Business

Work starts on new Chesterfield College building

Work has begun at Chesterfield College to create a new home for students studying plumbing, joinery and other building services courses.

The new structure, which is taking shape next to the A61 opposite the college’s existing campus on Infirmary Road, has been part funded by the Skills Funding Agency. Completion is expected by September 2015.

Principal at Chesterfield College, Stuart Cutforth explains, “This will be a fantastic new facility for our students studying a range of building services. We aim to bring the very best learning environment to every single one of our students, vitally this new building will have the latest facilities that prepare them for working out in today’s construction industry.”

The college is also updating parts of its tower building, a familiar sight on Chesterfield’s skyline. First of all the neon ‘Chesterfield College’ signage is being updated to an LED lighting system which is substantially more cost effective to run.

The oldest parts of the tower are also being updated with new double glazing and cladding that will not only update the look of the building but also improve its thermal efficiency, saving a considerable amount in heating costs.

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Peak and Derbyshire Share in £20m Tourism Spending and Jobs Boost

Over £20 million in extra spending has been generated and 381 jobs created locally since Visit Peak District & Derbyshire launched its latest major marketing push, ‘The World Away’ – worth £600,000 over three years.

And almost half the people surveyed said that successive broadcast, online and print promotions since 2012 had made them more likely to consider the area for a holiday or short break.

Research carried out on behalf of national tourist board VisitEngland reveals that the upsurge in interest in the Peak District and Derbyshire has been achieved thanks to Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s share in a £19.8 million pot of money from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Marketing activity in previous years has included a £150,000 multi-media campaign, including the Peak District and Derbyshire’s first-ever television commercial, screened in ITV’s Anglia and Central (East and West) regions and available on Video on Demand (VOD).

This year promotion is focusing on VOD in the ITV Granada and Central West regions until the end of March and paid advertising on Facebook and YouTube, backed by 250,000 A5 leaflets funded by D2N2, The Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, to reach specific audiences across Birmingham and Greater Manchester.

Website activity also includes The World Away Giveaway – a competition worth more than £2,000 hosted at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/win including many great prizes such as family silver membership for two adults and three children at Chatsworth.

And businesses across the area and beyond are being urged to make the campaign even more successful by sharing Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s multi-platform content on their websites and social media.

“We are delighted that our involvement in ‘Growing Tourism Locally’ is paying such high dividends for the Peak District and Derbyshire,” said Jo Dilley, Destination Management Organisation (DMO) Director.

“The message is that the Peak District and Derbyshire is affordable, accessible and open all year – and the tourism industry, both locally and further afield, can make our efforts even more successful by sharing our content across a number of digital platforms.

“Looking ahead, we hope to build on the success we have achieved since 2012 by securing a share in the £10 million ‘Northern Futures’ campaign, unveiled by the Government last year – designed to lure tourists out of London to enjoy the North’s stunning countryside, history and culture and due to be launched this spring.”

Posted in Business

University of Derby to Help More Chesterfield Youngsters access Higher Education

Inspiring more young people in Chesterfield to get better qualifications is one of the aims of a new £197,000 project led by the University of Derby.

The University has been awarded money by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to run a new North East Midlands Collaborative Outreach Network, one of 35 such projects across the UK created under a £22 million scheme.

Each network will help teachers and advisers find out about higher education through events on their doorstep and provide general guidance about going to colleges and universities.

The network led by the University of Derby has been allocated £120,000 per year by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for the academic years 2014-15 and 2015-16 to set up and co-ordinate its infrastructure on behalf of partners – which include Chesterfield College.

Liz Downes, Head of Higher Education at Chesterfield College, said: “East Midlands is one of the lowest participation regions in England and working together could really make an impact in inspiring young people to consider higher education.”

A further £77,632 per year will also be provided to the University of Derby for extra work that will benefit the schools and colleges within the Network’s area, which covers ten educational institutions across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, parts of Leicestershire and parts of Lincolnshire.

A website to be launched in spring will include information about events and services for local schools and colleges, as well as signposting advice to support schools and colleges as they prepare their students for higher education.

Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, said: “More of our young people need to see the way universities can help them build fulfilling careers.”

Krisha Bainham, Head of Education Liaison at Derby added: “I’m looking forward to working with all the partners to raise awareness of the real advantages that a higher education qualification can give.”

Posted in Business

Chesterfield College Launches New Creative Hub

West Studios has opened its doors to showcase the new facilities it has available for creative businesses in Chesterfield.

The former boy’s grammar school on Sheffield Road has been completely renovated thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

Part of Chesterfield College, the centre now offers workshop and office space, as well as access to business support that can help turn creative skills into successful enterprises.

Guests enjoyed an exhibition and auction at the event on Thursday 22nd January which featured a diverse range of work from current tenants – from silversmithing to sculpture, knitwear design to performing arts and much more.

Sharlaine Fincham, Manager of West Studios said:-

“It is wonderful to be able play a role in nurturing local creative talent in a way that will give creative industries in our region a real competitive edge.

“It’s evident that a facility like West Studios is needed as we are already working with so many fantastic businesses. We are helping our tenants with things like market research, using social media and other general business support that can really make a difference.”

Photographs from the launch event are on the Chesterfield Facebook page here.

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Casa named Top 5 UK Hotel

Casa Hotel in Chesterfield has been announced as one of the top 5 hotels in the UK in the Trip Advisor 2015 Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The independent 4 star luxury hotel has been voted the 5th best hotel in the UK ahead of London’s Corinthia and Goring Hotels  – the latter being famously associated with Kate Middleton and her stay prior to her wedding to Prince William, which were placed 6th and 7th respectively in the prestigious list.

Twenty-five hotels feature in the Trip Advisor 2015 Top UK Hotels list, which was revealed on 21st January this year.  Casa is the only hotel from the Midlands region and one of only two in the North of England to feature in the top five. Of the 25 hotels voted as the UK’s best, less than half (12) are from outside London.

This year’s Trip Advisor listing sees a rise of five places since 2014 for the 100 bedroom Casa Hotel, which is located on the outskirts of Chesterfield town centre and owned by local entrepreneur, Steve Perez.

Commenting on the achievement, Steve Perez said: “The team and I are delighted with the award. We all work tirelessly to provide the best stay for our guests and I am delighted and grateful that so many of them have taken the time and trouble to share their opinions on Trip Advisor. We value all feedback and actively use it to further improve. It’s a great accolade and wonderful to be one of only a few hotels outside London, recognised in Trip Advisor’s top 25, that delivers an excellent experience for guests. It is true Derbyshire hospitality coming to the fore.”

The Spanish-themed Casa Hotel earned the top five listing following 800 reviews on Trip Advisor, the world’s largest online community, with 84% of reviewers rating their stay at the hotel as ‘excellent’ and a total of 98% rating it either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’. In the reviews guests regularly describe their stay at Casa as ‘awesome’, ‘fabulous’, ‘faultless’, ‘brilliant’ and ‘a pure delight’.

The Spanish heritage of the hotel’s owner Steve Perez runs right through Casa, from the décor to its 2 Rosette awarded Cocina restaurant, where the chefs cook using Spanish charcoal fired ovens

As well as priding itself on exemplary customer service, Casa is one of the only hotels in the UK to boast balcony hot tubs and saunas in its suites.  Guests also regularly praise the hotel’s comfortable beds in their Trip Advisor reviews, which are award winning super king-sized Hypnos beds and were specified by the owner himself after he slept on one and credited it with his best ever night’s sleep.

Earlier this year the hotel also won a Laterooms.com Simply the Guest Award, ranking it as a top hotel following guest reviews.

(Image shows Stuart Downham, Operations Director at Casa Hotel celebrating the award with the hotel staff.)

Source:Casa Hotel via In the Works PR

Posted in Business

Latest good news on jobs

The latest job figures announced today show significant annual falls in the number of people claiming out of work benefits and the total number of unemployed people across the region, along with a large annual increase in employment.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming out of work benefit stood at 1,385 in December, which is 522 fewer than the same month in 2013 and 61 fewer than the figure announced in November.

In Derby and Derbyshire, there were 491 fewer Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) claimants in December than there were in November, representing an annual fall of 5,517, or 36%.

Across the East Midlands, the total number of people in employment increased by 11,709 in the three months to November, an increase of 49,750 on the same period in 2013.

The total number of unemployed between September and November increased by 603, but was down by 19,094 on the year.

The East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, has welcomed the news, but says firms are still struggling to recruit skilled staff.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Head of Information and Representation, said: “Today’s employment figures are once again extremely positive and show that significant progress has been made in getting more people off jobseekers’ benefits and into work.

“However, this growth in employment could be even better as many businesses are still telling the Chamber that they experience difficulties in finding suitably skilled workers.

“The results of our latest Quarterly Economic Survey (Q4 2014) showed that about two-thirds of firms – twice as many as in the same quarter of 2013 – struggled to recruit people with the skills they need. This is an area which requires urgent focus from policymakers.

“In particular, getting the link right between education and the world of work has never been more important if this country is serious about creating a new economy equipped for success in the long term.

“It’s an issue that the Chamber has long campaigned on and, unfortunately, the structural problems in this area, over the past few years in particular, are impacting upon businesses’ ability today to recruit the right staff to help them grow.

“The skills shortage is very much a current issue, so getting right policies in place to support recruitment is imperative, with priority being given to  specific policies regarding relief on business investment and supporting those furthest away from the job market into employment.”

Source:East Midlands Chamber

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Successful year for Markham Vale

Developers are celebrating following an unprecedented year of activity at one of Chesterfield’s most prominent development sites.

Henry Boot Developments appointed six different contractors to build at the Markham Vale business park in 2014 as well as announcing speculative building proposals and five major deals.

The site has now commissioned a total of £30 million in construction projects on the 200 acre business park.

Edward Hutchinson from Henry Boot Developments said:-

“Markham Vale is an attractive location for a variety of occupiers which includes specialist distributors and manufacturers and supporting retail and offices requirements.

“The design and specification requirements for each plot vary greatly and it has proved successful for us to appoint contractors able to deliver the most competitive solution for specific occupier requirements.

In the last year Henry Boot has secured deals with Ready Egg Products for a new 34,700 sq. ft food processing plant, Holdsworth Foods 17,900 sq. ft cold store and Euro Garages complete with Shell petrol station with HGV facilities, a SPAR convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks drive-through. It also completed work on site to deliver a new Marstons public house. In the autumn it secured Gould Alloys for a 50,000 sq. ft design and build requirement and agreed terms with inspirepac to build a significant new 100,250 sq ft  production facility

Further deals are in negotiations which could see the East site at full occupation and allow Henry Boot Developments to bring forward plans for development of 80 acres on Markham Vale North.

Source:Henry Boot Developments via frenchpr

Posted in Business, Development

£400m Peak Resort development announced by Prime Minister David Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron announced Peak Resort, a £400m leisure development near Chesterfield, which will create 1,300 jobs.

The all-weather leisure, health, sport and education destination will be located on the edge of the Peak District National Park.

The tourism development, which will bring more than 1,300 jobs to Chesterfield has been welcomed as a further sign of the borough’s economic strength.

Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, the town’s marketing campaign, both say the news that the Peak Resort project will soon get underway shows the private sector’s confidence about investing in the borough.

News about the start of work on the integrated all-weather, year round leisure, health, sport and education destination will be formally announced by the Prime Minister David Cameron during a visit to America.

Plans for the project – which is in the Chesterfield borough on the reclaimed opencast mining site, close to the Birchall Estate at Unstone, have been years in the making. It brings together leading hospitality, university, sport and medical expertise and will have 600 holiday apartments, hotel and hostel units with 250 woodland lodges.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic boost to Chesterfield and its economy and another sign of the confidence the business community has about investing in our borough.

“I congratulate the developer Rupert Carr for his determination and hard work to make this happen. I also thank the council’s planning and economic development teams who have worked closely with him and his company over many years to make this project a reality.

“The development will provide 1,300 jobs when it opens, and hundreds more during the construction phase, so the opportunities for local people to get new jobs will be tremendous.

“And once completed the venue will bring thousands of extra visitors to our borough, improving Chesterfield’s tourism offer, with the knock-on benefits that this gives to our local shops and facilities.”

The move has also received the backing of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s marketing campaign.

Chair, Peter Swallow said: “The benefits of Chesterfield’s proximity to the Peak District National Park will be fully realised with the announcement of Peak Resort.

“The investment by the US firm Grand Heritage Hotel Group will put the town on the international map and I am confident Chesterfield will reap the domino effect of this investment far beyond the construction phase.

“Residents, retailers and developers in the area have an excellent opportunity now to capitalise on Peak Resort ahead of its opening and make Chesterfield the best it can be to ensure a positive lasting impression for all visitors.”

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, which represents businesses in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “This is fantastic news and will totally transform both the economy and the tourism offer of Chesterfield and the Peak District.

“This scheme has been in development for many years, so it’s great to see it has finally secured the funding to bring it to fruition, along with the green light to make it happen.”

“The visitor economy, particularly in this part of the region, is a key driver of economic growth and this new development will further enhance the offering, draw more visitors to the area and make Chesterfield and the Peak District an even stronger proposition for potential investors.”

A new regeneration investment organisation, bringing together the two investors – Birchall Properties, led by Rupert Carr, and the US owned Grand Heritage Hotel Group – will be created to lead the project.

Work will start on site between March and April.

Read more about the Peak Resort development

The Peak Resort Masterplan by Stanton Williams (Retina Images)

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

Grants awarded to support Chesterfield athletes

Some of the best young talent in the Chesterfield Borough have been handed a share of £2,250 in grants from business network ICON to help them chase their sporting dreams.

The chosen 15 athletes have been selected to receive a grant of up to £250 each, which they can use to help meet costs such as travel, equipment, coaching fees or competition costs.

All of the athletes are tipped for further success in their respective sports, and are either already competing for England or Great Britain or are part of recognised national development squads or club academy structures.

Chesterfield Borough Council will also provide each with free access to its leisure facilities to further help them with their training.

The selected athletes are ice hockey players: Jake Aspley, Ryan Aspley and Ameliah Such, table tennis players: Isobel Ashley and Liam Pitchford, track and field siblings: Alicia and Ella Barrett, golfers: Jamie Boler and George Woolgar, fencers: Jayne Crook and Hannah Lawrence, tennis player, Bradley Buckland, squash player, Ashley Davies, diver, Bron Jenkinson and swimmer, Imogen Morris.

Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council met 10 of the athletes to congratulate them during a presentation at the cricket pavilion in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield on Tuesday, January 13, along with Hayley Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport which organises the ICON programme, Mark Tournier of the Chesterfield School Sport Partnership and Cllr Jean Innes of Derbyshire County Council.

“We all took great delight in the success of our sporting stars at London 2012 and again at the Commonwealth Games last year and it’s important that, through initiatives like these, we support those legacies in our communities,” said Cllr Serjeant.

Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council are among 10 local authorities across the county who are members of business network ICON, which was set up by Derbyshire Sport as part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games in Derbyshire.

Other members of the programme include Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

Further details about the selected athletes are available atwww.derbyshiresport.co.uk

Source:Derbyshire Sport

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chatsworth to turn dream weddings into reality

Couples can begin their happy ever after with a helping hand from Chatsworth this February as its annual wedding fair returns, with over 40 new and exciting suppliers showcasing their services.

The fair, which has proven to be a popular choice amongst prospective brides and grooms, promises to be bigger and better than ever before with a wider selection of influential partners and suppliers exhibiting at one of the most romantic venues in the country.

As well as giving couples the chance to talk to Chatsworth’s expert events team, the fair will also be used to launch its new marquee wedding, working in partnership with local company Pemberley Marquees.

Kay Rotchford, Wedding and Event Manager for Chatsworth, said: “We are extremely lucky to work with some really fantastic suppliers and Chatsworth provides the perfect setting for them to show just what they can do.

“The wedding fair is always a really exciting event and gives couples the opportunity to come along, meet the wedding team and chat through all their ideas for a perfect day.”

Chatsworth’s award-winning chefs will be on-hand to discuss a range of catering options and will deliver a selection of mouthwatering dishes from the wedding breakfast for guests to try. The food tasting event will take place in the Burlington Room over three sessions, 11am, 1pm and 3pm but will be ticket entry only.

The wedding Fair runs from 10am to 4pm and guests will receive a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival. For more information about weddings at Chatsworth, visit www.chatsworth.org/weddings-and-hospitality/weddings

Source:Chatsworth via Redbrick Communications Ltd

Posted in Business, Visiting

The hunt is on to find Derbyshire’s most active workplace

Employees across Chesterfield and Derbyshire are being encouraged to log sport and exercise online and compete for prizes in an eight week challenge designed to motivate people to stay fit and healthy in 2015.

Open to everyone, the competition has already attracted nearly 400 participants from over 30 different organisations across Derbyshire.

The ‘My Team 2015’ electronic leaderboards went live atwww.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire on Monday January 5, as workers returned following the festive break, but there’s still time to sign up, back date your activity and continue to battle it out for the top slot.

This year individuals have access to the Workplace Challenge’s online activity logger as well as the new iPhone app, making it even easier to record and monitor their achievements alongside those of friends, colleagues and other workplaces.

A team and social approach to exercise is something Derbyshire Sport will be strongly encouraging throughout 2015 using both social media and events to inspire workers to join up with colleagues to get active.

Andrea Stone, Sport Development Manager from Derbyshire Sport, said:
“With everyone returning to work with great intentions for the year ahead, January is the perfect time to come together with colleagues and introduce some healthy habits into your working week.

“However, our ambitions for ‘My Team 2015’ in Derbyshire go far beyond simply supporting New Year’s resolutions; it’s about introducing lasting healthy habits into the working week.

“The support and social banter of exercising with colleagues is a great way to not only make getting active more enjoyable, but also to push yourself to remain committed to your healthy goals.”

For more information and to register to take part in ‘My Team 2015’ for free, log on to www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/.

Source:Derbyshire Sport

Posted in Business