Celebrate Chesterfield

Celebrating 2019 as a year of progress for Chesterfield

My last blog of this year and of the decade! As the end of 2019 moves ever nearer, I think it’s important that we look back at the progress we’ve made as a town this year, as well as looking ahead to the future we’re creating.

Chesterfield has truly had a transformational year and decade. Developments in the area have made huge progress, with some passing major milestones and others being completed, like the successful opening of both the Premier Inn in the former Co-Op building and the new Saltergate Car Park which together have spearheaded the Northern Gateway development.

Enterprise Centre

The plans for Northern Gateway include an enterprise centre for start-up and medium sized businesses on the site of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

The former site of the old Queens Park Sports Centre has also been revitalised with the addition of some much needed 3G pitches which are hugely popular with the many grassroots football teams in the area.

As well as construction, it’s been a big year for retail both nationally and in Chesterfield. Although the high street economy as a whole is under threat from the internet it doesn’t have to be the case. I believe that the high street and online can work together and be equally successful in their own space. ALTERIS, the new owners of Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, have proven this.

They are using Facebook to engage with shoppers and drive the redevelopment of the Vicar Lane area. They have asked shoppers what ‘offer’ they want and are responding accordingly and reaping the rewards via the resulting increased footfall. Pop-up shops, free classes, movie screenings and more at Vicar Lane have helped to bring people into the town centre helping Chesterfield’s high street performance remain above the national average.

We can all play a part in Chesterfield’s future retail success– Vote with your feet by shopping local; it really does make a difference.

The launch of the big screen at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre took place on Friday 6th December.

The public / private sector partnerships in Chesterfield are as strong as ever. Its effect is felt in every area of the borough from major developments like Markham Vale and Chesterfield Waterside through to spectacular events like the Christmas lights switch on and regular themed markets.

This collaboration is key to Chesterfield, and its people and businesses continuing to thrive. It also gives us an excellent excuse to celebrate our success with the annual Retail Awards and Food & Drink Awards. More importantly for me, these events recognise young talent – and having met the young chefs, Chesterfield College students and apprentices at this year’s Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, I can confirm that the town has a wealth of it.

I feel confident as we go into 2020 and a new decade that Chesterfield’s future is bright and is in safe hands.

Best wishes for the New Year!

There’s a full programme of entertainment for Christmas in Chesterfield from traditional markets to the annual pantomime and from stand up comedy to musical concerts.

Blog by Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

CT strengthens executive team with Commercial Director appointment

Rob Longden has been promoted to Commercial Director at CT to support the company’s drive for further growth and success.

After joining CT over two years ago, Rob previously held the post of Head of Operations and has led an operational transformation to drive greater efficiencies within the service desk, providing significant benefits to both customers and the team. This, coupled with more than 25 years of operational leadership and significant experience within the Managed Services area made Rob a very natural choice to take a key role in the business and become CT’s Commercial Director.

Rob said, “I was delighted to accept the promotion and be part of a company that has such a unique approach to helping organisations achieve their business goals. I am looking forward to the challenge of the new role and using skills I have adopted throughout my career to build great teams and grow the business.”

Ian Snow, MD at CT, Said “Rob’s new appointment is a great step forwards for the business as we strengthen the board and continue to invest in our growing business. Rob has an impressive wealth of experience and enthusiasm and an ability to grow and build outstanding teams of people. Rob will now be leading both the operational and account management teams to enable coherent working from customer management through to service delivery.”

Under his new title, Rob’s key objective will be to ensure that the commercial models throughout the business deliver a growth strategy in line with the strategic business plan.

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

Vicar Lane wins national award for digital innovation

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, last night (4th December), won the gold award in the Re:wired category at the prestigious REVO Gold Awards.

The Re:wired award recognises and celebrates the best examples of innovative retail property technology. Vicar Lane has beat big names in the retail sector to the award including Westfield and Savills, highlighting the industry-leading nature of their approach to technology and customers.

The Centre and its owner Alterx have both been working with tech specialist Maybe*Tech to engage with the Chesterfield audience. The fascinating results have helped to shape the future design and function of Vicar Lane as well as helping to create a better experience for visitors.

The findings have led to a new approach to the leasing of empty shops with Steeplegate coming to life again as a venue for independent brands.

The approach has also helped shape the development of the centre’s marketing and promotions, and led to innovations like the giant new screen which opens in St James’ Square next month.

David Goldstein of Alterx explains: “The innovative work with Maybe*Tech has allowed us to actively use social media to monitor and communicate with our customers to understand what they want from Vicar Lane. This has led to us developing a series of successful pop-up events such as flower arranging, cinema screenings and a micro pub to compliment Vicar Lane’s current retail offer.”

Other new technology innovations have seen a partnership with parking specialists Reef, which has led to the Vicar Lane car park being upgraded to be fully automated and ticketless. Number plate recognition and an easy mobile payment enables a faster and frictionless parking system which is more efficient and environmentally conscious.

Behind the scenes, Alterx has set up new in-house communication channels for Vicar Lane retailers. This enables greater visibility on tenant trading performance which allows retailers to make better informed decisions.

The results have also seen increases in pedestrian counts, which is great news for Chesterfield, especially when so many similar towns across the country are struggling.

The shopping centre continues to be re-imagined and a new big screen and public square officially open in Chesterfield on Friday 6th December.

Proposed Vicar Lane Improvements

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

Banner Jones demonstrates commitment to staff with dedicated Performance and Wellbeing Coach

Banner Jones Solicitors has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the health and wellbeing of its growing team with the appointment of a Performance and Wellbeing Coach.

Working closely with the firm’s HR department, experienced counsellor and psychotherapist Katie Newton is the latest in a string of senior personnel to join the award-winning law firm where she will provide tailored one-to-one sessions to staff across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Lisa Gill, Human Resources Manager at Banner Jones, said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is the upmost of importance, and Kate’s appointment is indicative of our ongoing commitment to this.”

“As the business continues to grow and expand, we are determined not to lose sight of the needs of those individuals who make our success a reality.”

“We pride ourselves on our open-door policy and are as committed as ever to putting our staff, as well as our customers, at the heart of every decision we make and in doing so provide a positive workspace for everyone.”

Katie Newton said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Banner Jones team and working alongside the HR team to ensure that the staff have as much support with regards their own health and wellbeing, as they do their professional development.

“My focus will very much be on contributing to, and bolstering, what is already a productive and happy workplace by ensuring that everyone has a voice in the way that the business operates – from its policies on working hours and flexible working, as well as devising wider, dedicated Health and Wellbeing Programmes across the firm.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home

Fortem assists Ashgate Croft School with new post-16 common room

Construction company Fortem are assisting Ashgate Croft School in transforming their ‘Pod’ classroom (below) into a new post-16 learning environment and common room area.

The new common room will include a kitchen area which will allow a group of pupils to prepare simple meals and lunches independently, in order to help their transition to life after school.

As part of the refurbishment, Fortem are assisting with electricity and heating systems to meet the needs of the students. New external doors, windows and flooring will be installed, with a new door leading to a fenced garden, creating a safe outdoor place for the pupils.

Richard Windle, Teacher at Ashgate Croft Primary School, said: “As a school we are always evolving to improve our provision and outcomes for our fantastic students. Over the last few years in the current economic climate, this has proved to be very challenging.”

He added: “The work pledged by Fortem to refurbish our common room will increase opportunities and improve the life skills of our students for years to come, this will truly change the learning environment and be a legacy in our school for generations.”

Fortem Solutions Limited deliver a range of planned, preventative and responsive care to property, which includes maintaining 120,000 homes across the UK. Fortem are committed to supporting the local community and work on many projects across the borough at any one time.

The current classroom will be transformed into a new common room area by Fortem 

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

National recognition for local golf course owner

Owner of Stanedge Golf Club and PGA Professional, Fame Tate, has received National recognition from the Golf Club Managers’ Association.

During the Golf Club Managers’ Association annual two day National Conference, Fame received a special commendation award for her hard work in regenerating the fortunes of Stanedge Golf Club.

Fame was nominated for Best Newcomer Manager of the Year, along with Kerry Alligan-Sith of Redditch Golf Club, for her achievements after acquiring Stanedge Golf Club and bringing it back from the edge of closure and extinction.

Fame took over Stanedge Golf Club in March 2019 and has transformed the place from a run down clubhouse and golf course, to a thriving facility which is an accessible, warm and welcoming place where people of all ages, gender and backgrounds can come enjoy playing the golf course or socialise in the clubhouse.

Despite being named runner-up, Fame was over the moon to be selected as one of the two finalists and receive a special commendation: “I feel incredibly proud and honored to have received this commendation award, to be recognized for what we have achieved at the club in such a short space of time is incredible. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us, members, visitors, local businesses for hole sponsorship and our scorecard sponsors Il Mondo Travel – a massive thank you to my team at the club, I couldn’t have done it without your hard work and long hours, putting Stanedge Golf Club back on the map!”

Fame, who is a PGA professional, has a quite a year in 2019 picking up awards –  to add to her commendation was earlier in the year awarded the “Outstanding Achievement” Award at The English Women’s Awards North, and also named as the PGA Female Assistant of the year for 2019.

Fame said: “I had a strong vision in place when I purchased Stanedge Golf Club, which was to break away from the traditional golf club model, making it a venue that is welcoming, affordable, accessible, friendly and fun”.

Commenting on the journey so far, Fame said: “The resurrection of Stanedge Golf Club has not been easy, it really has been a monumental effort by many people who put many unsociable hours into making the club a place people now want to visit and enjoy being at.”

“Since we acquired the club in February, we have attracted over 120 new members and many visitors in response to our various offers, with different groups getting involved in our coaching and learn to play offers.”

“We have recently launched Tyzack’s Bar at the club which is open to the public as well as members and we serve home cooked food daily, including our breakfasts, Sunday lunches and currently starting on our Christmas Fayre menu and programme of activities.”

A round of 9 holes at Stanedge should not take more than a couple of hours and if you have time to spare afterwards you can drop into the friendly and welcoming clubhouse for refreshments, where there is a fully licensed bar and food served daily.

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

Over 50 schools to receive a share of building boost fund

More than 50 schools across Derbyshire will benefit from building improvements, thanks to Derbyshire County Council’s £1.6 million funding programme.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet approved proposals to provide 54 Derbyshire primary and secondary schools with joint-funding for maintenance projects costing between £20,000 and £100,000.

The funding has been made available through the Insurance Maintenance Pool Allocations (IMP) for 2019-20 – a building maintenance scheme that generates funding from schools which sign up to carry out repairs and improvements – the majority of which we match-fund.

The current IMP has generated £1,195,800 which has been match-funded with £452,000 from Derbyshire County Council children’s services capital budget totalling the £1,647,800 improvement budget.

It will fund projects at the 54 schools including new roofing, boilers, heating systems, new walls, floors, doors and improved path and pedestrian areas.

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People said: “We are pleased that primary and secondary schools throughout the county are going to benefit from our IMP joint-funding programme.”

“It is vitally important that our schools have the funding available to carry out maintenance projects so every child can learn in the best possible environment and be inspired to achieve their potential.”

“We’re keen to approve projects like these which highlights our commitment to helping schools achieve their plans, make improvements and prevent the need for costly repairs in the future.”

“These improvements will not only help us ensure that every child has the best start in life but will also have a positive impact on staff, visitors and the local community.”

As part of this round of IMP funding, maintenance projects with a value between £20,000 and £40,000 for primary schools and between £50,000 and £100,000 for secondary schools – which have been deemed a priority by Derbyshire County Council surveying team – have been approved.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home

Be ‘Ginspired’ with Chesterfield’s newest independent retailer

A new independent drinks retailer, Ginspired, has opened in Chesterfield’s Market Hall, specialising in gin, rum, whisky and other spirits.

Ginspired will focus on high quality spirits with over 200 unique and interesting bottles to choose from, as well as a wide range of gift items for Christmas and other special occasions. In store tasting events will also be a regular occurrence and staff will be on hand to provide friendly helpful advice.

Co-Owners Matt and Darren have worked in the drinks industry for 10 years before using their passion and experience to open Ginspired, showcasing a fantastic collection of gin, rum, whisky, vodka, bourbon, liqueurs, mead, cognac and more.

Co-Owner Matt said: “Our name is taken from Chesterfield’s famous Crooked Spire and our passion for Gin. We hope Ginspired will compliment and support the already vibrant beer and gin scene, with some great pubs, bars and producers well established in Chesterfield.”

He added: “We strongly believe in supporting small independent local businesses and our primary focus will be on products from Derbyshire and the surrounding area where possible.”

Ginspired is now open within Chesterfield’s Market Hall.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Christmas, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Former Chesterfield magistrates court sold for residential conversion

The Grade II-listed former magistrates court in Chesterfield has been sold for residential conversion following a deal by Innes England.

ARC Vantage, who specialise in residential conversion and are experienced in refurbishing listed buildings, bought Knightsbridge Court for an undisclosed sum.

Knightsbridge Court is centrally located in the town between Rose Hill and West Bars. Set within 1.1 acres, it has been granted planning permission for 30 apartments over three floors.

Designed by Professor Joseph Stanley Allen, a renowned architect, planner and academic, the property was completed in 1956 and was listed in 1998. It was used as Chesterfield’s Magistrates Court until the court moved to a new building on Tapton Lane.

Chris Wright, Associate Director at Innes England, said: “Knightsbridge Court has been empty for a number of years and had sadly become the target for vandalism and fallen into disrepair.”

“This deal will see the building being brought back into use and bring employment opportunities for local people during the construction.”

“The conversion will not only deliver much-needed housing to Chesterfield but also safeguard the future of this landmark building.”

Adam Cavell, Director at ARC Vantage Limited, said: “This is an exciting project for ARC Vantage. As developers, we are highly motivated in the regeneration and restoration of Listed Buildings and relishing the opportunity to restore this building to its former glory.”

“We also understand the need for high quality, inner city housing stock. It is our aim to deliver premium city living to the market next year.”

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

New business moves to Markham Vale

Markham Vale partners Derbyshire County Council and HBD (Henry Boot Developments) are pleased to report that another company is moving to the flagship regeneration site.

RB1 Ltd have moved in to Unit 3 Waterloo Court in order to meet their growing business needs. The company comprises a team of specialist electrical engineers with a strong background in the Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) industry who also have a passion for all things engineering related.

The company, who are ISO9001 accredited, design and manufacture AC and DC switchgear specifically for the UPS industry. By utilising 3D and electrical CAD design tools along with their in-house Plasma and Laser CNC machinery they can design and build first class high quality engineered solutions to meet specific solutions. They also have a range of standard products to meet all UPS needs.

The company are currently fitting out their new premises with the aim of being fully operational in early 2020.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre business park with direct access to the M1 motorway via a dedicated junction, J29a. This prime development site offers build-to-suit units from 2,500 up to 300,000 sq. ft. for industrial, warehouse, hotel, office or retail builds.

2018 saw 1,600 jobs maintained at the development, along with 164,500 sq. ft. secured of new commercial space for three global businesses; Protec International, Sterigenics and Grangers International.

Read more about Markham Vale and the opportunities available here.

Markham Vale

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

The Lily Pad celebrates refurbishment and extended Friday night opening hours

The Lily Pad Café and Restaurant, located on Soresby Street in Chesterfield, are celebrating an extensive refurbishment and exciting changes to their menu. They welcomed customers to enjoy the new Friday night dinner menu last week.

The refurbishment brings a new look, a new menu and new opening hours to this popular town-centre eatery which recently won the accolade of the Café / Tea Room of the Year at the Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards 2019.

Head Chef and Manager, Ryan Purrington said: “It is wonderful to welcome our customers back through our doors and we are really pleased to be able to offer our new dinner menu on a Friday evening too. I hope everyone is as impressed with our new look as we are.”

“Our new menu includes some of the old favourites which we know people love us for, but we’ve also developed the menu to include some exciting new additions. We have a much more extensive selection for vegetarians and vegans too. There are a whole host of new features and food and drinks specials for people to try which we are really excited about.”

The Chesterfield College Group own the business and has invested in the refurbishment process. They work with the dedicated front of house and kitchen team at the Lily Pad to help them develop the business.

Jo Kershaw, Director of Business and Professional Services at Chesterfield College said: “The Lily Pad not only offers local diners an amazing choice of menu options, it also has a unique atmosphere which comes from the passion of the team. They work tirelessly to keep their customers happy. When we invested in this business we saw how the passion of this relatively young team created a popular eatery and how apprentices are supported to grow into key roles in the organisation.”

“We also saw the potential to support this town-centre business in its development. It has been a pleasure working with Ryan and his team over the last few months. I hope both new and existing customers will be as pleased with the results of the refurbishment as we are.”

The Lily Pad is now open for breakfast and lunch from Monday to Sunday (closed all day Wednesdays) as well as now serving evening meals on Friday evenings.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Christmas, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting