About Chesterfield

25 new Ambassadors all set for summer in Chesterfield

Chesterfield has recruited 25 more willing volunteers to sing the praises of the town, bringing the total of ‘ambassadors’ to 125. The volunteers joined the town’s Ambassador Scheme ahead of the influx of tourists over the summer.

The new ambassadors include frontline staff from the town’s businesses, including restaurants, museums, banks and Chesterfield Borough council employees. They join local residents, traffic wardens and sales assistants to name but a few, who have previously signed up to the voluntary, unpaid scheme.

Chesterfield Ambassadors is the brainchild of the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, and is designed to ensure that all visitors to the town have a great time here and leave with a positive impression.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager explained: “We have marketed Chesterfielda as place to live, work and invest in during the last two years. Many businesses and people have chosen to locate here and this, coupled with an 11% increase in tourism, ensures that our Ambassadors play a vital role in helping market the town positively. The Ambassadors Scheme is about ensuring all visitors – whether tourists or here on business – leave with a positive opinion ofChesterfield and are excited, like we are, of our plans for the future.”

The latest ambassadors recently underwent training to ensure they were all equipped with the latest news, facts and figures about the town – from how many tiles are on the iconic church spire to information about the town’s regeneration plans alongside the importance of good customer service.  Ambassadors then receive regular updates about the town on events, developments and local news.

The two-hour training workshop took place at the Town Hall and was developed with Chesterfield Champion, Evolution Training. If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk to find out more.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield housing developments boom

Improvements in the housing market mean that Chesterfield is experiencing a boom in new housing – with more than 200 homes being built in the borough.

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with developers to encourage investment in the borough.

Work is currently underway on 127 homes by Miller Homes as part of the Portlands development, on Sheffield Road, on the site of the former Chesterfield Panthers rugby club.

The site has two, three and four bedroom properties for sale, including energy saving features and, showing concern for local wildlife, many are fitted with bat bricks and external bird boxes.

Commenting on the development, Paul Walters, associate director at Miller Homes East Midlands, said:

“Since opening the new sales centre at The Portlands, we have had a phenomenal level of interest, which reflects the increasing buoyancy in the market.

“Chesterfield is at the top of the wish list for many couples, families and individuals looking to buy. With initiatives such as the new government-backed Help to buy scheme, making a move has now become a much more affordable and flexible process.

A further 68 homes are also under construction by Barratt Homes on Saltergate, the former site of Chesterfield Football Club.

Jan Ruston Sales Director for Barratt North Midlands comments “We are proud to be part of the regeneration of Chesterfield and Saltergate is a great testament to that”

“Due to the location, Saltergate is in the catchment area for great schools and is only a short walk to the town centre. With demand to live here high, more than half of these homes have already been sold. ”

Two, three and four bedroom homes are currently available.”

The council has worked with both developers throughout the process from acquiring the sites, obtaining planning permission and during construction to maximise opportunities for apprenticeships and local businesses.

The council has recently put in place a Local Authority Mortgage Support Scheme to help first time buyers in Chesterfield get their foot on the property ladder.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration said: “Despite the current economic downturn, Chesterfield is currently seeing significant investment in housing.

“Chesterfield is on the up and we have made significant investment to attract people to the borough.

“Our Local Plan has identified the number of new homes we will need over the next 20 years and these developments will go a long way to provide the homes we need for the people we expect to see living and working here.”

The council is also looking for residential development at another key site in the borough. Offers are currently open for the former Newbold School site on Newbold Road and Loundsley Green Road.

The 1.94 hectare site is in a popular residential area, close to the town centre and has been identified in the borough council’s Local Plan as a prime spot for a residential development, subject to planning permission for a preferred scheme of housing.

The closing date for offers is Wednesday 31 July.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield

New Home Bargains store to create 40 Jobs in Chesterfield

Home Bargains is investing approximately £500,000 in a new store in Chesterfield, which will open its doors on Saturday, 13 July.

The top brand, bottom price retailer is creating up to 40 new jobs in the community, with its latest store located on Lordsmill Street – adjacent to TKMaxx.

Source:Home Bargains

Posted in About Chesterfield

First look at Chesterfield Market Hall for Chesterfield Champions

Today (Thursday 13th June) Chesterfield Champions received a sneak preview behind the scenes tour of Chesterfield Market Hall as part of Destination Chesterfield’s Inspired Investment Event.

Local businesses heard about the progress of the £1.5 million Community Stand being developed by Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust. The scheme will open in September 2013 and includes community facilities including soft play, gym, café and offices for community and charity organisations.

Mike Hayden from Chesterfield Borough Council updated on the major regeneration schemes in the town. Negotiations are still ongoing with potential anchor tenants for the Northern Gateway development. There is strong interest for Chesterfield Waterside on both the housing and commercial elements of the scheme and it is hoped work will start towards the end of the year.  Markham Vale continues attracting investment with Ready Egg building a new factory which will create 50 Jobs, over 200 jobs have been created on sit ein the past couple of years.

Matt Sorby from Kier updated on the progress of the market hall development which will open this October. He then led a behind the scenes tour of building for the Champions and the local media.

For behind the scenes images of the market hall visithttp://www.flickr.com/photos/destinationchesterfield/sets/72157634098097073/

For the latest on regeneration schemes in Chesterfield visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/developments

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

More great job news for Chesterfield

Henry Boot Developments Ltd, has joined forces with Euro Garages Ltd to table plans for a petrol filling station and Starbucks Drive Thru Coffee Shop at Markham Vale off M1 junction 29A near Chesterfield.

The filling station will include a convenience store, Subway sandwich bar, public toilets and a cash machine while the Starbucks will have 65 indoor seats and 10 outside for customers not wishing to use the drive-through facility.

The 1.5 acre site will have 53 parking spaces of which three will be for disabled motorists. The site will be landscaped with 10 trees and substantial shrub planting.

The filling station and convenience store will create 22 jobs while the Subway and Starbucks will create 15 and 26 jobs respectively. Of the 63 total jobs, 37 will be full time.

All operations will be open 24 hours a day.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council, Cabinet Member for Jobs, the Economy and Transport, said:

This latest investment in Markham Vale underlines again the value of having a bespoke site in the middle of England that’s served by its own motorway junction and has excellent transport links.

“The new development comes just days after Ready Egg Products Ltd submitted plans to move to the site, and brings to 323 the number of new jobs secured for the local economy by Markham Vale in the last eight months.”

Ready Egg Products Ltd wants to build its new manufacturing plant at Markham Vale in a move that will create 50 jobs over two years.

Ready Egg is a key player in the egg processing industry and supplies both UK and Irish food manufacturing markets.

The firm sees the European Union as a growing market but transport costs to and from its current location put it at a commercial disadvantage.

The Euro Garages and Ready Egg applications will both be determined by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Last month (April) saw the opening of a £905,000 stretch of road linking the A632 at Long Duckmanton with the M1. The link road unlocks a further 40 acres of land for development.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances − offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Markham Vale jobs boost for Chesterfield

A Northern Ireland-based company is to move to our flagship employment site bringing the number of new jobs created to 260 in the last eight months.

Ready Egg Products Ltd has selected Markham Vale off M1 junction 29A near Chesterfield to locate its new manufacturing facility which will create 50 new jobs over two years.

Ready Egg is a key player in the egg processing industry and supplies both UK and Irish food manufacturing markets.

The firm sees the European Union as a growing market but transport costs to and from its current location puts it at a commercial disadvantage.

Derbyshire County Council’s Joan Dixon, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“More and more companies are making Markham Vale their home because of its location in the centre of England and excellent transport links afforded by its purpose-built junction 29A just off the M1.”

Ready Egg’s vote of confidence in Markham Vale follows last autumn’s decision by car parts distributor Andrew Page to base its new national distribution centre there in a move that is expected to create 120 jobs.

And fast food restaurant McDonald’s created 90 jobs when it opened a drive-through restaurant on the site last September.

There was more good news for Markham Vale last month (April) with the opening of a £905,000 stretch of road linking the A632 at Long Duckmanton with the M1. The link road unlocks a further 40 acres of land for development.

Ready Egg Products plans to build a 34,700 sq. ft. warehouse on nearly three acres of land. A planning application for the development will be made by Henry Boot Developments Ltd which is managing and marketing the site for us.

The application will be determined by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances − offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.

Councillor Dixon added:

“This announcement by Ready Egg Products further underlines Markham Vale’s importance to the local economy as a catalyst for inward investment and job creation.”

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield wins a national tourism award

Chesterfield has been voted Coach Friendly Town or City of the Year at the annual Coach Tourism Awards.

The national awards scheme – organised by trade magazine Coach Monthly, and hosted by television presenter and travel and tourism expert, Judith Chalmers – recognises excellence and innovation across the coach tourism industry and includes tourist destinations and attractions.

The award follows Chesterfield also being awarded coach friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK in February.

Chesterfield Borough Council provides reserved parking for coaches, town centre guides for visitors as well as proper rest facilities for drivers.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, received the award in front of more than 450 tourism industry professionals.

She said: “With its rich heritage, Chesterfield has long been a destination for tourists from across the UK and the world.

“This award, and the recent coach friendly status from the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, consolidates the tremendous work carried out by our staff to provide good facilities for coach parties and make the town clean and attractive for both residents and visitors.”

For more details about coach parties, call into the Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square or call 01246 345777.

Stuart Render, editor of Coach Monthly, added: “The Coach Tourism Awards is the only national awards scheme to focus specifically on the coach tourism community.

“Delivering a quality welcome to coaches, their drivers and their groups is becoming more and more important as destinations or attractions look to encourage more visitors and customers.

“Chesterfield was up against many of the UK’s leading destinations and visitor attractions so this is therefore a well-deserved and a significant achievement.

“Our winners are at the forefront in delivering excellence across all sectors of the industry, helping to raise the quality of customer service and quality across coach operators, destinations, visitor attractions and tourism industry suppliers.”

For details of all the winners and finalists go to www.coachtourism-awards.com

 

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield

New McDonalds open and trading well at Markham Vale

Following the recent opening of McDonald’s at its 200 acre Markham Vale scheme in Chesterfield, Henry Boot Developments Limited is delighted that the restaurant is trading well.

The new 3,556 sq ft McDonald’s is part of the first phase of development at Markham Vale West, where potential new occupiers are in discussions to provide supporting leisure services to cater for the growing number of people being employed at this fast growing business park.

The drive-thru restaurant was constructed in just 18 weeks and is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The restaurant is owned by local McDonald’s franchisee Walter Wright who employs 90 full and part time staff at the restaurant.

Commenting on the new restaurant, Walter Wright said: “As a local businessman, I’m keen to ensure continued investment in the area and I’m delighted that the new restaurant has created a significant number of new jobs for local people”.

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments, commented: “It’s great to see the appeal of Markham Vale go from strength to strength. We are looking to make further announcements regarding supporting retail and leisure operators in the near future. These operators will service the growing numbers of employees based at Markham Vale and the wider community of Duckmanton, Bolsover and Chesterfield.”

Find out more about Markham Vale

Source:Henry Boot

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield’s premier Italian restaurant is celebrating after scooping yet another prestigious award.

Calabria, located on the sought-after Glumangate and a Chesterfield Champion, is the first establishment in Derbyshire to have been awarded the Marchio Ospitalitá Italiana Seal of Quality, which recognises the restaurant’s commitment to a truly authentic taste of Italy and accurate representation of the country’s distinctive gastronomic culture.

Restaurants must meet a list of strict criteria to qualify for the award, which includes high quality Italian-sourced produce, distinctive Italian interior design, and a great range of authentic Italian wines, among many others.

Calabria is in good company as the title is only given to the very best Italian restaurants in the world. In the UK fewer than 40 restaurants lay claim to the award and Calabria is among a select few outside London.

Since opening Calabria in January 2010, brothers Sev and Vittorio ‘Vic’ Risorto, whose family hails from the region in South Italy, have taken the restaurant from strength to strength. They have been rewarded with an impressive list of accolades along the way including Best Italian Restaurant at the Westside Restaurant of the Year Awards, Best International Restaurant in the Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards, and Team of the Year at the Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

Vic said: “We’re honoured to have received this prestigious award. Everyone in the team here plays an important part in delivering the quality that has been recognised. I’m ever grateful to Delitalia, our Italian product supplier, and all the businesses we work with directly in Calabria.

“It’s the combination of these quality Italian ingredients and the talents of the combined team that have gained this latest award. My brother and I have dedicated it to our parents, Benito and Lauretta. They have always put our needs before their own and we hope this proud moment goes some way towards thanking them.”

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce (DNCC), said: “Calabriais a valued member of the DNCC and the local business community and we would be delighted to work with the Italian Chamber of Commerce to recognise this well-deserved reward. Many congratulations to this excellent operation.”

Councillor John Burrows, Executive Leader of Chesterfield Council, said: “What a magnificent achievement for this taste of Italy in Chesterfield. But, of course, anyone who has visitedCalabria will not be surprised; the food quality, the hospitality, and the ambience make every visit a sheer pleasure.”

By day or by night,Calabria’s breakfast, lunch, a la carte, dinner & show, optional mid-week set and seven-course tasting menus take you on an unforgettable culinary journey. In addition, outside catering is available for corporate events and private celebrations, with the choice of a BBQ, meat roast, table or buffet-style menu served, as well as the facility to provide a licensed bar.

‘Mangiate, bevete e divertitevi’ – eat, drink and enjoy – with Calabria.

Source:Calabria

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

A wonderful winner

Last month Destination Chesterfield and Crush Design invited children aged 11 and under to show off their artistic talents by colouring in our Father Christmas picture.  We are now able to announce our wonderful winner…a big congratulations to Lydia Nutt, aged 4, who clearly has a huge artistic talent!

Presenting a very pleased Lydia with £100 of art and craft materials, Crush Design commented, “We hope she will remember us when she is an internationally renowned designer.  More importantly, we hope she has loads of fun with her prize of creative fun and games.”

Thank you and well done to everyone who entered our competition – we received so many brilliant entries, which have been on display at Crush Design throughout the Christmas season.  We hope you all had lots of fun and a brilliant Christmas too.

Source:Destination Chesterfield/ Crush Design

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Tourism on the up in Chesterfield

Latest tourism figures for Chesterfield show the town is growing in popularity as a place to visit.  In 2011 there was an increase of 9% in visitor numbers with over 3 million day visitors and 320,000 booking an overnight stay.

The boost in the number of tourists has also increased the amount of money being spent in the town by 11% since 2010.  Tourists spent over £142 million across our hotels, visitor attractions, restaurants and shops. The 11% increase is way above the 2% increase for the East Midlands region and also tops the 7% increase for the Peak District and Derbyshire figures.

The positive news also extends to the job market where the number of people employed full time in the sector now stands at 2,035, an increase of 11%.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “More people are opting to holiday in the UK and we need to make sure Chesterfield promotes its many assets to attract this growing market.  We’re delighted to see these increases across tourism figures as it’s a good indicator that we are promoting and positioning the town in a positive way.”

Peter Swallow from Destination Chesterfield said: “Chesterfield is now a serious contender for attracting day trippers and longer stay visitors which is a great boost for our local economy. “

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting