration the UK has ever seen.

The Great Big Walk, a project conceived by The Big Lunch and made possible by the National Lottery, is a national movement in the form of five walks starting from Batley on 29 May to London, Cornwall, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, connecting people and communities across the UK in the lead up to The Big Lunch, the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours.

Holme Hall Unite will welcome the team walking from Batley to London in the afternoon of 1 June as they stop off in Chesterfield to shine a light on Holme Hall Unite’s new community garden. The garden itself has been designed by a Kew Gardens trained designer and features several different areas for the local community to connect and enjoy together: spaces to sit, spaces to grow, and also a wildflower meadow and a fruit orchard. The different areas are all brought together by a pergola, which features space for children at the local primary school to grow plants. Over 100 trees have been planted and 14,000 daffodils grown to brighten up the local area.

Tony Hedley, of Holme Hall Unite, says:-

“We’re delighted that The Great Big Walk is able to stop off and see how the progress of our new community garden is coming along.

“We’re hoping the space will become a place for local residents to enjoy, connect, and celebrate in, so it’s great to be part of a nationwide movement which is celebrating communities across the UK – small steps really do make a big difference. And who knows, we might even persuade some of our young people to join the walkers for a few miles and explore even more of the local area.”

Holme Hall Unite, Chesterfield, will also be hosting their second Big Lunch for the local community on 18 June at Holmebrook Valley Park, adjacent to the estate. With over 40 acres of woodland, including a lake and green open spaces, it’s an ideal setting for a “bring and share” style Big Lunch – complete with the resident café for any ice-cream needs.

The Big Lunch

 

Posted in About Chesterfield

From Shack to Salon

A Chesterfield beauty salon has risen from a home-grown ‘garden shed’ boutique to opening their very own salon in Brampton.

The Pamper Shack, founded by Kayleigh Valeisa in 2013, began life in the back garden shed at Kayleigh’s father’s house with just a single room divided into two sections, one as a children’s waiting area and other with just enough space for a single bed.

As time went by and the shack’s reputation grew, expansions were made via an extension into the area previously reserved as a tool area.

From humble beginnings it soon became clear that demand was quickly outpacing the number of people the ‘shack’ could handle, this month the ‘Shackettes’ moved into their own premises in Brampton, Chesterfield.

Four years after the initial launch, there are now seven full-time employees working their hardest to make the town more beautiful with each new client.

Kayleigh said:-

“Space was tight in the old shed but we pushed and put our hearts into the salon, it’s brilliant to finally be in the position to stand back and look at our very own store front!”

With a new location, there are hopes for even greater business. Kayleigh says the current plan is to keep growing, bringing in more clients and maintaining a tight-knit team of beauty experts that ‘feel more like a family than staff’.

The results of the efforts of those at Pamper Shack are already on show after being named as a finalist in the Hair and Beauty Business of the Year category at this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards.

The pamper shack

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Arvato receives special commendation at regional apprenticeship awards

The Arvato apprenticeship scheme with Chesterfield Borough Council received a special commendation at the inaugural North Midlands and South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards.

The programme has trained a total of 63 local, young people across business administration, customer service and ICT since 2010, with more than half of their apprentices going on to secure full-time, permanent roles at the organisation.

The Chesterfield scheme is one of several programmes which Arvato operates across their portfolio of local government partnerships. Based on a 12 or 18 month NVQ Level 2 qualification, they are designed to ensure the right talent is developed to help their public sector partners tackle the skills challenges they will face in the years ahead.

The awards, which took place in Sheffield on Tuesday 16th May, aimed to celebrate the best on-the-job training schemes across the region.

Damon Bruce, Head of Customer Centric Services at Chesterfield, commented:-

“Apprenticeships not only provide an important route into the workplace for young people, but they deliver a fresh source of ideas and help build the skill sets and talent local authorities will need for the future. We look forward to building on this success and expanding the opportunities we can offer our apprentices from NVQ Level 2 through to graduate development.”

arvato apprenticeship

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business

Derbyshire Paralympian backs Chesterfield wheelchair basketball hub

Chesterfield based Paralympian Jonathan Hall is calling for more people in the area to try out wheelchair basketball.

A new community session in Chesterfield launched recently, helping to increase the number of places where people can take up the sport.

The session is open to all ages and abilities, whether you are a wheelchair user or not, taking place on Tuesday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.00pm at Chesterfield Tennis Club.

County Sports Partnership Derbyshire Sport has developed these sessions through their Sporting Chances, Sporting Choices project, funded by Sport England.

The project aims to get more people with a disability in Derbyshire playing sport and being physically active.

Already more than 2,000 people have taken part in wheelchair basketball as part of the project but project coordinators now want to see people taking part at the community sessions on a regular basis.

Jonathan, who played for Team GB at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, said:-

“The session in Chesterfield will help massively for anyone not able to travel to others clubs and also fill a gap between Sheffield and Derby.

“If there had been a club closer to me when I was growing up, it would have helped get me playing earlier and made mine and my family’s life a lot easier.”

“Playing wheelchair basketball helped to change my life and give me so many opportunities. I would love to be able to find the next sporting star at these sessions.”

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, added:-

“It is brilliant to have Jon involved as a local ambassador of these wheelchair basketball sessions. His enthusiasm to see more people playing the sport is fantastic.

“With Jon’s help we want to raise awareness of the playing opportunities that we have in Derbyshire so that more people can play. Whether someone has a physical impairment or has reduced mobility due to a knee or ankle injury, we want to see them trying the sport out.”

Jonathan Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield