About Chesterfield

Fewer people claiming jobseekers benefits

The number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) in October fell by more than 1,900 according to figures released today.

They show that there were 298 fewer claimants in Derbyshire than there were in September, equating to an annual fall of 3,622 in the county.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1488 in October, which has dropped by 627 in comparison to the figure announced in October 2013.

The number of people in employment across the East Midlands fell by 3,000, to 2,212,000 in the three months to September, with the number of unemployed across the region rising by 5,000 to 132,000.

There were, however, 53,000 more people in work than in the same period in 2013 and 33,000 fewer unemployed, the figures from the Office for National Statistics showed.

Chris Hobson, Head of Information and Representation for the East Midlands Chamber, said: “Once again, the JSA count statistics released today are positive and continue the month-on-month falls we have seen locally since the start of the year. We’d expect this trend to continue into the final few months of the year as the effect of seasonal employment contracts comes into play.

“There is some concern about the fall in employment and increase in unemployment which we need to be mindful of, but it’s important to stress that at this stage, it is a short-term variation rather than part of the long-term year-on-year trend.

“The employment market is constantly evolving and as some industries contract, others grow. This often results in the need for retraining or possibly relocating, but there are jobs available for most people who want them.

“The engineers facing redundancy from Rolls-Royce will be a highly-prized asset to other engineering concerns. This is confirmed by the results of the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey in which members and non-members in the sector have told us they are having difficulty recruiting.

“There may be salary and travel considerations, but the jobs are out there and we would expect to see the majority of those engineers quickly finding new positions.

“Many of our members have said they have capacity in their production capability and the focus now needs to be on driving production through domestic and international sales.

“But there are still other issues to be resolved such as holiday pay legislation and zero-hours contracts. The business community is also waiting with bated breath to find out when interest rates will start to rise and by how much.

“Investment in staff, machinery and premises will be deferred as long as possible while uncertainty about those matters remains. Business hates uncertainty.

“All the above considered, the Chamber would expect unemployment to continue to fall or, at worst, hold steady during the early part of 2015 but would not like to predict what might happen beyond the General Election in May.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield

Town centre gift shop revamped

Bigwicks in Chesterfield Market Hall has been given a facelift to celebrate its win at the town’s first Retail Awards.

Named Chesterfield’s Home and Gift Retailer 2014, the boutique, which specialises in home fragrance products, now boasts stylish new signage and window graphics ready for the busy festive shopping period.

Created and installed by local agency Jumble Design, the improvements also include new printed marketing material as well as a loyalty card scheme, which customers will be able to benefit from when purchasing gifts this Christmas.

Andrew from Jumble Design said, ‘We are very proud to work with Destination Chesterfield on the branding and design of the Chesterfield Retail Awards, and also the recent Food and Drink Awards, so are delighted as a result of this involvement to be working with an award winner and local Market Hall business’.

Carl from Bigwicks added ‘After the success of winning the Home & Gift retailer of the Year Award we were looking for a new designer to change our shop signage following the Market Hall revamp, and after seeing Andrew’s work with Destination Chesterfield we gave Jumble Design the opportunity to do the work. I am really impressed with the results’.

Source:Jumble Design

Posted in About Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards

Cash injection of £10m to boost tourism in the north

News that the government is planning to pump £10 million into promoting tourism in northern England has been given an enthusiastic welcome by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

The area’s official tourist board has praised proposals to create a coherent strategy for attracting more tourists to the area, announced today (Thursday 6th November) by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at the Northern Futures Summit in Leeds.

The Peak District was one of a ‘cornucopia of attractions’ cited by Mr. Clegg, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam, which could be included in an initiative to lure tourists out of London to enjoy the North’s stunning countryside, history and culture.

Mr. Clegg revealed that ring-fenced cash from the government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is set to be channelled into national tourist board Visit England, with support from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, from 2015. Like previous RGF campaigns, it will rely on match funding, bringing together resources from the public and private sectors.

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, hailed the announcement as ‘a beacon of hope that will help to put leading tourist destinations such as the Peak District and Derbyshire even more firmly on the map’.

“It has the potential to help key destinations such as ours build on work we have already done during the three-year RGF Growing Tourism Locally campaign – including our first-ever high-profile television commercial – to persuade tourists that there’s much more to England than just the many attractions in the capital,” he added.

“The Peak District and Derbyshire is the perfect countryside partner for many of the country’s great northern cities – ideally situated between Manchester and Sheffield and within easy reach of Liverpool and Leeds – so we will be extremely keen to get involved in Northern Futures to maximise future investment in and opportunities for tourism businesses across our area.

“Like VisitEngland, we are pleased that the Government rightly recognises tourism as a key driver of economic growth, generating wealth and supporting and creating jobs. In 2013, its value to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy was £1.8 billion and it supported 27,500 full-time equivalent jobs.*

“We look forward to working with VisitEngland, our public and private sector partners and co-operating with other tourism destinations to make the most of the benefits that Northern Futures is poised to bring.”

Twitter followers can nominate their favourite Peak District and Derbyshire hotspots and Seven Wonders of the North by joining the on-line discussion using #NorthernFutures.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire is one of 14 leading tourism destinations currently involved in the three-year RGF Growing Tourism Locally campaign. Research by VisitEngland reveals that it has so far generated more than £20.43 million in visitor spending, equating to 380 full-time equivalent jobs, in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Source:Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Building work starts on new housing scheme

Work is underway on a £3 million housing scheme that will provide 22 new homes for pensioners in Chesterfield.

The scheme at Parkside, Stand Road, is one of Chesterfield Borough Council’s top priorities for the coming year.

The old complex at Parkside was demolished at the beginning of the year to allow the new, purpose-built flats to be built.

Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing said: “We were aware that the facilities at the old Parkside complex were in need of improvement and that is why we made the decision to replace it with bigger and more flexible accommodation.

“This is part of our commitment to improve the quality of housing in the borough and make sure our tenants have homes which are warm, in good repair and have reasonable modern facilities.”

The project is being carried out by A&S Enterprises Ltd.

The new complex will have 22 two-bedroom flats, each will have a kitchen and lounge area, wet room type bathroom with a hall and storage area.

Each flat will also have a balcony, Juliette balcony or bay window.

The complex will also have a common room, communal kitchen and assisted bathrooms.

Room will be provided for residents to store mobility scooters.

There will also be a courtyard and garden area.

The new Parkside complex is due to open in summer 2015.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

Peak Tourism Economy on the up

Tourism continues to make a key contribution to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy – generating more than £1.8 billion in 2013.

New research reveals that the area’s tourist economy has been on the up since 2009, despite the general economic recession.

The industry’s value to the local economy increased from £1.47 billion in 2009 to £1.8 billion last year, while the number of full-time equivalent jobs it supported rose from almost 25,285 in 2009 to 27,500 in 2013.

Visitor numbers held fast at around 38 million in both 2012 and 2013 – both up on the 2009 figure of 36.25 million.

There has also been a significant increase in the percentage and economic impact of staying visitors. The number of staying visitors rose from 3.6 million in 2009 to just over 4 million in 2013, an increase of 11.6 per cent. The economic impact of staying visitors rose from £526.8 in 2009 million to £676.7 million in 2013, an increase of 28.3 per cent.

“Given the challenging economic climate over the past few years, it’s good to see that tourism in the Peak District and Derbyshire is enjoying sustained growth and continuing on an upward curve,” said David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board.

 

“We’re particularly encouraged that the economic impact of staying visitors has increased, as all our marketing campaigns and activity have a clear focus to drive more people into the area to enjoy both short breaks and longer holidays, bringing more money into the local economy.

“These new figures indicate that, despite challenging conditions, we’re making steady progress and are in good shape to build on these solid foundations in the future.”

Source:Visit Peak District and Derbyshire

Posted in About Chesterfield

Free digital workshops to keep the town’s high street thriving

With 10% of all retail sales being online, having an internet presence has been identified as the key to keeping Chesterfield high street thriving. To help the town’s independent retailers get internet savvy, Destination Chesterfield is running a free Digital High Street course.

The free course is open to any retail, leisure, hospitality, and tourism businesses based in the borough of Chesterfield.

The National Skills Academy, with the Association of Town and City Managers have developed the course to assist small businesses to develop a multi-channel marketing approach and to meet customer’s expectations in the digital age.

It comprises three four hour modules covering key areas of online marketing including, understanding customer and digital marketing, developing business online and using social media to grow business.

With 60% of shoppers admitting to ‘showrooming’, browsing in store then buying online later on, (SmartFocus), consumers’ virtual and physical purchasing habits are merging. And retailers having an online and high street presence is seen as critical to Chesterfield retaining its position as a top shopping destination.

Destination Chesterfield Manager, Dominic Stevens said: “The internet is something retailers cannot ignore. Research has shown that two thirds of shoppers are more likely to purchase something if they were sent an email or text with a discount code.  This course will give Chesterfield’s retailers the skills, know-how and tools to help them compete in the online and physical marketplace and I’m delighted that we can offer it free of charge.”

The Digital High Street course is being delivered by the Source in partnership with Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council

It will take place at the Proact Stadium in Chesterfield, and will run across three half day sessions which will include light refreshments and a light lunch. To receive the course for free, businesses must attend all modules. Dates for the Digital High Street course are as follows:

Module one: Understanding your customer and digital marketing – Thursday 23rd October

Module two: Developing your business online – Thursday 30th October

Module three: Grow your business through social media – Thursday 6th November

For further information or to make a course booking, please contact Tom Lindop at The Source Academy by emailing:Tom.Lindop@thesourceacademy.co.uk or calling: 07711595339

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Market Hall contractor scoops prestigious award

Midlands-based contactor G F Tomlinson is celebrating after being recognised for its work on the recently refurbished Chesterfield Market Hall.

The firm won Regeneration & Restoration Project of the Year at the 2014 Insider East Midlands Property Dinner which took place in Nottingham on Wednesday 24th September.

Andy Sewards, Director at G F Tomlinson said: “We’re really pleased to have won – this award reflects the amazing work that our team carries out every single day. We are dedicated to enriching the Midlands community with sustainable and community driven projects.”

Work at Chesterfield Market Hall involved redeveloping the iconic building to restore it to its former glory. The £3.6 million scheme at the Grade II listed building required a contractor that was able to retain the integrity of the iconic building and keep the building at the heart of the town centre. As a local Derbyshire contractor, GF Tomlinson was committed to the project and worked closely with Chesterfield Borough Council to ensure that the result met the community’s expectations.

The market hall is an historic building which is of huge significance to the local community, dating back to 1857.  G F Tomlinson’s work saw the building updated to bring it in line with the times while also maintaining its Grade Two features.

 

Source:D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Posted in About Chesterfield

Improving Chesterfield’s railway station link

An eight-week project has begun to improve a key gateway into Chesterfield – from Malkin Street at Chesterfield Railway Station through to Corporation Street in the town centre.

The work is being carried out by landscape architects TEP in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and incorporates a ‘rain garden’ which operates by diverting drainage from the road into a planted filter bed instead of going direct into the sewers.

The system will slow down the release of water into the formal drainage system but also improve its quality. This will help control the flow of water at source rather than it causing flooding in other parts of Chesterfield.

The works are next to North Midland House, the town’s first railway station and, to pay homage to its heritage, the pavement will feature replica railway tickets displaying the locations people could have travelled to in the early days of Chesterfield’s railways.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Malkin Street for four weeks and Chesterfield Borough Council is working with the highways authority to keep disruption to a minimum.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration, said: “The approach from Chesterfield Railway Station is a key route into the town centre and is, indeed, the first view many people have when they visit Chesterfield.

“This location was chosen by residents at a public consultation last year and will be both practical and attractive.”

The project has been funded by the European Regional Development fund. The funding could only be used to make improvements to town centre gateways and could not be used on any other council service.

Residents identified the location as an area needing investment during public consultation events held online and in person at the Pavements Shopping Centre during January 2013.

 

Photograph: An artist’s impression comparing the plans for the site with the view when the North Midland Station was open in the mid 19th century.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

Lots of local water on the way for Chesterfield Marathon

Derbyshire-based Buxton Water, which was also the official water supplier of the 2014 London Marathon, will supply more than 14,000 bottles of natural mineral water for the Chesterfield Marathon on September 14.

The water will be distributed across 9 service stations which will be spread across the course, with stations also at the half and full marathon finish lines.

Mike Hyman, founder of Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the Chesterfield Marathon, said: “We’re delighted that Buxton Water have come on board and become the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon’s water supplier.

“The Marathon is set to be one of the biggest participant events in the town for more than 30 years, so it’s wonderful to see a company with local heritage showing their support.

“It is massively important for the safety of the runners that they keep well hydrated. It not only helps maintain physical fitness and endurance performance, but also helps maintain concentration and alertness – all of which are critical when running a marathon.”

More than 1,500 people have already signed-up to take part in the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon, which starts and finishes at Queen’s Park in the town centre.

Registration is still open for the Chesterfield Marathon Fun Run.  To sign-up visit www.chesterfieldmarathon.co.uk.

Photo caption: Kids ‘n’ Cancer founder Mike Hyman with the water bottles which will be supplied on the day of the Chesterfield Marathon.

Source:Chesterfield Marathon

Posted in About Chesterfield

Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Chesterfield residents are to benefit from an enhanced sport facilities thanks to a £2 million funding Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

The investment comes from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities fund and will allow previously approved plans for the new centre to be expanded to provide additional activity space, including:

• Increasing the main swimming pool from six to eight lanes

• Increasing the size of the learner pool

• Increasing the number of sports courts from six to eight

• Additional studio space on the first floor of the building.

• Spectator seating in the swimming pool hall and main sports hall

Councillor Amanda Serjeant welcomes funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Along with the collaboration agreement and funding committed by Chesterfield College, this £2 million grant from Sport England will make a huge difference to the quality of the sports provision we will be able to offer to our residents and visitors in the future.

“Since we first announced the project in early 2013, we have consistently said that we would seek grants to improve the number of activities and the space in the new centre and we have worked closely with national governing bodies, local sports groups and current users of our sport and leisure centres to achieve this.

“One of the council’s top priorities is to encourage people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and the new purpose-built Queens Park Sports Centre with its extended swimming pool and sports courts will allow us to offer more space and activities than is possible in the current sports centre. The new design is very space and energy efficient with more activity space being provided in a smaller building footprint than at present.

“There will also be opportunities for employment and training for local people while the centre is built with the current centre remaining in use until the new centre opens to cause as little disruption as possible to residents and sports clubs.”

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, added: “The right facilities in the right areas are fundamental in providing more people with the opportunity to play sport.

“We’re investing in the new Queens Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and create a sporting habit for life.”

The plans for the extended new Queens Park Sports Centre were approved by the council’s planning committee at its meeting on Tuesday.

As well as the extended pool and sports courts, facilities on offer at the new sports centre will include:

• A learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features

• Café and social space

• Midwifery centre

• Village changing facilities with individual and family cubicles for swimmers

• Changing facilities for other sports or activities

• Three Training Rooms

• Additional Activity studio

• 80 station gym

• Two glass back squash courts with moveable wall

• Car parking for approximately 150 cars.

The new centre will be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.

At 19,050 square metres, it will take up less than half of the site and will also allow currently unusable space such as the derelict seating area to be re-established as green space. The bowls and tennis facilities are unaffected and will remain available.

Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the project. The contract specifies that where possible, they will use local people and supplies in building the new centre.

Work is set to begin on site in September with the new centre opening in early 2016.

Further information and displays will be available at the current Queens Park Sports Centre, the Staveley Healthy Living Centre, and the Councils Customer Service Centre.

Information will also be available on the council website and on social media.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Marathon runner registration at Casa Hotel

Runners taking part in the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon are being asked to collect their race number for the event in the two days leading up to the big day.

 

Official registration for the marathon will take place at the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield on Friday 12 September between 10am and 9pm and on Saturday 13 September from 10am to 5pm, where runners can pick up their race number with disposable chip time attached.

 

Everyone will also be provided with a race day goody bag which will include an official t-shirt, water bottle and additional items.

 

A full information pack has been sent to runners via email this week, which provides details about the registration process, race route, as well as an update on water stations, car parking, baggage storage, timings, first aid, festival zones and event activities across Queen’s Park.

 

More than 1,500 people have already signed-up to take part in the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon, which starts and finishes at Queen’s Park in the town centre.

 

Runners can take part in a full 26-mile marathon, half marathon, fun run or relay race, with the main events starting from 8:30am. Anyone interested in entering any of the distances needs to sign up before August 31, however fun run registrations are open right up until the day of the event.

 

Each runner will be presented with a medal on the finishing line, with a trophy presentation for certain categories.

 

Chesterfield-based Kids ‘n’ Cancer UK is the primary charity for the race, but a number of additional cancer related charities and good causes will also benefit from the race.

 

Entry into the events costs £45 (full marathon), £35 (half marathon), £100 (relay), and £5 (fun run). Runners raising £200 for Kids ‘n’ Cancer will be able to gain free entry.

Anyone unable to pick-up their race number and chip should contact Chesterfield and Derbyshire Marathon on 01246 236 566. For more information or to sign-up for the race visit www.chesterfieldmarathon.co.uk

 

Source:Chesterfield Marathon

Posted in About Chesterfield