About Chesterfield

Elton John Concert: What was it like for you

History was made in Chesterfield at the weekend with the biggest concert ever held in the town as Sir Elton John, CBE, wooed a record crowd of 15,019 at the Spireites’ B2net football stadium, and the football club is wanting feedback from those who attended as a record of this land-mark event.

 

The 65 year old rocker put on an amazing non-stop show that entranced the crowd for two and a half hours as he performed songs from his endless back catalogue of hits from the last four decades, but what was it like for those who attended?

 

During the show Elton John said: I never thought I would ever play in Chesterfield, it’s a great stadium, so well done Chesterfield.”

 

After a week of heavy rain the sky amazingly cleared and even the sun came out to provide perfect dry weather to which Elton John remarked: “Thank you God for stopping the rain and keeping it dry for tonight’s show.”

 

Just like great football match days, the Spireites B2net Stadium was bouncing to the sound of Sir Elton’s music with the large crowd made up of concert-goers of all ages.

 

Were you in the audience and what was the atmosphere like for you?

 

Elton John said: “Thank you to everyone at Chesterfield Football Club for making tonight’s show possible and to the people of Chesterfield for supporting it. It’s truly amazing.”

 

So from Las Vegas to Chez Vegas it certainly was a night to remember in the history of Chesterfield Football Club and a proud town of Chesterfield.

 

Let us have your feedback

 

What did you think of the Elton John Concert? Let Chesterfield FC know what your experience was like? Send your feedback and to feedback@chesterfield-fc.co.uk or send it via Facebook or Twitter. Full details on the club’s website www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk.

Source:Chesterfield FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield’s revamped Visitor Information Centre nominated as a finalist in the 2012 Visit England Awards for Excellence

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre has been named as a finalist in the Visitor Services category of the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2012.

As a finalist the Centre now goes forward to the glittering Awards Ceremony which is being held on 22 May 2012 at Athena, an art deco gem located in the heart of Leicester’s cultural quarter.

The Information Centre will have to wait until then to find out which award they will receive. All finalists are guaranteed to receive either a Gold, Silver, Bronze or Highly Commended Award. The other Information Centres in the Visitor Services category are Bodmin, Greenwich, Harrogate and Manchester.

Commenting on the finalists James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive said: “I would like to congratulate all those nominated as VisitEngland Awards for Excellence finalists this year. This is no small achievement in a year when we have received a record number of submissions. The quality of submissions this year has been outstanding and Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre can justifiably take credit and pride in earning a place at the top of their category in England. I wish everyone all the best for the final in May.”

Cllr Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We’re delighted to have reached the finals of these prestigious awards and thanks must go to all the staff at the Centre who provide a quality service to visitors throughout the year. Tourism is such an important part of our local economy so it’s good to know that our visitor services are being recognised by VisitEngland.”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

New look gateway signs to Chesterfield will shout about town’s events

New welcome signs have this week been installed on the key gateways into Chesterfield. The signs, incorporating the Destination Chesterfield branding which is based on the crooked spire, have interchangeable sections that will allow major events and the historic market to be promoted.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The impression we give visitors when they arrive in Chesterfield is vital. The objective of our Warm Welcome Campaign is to improve the arrival at key gateways into the town and also turn them into promotional opportunities.”

The Warm Welcome Campaign, which was an idea by the Chesterfield Champions, the network of businesses in Chesterfield that support and shape the activity of Destination Chesterfield, aims to provide a more consistent and contemporary welcome to the town. The signs are the latest public realm improvements which follow the refurbishment of Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre, new canopies on Chesterfield Market and upgrades to car parking signage. Future projects include improving roundabouts, bus shelters and the coach station.

“The unique idea of these new signs came from a Chesterfield Champions meeting. As local businesses we recognised that many potential visitors to the town drive straight through on their way to and from the Peak District without stopping. By upgrading the signs to include the latest events and to promote the market we can now use the signs to attract people into the town centre,” said Steve Gordon of Banner Jones Solicitors, a Chesterfield Champion.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We want people to receive a consistent message about Chesterfield through the branding they see before they visit the town, when they arrive and while they are here. This all helps to give Chesterfield a unique identity and is one of many projects that the Council is working in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to achieve.”

The production and the erecting of the eleven new signs, costing £10,000, have been funded through the European Regional Development Fund as part of the Destination Chesterfield project.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield bids to be a Portas Pilot

Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council is submitting a bid for Chesterfield to become a Portas’ Pilot town

Up to £100,000 of government cash is on offer for 12 towns to pilot the scheme, which was set up after Mary Portas led a review on revitalising town centres. Local government minister Grant Shapps has described this as a “golden ticket” for town centres.

Against the national backdrop Chesterfield is performing well with high retail occupancy rates and developer interest in the town.

Chesterfield’s Portas Pilot bid is about the future of the town, ensuring that this success and interest continues. The key themes in the bid are the development and growth of new and existing town centre businesses, the historic market and creating a balanced evening economy.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The Portas Report highlighted the importance of markets for towns. Chesterfield Market is at the heart of our bid alongside our independent and high street traders.”

As part of the bid a short video will be submitted, the Chesterfield film entitled ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’ includes local residents and businesses supporting the application in a black and white silent movie.

If successful a Town Team will be carefully selected from the Chesterfield Champions and other town centre businesses to manage the delivery of the project and the future of the Town Centre.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “This bid will allow us to use the public and private sector expertise from the Chesterfield Champions to ensure our town centre remains vibrant and adapts to compliment the future developments in the town.”

Chesterfield will find out if it has been successful in its bid in May.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s revamped Visitor Centre open for business

The doors were opened today (Friday 16th March) on Chesterfield’s new look Visitor Information Centre. The Centre has recently undergone a £40k refurbishment from the Destination Chesterfield project with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.

The Centre was opened by Councillor Peter Barr, Mayor of Chesterfield, MP Toby Perkins and James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland.

The refurbishment includes a new-look interior that reflects the Destination Chesterfield branding, a dedicated section on “Our Future” which features images of developments coming to the town, and quotes from famous people associated with the town including George Stephenson, Bess of Hardwick, Gordon Banks and Lady Baden-Powell.

Councillor Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “The whole interior is a lot more welcoming and open so people can find information quickly. The use of quotes from famous people inside and outside gives visitors and residents a new connection to the town which hopefully inspires pride and interest in what Chesterfield has to offer.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “I think the refurbishment looks fantastic. The whole Centre makes a great first impression for people visiting the town and will certainly help in our aim to promote Chesterfield as a modern, vibrant and contemporary destination.”

David James, Chief Executive of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, added: “Chesterfield’s rebranding of its Tourist Information Centre as a Visitor Information Centre, linking in with the work of Destination Chesterfield, illustrates the importance of tourism as a key tool in economic regeneration and the town’s growing role as an eastern gateway to the Peak District.”

The Centre welcomed 155,841 visitors in 2011, an increase of over 12,000 from 2010. The Centre has won the English Tourist Board’s National England for Excellence Awards in 2005 and 2009 and 95% of people interviewed in a customer satisfaction survey last year thought that the service offered was either good or excellent.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Century of Champions for Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield has a century of members for the Chesterfield Champions scheme. Southside Magazine, United Cast Bar Limited and Places and Faces Magazine are the latest businesses to support the project.

Southside Magazine, who are the 100th Champion, spontaneously joined at Destination Chesterfield’s Celebrate Chesterfield Event after hearing the future plans for the Town.

Simon Moreman, Publishing Manager of Southside Magazine said “There are so many exciting projects coming forward for Chesterfield, we as a business have a key role to play in helping the town to promote these changes and wanted to be involved.”

The Champions support the future development of Chesterfield through support and guidance to Destination Chesterfield on how they promote Chesterfield.

James Brand, Sales Director of United Cast Bar Limited said “We are a large local employer and plan to grow further, if the business community can work together to improve Chesterfield and its profile this will increase the opportunities available to companies in the town.

Beverley Bearder, Managing Director of Places and Faces Magazine said “We are keen to support the development of Chesterfield especially the growth of its speciality businesses. Through the support of our magazine we will assist in raising the profile of the town across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “it is great that 100 businesses of all sizes and from all sectors support our approach to promoting Chesterfield. A year ago we launched the scheme and we thank the first 100champions for their support and look forward to working with the current and new champions in the future.

Destination Chesterfield which is funded through money from the European Regional Development Fund, is helping to improve the economic prosperity of the town through a campaign to promote Chesterfield as a modern contemporary destination. This approach to promoting the town sees the local business community playing a central role in its success by leading an independent board of Directors for Destination Chesterfield, and businesses pledging their support to become Chesterfield Champions.

Further information about the Destination Chesterfield project and the Chesterfield Champions Scheme can be found at www.chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Free Parking Christmas Present from Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council has agreed to give free parking for late night shopping in the town on the run-up to Christmas.  The Council has also agreed to carry out a full review of parking policy over the coming months so there are no proposed changes to existing charges.

Cllr Chris Ludlow, Executive Member for Environment of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “People are struggling in these tough financial times and Christmas will be an expense that will hit hard with many local residents.

“We want to encourage people to shop locally in Chesterfield and having free parking will hopefully be an attraction that will keep our shops and markets busy over the Christmas shopping period.”

Free parking available from 4.00pm onwards on all Chesterfield Borough Council car parks within the town centre on Thursday’s from 24th November until the week prior to Christmas week and then each day from Monday 19thDecember until Friday 23rd December.

This incentive will be part of a marketing campaign arrange by Destination Chesterfield to promote Chesterfield over the christmas period.

For full details on what’s happening in Chesterfield this Christmas visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas

(*these proposals are subject to full cabinet approval on the 8th November)

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Chesterfield gains two new major retailers

Chesterfield has welcomed two major retailers to the town in the space of just one week.  Toys r’ Us opened its doors on Thursday (20th October) and on the same day, Debenhams confirmed it is to have a store on the Ravenside Retail Park.

The new 62,000 square foot Debenhams store will be located on the old Focus unit and is expected to open in autumn 2012.  As part of the development there will be improvements made to the entrances and pedestrian crossing points into the Ravenside Retail Park.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “Attracting major retailers such as Debenhams and Toys r’ Us is a great achievement for Chesterfield and a significant step forward in our ambition to attract inward investment and create jobs for local people. It’s further evidence that Chesterfield is bouncing back and with the Market Hall and Northern Gateway still to come we’ve an exciting time ahead for the town.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “This is fantastic news for Chesterfield and reflects the strength of the retail sector within the town and the fact that we are an attractive destination for investors and visitors.  We only have around 5% of our shops vacant which, compared to a national average of 13%, is exceptional for a town our size.”

Rob Hadfield, Head of Property at Debenhams said: “The Ravenside Retail Park is an ideal location for us.  It’s within the town centre shopping area and close to the major road routes coming into Chesterfield.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming local residents to the store and reaching a wider audience from surrounding districts which I’m sure will have a positive impact on other retailers in the town.”

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

It’s official – Casa have the comfiest beds in the UK!

Casa Hotel in Chesterfield is delighted to announce that they have been awarded the ‘Comfiest Bed’ in the annual Best Kept Secret Awards by the discount hotels specialist, LateRooms.com.

The annual Best Kept Secret Awards search up and down the country for top notch facilities in the hospitality industry!

The LateRooms.com judge of the Comfiest Bed award said:

“Casa hotel in Chesterfield is our winner for Comfiest Bed. Their reviews are glowing for the beds (and the hotel in general) – the fact that they’re King Size too is an added bonus!”

Steve Perez, Owner of Casa Hotel, said: “Our Hypnos beds are always the hot topic of conversation at breakfast time and we constantly receive positive comments about it being the best night’s sleep our guests have ever had. To have an official award to celebrate that Casa is home to the best beds in the UK is a fantastic achievement and one I hope will bring many more visitors through the door to try them out.”

LateRooms.com receieved thousands of entries from hoteliers and hotel fans around the UK, and shortlisted the ‘Best Kept Secret’ award categories according to number of nominations. The judges, made up of media partners and prestigious LateRooms.com hotel experts, then deliberated long and hard to pick the eventual winners.

LateRooms.com Offline Marketing Manager, Lynda Matthews commented, “Discovering the UK’s Best Kept Secrets is always an exciting time for us. These hotels really are the crème de la crème in their industry offering beautiful food, views, interiors and services to their customers and we are proud to have them on LateRooms.com. We hope that this year’s search will once again bring our customers new hotel possibilities, whatever it is they are looking for from their hotel stay”.

Source:Casa Hotel

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

National recognition for Chesterfield’s regeneration

Two of Chesterfield’s regeneration sites have reached the final stages in the prestigious Regeneration and Renewal Awards.

Chesterfield Borough Council put forward the development of the old Dema Glass site and the A61/River Rother Corridor for an award.  There were over 400 entries into this year’s awards and Chesterfield has secured two places in the finals.  The judges will visit the sites on Friday 8th July with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony in September.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “We’re obviously delighted to have reached the finals in these national awards.  It’s a testament to the hard work of Council officers, our partners and developers that we have already had such great success with the Dema Glass site.

The development along the A61 corridor will be another exciting stage for the town and we’re looking forward to showing our plans to the judges when they come to visit.”

The Dema Glass site, which features the B2Net Stadium and the Tesco Extra Superstore has been entered into the award for “mixed-use development of the year”.  The A61/River Rother Corridor which includes the Chesterfield Waterside development, the new BMW and Mini showrooms, the Casa Hotel and the Dema Glass site has been entered into the Strategic Planning award category.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Just reaching the finals in these awards is recognition of how much Chesterfield is regenerating into a great destination for residents, visitors, students and the business community. ”

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development