About Chesterfield

Reaction to Theresa May’s Brexit speech

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“Our members will take a level of comfort that Prime Minister Theresa May today offered business an assurance that she wanted continued free trade between Britain and the EU after Brexit.

“But she also said that she wanted Britain to be free to negotiate trade deals with other countries around the world without being tied to constraining EU rules and regulations.

“And it was reassuring to hear her say that ‘no EU deal for Britain would be better than a bad deal for Britain’ as it would leave us free to set its own tax rates, for example, which would make the UK more attractive than the EU to invest in, which would be bad for the EU.

“We were pleased to hear her commit to ensuring Britain should remain a global player in the fields of science and innovation and that she would strive to continue to attract the brightest students to our universities.

“And for the first time she has stated that she wants UK firms to be able to continue to recruit the skills they need from among EU nationals and for UK citizens to work and live in the EU.

“She is also talking about a period of transition between the UK being part of the EU and after it leaves so that the impact of our exit is softened.

“These are things that business needed to hear, but there remain concerns about Britain’s place in the Customs Union, which facilitates free passage of goods throughout the EU, to which Mrs May said that she wanted Britain to be able negotiate its own international trade agreements but that she also wanted to retain the benefits of being part of the Customs Union. But she said she had no preconceived position on whether we stay in it or not.

“Mrs May said she didn’t think we’d be able to remain part of the Single Market as to do so would require the UK to continue to abide by EU rules and regulations and have open borders, which is what the public said they didn’t want.

“But she also said she wanted a new model for our friendship and partnership with the EU, not something based on existing models.

“Mrs May has set out a position that indicates that she does have business interests at heart, which is something we have said from the outset should be a driving force in Brexit negotiations.

“We are still walking an unknown path, but it was good to hear Mrs May stress that free trade means more trade, more jobs, more wealth and more growth, barriers to free trade mean the opposite and that it would be a ‘calamitous’ decision to offer a punitive deal to the UK just to dissuade other countries from leaving the EU.

“Business understands that you can’t set all your cards on the table when you’re negotiating and there is a judgment to be made between what you reveal and what you hold back. In the meantime, business will continue to do what it does best – create wealth and jobs and drive the economy – and be ready to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

East Midlands Chamber logo

Posted in About Chesterfield

Caldwell’s delight at Chesterfield role

Gary Caldwell has expressed his delight at being confirmed as the new manager of Chesterfield.

Caldwell has signed a one-year rolling contract with the Spireites and will be in the dugout for Saturday’s match with AFC Wimbledon at the Proact.

Caldwell said:-

“It’s really exciting and I’m looking forward to it. I was at the game at the weekend and I had discussions and now I’m just delighted to get everything done and looking forward to working with and meeting the players.

“I spoke to Chris Turner and Ashley Carson last week and I met them again just before the game on Saturday.

“I had great discussions at length about where they wanted to go and what I could bring to that process and I felt that at this time in my career it’s the right move for me.

“I’m hungry to get back into management and to get success. I believe that gives you the control to bring you success and to win football games.”

Caldwell, who guided Wigan Athletic to the League One title in his first managerial role, added:-

“It’s not going to happen overnight and you’re not going to see a totally drastic change to the team that you saw on Saturday – which for me was an extremely hard working team full of quality.

“But I’ll slowly start putting my ideas across and get the team playing a style of football that I believe over a long season will bring you success.

“I’m going to work with all the staff that are here and lean on them because they know more about the squad than I do at this moment in time, so I’m going to need their expertise and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Photography: Tina Jenner 

Posted in About Chesterfield

Cathelco supply systems for new generation of cruise ships

Chesterfield based business, Cathelco, are supplying two of their systems for the latest Quantum class cruise ships to be built for Royal Caribbean Cruises by Meyerwerft in Germany.

The marine growth prevention and impressed current cathodic protection systems will be installed on the fourth and fifth vessels in the series which are scheduled to go into service 2019 and 2020.

Cathelco systems are already installed on the Quantum of the Seas which entered service in 2014, followed by the Anthem of the Seas in 2015 and the Ovation of the Seas which began operating last year.

The systems are designed to prevent bio-fouling in sea water pipework serving the main engines and ancillary systems. This involves fitting pairs of copper and aluminium anodes in the seachests which are wired to a control panel. In operation, the copper anodes produce ions which create an environment where barnacle and mussel larvae do not settle or breed, but are carried through the system to discharge. At the same time, the aluminium anodes produce ions which create an anti-corrosive coating on the internal surfaces of pipes.

Adam Rogers, Sales Manager at Cathelco, said:-

“The systems on these ships are some of the largest that we produce and are ideally suited to treating large volumes of sea water.”

Both of the new Quantum class ships will also be installed with Cathelco systems to protect the underwater hull surfaces against corrosion.

In operation, the reference electrodes measure the electrical potential at the hull/seawater interface and send a signal to the control panel which automatically raises or lowers the outputs to the anodes. In this way, the hull receives the optimum corrosion protection at all times.

Cathelco have also received an order to supply equipment for the first in the series of Project Edge vessels which are to be built for Celebrity Cruises in France.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New date announced for 2017 Chesterfield Half Marathon

This year’s Chesterfield Half Marathon will now take place on Sunday 22nd of October, incorporating the individual half marathon, two team relays (2 X 10K and 4 X 5K) and fun run.

Originally scheduled for the 24th of September the event has been put back to the 22nd of October following feedback from a number of runners disappointed that they wanted to take part but couldn’t because of the clash of date with the Sheffield 10K and the Robin Hood Marathon and Half Marathon.

With such positive feedback from the 2016 Chesterfield Half Marathon, organisers of the event didn’t want to disappoint those wanting to run again in 2017, so have taken the decision to re-schedule.

As Andrea Hooley, Operations Manager at The Chesterfield Marathon, explained:-

“We had such a fantastic response from runners to the new improved half marathon course in 2016 that it seemed a shame when a number of runners contacted us concerned about the clash of dates. Therefore, while the route will remain exactly the same as in 2016, the date of the event for 2017 has been put back until later in October.

“We have also taken the decision to freeze the price of the event until the end of February at the early bird price of £25 for the individual half marathon (plus £3.50 postage of running number), £20 per runner for the 2 X 10K relay and £10 per runner for the 4 X 5K relay.”

All races will once again start and finish in Queens Park, with the half marathon route taking in Chesterfield Town Centre, and the popular stretches of Hasland and Chatsworth Road. Individual runners raising a minimum of £50 in sponsorship for Kids n Cancer are able to run for free, as are teams of 2 raising £100 and teams of 4 raising £200.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Business calls for clarity from Prime Minister’s speech

Businesses are calling on Prime Minister Theresa May to use her promised Brexit speech tomorrow to offer clarity on key issues of concern.

Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister Theresa May will use the speech to give the clearest indication yet of the Government’s plans for Britain’s exit from the EU.

The Government has been under pressure to spell out its negotiating stance but has consistently declined to show its hand before Article 50 is triggered and negotiations begin.

Last November, East Midlands Chamber, with support from regional MPs, led a delegation of regional business leaders to Westminster and used the event in the heart of Government to unveil an eight-page report setting out what regional businesses want to ensure Britain prospers after it leaves the EU.

The report – Shaping a Great Future for the East Midlands: Leading Balanced and Sustainable Growth in a Post-Brexit Economy – called on the Government to

  • expand its trade missions programme
  • ensure meaningful consultation on priority markets
  • secure the best possible transitional agreements for trading with EU countries
  • ensure future immigration policy enables businesses to meet their skills needs
  • give clear guidance on tax and customs issues
  • maintain stability in terms of regulations
  • guarantee funding for programmes currently co-funded through EU investment, and
  • maintain access to the European Investment Bank.

Since the result of the EU Referendum last June, the Chamber has said that business, the creator of jobs and wealth and driver of the regional and national economy, should play an important role in exit negotiations.

Scott Knowles, the Chamber’s Chief Executive, said:-

“Getting the right messages into Westminster, and making sure our regional MPs are all attuned to the needs of the local business community, are vital to making sure that Britain prospers in a post-Brexit global economy.

“Taking a strong contingent of local business leaders to the heart of Government to deliver their message to MPs gave a very clear indication of just how strongly they want to be involved in negotiations and decisions that will impact them and ultimately affect their ability to be the creators of jobs and wealth and drivers of the regional and national economy.

“We hope to see some indication that Mrs May is listening to business and that she is committing to place the needs of business high on the agenda once Brexit talks begin in earnest.”

Scott added:-

“We know from our own Quarterly Economic Surveys that businesses in the East Midlands are doing well at the moment and are driving the economy but that they have concerns about their EU workforces, immigration generally and trade prices and their impact on inflation.

“Mrs May has an opportunity now to start laying some of those concerns to rest and set out Government plans for Britain outside the EU, where business is ready and waiting to meet whatever challenges lie ahead.”

Scott-Knowles East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Winter Talks Give an Insider’s Guide to Chatsworth

The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire will share some of their favourite treasures and places around their home, Chatsworth, as part of a series of Winter Talks.  Among the subjects covered are some of the more unusual objects and places included in the Chatsworth Estate, as well as the history and stories behind them.

Running from 12 January to 10 March, the Winter Talks also feature a fresh selection of expert speakers covering a diverse range of interests, from the challenges of managing the garden and waterways, to an insider’s view of working at Chatsworth as a housekeeper and a look at 250 years of life below stairs.

12 January: Dave Spencer, Domain Senior Supervisor, ‘Lakes and waterways’

Chatsworth’s famous Cascade, Canal Pond and spectacular Emperor Fountain are all fed from lakes situated in Stand Wood above the house, and the river Derwent flows through the parkland in front of the house. The care and maintenance of the miles of waterways that supply the lakes, as well as the streams and pipes taking water to the fountains, is of the upmost importance. David will explain how it all works and how the domain team maintain it.

19 January: John Everitt, Head of Forestry, ‘Modern forestry on a historic estate’

The Chatsworth Estate’s 37,000 acres contain hundreds of thousands of trees. John Everitt talks about the role of a modern estate forester and the day-to-day management of 1600 hectares of mixed woodland.   He will also outline plans for the development of the estate, including plans for diversification of the woodlands in terms of species and age structure to create a sustainable resource for future generations.

26 January: Steve Porter, Head of Gardens and Landscape, ‘Managing a modern garden’

With Capability Brown and Joseph Paxton as his predecessors, Steve Porter has a tough act to follow. He’s also got to deal with the impact of more than 500,000 visitors every year while managing and expanding the plant collection, working with external consultants to develop new areas, using contractors to maintain and improve the fabric and historic features, as well as guiding an expanding team of gardeners, trainees and volunteers.  This talk is an opportunity to learn more about how it all works and find out about plans to develop the garden.

27 January: the Collections Team, ‘250 years of stories from the servants hall’

The Collections Team at Chatsworth, in conjunction with Sheffield University, will give an illuminating talk about life below stairs for servants and staff who helped to keep the house and estate running during the years from 1700 to 1950. This talk will tell the stories of servants that have been found in the archives –  from butlers, housekeepers, cooks, cleaners, footmen, gardeners, and many more.

2 February: Lord Burlington, ‘Shaping a greener Chatsworth’

Lord Burlington founded the Devonshire Group Environmental Committee (DGEC) in 2010 to drive forward his vision for ‘A Greener Chatsworth’. In 2013, Chatsworth received recognition for its sustainability work through a Green Tourism Gold Award and in 2016 was awarded the Peak District Environmental Quality Mark. Here, Lord Burlington talks about future projects and his vision for a greener Chatsworth.

10 February: Shenagh Firth, Head Guide, ‘Duchess Georgiana’

Gambler, collector, activist, style icon, socialite and duchess, Georgiana was notorious in her day as wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire. The celebrated subject of a Gainsborough portrait, Duchess Georgiana has fascinated generations since her death and has been the subject of major books and films.

2 March: Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, ‘Our home at Chatsworth’

The Duke and Duchess will share some of their favourite treasures and places both inside the house and out, as well as in the garden and park. They will be talking about some things visitors may be familiar with, as well as some of the more unusual objects and places at Chatsworth and the history and stories behind them.

10 March: Christine Robinson, Head Housekeeper (retired), ‘The Housekeeper’s tips, tales and tipples’

Following on from her first book, “Chatsworth, The Housekeeper’s Tale”, Christine Robinson (former Head Housekeeper), will publish her next book, “Chatsworth, The Housekeeper’s Tips, Tales and Tipples” in March 2017. During her talk, Christine will invite the audience to join her on a journey through an ordinary house, but with particular reference to Chatsworth. In this illustrated talk, she will explore the history surrounding everyday objects, the care required for Chatsworth’s precious objects, and reveal more hidden stories from her forty years’ experience working at the house.

All the talks can be booked online and are taking place in the Hartington Room or the historic theatre. Throughout winter, the Stables shop and restaurant are open daily from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield Canal Trust celebrates Aviva funding

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has won £10,000 following an announcement by the Aviva Community Fund.

The funds, awarded to the Last Cuckoo Project, will be used to run an archaeological dig at Staveley. The site to be excavated is the original Bellhouse Basin on the canal where it is believed that at least one Cuckoo boat, unique to the canal, could be found.

The Trust competed with thousands of local organisations around the UK to receive funding as part of the Aviva Community Fund 2016. The nationwide initiative, which launched in September, called upon passionate local residents to submit a project close to their heart to be in with a chance of securing funding ranging from £1,000 to £25,000.

Each organisation had to galvanise the support of their local community to vote for their entry in six categories: health, disability and well-being; supporting the younger generation; supporting the older generation; sport in the community; environment (in association with The Mirror) and community support. Over 5 million votes were placed with over 450 projects benefitting overall. The Trust succeeded in winning over 9,000 votes from supporters.

Andy Robinson, a long time Trust member who wrote the bid, said:-

“I am absolutely delighted that we have won this money. We will spend the next few months getting everything ready for the dig itself, which will take place in August.

“We intend to involve lots of members of the local community, including children. This is a chance for them to learn first had about how Staveley played a vital part right from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Café society arriving at Dunston Business Park

Workers on Dunston Business Park will be able to take advantage of new catering facilities when the Chamber moves to its new office.

Commerce House, formerly St Andrew’s House, has a modern kitchen and refectory which will be opened up to workers from neighbouring offices.

Chamber member The Lovely Catering Company, Chesterfield, will be providing the café service and use the commercial-standard kitchen as a base for its outside catering business.

Hot and cold food, sandwiches, snacks and other refreshments will be available at the ‘Café at the Chamber’.

Scott Knowles, the Chamber’s Chief Executive, said:-

“We were in two minds about whether to utilise the kitchen and refectory at the new office or remove it – although it seemed a bit of a waste to rip out something which on the surface was perfectly functional.

“There seemed to be a shortage of proper café facilities in the area so we offered the kitchen to one of our members, Neil Parkin at The Lovely Catering Company, and are delighted that he will be able to put it to good use by providing a café not only for Chamber staff but also for our new neighbours.”

Neil said:-

“Our corporate catering service, Lovely Buffet, has grown rapidly over the past couple of years and we were looking for additional space and facilities. We have been a supplier to the Chamber and members for many years now and have a great working relationship.

“I’m pleased we have the opportunity to provide a much-needed cafe service on the Dunston Business Park for staff and public, and to further expand our corporate catering business. We are really looking forward to it.”

The Chamber is planning to move from its current office on Canal Wharf, Chesterfield, to Commerce House, Millennium Way, at the end of February.

It will occupy two floors of the three storey building and is looking for a tenant for the upper floor.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield brand taps into millennial trends with festival campaign

In 2017 Herbal Likör brand Jungfrau returns to sponsor ultimate snow sports and music festival Snowboxx, for the third year running.

Chesterfield Champion and the UK’s leading independent drinks brand development business – Global Brands – owns, markets and distributes Jungfrau Likör.

More than 3 in 4 millennials (78%) would choose to spend money on an experience or event over a material purchase. Therefore it is important for brands to connect with their audience through meaningful experiences, especially hosting events in their area of interest.

Recognising this, Jungfrau has invested more than ever in a huge, experiential marketing campaign, #discoverthelegend, to entertain and engage with their target audience of millennials. The campaign appeals to those wishing to encounter new, fun experiences to share with friends.

Jungfrau plan to deliver an impressive experiential campaign at Snowboxx, tying their activities seamlessly into the festival which boasts a series of snow parks, pistes and late-night parties. Taking their #discoverthelegend campaign to the peaks, the brand continues to pursue its relentless and enthusiastic search to deliver the most amazing life experiences for its thrill-seeking consumers.

To kick off the campaign, Jungfrau continues to host a series of ‘Après Ski Snow Parties’ at universities across the UK in December and January. These events give the key student market a taster of what’s in-store for the festival in March. The events are designed to transport attendees to the Alps, as each venue is decorated with snow machines and CO2 cannons to create a complete Jungfrau wonderland.

Further to this, Jungfrau is hosting the ultimate competition giving one lucky entrant and a friend the chance to win an all-expense paid VIP trip to Snowboxx. The innovative competition is linked to the ‘Après Ski’ events as Jungfrau utilises ever-popular interactive app, Snapchat, as a means of entry. Using the app appeals directly to millennials and encourages them to interact with the brand during each event. All campaign activity will be heavily supported on social media, meaning touch points are clearly linked and key target markets will get a great sense of the brand.

Christian Sarginson, Senior Brand Manager at Global Brands, says:-

“Snowboxx is the perfect fit for Jungfrau and that’s why we continue to collaborate year after year. Jungfrau takes pride in engaging with our consumers and creating real, memorable experiences for them. We are lucky to work with a great team at Snowboxx who put on a fantastic festival, and can’t wait to bring the #discoverthelegend campaign to the UK and to France!”

The supporting events, competition and festival action create a crossover of activity to show consumers what they can expect from Jungfrau now and in the future.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Event to showcase latest IT Technology

Chesterfield-based IT and telecoms provider Central Technology, is teaming up with three of the biggest names in the industry to deliver an event aimed at helping local firms make the most of the latest emerging technologies.

The ‘Technology Roadmap event, which takes place at Chesterfield Football Club’s Proact Stadium, on 1 February, will feature keynote presentations from tech giant Dell, cloud back up-provider Veeam, and email security expert Roaring Penguin.

Industry experts from Dell will be giving live demonstrations of the latest devices and solutions that address real-work needs.

Veeam will be showcasing its latest software for back-up and replication, including back-up for physical servers and PCs.

And the creators of email security software Roaring Penguin will be talking about email spoofing and cyber-attack prevention.

Members of CT’s technical team will be on-hand to help ensure those attending have the right IT solutions in place within their organisations.

There will also be a stadium tour, a pie and pea supper, and networking, giving delegates the opportunity to share their thoughts about the benefits of cloud technology with likeminded businesses.

And those attending will also have the chance to win some top prizes including a drone, a fit bit and a laptop.

Richard Thompson, Sales Director at Central Technology, said:-

“Keeping up-to-date with the latest technologies and software solutions can be time-consuming and daunting for most businesses, but it is critically important that businesses stay ahead of the curve.

“This event is all about addressing that need and giving local firms the opportunity to hear from some of the biggest names in the industry about how they can use technology to transform their businesses.

“It will equip delegates with the latest information and expertise, and provide businesses with an opportunity to look at and experience new technology and solutions in an environment designed to inspire new ways of working, help to make the most of technology and improve their digital capabilities.”

Social Media Workshop - Chesterfield - with eBusiness Works

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Public views sought on Local Plan to guide future developments

Chesterfield residents are being asked for their views on a revised Local Plan which sets out where key housing and industrial developments will take place in the future.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Local Plan strategic planning document has been updated to take account of new Government policy and the changing demand for housing and other key sites. It identifies:

  • Potential sites for more than 4,600 new homes between 2016 and 2033 (272 a year), with reserve sites for another 1,000 homes
  • 205 acres (83 hectares) of new employment land
  • Retail, commerce and industrial sites
  • Open spaces, play areas and environmental spaces
  • The approach to finding sites for traveller pitches
  • Renewable wind energy sites

The plan proposes no changes to the green belt area of Chesterfield and protection for strategic gaps and green wedge areas between settlements within the borough. It also safeguards land for the possible future Chesterfield-Staveley regeneration route, Hollis Lane link road and the restoration of Chesterfield Canal.

The majority of new housing will be built on brownfield sites but it is not possible to deliver all of the new homes this way. The proposals would mean building on some greenfield sites at Holme Hall, Mastin Moor, Poolsbrook, Duckmanton and Dunston.

A series of public consultation events have been organised to get the views of residents and businesses from the Chesterfield borough, explain the plan further and answer questions people may have.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“This document will impact on the lives of most Chesterfield borough residents and businesses so it is really important that people are aware of what is proposed.

“Not every site identified as an option within the plan will be developed. What the consultation is seeking is the views of people about whether the suggested sites for housing, industry and other needs are being located in the best places possible given the land available within the borough.

“I would urge as many residents as possible to read the plan and attend one of our consultation events to find out more about the process so they can give informed opinions about what the future developments they want to see in their borough.”

The consultation runs from Thursday 12 January to Monday 27 February.

Chesterfield views - Crooked Spire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development