About Chesterfield

Getting more disabled people into sports and volunteering

4th February 2016

Ten sports clubs and organisations across Derbyshire are to benefit from free training to help increase the number of disabled people volunteering across the county.

Run by Derbyshire Sport, the IMPACT volunteering project aims to create more sports volunteering opportunities for disabled people whilst increasing their confidence and skills.

The programme will help understand whether having more disabled volunteers supporting a club helps increase disability participation, a key target of Sport England who are funding this project.

A volunteer recruitment campaign is set to take place within ‘Inclusive Volunteer Month’ in June to encourage disabled people to volunteer as well as providing training opportunities for the clubs who the volunteers will be deployed to.

Within the month, Derbyshire Sport will work with local voluntary services and other partners to encourage disabled people to sign up to the project and start their journey as a sports volunteer.

Matthew Dalley, Derbyshire Para-Equestrian rider and has gained many benefits from his own volunteering experience at his riding club where he started helping in the yard and now runs the club’s social media and website.

When speaking about his volunteering journey, Matthew said: “I am committed to helping other disabled people benefit from an involvement in sport, both as a participant and volunteer.

“Through my own volunteering I aim to show that my disability isn’t a barrier to helping make a difference and I encourage others to take the opportunity to get involved with the IMPACT project so they can benefit like I have.”

Sport Development Officer for Derbyshire Sport, Rachael Dyer, said: “it is important to reflect the broad spectrum of people that we are aiming to recruit by providing a varied training programme.

“Clubs and their volunteers will have the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge on how to effectively engage with disabled people who are getting involved in their club in a voluntary capacity.

“The IMPACT project will help Derbyshire clubs and volunteers better understand how to effectively engage with disabled people and to help raise their awareness of what makes an inclusive club”.

Four counties will be involved in the project across the East Midlands; Lincolnshire Sport, Northamptonshire Sport and Sport Nottinghamshire will all be working alongside Derbyshire to get more disabled people volunteering across the region.

The four counties are sharing a £59,200 investment into the region that was awarded by Sport England in late 2015.

For more information on the project please contact Rachael.dyer@derbyshire.gov.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

New road to bring more jobs to Markham Vale

3rd February 2016

Work has started on a new link road to the M1 motorway paving the way to potentially create more than 2,500 new jobs at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site, Markham Vale.

The new Seymour Link Road will join up plots of land on the north side of the Markham Vale Enterprise Zone through Erin Road to Junction 29a of the M1 motorway and will open up more space for businesses to move to the site.

The jobs figures are an estimate based on the size of the development plots available and the county council has already received a number of enquiries from a range of businesses interested in the site.

Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“This is a great start to the New Year for Markham Vale.

“Seymour Link Road will open up opportunities for more businesses to move to the site and has the potential to create more than 2,500 new jobs for local people and boost the Derbyshire economy.

“We’re also currently negotiating with Government on a devolution deal with the hope that this will give us more money to invest in major projects such as Markham Vale, develop skills and boost employment.

“We look forward to welcoming even more new businesses to the site this year including Great Bear Distribution which is set to open in October and create up to 400 new jobs.”

Derbyshire County Council is providing £1.26m towards the new £7.56m link road in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) − promoting economic growth in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire − investing £2.52m, and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, £3.78m.

D2N2 LEP’s Chief Executive, David Ralph, said:

“Developing Enterprise Zone sites is key to our economic ambitions and at the heart of D2N2’s Strategic Economic Plan, with its overarching ambition to create 55,000 new private sector jobs in key industries, over ten years.

“To that end we are not only investing in Markham Vale, which will benefit hugely from the Seymour Link Road to the M1, but also the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone sites.”

Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, Councillor John Burrows, said:

“The Enterprise Zone at Markham Vale is going from strength-to-strength − anyone travelling on the M1 can see that this is a hotbed of investment activity that gets busier every month.

“This new link road will open up more land to the growing numbers of businesses that want to be part of our successful Enterprise Zone.”

The link road at Markham Vale is due to be completed in October this year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

World-Class Cycling Rolls into Chesterfield

3rd February 2016

Chesterfield will welcome the Aviva Women’s Tour as it arrives in Derbyshire for the first time this June. The world’s top racers head to the county for Stage Three on Friday 17 June 2016.

Building on the success of hosting the Tour of Britain last September, the Aviva Women’s Tour will race from Ashbourne to Chesterfield. It is being billed as the toughest stage of the race.

The stage will race through the heart of the Peak District National Park including Buxton, Chatsworth, Youlgreave and Matlock, before the finish in Chesterfield. The stage also falls on the same weekend as the popular Eroica Britannia family festival in Bakewell, just a short ride from the Stage Three route.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Collins, said:

“We’re delighted to be welcoming the Aviva Women’s Tour to Derbyshire for the first time. Hosting this prestigious sporting event will put Derbyshire on the cycling tourism map, and encourage more people to cycle.

“It will be a great event to watch and we’d expect many visitors to the county to follow the progress of the world’s top women cyclists.”

Cycling fans in the county will also have the chance to catch the action for a second time a day later on Stage Four, which will also pass through Derbyshire on its way from Nottingham to Stoke-on-Trent. Fans in the south of the county will be entertained by a route that skirts Derby between Long Eaton and Swadlincote.

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Women’s Tour said:

“We are proud that Derbyshire County Council have decided to host the Aviva Women’s Tour as a part of their ambition to be the most connected cycling county. Stage Three will take the race through the heart of the Peak District National Park, with over 2,000-metres of climbing, making it one of the toughest of this year’s race and a key day for riders with the ambition of winning the Aviva Yellow Jersey.”

Commenting on the route announcement, reigning World Road Race Champion Lizzie Armitstead of the Boels Dolmans team said:

“It’s fantastic news that the Aviva Women’s Tour will continue in 2016. As a British rider it’s a privilege to be able to compete on home roads, the British public have really taken to cycling and you can see that when the race goes through different towns the community really gets behind it.

“I’m excited to see the growth in women’s cycling and I think the Women’s Tour has had a really positive impact on that change.”

Reigning Aviva Women’s Tour champion Lisa Brennauer of the Canyon SRAM team said:

“I’m looking forward to coming back to the Aviva Women’s Tour 2016. The race last year was outstandingly well organised and the amount of people that came to watch and cheer for us was breath-taking. Including some new routes with more climbs and longer stages than before, the tour offers new opportunities and again huge possibilities for thrilling racing. I can’t wait to see all of you again.”

Further news about the detailed routes of Stages Three and Four, including the locations of Strava Queen of the Mountains climbs and the Chain Reaction Cycles Sprints, along with timings will be announced in the coming weeks along with the teams spectators can look forward to seeing in action at the Aviva Women’s Tour.

Images: Aviva Womens Tour Flickr Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Behind the Scenes of New Chesterfield Cancer Unit

1st February 2016

Over the last year, Macmillan Cancer Support, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and architects The Manser Practice have been working together on the plans for the on the brand new £9 million Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre, which is due to open at the end of 2016.

Currently cancer care and treatment is given from different clinics across the hospital site, the chemotherapy unit is no longer large enough for the number of patients it sees and there is also only a limited information service.

The new centre will change all that – enabling specialist teams to provide a range of appointments in one place – including all out-patient chemotherapy and clinical haematology. The centre will also include a specialist information and advice service and increase chemotherapy capacity from 8 to 21 chemotherapy chairs, 2 beds and 3 treatment rooms. It will also mean more people will be able to receive their cancer treatment closer to home.

Guy Barlow of The Manser Practice is the lead architect on the build. The practice, founded in 1961, has worked extensively at Chesterfield Royal Hospital since 2008, delivering various projects for the hospital. The Manser Practice has extensive experience in delivering projects in the healthcare sector.

Describing the vision behind the new building, Guy said: “We wanted to create a building above the standard NHS building. We consulted with patient and staff groups and concluded that the building should be less clinical, not domestic in feel, but somewhere tranquil and uplifting that felt very special like a beautiful hotel.”

The new centre will be a simple, elegant two storey building linked to the main hospital via a glazed bridge. Patients, their friends and family enter the centre through a beautifully landscaped garden and into an informal lounge area, hosted by Macmillan, where information and support is available. The main treatment areas are located on the first floor, offering patients superb views out over the surrounding countryside.

The cancer centre will also have a number of unique features. In addition to floor to ceiling windows on the first floor to capture the views from the site, art is being fully integrated into the building itself, into screens, ventilation panels and joinery. Many new centres like this are stand alone buildings, however this has a bridge link at first floor level through to the main hospital will ensure it is fully integrated and accessible whichever way you approach the hospital. There will also be a dedicated drop off and entrance with the car parking adjacent to the centre.

Elizabeth Devas is Capital Projects Design and Commissioning Officer for Macmillan Cancer Support and has been working alongside Guy on the design of the building. She’s part of the Macmillan Cancer Environments team which has been creating healing cancer environments with the NHS and other partners since 1976.

“A cancer environment is anywhere where people affected by cancer are treated or supported. Cancer environments can be located within hospitals, hospices or out in the community and range from palliative care units, to specialist breast care, outpatient and information and support centres,” says Elizabeth.

The Macmillan team have now provided over 200 cancer environments in the UK.

“Our desire is to improve the patient experience so it is the best it can be. Every Macmillan cancer environment is built to ensure an individual’s personal, emotional and practical needs are met, as well as treating the medical condition. So the new cancer centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital will also offer complementary therapies, welfare benefits advice and practical support.”

Macmillan has been recognised within the health sector for its work developing cancer environments and are one of the first organisations to really look carefully at what constitutes a good cancer environment and introduce minimum standards. Macmillan has developed the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark (MQEM) and all new schemes are designed to these standards.

MQEM has 5 core principles which all cancer environments should adhere to. Elizabeth said “We look at privacy and dignity, for example ensuring a patient cannot be overheard when they are talking to the receptionist. We look at accessibility and how easy is it to get in and out of the building. Comfort and wellbeing is another priority: we look at whether there is enough daylight coming into the centre and if patients in the chemotherapy suite have something to look at whilst undergoing treatment. We also look at choice and control – can patients open a window if they wish to, or adjust the lighting. All these principles have been applied to the new Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre to ensure patients have the best experience possible.”

“Once we knew the location of the Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre we realised the potential we had for views. That influenced the positioning of the treatment room on the second floor to make the most of the spectacular views across the Derbyshire countryside. It’s important that people sitting in a treatment chair for a long period of time have some daylight and something to look at. There is evidence to show that if people can see trees or nature while they’re having treatment they recover more quickly. So those views are an important part of the environment and also have a positive effect on the staff working in the centre.”

The new centre will bring a number of services under one roof including Oncology, Haematology, Palliative Care, Pharmacy and Macmillan to reduce distances patients have to travel between departments.

Elizabeth describes how the design process began: “The architects started by mapping the patient journey through the Chesterfield Royal Hospital, from the first moment they set foot in the building to their final appointment. They looked at whether they needed chemotherapy, would they need to have blood taken, what other support services might they need, and examined the travel between these departments. Distance between departments was a particular issue at Chesterfield Royal Hospital with departments commonly used by people affected by cancer located at opposite ends of the hospital. So one of our aims was to minimise this travel time and make their journey as simple as possible.”

The new centre is due to open late 2016. For more information about the new centre or information on how to get involved in supporting Macmillan’s £2.5 million appeal towards the cost of the new centre, visit macmillan.org.uk/chesterfieldappeal

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Businesses Needed to Help Develop Employability Skills in Schools

1st February 2016

Business leaders, employers and the self-employed are needed as volunteers to build stronger links between schools and companies, to help young people realise their career potential.

Business people are being sought to act as volunteer Enterprise Advisers. Each will work with a school or college; giving its senior staff an insight into business needs, talking to and motivating students about their future careers, and creating opportunities for other business leaders to get involved to strengthen links between businesses and schools in its area. The aim being to address the mismatch between skills and training taught to young people in schools and post-16 education centres, and those needed by companies to fill the ‘skills gaps’ in their workforces.

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and The Careers & Enterprise Company, the Government-backed body set-up to get UK employers and schools working more closely together, are jointly investing £300,000 in the LEP’s D2N2 Employability Framework and the Enterprise Adviser network.

Applicants must have a genuine interest in helping young people develop their careers and also be:

Challenging – Supportive and ambitious for their nominated school or college, and the impact of the wider Enterprise Adviser network.
Charismatic – Personable and engaging when talking to staff and students.
Connected – A good networker with effective links, which they are willing to use to further their work with the school or college.
Considered – Can adopt a strategic and analytical approach.
Credible – When talking to business or education organisations.
Dedicated – Willing to give time and energy to the Enterprise Adviser network.
Inspiring – Engaging, energetic and positive.

Enterprise Advisers will work with a nominated school or college and with their Enterprise Co-ordinator, of which there will be seven employed across the D2N2 area. All D2N2 Enterprise Advisors will be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.

Ian Greenaway, D2N2 LEP Employability Champion and Board Member for the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, said: “The success of our D2N2 Employability Framework will rely heavily on the support and experience of high calibre business people, who are willing to invest their time and effort in acting as volunteer Enterprise Advisers, to work with schools and colleges.

“I’d urge any business person with an interest in our young people’s career prospects, who believes they have something to offer, to contact us.”

The Employability Framework aims to see every secondary school and college in the D2N2 area, and at least 20% of specialist schools, having:

a designated employer linked to their organisation;
an Enterprise, Careers and Employability Strategy;
undertaken a self-assessment, to produce an action plan in response to the Enterprise, Careers and Employability Strategy;
access to providers delivering enterprise, careers and employability activities who have been quality assured against the D2N2 Employability Framework;
access to a range of funding to support their school strategies.

People interested in becoming an Enterprise Adviser can register their interest via an online form on the web page at www.d2n2lep.org/skills/d2n2-enterprise-adviser-network; or contact Katrina Woodward, D2N2 Commissioning Manager for Skills and Employability, on 0115 957 8753 or email: Katrina.Woodward@d2n2lep.org

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Made in Chesterfield

Chancellor’s nod could trigger devolution revolution

1st February 2016

Only ‘the nod’ from Chancellor George Osborne now stands between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire securing the biggest hand-over of powers from Government in generations.

New laws came into force at the end of January which could release “game-changing” investment in infrastructure, job creation, transport and skills.

The UK currently has one of the most centralised systems of Government in Europe, but the new Cities and Local Government Devolution Act, which now has Royal Assent, paves the way for the handing down of powers. This would give local people and business a greater control of their own affairs.

Council and business leaders from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire have been negotiating for a comprehensive package of new powers and investment to be released from Government control and into the hands of local people, with a better understanding of the challenges and needs of the area.

The North Midlands devolution deal would deliver:

55,000 new private sector jobs
77,000 extra homes
an Investment Fund over 30 years to provide infrastructure such as roads and bridges
adult skills provision to better meet the needs of businesses
a joint transport fund to spend on key transport improvements
better co-ordinated public transport, with Oyster card style smart ticketing
more responsive and co-ordinated business support for growth
110,000 new apprenticeships
more people entering employment through better targeted local programmes
journey times to London of less than 90 minutes by train.

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said for every day that passed between now and Government sign-off of the deal, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is losing ground on other parts of the UK.

Derbyshire County Council leader, Councillor Anne Western, said:

“The Government accepts that devolution is desperately needed to aid the economic recovery, the law is passed and we have a fantastic package of deliverable measures on the table. Now all the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire await is the nod from George Osborne.

“It seems like every day that another local business comes out in support of our deal or a major think-tank study concludes that the best chance for an area’s economic growth is with devolved powers and funding. The experts are saying devolution is needed now, local people and businesses are saying it’s needed now, even the Government is saying it’s needed now. Let’s do it now.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said:

“The enactment of the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill is a significant milestone which brings the prospect of the devolution of a swathe of powers to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire another step closer.

“We have a broad base of businesses here which play a huge role in driving the UK’s economy and they stand ready to champion the completion of a devolution deal, on the understanding that business engagement will remain central to its implementation.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, added:

“Royal Assent to the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill is a major step in the Government’s commitment to deliver Devolution, including a North Midlands Devolution Deal covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

“All partners in the Deal recognise the importance of a strong D2N2 area economy and believe Devolutionwill provide some of the levers to boost productivity, create more jobs, and improve the skills levels and career prospects of our communities.

“With legislation now in place, we hope to see Government picking up the baton and quickly confirming the Deal for our area, without further unnecessary delays.”

19 councils across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire together with business leaders from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership which covers the two counties have been in negotiations with Ministers over a devolution deal for the area since last March.

They are seeking to create a single Combined Authority for the region by March 2016 − the first of its kind featuring district, borough, city and county councils.

Under the deal, the Combined Authority and a new Mayor, elected by the people of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, would be granted powers and resources currently held in London. It would gain responsibility for delivering a raft of new measures to boost economic growth, create jobs, build new homes and improve the quality of life for people living in the area.

The new powers would be held and delivered separately but in support of existing services, which would continue to be delivered by the local Councils.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Rent Charges Frozen for Chesterfield Market

29th January 2016

Rent charges for market traders are to be frozen as part of plans to ensure Chesterfield’s successful historic outdoor market place continues to thrive in the modern shopping world.

Last year Chesterfield Borough Council, which owns and manages the outdoor market, carried out a public consultation as part of a review looking at how the market can continue to draw in shoppers as markets across the country face increased competition from the growth of online shopping and discount stores.

Charges for traders on the general, flea and farmers’ markets are being held at their current levels to support existing traders and help with the recruitment of new traders. Fees for electricity, storage and the promotion of the open market are also being frozen.

Market charges on Chesterfield outdoor market are already cheaper or in line with those at neighbouring markets in the region.

Despite the tough economic climate for markets nationally, Chesterfield market continues to have between 100 and 150 stalls trading on market days.

To increase this further the council has begun work with traders on both short and long term plans to make improvements to the outdoor market.

Specific proposals will be drawn up over the coming months, while work starts on identifying funding to carry out more major redevelopments in the long term that could see the layout changed and improvements made to the stalls area. Some initial short term ideas are to:

· Offer incentives for new traders

· Continue to develop the town centre events programme to increase the number of visitors in the town, with the boost that brings to the markets

· Looking at whether the success of the monthly artisan markets can be followed up by looking at other specialist market events

· Helping the traders make greater use of social media to promote their products

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The market is the heart of our town centre and we all want it to remain that way.

“But all shopping environments have to move with the times to ensure they remain relevant in a world of online shopping and so I am really pleased that the traders have agreed to work with us on both short and long terms plans to achieve that.

“Some of the key issues to address are around footfall around the market place area, the sight lines of individual stalls and weather protection to provide good trading conditions for our traders and their customers.”

Longer term options to reorganise the market place area have been put forward following public consultation that would cost between £900,000 and £3 million, depending on the route taken.

Councillor Serjeant added: “With the funding cuts the council is facing this is not something we can fund at the current time so we plan on working with the traders on options to seek grant funding or work in to our medium to long term financial plans ways of identifying the money required.

“This will enable a viable and affordable plan to be developed that can then be delivered to achieve the on-going improvements the traders and us want to see.”

General markets are held in Chesterfield every Monday, Friday and Saturday and the flea market is each Thursday. A farmers’ market is held on the second Thursday of every month and an artisan market on the last Sunday of each month.

The council also holds car boot sales every Sunday at the Proact Stadium, off Sheffield Road.

–ends—

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

Chesterfield Primary School Children to Become Sports Leaders

28th January 2016

200 children from across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire have begun their journey into Sports Leadership.

The children were inspired by former Team GB Volleyball captain, Ben Pipes at the conference at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Sarah Evans, Leadership and Physical Activity Officer at the Chesterfield SSP, said: “As Young Leaders within a School Sport Organising Crew, the children must deliver a minimum of one intra-school competition and the Bronze Young Ambassador Conference will give them the platform to do this. It was a great day and everyone went home smiling.”

Liam, of Walton Holymoorside Primary, said: “It was amazingly well organised! I enjoyed all of the sports and there was a wide variety.”

Olivia, of Highfield Hall Primary, said: “I thought Boccia was a very inclusive game and I thought the Young Ambassador running it did a great job.”

Mr Marriott, of Brockwell Junior School, said: “The kids have really enjoyed it today and they’re already busy planning the events they’re going to run.”

Coming from 20 schools in Chesterfield and 21 in North East Derbyshire, the children have taken the first step into sports leadership by forming School Sport Organising Crews within their school group. The Crews will now go back to their schools and plan an intra-school competition that can maximise engagement and inspire the whole school to get involved.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Healthy Food Challenge for Derbyshire County Cricket Club

28th January 2016

Derbyshire County Cricket Club have taken part in a healthy eating team building day at Coughlan’s Cookery School.

The team were split into groups of three where they were competing against each other for the number one spot, being judged on; the taste of the dishes, the skills taught, team ethic and the presentation.

The players made two dishes, a starter and a main course. They cooked pasta from scratch, creating a spinach cannelloni with ricotta and a fresh tomato and herb sauce, poached breast of chicken filled with a mushroom duxelle served on freshly cut ribbons of tagliatelle and a rich Basil Pesto.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Captain, Wayne Madsen said “This day has been excellent for educating our players, eating healthier is highly important for us”

Master Chef of Great Britain , Simon Lilley said “All of the players embraced the task and rose to the challenge, using their skills they had been taught efficiently to cook a healthy tasty dish. A great bunch of lads. They had a very enjoyable day.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Visiting

Grade Two Listing for Landmark Sculpture

26th January 2016

A decision to grant grade two listed status to a landmark Chesterfield sculpture has been welcomed by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Historic England has decided that the Hepworth sculpture called Rosewall – or Curved Reclining Form – should join 40 other post-war art pieces to be protected.

The sculpture, which is on Future Walk at West Bars, was bought by Chesterfield Borough Council from Royal Mail in 2009 when the artwork was in danger of being sold and moved out of the town.

This was made possible following donations from the Art Fund, Chesterfield Waterside Partnership, Strata Homes, Gladedale (South Yorkshire), David Wilson Homes (North Midlands), Barberry Chesterfield Ltd, Taylor Wimpey plc, and Barratt Homes East Midlands.

Councillor Terry Gilby, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for planning, said: “I have admired this statue since I was a child. It is undoubtedly the most important work of modern public art in the borough, and possibly even in Derbyshire as a whole.

“The fact it has now been listed vindicates the campaign backed by all political parties to keep the sculpture in the town when it was in danger of being sold.

“Through our Per Cent for Art scheme many partners came forward with funding so we were able to ensure it remains something that residents in Chesterfield can enjoy on a daily basis.

“I hope the fact Rosewall is now grade two listed will encourage even more people to visit it.”

Dame Barbara Hepworth’s 2.5 tonne sculpture has been in Chesterfield since being bought in 1963 by the then GPO, now known as Royal Mail. While she made many sculptures Rosewall is one of only four stone carvings Hepworth produced before she died in 1975.

Rosewall forms part of the Chesterfield Art Trail, which showcases public art around the town. Further details can be seen at www.chesterfieldarttrail.co.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield Business has Recipe for Growth

26th January 2016

Chesterfield based business MSK Ingredients, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist food ingredients and equipment, is to expand and take on more staff following £750,000 in new funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial. The funding includes a £200,000 Growth Capital loan, which is aimed at fast-growth, ambitious UK businesses.

Established in 1999 and currently 15-staff strong, MSK is now recognized as a major supplier of premium ingredients to the dining, hotel and catering markets. The firm, which also supplies chocolatiers, mixologists, bakers and the general public, has built a large customer base of around 3,500 clients – including many of UK’s leading chefs.

Kevin Bateman, founder and owner of MSK Ingredients, said: “Our trading philosophy is to supply the finest quality ingredients available and to source and offer innovative and unique products which will provide a point of difference. This strategy has worked well for the firm and we are in a strong position to invest for growth and capitalise further on the strong momentum we have in the market.”

Donna Butler, relationship director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said: “MSK is rightly considered the market leader in supply of ambient specialist food ingredients and equipment to the hotel and restaurant trade in the UK and, increasingly, beyond. The team at MSK have a track record in continually bringing in new and innovative products and ingredients to market, and has a strong pipeline of exciting new products and initiatives. Santander is delighted to be able to support the firm at this key time.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business