Celebrate Chesterfield

New Chester’s drive-thru fish and chip shop opens at Markham Vale

A Chesterfield restaurant and takeaway, which has received rave reviews and awards for its fish and chips over the last decade has completed the opening of a 2nd branch.

Chester’s, which has been based on Sheffield Road since 2012, has now opened a new eatery at Markham Vale, just off Junction 29a of the M1 motorway.

The new branch boasts a drive-thru capability, meaning those passing through on the motorway and around the Chesterfield and Bolsover area can get their favourite dishes conveniently while on-the-go.

Owner, Chris Ioannides commented: “We are so proud and relieved that we have finally got the new branch open.

“It’s been a tough couple of years, from aspects like not being able to get energy to the property, or the extreme price increases we have had to endure since covid.

“We can finally stand from across the road and feel proud. You can expect to see nearly all your favourite dishes that are served from our Sheffield road branch, from our amazing fish to our homemade burger.”

Chris also spoke with fondness about being based in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, telling us he is pleased to have made his latest investment in the area: “We love Chesterfield, and since our first launch at the beginning of 2012, we now know most of our customers by name!”

“It’s not just a business for us, we want to be a part of the town and its people. Many of our customers are like family. We named our breakfast dish on our new menu after a close neighbour to our Sheffield road branch, who made us serve it on our menu, Alf’s breakfast!”

“Sadly he passed, but the memory will always be with us and he will always be part of the making of Chesters. We always try to support local suppliers and businesses on our journey.

Speaking to other would-be entrepreneurs in Chesterfield, Chris added: “Our advice is if you have a business plan, work hard at it, never give up, use local businesses when you can and don’t let little things get you down on the way.”

Find out why Chesterfield is the perfect place to get your business idea off the ground at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Chesters Markham Vale

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Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s maternity services rated ‘good’ by inspectors

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as ‘Good’ in maternity services, following a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, which happened in May.

The inspection, carried out by the CQCs national maternity services inspection programme, aims to provide an up-to-date view of the quality of hospital maternity care across the country and a better understanding of what is working well to support learning and improvement at a local and national level. This latest inspection covered the ‘safe’ and ‘well-led’ areas of the CQC questions.

The Trust’s overall Maternity Services have also been rated as ‘good’ – which remains the case since May 2020.

Krishna Kallianpur, Chief Nurse, said: “This is great news for the Trust and something we are very proud to announce. It is incredibly challenging for Trusts to reach this standard of care in maternity services and is testament to a lot of hard work by colleagues at all levels.

“I am particularly pleased that the CQC recognised and highlighted such a positive culture where colleagues feel respected, supported and valued. It’s important to all of us across the Trust to be able to raise concerns without fear and this, too, was raised as a positive with leaders being visible and approachable.

“Our goal is for continuous improvement and development, so working with organisations such as Derbyshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership and directly with our communities, I feel we can continue to learn and develop and continue to strive as well as celebrate this achievement together.”

The inspectors also recognised the leadership team’s skills and abilities of colleagues managing the service.

Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive, said: “I very much welcome this report and the findings of this inspection. It’s great to see that the CQC saw the service was there for people when they needed us and all colleagues were committed to improving to ensure people receive a high standard of care. This highlights again that we continue to do more and more to ensure we are recommended as a place to not only work but receive great care. It is a huge positive for Chesterfield Royal Hospital especially against the challenges maternity care is facing nationally.”

Inspectors found the following during this inspection:

  • Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work.
  • Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent.
  • Staff worked well together for the benefit of people using the service, and understood how to protect people from abuse.
  • The service controlled infection risk well.
  • Staff assessed risks to people using the service, acted on them and kept good care records.
  • Safety incidents were managed well and lessons learned from them.
  • The service engaged well with people and the community to plan and manage services.
  • Staff were focused on the needs of those receiving care.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

royal hospital aerial shot

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Innovative scheme supports more than 900 Derbyshire start-up businesses

A ground-breaking support scheme has provided funding and advice to more than 900 start-up businesses in Derbyshire so far.

The Vision Derbyshire business support scheme offers free, impartial advice and support to new businesses. It also provides grant funding of up to £10,000 to eligible businesses.

To date, more than £280,000 has been issued in grant funding to support entrepreneurs across the county.

One of the businesses to receive the support is Chesterfield-based CK’s Fruit, Veg and Flowers – formerly known as Ibbotson’s. The shop in Hasland offers quality local produce, such as honey from Wingerworth, potatoes from Calow and various vegetables from Holymoorside.

Rich Jones, Co-owner of CK’s Fruit and Veg commented: “Without the support of the Vision Derbyshire team we wouldn’t have been able to install new fridges, cutting our energy usage by 2/3, and certainly wouldn’t have been able to justify the creation of our E-Commerce website where our full range of fruit, veg and flowers are available to buy for delivery across the whole of Chesterfield.”

“Schemes like this don’t only provide financial support for projects and improvements, they also have training and support behind the scenes to help you succeed as a business, these can include one-to-one conversations, webinars or in-person training days at the colleges and other training providers in the area.

“It’s very easy as a small business owner to feel alone, however the team have supported us over the last 12 months and are always there if we’ve got a question or query.”

Rich hopes the shop will help to provide a quality and good-value local service to people across Chesterfield, providing an alternative to the major supermarket chains.

He added: “We’re really keen to get our little business and the amazing products out there to the wider Chesterfield area. Supermarkets provide an amazing amount of convenience and it’s not always easy to get to your local Fruit and Veg shop or Florist and that’s where we’re hoping to make that little bit of difference. What’s more, we deliver it directly to your door. Find us at our website www.cksfruitvegandflowers.co.uk or on Facebook.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Economic lead for Vision Derbyshire and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council commented: “I’m delighted to see CK’s Fruit, Veg & Flowers develop and grow thanks to support from our Vision Derbyshire Business Start-Up support scheme. Helping businesses to be sustainable is a key objective for the scheme, and I wish the team all the best for the future.”

Thinking of launching a business in Chesterfield? For more information on starting and growing your organisation in the town, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Read our latest blog of local start-up success stories, along with tips and advice from local business leaders at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2023/01/get-your-business-idea-off-the-ground-in-chesterfield/

 

Rich CK's Fruit and Veg

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5 reasons why families are choosing to live in Chesterfield

Why are families choosing to live in Chesterfield? In May 2023, the town ranked 2nd best in the UK to raise a family – according to enjoytravel.com.

Meanwhile, local estate agency Redbrik reported a 200% rise in Google searches for houses in Chesterfield over the past year.

To find out why demand has shot up in such a short space of time, we have been speaking to experts and leaders in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions and the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group.

Here are five reasons why Chesterfield is proving a desirable place for families to call their home:

1. Perfect location

Champions Event

 

Located in the heart of the UK, Chesterfield is set amongst the stunning backdrop of the Peak District National Park.

Despite the beautiful landscapes surrounding the town, Chesterfield is close to several major cities such as Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leeds too. The town is easily accessible by all means of transport.

Well served by the Midland Main Line, Chesterfield is within an hour of four major airports. Additionally, London is under two hours by rail.

Speaking about the town’s ideal location, Ross Bateman, Associate Director at Redbrik said: “It is located just a short train ride away from Sheffield, Nottingham and other cities, and a short drive from the Peak District, which positions Chesterfield perfectly in the middle of all the action!”

Furthermore, a pioneering zero-carbon tourist transport network was recently trialed in Chesterfield and the Peak District. The trial was led by the Gateway at PEAK, alongside Toyota and Chesterfield Borough Council.

The PEAK Express will offer visitors access to a hop-on, hop-off service, linking our town to the Peak District. Find out more here.

2. Affordable properties

One of the reasons families are choosing to live in Chesterfield is the town’s affordability.

House prices in Chesterfield offer you more for your money per square foot than nearby towns. According to Rightmove, the average house price is at least £10,000 cheaper than nearby cities of Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham too.

Rental costs are also cheaper than major nearby cities. According to Richard Sherwood, Director at Roy Peters Estates, the local market remains competitive.

He said: “Rents are certainly rising in Chesterfield but perhaps not to the same unaffordable levels that we are seeing in some of the larger cities in the region. This is perhaps due to the ongoing development of attractive sites in and around the town.

“Chesterfield remains a forward-thinking market town. There always seems something going on to appeal to families and to individuals and it’s great to see people returning to the High Street.”

3. New houses contributing to the area’s regeneration

badger croft chesterfield

Several new housing sites are coming to life in Chesterfield, bringing quality and affordable homes to the town.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Local Plan (2020) set out the town’s strategy to build 240 homes a year by 2035. So far, that target has been exceeded in each of the last three years.

New homes at Chesterfield Waterside are bringing people closer to our town centre. Meanwhile, projects to build thousands of homes in Staveley and Mastin Moor are set to transform the area.

Dave Wood, Director at Woodall Homes commented: “Chesterfield is a fantastic place to live, with so much going on in the town centre. It should come as no surprise that the area has become a hotspot for development.

“As a market town, Chesterfield has thriving retail spaces. The town is also host to fantastic events like the brand-new Peddler Market, so there is plenty for people living in the area to get involved with.

“We firmly believe that Chesterfield is a fantastic place to live and to raise a family. This is why we are currently working on three developments in the area; The Orchards at Clay Cross, Churchfields in Calow, and The Shrubberies in Chesterfield town centre.”

4. Great outdoor spaces

With our beautiful outdoor spaces and a fantastic leisure offer which encourages health and wellbeing, you’ll feel very welcome in Chesterfield.

People who live in Chesterfield enjoy being located close to the Peak District. They have access to several Green Flag award-winning parks, and scenic walking and cycling routes.

Ryan Fish, Associate Director at Whittam Cox Architects recently chose to move to the area. He commented: “With the Peak District on our doorstep, a quality affordable building stock and a vibrant emerging town centre, moving to Chesterfield was a no-brainer.

“Immediate access to leafy green walks and room for our family to grow was a very attractive proposition, particularly to our lively 3-year old dalmatian!

“The central connectivity of diverse spaces in the form of Queens Park and the canal all add to the allure and the inherent potential of Chesterfield.”

5. Perfect work/life balance for modern working patterns

Networking at Celebrate Chesterfield

People no longer need to be in a city to secure their dream job. This is due to more people and businesses opting for flexible working patterns.

A rise in home working during the pandemic showed that a hybrid approach can be beneficial, in terms of wellbeing for employees and costs for businesses. Now, Chesterfield is capitalising on its excellent transport links by providing high quality, sustainable and modern office accommodation.

The availability of this space is attracting more people to live in Chesterfield. This is thanks to the ideal commute to and from the workplace, and the excellent quality of life our town offers outside of work.

Jamie Wajs, Director at Lime Living Estate Agents commented: “I think that post-pandemic, many people are working from home or choosing a hybrid approach. People who have lived in the town previously, and moved away for education or work are now coming back.

“I think you can look at where Chesterfield sits now. We all know it’s well placed, has great communication links and offers a great work and play lifestyle, with the Peak District being on our doorstep.”

For more information about living and working in Chesterfield, head over to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/

This post has been produced thanks to contributions from Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group. To find out more about the group, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/

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£18 million funding for our region as part of devolution plans

Millions of pounds in funding, made possible because of plans for devolution in the East Midlands, has been agreed and will be spent on improving housing, transport and the skills of local people.

In total, £18 million of funding is being offered to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham as part of early investment to the area during devolution negotiations and is not dependent on devolution proposals going ahead.

The latest funding amount of £9.9 million has now been approved and will help councils to carry out retrofit work on homes to make them more energy efficient.

Councils across the two counties have been working with the government on devolution plans including a package of local powers and funding worth £1.14 billion, from 2024.

Other programmes which have already been approved, and are underway or completed, include:

  • £1.2 million for new gigabit broadband for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham. It will mean that an extra 118 rural public sector schools and libraries will be connected to gigabit broadband. The scheme is expected to go live by March 2024.
  • £750,000 for a new cycling and walking route in Derbyshire – a 1¼ mile link connecting Markham Vale to the existing cycle route in Staveley.
  • £1.5 million for a new growth through green skills. The investment will enable the creation of a new £5.4 million flagship skills centre and low carbon demonstrator in the region, as well as 2 electric minibuses for getting students to and from the site, to support the growth of a future low carbon economy as we work towards net zero.

Funding hasn’t been the only benefit drawn in through devolution; with the East Midlands securing one of just 12 new Investment Zones being created across the UK.

The low tax Investment Zones are being introduced to boost growth in areas outside London and will be clustered around universities and research centres. Each zone is to get £80 million of support over 5 years, with tax incentives to attract businesses.

Devolution would mean a new guaranteed funding stream for our region of £38 million a year over a 30-year period. Covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham, the devolved area is home to around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest in the country.

The devolution deal includes an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land and control over a range of budgets like the adult education budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in local communities.

A regional mayor would lead a new combined authority, which would include representatives from existing local councils, with decision-making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands. Local businesses would also have a voice, as well as other organisations.

Devolution would not mean scrapping or merging local councils, which would all continue to exist as they do now and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across both cities and counties.

Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “We’ve been pursuing a devolution deal to bring more investment to the region and this early funding pot to improve housing, transport and skills is most welcome.

“If a devolution deal for the East Midlands goes ahead, it will bring a package of local powers and much-needed funding worth £1.14 billion that will help to improve the lives of people in Derbyshire and throughout the region.

“Devolution would bring massive benefits and opportunity to the East Midlands for things like improving transport infrastructure, building more homes and creating more jobs and better training opportunities.”

Now the 4 councils have formally backed the plans, and agreed on a final version of the proposal, it means that new local powers and funding to improve the environment, skills training, transport, housing, and the economy could be in place as soon as next year.

For that to happen, new legislation is needed, so that a new form of Combined Authority can be created. With new legislation in place, proposals for devolution could be sent to the government for approval and Royal Assent, meaning that devolution in the East Midlands could be a reality from spring 2024, with the first ever election for a regional mayor, covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, taking place in May 2024.

To find out more about why Chesterfield is an ideal location to invest, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

View of the Crooked Spire from above

Image courtesy of Derbyshire Economic Partnership

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Growth and milestones announced for several Chesterfield firms

Chesterfield businesses are marking further growth, with new staff, office expansions, award nominations and key milestones.

Find out about the latest growth and achievements from across the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions in our latest roundup below:

Demand creates substantial growth for BRM Real Estate Division

BRM Property Team

Regional Law Firm BRM Solicitors has added to its strong property department, with the recent recruitment taking them to the 24 lawyers.

BRM’s 24-strong team now includes eight directors and counts Woodall Group, Gleeson Homes, Reef Group and Global Brands among its clients.

Whilst the real estate industry is facing challenges, nimble-footed clients continue to succeed by meeting private and local authority housing needs, taking advantage of permitted development rights, developing large-scale storage and distribution sites, embracing cloud data and battery storage projects, refocussing office space to hybrid working, assisting regeneration of city centres by re-gearing and upgrading retail offerings and encompassing science, educational and tech sectors.

To meet changing and increased client requirements, BRM has recruited and trained its team to create one of the largest property legal departments in the region.

Head of Real Estate and Executive Director, Adrian Sheehan, said: “The recent and continuing recruitment drive has been a major step in BRM’s development as we continue to focus on the core elements of its Real Estate offering.

“Our team is regionally recognised as specialists in the field of real estate and property disputes and the team now boast a wealth of experience in this field.”

Head of Dispute Resolution and Executive Director Rob Cooke, said: “The team’s strong track record and breadth and depth of experience is fundamental to our growing client portfolio. This is the start of an important period in the firm’s growth strategy, and we intend to remain at the forefront of the legal property sector for years to come and we have a series of announcements in the coming months that are really exciting for the future of BRM.”

BRM’s property dispute resolution experience is evident in the complex cases they have successfully litigated, including disputes over property rights, breach of contracts, and land use.

For more information on BRM and their legal services, please visit their website or get in touch with their legal team.

BSP Consulting business development manager shortlisted in Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards

Carrie Booth

The business development manager at East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has been named as a finalist in the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards.

Carrie Booth, who joined the business in 2004 as a junior member of the admin team and now leads the business development side of the operation, has been shortlisted in the Inspirational Leader – Consultant Award.

The awards, which attracted a record breaking number of entries this year, champion the role of women in construction and engineering.

Carl Hilton, managing director at BSP Consulting, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Carrie has been shortlisted in these national awards. She puts her heart and soul into creating business opportunities for the team, which has played a key role in helping to make BSP Consulting one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering firms in the East Midlands.

“She is extremely capable, tenacious, dependable and 100% committed to her role. She always delivers, not only for BSP but for the numerous groups she is a member of too.

“This shortlisting is very well deserved and we’re sure that anyone in the construction sector in the East Midlands who knows Carrie will be delighted to hear the news that she is a finalist in the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards 2023.”

The awards, which are run by Construction News and New Civil Engineer, will be presented at the Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Conference in London on 4th October.

Carrie Booth, who works across BSP’s offices in the East Midlands, said: “I feel very humbled to have been shortlisted in these awards, which turn the spotlight on women working in construction and engineering.

“The shortlist features a list of very talented women from companies working across the construction and engineering sector in the UK and I am honoured to be amongst them.”

Green Arch Consulting celebrates 5 years of business

Emma Knight-Strong Green Arch Consulting

A Chesterfield Champion which provides specialist strategic sustainability support to businesses of all sizes, has celebrated five years of success.

Green Arch Consulting provides a range of coaching, management consulting and technical advice and support to help their clients deliver business-led, tangible solutions for tackling the sustainability challenge.

Recently, the company has worked with major international firms, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the FTSE 250 listed JLEN.

Emma Knight-Strong, Owner of Green Arch Consulting commented: “Over the past 5 years Green Arch Consulting has worked with clients spanning 5 continents, across multiple sectors, ranging from government departments to national infrastructure providers to FTSE250 companies to SMEs looking to boost their product offerings through integration of sustainability into their processes. I am so proud of the work that we’ve done and I’m excited for the next 5 years!”

Principle Finance expands into new Sheffield based office

Principle Finance

Principle Finance, a leading commercial finance and residential mortgage brokerage who are part of the SMH Group, have announced the opening of a new office in Sheffield as a result of their continued business growth.

The new office has been refurbished to meet the company’s requirements and will serve as Principle Finance’s hub for commercial finance operations.

The company’s expansion into their new office comes as a strategic move to allow for future growth of the team and to better serve clients in the region by providing a tailored approach to commercial finance.

Commenting on the expansion, James Furniss, Head of Commercial Finance at Principle Finance, said: “We are thrilled to be opening our new office, which marks a significant milestone for the business. Our expansion is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and the continued support of our clients.

“As a business, we are committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients, and our new office will enable us to work more closely as a team and to be more accessible to businesses across the whole region.

“We are excited about the opportunities this expansion will bring, and we look forward to continuing to provide our clients with the exceptional service they have come to expect from Principle Finance.”

In addition to opening their new office, Principle Finance has also undergone a re-brand along with the development of a new website, which reflects the company’s commitment to providing innovative solutions and exceptional service to their clients.

The new website is designed to provide a more user-friendly experience and showcase the company’s range of commercial financial and mortgage solutions for both business and personal requirements.

For more information about Principle Finance please visit www.principlefinance.co.uk on contact the team on 0330 107 1558 or info@principlefinance.co.uk to discuss your finance requirements in more detail.

BRM Solicitors, BSP Consulting, Green Arch Consulting and SMH Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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80% of rooms let as Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre celebrates one year anniversary

After being open for just one year, 80% of offices are now let in Chesterfield’s flagship enterprise centre – providing a state-of-the-art base for new and growing businesses.

The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre was officially opened in July 2022 and to mark one year since opening an informal networking session was held on Thursday 13 July to celebrate with tenants.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We faced many challenges when developing this building but it was a cornerstone of our Covid recovery plan and to see the building almost fully let just one year after opening shows that our local economy is strong and that Chesterfield is a great place to do business. The building is home to a really diverse range of businesses with lots of them being new startups that we hope will grow and thrive in our town.

“It was fantastic to speak with our tenants and learn more about what they do and the opportunities they are creating for local people.”

The Enterprise Centre includes 32 office suites in a range of sizes, all of which are fitted with the latest hi-tech features that are now standard requirements for modern businesses. It has meeting facilities allowing businesses to host hybrid meetings and secure cycle parking and shower facilities to allow tenants to bike to work – supporting low carbon transport options. There are also features like the break out room where businesses can network and find out how they can work together.

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

But the centre provides much more than just office space, as tenants can access bespoke business support services to help them grow and develop, supporting the creation of more jobs and boosting the local economy.

The building also boasts some first-class sustainability features which help keep energy use down and ensure the building is fit for the future – supporting to the council’s target of becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030.

The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre was part funded through a grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Investment Fund, with additional funding provided by Chesterfield Borough Council.

To find out more about your business being based in the Enterprise Centre contact the Enterprise Chesterfield team by calling 01246 903 900 or emailing enterprise@chesterfield.gov.uk

No matter what stage you are along your business journey, Chesterfield has a fantastic range of modern, flexible and sustainable office spaces to suit your organisation. Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

Group at North Gateway Celebration

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HRH The Princess Royal visits Chesterfield to officially open new developments

HRH The Princess Royal visited Chesterfield this week (12th July), officially opening the Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s new emergency department and a new facility at the University of Derby’s campus in the town.

Princess Anne visited the hospital’s new emergency department as part of a series of visits in the region on the day and met the dedicated team at the Trust – recognising the great work of the hospital staff and the team who worked around the clock to deliver the £27m state-of-the-art build.

The department was operationally opened on 21 June and has since seen more than 6,000 patients through its doors.

The new development, with its innovative approach to patient flow, high spec equipment, ultra-modern technology and a real grounding in the community through the locally sourced artwork and wayfinding is a redefining jewel in Chesterfield’s crown but it’s vital that people only visit if they truly need to. Dr Katherine Lendrum, Clinical Lead for the ED and ED Consultant, commented further: “The new Emergency Department is an absolutely amazing facility, and we were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to see what we do, how and where. It’s vital that people really do take note and only come to ED when they really need it!

“The new department is already working incredibly hard and is managing patients in a really efficient and safe way – we know that we’re providing better care and a better all-round experience for people – so it’s great that we’re able to take a moment and show our services to such a highly esteemed guest. We know that staff and patients – as well as the communities of Chesterfield will really see this as us redefining Chesterfield and showing that we’re fit for the future and providing a dedicated service which is second to none – by staff who really care!”

Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: “This is a truly fantastic facility for the hospital and the communities we serve and to have HRH The Princess Royal come to officially open it is a real coup for colleagues and the community. I’m very proud of the skills, experience and hard work that have gone into shaping our new Emergency Department and to be able to show this to a member of the Royal family – based on our history – is even more rewarding.

“It felt very apt to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to officially open our ED: She was last here in 2009, when she opened the children and young people’s outpatients department we call ‘The Den’ and before that she opened The Scarsdale Maternity and Gynaecology Wing in 1990 – so this is third time very lucky! We’re very grateful and appreciate this historical moment means a lot to the people of Chesterfield and Derbyshire.”

Amongst the facilities The Princess – who is Patron of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and also patron to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the Royal College of Midwives – saw was the technology to live monitor patients, a dedicated children and young people’s area and a specialist zone for neurodiverse patients or those experiencing a mental health crisis, all of which mean we are providing a truly world-class facility for the region. The area above the department was also included in the extended tour which includes a state-of-the-art simulation suite and facilities to support training, health and wellbeing of our colleagues. The visit culminated with the unveiling of a special plaque in the reception/class atrium of the ED, alongside natural day light and specially commissioned artwork of the whole Joined Up Care Derbyshire system created by the world famous and local artist Dave Draws.

Dr Lendrum concluded: “ I was interested to talk to The Princess about how patients experience ED. Sometimes (in up to 70% of attendances) people choose to come to an emergency department with less urgent problems – perhaps because they don’t know where to go or because they perceive they will be seen quicker; get all the tests they need done or be treated faster. Our message about ‘if you feel well enough to have your tea, do you really need ED?’ have gone down really well with our communities. It is everyone’s responsibility to use health care services wisely.”

HRH The Princess Royal shaking hands with a member of staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Meanwhile, the new name of a hospital ward used by health students as part of their learning at the University of Derby’s Chesterfield site has been unveiled on the same day (12 July) by Her Royal Highness.

The simulation training facility, which has been renamed The Florence Nightingale Ward to honour the founder of modern nursing, features a number of hospital beds, artificial patients and other NHS-standard equipment enabling students to learn in state-of-the-art facilities to prepare them for entering the healthcare workforce.

The new name was unveiled with a plaque by HRH The Princess Royal at the site, which is home to a number of the University’s health and nursing programmes.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Florence Nightingale had strong connections to Derbyshire, and so we are proud to recognise her inspiring and wide-reaching impact through the renaming of our simulation training facility, which enables students to gain experience and develop their skills in a ward environment during their studies.

“As an institution we are renowned for the quality of our health programmes, so it is a tremendous honour to have HRH The Princess Royal visit to see first-hand the opportunities and facilities that the University of Derby has to offer and to unveil our dedicated plaque.”

During the visit, HRH The Princess Royal met academic staff and students, who showcased skills including heart tracing and cannulation. She was also shown a number of posters created by Adult and Mental Health Nursing students, surrounding improving treatment for patients within a variety of health settings including doll therapy for patients with dementia, Huntington’s disease and Motor Neurone disease.

HRH The Princess Royal also had the opportunity to see a demonstration of the Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite – a facility which provides 360° projections of a range of working environments, such as being in an ambulance or an operating theatre, offering students real-world learning opportunities.

Dr Denise Baker, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care at the University of Derby, said: “At the University, we prepare our students to make a difference to society and our first-class facilities mean students gain the skills to provide exceptional levels of care. We were delighted to showcase this to HRH The Princess Royal and for her to meet with our inspiring staff and students.”

HRH The Princess Royal also met with a breastfeeding support group that the University hosts at its Chesterfield site through its engagement with Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

The High Sheriff of Derbyshire Theresa Peltier, Civic Chair of Derbyshire County Council Councillor David Taylor, the Mayor of Chesterfield Councillor Mick Brady and the MP for Chesterfield Toby Perkins were also in attendance at the event.

For more information about studying in the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care at the University of Derby, visit: https://www.derby.ac.uk/colleges/health-psychology-social-care/

Chesterfield Royal Hospital and University of Derby support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

HRH The Princess Royal meets nursing students at the University of Derby

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

More than 3,100 light up streets of Chesterfield for record-breaking fundraiser

A record-breaking number of walkers lit up the streets of Chesterfield for Ashgate Hospice’s popular Sparkle Night Walk fundraiser over the weekend.

Donning pink outfits and flashing bunny ears, more than 3,100 supporters stepped out for the return of the charity’s biggest fundraiser, sponsored by Technique, on Saturday 1st July.

More than £150,000 has already been raised to help fund end-of-life care and support – with the charity hoping to see the figure rise to more than £200,000 in the coming weeks.

The 10k walk began and finished at Chesterfield Football Club’s stadium, with walkers setting off at 10 pm and live entertainment kicking off the party at 7.30 pm.

Amongst those taking part was Malcolm Green, 80, who walked in memory of his daughter Vicky after she died at the hospice in January this year, aged just 50.

Vicky, from Dronfield, had been diagnosed with breast cancer five years before and received “first-class” care at home and in the hospice’s Inpatient Unit.

Malcolm, who was joined by his son-in-law Russ and grandsons, Ben and Toby among other family and friends, said: “Events [like the Sparkle Night Walk] just show how much the hospice means to so many people.

“I must admit the treatment and support Vicky received was absolutely first-class. She only went into the hospice for the last week of her life, but she received care at home for the last three to four months, which helped her with pain relief and other things. It was just so wonderful.

“I’m a member of a walking club so friends have been saying the walk will be a breeze for me, but at 80 years of age, I’m not so sure! There’s about another 12 of us – this is the largest number of participants there’s ever been which is remarkable.”

Elaine Darwent, from Bolsover, took on the walk with family and friends, who collectively raised more than £1,000 for the hospice in memory of her husband, Paul Darwent.

She said: “There’s seven of us here and we’ve raised nearly £1,000 in memory of my husband who was cared for by the community nurses at the end of his life.

“The atmosphere here has been so great and we’ve loved taking part. We’re all so proud to be here in Paul’s memory and hopefully, he’s been looking down on us.”

Paul, who had glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer, was cared for at home by the hospice’s nurses until his death in December 2022, aged 65.

Elaine added: “They looked after Paul and also made sure I was okay; they gave me a bit of free time as I was caring for him 24/7.

“When the hospice started caring for Paul it meant I could become his wife again and not just his carer, so we could focus on making lots of memories together. We were together eight years – it was the happiest time of my life.”

Lex Crossett and her eldest son Finn Crossett, from Wingerworth, were joined by family at the walk.

Finn, who uses a wheelchair, has been receiving support at the hospice’s Day Services and signed up for the fundraiser to give something back.

Lex said: “My friend Dawn and I have done the Sparkle Night Walk for the last three years together; last year Ashgate cared for my neighbour before she died and this year our eldest child makes the most of our Day Services.

“It’s so much fun, there’s such a great atmosphere at the Sparkle Night Walk and it’s for such a wonderful cause. We go to the hospice with Finn for a bit of time together – they’re always so friendly and so warm whenever we need a bit of help.”

This year, the event smashed the previous record of 3,052 participants in 2019 as a total of 3,114 supporters turned out on Saturday evening.

The 10km route took walkers from the stadium down the A61 bypass, which was closed to traffic, past the Crooked Spire and through the streets of Chesterfield before returning to the football ground.

Charlotte Gratton, Events and Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospice said: “We have been absolutely blown away by the amount of people who turned out for our Sparkle Night Walk on Saturday evening.

“The event was our most popular ever and we’re so grateful to our supporters and volunteers who made it such a huge success.

“It’s always incredible to see the North Derbyshire community come together to help us fund our care, but to see more than 3,000 walkers there on this occasion was extra special.

“The amount of money we’re expected to receive in donations will go such a long way towards being there for the patients and families who need us most.

“Thank you to our main sponsors Technique, other generous sponsors and many local businesses for their generosity and support.

“I would also like to thank everyone behind the scenes, including an army of incredible volunteers – without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to organise such a big and exciting event for all of our supporters to enjoy. We hope to see everyone back again next year!

Super early bird registration for next year’s event has opened and will be available at a reduced rate until 13th August, with the walk set to take place on Saturday 22nd June 2024.

To find out more about next year’s Sparkle Night Walk and to register for the super early bird price of £8 go to: www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/sparkle-night-walk

Images taken by Tom Hodgson Photography

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 Tom Hodgson Photographyby

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 by Tom Hodgson Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

“Ensuring we have opportunities for our young people will make Chesterfield a more attractive place to live, work, and invest”

Chesterfield is currently undergoing a period of major regeneration, and with this change comes opportunity.

New developments in the town, such as Chesterfield Waterside, Markham Vale and the Hartington sites in Staveley are really coming to life now – thanks to councils and businesses working together closely.

Thousands of new homes are currently being built across the borough, which will attract new families seeking an affordable and friendly place to live, with access to good schools and plenty of green spaces.

I was delighted to hear the news that Chesterfield was ranked recently as the second-best town in the UK to raise children. This is a testament to the work of several organisations across the area.

Furthermore, Chesterfield’s ambitious growth plans are creating exciting career options for our young people. A key sector of growth locally is property and construction. Did you know that in this sector alone, around 17,500 new recruits will be required across the East Midlands between 2023-2027?

As a town, we must keep encouraging our young people to consider careers which are offering secure, skilled, and well-paid employment. To that end, it is pleasing to hear that 12 work placements have been offered to students locally by business leaders from the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group. All credit to the innovative ‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ project, in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council.

Representatives from local firms inspired students by speaking about the wide range of roles available in the property sector, carrying out a series of workshops and face-to-face mentoring sessions with students based at Parkside Community School.

At the beginning of the scheme, only 20% of pupils said they would be interested in a role in property and construction. When asked again at the end of the project, that figure had doubled to 40%. This shows that a hands-on approach can really work in engaging our young people.

As a town, Chesterfield is used to rolling up its sleeves and tackling issues head-on, and this is another example of how our people are continuing to work hard in delivering the changes we all want to see.

Innovative projects, such as the new Construction Skills Hub being developed in Staveley will further boost jobs in the sector, training thousands of local people. It excites me to think that the next generation of builders, architects, surveyors, and designers will be trained in our area.

Ensuring we have opportunities for our young people will make Chesterfield a more attractive place to live, work, and invest. With investment comes jobs, and with jobs comes further growth and prosperity. This is why it is vital we continue to make our future generations aware of the breadth of opportunities available to them, right here on our doorstep.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Firms urged to inspire young people to explore careers in manufacturing, engineering, and construction

A campaign to inspire young people into manufacturing, engineering, and construction careers is set to return to Chesterfield this November.

Destination Chesterfield is calling upon local companies to get involved in the successful Made in Chesterfield scheme, which enables school pupils to get an up-close and personal look at what a career in these key sectors can offer.

The annual campaign, which will run during November and December 2023, is now in its ninth year. It aims to help reduce the skills gap in some of the town’s most valuable industries, to ensure local people and businesses can continue to thrive in the future.

Made in Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield, alongside Direct Education Business Partnership, and supported by Chesterfield College Group, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire North Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and NatWest.

Through the project, thousands of young people have had the chance to explore the wide range of rewarding careers available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) sectors. Since the campaign’s inception in 2014, more than 3,500 young people from schools have spent time in the area’s manufacturing, engineering, and construction businesses.

Headline sponsor of the project, Chesterfield College Group has also seen an increase in the number of students getting involved in STEM-related subjects since the launch of the campaign.

Julie Richards, CEO of Chesterfield College Group and Destination Chesterfield Board Member, commented: “Having supported Made in Chesterfield consistently over the past few years I’ve seen the real impact the initiative has for the next generation engineering and construction workforce.

“As we position ourselves as a reliable conduit between student and employer to enable the opportunities and inspiration for successful future careers, supporting this initiative is something we feel passionate about.

“With work on our new cutting-edge Engineering, Manufacturing and Science Centre due to commence this year and our involvement with hugely impactful programmes such as the Staveley Construction Skills Hub, Made in Chesterfield further solidifies our commitment to ensuring the young people we serve have access to the very best opportunities in their chosen engineering and/or construction career.”

Ivan Fomin, Director at MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield Board Member said: “There is no doubt that we are experiencing a skills gap in manufacturing, caused by an ageing workforce. Therefore, it has never been more important to generate the future pipeline of talent to ensure our local manufacturing and engineering firms can continue to grow.

“Being able to offer these tours and interact with young people on a face-to-face basis provides them with an invaluable insight into the exciting potential and scope for growth that a career in STEM can offer.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth commented: “Made in Chesterfield is a fantastic programme that create an opportunity for businesses to interact with young people and help them to make informed choices about their future.

“We’re proud to support this programme because helping young people find the right path for them guarantees that they can have a great career in our borough but it also helps employers ensure that the future workforce is developing the skills that they will need.

“Together this will help improve the quality of life for residents whilst also creating a thriving local economy with opportunities for everyone.”

Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) added: “DEBP are pleased to be able to continue supporting the Made in Chesterfield initiative; enabling space for employers and young people to come together.

“Made in Chesterfield provides meaningful experiences for learners to increase their awareness of local opportunities, and for employers to showcase their businesses and meet potential future employees”.

To find out more about how your business can get involved with Made in Chesterfield, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/ or contact Direct Education Business Partnership at madeinchesterfieldvisits@debp.org.

The Destination Chesterfield Partnership has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

Made in Chesterfield - Students visit Aztec Oils

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

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