Business

New partnership heralds a new age for accounting and independent financial advice

12th September 2016

Two Chesterfield businesses, Start Financial Planning and Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, have joined forces to bring a fresh approach to financial planning for owner managed businesses in north east Derbyshire.

The collaborative working arrangement between the two businesses follows an increase in SMEs in the area now looking to grow following the pre-referendum uncertainty at the beginning of the year.

The low interest rates and grants now available has prompted businesses to turn to Mitchells for practical advice and help on accessing grants and finance, while Start Financial Planning is assisting business owners in protecting the future of the company and their personal finance ahead of potential Brexit uncertainty.

Michael Heath, director of Start Financial Planning, explained:-

“Historically financial advisers and accountants have worked independently of each other which is not necessarily in the best interests of business owners, particularly in the current economic climate.

“It made absolute sense to agree a collaborative working arrangement with Mitchells. By doing so we have created a one-stop-shop for owner managed businesses, offering practical advice in tax, accounting and investments, helping protect the financial future of the business for both the owner and employees.”

Richard Trueman, Managing Partner at Mitchells, added:-

“We’re delighted to have Start Financial Planning on board. Mitchells’ prides itself on both our practical accounting and business advice services, and the agreement with Start is a practical extension of this in response to client demand.

“Start shares our passion for helping SMEs achieve their growth potential and through our working partnership with Start, we are now able to offer our clients a better, seamless service when managing their business turnover and personal wealth.”

Later in the year, Start hopes to agree a further collaborative working agreement with a leading legal services firm in the area in order to deliver a fully comprehensive cradle to grave financial planning service for individuals and businesses in the area.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Limited places for Chesterfield Football Club gala ball

5th September 2016

There are a limited number of places available for Chesterfield’s Gala Ball at Chatsworth House next month, which is part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

The black tie event, taking place on Saturday, October 22, will feature a fantastic three-course meal and superb live entertainment.

Guests will be provided with transport to and from Chatsworth House, where there will be a champagne reception before dinner. Entertainment will be provided by Alexandra, an electric violinist, together with a ‘Rat Pack’ trio.

Tickets are priced at £150 for this prestigious, one-off event, with a limit of 150 places.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure

Businesses invited to free business funding workshop

5th September 2016

With pre-referendum uncertainty over and interest rates at an all-time low, businesses in the area in are being encouraged to forge ahead now with their growth and investment plans.

Businesses looking to access finance and grants can get all the information they need at a free half day workshop – Funding for Business, which is being delivered by Sheffield City Region’s Growth Hub.

Only a limited number of places are available at the workshop, which is taking place at Dunston Innovation Centre on Wednsday 14th September from 10am – 1pm.

Organised in association with Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, the workshop aims to preparing businesses for the post Brexit world of funding.

The European Regional Development Fund-funded workshop will also provide a one-stop-shop for advice and signposting on funding choices open to business, including lending and grants and guidance for making actual applications.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield said: “The timing of this free workshop couldn’t be better. Many firms held off with their investment and growth plans in the first half of the year due to the uncertainty around Brexit. Now the decision has been made, businesses are forging ahead with their plans and eager to get information on funding streams and grants available to them.”

For more information about the free Funding for Business workshop, or to book one of the remaining places, visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/free-business-workshop-funding-for-business/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Spireites organise pop-up sensory room

5th September 2016

Chesterfield Football Club will invite a number of fans affected by autism to attend their next home fixture in a pop-up sensory room.

The hospitality box in the Community Stand at the Proact Stadium will be turned into a sensory room for the day when Chesterfield take on Northampton Town on Saturday, September 17.

Multi-sensory equipment, which is extremely therapeutic for people with sensory impairment, will be installed in the hospitality box. The equipment will be provided by Chesterfield-based Rompa, who are world leaders in the design and manufacture of sensory equipment and multi-sensory environments.

The initiative is being organised by the Chesterfield FC Community Trust, in partnership with Accessible Derbyshire – a charity with the aim of improving the lives of disabled people, their families, friends and carers living in or visiting Derbyshire and the Peak District.

John Croot, CEO of the Community Trust, said:-

“We are delighted to be working with Accessible Derbyshire on this project and we are also exploring other ways that we can raise awareness of autism.

“I would like to thank Trevor Marples from TM Accounting, who has agreed to make the hospitality box available.”

Gillian Scotford, one of the founders of Accessible Derbyshire, added:-

“The Proact Stadium boasts some fantastic facilities for people with disabilities – including a Changing Places facility – and we are keen to promote the great work being done by the club in this way.

There are a limited number of places available in the sensory room, which are free of charge and include a buffet.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Plans approved for another new building at Markham Vale

5th September 2016

Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments Ltd are pleased to announce that they have successfully secured Planning Approval for another new development on Markham Vale to be located on part of Plot 13 Markham Vale North.

The project team is aiming to secure all outstanding approvals and subject to securing an occupier, construction of the building is expected to start later this year.

At 480,000 sq.ft. in area, the building will be slightly larger than the Great Bear building on plot 1 which is currently the largest development on site.

Posted in Business, Development

Works to begin at Chesterfield Waterside

2nd September 2016

Work is set to begin on the next phase of the £320million Chesterfield Waterside Scheme.

Chesterfield–based earthworks and landscaping contractor NT Killingley Ltd has been appointed to undertake the site enabling works for phase one of the Basin Square character area, which incorporates the former Trebor site. The works are expected to take around three months.

Killingley is due to commence works on Monday 5 September. The enabling works will prepare the site for construction of a hotel, retail units, apartments, a multi-storey car park and offices next year.

As part of the project Killingley will use their cutting egde modelling capabilities and GPS controlled excavators and bulldozers to rework the site levels. They will create an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site in preparation for the homes which will be built there to form The Park neighbourhood at Chesterfield Waterside. The current temporary 250 space car park will be relocated to the north end of the site, with access from Brimington Road,

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc, which is leading the project, said: “I am delighted that the development is making progress. This is a significant step forward for Chesterfield Waterside which will allow us to move into the construction phase next year. Once preparation works are complete and the infrastructure is in place, it will facilitate delivery of development on both Basin Square and The Park, enabling us to progress with the second phase of detailed planning applications for the buildings themselves shortly afterwards.”

Matt Killingley, Managing Director of NT Killingley Ltd, said: “It is a great pleasure to work locally on such a prestigious scheme. The majority of our staff are Chesterfield folk and we are very excited to allow them the opportunity to show the community what they can do. I am sure we will all be very proud of the end result.”

Following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant earlier this year, the enabling works for the development’s £75million Basin Square scheme were able to be brought forward by the developers, Bolsterstone Plc.

A planning application has also been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Bolsterstone for illustrative proposals, indicating the height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Basin Square.

The exciting mixed-use first phase of Basin Square is of a scale and quality not previously seen before in Chesterfield and will elevate the town’s profile. Once complete, Basin Square is expected to be home to approximately 300 jobs.

Chesterfield Waterside is recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being developed by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Additional progress with the Chesterfield Waterside scheme includes the recent granting of planning permission to replace the road bridge over the river Rother on the former Laver timber yard site which will serve The Park residential development, and the submission of a planning application for the works required to re-open a stretch of the Chesterfield canal.

The first phase of residential housing at Chesterfield Waterside, comprising 19 new homes on part of the former Arnold Laver DIY site on Brimington Road, was completed in 2015 on behalf of Great Places Housing Association, and the properties are now fully occupied.

Posted in Business, Development

Manufacturing confidence returns

1st September 2016

Manufacturing confidence rebounded in August from a 41-month low in July.

The month-on-month Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, which jointly publish the data, figure saw the joint-highest rise in the 25-year history of the report, climbing from 48.3 to 53.3, where 50 is the mean.

It is thought that the lower value of Sterling against leading global currencies contributed to the renewed confidence as it made exported British-made goods cheaper and led to a raft of new orders.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “July’s figure was quite obviously just a reaction to the EU Referendum result and we said at the time that it shouldn’t be regarded in isolation.

“The August rise is higher than might have been expected but, again, we would urge a degree of caution as this is a volatile table and we would expect to see it settle closer to its long term average of 51.5 in coming months.

“Manufacturing and engineering will be vital to the success of the UK post-Brexit and, as the spine of the sector in the UK, these figures are particularly pertinent to the East Midlands.”

Posted in Business

Crafter’s Companion recruitment drive strengthens Chesterfield team

1st September 2016

Global craft supplier, Crafter’s Companion, has added 11 new recruits to its team in the run up to the opening of its store in Chesterfield.

The outlet, at Dobbies Garden Centre in Chesterfield, will be the company’s second store launch in 2016 and officially opens to the public on Friday 23rd September.

As part of the store’s launch, the company held a special recruitment day to find the right candidates to form the retail team.

The day was attended by over 50 people and saw potential candidates take part in a number of tasks designed to help show off their skills.

Now, the company is on the lookout for a further four candidates, which will take the total number of recruits to 15.

Sara Davies, founder of Crafter’s Companion said:-

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening our next store in Chesterfield and to be able to bring new jobs to the area.

“Our new team members will be the heart of our new store, so we’ve spent a lot of time making sure we’ve chosen candidates who really understand our brand and our values.

“We’ve really enjoyed welcoming the guys to the Crafter’s Companion family and we’re looking forward to welcoming more team members in the coming months.”

Gurvinder Barn, the new store manager, who brings more than 20 years of retail experience to the team, said:-

“The team are already working really hard to get the store ready for the launch weekend. The new store will bring something unique to the area and we can’t wait for our visitors to see what’s on offer.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Plans approved to transform former Chesterfield Post Office

30th August 2016

Plans to breathe new life in to former Post Office in the heart of Chesterfield’s historic market place have been given approval by Chesterfield Borough Council under delegated powers.

Designed by WCEC Architects on behalf of national developers Telereal Trillium, the grade II listed building will be transformed into seven luxury apartments across the first and second floors, whilst the ground floor will be converted into 3,557 sq.ft. of retail/leisure space with 653 sq.ft. of ancillary service space at basement level and a rear communal courtyard.

Mark Kelly, Director of Disposals ＆ Development at Telereal Trillium said: “We are thrilled there has been such a positive local response from the community and likewise the council to move this scheme forward, in restoring such a historic landmark building in the Town centre.”

Nick Fenton, Associate Director at WCEC commented: “Working closely with the planning department and the conservation officer we have maintained the buildings original character and fabric with the addition of a modern complimentary rear extension. The overall proposition successfully enables the change of use whilst accentuating the existing structure and detailing.

We are keen, as are the developers to progress works on such a fantastic local scheme that will contribute positively to the town centre.”

An occupier for the ground floor retail and leisure space is currently being sought. It is anticipated that works to the site can begin as early as the end of this year.

Posted in Business, Development

University campus to open this October

30th August 2016

A new University of Derby campus due to open in Chesterfield on October 17 will help transform the region’s health care sector and boost the town’s growing advanced manufacturing industries.

Building work at the former St Helena’s Grammar School for Girls is on target for the official opening, which will unveil some of the best teaching facilities for nursing in the UK – including an NHS-standard mock hospital ward.

Degrees in Engineering, Business and IT across the new campus and at Derby will support Chesterfield’s growing advanced manufacturing industry and allow businesses to upskill their workforce and better equip employees for their careers.

After lying disused for many years, the Grade II listed building in Sheffield Road has been sympathetically restored in keeping with its origins as a pioneering educational establishment designed by internationally acclaimed Victorian architect George Widdows.

“The University of Derby has a strong tradition of giving old buildings new life, and the completion of the renovation of St Helena comes in the year we also celebrate a decade in the beautiful Devonshire Dome in Buxton,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, Professor Margaret Bruce.

“Although we have long had a presence in Chesterfield, we are very excited about this development and have been warmly welcomed by the town. We hope that our expansion will contribute greatly towards Chesterfield’s economy and enrich the lives of its people.”

The building will include a new Innovation Centre which will provide access to facilities and support services for small to medium-sized enterprises and business start-ups, including product development, testing equipment and incubation units.

Research commissioned by the University into the economic impact of its Buxton Campus showed that it supported 500 jobs annually through a total spend of £32 million, a result which it is hoped will be replicated in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Inspire Resourcing Ltd celebrate new Saltergate office

25th August 2016

Inspire Resourcing Ltd celebrated the purchase of their Saltergate Grade II listed building in July, inviting clients new and old to enjoy prosecco and canapes.

Inspire Resourcing are a recruitment agency that first opened their doors in 2009, having been based in Chesterfield for the past 7 years.

Owned by Directors Kirsty Gascoigne and Suzanne Lucas, Inspire is an independent agency, offering a transparent, customer focused recruitment solution. As an ISO 9001:2015 accredited business, committed to quality and continuous improvement. the business has grown from strength to strength over the last couple of years encouraging them to move to a bigger premises.

Inspire opened the doors to their newly refurbished office in June. The Inspire offices now boast a welcoming reception area for candidates and clients, a candidate interview suite and a private client conference room for customers wishing to interview off site.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business