Celebrate Chesterfield

Chesterfield Royal leads the way in Covid-19 research

18th May 2020

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Research Team has become one of the UK’s leading figures in the country’s efforts to treat COVID-19.

The team has been recruiting to a number of urgent public health research trials, some of which are designed to explore potential treatments for COVID-19.

Amanda Whileman is the Royal’s Matron for Clinical Research, she said: “We’re recruiting to a number of urgent public health studies, namely a study looking at how our genes play a part in the virus, an observational study to find better ways of diagnosing and managing COVID-19, and ‘RECOVERY’. We are also collecting data for a COVID-19 in pregnancy study using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) to inform guidance on care for women and babies.”

“For us, the ‘RECOVERY’ trial is particularly significant as we’re looking very closely at several different existing treatments recommended for testing by the Chief Medical Officer. The purpose of the research is to find out whether treatments are effective for COVID-19. Patients are randomly selected through a computer process to receive one of the treatment options or no additional treatment. Our results will be combined with those from other hospitals to assess the effectiveness of these treatments.”

The Research team was able to act very quickly to national calls for patients to become involved in these trials. Their approach has been particularly impressive given that some of the team are themselves in the ‘at risk’ category.

Amanda added: “There are two studies that we are about to embark on, one being the ‘Principle’ trial which takes us out into the community, working with our Royal Primary Care colleagues. This study is about reducing the rates of hospital admission for patients with suspected COVID-19 for those aged over 50 years with certain underlying health conditions and over the age of 65 with or without an underlying condition. Again, it’s about assessing the effectiveness of trial treatments in preventing hospital admissions.”

“It is quite remarkable that we only started on our journey of recruitment to COVID-19 studies on 19^th March, yet have managed to collect a significant amount of data. We commenced recruitment to the RECOVERY trial on 26^th March and the genetics study on 21^st April.”

“We’ve had to split ourselves into two teams; those that are able to be patient facing and those who are in the ‘at risk’ category themselves. Both teams have been working on a rota, seven days a week to ensure we are able to offer the research studies to all eligible patients.”

“The team that is unable to attend the wards has been working closely with critical care in order to enroll patients remotely into studies. They have been liaising with patients’ families to explain the nature of the studies to keep them informed, working tirelessly to input the much needed data onto the databases. We’ve worked around the clock to ensure that the answers we are looking for in relation to COVID-19 and its treatment are found as soon as possible.”

“We are extremely proud that we are one of the highest recruiting sites in the UK for the RECOVERY trial. This, without a doubt, is down to the passion and commitment the research team and our colleagues have shown to deliver a gold standard service to the patients in our community. We also cannot forget that without patients volunteering to take part, none of this research could take place. We are incredibly grateful for their participation and support.”

Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Action Grants available for local groups with ‘Derbyshire Spirit’

18th May 2020

Derbyshire County Council are re offering support to community groups, clubs and charities that are at the heart of local communities and show ‘Derbyshire Spirit’.

‘Derbyshire Spirit’ is about us looking out for each other, following the guidance, staying safe and being kind during the coronavirus pandemic. For more details please visit the Derbyshire Spirit website (opens in new tab).

Through the Action Grants scheme money is available to help groups get back on their feet when the coronavirus pandemic is over so they can continue with their invaluable work.

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We’re very aware that many groups in our local communities have had to stop their meetings and activities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but we want to reassure them that we’re still offering support for when they can resume. Their work makes a real difference to peoples’ lives and they’re a glowing example of what we’ve termed ‘Derbyshire Spirit’ through their selfless dedication to others and especially those in greatest need.”

“I know that when the pandemic has passed there will be more inspiring projects going on and I would encourage residents to apply for our Action Grants now. It could be just the helping hand needed.”

The Action Grants scheme has been running for nearly 2 years and the final round closes at the end of May. The grants are mostly up to £500 and Derbyshire County Council are looking to support the following activities:

Community Safety: grants for projects to reduce crime and the fear of crime including raising awareness about scams and rogue trading, schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help residents keep themselves safe
Youth Activity: including setting up youth clubs, organising activities for young people, projects to help young people gain new skills or schemes to help them deal with mental health issues
Physical Activity and Sport: money for schemes to encourage residents of all ages to take part in physical activities, keep fit and stay healthy – or which encourage people to get active if they’re not already.

There are also a small number of £5,000 and £10,000 grants available in these 3 categories and for another category called ‘community activity’. The community activity category covers things such as setting up new community groups, organising a local event or starting a community project.

The Action Grant process is quick and simple and decisions are usually made within 4 weeks of the closing date. The deadlines for the final round of applications is 31 May 2020.

To find out full details of the scheme, including all the projects awarded grants so far, click here (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Retailers optimistic about future of Chesterfield’s high street

9th May 2020

Chesterfield’s retailers are proving resilient in the face of adversity. While the Covid-19 pandemic has led to many retailers in Chesterfield town centre closing their doors, many remain operational, taking orders by phone, retailing online and offering free delivery to customers.

Some food retailers remain open in the town, including Ibbotsons fruit and veg stall which has been a fixture on the market since 1945. “We have had a lot of lovely feedback and comments of gratitude that we are still working and providing such high quality, fresh produce,” said Nick Ibbotson.

“We have reduced hours as the footfall in the town centre dramatically decreases in the afternoon. Everyone seems to come out in the morning. We have slightly reduced the items offered, selling a little less exotic produce as we do not have the passing trade.”

And while there is no chance of passing trade as people only venture out for essential shopping, Nick says: “There is a pleasant feel as everyone is very patient and friendly.”

Despite current trading conditions, Chesterfield town centre’s independent retailers which are currently closed, are optimistic about their future with some even welcoming the lockdown.

Laura Jo Owen, owner of Adorn Jewellers in Chesterfield Shambles, explained: “We see lockdown as a warning or the ‘ghost of Christmas on high streets yet to come’. With empty highstreets during lockdown people have had a real chance to see what may happen if they choose not to shop on their local high street.

“With many people relying on local businesses through the lockdown period our feedback has been that people are immensely grateful they still have local shops. Rather than a threat to the high street we see lockdown as an opportunity for people to continue shopping locally and to ensure that Chesterfield maintains its excellent mix of independent and multiple retailers.”

Lisa Swift, owner of Shop Indie based in Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, echoed this, saying: “We believe that after the lockdown has ended and people are allowed to move freely that they will have a much better appreciation of local businesses they have been reliant on during lockdown. We are hopeful that they will continue to Shop Local once the restrictions are lifted and this may lead to a rejuvenation of the high street.”

The subsequent appreciation of the high street means that many businesses do not feel the need to offer discounts and reopening offers to entice shoppers back after lockdown. Rather they see themselves offering added value services, such as continuing to provide their products and services remotely in addition to their stores being physically open.

Albert Naso, owner of Geeks Headquarters explained: “Post lockdown I believe that there will still be a significant portion of the population that will still be unable to leave their homes. These people need to feel valued and connected so we will continue to offer delivery and shipping of items to their homes.”

Small businesses in particularly have been able to adapt quickly to the lockdown. The fact that Chesterfield’s town centre is characterised by a number of independent retailers enabled them to be agile in the response to the lockdown.

Many communicated with customers directly via social media and made use of organisations like Destination Chesterfield to promote themselves and raise awareness of how they are continuing to operate.

Supporting the retail community, the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield launched a new microsite during lockdown specifically designed to help Chesterfield’s independent retailers continue to operate and supply their services and products.

The website – www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

“We’re encouraging everyone to #LoveChesterfield and continue supporting small independent businesses and service providers throughout lockdown. Every trader and service producer plays an important part in the local economy and we all need to work together to can ensure their survival beyond these extremely challenging times.”

Social media and websites have been a powerful tools for businesses to remain connected with customers during lockdown and generating footfall into their stores once they re-open.

Geeks Headquarters has taken its micro-community of gamers online, enabling them to continue enjoying their favourite tabletop games and tournaments as well as keeping each other company.

Laura Jo added: “In the same way as other successful businesses we have kept our conversation with our lovely customers during the lockdown period. Our ‘Friday Night Live’ on Facebook has given our customers the opportunity to win gift cards for our shops which they will be able to come and spend when the restrictions are eased.”

Lisa added: “As a smaller independent business, our bricks and mortar shop may be closed but we are still trading online and have also introduced a local delivery service via our website. Being able to adapt to meet social distancing requirements means that we can continue trading.”

Despite the challenging circumstances that the national high street finds itself operating under right now, Alberto, Laura Jo and Lisa are all optimistic about the future of Chesterfield’s high street, with Shop Indie even looking to expand the business post lockdown. They are also unanimous in their praise of the support they have received from Chesterfield Borough Council and central Government.

“The help provided by the government means that we can look forwards to being able to reopen our shop in Chesterfield in the coming months. Small businesses have been afforded a high level of support during this crisis and are arguably much better placed than larger chains.” explained Lisa.

Alberto added: “Chesterfield Borough Council is working with small, large, new or established businesses to keep the town alive. Everyone is doing all they can to help each other to keep our shopping as local as possible. This is the key to see Chesterfield and possibly the whole country rise again.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are aware that many local businesses and retailers in Chesterfield town centre will have been affected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Rebuilding the local economy following the pandemic is a priority for Chesterfield Borough Council and we have therefore implemented a number of financial and support measures to help our local businesses in these challenging times.

“We will continue to support our local businesses and retailers as much as we can to ensure the long-term viability of the town centre as a place to visit, shop and socialise.”

Laura Jo added: “Fortunately Chesterfield has the ‘golden triangle’ of a successful market, independent shops and multiple retailers. We personally believe that it will be a slow and steady return to spending after lockdown ends as we begin to discover our new normal.”

To find out more about the new ‘Supporting Local’ site, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

University provides X-ray machine and scanner to local hospitals

8th May 2020

The University of Derby has continued to support hospitals in Derbyshire during the coronavirus outbreak by providing x-ray and scanning equipment.

The University has loaned a digital mobile x-ray machine to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, which is being used on the assessment wards for taking chest x-rays of patients confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.

A medical ultrasound scanner has also been provided to the Royal Derby Hospital to help the hospital manage the increased demands generated by the pandemic.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Universities across the country are making contributions to the fight against coronavirus, and at Derby we are continually looking at the resources we have which can support the work being done in our hospitals and other care settings.

“I am very pleased that we were in a position to offer some of our diagnostic imaging resources, which would ordinarily be used by radiography and ultrasound students, to help medical staff assess patients for COVID-19 or to manage the additional pressures placed on their scanning equipment at this time.”

As part of its civic response to the crisis, the University has already provided thousands of items of personal protective equipment for local hospitals, and hundreds of its nursing students have been supporting frontline healthcare staff across the region. A temporary primary care assessment hub is based at its Kedleston Road site in Derby and staff are working with local manufacturers to provide protective visors to be worn by those who are treating coronavirus patients.

Professor Mitchell adds: “It is important to also highlight that in addition to these efforts, many of our students and staff members have made, and continue to make, important individual contributions in their own communities, brilliantly demonstrating how we can all make a difference during these unprecedented times.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home

Mural celebrates NHS and key workers

5th May 2020

A mural to celebrate the work of the NHS and key workers during the coronavirus outbreak has been commissioned by a Chesterfield pub.

The team at the Spotted Frog, which is in Brampton, has worked with local artist, Pete Barber to create a colourful rainbow mural to thank everyone, who is supporting the community.

Co-owners & Directors, Trevor & Nicky said “As part of the wider community, we really wanted to do something to show our support and appreciation, but were unsure as to what, We had discussed, having some sort of mural on the wall previously, then it clicked. How fitting, appropriate, lasting and rather large this would, be.”

The Spotted Frog and The Butchers Arms in Brimington are asking people, who like the mural and their situation allows, to donate £1 to NHS Charities Together at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-us-support-the-nhs-key-workers.

The Spotted Frog has donated £250, which will be matched by with a further £250 from the Butchers Arms.

The campaign and mural were created with support from Pete Barber, Helen Rowan Photography and Just Cars Chesterfield.

For ideas for supporting local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak, visit the Destination Chesterfield Supporting Local Page.

For details of support available for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak visit the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus Business Support Page.

Images: Helen Rowan Photography

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

DBCP helps fund and distribute PPE visors for healthcare workers in Chesterfield

4th May 2020

Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP) is one of a number of businesses paying for the materials for 20,000 masks which are then donated free of charge to frontline NHS staff, GP surgeries, First Responders, care homes and hospices.

Ashgate Hospicecare, Whittington Moor Surgery and Lime Tree House in New Whittington are just three of the healthcare settings that are benefitting from visors that are being made by an army of volunteers from animal charity Broken Souls Rescue.

The masks are the brainchild of Stephen Greaves, a volunteer at Broken Souls Rescue and owner of SG Design Studio Architectural Services based in Swadlincote. He was inspired to produce the masks after talking to Simeon Cornes, a building inspector at DBCP who revealed how his wife, who is a nurse, desperately needed PPE in her workplace.

Stephen used his office’s 3D printer which is more used to printing architectural designs, to create an initial batch of 200 visors. Word spread and now, with an army of volunteers and funding from businesses for materials, Stephen is hoping to make and supply more than 20,000 masks.

Stephen said: “Fundraising during lockdown is particularly difficult so the opportunity to both support the national pandemic effort locally and raise money for the charity is something I am delighted to be able to do.”

“We are relying on donations to enable us to purchase the material used to make the visors. Other than this, all time, cutting and expenses is given from volunteers. Without these volunteers, this would not be possible.”

As well as providing funding for materials and production costs, the team at DBCP is also helping distribute the visors. Hundreds have already been gratefully received by healthcare settings in and around Chesterfield.

Ali Ward-Foster, Partnerships Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare, thanked DBCP for the donation, saying: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community and local businesses like DBCP who have donated essential PPE supplies to the hospice. The equipment not only keeps our patients and staff safe but also enables loved ones to spend precious time together when it matters most. For that we cannot thank everyone involved enough.”

Val Johnson, Practice Manager at Whittington Moor Surgery, commented: “They are much appreciated and useful to protect staff against COVID.”

Karen Mitchell at Lime Tree House added: “It is reassuring to know there is community spirit at these difficult times. The donation has gratefully received by us all at Limetree House.”

Neil Johnson, Managing Director of DBCP said: “These are unprecedented and trying times for everyone and I am delighted that we have been able to make both a practical and financial contribution to the COVID-19 effort.”

“The DBCP team were only too happy to help deliver the masks. Being able to get involved in some small way with both the Broken Souls Rescue charity and the local COVID effort has lifted spirits across the company.”

Broken Souls Rescue works nationally to re-home and rehabilitate dogs and cats in need. To donate to Broken Souls Rescue, please visit www.broken-souls-rescue.org/donate.html

Click here to find out more about Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DBCP)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Celebrate VE Day with Chesterfield Museum

4th May 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council had planned a wide range of events to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day, however due to the coronavirus outbreak these have had to be cancelled. But the council is still working hard to commemorate this important occasion and highlight ways that local residents can get involved.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy and our Armed Forces Champion, said: “The VE Day celebrations planned for Chesterfield would have been truly special, underpinned by our fantastic events programme. Given the ongoing crisis we are encouraging residents to find that blitz spirit and come up with unique ways to commemorate and remember this day at home. For a lot of veterans this is a chance to reflect on their service, and for us to remember and thank them for the sacrifices they and our communities made.”

In the build up to VE Day the council will be holding a countdown across its social media pages to support everyone to get involved and to share some of the great ways that Chesterfield’s residents will be helping the town and borough to commemorate VE Day.

The Council’s Museum event was originally planned by a group called History’s Maid, who were going to be putting on live performances at the Museum; however, they have now produced a series of videos that cover the final months of the war from the perspective of a British soldier. These performances will help people connect with the past and provide important historical insight. They will be released every day at 11am on the Museum’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chesterfieldmuseum/

The Museum has also created a special resource centre that includes activities for the whole family. This includes World War Two themed baking, quizzes and craft activities. You can access these on the museum website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/explore-chesterfield/museum/whats-on/ve-day.aspx.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield company invent upcycled phone harness to protect mobile phones and the environment

1st May 2020

Chesterfield business, Oasis Studio, have designed and created an upcycled mobile phone harness to help protect mobile phones and the raise awareness of the environmental damage they cause.

As a digital media company, Oasis Studio’s content is delivered on electronic devices, and they wanted to do more to protect the devices their content is delivered on. They invented the Yoyo Grip out of used bike inner tubes to extend the life-cycle of a smartphone, whilst also stopping more inner tubes from going to waste. Oasis’ aim is to stop mobile phones from dropping, cracking and getting lost, in order to extend the devices’ life-cycle as much as possible, and reduce the demand of new phones being created.

Founder and Director of Oasis Studio, Paul Deakin, said: “There are 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide, with 78% of the UK population owning one. That’s a lot of mobile phones that are contributing towards our carbon footprint, and we felt we had to do something about it.”

“Used bike inner tubes also go to landfill, so we at Oasis Studio decided to tackle both issues head on. The Yoyo Grip is a harness that’s upcycled from bike inner tubes, to save mobile phones and the environment.”

Nick Brown, Managing Director of havebike, a bicycle repair and maintenance company, said: “A product that prevents damage to mobile phones and reducing further waste and consumption is just genius. It’s also a well thought out design that’s very functional.”

He added: “As an environmentally conscious bicycle service company, we’re very mindful of how we recycle waste. We’re delighted to be able to donate old inner tubes so they can be turned into Yoyo Grips. We’re even more excited about stocking the Yoyo grip as a product!”

The Yoyo Grip attaches around your mobile, whilst retaining full functionality of the smartphone including the camera and side buttons. The elasticated cord and utility clip then attach to your wrist or belt loop, to stop your mobile getting dropped or lost. The Yoyo Grip will go live on Kickstarter on the 1st of May and finish on the 31st of May.

Find out more about the Yoyo Grip here.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Online careers programme launched by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership

1st May 2020

Derbyshire Education Business Partnership (DEBP) have launched a new online careers programme, Directions, which aims to support young people at home due to the impact of COVID-19.

The programme is available to young people in secondary schools, special educational needs or disability schools and includes access to careers advice, employer workshops and study resources.

DEBP are offering one-to-one information, advice and guidance, as well as group activities covering applications, apprenticeships, employability, resilience, transition and stress management. The team are also are working closely with local employers to offer Q&A’s, video diaries, networking and virtual visits to help ensure young people are developing the skills employers’ value and look for.

Clare Talati, Director at DEBP said, “We have a team of qualified Careers and Employability professionals who are ready to support online. Normally they are based within schools or visit them on a regular basis. We want to carry on supporting our partner schools and others to assist young people with their future choices.”

To be a part of the programme, parents, carers, career leaders, teachers or students are asked to register their interest here. A member of the DEBP team will then get in touch to guide you through the next steps.

For more information about Directions please email Dayna Stubbs at dayna.stubbs@debp.org.

Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, alongside Destination Chesterfield, are the main organisers of the Made in Chesterfield campaign, which works with local schools and their students to raise the profile of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector careers. The initiative was as a finalist in the Business and Education Partnership category at the East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards 2019.

Click here to find out more about Made in Chesterfield

Year 11 GCSE students from Eckington School visited the award-winning Penny Hydraulics in early 2020 as part of the Made in Chesterfield campaign

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Half Marathon in coronavirus crisis charity rallying call

30th April 2020

Organisers, partners and sponsors of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon have come together to urge the residents of Chesterfield & North Derbyshire to the support the event’s two key local charities ‘in any way possible’.

With people across the UK taking part in ‘run five, donate five, nominate five’ challenges to support charities under increased strain due to the coronavirus outbreak, organisers of the Redbrik Half are encouraging local communities to keep active and support Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice wherever possible.

The challenge encourages people to run, jog or walk 5km – or complete other forms of physical exercise – before donating a minimum of £5 to a charity of their choice and in turn nominating five friends to do the same, usually via social media.

Event organisers MLS Contracts have been joined by headline sponsor Redbrik Estate Agents and event partners Peak FM, Blachford UK Ltd, Pronto Paints, Chesterfield Borough Council, Destination Chesterfield, HRM, North Derbyshire Running Club and Franklin & Sons Ltd in issuing a rallying call to raise funds and awareness for Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Ashgate Hospicecare is among the charities across the country helping to relieve pressure on the NHS after opening its doors to coronavirus patients, and launched an #AshgateUrgentAppeal as an urgent plea for public support earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice’s #LetsPledge campaign encourages people across the region to pledge support for the charity in any way they can. Public support will enable the charity to continue providing vital care for vulnerable children and young people.

Since its inception in 2017, the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon has seen more than £140,000 pledged to good causes – including Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

John Timms, Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Event Director, said: “The Redbrik Half Marathon’s primary focus is supporting the local community, including fantastic charities such as Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.”

“We’re incredibly proud of the response from event partners and local people in pledging their support for Ashgate and Bluebell Wood at this particularly crucial time.”

“Support for charities at this time is vital, especially those which support frontline workers and provide essential services to the most vulnerable people.”

“As an event which aims to promote and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Chesterfield, we felt the ‘run five, donate five, nominate five’ idea would be a great way of encouraging people to support fantastic causes while staying healthy, within the Government’s current social distancing guidelines.”

Mark Ross, Managing Director of event headline sponsor Redbrik, said: “At Redbrik, we want to do as much as we can to give back to the local community and this desire is the essence of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.”

“Given the Covid-19 pandemic, and the attention understandably focused on healthcare frontlines, we need to ensure that Ashgate and Bluebell Wood receive more support than ever, in terms of both awareness and funding, so their vital work can continue.”

To support Ashgate Hospicecare, click here. For more information on how to support Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, click here.

Click here more information on the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

Please note these pictures are from our image library and were not taken recently

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

New website highlights how Chesterfield’s businesses and service providers are adapting during lockdown

30th April 2020

A new website is helping Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

People are being urged to #LoveChesterfield and use the new website to access the products and services of local businesses and organisations during lockdown.

Developed and launched by Destination Chesterfield www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that are continuing to operate by adapting their services to meet the needs of the community.

And Destination Chesterfield wants to add even more businesses, organisations and supports services to the free online directory!

A listing on the website is FREE and Destination Chesterfield is keen to hear from any business or service provider that is offering or adapting products and services in support of the COVID-19 effort.

There are eight categories on the website – Shopping, Food and Drink, Dine at Home, Keeping Busy, Pets, Education & Training, Business Services and Community Support – all combined in an easy to use directory. Details of the businesses and how you can purchase or access the products or services are listed on the site. Business owners and service providers can supply their details free of charge for inclusion on the new website.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The mission for Destination Chesterfield has always been to encourage as many people as possible to support the town and celebrate its achievements. The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable and we hope the new website will become a valuable tool in supporting them further in their efforts to remain operational.

National retailers are currently deluged with consumer demand, causing long queues into both their websites and stores, as well as prolonged delivery times. Shopping local at independent retailers not only supports a small business but also puts money back into the local economy.

If you’re a business owner or service provider and would like to be considered to be included on the new website, please complete the form at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal/get-involved/ .

To find out more about the new ‘Supporting Local’ site, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting