Celebrate Chesterfield

“When it comes to investment opportunities, the town has everything covered”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield has given his views on regeneration and investment across the town, following the successful Chesterfield Investment Summit 2022.

The content of the ‘Invest In Chesterfield’ event never fails to impress and this year was no exception. Once again, to a packed room, we heard how Chesterfield continues to punch above its weight.

This is a much-used term when it comes to describing our town, but it is accurate. The level of regeneration and new developments happening in Chesterfield right now surpasses most towns and even some cities.

More than £1billion is being invested in projects across Chesterfield, from social and private residential developments and office accommodation to industrial and leisure developments and retail. When it comes to investment opportunities, the town has everything covered, making it in attractive proposition.

However, there is no denying that tough times are upon us. The UK-wide energy crisis and rise in the cost of living has severely impacted families and businesses.

There is talk of recession but let’s not forget, it was during the last recession that the successful Destination Chesterfield campaign was launched in 2010 to market the borough and attract investment, and this has proved very successful.

As the former leader of Chesterfield Borough Council John Burrows said in 2012: “We could have chosen to bunker down and ride out the recession, but we didn’t. We chose to be proactive and forge ahead with our marketing plans.”

Destination Chesterfield has been instrumental in putting the town on the national and international investment map, ensuring that Chesterfield emerged from the recession stronger, with new employers, businesses and projects.

This forward-thinking approach to creating jobs, homes and opportunity for the people who live in Chesterfield very much remains at the heart of council policy today.

Consider more recent history. During the pandemic the Council invested in office accommodation at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place, placing the town in an excellent position to benefit from the demand for high quality, modern workspace post Covid.

In addition to numerous private residential developments, during the pandemic work also got underway on ‘the biggest council housing development in the Chesterfield borough since the 1980s.’ The 21 brand new properties at Badger Croft in Loundsley Green represent a fine example of Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable and accessible homes across the town.

When you consider that nearly 90% of local authorities failed to complete a single new-build council home by Q3 of 2021, this is a remarkable feat.

We have seen significant opportunities created by regeneration projects in and around the town centre and at Markham Vale. But there is more to come, a lot more.

Investment in Staveley is set to redevelop and regenerate former industrial areas, bringing with it new homes, jobs, leisure amenities and opportunity.

Recession or no recession, Chesterfield is a borough that won’t stand still. Watch this space.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Growth for Chesterfield professional service businesses

Four Chesterfield businesses operating in the legal, financial and IT sectors have recently announced growth, with new team members and internal promotions bolstering their ranks.

BRM Solicitors recently announces Director Sanjeev Batra as the new Head of Real Estate at Chesterfield.

Sanjeev specialises in acquisitions, sales and leasebacks, disposals, security transactions and landlord and tenant issues, joined BRM in 2012 and is based in the BRM Chesterfield office.

He commented: “At BRM we are continuing to work to develop a vibrant and dynamic property department, supporting new clients and working with the firm’s current clients to support their business.”

Elsewhere, Chesterfield’s Rosewood Wealth Management added Emily Steeples to the team as a Financial Services Administrator.

Donna Robertson, Independent Financial Adviser at the company said: “Emily is passionate about delivering an exceptional customer service experience. Having spent eight years in customer/client facing roles she finds it rewarding to be supporting clients along their personal journey.

“Emily’s commitment to building rapport, making sure each client feels comfortable and understood which aligns with, and complements, the Rosewood value of having the client at the heart of everything they do.

“Joining the team as a Financial Services Administrator, Emily brings her dynamic and bubbly personality along with an exciting, fresh perspective on social media and community support campaigns.”

Banner Jones Solicitors has also announced a major promotion, with Andrew Fielder being annoucned as the company’s new Head of Business Legal Services.

The announcement follows news that industry stalwart Stephen Gordon retired at the end of August, following an impressive and influential 35-year legal career.

Commenting on his new role Andrew said: “I have large shoes to fill in my new role as Head of Business Legal Services but having worked alongside Stephen for so many years I am confident that I have benefited hugely from his experience, and that I can further build on that legacy and look towards the growth of the Banner Jones commercial offering across each of our offices.”

Finally, five new appointments have been made at Chesterfield’s Central Technology, with Project Engineer Linford Njie , Project Manager Alicia Wright, Account Manager Alex Greveson, Technical Support Specialist Katie Cope and Cloud Internal Account Manager Callium Rigley all joining the team.

Alex Greveson said: “I have joined CT as an Account Manager to work and build relationships with our valued customers. Prior to CT, I have multiple years previous experience in Account / Project Management in the IT and Utilities sector.”

Katie Cope commented: “My current job role at CT is providing IT support to our customers via the CT helpdesk. I have previous experience within the IT sector supporting multiple sites of a regional law firm.”

BRM Solicitors, Rosewood Wealth Management, Banner Jones Solicitors and Central Technology support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Eastenders icon set to host the sell-out 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards

Former Eastenders actor and household name Shaun Williamson will host the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards.

Held on Wednesday 12 October at the Winding Wheel Theatre, the popular awards return to the town for the second year.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Shaun will announce the winners of 15 categories at the black-tie awards ceremony.

Best known and loved for his Eastenders character Barry Evans, Shaun was in the show for 10 years from 1994 to 2004. Since leaving the soap, he has appeared regularly on stage and TV in a number of hit shows and productions, including Extras and Plebs. He is also a self-proclaimed quizzer, having competed on The Celebrity Chase and written a quizzing memoir A Matter Of Facts.

Looking forward to hosting the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, Shaun Williamson commented: “I’m really excited to be a part of the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. Never having been to the town before, I am looking forward to learning a lot about it and the people who live and work here. You never know when it may come up in a quiz!”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Shaun to Chesterfield to host the second sell-out Love Chesterfield Awards. He’s a much-loved and well-known personality with so many people. He will certainly help us make it a night to remember.”

Peter Currey, Managing Director at Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management added: “The awards are going to be fantastic, and I’m delighted Entire FM is part of the celebration for another year.”

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Business Wise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBCP, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire),  Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and SMH Group.

For all the information on the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/

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

New bar specialising in craft beer and cocktails opens in Chesterfield town centre

A new bar has added to the bustling food and drink scene in Chesterfield Town Centre, owing its name to an historic bike shop which previously traded there.

Armisteads will provide customers with a ‘chilled and relaxed’ atmosphere, serving a range of cocktails and craft beers.

The bar has been opened by local residents Andy and Luke Waller, who are now fulfilling a long-held ambition to open a new bar in the town centre.

Bar Manager Luke explained: “The name Armisteads was inspired by the history of the venue. The building used to host a renowned bike shop in the early 1960’s called Armisteads and was where the majority of people in the town would get their first bikes, so it holds a lot of memories in the local area.”

The duo also have confidence in their local links with other businesses, which they believe will enable the business to thrive. Luke added: “We have strong personal and professional relationships with the brewers and distillers of the products that we stock on our beer lines and spirit shelves.

“Our colleagues have an outstanding knowledge of our product range including years of experience in shaking up some of the best cocktails in Chesterfield. Our colleagues are a friendly team who are always up for meeting new people whilst welcoming our new regulars.”

Together, Luke and Andy have built many strong friendships and relationships in Chesterfield and have strong links with Chesterfield Football Club. The pair say they are keen to show the people of Chesterfield what they have to offer. They are strong supporters of local businesses and wanted to extend that by introducing a venue of their own.

Luke said: “It’s really important for people who live in Chesterfield to support local businesses, as a town we need to stick together and build a positive reputation so that when people visit us, they see our heritage and the many great family businesses that are based here.

“Working together can only have a positive on the current plan to drive development in Chesterfield.”

Find out more about Armisteads on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

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

Chesterfield named best blooming small city in the East Midlands

Chesterfield’s beautiful green spaces, colourful floral displays and innovative community projects have earned the borough a top accolade in a prestigious competition – the first time the borough has scooped the sought-after award.

Judges in the regional East Midlands In Bloom awards were impressed by the breadth and quality of Chesterfield’s entry in this year’s competition – officially crowing the town as winner in the ‘Small City’ category.

Representatives from the Chesterfield In Bloom committee and Chesterfield Borough Council were presented with the award at a ceremony on Wednesday 21 September.

Edinburgh Road Pocket Park won the Award for the Best New Permanent Landscape, the Britannia Inn in Brampton won a Gold Award and the new Dementia Awareness Garden on Rose Hill won a Judges’ Award.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Winning this award is a real triumph for our community and is testament to years of hard work by both local volunteers and our officers. The award recognises that our borough is a bright and beautiful place to live, with lots of fantastic green spaces for our community to enjoy. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to our success in this competition over the years.”

Chris Turner, chair of the Chesterfield In Bloom committee, said: “It takes a lot of effort from many different community groups and the council to ensure the borough is looking its best in time for judging. I’m delighted that we’ve won this year, it’s been a long time coming but it’s fantastic to be recognised for our efforts.”

Judging for East Midlands In Bloom took place in July and the judges were taken on a tour of the borough, starting in Queen’s Park, they visited the town centre, the new Dementia Awareness Garden, Holmebrook Valley Country Park, the Britannia Inn, Hunloke Allotments, Brimington community garden and the pocket park on Edinburgh Road Park.

The new Dementia Awareness Garden on Rose Hill was completed earlier this year and officially opened by the East Midlands In Bloom judges. The project was a collaboration between Chesterfield Borough Council and David Shaw. Not only is it a calm spot to relax in the town centre, but interpretation boards also aim to help visitors understand more about Dementia and the impact it has.

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

Roy Peters Estates welcomes its first ever apprentice

Roy Peters Estates are delighted to welcome their first apprentice in close to 50 Years of successful trading.

George Glazebrook joined the Specialist Property Management Company in September 2022 having had two successful spells of work experience with Roy Peters from School in Bolsover and from West Nottinghamshire College.

Director Richard Sherwood said: “We are delighted to be able to offer George an opportunity to join our team at Roy Peters, he is a smart and intelligent young man who greatly impressed me with his positive attitude and proactive approach in contacting us.” He added; “I must also admit to being a big fan of the Sweeney and am looking forward channelling my inner DI Regan, taking a long drag on a sweet cigarette and saying, “Do us a coffee George!””

Fellow Director Emma Gallagher commented: “in any industry you have to keep moving forward and planning for the future, our industry is changing and we need to be changing with it. We see George as a great asset to Roy Peters and look forward to supporting him through formal qualifications to full Membership of ARLA. (The Association of Residential Letting Agents). He will also assist me with our Commercial business and our ongoing development projects.”

George himself said: “I am so pleased Roy Peters chose me to be there apprentice and I am happy to be starting my career in property as well as learning the skills that the role requires. I believe that this opportunity will open many doors for me and further my career. I am also very grateful and pleased that the Directors and staff are putting in their effort time and resources into my learning.”

Roy Peters were established in 1976 and Principal Roy Cutt is still very much involved with the organisation and is busy planning the redevelopment of the Knifesmithgate offices, due to commence this Autumn.

The company continues to offer a personal, locally focused and tailored service to existing and future clients having years of Residential and Commercial expertise. For more information and for no obligation initial advice please contact Richard or Emma. 01246 272740, wwwroypeters.com.

Chesterfield businesses considering taking on an apprentice can find more information at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/

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

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

Regeneration Award shortlist announced for Love Chesterfield Awards 2022

Construction projects across Chesterfield are paving the way for the regeneration of the borough, but only one will be named the winner of the Regeneration Award at the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management.

Badger Croft, Belvedere House and One Waterside Place have all been selected as finalists for the Regeneration Award – sponsored by BHP Accountants – for their innovative developments.

Badger Croft is described as the ‘largest council housing development in a generation’ in Chesterfield. The £4.1m development has seen 21 brand-new properties constructed on the former Brockwell Court site in Loundsley Green.

The development is providing families with modern homes that have been designed for a more eco-conscious lifestyle. Increased levels of insulation throughout and electric vehicle charging points have been installed on properties with driveways to support lower carbon transport options.

Gary Holmes, Contracts Manager at Henry Boot Construction commented: “We are delighted that Badger Croft has been shortlisted for the Regeneration Award. We have a long-standing affinity with Chesterfield; we’re based just up the road in Dronfield, and a lot of our people were born or live in Chesterfield.

“With Badger Croft, we have increased the supply of affordable homes available and transformed a former brownfield site, enabling 21 local families to move into their new homes. We have also worked hard to give back to the wider community by working closely with Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group to enhance landscaping works and boost biodiversity.”

Belvedere House Care Home, built by Crown Care Group and located on St Augustine’s Rd, provides care services to its residents and luxurious living accommodation. With 64 bedrooms and a range of facilities for residents to enjoy, including a cinema, tearoom, bar and brasserie, garden room, hair salon and extensive landscaped gardens.

The care home opened its doors earlier this year and has generated up to 50 jobs within the local area.

Shiva Sheikholeslami, Care Home Manager at Belvedere House commented on being part of the final three for the Regeneration Award: “This selection reaffirms that our brand-new care home has positively impacted the Chesterfield community. This means a lot to us; it’s humbling and reassuring.

“We feel positive and assured to witness businesses flourish, areas develop, and new life spread throughout the region. Through regeneration, Belvedere House looks forward to sustainable development and prosperity – we are excited and lucky to be able to experience this growth.”

One Waterside Place will be a landmark building as part of the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside development, creating jobs and modern, high-spec office space for businesses to occupy.

The office accommodation within Basin Square has been designed to a Grade A specification which incorporates BREEAM Very Good Rating, LED lighting and two passenger lifts. They will also provide cycle parking facilities on site, encouraging a greener commute to work.

Tom Swallow, Development Manager, Bolsterstone Group PLC, which is the company developing the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, commented: “It’s a really exciting time to be part of the regeneration projects within Chesterfield.

“I’m delighted that One Waterside Place is shortlisted for the Regeneration Award; this is a great news ahead of the building welcoming tenants later this year.”

The requirements for the award include either a single business or a collective of businesses that have supported or delivered high quality spaces through regeneration, refurbishment, redevelopment, or improvements to the built environment within a 6-mile radius of Chesterfield town centre.

Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group brings together business leaders of the region’s property sector and Chesterfield Borough Council to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

The collaboration of the Property and Construction Group has allowed Chesterfield to thrive in its plans to develop the town, with new housing and residential developments to Grade A office spaces becoming available to help make Chesterfield the place to invest, work, live and play.

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Regeneration Award winner will be announced alongside the winners of 15 other categories at the black-tie event being held at the Winding Wheel Theatre on 12 October.

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Business Wise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBCP, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), , Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and SMH Group.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield Awards, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Approval granted on widespread improvements for Staveley Town Centre

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has given its approval to a new long-term vision for Staveley town centre and an initial £5m package of improvements, to be delivered over the next four years.

A public consultation which took place late last year showed strong support for the draft Staveley Town Centre Vision Master Plan, with 70% of respondents stating that they would be more likely to visit Staveley town centre if the Master Plan’s proposals were implemented.

The immediate improvements planned for Staveley town centre also received a high level of support from the public. These improvements include the regeneration of the Market Square, a shop front improvement scheme, a new and improved link to the canal, a new landmark pavilion building, an enhanced public realm and better signposting of facilities and attractions.

The initial package of improvements will be funded and delivered through the Staveley Town Deal and have been selected on the basis of their ability to improve the current town centre offer, uplift footfall, and prepare the ground for future investment. They are also deliverable within the set timeframe for the Town Deal.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said: “We want Staveley to be a thriving town centre, that attracts both residents and visitors, encourages new business start-ups and supports existing retailers and businesses to flourish.

“We received lots of support for the ideas and proposals that we set out within the draft Vision Master Plan but we cannot deliver everything at once. Our aim is to make best use of the Staveley Town Deal funding to deliver an initial package of improvements that will help ensure Staveley has a bright future as a place to start, to stay and to grow.

“We will continue to work closely with Staveley’s retailers, businesses and residents to ensure we deliver the planned improvements to time and budget.”

The planned improvements, many of which are conditional on receiving planning consent, include the regeneration of the Market Square, which was supported by 77% of respondents to the public consultation. Elsewhere in the Market Square, the disused toilet block will be demolished and a landmark pavilion building with new commercial space created.

The Market Square will also benefit from new paving, lighting, planting, and benches, as well as improvements to Barnfield Close to encourage members of the public to shop and socialise. Ninety percent of respondents to the public consultation indicated that they would be more likely to visit the town centre if there was more space for festivals and events, which the planned improvements are designed to achieve.

The High Street will benefit from a rejuvenation of the public ream, and a shop front improvement grant scheme will encourage retailers to make changes to their store frontages.

There will also be a focus on increased connectivity both to the canal and wider Staveley area with improved signage, paths and cycling hubs. These improvements were supported by 74% of respondents to the public consultation. There will also be enhanced digital connectivity through the creation of a town centre wi-fi network.

As part of the process of developing the draft Vision Master Plan an independent review was undertaken by IntoPlaces Ltd., a team of three High Street Task Force experts. IntoPlaces Ltd. commented that the Vision Master Plan has the capacity to transform Staveley town centre into a vibrant hub by creating new and diverse spaces and enhancing the current offer. The planned improvements have also been supported by Derbyshire County Council.

The next step is for the Council to appoint a dedicated design team to finalise the planned improvements and seek planning consent, where applicable. More details about the future designs and how the community can get involved will be shared as soon as possible.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, added: “It will take time for us to finalise our plans and gain planning consent but we are committed to working with the community throughout the delivery process in order to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for Staveley town centre, its residents and businesses.”

Find out more about the Town Deal and the projects that have received funding on the council’s Staveley Town Deal page.

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

North Derbyshire’s Mortgage 1st expands offer with launch of new protection services

Mortgage 1st’s exciting growth plans are showing no signs of slowing down as they approach the final quarter of 2022.

The North Derbyshire firm’s ambitious plans have always included a specialist protection arm of the business which will better serve their customers insurance needs whilst offering additional support to their existing advisers.

Mortgage 1st managing director Jon Stones said: “Our aim at Mortgage 1st is to provide the best possible service to our clients and also the proposition to our advisers.  There is no better way to do that than to enhance the protection offering and process we currently have as a brand.  The FCA are looking very closely at advice in general but protection advice seems to be an increasingly hot topic.”

As plans had started to develop an opportunity arose to bring Dave Corbett to Mortgage 1st to help bring Protection 1st to life.  Dave has an impeccable track record within the industry and is incredibly well respected.

Dave Corbett joins Chesterfield-based Mortgage 1st from The Money Group, where he was Recruitment and Brand Development Director. He has also held senior roles as Regional Sales Director at Primis Mortgage Network, and as Regional Business Manager at the Tenet Group.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Mortgage 1st at what is proving to be such a crucial time for the business. To make the move now and to know I am joining a brand that not only stands out in the industry but has genuine ambitions to be the best, is a great personal fit for me.

“Jon and Lisa have built an incredible organisation where the culture and family feel jump out in every interaction.”

As Mortgage 1st continues to welcome new faces to the team every month, total head count will exceed 50 by the end of 2022. With Mortgage & Protection advisers both locally in Chesterfield and across the country working collaboratively together they can continue to offer their growing number of customers a high quality service.

For more information of the services they provide or the vacancies available visit www.mortgage1st.co.uk

Mortgage 1st supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Jon Stones, Mortgage 1st

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Zero-carbon tourist transport network to be trialled in Chesterfield and the Peak District

A pioneering trial is taking place in the Peak District National Park where EV and hydrogen vehicles will run together between multiple destinations and attractions.

The trial is led by the Gateway at PEAK, a major new tourism resort in Chesterfield which has planning for 5,000 overnight beds and 2,800 carpark spaces.

The trial route connects eight key locations and attractions including Chesterfield Train Station, Chatsworth, and the Gateway development, which will act as a hub for PEAK Express when it is due to open in 2025. The route is designed so that there’s no more than 20 minutes between each stop, much like the gondola lifts found in international ski resorts.

Currently 85% of park visitors arrive by car and with interest in the great outdoors and the staycation market booming, the numbers are set to increase. Regional stakeholders are also keen for more diverse groups to access the park and to grow the local economy through tourism. However, this must be done in a sustainable way which doesn’t exponentially increase carbon emissions, threaten community wellness and prosperity, or damage the park’s biodiversity.

Once fully operating, PEAK Express at the Gateway alone, aims to remove 500,000 tourism journeys from the National Park, reducing CO2 emissions by 3.6 million kg pa and provide a national exemplar of sustainable visitor economy growth. The long-term ambition is to see multiple hubs located around the Peak District National Park boundary.

Andrew McCloy, Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said; “We are delighted to be a stakeholder for this ground-breaking trial. Protecting the National Park for future generations and developing more sustainable ways for people to visit is high on our agenda. The PEAK Gateway site outside the National Park is an excellent location for a transport hub. The Peak Express service is a commitment to net-zero and will connect more of the National Park’s attractions without the need for a car, making them more accessible and spreading out the economic benefits of tourism.”

Hydrogen fuel and refuelling stations for the trial are being supplied by the world’s largest hydrogen producer, Air Products. The electric and hydrogen buses will be provided by Toyota where data will be gathered about each technology’s suitability for the varying terrain and refuelling needs. Jon Hunt, alternative fuels manager at Toyota (GB) said; “There is not one simple solution for zero-carbon mobility. That’s why this trial provides us with an exciting opportunity to trial both EV and hydrogen vehicles, assessing which is more suitable to different types of journeys across the park. We will also be looking at optimal ways to provide refuelling and great levels of customer service on board the vehicles.”

Andrew Lavery, Chief Executive of Chatsworth, a key attraction on the route said; “Derbyshire and the Peak District are world-class destinations for domestic and international tourists, and we are thrilled to be part of this trial.  Working with partners we are committed to reducing car journeys and supporting and promoting a more sustainable way of getting to and from the Peak District. There’s also a wonderful connection with hydrogen technology and Chatsworth – Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen in 1766 and so, this venture is very interesting.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council praised the collaborative efforts of the project team saying: “The value of this partnership is clearly demonstrated when considering significant issues like climate change, which requires collective local commitment and action if we are to make a real difference, and we are delighted to be a key partner in this trial.

“Chesterfield has excellent road and rail connections, making it the ideal base to stay and explore the Peak District from – but we are committed to a net-zero future and this trial is an exciting step forward in how we think about our regional transport links. The trial of PEAK Express at the PEAK Resort, will make it even easier – and cleaner – for visitors to experience the UK’s first national park from neighbouring destinations, like Chesterfield.”

John Milligan, CEO of Milligan developers of the Gateway added; “The PEAK Resort site has been reclaimed from opencast, rewilded and we are investing in its future. PEAK’s proposition emulates the internationally successful ski resort model, providing a mixed range of hospitality, accommodation, retail, wellness and education facilities all served by a zero-carbon mobility service connected to 1,600 miles of trails and world class attractions in the Peak District National Park.

“Milligan has been developing iconic destinations for over 20 years. Our skills lie in curating the right mix of uses which will serve the community and visitors in a sustainable way bringing long term value. This trial is part of the development’s journey to zero and marks an important milestone for Gateway and the National Park.”

The trial has been running since 5th September and will finish on the 16th. The results will be published at the beginning of November. PEAK Express is planned to be fully operational as part of the Gateway at PEAK Resort, due to open in Spring 2025.

Find out more about PEAK at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/peak-resort/

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

Chesterfield event technology company goes global

A Chesterfield company which provides customers with groundbreaking experiences has recently worked at a multitude of global destinations for big-named brands and agencies.

Noonah is an event technology company for brands and agencies, providing exciting experiences that maximise event engagement.

Last month, the company provided photo opportunities for Red Hot Chili Peppers in London and a 3-stop tour with Coldplay in London, Frankfurt, and Paris. With more dates added to the schedule, Noonah is set to deliver even more experiences at concerts in the future.

After opening their new LA Office, Noonah has provided event technology for various events and conferences in America. They created the ultimate fan experience for the Major League Baseball Sponsor, Hankook, at the MLB All-Star Conference in California, USA. Noonah provided a Mirror Booth with AR filters for fans, which fed into an eye-catching Tradeshow Mosaic,

Noonah also created a photo experience with a GIF Booth and Mosaic Wall at When We All Vote’s first-ever Culture of Democracy Summit. The event was attended by thousands of guests and featured keynote speakers such as Michelle Obama and Selena Gomez.

Lastly, the company provided numerous experiences for an enormous 4-day convention held in North Carolina, including 360 photo booths, green screen, and touch screen photo opportunities.

Closer to home, Noonah recently created the Love Chesterfield Mosaic, a community project consisting of hundreds of photos of people from across the local area. The artwork now sits proudly in the recently-opened Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. 

Alice Morton, Account Manager at Noonah commented: “We are excited to provide our services here and overseas and continue to put Chesterfield on the map as an excellent place for creative businesses.”

This month, they will continue to expand their business by providing tech for numerous events in locations such as Milan, Paris, and Barcelona. Find out more about Noonah and what they get up to next on their official website www.noonah.com

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

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