Celebrate Chesterfield

Peak District Highland Games recognised with national award

A major event in North Derbyshire, which attracts thousands of visitors each year has scooped a prestigious national award. The Peak District Highland Games, hosted by Matlock Farm Park and Man Beast Strongman Events won the ‘Best Event ‘ prize at the 2023 National Farm Attractions Network awards.

The coveted ceremony shines a light on farm parks all over the country who have membership with the highly-regarded organisation.

Lotty Hawkins, Assistant Manager at Matlock Farm Park commented: Matlock Farm Park is just thrilled to win the Best Event award from NFAN, with such strong competition from the best farm parks in the land.

“There’s such a large amount of preparation in the build up to the day, compared to other events we host, for instance setting up extra catering and stalls, grandstand seating, organising sponsors, promotion including our big social media prize giveaway campaign and more, but it is entirely worth it because it is such a special and unique event.

“Not only is it the farm park’s flagship event, but it’s a key Summer event for the region, gaining more of a following each year. Our team work so hard on the day, but they really enjoy the camaraderie of it all!

“It’s all with thanks of course to the super Man Beast organisers and athletes with their planning and delivery. Each year the strong men and women blow us and the crowd away by going the extra mile with all their might in events such as the Eight Tonne Tractor Pull, Tossing of the Caber and Peak Dinnie Stone Challenge. The children spectators in particular feel so inspired watching the athletes do their very best and of course, they love having photos taken with these real life ‘superheroes’.

“The wonderful, cheering spectators who come to enjoy the day with us really make the event special and we would like to thank everyone who supports Matlock Farm Park and The Peak District Highland Games.”

Andy Picken, Founder of Man Beast Strongman Events commented: “We are immensely proud that the Peak District Highland Games has won this prestigious award.

“Together with Matlock Park, Man Beast Strongman Events have created a truly unique national event combining the sport of strongman with the classic Highland Games for the Peak District National Park.

“The Athletes train throughout the year for these games, not only to chase the win but also entertain the amazing crowd and we thank every single one of them for the  commitment and performance they bring each year.”

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

Peak District Highland Games Tug of War 873

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One Waterside Place office development opens in Chesterfield

A major regeneration scheme in Chesterfield has announced the opening of a brand new six storey office development. One Waterside Place, part of the flagship Chesterfield Waterside development, was officially opened on Thursday 26 January by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The impressive new building, which has become a striking new feature of the local skyline, features six floors of ‘Grade A’ office space with a ground floor retail unit and has already drawn in new investment to the town.

Accountancy firm BHP moved into the building in November 2022, and were closely followed by leading woman’s leisurewear company Varley in January 2023.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The opening of this new development is a key milestone for the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration project. One Waterside Place represents our ambition to build a thriving borough and create new opportunities for our residents.

One Waterside Place opening

“Our first tenants have already moved in and I look forward to welcoming more businesses to the building over the next year.”

BHP Partner Dominic Staniforth said: “The new office is an excellent space that provides first-class facilities for our team, with an array of restaurants, cafés and shops close by. I know I can speak on behalf of my Chesterfield colleagues when I say that we’re proud to be the first tenants in such a prestigious building and we look forward to being in our new home for many years to come.”

One Waterside Place provides bespoke office accommodation for established businesses – offering a modern, high-quality base for ambitious companies looking to grow and thrive in a central and well-connected location.

The 35,000 sq.ft. building delivers Grade A, large floorplate office accommodation, which does not exist elsewhere in Chesterfield. The building incorporates two passenger lifts, raised access flooring, air conditioning, LED lighting, a high-quality entrance foyer, showers, on-site cycle parking facilities as well as attractive public realm and landscaping.

The building has been designed with sustainability in mind, boasting a BREEAM score of Very Good and an EPC A rating for its energy performance. The ground floor has been designed to create a new retail or leisure space close to the train station.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc, which project managed the delivery of the office and is delivering the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver this landmark building.

“Britcon began construction of One Waterside Place amidst the pandemic which brought many challenges in terms of staffing, health and safety and supply of materials. However, they have delivered an exceptional building which they have also used as a learning experience for local students during the build, following an initiative from the council.”

One Waterside place

One Waterside Place sits within the £75 million first phase of the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme. Once complete, the Basin Square neighbourhood will also comprise 320 Built-to-Rent apartments, a 400-space multi-storey car park, a 140-bed hotel, retail and leisure units.

This area will be landscaped to a high quality standard with the canal basin being at the heart of the scheme, creating a great environment to spend time in on the edge of the town centre alongside a central community hub for occupiers and residents of the Chesterfield Waterside scheme.

The canal basin site has been brought forward with support from the South Yorkshire Combined Authority Infrastructure Fund. One Waterside Place was funded by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Knight Frank and Derby-based FHP Property Consultants are letting agents for the office space at Chesterfield Waterside. For information or to view the remaining space contact Peter Whiteley at Knight Frank on 0114 272 9750 or Darran Severn at FHP Property Consultants 01332 343 222.

To find out more about the wide range of office spaces in Chesterfield, whether you’re a start-up or looking to expand, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

BHP, Bolsterstone Group, and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

One Waterside Place peter swallow Tricia Gilby

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More international football to be hosted in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Football Club has announced the return of international football to the Technique Stadium in March 2023.

The town will play host to the England Men’s Under 19 squad, as the Young Lions continue their quest for further European glory on home soil.

The Young Lions will be hoping to defend their title at this summer’s U19 EURO in Malta in July but Simon Rusk’s squad need to secure qualification first by topping an elite round group including Hungary, Iceland and Turkey.

England will have home advantage for all three fixtures which starts with Hungary at Walsall on Wednesday, March 22 (7.30pm kick-off).

The fixture against Iceland will take place at Rotherham United on Saturday, March 25 (2pm kick-off) before the group is concluded against Turkey at Chesterfield on Tuesday, March 28 (7.30pm kick-off).

Tickets for all fixtures are priced at £5 for adults, £2.50 for concessions (club policy applies) and England Football Accredited Clubs can apply for up to 10 complimentary tickets. Visit: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match Alternatively, tickets can be purchased via TheFA.com/tickets.

The current age group reached this point by winning all three games to top a qualifying round group including hosts Denmark, Montenegro and Georgia in September 2022.

England were crowned U19 European champions for a second time in July 2022 adding to their 2017 title. As a result, Ian Foster’s group qualified for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted in Indonesia in May.

Chesterfield has played host to a number of international fixtures since the opening of The Technique Stadium in 2010, with England men’s and women’s teams ranging from Under 16 to Under 21 age groups playing at the ground.

The Technique Stadium has also been a host venue of a major international tournament in the past, seeing a number of fixtures played in the 2014 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship.

Chesterfield Football Club supports 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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Chesterfield’s communities and economy set to benefit from £2.6 million investment

Projects which will support the growth of local businesses, strengthen communities, improve local parks, and boost skills opportunities for local people are amongst a package of initiatives which are set to get underway across the borough.

Residents and businesses will benefit from a range of new and extended projects which have been given the green light after Chesterfield Borough Council secured £2.6m worth of funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The council was selected as a lead authority to benefit from the national funding pot, after its ambitious three-year investment plan – setting out a range of initiatives to improve life for local people – was approved by Government.

A total of £2.69m of UKSPF funding will be spent across the borough over the next three years, with projects including:

  • Improvements to local parks, greens spaces and outdoor sports facilities to provide residents with even better access to quality outdoor facilities across the borough
  • Help for local businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, contributing towards the council’s goal of creating a net zero borough by 2050
  • Grants to help community and voluntary groups fund grassroots projects
  • Funding to support entertainment in Chesterfield town centre and across the borough, including speciality markets
  • Investment in anti-social behaviour initiatives, which will help to tackle the root causes of nuisance behaviour, in line with the council’s new anti-social behaviour strategy
  • Continued support to help local businesses start and grow, and to boost opportunities for local people to learn new skills
  • Investment in tourism and marketing campaigns to support Chesterfield’s appeal as a destination for visitors

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of the council, said: “We were pleased to secure this funding for our local communities. It will mean people and businesses across the borough will benefit from a range of new and extended projects which are designed to improve neighbourhoods, boost local businesses, strengthen support for local skills development and help Chesterfield borough remain a thriving place to live, work and visit.

“The funding was confirmed in December and the council has this week received a report to formally accept the funding and to establish new posts to support project delivery. Subject to final approval by full council in February, we will be moving ahead to deliver a raft of initiatives that will make a real difference to the everyday lives of the borough’s residents.

“Some of these projects will see us working closely with our partners and our communities, and we’ll be sharing more information about individual projects – and how local people and businesses can benefit – over the coming months.”

The primary goal of the UKSPF is to build pride of place, via three investment priorities: communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills – the key themes which underpin the council’s three-year investment plan.

 

 

Chesterfield Town Hall

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Chesterfield IT firm to undergo major office refurbishment

The offices of a Chesterfield IT company will undergo a major transformation in the near future, paving the way for further growth.

CCS Media has 13 offices across the UK with their headquarters being Old Birdholme House, just off Derby Road in Chesterfield. The company has been based in the town for 40 years.

Working with Matthew Montague architects, the company has secured planning permission from Chesterfield Borough Council to give the building a revamp.

The plans for the Grade II Listed commercial building include internal structural alterations and major refurbishment, helping to facilitate the growth plans of the successful technology business.

The refurbishment of the 330 square meter building was specifically developed by Matthew Montague for CCS Media, to enable them to create facilities that will carry the business forward for the foreseeable future and cement their position as a major employer in the Chesterfield area.

Parts of the building date back to the late 17th Century, in heritage reports it is described originally as a dwelling and later a mansion house. There is still evidence of this as the present-day offices are quite cellular in nature, with various small spaces, rooms and offices.

The proposals seek to strike a balance between functionality and form, creative design and fulfilling the needs of the business whilst retaining original architectural details and finishes.

The new facilities provided will enable the business to retain and strengthen the workforce; creating and sustaining employment in the town.

The refurbishment will see an increase in open plan working spaces, improved accessibility and diversity, provision of a new, large, flexible training space and more intelligent energy efficiency. Plus, retaining, exposing and displaying more of the historic features of the building.

A spokesperson for Matthew Montague Architects, based in Derbyshire commented: “The planning application was dealt with efficiently by Chesterfield Borough Council and we are delighted with the approval. Works will begin on site later in the year.”

Find out more about the benefits of locating your organisation in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

CCS Media plans

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Spectacular ‘Shine a Light’ displays to wow visitors at Hardwick Hall

The National Trust’s Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield will host two nights of stunning after-dark displays for the final instalment of Derbyshire’s Shine A Light spectacular on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th February 2023.

Tickets for the magical events are selling fast as visitors prepare to watch Hardwick’s remarkable history unfold in a breath-taking display of light and sound projected against the dramatic backdrop of Bess of Hardwick’s Elizabethan masterpiece.

The displays will combine cutting-edge projections, moving animations, special effects, and live music to tell the story of the jewel in Bess’s crown. Witness tapestries come to life, landscapes re-form, and buildings rise and fall.

Plus, with live entertainment throughout each evening, and food and drink vendors selling treats from pancakes to Indian street food, Shine A Light promises fun for the whole family.

The displays at Hardwick Hall are the final instalment in a four-part programme of Shine A Light events that began at Cromford Mills in October 2022. The events have since thrilled hundreds of visitors at Elvaston Castle and Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The displays are unique to each venue and visitors who watch all four chapters – and successfully spot the ‘hidden animal’ at each – have the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a hamper of local produce.

Delivered by internationally-renowned Derbyshire-born video projection artists Illuminos, Shine A Light is designed to celebrate Derbyshire’s rich history and cultural heritage, boost the visitor economy and extend the tourism season during the traditionally quieter autumn and winter months.

Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council which commissioned Shine A Light, says: “Our second season of Shine A Light has been even bigger and better and the fourth and final instalment looks set to wow audiences once more.

“What better way to spend an evening than to see our local history and heritage brought to life with a modern-day twist. An event not to be missed!”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “Shine A Light has already delighted hundreds of people with magical displays that shine the spotlight on Derbyshire’s rich cultural heritage.

“Each venue is unique, with its own story to tell, and not only do these events bring local history to life, they also support the recovery of local visitor economy businesses and offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an evening of entertainment with live music, food and drink. Get your tickets whilst you can!”

Shine A Light takes place at Hardwick Hall on 17th & 18th February 2023. Entry is from 17:30, with large-scale projections every 20 minutes throughout each evening. Tickets are £9 for adults and £6 per child (aged 4-16 inclusive, free for 3 and under).

For more information and to book tickets please visit: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/shine-a-light

'Shine A Light' hardwick

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International motivational speaker set to inspire people to champion Chesterfield

Chesterfield needs to champion itself better if it is to thrive in 2023 and beyond. That will be the message at this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield business conference.

At the conference, Global Business Awards Motivational speaker of the year 2021, Steve Judge will deliver a mini motivational workshop to inspire and motivate the town’s business community.

Steve Judge will be encouraging people to get behind Destination Chesterfield’s new plan which will see it position Chesterfield as a desirable and contemporary destination for visitors, investors and residents.

The free breakfast conference is being held on Thursday 2 March from 7.30am – 11.00am at The Winding Wheel Theatre.

Fully booked every year, businesses are being urged to book their tickets now to the free business conference.

In addition to Steve Judge, speakers at the conference will also include Andy Byrne, Property Development Director for the Devonshire Group, which is behind the future development and regeneration of 150 hectares of former industrial land in Staveley.

Now in its twelfth year, Celebrate Chesterfield, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and in association with Addooco IT Ltd, has become a key date in the town’s events calendar and attracts more than 250 delegates each year.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “There is no denying that there are difficult times ahead for the UK economy. However, Chesterfield and its economy is resilient. We have weathered storms like this before and come out of them in a strong position with much to look forward to. The Celebrate Chesterfield event is a timely reminder to the business community of all the development that is taking place in the borough and continues to make it an excellent place to live, work and invest.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “We have a fantastic town with a strong community but to ensure our borough continues to thrive, we must celebrate what makes us special and communicate this clearly to potential investors. I’d encourage members of the local business community to come along to this event to find out more about what we have planned and how we can work together to help ensure our borough achieves its potential.”

Richard Walters, Managing Director of Addooco IT Ltd, the event’s headline sponsor commented: “Addooco are delighted to be headline sponsors of Celebrate Chesterfield and look forward to welcoming all the delegates to this excellent event. We are proudly based in Chesterfield and have been supporting the business community with Managed IT, Cloud and Communications solutions since 2008.

“Not only does Celebrate Chesterfield showcase what is happening in our town, the event is a fantastic opportunity to promote the benefits of trading locally, connecting supply and demand to forge new relationships.”

apprentice IT technician

The event is also being supported by University of Derby, Choice Utility and Markham Vale.

Dan Molloy, Managing Director at Choice Utility commented: “As a company, we are delighted to be supporting Celebrate Chesterfield and helping to shout about what makes the town great. I’ve lived in Chesterfield since I was eight years old, and it has so many great things going for it. The connectivity is excellent from a logistical point of view and the town continues to move forward and evolve. The new developments at Markham Vale and the work being done at Chesterfield Waterside emphasise this. We really do love the town and are excited to play our part in shouting about it.”

A Markham Vale spokesperson said: “It’s great to see Celebrate Chesterfield taking place again for its ninth year – we’re very pleased to be able to support the event. It offers an excellent opportunity to find out more about Chesterfield and everything it has to offer.

“Chesterfield is a fantastic place to do business, as demonstrated by the phenomenal growth we’ve seen at Markham Vale and the creation of more than 2,700 new jobs.”

Markham Vale Business Park

This year, the event will also host the Derbyshire Festival of Business Exhibition, which is designed to showcase Derbyshire’s extensive business offer and capabilities.

Adam Doyle, Head of Business Engagement and Employability at the University of Derby which is supporting the Festival of Business Exhibition said: “We are once again proud to be the headline sponsor of the Celebrate Chesterfield showcase. The event is increasingly significant this year as we look to celebrate local business success in such challenging times, and we are pleased to be able to share this success wider as part of the Derbyshire Festival of Business. The festival plays a key role in continuing to support the business community to innovate and grow, aligned to our aim of raising skills and aspirations across our region. Working with businesses, we are helping to position our county internationally as a place to do business as well as a place to study, live and work.”

Celebrate Chesterfield exhibition

Exhibitor space is available at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023 and can be booked online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate/2023-exhibitor-booking-form/

To find out how you can help champion Chesterfield, book a delegate place at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023 by visiting www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate/

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Exciting expansion for The Body Health Centre

A healthcare centre in Clay Cross, specialising in treating pain and injuries is expanding its premises, which will grow the range of services it is able to offer.

The Body Health Centre is opening new treatment rooms, along with an open space for delivery of exercise and rehabilitation classes.

The clinic boasts a range of clinicians and therapies which include Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Sports Massage Therapists, Foot Health Practitioners, Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Personal Trainers, Rehabilitation Specialists, Reiki, Reflexology, Cupping, and Deep Oscillation Therapy with more new and exciting additions to come.

Rebecca Stevenson, owner of The Body Health Centre commented: “I am extremely proud of the achievements I have made within the business within a short space of time. I originally worked at The Body Health Centre on a Self-Employed basis before the opportunity came to buy the business.

“My vision for the business was to expand the treatment rooms and be awarded as an Accredited Training Centre with an Awarding Body to be able to deliver Sports Massage Courses and other CPD achievements.

“Patient care is our number one priority along with patient well-being and mental health always being put first. All of our clinicians are person centered, sensitive to patients ailments and with their extensive and expert knowledge in their profession which is of extreme high quality are able to advise and treat accordingly..”

The centre is also excited to be providing fully accredited Active IQ qualifications. The courses will help people gain a new career, where their newly learnt skill set will open doors to new and exciting opportunities within the health sector.

The courses include:

  •  Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy
  • Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy
  • Active IQ Level 4 Award in Understanding the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Speaking of the new developments taking place at the centre, Rebecca added: “Our new treatment rooms will enable us to potentially extend our hours so we are able to see more patients at the times they around their busy lifestyles. Our new open space will enable us to deliver a range of small group and 1-1 exercise and rehabilitation classes where people will feel comfortable and in a relaxed environment . The room will be multi use and used as a venue for our training academy.

“We have more availability for appointments with a range of clinicians to suit individuals and always endeavour to see patients as soon as possible. We have the ability to arrange and organise private MRI, Ultrasound and X-Ray scans that can be done within a week of referral, with no long waiting times for results. GP and insurance referrals are welcomed.

“During Covid, we took some pressure off the NHS as some of our clinicians are part of Allied Health along with other special requirements, which enabled us to stay open and treat patients in pain for pain relief without the need to go to A & E.

Rebecca is now launching a recruitment drive to help continue the growth of the centre, and is looking for medical experts to get in touch: “Due to the expansion of my clinic, I will be looking at recruiting qualified professional medical clinicians which will enhance our medical pain and management provision.”

Anyone looking to find out more can contact the centre on 01246 860 317 or by emailing tbhc7@outlook.com.

The Body Health Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

body health centre

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£2.58m funding announced to enhance North East Derbyshire

North East Derbyshire District Council has been awarded £2.5 million UK Shared Prosperity funding to spend on initiatives to improve the District’s parks, play areas, shop fronts, tourism offer and business support amongst other improvements over the coming years.

The funding will be used to level up across North East Derbyshire (along with the wider UK initiative), addressing geographical inequalities and build pride in place across the whole district.

The Council will deliver initiatives across the District that meet the UKSPF programme investment priorities of Communities and Place, Local Business and People and Skills.

Over the next two years, the Council will invest in projects to make improvements to the public realm, shop fronts, parks, play areas, routeways, village halls and community hubs.

It will also promote the local tourism offer, provide support for businesses, social and financial inclusion activities, green skills training for local workers, and youth activities to address antisocial behaviour. Initiatives will include grant schemes, commissioned activities and focused financial support.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communications, Cllr Alan Powell, said “We are delighted to have received this money which we will use to make a visible difference to our district.

“We have already launched the first round of our Quality Parks and Play Areas grant scheme and we are now pleased to launch the second round as well as the Village Halls and Community Venues and Inclusive Communities schemes”.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Transformation and Climate, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon, said “Other initiatives, including the Shop Front Enhancement grant scheme, will be announced over the coming months that will have a positive impact on our local communities and will include enhancements to shops and facilities and support to businesses and residents through access to advice and training.

These activities support our vision of a district that is clean and attractive, where people are proud to live and work, where they will prosper and feel safe, happy and healthy and we look forward to reaping the benefits of our investment.”

Details of grant schemes and other initiatives will be publicised on the Council’s website www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/ukspf and through social media.

Find out more about the range of developments taking place across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/

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Chesterfield energy broker to support local businesses in cutting costs

A Chesterfield-based energy broker has launched a campaign advising other businesses in the area on how they can reduce their energy bills.

Choice Utility, based in the town’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is hoping their advice and support will help local businesses to keep their costs down, and take away their fears caused by recent volatility in the market.

The firm wants to educate business owners on how the market works by going into their premises and showing them ways in which they can keep their bills down.

Examples of this could be working with companies to secure a better deal on their energy, or simply advising on ways to reduce their consumption by taking a look at the appliances used within their business.

Choice Utility believes the collaborative campaign will help other businesses realise the benefits of making small changes, which in-turn can have a huge impact on savings.

The company also plans to spread the message and provide expert advice on its social media channels, keeping businesses in the loop on everything they need to know on where the market sits.

You can keep up with the Choice Utility ‘A Fortnight In Energy’ on the company’s LinkedIn page:

Dan Molloy, Managing Director at Choice Utility commented: “The reason we’re wanting to focus on SMEs is because they’re busy. We get that business owners don’t want to spend their time talking to dozens of suppliers, it’s going to take you all day.

“The one thing in common that every business has is that they are using gas or electricity. We want to reassure businesses about their energy and have an open line of communication with them, and this awareness campaign will help us to display that.

“We understand there is a stigma with energy companies, with people thinking they’re all a ‘much of a muchness.’ My advice to businesses would be not to shy away from looking at their energy, as you could potentially be saving thousands of pounds by simply picking up the phone and speaking to a broker.

“As a company, we’re all really passionate about Chesterfield and want to see businesses in the town flourishing, so we want to play our part in helping them and supporting our local economy.”

Find out more about Choice Utility here. 

Choice Utility supports 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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Community group celebrates 10 years of walking at Holmebrook Valley Park

Chesterfield’s Holmebrook Valley Park is celebrating 10 years of hosting a walking group this month.

On 12 January, the volunteer group leaders and other local walkers were joined by Mayor of Chesterfield Councillor Tony Rogers to explore what the park has to offer.

The Holmebrook Valley Park ‘walk with us’ walking group originally launched in 2013, but it was temporarily put on hold in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, then launched again as soon as outdoor meeting restrictions allowed.

Over the years, the group has welcomed many residents and other local people who enjoy walking. A number of the group’s regular members have completed accredited training enabling them to take it in turns to lead the group each week.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt said: “We have a wonderful team of volunteers at Holmebrook Valley Park who share the role of walk leader each week and help each other to keep the group growing and thriving.

“They meet around 10.15am each week by the café at the pavilion in the top cark park off Watermeadow Lane, ready to set off at 10.30am. They generally walk for around an hour before returning to the café for drinks and chat. Anyone is welcome to join in, no special equipment is needed, just sensible shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.

“There are slopes in the park and some rough surfaces under foot but the leaders will explain the route each week so walkers can decide if it is suitable for their own ability. Everyone is welcome, so if you fancy getting outdoors and exploring somewhere new feel free to join the group.”

Park facilities

The park is open to pedestrians all year round and has won the prestigious Green Flag award for the last twelve years.

The northern end of the park is elevated and offers spectacular views over Chesterfield to Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle and on towards Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

There is something for everyone to enjoy at the park including children’s play areas, a free outdoor gym, football pitches, cycling, orienteering route, an art sculpture trail, picnic tables and a café.

Join the group

The Holmebrook Valley Park walking group meet every Thursday at 10.30am for a

45–60 minute walk in Chesterfield’s largest park that includes open water, woodlands and hay meadows. Please note the park has hills and some uneven paths.

If you would like to join in, meet by the cafe in park pavilion (top car park) at Holmebrook Valley Park, Watermeadow Lane, Chesterfield, S41 8XP.

You can find out about other park-based walks on the Chesterfield Borough Council website or learn about other group walks in our area and beyond on the Walk Derbyshire website: https://walkderbyshire.org.uk/

For more information, please contact Tina Hensey, Chesterfield Borough Council Community Lifestyles Officer, tina.hensey@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Holmebrook-Valley-Walking-Group

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