Business

Successful Opening for new Designer Menswear Store

24th March 2016

Local lads from Chesterfield have secured a place in UK fashion history this month when they opened their new designer store doors last weekend on Chesterfields high street, becoming the only stockist outside of London to sell famous fashion designer Joshua Kane tailoring.

The Chesterfield-born brothers, George and Joe Ward, have been rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous fashion brands to secure this exclusive contract, as well as several other fashion designers including Hackett, 7 for all Mankind and local clothing manufacturers Smedley’s, who will be providing their excellent range of casual t-shirts, cardigans and jumpers – all made just down the road.

“Our little medieval town has a lot going for it, from our famous spire attracting tourists to our booming nightlife and shopping – being ‘born and bred’ here, there was no better location for our new store than the town centre. We named the store ‘Weekend Menswear’, after all it has everything a guy needs, ready for the weekend or night on the town” says George.

“Our opening last weekend was a fantastic success, we met hundreds of local people and some even travelling from further afield to come celebrate with us and take a look at our ranges; we were surprised how much we sold just on opening weekend – this clearly shows a desire for men of Chesterfield and surrounding areas to look good, which reiterates we’ve pitched the business at the right point and market”

London is well renowned as the most fashionable city in the world – yet, with the launch of Weekend Menswear in Chesterfield, that title could be up for the taking…

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Visiting

DIY SOS star opens Chesterfield College Construction Centre with gold medal winning joinery apprentice

18th March 2016

Celebrity carpenter Mark Millar from DIY SOS helped to celebrate the opening of the new construction workshops on Infirmary Road today, along with Chesterfield College’s Worldskills UK gold medal winning apprentice, Jack Chambers.

The duo gave expert advice on how to carve a career in construction as well as judging a ‘We Built That’ competition for Year 8 & 9 school pupils from across Derbyshire.

School teams were given a brief to build the best rocket before spending the day working in the joinery, plumbing and painting and decorating workshops of the new construction workshops under the watchful eye of Chesterfield College students and tutors.

The competition finished with a rocket launch for VIP guests, prize giving ceremony for the winning team from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School and the official opening of the new building by Mark Millar, Jack Chambers and the Chair of the College Corporation Frank Smith.

Mark Millar said:

“It is a fantastic honour to be part of the opening of the new workshops and to be able to spend time with the next generation of construction experts. I can see already that the college is training people with the ability to shine. Who knows, they might be the construction stars of the future.

“When I started my career as a carpentry apprentice, learning at work and in a college, I never thought that I would be doing what I do. Not many carpenters end up on TV, but it is amazing where construction skills can lead to. It‘s fantastic to see young people being inspired and learning important construction skills in modern facilities like this because I know skilled employees are in demand.”

The new building was part funded by the Skills Funding Agency and houses several workshops and classrooms designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in a range of construction disciplines from plumbing and joinery to painting and decorating. The facility provides internal and external space for students to gain practical experience in areas that replicate real construction sites.

Joinery apprentice, 18 year old, Jack Chambers is one of the students benefitting from the facilities at Chesterfield College. He recently beat the best of the best to bring home the gold medal in joinery from the Worldskills UK competition. He says that mixing college study and his apprenticeship at Pennine Woodworking in Bradwell gave him the skills he needed to succeed and could help him compete internationally in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Jack spent some time explaining to the school teams where apprenticeships and studying at college can lead to. He said:

“When I left school I knew I would end up doing a hands-on job but I had no idea that learning a trade through studying at college and doing an apprenticeship would give me the chance to compete at an international level. It has given me a brilliant opportunity to prove what I can do and it has helped me to be better at the job I do every day too.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Post Office to grow operations in Chesterfield

17th March 2016

Business leaders in Chesterfield have welcomed news from the Post Office that it is to grow operations at its town centre base. A total of 160 jobs are to be brought to the Future Walk offices on West Bars in Chesterfield.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with The University of Derby.

The jobs have arisen following the centralisation of the majority of the Post Office’s internal contact centre/helpline work for employees and agents (franchisees) which will complement its Finance Service Centre which is already based at Future Walk. So far 45 roles of the 160 have been centralised with additional jobs expected in the near future.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “Since opening at Future Walk in the 1960s, the Post Office has been a major employer in Chesterfield and these moves which will bring up to 160 jobs to the town underlines that.
“The centralisation will bring more people into the town centre, using our shops and businesses and will help grow our town centre economy.”

250 of the town’s business leaders gathered at the town’s sell-out Celebrate event on 17 March at The Winding Wheel. Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby, the event update the business community on the progress made with developments, including the £320million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, at the event which was sponsored by Central Technology and Markham Vale, also included representatives from University of Derby, Meter Provida and Central Technology.

The breakfast event also looked back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Waterside scheme moves into planning phase following £2.7m grant

16th March 2016

Chesterfield’s £320million Waterside scheme is set to take a major step forward following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant.

The grant, which was secured by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with developers Chesterfield Waterside Limited, has enabled the first phase of the development’s £75 million Basin Square scheme to be brought forward by the site’s developers.

A Planning Application for the Basin Square Site Enabling and Infrastructure Works, and Phase 1 Layout, has been submitted, comprising:

Clearance of the former Trebor factory site, preparation of building platforms and delivery of site infrastructure.
Relocation of the existing temporary carpark to the north of the site
Creation of an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site
Illustrative proposals indicating the proposed height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Phase 1.

If approved, the planning applications will facilitate delivery of the development of Phase 1 at Basin Square, on the site of the former Trebor factory. 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, delivering office accommodation, apartments, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The applications are the result of months of planning and design work, which has included a full review of the proposals by Opun, the regional design panel.

Work on site infrastructure and preparation is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the end of 2016. Delivery of the works will pave the way for the development of the first phase of Basin Square in 2017, which is expected to create more than 300 new jobs.

Material excavated from the site as part of the site clearance will be used to construct the acoustic noise bund ahead of The Park residential development on the site of the former Arnold Laver Timber Yard, which also forms part of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

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.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc said: “The submission of planning applications for the first phase of Basin Square is a significant step forward for the Chesterfield Waterside development. 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.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “By getting this funding from the Sheffield City Region we can kick-start development on this important and high profile site in the town.

“We will continue to seek grant and loan funding from every possible source to help grow businesses, build homes and secure and create jobs for Chesterfield people.”

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. The completion of the bridge and the acoustic bund will pave the way for approximately 300 family homes to be delivered in The Park area.

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.

Read about all the regeneration sites in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Custom Solar to Sponsor Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

16th March 2016

The Chesterfield-based renewable energy company, who recently installed over 500 solar panels at The 3aaa County Ground, has thrown its support behind the six-day festival, which starts on Sunday 3 July.

The action-packed festival features two NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, against Northants Steelbacks and local rivals Yorkshire Vikings – which sold out in advance in 2015 – on consecutive Sundays, and a Specsavers County Championship fixture versus Northamptonshire which begins on Monday 4 July.

The Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, held in association with Chesterfield Borough Council, will represent the fourth successive year that title sponsorship has been attributed to a commercial partner for the annual event.

Custom Solar Director, Matthew Brailsford said: “To sponsor the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket is an exciting prospect. As a local Chesterfield business we remain active across the region and where possible support events that raise the profile of the town and county. To do this in partnership with one of our flagship clients is ideal for us.

“We will utilise the event to continue spreading the word of renewable energy and to show our continued support for local sport, both of which make us incredibly proud.”

Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Simon Storey added: “We’re delighted to extend our partnership and to have Custom Solar as our principal festival sponsors for the next three years.

“The Chesterfield Festival is always one of the highlights of the summer and we are looking forward to another fantastic week of cricket.”

Custom Solar Chesterfield Festival of Cricket 2016
NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Northants Steelbacks
Sunday 3 July; 2.30pm
Specsavers County Championship
Derbyshire vs Northamptonshire
Monday 6 July to Thursday 9 July; 11am

NatWest T20 Blast
Derbyshire Falcons vs Yorkshire Vikings
Sunday 10 July; 2.30pm

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Campaign launched to attract more visitors to Peak District & Derbyshire

16th March 2016

Young, hard-working professionals are being encouraged to escape to the beautiful Peak District to recharge their batteries and experience new adventures in a new campaign launched by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

‘The Land to Forget Time’ was revealed to unsuspecting shoppers at Birmingham’s Bullring on Saturday as a young, innocent bystander hit a flashing escape button before entering an Escape Pod and, just minutes later, re-appeared carrying a mountain bike over his shoulder looking blown away by a recent adrenaline-fuelled experience of bombing down some of the best mountain biking trails in the country. The audience watched in awe as TV and video screens suddenly flashed on, revealing a short captured moment of a mountain biking experience viewed from the riders’ handle bars!

This was just one of three fun social media flash events designed to gather audiences, connecting them together and encouraging them to participate by sharing the experience with others through social media.

The pace slowed down on Sunday when the adrenaline-charged Escape Pod was re-introduced as the ‘Recharge Pod’. Shoppers were invited to inhale the fresh air offered by the Peak District and Derbyshire and even getting a taste of it from the oxygen bar, whilst enjoying a complimentary head and shoulder massage, before being handed a goody bag full of exclusive offers and a few extra surprises.

Following on from this event, both Manchester and Birmingham commuters will be wowed by billboards and mega bus rears portraying some of the iconic attractions and things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire. Online and printed coverage delivered by the Guardian and a well-planned social media strategy will make sure this campaign drives up a successful return on investment.

“This campaign is very exciting and has really captured the imagination of our partners with many helping to fund it. We have every confidence this campaign will capture the imagination of our target audience, and successfully influence their ideas for a short break. We want to encourage people to help us breathe real life into the campaign by taking their own short videos and GoPro films that capture ‘moments’ in time”, said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“Historically the area has always performed well in attracting families and over 50s – but this campaign has been carefully crafted to widen that reach by appealing to a young ‘hip’ urban audience, the results being twofold with the campaign attracting new additional visitors, increasing spend and boosting both the local and regional economy.”

‘The Land to Forget Time’ graphic is based on a photograph taken by Dronfield-based Mark Henson, one of Experience Peak District & Derbyshire’s Destination Partner Photographers.

To have your opportunity to get involved with this campaign simply take your own short video or GoPro film of your ‘moment’ in the Peak District and Derbyshire and upload it at www.thelandtoforgettime.co.uk for the chance to win a prize worth in excess of £2,000!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Digital marketing apprentice joins In the Works PR

16th March 2016

Ben Leach has joined leading Chesterfield PR firm In the Works PR, as Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Former A Level business studies student, Ben (17) from Edwinstowe near Mansfield, has joined the four-strong team as a Level 3 apprentice. He is the company’s first apprentice appointment and is an integral part of its plans to expand the digital communications side of the business in 2016.

As part of his role Ben will be developing his writing skills for website content, social media and the press, looking to progress to a level 4 apprenticeship with the business once he has successfully completed his 15 month Level 3 apprenticeship.

Commenting on his new role Ben said: “There’s a wide variety of clients at In the Works PR with very different requirements which will give me a broad range of experience and skills. It’s a face-paced, challenging and exciting environment to work. It’s great to be part of the growing, but tight-knit team at In the Works PR and I’m really looking forward to developing my career here.”

Anna Melton, Director of In the Works PR, added: “It’s great to have some young talent in the team. We’re all really looking forward to developing Ben and ensuring he has a long and rewarding career with the business. We know our clients will love him as much as we do.”

Outside work, Ben enjoys writing and is a published ‘contributing author’ to a writing anthology.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

eBusiness Works expands the team

15th March 2016

Joe Morton is the latest member to join the Chesterfield-based digital marketing company eBusiness Works.

Joe (16) from New Whittington, has joined eBusiness Works, based on Saltergate in Chesterfield, as a Digital Marketing Apprentice.

Prior to joining the company Joe was studying A-Levels at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School. As part of his new role Joe will be working alongside eBusiness Works Director Emma Loughlin learning about all aspects of the business during his 15 month apprenticeship and being developed into a Digital Marketing Executive.

Commenting on his new role Joe said: “It’s great to be part of what was already an amazing team and I’m looking forward to really getting into the role. The company has a great variety of clients which means every day is new and exciting in the office. There is never a dull day!”

Emma Loughlin added: “We’re delighted to welcome Joe to the business. He has a strong passion for writing which is ideal as we place such a strong emphasis on good online content – that’s what makes us different.

“We’re looking to build on the success of our Derbyshire Times Award in 2015 for Best Business Idea and Joe’s appointment is key to driving forward our development and growth.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

New Designer Store to Open In Chesterfield

15th March 2016

Local lads from Chesterfield have secured a place in UK fashion history this month, as they launch a unique men’s designer shop in Chesterfield town centre – securing an exclusive stockist, the only store outside of London.

The Chesterfield-born brothers, George and Joe Ward, have always had a passion for business, having worked for their dad’s retail company since childhood. George studied business at local Chesterfield College and both have always had a passion for fashion, so when the opportunity arose they jumped at the opportunity to start their own venture.

The boys’ local work ethic has secured them some of the UK’s most recognised fashion designer contracts, with none other than upcoming tailored suit designer, Joshua Kane.

Joshua Kane is well-known throughout Europe for his unique tailored styles, famously popular within sportsmen such as footballers and fashion conscious celebrities, with the likes of Dougie Poynter, model Oxford Neilsen and Portuguese football pro Raul Meireles. Shoppers have known to travel as far as Paris and Spain to his London store to shop!

Other stockists include Hackett, 7 for all Mankind and local clothing manufacturers Smedley’s, who will be providing their excellent range of casual t-shirts, cardigans and jumpers – all made just down the road.

The shop, appropriately named ‘Weekend Menswear’ after all it has everything a guy can need ready for the weekend – will open on the 18^th March with a fun-packed weekend launch – at Stephenson Place, Town Centre in Chesterfield. To celebrate the opening, Weekend Menswear are offering 10% discount off all casual wear over the opening weekend.

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

Win a 2 week apprenticeship taster with the Derbyshire Times

14th March 2016

A competition has been launched by the Derbyshire Times and Learning Unlimited (part of the Chesterfield College group) to offer one talented young person the opportunity to try an apprenticeship within the local media.

Designed to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 14th – 18th March, the lucky winner will enjoy a 2-week ‘apprenticeship taster’ with the digital team at the Derbyshire Times’ head office in Chesterfield.

The Derbyshire Times is looking for a passionate young person who believes they can make an impact with captivating articles and social media posts which will get people talking. The team is inviting anyone who will be between the age of 18 and 24 by the start of the summer holidays* to enter.

Apprenticeships are now offered in over 250 professions and so Learning Unlimited and the Derbyshire Times are getting behind the campaign to show how being an apprentice could be the right way to get the training and experience needed to kick start a huge range of careers in roles such as social media, marketing, healthcare and engineering.

There will be a competition workshop on 21st March from 4 -5pm at Chesterfield College where the editor and digital manager from the Derbyshire Times will give entrants a project brief and a chance to find out more about what they are looking for. To register to go along to the workshop email apprenticecomp@learningunlimiteduk.com with your name, age, and why you want the chance to do the apprenticeship taster.

To find out more about entering the competition visit https://www.learningunlimiteduk.com/apprenticecomp

*To take part in this competition you must be between 18 and 24 years old by 21st July 2016. The deadline for entries is the 5th April 2016.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Coalite redevelopment moves a step closer

14th March 2016

Plans to redevelop the former Coalite site could soon become a reality now measures to bring it back into use are gathering pace.

The 140 acre site, which lies partly in North East Derbyshire District and partly in Bolsover District, has already been granted planning permission for employment use by Bolsover District Council.

A further application for up to 660 houses, a school and a neighbourhood centre is due to be considered by North East Derbyshire District Council in the coming weeks.

And now Derbyshire County Council has given the project a further boost by agreeing to look at potential funding to help kick start the long-awaited regeneration of the site which has remained derelict since the Coalite coking works closed down more than 12 years ago.

If planning permission is granted for the ambitious plans drawn-up by Bolsover Land Ltd, a joint venture between Marcol and St Francis Group, work will first be needed to clear up a number of contaminants on the land − and we’ve offered to help.

Derbyshire County Council Leader, Councillor Anne Western said:

“The Coalite site has been an eye sore for many years since the plant closed down but it has massive potential to help regenerate the area.

“We’re using our experience and expertise in successfully developing the former colliery site at Markham Vale to support Bolsover District Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and developers Bolsover Land Ltd in their proposals to develop Coalite for jobs and housing.

“We all want to see the site properly cleaned-up and we’re taking bold steps and exploring funding options to help pave the way for redevelopment.”

Councillor Ann Syrett, Leader of Bolsover District Council, said:

“The regeneration of Coalite has been a long-standing priority for the council and the people of Bolsover and we welcome the involvement of the county council to help make this development a reality.”

Councillor Graham Baxter MBE, Leader of North East Derbyshire District Council, added:

“We’ve been working closely with all the partners concerned to make sure the whole of the Coalite site is redeveloped. We’re determined to see high quality jobs and houses on the site and this commitment from the county council to work in partnership with us to clean up the land is a major step in the right direction.”

Derbyshire County Council is due to meet with Bolsover Land Ltd over the coming weeks to discuss funding options.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure