About Chesterfield

Music fans flock to the Proact

Thousands of music fans enjoyed two fabulous concerts last weekend at Chesterfield FC’s Proact Stadium.

Legendary Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones, who was supported by Andrew Cole and Toploader, attracted a crowd of 12,253 on Saturday night while Party at the Proact the following day was attended by 5,495 people.

Sir Tom Jones belted out a string of his hits from over the decades in a set lasting around 90 minutes.  Celebrating his 74th birthday on the day of the concert, he told the audience that being on stage singing was the best way to mark the occasion.

Party at the Proact was opened by Tich at around 4.30pm on Sunday and featured superb performances from Ms Dynamite, Union J, Katy B, Lawson and Labrinth before headline act Tinie Tempah closed the show.

Spireites Chairman Dave Allen was delighted to hear such positive feedback from those who attended the shows.  He said: “I thought Tom Jones was outstanding and the fans clearly enjoyed his performance. The mainly younger audience at Party at the Proact were also thoroughly entertained for over five and a half hours.

“Many people have praised the organisation of both events – including the conference and banqueting side – and commented on the great acoustics.  Following on from the success of the Elton John concert two years ago, the Proact is establishing a reputation as being a superb venue for live music featuring some top acts.”

Photograph courtesy of Jamie Whitehouse.

Source:Chesterfield Football Club

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Celebrity Chef Ainsley Harriott announced as host of 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

TV chef and presenter Ainsley Harriott has been confirmed as the host of Chesterfield’s 2014 Food and Drink Awards ceremony.

Ainsley hosted the inaugural Food and Drink Awards ceremony last year at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space Building and proved such a hit with guests that he has been invited back once more.

Commenting on the awards Ainsley said: “I am delighted to be involved with the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards once again. It was amazing to see the passion felt by everyone in the room on the night. The evening brought the hospitality community together. Everybody tells me the awards have also created a new standard in food in the town, which is very exciting.”

The Awards are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with headline sponsor Chesterfield College whose students will also, once again, be catering the entire event.

Ainsley added: “It’s inspiring to hear that Chesterfield College is training the next generation of chefs.”

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dominic Stevens said: “We’re delighted Ainsley has once again agreed to host the awards ceremony. He was such a hit with the guests, winners and students, and helped make it a memorable night for everyone involved.”

Nominations across ten categories for the awards open in June and shortlisting will take place in August with the winners being crowned at the star-studded ceremony in October later this year.

This year there are more opportunities for food and drink producers to win with the introduction of two new categories – International Restaurant of the Year and the Family Friendly Award. There are 13 categories in total, including:

  • Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year
  • Gastro Pub of the Year
  • Pub / Bar of the Year
  • Best Newcomer – sponsored by Barber Harrison Platt
  • Best Customer Service – sponsored by Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Best Out of Town – sponsored by Northern Tea Merchants
  • Chesterfield Food Producer
  • Chef of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones
  • Young Chef of the Year
  • International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by BRM Solicitors
  • Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design
  • Best Food Hero – sponsored by Chesterfield College

Other supporters of the awards include Franke Sissons, In the Works PR and the Derbyshire Times.

Voting is now open and can be done online atwww.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards. Alternatively, nomination forms can be picked up from food and drink outlets throughout the town.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Retail Awards shortlist announced

29 businesses have been shortlisted from more than 1000 nominations in the first ever Chesterfield Retail Awards, sponsored by SLIC Training.

The shortlisted retailers will now go head-to-head across 15 categories, with the winner in each being announced at the Retail Awards ceremony held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18 June 2014.

Destination Chesterfield Manager Dom Stevens said: “We were overwhelmed with nominations, which highlighted the passion for so many retailers in the town. It was a very difficult task for our judges to shortlist the finalists. The field of entries was very strong, each of them with a passion for Chesterfield and delivering great customer service.

“It is little wonder, from the response to the awards, why Chesterfield’s retail offering out performs the majority of high streets throughout the UK.”

The shortlisted retailers across the 15 categories are:

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

  • Definition Hair and Beauty
  • Harleys Hairdressing
  • Viviennes Hairdressing

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oxspring Technical Ltd

  • Blanc
  • Toad Footwear
  • Zebra Menswear

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Libby’s

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

  • Bigwicks
  • Created Gallery
  • New Dawn

Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

  • Babyluv
  • Giraffe Nursery Store
  • Pooky

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

  • Northern Tea Merchants
  • R. P. Davidson Cheese Factor
  • R. B. Elliot & Son Ltd

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year

  • aGeek
  • Chips Computers
  • Three

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)

  • Fred’s Haberdashery
  • Pelican Cycles
  • Tallbird Records

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

  • Unstone Plant Centre
  • Ibbotsons Fruit and Veg
  • Paul Hinds Greeting Cards

Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Pelican Cycles

National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source

  • H & M
  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms
  • New Look

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by ChesterfieldCollege

  • Created Gallery
  • John Stevenson Jewellers
  • Pelican Cycles

Market Hall Business of the Year

  • Fred’s Haberdashery
  • MarketPlazaCafé
  • R. P. Davidson Cheese Factor

Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones

  • M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms
  • New Dawn
  • Tallbird Records

Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Retailer of the Year will be announced from the winners on the night.

Other supporters of the awards include Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

To sponsor the 2014 Chesterfield Retail Awards please visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/. You can also keep up-to-date with the awards on Twitter by using the hashtag #retailawards14.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Duke of Devonshire officially opens Chesterfield Market Hall

Chesterfield Market Hall has been officially re-opened by the Duke of Devonshire.

The market hall underwent a £4.3 million redevelopment last year and traders returned in October.

The main retail hall was opened up and transformed by the installation of a glazed atrium above first floor level providing natural light and the 1970s extension on New Square was redesigned to be more in keeping with the original market hall.

In addition to providing a modern and colourful shopping mall downstairs there are 20 offices on the first and second floors, alongside the historic Assembly Rooms, which were also refurbished.

The project was paid for by £2.1 million of grants from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery and the Derbyshire Economic Partnership, with the remaining cost being met by Chesterfield Borough Council.

As he unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening, the Duke of Devonshire, said: “What a tremendous achievement to manage the market hall in a commercial way but in the interests of everyone who lives and works in Chesterfield.

“It’s the beating heart of this great town – and means that Chesterfield will have even more appeal to visitors. Jobs have been created and it is something to be very proud of.”

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I am proud that at a time of cuts, when many councils have been forced to scale down their markets, we have been able to invest in the market hall and the independent traders who have a key role to play in the success of Chesterfield.”

Around half of the £4.3 million cost was spent on refurbishing the historic Assembly Rooms on the first floor of the market hall building and creating a suite of around 20 offices on the first and second floors.

The market hall has 43 retail units, of which 91 per cent have already been let.  Many of the previous stall holders in the market hall have returned, along with some new businesses.

The original market hall offices have been updated and all nine of these have been let. The new studio offices on the first floor have also all been let.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “One of the businesses I have spoken to today has taken on 16 people since moving here. Success stories like that can only be good for the town.”

Photo caption: The Duke of Devonshire (right) with Chesterfield Borough Council leader, Councillor John Burrows, and the plaque to mark the official reopening of Chesterfield Market Hall.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Increase in jobs at Markham Vale development

The latest jobs figures for Markham Vale have been revealed – with a further 200 still to come.

The site, which is situated next to junction 29A of the M1, is currently home to 28 businesses and has so far helped to create 565 jobs – an increase of 208 on the previous year.

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

“We are delighted that Markham Vale is going from strength to strength and helped to create many jobs in the last year for local people.

“We are committed to building a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs and grows businesses and Markham Vale plays a key role in helping us achieve this.

“The long-term aim is to help create 5,000 jobs and we will continue to work hard to attract more companies to reach this goal.”

New businesses which have recently opened or are set to in the next few months will help to create an extra 200 jobs.

These include Northern Ireland’s biggest egg processor Ready Egg Products which is developing a manufacturing facility and Derbyshire food company Holdsworth which set up a base on Markham Vale four years ago and is building a new warehouse and cold store.

And thanks to funding of £14.2 million from the Government and £12.5m from the county council’s private sector developer Henry Boot Developments Ltd, work has started to unlock a further 81 acres of land on the former Seymour Colliery site.

The work is expected to generate £82 million of private sector investment and create capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the area.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Free workshop to help local businesses get online

Chesterfield businesses are being given the chance to learn first-hand from the experts and set up their own website, in a free workshop being delivered by Chesterfield Champion Magnifica, a leading software agency.

The workshop, organised by Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will be held on Wednesday 21st May, at Dunston Innovation Centre, from 9.30am-12.30pm, with lunch included.

The workshop is available to any Chesterfield business, with up to two participants each.  It comprises of one three hour session, focusing on learning digital codes with the end of the session seeing participants build their own webpage.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “The course is all part of our commitment to help small businesses in Chesterfield thrive and develop.  It’s not just about having a high street presence or office addresses any more.  It’s about having a strong online presence too.  The workshop, which is being delivered by experts in the field, will give people simple and practical skills to help them do exactly this.”

Chesterfield based Magnifica offers a range of services including web design, ecommerce websites, content management systems, mobile ready apps and bespoke software development.

Rob Gregory, Magnifica’s Co-founder said: “Coding isn’t just about sitting in front of a computer.  In fact, today code is everywhere in both our personal and business lives. Knowing a bit about how to code will give you a unique perspective on understanding and solving all sorts of problems.  It will also give you the confidence to communicate with software people, if and when you need to in the future.”

For more information or to register for the workshop visit:http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/websites

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Shoppers show their support for first ever Chesterfield Retail Awards

Chesterfield’s shoppers have come out in force to support the town’s first ever Retail Awards. More than 1,000 people have nominated 241 businesses across 14 categories during April, with one lucky person winning a £50 hamper from the Pavements Shopping Centre.

The nominated business have now been asked to complete a short application form which will be considered by a panel of local, regional and national retail experts. The winners in each category will be announced at a grand awards ceremony which is being held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18th June 2014.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “We are overwhelmed with the number of nominations. It’s a fantastic start to the inaugural Retail Awards. With support from the community like this it is no surprise thatChesterfieldis booming as a retail centre.”

The Awards, which are sponsored by Slic Training, celebrate the town’s ongoing success as one of theUK’s top 10 best performing centres with the least vacant shops.  Only 7.7% ofChesterfield’s retail units are currently empty, which is only 0.7% behind the best performing large centre,Cambridge.

The categories include:

·         Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

·         Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oxspring Technical Ltd

·         Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre

·         Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

·         Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

·         Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

·         Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year

·         Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)

·         Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored byChesterfieldBorough Council

·         Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

·         National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source

·         Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored byChesterfieldCollege

·         Market Hall Business of the Year

·         Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones

·         Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Other sponsors include Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

To sponsor the 2014 Chesterfield Retail Awards please visithttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/ and you can keep up-to-date on Twitter by using the hashtag #retailawards14.

 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

Your town needs you! The call goes out for more Chesterfield Ambassadors

Chesterfield is on the hunt for more ambassadors to help promote the town and provide a warm welcome to visitors to the town.

The Chesterfield Ambassadors scheme was established by Destination Chesterfield more than two years ago. Since then it has recruited nearly 150 volunteer residents and front line staff, including taxi drivers, bank workers, sales assistants, council staff and members of the town’s thriving food and drink sector. Together they ensure visitors to the town leave with a positive impression of Chesterfield.

Becoming a Chesterfield Ambassador is simple and involves attending a free two-hour workshop on Thursday 22nd May to learn all about the town and its regeneration plans.

John Burrows, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The Chesterfield Ambassadors Scheme plays an important role in the continuing growth and success of Chesterfield. Every visitor to our town could be a potential investor, new resident or employee and it’s important that they receive the very best first impression. We want them to return and recommend Chesterfield to their friends, relatives and colleagues.

“Anyone who cares about the future of Chesterfield will find the Ambassador role very rewarding and we’d love them to get in touch and become one of the town’s promoters.”

To reserve your place please visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/ambassadors

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Last chance to nominate your favourite shops

Shoppers are being called on to nominate their favourite shops and stores for the town’s first Retail Awards before voting closes at the end of the month.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “The success of the 2014 Chesterfield Retail Awards is very much in the hands of the general public.  They need to nominate in order for retailers to be shortlisted.

“The awards are open to every retailer operating in the Chesterfield borough. With our wealth of independent stores and national chains operating here, I am confident there will be no shortage of nominations across all the categories.”

The awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Slic Training, celebrate the town’s ongoing success as one of the UK’s top 10 best performing centres with the least vacant shops.  Only 7.7% of Chesterfield’s retail units are currently empty, which is only 0.7% behind the best performing large centre, Cambridge.

The 2014 Chesterfield Retail Awards nomination process is open throughout April and people can nominate online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate/ or by filling in a form available from retailers throughout town.

There are 14 categories people can nominate across, plus the coveted Retailer of the Year Award, and they may even win a £50 hamper from the Pavements Shopping Centre for their trouble.

The categories include:
• Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
• Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
• Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year
• Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
• Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year
• Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt
• Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year
• Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)
• Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
• Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
• National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source
• Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Chesterfield College
• Market Hall Business of the Year
• Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones
• Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

The finalists in each category will be shortlisted from the nominations by a panel of judges.  The winners will be announced at a grand awards ceremony which is being held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18th June 2014.

Ian Benison, Chief Executive, SLIC Training (International), said:

“It is a great pleasure to be the headline sponsor of the Chesterfield Retail Awards.  As a local lad, who started a local company which is now situated in the prestigious Market Hall in town, getting involved with the Retail Awards was an easy decision.

“We see this as an opportunity to give something back to the town, to celebrate all its successes and amazing businesses.  The success of the awards will be based on how the community gets involved; I urge you to nominate your favourite retailer for each category – this is your opportunity to get your much-loved venue or company noticed and acknowledged. “

Chesterfield is becoming the go-to location for developers and we look forward to welcoming new establishments such as Nandos and Boyes to the town centre as well as the recently opened Pan-dora jewellery store gracing the town’s high street.

Other sponsors include Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council’s said: “Launching our own Retail Awards demonstrates the continuing strength and attractiveness of Chesterfield as a shopping centre, despite the declining fortunes of high streets across the country. These awards allow us to honour our local businesses and help them to continue to thrive.”

To nominate your favourite retailer, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate/ and you can keep up to date on Twitter by using the hashtag #retailawards14

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield

More jobs created at Markham Vale

A new development in Chesterfield is helping to boost the local economy.

Euro Garages, one of the leading UK independent forecourt operators, is due to open at Markham Vale next week, bringing more than 60 new jobs to the area.

Facilities will include a new Shell petrol forecourt including for HGVs, SPAR convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks Drive-Thru together with public toilets, seating area and a free cash machine. The Shell petrol forecourt and Subway will be open 24 hours a day.

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

“It is great news that Euro Garages has decided to set up at Markham bringing another 63 jobs to the area and we are pleased we were able to help unemployed people find work at the new site, including young people.

“Markham Vale is going from strength to strength attracting more companies to Derbyshire because of the site’s location in the centre of England and its excellent transport links.”

Ilyas Munshi, Commercial Director at Euro Garages, said:

“Markham Vale Services is an exciting addition to our national estate portfolio of nearly 180 forecourt retail sites and it is the first development where we have partnered up with Henry Boot Developments.

“Euro Garages have been actively supported by stakeholders including Derbyshire County Council and local agencies with a view to delivering much needed jobs and economic prosperity. In summary, we want local people and commuters in and around Derbyshire to have access to world-class facilities.”

We have invested £77 million to reclaim the former mining area at Markham, between Chesterfield and Bolsover, with the long term aim of creating 5,000 jobs.

Working with development partner Henry Boot Development Limited, in the last year alone we have lined-up developments promising to bring 500 jobs to the site.

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments comments:

“The opening of Euro Garages at Markham Vale is the next piece of the jigsaw in delivering a comprehensive offer for existing and new occupiers together with their work force.”

Last month the Government announced plans to expand Markham Vale Enterprise Zone bringing enterprise status to another 18 hectares of land on Markham Vale and offering benefits for businesses setting up in the area including tax breaks from Government.

And in February, Markham Vale received a £14.2m boost after successfully bidding for Government cash to open up prime economic development land.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Next phase of Staveley Basin development underway

Staveley Basin’s next phase of development has begun with contractors currently on site working to build wing walls to support the basin’s lock bridge.

Derbyshire County Council, which manages the project, has agreed to fund £89,000 towards the scheme, with Chesterfield Canal Trust contributing £76,000 in funds and volunteer time.

Ace Developments from Chesterfield has started an eight week contract to build the wing walls which will support the unfinished lock bridge already in place ready to carry a road over the canal.

The Staveley Basin project is part of work being completed with the help of volunteers to restore and improve Chesterfield Canal; making more of the waterway navigable.

The project has already seen the development of a mooring basin which can house up to 20 large canal boats and 12 smaller crafts.

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

“This latest work on the Staveley Basin project is part of plans to help develop Chesterfield Canal as well as improve the area for visitors and boats. The work of the volunteers helping us to develop the project has been fantastic and we cannot thank them enough.”

Groups who have been involved in helping the project include the Chesterfield Canal Partnership and the Waterway Recovery Group.

Chesterfield Canal Trust, which has also been helping since 2012, has raised over £45,000 towards the project through donations.

A group of around 15 volunteers from the trust meet every Sunday to help build the lock at Staveley Basin.

George Bunting, 65, from Brimington has been a member of the trust since 1995 and is currently helping with construction.  He said:-

“The main benefits of the work at Staveley Basin will be the boost it gives tourism with people who come in on boats hopefully spending money in Staveley.  The thing I most enjoy about volunteering is the camaraderie and the idea that we are achieving something for the local community and leaving something for future generations.”

(Image courtesy of Chesterfield Canal Trust

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development