Business

Bespoke distribution centre being built at Markham Vale

A Chesterfield-based metal distributor which ships stock around the world is marking its 30th anniversary by relocating to Markham Vale to benefit from better transport links.

Established in 1984, Gould Alloys is expected to move from its current base on Carwood Industrial Park and be up-and-running at new purpose-built premises located at Markham Vale just off Junction 29A of the M1 by Easter next year.

The site will provide direct access to the motorway for the firm which distributes metals to a number of industries including defence, medical and scientific, exploration and production, motor sport and power generation and is a key supplier to the aerospace industry where it delivers ‘first stage’ machining.

Jane Bradshaw, Managing Director at Gould Alloys said,

“We needed to relocate to assist better utilisation of space but were keen to remain in the local area so that we could retain all existing staff.  We also needed a site that was away from residential areas due to the volume of deliveries. Markham Vale ticked all the right boxes offering essential access to the motorway network and an opportunity to design and build to our exact specification. No other location in the area was able to facilitate our needs so precisely.”

Work started this week to build the 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution centre which will include office space and feature solar panels and energy efficient heating.

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

“This is another great development for Markham and for a local business moving from strength to strength.

“We’re committed to building a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs, grows businesses and provides a future for our young people, and Markham Vale will continue to play a key role in that.”

Gould Alloys’ new premises was designed by our private sector developer Henry Boot Ltd which is also building the unit.

Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s Regional Manager, added:

“We are delighted to welcome Gould Alloys to Markham Vale. The news follows a number of successful deals for the development including Ready Egg, Euro Garages and expansion for Holdsworth Foods in the last 12 months and other new interest is particularly strong. The recent announcement of the ‘Enterprise Zone grant’ will lead to other new accommodation/developments being constructed, commencing on site later this year.”

“We have invested £77 million to reclaim the former mining area at Markham, between Chesterfield and Bolsover, with the long term aim of creating 5,000 jobs.

Working with development partner Henry Boot Developments Limited, we have helped to attract 28 businesses to the site to date and create 565 jobs. A further 300 jobs have already been announced with the construction of new buildings underway.

In January, the Government announced Markham Vale was to receive £14.2 million to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area. Henry Boot are adding to the fund − secured following a bid drawn-up by the county council and submitted through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone − with a £12.5m contribution.

An additional £7.56 million to build a link road to the new site is also being invested by the county council and local transport boards for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) and Sheffield City Region (SCR).

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Business

Chesterfield firm to expand thanks to £50k grant

A Chesterfield firm is set to boost its workforce thanks to funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Corrugated Case Company has secured a £50,000 grant from D2N2’s Unlocking Investment for Growth programme, which is backed by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

It will form part of a £205,000 project to purchase new machinery, allowing the company to produce new work and enter different markets.

Staff numbers will rise by five full-time employees to 38 at the Danesmoor site, where they design, manufacture and merchant corrugated packaging, point-of-sale displays and related packaging material and services.

Three new machines have been purchased with the last of them to be installed in late Nov to create cost-effective types of packs they cannot currently produce whilst a new waste ink cleaning system will allow them to work in a much more environmentally friendly manner.

Mark Wilcockson, M.D. of The Corrugated Case Company, said: “This tranche of investment represents stage three of our three-year investment programme which started back in 2012 and will culminate with a large scale extension to our Danesmoor premises during 2015. I’m very pleased to say that throughout the period all sales and profit forecasts have been met which gives us great confidence going forward.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said: “This grant was deemed essential to their plans and the jobs created will be in a high priority area of the region.”

D2N2 secured £5m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, topped up further by the European Regional Development Fund, to help businesses grow through its Unlocking Investment for Growth (UI4G) programme.

Since launching in 2013, the programme has approved £3.2 million in grant funding which will create more than 300 jobs.  Further applications that are at an advanced stage are requesting in excess of £1.6m and expect to create an additional 200 jobs.

But it is a time-bound opportunity, with capital projects having to be completed by March 2015.

The programme will provide a grant in support of capital investment projects with a minimum overall project value of £200,000.  In exceptional circumstances up to £500,000 of grant funding is available for projects that can demonstrate real potential to create new jobs.

For more information, go to www.d2n2lep.org/UI4G, or call 01332 826366 or email UI4G@embltd.co.uk.

Source:D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Posted in Business, Development

Final three announced for Chesterfield Food Producer of the Year

Teresa Lambarelli is hoping to retain her Food Producer of the Year title for a second year running after being selected as one of the three finalists shortlisted for the prestigious award at the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards. Fellow finalists include Liza Bakes Ltd and Brampton Brewery.

This prestigious title recognises local food producers, growers and manufacturers within 10 miles of Chesterfield.

The shortlisted businesses were selected from hundreds of nominations received by Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the awards in association with Chesterfield College, also headline sponsor of the awards for the second year running.

The winner of the Food Producer of the Year category is just one of 17 which will be announced by celebrity Chef Ainsley Harriott at a glittering awards ceremony being held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building on Wednesday 29 October.

The shortlisted three were selected from six at a tasting event held on 20th August at Hollingwood Hub, the home of the Canal Trust Partnership in Chesterfield.  Also in the running for the award were Highfield House Farmand Meringue Bakery.

The competiton required each of the businesses to present three variations of their products to a panel of local judges, including Chesterfield Championsand sponsors of the event, NatWest. They were awarded marks out of 10 for both presentation and taste.  Business plans from each business will also be assessed by Destination Chesterfield and will contribute to the final scores.

Mick Littlewood, Relationship Manager at NatWest, said, “We are pleased that so many local businesses are producing such high quality produce and we are delighted to support the Food Producer of the Year award as part of our continued support of local businesses and entrepreneurs. We hope that this fantastic opportunity is going to be used as a stepping stone for each of the six businesses that were shortlisted and no matter what happens, we wish each and every one them the very best of luck.”

Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “What should have been an enjoyable evening sampling some excellent, locally-produced food and drink, was a trial for everyone concerned and trying to decide a winner will be an incredibly difficult task.

“It was a very strong field and the judges had a very difficult decision. Each finalist was passionate about their products and took great pride in them. They were also equally passionate about their role as food and drink producers in Chesterfield and how they are actively helping the town receive the recognition it deserves for its thriving food sector.

Teresa Lambarelli said: “Winning last year was an absolutely fantastic, but I’m very nervous about this year, the competition is just so good!”

Chris Radford, Managing Director and Head Brewer of Brampton Brewerysaid: “The fact that we were nominated by our customers is enough of a recognition for us.  To win the award would be phenomenal, but it’s not the be all and end all. To be up against a great range of local producers, that are a testament to Chesterfield themselves, is a prize in itself. I’m so proud to be part of something that recognises the great talent the town really does have.”

Chatsworth Road-based Liza Bakes Ltd distributes its produce all over the country but prides itself in using local goods. Its cakes and puddings have already won awards such as their Orange Polenta Cake which won the Great Taste award in 2013. Louise Milroy, Managing Director of Liza Bakes Ltd said: “We were delighted when we found out we’d been nominated, to be up against such great local food producers is a privilege, honour, and a real tribute to our team and what they create every week.

“We’re strong believers in local produce ourselves, all of our products and ingredients come from local producers like Brampton Brewery and Eyres Fruit and Veg, so we’re proud to be part of a local award that appreciates and recognises authentic, local products to raise the profile of all of Chesterfield.”

This year there are more opportunities for food and drink establishments to win in the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards with the introduction of two new categories – International Restaurant of the Year and the Family Friendly Award.

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones, Franke Sissons andIn the Works PR.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities still remain. If any businesses are interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2014 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards they should contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Chesterfield residents are to benefit from an enhanced sport facilities thanks to a £2 million funding Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

The investment comes from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities fund and will allow previously approved plans for the new centre to be expanded to provide additional activity space, including:

• Increasing the main swimming pool from six to eight lanes

• Increasing the size of the learner pool

• Increasing the number of sports courts from six to eight

• Additional studio space on the first floor of the building.

• Spectator seating in the swimming pool hall and main sports hall

Councillor Amanda Serjeant welcomes funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Along with the collaboration agreement and funding committed by Chesterfield College, this £2 million grant from Sport England will make a huge difference to the quality of the sports provision we will be able to offer to our residents and visitors in the future.

“Since we first announced the project in early 2013, we have consistently said that we would seek grants to improve the number of activities and the space in the new centre and we have worked closely with national governing bodies, local sports groups and current users of our sport and leisure centres to achieve this.

“One of the council’s top priorities is to encourage people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and the new purpose-built Queens Park Sports Centre with its extended swimming pool and sports courts will allow us to offer more space and activities than is possible in the current sports centre. The new design is very space and energy efficient with more activity space being provided in a smaller building footprint than at present.

“There will also be opportunities for employment and training for local people while the centre is built with the current centre remaining in use until the new centre opens to cause as little disruption as possible to residents and sports clubs.”

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, added: “The right facilities in the right areas are fundamental in providing more people with the opportunity to play sport.

“We’re investing in the new Queens Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and create a sporting habit for life.”

The plans for the extended new Queens Park Sports Centre were approved by the council’s planning committee at its meeting on Tuesday.

As well as the extended pool and sports courts, facilities on offer at the new sports centre will include:

• A learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features

• Café and social space

• Midwifery centre

• Village changing facilities with individual and family cubicles for swimmers

• Changing facilities for other sports or activities

• Three Training Rooms

• Additional Activity studio

• 80 station gym

• Two glass back squash courts with moveable wall

• Car parking for approximately 150 cars.

The new centre will be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.

At 19,050 square metres, it will take up less than half of the site and will also allow currently unusable space such as the derelict seating area to be re-established as green space. The bowls and tennis facilities are unaffected and will remain available.

Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the project. The contract specifies that where possible, they will use local people and supplies in building the new centre.

Work is set to begin on site in September with the new centre opening in early 2016.

Further information and displays will be available at the current Queens Park Sports Centre, the Staveley Healthy Living Centre, and the Councils Customer Service Centre.

Information will also be available on the council website and on social media.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved by Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday 19 August.

Members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee approved plans for the new centre, which will be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe, subject to planning conditions.

The council has applied to Sport England for a grant of more than £1 million to extend the plans for the new sports centre.

This would allow the main swimming pool to be extended from six to eight lanes, to increase the number of sports courts to eight and extra activity studio space.

This would enable more activities to take place at the same time than is possible in the current sports centre.

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved and are welcomed by Councillor Amanda Serjeant

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Now the plans for the extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre are approved, we are able to move on with the project, with work expected to start on site next month.

“We are currently waiting for the outcome of our bid to Sport England for the new centre and we hope to be able to share this imminently.”

The council has appointed Morgan Sindall, who built the Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock, as the contractor to deliver the project with a commitment to provide employment opportunities for local people.

It is anticipated the new centre should be complete by the end of 2015. The current Queen’s Park Sports Centre would remain open until a replacement has been constructed.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Casa Hotel voted top employer

Casa has been named by its employees as one of the best places to work in the country.

Having already been awarded 14th place in the Catey Best Employer Awards for the hospitality industry, Chesterfield’s four star hotel has now been shortlisted as a top employer at this year’s Best Employers in Hospitality Awards run by Caterer.com.

Voted for by Casa employees themselves, the awards are a true testament to the fantastic environment at the hotel.

Having won awards in the Caterer.com Best Employers in Hospitality Awards for the past two years, Casa looks forward to hearing the category and overall winners for 2014, both of which will be announced at an awards dinner to be held at Lancaster London on Monday 29th September.

Source:Casa Hotel

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield company secures prestigious award

A Chesterfield-based business has won a major industry award for its refurbishment of the offices and reception of the Mining Information Centre in Mansfield.

Leverton UK, based in Wingerworth, has received the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Award for Collaborative Working following its £250,000 major structural refurbishment of the Coal Authority’s reception and offices on Lichfield Lane in Mansfield.

The company, a family business established in 1972 which specialises in commercial refurbishment and shopfitting contracts, was recommended for the award by Shirley Hurst-Cox, the Coal Authority Facilities Manager who submitted the award entry.

Shirley Hurst-Cox commented: “Leverton UK went beyond the brief.  They managed other contractors on site well, brought design flair to the project and recycled and reused existing materials to ensure the refurbishment of our offices and reception were delivered on time and on budget.

“All too often in construction we hear of projects going over budget and being delivered late.  Leverton UK’s collaborative approach to working at every stage just shows this can be avoided. This award is justly deserved.”

Selected from a shortlist of 40 other companies, Leverton UK was presented with the award at the recent East Midlands Committed to Construction Awards Dinner 2014 held in Nottingham – the most prestigious event in the region’s construction industry’s social calendar.

At the ceremony Leverton UK was praised by CIOB for the way, as principal contractor, it worked with other contractors on site and delivered the project ahead of schedule and on budget despite finding asbestos, which had to be removed, two weeks into the refurbishment. The company was also recognised for its value engineering measures, while working on the project, achieved through recycling a number of materials.

The new glass stepping stone bearing the Coal Authority Logo inset into the floor of the new reception was the brainchild of Marcus and uses recycled glass partitions that were removed from the original offices.

Leverton UK Directors, Marcus and Tony are both Fellows of the CIOB which is the highest professional qualification and recognises people who have worked at a senior level in the industry for at least five years.

Marcus Leverton said: “We were delighted to win the award. To be recognised by our peers and the CIOB is incredible.

“We approached the refurbishment of the Coal Authority’s offices like we do every project; with a professional team all sure of the end goal, aware of their own responsibilities, yet willing to go the extra mile to help each other out.

“But most of all, each member of the team, from the client to the guys working on site, know they are appreciated and are wholly included in the project which results in a superior end product. The award is definitely a highlight in the company’s 41 year history.”

The Awards were open to organisations, both public and private; and also individuals located in and around the East Midlands and whose business is related to construction. The categories were chosen to reflect sensitive and diverse issues and matters current in a modern construction industry.

Pictured left to right: Marcus Leverton, Mike Sheldon – Head of HSE and Facilities and Shirley Hurst-Cox – Facilities Manager both from The Coal Authority are presented with the Collaborative Working award by Chris Chivers Vice President of the CIOB (FCIOB).

Source:Leverton UK via In the Works PR

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield

Company formations rising in Chesterfield

The first quarter of the year saw a rise in company registrations in Chesterfield, amid plans for a £300 million waterside regeneration scheme.

 

During the first three months of the year in Chesterfield, company formation rose by 12%.

 

According to figures in the latest Duport Business Confidence Report for the area, there were 202 new companies registered there during the first quarter, with February emerging as a record month for company registrations.

 

Managing Director of Duport.co.uk, Peter Valaitis commented:

 

“With the exciting regeneration work that is going on, it’s no surprise more companies are setting up in Chesterfield. The next few years look to be very exciting for both new and existing businesses in the area.”

 

The Duport Business Confidence Report for Chesterfield provides a range data and statistics, to give an overview of the local business landscape. More information can be found at http://www.duport.co.uk/chesterfield.

Source:Dupont Business Survey

Posted in Business

Funding deal to create 28,000 jobs in the region

A £320 million cash boost has been secured by local leaders from the public and private sector to create over 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people across the Sheffield City Region (which includes Chesterfield).

This is the fifth most substantial Growth Deal that any city region local enterprise partnership (LEP) has made with government as ministers make their announcements for the 39 LEP areas across England.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was in Sheffield City Region on Friday (4 July) to confirm the final investment during a visit to a local business, which is already benefiting from investment from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The new funding will enable the City Region’s leaders to create a £130 million Skills Bank, which will provide training for 40,000 people in the Sheffield City Region, including between 5,000 and 7,500 apprentices.  The funding will also be used to build new facilities at existing colleges, including a brand new British Glass Academy.

£50 million of the funding will mean that the LEP can extend its highly successful business investment and support programme and create 4,000 new jobs for local people.

James Newman, Chairman of Sheffield City Region LEP, said:

“Sheffield City Region is getting a bigger share of the new funds than we might have expected and is clearly punching its weight when it comes to newly devolved powers and funds from Government.

“Our Growth Deal is the first step on a journey to enable the Sheffield City Region to take control of its own economic destiny. This is a strong start and, although we have not got everything we wanted, we have done well and we look forward to working with Government to increase their trust in our LEP so we will be able to take even more of our own funding and strategic economic decisions in the future.”

Photograph: LEP Board member Paul Houghton shakes hands with DPM Nick Clegg with the SCR Strategic Economic Plan, at Chapmans Agricultural in Sheffield

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

£174m investment deal agreed for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

£174.4 million is to be invested in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire thanks to an historic Growth Deal agreed with the government by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) D2N2.

£47.4million has been confirmed in the first year, and as part of the government’s on-going commitment to the D2N2 LEP it has provided an indicative award of a further £127million of funding from 2016/17 onwards.  The projects which start in 2015/16 will help to create up to 18,000 jobs, allow up to 8,000 homes to be built and generate up to £380 million in public and private investment.

In Chesterfield the funding will provide a centre for higher level skills.  The centre will mean local people can access skills and learning, either higher education or equivalent vocational qualifications, in a new building in Chesterfield.  Crucially, as part of this scheme, business owners will be able to recruit the skilled people they need to grow their firms.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “This is positive news and businesses will welcome the fact that, after four years of hard work to produce these proposals and negotiate with government, the money – which will make a real difference to businesses on the ground here in the East Midlands – is finally starting to materialise.

“The Growth Deal will have a positive and practical impact on the regional economy, helping to protect existing jobs and drive job creation, upskill the local labour market, transform local infrastructure and, most importantly, support private sector growth and investment at what is a crucial time for the economy.

The D2N2 Growth Deal is part of a £12 billion long-term programme to revitalise local economies. The deals are the latest and greatest example of the British economy being rebuilt from the bottom up, and sharing the benefits of the recovery around the country. Local businesses and council leaders have been invited to open discussions immediately on the next set of projects to be funded, building on the momentum that has been established.

The Prime Minister said: “Growth Deals are a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain’s future.

“For too long our economy has been too London-focused and too centralised. Growth Deals will help change all that. They are about firing up our great towns and cities, boosting local economies and driving growth across the country.

“This historic deal means real change for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, with plans to attract new businesses to the area, help young people in the region get the skills they need to get on, and ensure the area has the workforce it needs to prosper.

“By trusting local people, backing business and investing in infrastructure, skills and housing, we can create thousands of new jobs. And that means more economic security, peace of mind and a brighter future for hardworking people across the region.”

Source:D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Posted in Business, Development

Free studio space available for creative minds

Creative businesses are being invited to register their interest in exciting new studio space nearing completion at Chesterfield College.

Demand is expected to be high and early applications are recommended, with free rental agreements being offered for the first year of tenancy.

Situated in the former boy’s grammar school on Sheffield Road, the studios have undergone a complete transformation, thanks to a boost from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Tenants will be able to benefit from wifi, free business training, administration and social media support, as well as a strong networking community, providing plenty of events and opportunities for future business.

Businesses can also make the most of Chesterfield College’s enviable reputation in the arts with negotiated access to the printmaking, photography, metalwork and ceramics workshops in the Directorate of Art and Design, graded Outstanding by OFSTED in October 2013.

For more information and an application pack please email: westblock@chesterfield.ac.uk.  Closing date for applications is 5pm, 9 June 2014, with tenancy agreements due to begin at the end of June.

Source:Chesterfield College

Posted in Business, Development