Business

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

There’s nothing vacant about Chesterfield

Chesterfield is riding high on the retail front after a national report revealed the town is bucking the north-south divide with low shop vacancy rates. The latest figures from the Local Data Company (LDC) gives a detailed insight and analysis of 506 town centres and Chesterfield is third best of the largest centres in the country with just 8.7% of shops being empty. Compared to the likes of Nottingham (30%), Stockport (28.4%) and Sheffield (26.1%), Chesterfield is one of the few top ten northern towns leading the way to keep its high streets buzzing.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “This is like getting a gold star on your school report! What better indication is there than when an external research company identifies your town as being one of the top retail locations in the UK?

“We’re not surprised by the news because we know the figures, we see how busy the shops and markets are and we get the feedback from visitors and investors that Chesterfield is doing something different, something right. Projects like Destination Chesterfield, investment in our tourism offer, developments such as the Northern Gateway, these are all part of mix that keeps us striving to attract more people to the town to visit, spend money, invest and live here.

“There’s still much to do to improve the local economy and reduce unemployment in the borough but a thriving, bustling town centre is certainly a major bonus and gives us a strong platform to build from.”

Vic Risorto, Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for Retail, Leisure and Tourism said: “It is excellent news that Chesterfield’s high street occupancy is once again being heralded amongst the best in England. With the exciting regeneration plans coming forward for the town centre including the Market Hall refurbishment, extension of Ravenside Retail Park and the proposed Northern Gateway, Destination Chesterfield will continue to work with Chesterfield Borough Council to support existing businesses as well as promoting our town centre to attract further investment.”

Figures from the LDC report show an increase in shop vacancies across the East Midlands from 16.7% in 2011 to 17% in 2012. Chesterfield (8.7%) is the only town centre in the region that is in the top ten with just York (9.6%) and Harrogate (10.3%) featuring amongst a predominant list of Southern based locations, including Central London, Cambridge and Kingston upon Thames. 

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield gains two new major retailers

Chesterfield has welcomed two major retailers to the town in the space of just one week.  Toys r’ Us opened its doors on Thursday (20th October) and on the same day, Debenhams confirmed it is to have a store on the Ravenside Retail Park.

The new 62,000 square foot Debenhams store will be located on the old Focus unit and is expected to open in autumn 2012.  As part of the development there will be improvements made to the entrances and pedestrian crossing points into the Ravenside Retail Park.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “Attracting major retailers such as Debenhams and Toys r’ Us is a great achievement for Chesterfield and a significant step forward in our ambition to attract inward investment and create jobs for local people. It’s further evidence that Chesterfield is bouncing back and with the Market Hall and Northern Gateway still to come we’ve an exciting time ahead for the town.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “This is fantastic news for Chesterfield and reflects the strength of the retail sector within the town and the fact that we are an attractive destination for investors and visitors.  We only have around 5% of our shops vacant which, compared to a national average of 13%, is exceptional for a town our size.”

Rob Hadfield, Head of Property at Debenhams said: “The Ravenside Retail Park is an ideal location for us.  It’s within the town centre shopping area and close to the major road routes coming into Chesterfield.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming local residents to the store and reaching a wider audience from surrounding districts which I’m sure will have a positive impact on other retailers in the town.”

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield bids for Regional Growth Funds

Chesterfield Waterside and Markham Vale are in a Chesterfield bids for Regional Growth Funds backed by Sheffield City Region LEP.

The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is to support eight bids. All the proposals aim to create employment and drive economic growth within the Region.

The LEP invited submissions for both ‘Projects’ and ‘Programmes’ when bidding to the £1.4bn fund opened in April, the key difference being that programme bids had to demonstrate a clear over-arching investment strategy and sustainable benefits for a specific geographical area, rather than for individual sites.

The LEP is to provide endorsement for four eligible Project bids and play a co-ordinating role for the Programme bids within the City Region (detailed below).

In addition, the LEP itself put forward two dedicated programmes of funding in order to launch an Employment Growth Programme to help small and medium-sized businesses expand and grow, and a Tech Accelerator Programme for start up companies with high growth potential, and which centre on the use of digital technologies and drive a culture of collaboration in the City Region.

The Programmes would see co-ordinated support given to smaller companies with the greatest potential for rapid expansion so as to lever in funding and support for their growth plans.

James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region LEP, said: “We invited submissions which could demonstrate a significant contribution to the LEP’s objectives and priorities for the City Region and that, crucially, would contribute to economic growth and the creation of jobs and private sector investment.

“The LEP is delighted to offer its support to this clear and focussed group of project and programme submissions to the Regional Growth Fund, which we hope will meet with Government’s approval so as to lever investment into the City Region.”

The Project bids in Chesterfield being supported by the LEP are outlined below:

Chesterfield Waterside

This flagship regeneration project on the edge of Chesterfield town centre is bidding for £1.1m from the RGF, which would be used to bring forward the first phase of office development in Basin Square, the commercial heart of the wider £340m scheme.

Markham Vale

This scheme is bidding for £1.1m from the RGF to deliver the second phase of development on this key employment and industrial site at junction 29a of the M1. The £10m scheme would create office, industrial, manufacturing and warehouse space to support advanced manufacturing and medical technology sectors and the proposed Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone, if approved by Government.

Posted in Business, Development