Business

Next phase of development underway at Spire Walk

9th June 2016

Henry Boot Developments have started work on the site infrastructure for the next phase of development at Spire Walk. Once this phase is complete, the site will be handed over to Perrys Motor Group who will construct their new dealership facility.

Chesterfield Borough Council granted planning consent to Henry Boot Developments Limited to develop a new car dealership facility earlier in the year.

Fronting the A61, Spire Walk is situated on the former Donkin Valve Works site and includes a range of mixed uses, including retail, a new Community Fire station for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and office buildings. The car dealership is the final piece of the jigsaw and concludes the redevelopment of the former Valve Works.

Justin Sheldon, Senior Development Surveyor at Henry Boot Developments, who is responsible for the site commented: – “The success in obtaining planning permission for this development is the result of hard work by our professional team. It will be great to see this gateway site completed as Spire Walk is the first, highly prominent, development that is seen when travelling from the M1 to Chesterfield.”

In addition, Henry Boot Developments will also install lighting and CCTV around the skate park area close to the site together with other improvements to footpaths which link the site to the town centre.

Posted in Business, Development

Plans submitted to revitalise Chesterfield’s old Post Office

8th June 2016

Plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council to turn former grade 2 listed Post Office into residential apartments and new commercial space.

Working alongside national developers, Telereal Trillium, local architects WCEC have submitted plans to build 7 luxury apartments across the first and second floor whilst plans for the ground floor will include a large commercial unit with a rear communal courtyard.

A dual planning application for listed building consent and planning permission with change of use will soon be under consideration by the council. The team have been working closely with Telereal Trillium, heritage / conservation planners, Trigpoint and agents FHP to ensure the scheme enhances the buildings original features, sustains a commercially viable development and meets with the current residential housing market specification in order to further improve the town’s historic market square.

Nick Fenton, Associate Director at WCEC Architects commented ‘We are privileged to be working with Telereal Trillium on such a fantastic local scheme. Following recent redevelopment of the town and future plans to regenerate the surrounding areas through schemes such as Chesterfield Waterside and the Northern Gateway we feel proposed plans for the landmark will contribute perfectly and revive a beautiful building that has been partially vacant for a number of years’.

If approved the scheme will be a further example of WCEC’s contributions to the local market town following successful work with the council on plans for future development of Chesterfield through a revised masterplan.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Up to £2m available for Chesterfield businesses to grow

8th June 2016

Growth funding worth up to £2 million could be loaned to ambitious businesses looking to expand and create more jobs, as part of a D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) opportunity launched today (June 8) aimed at boosting the economy.

D2N2 – a private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and social enterprises, and other organisations which promote economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is inviting applications to its Growing Places Fund (GPF).

GPF enables businesses and public sector organisations (for example, local authorities) to apply for loans to kick-start stalled capital developments or expansion plans, which will directly grow the economy and create jobs.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 LEP, said: “We have already seen a great deal of success with the Growing Places Fund, providing more than £16m to help small and larger businesses access the missing finance they need, to grow and create additional jobs.

“Factors we will be looking at when making a decision on the GPF applications we receive will be the economic impact of the project and how quickly investments can be repaid, so we can support other projects.”

D2N2 has previously run three GPF funding rounds, approving 13 loans worth a total of £16.6m. Major capital projects which have benefited include Derby City’s Castleward housing and commercial development, and the MediCity Enterprise Zone site in Nottingham.

Now further opportunities to apply for a Growing Places Fund loan, to support additional capital projects, are being made available by the D2N2 LEP.

Individual loans to companies or organisations will be between £250,000 and a maximum of £2 million, and must be to finance capital (building and infrastructure) to help further businesses’ development.

Funded projects must be located within the D2N2 LEP’s area; covered by the administrative boundaries of Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County local authorities.

Funding is limited and preference will be given to projects which deliver on D2N2’s strategic priorities and key areas of economic focus. More information on these is available on the D2N2 LEP website at www.d2n2lep.org and in its Strategic Economic Plan (a copy of which can be viewed online at web link www.d2n2lep.org/write/Documents/D2N2_SEP_March_31st.pdf ).

More information on the Growing Places Fund and guidance on how to apply for this funding can be found on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership website now at www.d2n2lep.org/GPF

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

International trade and investment on the agenda for Sheffield City Region

7th June 2016

Business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region (SCR) are preparing to attend the world’s largest business festival – the International Festival for Business (IFB 2016), taking place in Liverpool from 13 June to 1 July.

Participants from across the region will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders from across the UK and around the world to discuss the many valuable trade and investment opportunities that the SCR has to offer.

The IFB 2016, which is free of charge to participants, will comprise over 75 events, 85 international delegations, and 40,000 delegates (including 10,000 international visitors). The festival, taking place at Liverpool’s purpose-built Exhibition Centre, is an excellent opportunity for UK businesses motivated to grow or trade overseas, and for international companies that want to expand in Britain.

The SCR is committed to supporting IFB 2016 as part of its broader objectives to support the region’s businesses in their internationalisation strategies, and to increase the amount of foreign direct investment into the SCR. The region is recognised for its reliability and its ability to deliver; it has built innumerable global business partnerships driven by an innovative and straightforward approach.

The SCR LEP welcomes meetings with businesses across all sectors during the event. Opportunities for SCR-based business at the IFB 2016 include:

• Three weeks of cutting-edge events, speakers, conferences, seminars and showcases;
• A chance to join the IFB 2016 Business Club for match-making appointments allowing participants to access business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs from around the world to explore ideas, network and build partnerships;
• Access to Meet-the-Expert seminars and workshops designed for SMEs with growth and export ambitions;
• Meet your Future Deal, the world’s biggest ‘Meet-the-Buyer’ event with free, one-to-one meetings with buyers, suppliers and investors;
• Meet your Specialist Advisor: free one-to-one appointments with leading industry experts offering bespoke advice
• Live export opportunities;
• Available funding streams for eligible SMEs.

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership said:“The International Festival for Business is a globally significant business festival which the Sheffield City Region is excited to be supporting. We look forward to showcasing to international business leaders all that the Sheffield City Region has to offer – our no-nonsense approach to business and our highly-efficient regulatory systems make the SCR an incredibly attractive place to do business in the UK, and it is time to promote these qualities to the global business community. I hope to see many of the SCR’s business leaders and entrepreneurs at this event – the SCR is standing by to help you and your business make the most of this excellent opportunity.”

William Beckett, Chairman of the International Trade Forum and Export Private Sector Lead for the Local Enterprise Partnership stated: “We are delighted to work in partnership with the Sheffield City Region to support IFB 2016 in Liverpool. The Festival offers numerous valuable opportunities for companies to increase their international activities across various sectors of the global marketplace.”

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Take on a static bike challenge for Aviva Women’s Tour

7th June 2016

Chesterfield businesses are invited to enter an Aviva Women’s Tour-themed Workplace Cycling Challenge – for the chance to win three months’ membership at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and a cycling jersey.

Teams will complete in a static bike challenge in front of Chesterfield Town Hall between 8.30am and 1pm on Friday June 17th as a prelude to the Stage Three finish of the Aviva Women’s Tour.

Each team member will complete the equivalent of 250 metres (equal to one velodrome lap) as quick as they can and the team’s times will be combined to give a result.

Teams are to be made up of four people, but a workplace can book in as many teams as they like and the event will be managed by fully-trained staff.

If you are interested, but not able to get together a team of four in your business, please register your interest so you can be paired with other workplaces in the same position.

Three slots for teams will be available for every 20 minutes throughout the event and you can find out more or reserve your place by emailing cathy.hinde@Chesterfield.gov.uk

Stage Three of the Women’s Tour takes place exclusively in Derbyshire, starting in Ashbourne and finishing in Chesterfield, taking in the likes of Buxton (sprint venue), Chelmorton, Flagg, Monyash, Youlgreave, Alport (Queen of the Mountains venue), Winster, Darley Dale (sprint venue), Matlock (Queen of the Mountains venue), Beeley, Chatsworth and Baslow.

Bringing the Aviva Women’s Tour to Derbyshire is part of the long-term push to make Derbyshire the most connected an integrated county for cycling in England by 2030, as outlined in the Derbyshire Cycling Plan.

The county wants to be recognised as a world class cycling destination for all, with more people of all ages and abilities on two wheels on a regular basis for leisure, active travel, commuting and sport.

Find out more about the Women’s Tour Stage 3 finish in Chesterfield where there will be a full day of entertainment and activities.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Chesterfield Rotary makes history

6th June 2016

Chesterfield Rotary has seen the largest expansion for 36 years following the launch of a new group designed to give young professionals an opportunity to give something back to the local community.

The first ten founder members of the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield (Central) were inducted into Rotary International by Chesterfield Rotary president Ian Gaunt at the club’s latest monthly meeting held at The Manor at Brampton on Wed 25 May 2016. A further four founder members are to be inducted this month.

Chairman and Independant Financial Advisor of the group, Peter Blant said: “My aim as chairman is to get the group established and set the foundations for this group to prosper in the future.

“I have always been a strong supporter of the Rotary movement but have not been able to commit the time during normal working hours. The new group has been designed to cater for people who work and may struggle to commit to a weekly lunchtime meeting so we intend meeting monthly on the last Wednesday of the month at 5.30pm so that people can attend on their way home from work.

“The meetings are very upbeat with lots of energy and good ideas being shared. It has been a great way to make new friends and contacts from the local business community.

“Our main objective is to support local causes in our community and make a difference whilst having fun in doing it. This week we will be providing stewards for the Chesterfield Rotary organised Eckington Classic Car & Bike Show being held at Renishaw Hall in aid of Ashgate Hospicecare, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.”

Also attending the historic induction ceremony were representatives from Rotary Distirct 1220, and members of the Chesterfield club, who welcomed the new Rotarians into the worldwide movement of Rotary International and wish the new club well.

The last significant expansion of Rotary in Chesterfield was in 1980 when the Chesterfield Rotary Club was instrumental in setting up the Rotary Club of Chesterfield Scarsdale.

For more information about the Rotary Satellite Club of Chesterfield (Central) contact its secretary
John.nettleship@brmlaw.co.uk or ring 01246 555111.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Specialists join Sheffield City Region Growth Hub

6th June 2016

Sheffield City Region (SCR) Growth Hub has appointed eight business growth specialists with more than 200 years of combined experience from sectors – ranging from creative industries and healthcare technologies to aerospace and rail.

The new service, which has core funding of £4.82m, is designed to be a single point of contact for all businesses across nine local authority areas – including Chesterfield – to access specialist support in key areas, whether that is from one of the eight specialists or from a partner organisation.

The partners include successful companies, consultancies, universities, chambers of commerce and local authorities, and national provision such as Innovate UK and UK Trade and Investment.

Head of the SCR Growth Hub, David Grimes, said: “It’s great to have these eight excellent business people ready and in place to help businesses far and wide to develop and expand. The eight business growth specialists all have different sectoral experience and can go in and help businesses from the word go.

“Everything is coming together for the Growth Hub and we can now start getting some results from businesses. I have great confidence that the people in place are going to be a huge part of that and they can impart their wisdom that they’ve accumulated over the years across the region.”

The Growth Hub offers support across the nine local authorities of Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield.

The team of eight, appointed because of their backgrounds in a variety of different industries, have knowledge in areas including business planning, culture change, start-up support, leadership and management, and product innovation.

One of the business growth specialists, Antony Davies, has almost 20 years’ experience in business support, and has been managing director, director and co-owner of a successful innovation and enterprise support consultancy business. He has worked as far afield as Russia and Japan and has business experience in both retail and logistics.

Antony said: “It’s great to be given this chance to help businesses small and large to grow and expand. As individuals we all have differing strengths, but together we make a specialist team that is designed to be able to help any business across the region whether that be a brand new start-up or an established company.”

The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub aims to simplify all regional and national support that is available to businesses. It can offer support and advice in innovation, start-up, exporting, skills training, access to finance and growth demand. The Growth Hub can be contacted via telephone or email.

The Growth Hub can be contacted on 03330 00 00 39, emailing growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk or visiting www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk.

Image shows six of the business growth specialists with head of Sheffield City Region Growth Hub David Grimes (front and centre). From left to right; Andy Sorsby, Tim Binns, David Grimes (Head of Sheffield City Region Growth Hub), Jim Goodare, Jim Scott, Jo Flanagan and Antony Davies. Not pictured in the photograph are Marcus Pearson and Robin Watson.

Posted in Business

Employers – book your place at Derbyshire Skills Festival

1st June 2016

Employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to book their place at this year’s Derbyshire Skills Festival.

Organised by Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council, the event is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

This year the event will be held in Chesterfield at Queen’s Park Sports Centre on Thursday 15 September 2016 from 3.30pm to 8pm. It will include sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Councillor Damien Greenhalgh said:

“Last year, more than 11,000 people came along to Derbyshire Skills Festival over a fantastic three days.

“It is the biggest and best careers event in Derbyshire so it’s a great place for employers, education and training providers and voluntary organisations to speak to young people thinking about their future.”

The festival is an opportunity for young people leaving school or college or looking for a job with training to talk to the experts and get all the information and guidance they need under one roof. Visitors to the event will also be able to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea what different careers might be like.

Organisations interested in having a stand at one or more of the venues should contact Elaine Yates for more details, tel: 01629 536545 or email: skills.festival@derbyshire.gov.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Hundreds of Derbyshire workers get active

1st June 2016

Hundreds of workers across Derbyshire played a part in this year’s Workplace Health Week, which provided inspiration and opportunities for employees to become more active at work.

The initiative, which is now in its second year, is run by Workplace Challenge in collaboration with Derbyshire Sport and other County Sports Partnerships across England.

Despite a government target that all adults should exercise for 150 minutes each week, nationally 40 per cent of us do not exercise enough and time is listed as the biggest barrier to physical activity.

This was the driver behind a week-long schedule of activities, support, tips and advice for local businesses, focusing on flexible working and active lunch breaks to bring physical activity into and around the working day.

Chesterfield Borough Council and The Post Office were among the organisations in Chesterfield which got involved in Workplace Health Week, and the highlight of the week was the Midday Mile, which saw workers ditch their desks to run, walk, jog or cycle one mile at 12noon on Thursday 26 May.

Workers from the Post Office No1 Future Walk team in Chesterfield also took part in lunchtime activities such as table tennis and rounders.

Participants have been logging their activity on the Derbyshire Workplace Challenge website; an online activity log challenge which allows colleagues to track how much sport and activity they are doing, and work together to earn activity points and work their way up an online leaderboard.

Now organisers are urging businesses to deliver their promise and continue giving their employees the encouragement and opportunity to keep active.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer and lead for the Workplace Challenge at Derbyshire Sport, said: “It’s been fantastic to see organisations from across Derbyshire get involved with Workplace Health Week 2016. It’s hugely encouraging to see so many employers take up the challenge and the important thing now is to keep up the momentum.

“Not enough people in Derbyshire achieve the target of 150 minutes of exercise each week and we want local businesses to help their employees do this.

“Giving workers the flexibility to bring physical activity into and around the workplace, including during their lunch break, will reap rewards not just for the wellbeing of employees, but for the business too by reducing absence.”

For more details, including information about how your business can get involved with Workplace Challenge and seek to introduce physical activity into and around the working day, search online for Derbyshire Workplace Challenge.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

£1.3m of funding for transport equipment innovation

31st May 2016

Companies involved in road, rail and aerospace equipment manufacture will soon be able to apply for research and innovation help from a £1.3m fund, financed via the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

The ‘Catalysing Growth through Research for Transport Equipment Manufacturing’ project will be delivered by the University of Derby and Loughborough University.

It will cost £2.7m in total – £1.3m of that coming via the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) portion of D2N2’s allocation of €251m in European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), and the remainder from the two universities.

D2N2 is the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and social enterprises which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The three year Catalysing Growth project is due to begin shortly (summer 2016).

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the transport equipment manufacturing sector can access intensive research and innovation support from the University of Derby and Loughborough University.

Help will be given to main manufacturers and supply chain firms providing them with materials, services and technical support. This will boost their competitiveness, providing more efficient manufacturing processes and products, to strengthen companies’ turnover and create jobs.

The universities will help businesses identify areas where they could work with other SMEs or research institutes.

Loughborough University will supply grants to assist SMEs to get specialist support in the UK and in Europe. The University of Derby will provide direct research and development consultancy help; to address technical and design issues, prototyping and tooling equipment upgrades.

This will develop knowledge in the transport equipment manufacturing sector, by providing it with additional intensive support.

The announcement follows the recent news that another three-year project – ‘Enabling Innovation’ – to be delivered by D2N2 LEP area universities Derby, Nottingham and Nottingham Trent, will also help more than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with research and innovation. This project will cost £20.3m in total, £10.1m of that again coming via D2N2’s ERDF allocation and the remainder from the universities delivering the project.

The D2N2 Growth Hub will be supporting both projects, in helping those delivering them engage with SMEs. The Growth Hub supports new and established SMEs with help in business strategy and growth, marketing, networking and accessing funding for expansion; using its regional and national business networks to enable businesses to find the right help.

The Growth Hub can be contacted about the two projects on 0333 006 9178 or by email to info@d2n2growthhub.co.uk.

Peter Richardson, Chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “These two projects will help hundreds of SMEs gain the expert help they need, to innovate and grow their businesses. This will create jobs in our key economic sectors, including transport equipment manufacturing, food and drink, and creative and digital.

“The LEP has an over-arching target of helping create 55,000 additional private sector jobs over ten years and grow the number of businesses, and these projects are a significant boost towards that; making use of the excellent academic and industry know-how in our area.”

Professor Paul Stewart – Research Chair in Energy and Environment, and Programme Lead for both projects at the University of Derby – added: “The ‘Enabling Innovation’ and ‘Transport Equipment Manufacturing’ projects bring together a key collaboration of East Midlands’ universities; whose over-arching objective is to deliver enhanced levels of innovation, competitiveness and profitability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the entire D2N2 area.

“The D2N2 area is a key focus for road, rail and air original equipment manufacturers and SME supply chains. We are looking forward to developing this project with our delivery partner Loughborough University, and contributing to SME development and growth in this vital sector for the regional and UK economy.”

Posted in Business

Green + Benz scoop coveted Chesterfield Retailer of the Year title

26th May 2016

Four retailers retain titles in 2016 awards

Only six months after opening its new flagship store, Green + Benz has scooped the coveted title of Retailer of the Year, Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber at the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Green + Benz was among 14 Chesterfield retailers to scoop one of 18 prestigious awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The Chesterfield College Group.

The awards which returned for the third year running were the biggest yet and saw four retailers – Adorn Jewellers, R P Davidson Cheese Factor, Libby’s and Debenhams, retain their 2015 titles.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Green + Benz also took the title of Best New Store following the relocation of its Chesterfield store on Glumangate to 120sqm of premium retail space on South Street in December last year.

The increased space means Green + Benz can accommodate an open shop floor, a private viewing room and a workshop for bespoke commissions. Inside, the store boasts luxurious leather and velvet upholstery, glittering chandeliers and individual branded display bays which are framed by polished chrome edge details and numerous mirrors, which all adds to the overall sense of glamour of the store. Figures for Green + Benz showed a 68% overall growth in prior year sales results in December 2015 following the opening of the new store.

Manager of the Chesterfield store, Abi Noakes was presented with both awards at the sell-out award ceremony, which was held at the town’s Winding Wheel venue and hosted by Peak FM breakfast show presenters Cat and Stu.

Abi said: “We’re so overwhelmed and very proud and happy to receive the awards. It means so much that the awards have come from Chesterfield and everybody in Chesterfield. We really try and strive to make our clients ultra-happy and give them the best service that we can.”

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the retail awards were a huge success and highlighted how strong Chesterfield’s retail scene is. The town has an excellent mix of independent and high street retailers as well as an historic market and a key reason why so many people, locally and nationally, visit each year. It’s a winning mix that consistently sees Chesterfield buck the trend for shop vacancy rates, contributing significantly to our growing economy.”

Discover all the winners of the 2016 Chesterfield Retail Awards

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards