Business

First stage plans for Chesterfield Waterside

Acting on behalf Chesterfield Waterside Partnership, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Chesterfield Borough Council, HOW Planning has secured reserved matters planning approval for the first phase of the £300 million mixed use regeneration scheme in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

The site, known as Chesterfield Waterside, is made up of land within the A61 and Chesterfield Canal Corridor and the planning approval for 19 new homes marks the first element of the extensive scheme which is set to be delivered over the next few years.

Says Liz McFadyean, Senior Planning and Environmental Consultant at HOW Planning:  “This is a fantastic result which will see work get underway at the new Chesterfield Waterside site.  The overall development will open up a huge area of redundant land, transforming it into a thriving new district, helping to create new jobs, providing new housing as well as services that will help support these homes.”

Chesterfield Waterside is being delivered by specialist regeneration developer, Urbo Regeneration which is controlled by Chesterfield based Bolsterstone PLC and Arnold Laver Group and comprises an employment and residential led mixed-use regeneration scheme covering 25ha site and creating approximately 2000 jobs.

HOW carried out all planning and retail work for the initial outline planning application which was approved in March 2011

In addition to new residential, retail, office and leisure accommodation the development will include new canal link into the Chesterfield Canal will enhance the waterside environment and will be complemented by open space including a linear park and eco-park as well as high quality new public realm space.

Peter Swallow, Chairman of Chesterfield Waterside commented:  “This is a large and complex scheme and it is great to see things moving.  A lot of hard work has been put into every stage of the project and HOW has led an extensive professional team in all planning stages. This is a fantastic result and allows us to get underway with delivery phase, which is likely to be a period of 10-15 years.’

Posted in Business

Free workshop aims to help Chesterfield businesses shine

Chesterfield-based businesses are being given the opportunity to shine by local award writing specialist and Chesterfield Champion, Pure Events. Lucinda White, Director of Pure Events is hosting a free Business Awards workshop on Wednesday 27th November at Tapton Innovation Centre.

The workshop, which is organised in partnership between Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project, will give people the skills, information and top tips they need to submit creative and well-written award entries.

The workshop itself has been shortlisted for the ‘Business Idea of the Year’ Award in the 2013 Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

As a follow-up to the workshop, all delegates will also receive a free critique of next award entry, worth £175.

Dominic Stevens Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “The town has many great business success stories that aren’t being told or recognised. By organising this free workshop we hope to give business the skills and know-how they need to get valuable recognition for their business.  They may have missed out on this year’s local business awards, but after attending this workshop there will be no excuse for missing out on next year’s.”

To reserve a place on the Business Awards Workshop visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/awards.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Minister backs D2N2’s Skills for Growth Strategy launched at Champions Breakfast

D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – launched its Skills for Growth Strategy yesterday.

And the plan was welcomed by Matthew Hancock MP, the Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, backing the commitment of the Local Enterprise Partnership for putting skills at the forefront of its agenda.

D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph outlined the initial plans at a special Chesterfield Champions event hosted by Destination Chesterfield at Chesterfield College’s Heartspace building on Infirmary Road.

Mr Ralph said: “Business consistently identifies skills as their number one barrier to growth and for that reason alone skills is one of the key cornerstones of our Growth Strategy – to deliver 55,000 jobs over the next ten years.

“We have to recognise that for there to be a step change in skills, outcomes will not be delivered through any magic bullet but with a relentless pursuit of excellence. Fundamentally, and in D2N2’s view, placing employability and the needs of employers across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire at the forefront of our Skills for Growth Strategy is key.

“If we are serious about economic growth then we need to be serious about positioning delivery to support employers.

“Under the localism agenda, success is in our hands. Raising aspirations comes best from local champions and best practice and it will be the delivery of local collaboration, energy and excellence which makes the lasting difference.”

Matthew Hancock MP, the Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, welcomed D2N2’s Skills for Growth Strategy.

He said: “I welcome the launch of D2N2’s skills plan. There is a clear commitment to driving up apprenticeship opportunities and to working with employers, colleges and training providers to prioritise the skills needs of business now and for the future.

“The next stage must be to turn the plan into action, and for the benefits to be felt by employers and learners on the ground.”
The Strategy outlines six key skills priorities. They are:

• Develop sector growth agreements to make explicit ownership and shared responsibilities for investment, ICT, labour market intelligence and impact measures.

• Improve business leadership, management skills and training needs analysis to help increase productivity and performance.

• Promote and develop apprenticeships and traineeships to achieve higher-level skills and improve social mobility.

• Foster enterprise and the characteristics of entrepreneurial behaviour, career adaptability and resilience.

• Raise the visibility of and access to career insights and specialist careers support for young people and adults to raise aspirations, participation, retention and achievement in learning and work.

• Promote graduate recruitment and facilitate graduate retention in the region.

To download the Skills for Growth summary or full document, go towww.d2n2lep.org/skills

Source:D2N2

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield

Markham Vale jobs boost as work on £8m development begins

Work has started on a new £8m manufacturing facility which will bring another 50 jobs to Derbyshire’s flagship regenerate site.

Northern Ireland’s biggest egg processor, Ready Egg Products has selected Markham Vale site for its new manufacturing facility – creating 50 jobs for local people over the next two years.

The company chose the site, next to the purpose built junction 29A of the M1, for its excellent transport links, saying it will help provide a more efficient service to its clients, 80% of which are based in the UK mainland.

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

“I am delighted to welcome Ready Egg Products to Markham Vale for the development of its new base which will bring 50 new job opportunities.

“A lot of hard work has gone into getting Markham Vale to the stage it is during extremely tough economic times and there have been some very positive recent developments with more in the pipeline.

“Everything we have done at Markham is geared towards long-term job creation and strong foundations are in place. During the last year alone over 500 new jobs have been announced and we will continue to work hard to attract more companies with the aim of bringing 5,000 jobs for local people.”

Work is underway on a state-of-the-art 34,700 sq ft warehouse on nearly three acres of land, which is expected to be ready for business by June 2014.

Ready Egg, which was set up as a family operation in 2004, currently employs around 80 people at its Northern Ireland headquarters near Enniskillen.

It processes over 1.4m eggs per day for a number of high profile clients to use in food-making including cakes, pastries, pies, mayonnaise and meringues.

Charles Crawford, Managing Director of Ready Egg Products, said:

“This is an exciting development for Ready Egg Products and we’re pleased to be bringing 50 jobs for local people to Markham Vale.

“Our new processing site will give our customers – the vast majority of which are in the mainland UK – a better service at a better price.

“Markham Vale is the ideal fit for us because of how close it is to the motorway network, meaning significant savings on transport. Having a purpose-built facility to exact specifications will also streamline operations meaning a more efficient service.”
We are working with development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd which is managing and marketing Markham Vale.

Ben Ward, Senior Development Surveyor at Henry Boot Developments Ltd, said:

“This is more great news for Markham Vale. Ready Egg is the latest business to choose Markham Vale as a location due to its excellent transport links to the M1. We are currently finalising discussions with several other occupiers and hope to be able to release further details soon.”

Henry Boot Construction won the contract to construct the building which will accommodate Ready Egg’s operational needs and take 34 weeks to complete.

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances – offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Skills and innovation to be focus of June date of Chesterfield’s Manufacturing and Engineering Forum

Members of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s manufacturing business community, that wish to develop the skills of their workforce will hear first-hand how the new AMRC Training Centre, which opens this autumn, can help them do just that.

Graeme Ashcroft, the recently appointed director of the new centre, will be the keynote speaker at the Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum, which is taking place on Wednesday 5th June at Calabria on Glumangate in the town centre from 8.00am – 9.30am.

Alongside Graeme Ashcroft, speakers at the event will also include Paul Stuart from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Programme and representatives from Sheffield City Region City Deal and its ‘Skills made Easy’ programme.

Organised by the town’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield, The forum is chaired by United Cast Bar Managing Director and Chesterfield Champion James Brand.

He said: “Engineering and manufacturing is thriving in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, however it is not often talked about. The forum is an opportunity for firms in these industries from across the area to get together and share our success and access the information and advice to grow and prosper further.”

The June event will focus on skills and training and is being supported by NatWest as well as United Cast Bar.

The event is free to attend for Manufacturing and Engineering Businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire; however places are limited and are on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a place, email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Business

Top listing for Chesterfield Waterside set to bring it to the attention of investors

Chesterfield’s commercial property offering has been brought to the attention of national investors after the town’s Waterside development was announced as one of the UK’s largest Regeneration and Renewal projects in a prestigious list of major schemes issued for 2013.

The £340m development, has moved four places since 2012 to be ranked at number 47 in the top 100 list of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, published this week in the sectors leading publications, Planning Magazine,  and Regeneration & Renewal.

The 60-acre development is being led by Chesterfield-based company, Bolsterstone Group, working in partnership with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group and Chair of the town’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield, is delighted with the project’s position in the list. He explained: “Acknowledgment of Chesterfield Waterside as a key regeneration project in the UK will bring it to the attention of national commercial property agents, and inward investors/employers looking to establish new locations, which will in turn bring new jobs and opportunities to the Town.”

The first commercial/employment phases of the mixed-use 10-year development project will feature office space located on the site of the former Trebor Bassett factory, adjacent to the railway station. Bolsterstone are currently in detailed negotiations with a number of potential occupiers, which should lead to a start on site in the coming months. In addition, negotiations in respect of the family housing element of the project, which is to be developed on the former Arnold Laver timber yard site, are also at an advanced stage.

He added: “Chesterfield Waterside’s first phase location, right beside the station and within walking distance of the town centre will, I believe, make it particularly attractive to technology and digital media companies. It’s an opportunity to attract these rapidly growing new business sectors to the town and create opportunities and jobs for the people who live and work here.”

Chesterfield Waterside forms part of the A61 Corridor Regeneration area, which has already delivered the independent four-star Casa Hotel, Tesco and the Pro-act stadium. The Waterside development is one of two projects by Bolsterstone Group to appear in the prestigious Top 100 list; the other being the £244m New Bolton Woods scheme in Bradford, which is listed at number 65.

Mr Swallow added: “The strong positioning of our schemes across the region highlights the achievement in maintaining project momentum at a time when some major regeneration projects across the UK have stalled.”

Posted in Business, Development

Chesterfield Waterside to welcome Communities and Local Government director general

Chesterfield Waterside is  to welcome Communities and Local Government director general.  D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is hosting a visit from Peter Schofield, the Director General of the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), on Friday, May 3.

CLG are one of the Departments that have provided resources for the Growing Places Fund (GPF) and Mr Schofield will be visiting to look at projects that are already, or could in the future be benefitting from the work of the D2N2 LEP.

D2N2 chairman Peter Richardson and chief executive David Ralph will show Mr Schofield the growth potential of business locations, and small and medium sized firms, in our region by touring projects and businesses in the area.

One stop on his tour will be the Chesterfield Waterside project, where they will meet withPeter Swallow, the developer of the site and chair of Destination Chesterfield, as well as representatives of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Chesterfield Waterside is an innovative and sustainable £340 million scheme and is currently the (47th) largest regeneration project in theUK, which will rise from the remains of the old Trebor factory and is a major mixed-use regeneration scheme located immediately adjacent to the town centre.

The site, which incorporates elements of the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal, and sits alongside the A61, will provide a thriving and successful new destination, including the creation of a new community with 1,500 modern houses and apartments, new employment opportunities, shops, cafes and bars around the new canal basin and public square.

David Ralph said: “We are building a relationship with Government and through our senior sponsors it is critical part of our Growth Plan. Therefore we welcome Peter Schofield to look around the area and hear about the work D2N2 is doing and proposing to grow the region’s economy.

“We are looking to take him to both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, including to the Chesterfield Waterside project, and I am sure this will be the start of a number of visits to our area. We will continue to help grow the region and we are working relentlessly towards doing that.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said, “We welcome this opportunity to work with D2N2LEP in hosting Peter Schofield’s visit to Chesterfield to discuss the importance of the Chesterfield Waterside project to the town, and the region, and how the Government’s ‘Growing Places’ funding scheme will be instrumental in bringing forward the first phase of development.”

Mike Hayden, head of regeneration at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome such a senior government official toChesterfieldto see the great opportunities the town has to attract investment and create jobs and new homes.

“Chesterfield Waterside is set to transform the town and with the help of £750,000 from the Growing Places Fund awarded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership to support the infrastructure costs, we expect development to start by the end of 2013.”

Posted in Business, Development

New McDonalds open and trading well at Markham Vale

Following the recent opening of McDonald’s at its 200 acre Markham Vale scheme in Chesterfield, Henry Boot Developments Limited is delighted that the restaurant is trading well.

The new 3,556 sq ft McDonald’s is part of the first phase of development at Markham Vale West, where potential new occupiers are in discussions to provide supporting leisure services to cater for the growing number of people being employed at this fast growing business park.

The drive-thru restaurant was constructed in just 18 weeks and is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The restaurant is owned by local McDonald’s franchisee Walter Wright who employs 90 full and part time staff at the restaurant.

Commenting on the new restaurant, Walter Wright said: “As a local businessman, I’m keen to ensure continued investment in the area and I’m delighted that the new restaurant has created a significant number of new jobs for local people”.

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments, commented: “It’s great to see the appeal of Markham Vale go from strength to strength. We are looking to make further announcements regarding supporting retail and leisure operators in the near future. These operators will service the growing numbers of employees based at Markham Vale and the wider community of Duckmanton, Bolsover and Chesterfield.”

Find out more about Markham Vale

Source:Henry Boot

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New TK Maxx store creates up to 50 new jobs

A brand new TK Maxx store is set to open its doors in Lordsmill Street, Chesterfield on 14th February and will be creating 50 new jobs in the area. This new TK Maxx store will feature over 19,235 sq ft/ 1,787 sq metre store of this season’s must-have fashion and accessories for women, men and kids as well as homeware at a fraction of the normal retail price.

The TK Maxx concept is simple. TK Maxx buyers shop the world all year round working direct with designers to negotiate great deals bringing customers designer and famous brands at a fraction of normal retail prices. With a modern and stylish, but no frills store environment, further savings can be passed on to customers. A typical TK Maxx store stocks an average 50,000 items with daily deliveries bringing up to 10,000 new items to store every week so customers will always find a constantly fresh and exciting mix of top brands and great quality at the lowest prices, every time they visit.

TK Maxx spokesperson, Helen Gunter said:

“We are very excited to be opening up a new store and bringing Chesterfieldshoppers savings of up to 60% off the RRP on great brands and labels for all the family under one roof.”

The first 500 shoppers through the door will receive a £10 Gift card to spend in store. Doors open 9am.

Source:TK Maxx

Posted in Business, Development

Manufacturing the future of Chesterfield

A new forum for manufacturing and engineering businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire is being launched.

The forum which is organised by Destination Chesterfield will be led by manufacturing and engineering businesses from across North Derbyshire acting as a voice for the sector and will be chaired by James Brand, Managing Director at United Cast Bar Ltd.

The first event takes place on Thursday 10th January at 08.30 at United Cast Bar Ltd and is open to any manufacturing or engineering business

This regular forum will give businesses of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire the opportunity to discuss the latest from their sector, to share best practice, and to work collaboratively to address issues and promote successes.

The first forum will also include an update on the latest phase of Regional Growth Funding that is available to Chesterfield businesses. Expressions of interest are now being accepted from businesses with new investment proposals that are seeking to be part of the Regional Growth Fund programme (for further information contact Matthew Southgate at Chesterfield Borough Council tel 01246 345272).

James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bars Ltd and Destination Chesterfield Board Member said “It is important that the manufacturing industry work together inNorth Derbyshireto ensure they have a collective voice and can influence and benefit from regional opportunities for business growth, funding and training. I am looking forward to working jointly to champion our sector inChesterfieldand beyond.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of DestinationChesterfieldsaid “The manufacturing sector is a priority sector for Destination Chesterfield – it is important to work with these businesses to promote their successes and support their growth”

Booking is required for this event and is open to any Chesterfield or North Derbyshire manufacturing or engineering company. Emaildominic.stevens@dncc.co.uk to reserve a place.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield

Local design star to unveil Debenhams Chesterfield Store

The eagerly awaited new Debenhams Chesterfield store will open on Thursday, 20 September.

Local designer, Ashley Thomas – whose designs are currently available as part of the Debenhams Edition homeware collection – will officially launch the store, alongside manager Natalie Collins and her new team.

Ashley studied Art and Design at Chesterfield College before going on to study Surface Pattern Design at Staffordshire University. After graduating she was invited to show her work at the ‘New Designers Show’ in London, and from this went on to work with well-known British brands such as Laura Ashley and Mamas and Papas.

Originally from London, Ashley’s family relocated to Chesterfield to start their own business in 2001, Chesterfield Cattery, which they still run to this day. Her love of animals can be seen in her playful designs for Debenhams, which include cushions, wall art, lamps and mugs.

Store manager Natalie says: “We’re thrilled that one of the Debenhams designers will be helping us to open the store on launch day especially as Ashley is a local girl, just like me.”

Ashley says: “My friends were all making jokes about me opening the Chesterfield store so it was really funny when I got the call from Debenhams to ask if I would cut the ribbon on the opening day. I’m touched to have been asked to welcome the store to my home town. I’m so excited about my newly launched collections for Debenhams, it’s such an amazing feeling knowing that my designs will be available on my doorstep.”

Once open, Debenhams Chesterfield customers will be able to enjoy the designer collections that Debenhams is famous for, including H! by Henry Holland, Principles by Ben de Lisi, J by Jasper Conran, Star by Julien Macdonald and Rocha by John Rocha.

Beauty fans are in for a treat as the store’s cosmetics hall will offer an extensive range of big beauty names such as Lancôme, Estee Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, Benefit and Bare Escentuals.

A free Personal Shopping service will be available, offering customers in need of style guidance one-on-one advice on the clothes best suited to fit their body shape and personal style.

Customers can also take advantage of an in-store ordering service, allowing them to order any Debenhams product and either pick it up in store or have it delivered direct to their home.

A Café Estro will also be found in store providing fresh coffees and pastries, hot and cold snacks such as paninis, soups and salads as well as healthy lunch boxes for kids.

Natalie adds: “The team and I have been working hard to get the store ready for launch day and we are all just eager now to get the doors open and start serving customers. We can’t wait to show off the new store.”

Debenhams Chesterfield will open to the public on 20 September at 10am.

Source:Debenhams

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

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