Celebrate Chesterfield

Quirky new Chesterfield town centre store to provide ‘a smile, a laugh and bit of mischief’ to customers

A quirky independent store has opened its doors in Chesterfield Town Centre, selling a wide range of gifts and other unique items.

Eclectic Delights of Serendipity is owned by mother and daughter duo, Cheryl Knowles and Saffy Kendal-Allan, and has been running in Derbyshire for several years. Now, the business has begun welcoming customers to a new shop, based at 12 High Street.

The pair told us their story of running the business, and how it led to them taking the step to open in Chesterfield: “Some may know us from our little shop in Matlock Bath or previously our Hope shop or even know us from the beginning of our journey, 9 years ago at Cheryl’s first tiny shop just off Newbold Road.

spice girls mats eclectic delights

“Cheryl started off in her small shop doing re-loved furniture and small gifts which then took on a life of its own and she had to move into a larger shop at Hope Valley where she began being known more as a Gift, Clothing and Re-loved furniture shop. After a few years there, Cheryl then set her eyes on the ‘sea-side-without-a-sea’ town of Matlock Bath where Saffy joined to manage the shop as Cheryl continued in Hope Valley.

“However, after lockdown we decided to shut the Hope Valley shop and focus our efforts on Matlock Bath. After five years we decided we wanted a shop closer to home and by luck 12 High Street became available and three weeks later we are now in and ready for business.”

Cheryl and Saffy also explained what customers can expect to find when visiting the new Chesterfield shop.

They added: “Our shop name is exactly the type of items we sell: a broad and diverse range of items that you weren’t looking for but they appeared when you needed them. We are proud stockists of local independent suppliers such as: Letterbox Love, WaggyDogz, Enchanted Love, and so many more.

ecelctic delights

“We truly believe in having something that is for everyone which is why we don’t just sell cards and gifts but leather handbags, a MyMoments machine (which creates personalised items) and currently in the process of making a Boutique on our first floor. We also have plans for workshops on our first and top floor for both adults and children – so watch this space!”

In addition, the duo emphasised the importance of looking after customers and explained how they want to build up their community around the shop and the town: “What sets us apart from others is our customer care. We might be a shop, but we focus and care for our customers and their mental well-being while they are in our shop.

“Not everyone needs to buy something, but sometimes they just need someone to talk to and that’s what we are there for. We truly believe that if you look after the community around you, the community will look after you. Also, being a Mother and Daughter team we are always ready with a smile, a laugh and bit of mischief for all our customers as you can usually find us laughing and causing havoc together.

Being able to share this dream of running a shop together and bringing things in that we love and adore as well as spending so much time together is amazing and has brought us so close!”

“We are so excited to be a part of Chesterfield’s wide range of quirky independents. We have lived in Chesterfield for over 15 years and love the character of the town and its people. Chesterfield has such a friendly and welcoming community of people which we feel is unlike most towns or cities. As shoppers and now a business in the town we agree that we all need to support our local independents – each one brings something different and unique to the town making it a fun, diverse and great place to live and shop!”

For more information about the store, head over to the Eclectic Delights of Serendipity Facebook page.

Looking for a great opportunity to kickstart your leisure or retail business? Find out more about locating it in Chesterfield.

heart & home eclectic delights

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

New Mayor and East Midlands Combined County Authority given final go ahead

The last legal step to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been signed and made into law.

Jacob Young MP, Levelling Up Minister, this week signed the regulations that allow for EMCCA to be created. It means that residents across the area will get to vote for the very-first East Midlands Mayor, with elections taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

The new combined county authority is all thanks to a devolution deal, which will see the region benefit from a £1.14bn investment package, spread over a 30-year period, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero.

Cllr Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “The passing of this final piece of Government legislation is an historic milestone for Derbyshire and the wider region.

“It marks the moment when the East Midlands Combined County Authority comes into existence, bringing a £1.14bn devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities.

“In many ways it’s only the beginning of this exciting journey and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the government’s announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“Year-on-year the new combined county authority will bring even more funding to our region through a strong, collective voice and a national platform.”

Plans for East Midlands devolution are similar to those already in place in other mayoral regions, like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and it is estimated that the region will unlock around £4bn of funding over the coming years.

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers in 2022, will see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund. All four councils approved the creation of EMCCA in December.

In October 2023, the Government announced around £1.5 billion in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor.

Thanks to devolution plans, the East Midlands has also been invited to establish an ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £160 million of support over ten years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

Government will continue to work with EMCCA and other partners to co-develop plans for the East Midlands Investment Zone – which will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment and create thousands of jobs – including priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, ahead of final confirmation of the plans.

£18 million has already been awarded to the area during devolution negotiations, which is being spent on improving local housing, transport and skills provision.

Further investment for the region would also be provided through annual Whitehall budgets and spending reviews.

The inaugural election for Mayor of the East Midlands will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

For more information on the elections, visit www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk

Businesses in Chesterfield can hear from mayoral candidates for the East Midlands Combined County Authority at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield conference, taking place on 20th March 2024.

Jacob Young Levelling Up Minister

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Study ranks Chesterfield as the best town in the UK for access to green spaces

A study has named Chesterfield as the best town in the UK for access to green spaces.

The Green Giants market research exercise, which was commissioned by home improvements company Eurocell has set out to discover which UK towns and cities have the best access to green space.

To do this, the study looked at several data points, including the number of homes in each town or city with a private garden, the average square footage of that garden, as well as the average distance to public green space and the percentage of homes on the market that are currently listed as having a private garden.

These figures were then given a score out of 10 and ranked, leading to a total score out of 40.

Eurocell placed Chesterfield in top spot with a score of 30.8 out of 40. It found that:

  • 95% of homes & flats in the town had private outdoor space.
  • The average size of private outdoor space was 249.7 sq. m.
  • The average distance to nearest park, public garden or playing field was 296.7 m.
  • 92.05% of homes currently on the market have a garden.

Speaking about our town’s listing at the top of the table, Eurocell said: “Chesterfield, in Derbyshire, comes out on top as being the best place to live in the UK when it comes to access to green space. Close to the Peak District, Chesterfield is surrounded by the woodland walks and diverse habitats of the national park.”

“And the town itself has numerous parks and gardens including Holmebrook Valley Country Park and Linacre Reservoir.”

See the full top 20 list here. 

People living and working in Chesterfield also commented on the availability of open spaces as one of the area’s key strengths.

Jade Chinn, Marketing Lead at Oasis Studio said: “I personally like taking advantage of all the beautiful country parks and estates we have to explore in and around Chesterfield, Linacre Reservoir and Holmebook being personal favourites. They are also great for team building days!”

Jason Evans, HSE Advisor and Principal Designer at Mascot Management Ltd. added: “I love to go walking along the Chesterfield Canal. It’s on our doorstep and I feel it is still a bit of a hidden gem for our area. It’s a lovely place where you can get some relaxation time and take in the wildlife and scenery.”

Peter Botham, Founder and Managing Director of Shed Grounds Maintenance said: “One of my cherished spots in Chesterfield is Queen’s Park. When I was a child, my godparents would take me on the charming little train track that winds its way around the park. Now, I’ve had the joy of passing on this tradition to my own children.”

Oasis Studio, Mascot Management and Shed Grounds Maintenance support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Family walking at Queen's Park, surrounded by wild flowers

Queen’s Park, Chesterfield town centre

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

Smyths Toys set to open its doors in Chesterfield

Major national toy retailer, Smyths Toys Superstores is set to open its doors in Chesterfield next month.

The business will open a new store on the town’s Wheatbridge Retail Park on March 21st, bringing new investment and jobs to the town. The business will neighbour other national chains, Wickes and Carpetright at the development.

Smyths Toys is one of the world’s largest toy retailers and has well over 100 outlets spread across Europe and the UK as well as operating online.

It offers customers a wide range of toys, baby, outdoor and gaming products, and the business says it is dedicated to encouraging learning and developing creativity in children.

The company is set to host a special launch party on its opening weekend in the town from Thursday, 21st March until Sunday, 24th March.

Face painting will be available for children aged three and above, and free candy floss will be given to guests along with a number of free toy giveaways.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “It is great to see a well-known national retailer such as Smyths Toys making a major investment in Chesterfield.

“We know that our town has several strengths as a base for retailers, whether they be small independents starting on their business journey, or larger chains looking to expand their footprint.

“It is very encouraging that this national brand has seen the potential of Chesterfield, from its excellent location and transport links, and wide catchment area.

“As residents of Chesterfield, we must all continue to support our high streets wherever possible to ensure they remain vibrant.”

Experience shopping in Chesterfield, a town which boasts a mix of nationally recognised retailers and unique independent stores.

Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/shopping/

Smyths Toys opening soon banner outside store

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

Chesterfield homes to get a new lease of life in major renovation

A section of houses in Chesterfield which have been unoccupied for many years are now being brought back to life, following an exciting collaboration between two property businesses.

The buildings at 18-20 Highfield Road date back over 150 years, and are now being restored into high-end and co-living homes.

Once complete, the properties will be managed by Dovedale Property Lettings, who are working alongside Property Projects Group on the revamp.

The works will also greatly improve the energy efficiency of the properties, with plenty of insulation being installed ready for the arrival of new occupants.

Rick Cusimano, Co-Owner of Dovedale Property Lettings explained the story behind the exciting project: “Overgrown with trees and weeds, the houses were barely visible from the road for many years.

“I first became aware of them around 5 years ago, when I tried to make some enquiries to locate the owners, to no avail. Eventually, I saw them go up for auction and immediately knew I had to try and restore them if I could.

“Mark-Jonathan Wilkinson from Property Projects Group shared my vision for bringing these properties back into use and after a few visits he decided to take it on! His team is doing a great job over there.”

“With super-fast broadband and modern decor, these will be stunning places to live. I’m incredibly excited to be able to restore these houses to high-end homes, it’ll be an incredible transformation. Work is progressing well and we’re hoping to be able to officially launch in August this year!”

In addition, Rick also explained the many strengths Chesterfield has for people looking to locate themselves or their families: “I’m a huge advocate for Chesterfield, it has so much potential, with excellent transport links north and south, and the Peak District on the doorstep, it has an enviable location and a huge charm and character with its iconic crooked spire and mock tudor buildings.

“We’re so excited to see the regeneration and development happening within the town, and we’re delighted to be helping, one property at a time!”

Keep up-to-date with the project on the Property Projects Group Linkedin page and the Dovedale Property Lettings website.

progress_garden_clearout Highfield Road

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Spireites honoured for work promoting inclusion

The work done by Chesterfield FC and Chesterfield FC Community Trust to promote inclusion has been recognised on a national level with the presentation of the Non-league Club award at the Football v Homophobia Awards 2024.

Darren Yates and Ellie Yates from Rainbow Spireites, the official Chesterfield FC LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, represented the club at the event, which was held at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

Summing up the reasons for honouring the Spireites, Football v Homophobia said: “From education around equality to the establishment of the Rainbow Spireites group, National League front-runners Chesterfield are among the clubs between Steps 5 and 8 who are setting the standard in inclusion too. 

“Initiatives include a launch at the town’s local Pride festival and pre-match socials for fans. A first-of-its-kind partnership with Derbyshire FA saw all staff trained on how to create welcoming environments, while a project was also created to encourage children and young people to talk about allyship.”

John Croot, chief executive of the club and the Community Trust, said: “We are proud of the work being done by the club and the Trust to promote inclusion, both in football and in the community.

“It is very pleasing to see the efforts put in by everyone involved recognised on a national level.

“Our thanks go to Football v Homophobia for the award and to Rainbow Spireites for representing the club at the event.”

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

Spireites football v homophobia

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New business centre created in Chesterfield town centre following £800,000 investment

A prominent Chesterfield town centre building has been given a new lease of life, and is soon set to become a business centre to meet the needs of contemporary professionals and businesses.

York House, on St. Mary’s Gate will now be known as York House Business Centre following the transformation of the property by Sovereign Assets & Developments.

A significant investment in the region of £800,000 has been made to ensure York House is at the forefront of workspace solutions in Chesterfield.

The development includes a substantial refurbishment to introduce a range of high-quality, serviced self-contained offices, workspaces and a coffee shop.

The company says standout features of York House which led them to invest in the premises include:

  • Prime location in central Chesterfield, offering accessibility and visibility.
  • Flexibility with a variety of office sizes and layouts to cater to different business needs.
  • High-speed internet connectivity to ensure productivity is never hampered.
  • Modern amenities including meeting rooms, communal kitchen area and a coffee shop
  • A sleek finish to every office, designed to inspire creativity and professionalism.

A spokesperson for the developer commented: “At York House Business Centre, we’ve been diligently transforming this iconic building into a modern, functional business centre designed to meet the needs of contemporary professionals and businesses.

“Our vision for York House is to create a space that not only serves as a practical work environment but also fosters a community of innovation and growth for all its members.

“Every corner of York House has been reimagined to offer the perfect blend of heritage charm and modern convenience, with state-of-the-art facilities that businesses need to thrive in today’s fast-paced world.

“The choice to develop York House into business units was driven by the building’s innate potential and Chesterfield’s growing demand for quality office space. We recognised the opportunity to create something that could truly make a difference for local and incoming businesses.

“York House will play a pivotal role in growing the local economy by attracting diverse businesses and talents to the area. By providing top-notch facilities, we’re helping start-ups, scale-ups, and established companies to operate efficiently, which in turn will generate job opportunities and stimulate economic activity.

“Through York House, we’re excited to contribute to Chesterfield’s growth, helping the town to become an even more desirable place for businesses to set up and flourish.”

The company has also cited several reasons as to why it believes Chesterfield is incredibly attractive to businesses:

  • Strategic location near major cities like Sheffield and Nottingham, while also providing easy access to the Peak District.
  • Excellent transport links, including proximity to the M1 motorway, rail services, and airports.
  • A rich industrial heritage translated into a strong work ethic among the local population.
  • Competitive cost of living and business operation compared to larger cities.
  • Continued investment in local infrastructure, making it a town that’s on the up.

Businesses and professionals who are interested in finding out more about York House Business Centre can do so by visiting Zoopla, or by emailing: Enquiries@sovereignad.co.uk

Find out more about why Chesterfield is the perfect location to start-up or grow your business venture.

York House

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£114,000 awarded to Chesterfield community groups

Over £114,000 worth of funding has now been awarded to community groups and local voluntary organisations in Chesterfield as part of a scheme designed help deliver grassroots projects that will improve life for local people.

A further £54,272 has now been awarded to 18 local groups via Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Funding scheme – and applications have now reopened, meaning even more groups could benefit from funding support.

The funding which has been awarded in the latest round of grants has gone to groups including:

  • Treasures Nursery
  • Edge Ministries
  • Poolsbrook Club Community Committee
  • WORTH (Women on the road to Recovery)
  • Redeemer King Church
  • Global Adventure
  • Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA)
  • Rother Active Youth (RAY) Club
  • Standing Tall Support
  • Brimington Little Stars
  • Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust (CFCCT)
  • Pleasley Canoe and Outdoor Activity Club
  • Kakou CIC
  • Monkwood Community Food Hub
  • Boythorpe Community Association
  • Stonegravels Parish Centre
  • Links CVS

Funding for the grants scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The funding will support the local groups to deliver projects that will help to build resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help to tackle food poverty and social isolation.

It will also support projects that will help reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices – in support of the council’s target to be a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Funding can also be used by community projects to develop volunteering opportunities, help people prepare to get in to work, and to support organisations to expand their reach into different areas of the borough.

It builds on the positive work being delivered in the community since almost £60,000 was shared with 16 community and voluntary organisations in 2023.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re really lucky to have so many community groups and voluntary organisations here in Chesterfield. They really do make a difference to the lives of local people, so I am pleased that we can use the funding we have received through UKSPF and CIL to provide them with these grants to help them achieve their goals.

“It’s been great to watch the progress made by projects that were supported through the first round of Community Grant funding, we look forward to seeing how the new allocation will help more local groups deliver vital projects that will help our communities continue to thrive.”

One of the latest groups to benefit from funding is Edge Ministries, who will be delivering an ‘open living room’ to provide advice and support for residents in Duckmanton. Deputy CEO, Karen Tullett, said: “This funding has helped us to deploy some of our team to Duckmanton on a Monday to run an open living room warm welcome space.

“We offer unlimited tea and coffee and good chat, along with toast and biscuits – all completely free of charge and with a friendly smile! We love hanging out with people who live in Ducky, work out how else we may be able to serve them and support the community- both practically and spiritually.”

Applications for the third round of funding are now open, allowing even more eligible organisations to apply for grant funding, with grants ranging from £500 to £6,000.  The deadline for applications is Friday 29 March 2024.

Full details on funding, eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found at: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-ukspf/community-grants-fund.aspx

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after we were successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

town hall drone shot

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

Regional business leader appointed to key devolution role

A top regional lawyer has been appointed to the shadow board steering the creation of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), ahead of the very first election for East Midlands Mayor in May.

David Williams, Chairman of Geldards, one of the UK’s leading law firms, will take on the role of interim business representative on the EMCCA shadow board, joining local politicians from the four key councils involved in the East Midlands devolution deal.

David said: “I’ve lived and worked in the East Midlands for over thirty years and I’m committed to doing what I can to raise the profile and economic prosperity of the region, developing the many successful partnerships between the private, public and third sectors. I’m looking forward to working with political leaders and other partners to maximise the opportunities that devolution will bring to the region.”

Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “David will be a tremendous asset to the shadow board and his appointment is another important step forward as we press ahead towards the creation of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority. David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role and we look forward to working with him during this key period for East Midlands devolution.”

Alongside his role as Chairman of Geldards, a top 100 law company with more than 300 employees, David holds a number of non-executive and trustee positions, including Chairman of EMB Group Limited, Deputy Chair of D2N2 LEP, Board member at Nottingham Trent University and a non-executive Director of East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

EMCCA is set to bring in around £4 billion of funding for the region, alongside devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment and economic development.

Businesses in Chesterfield are being invited to find out more about the East Midlands Combined County Authority at the upcoming Celebrate Chesterfield Event.

Taking place on 20th March 2024, the conference will host the candidates for the upcoming EMCCA mayoral election. Book your place here.

DavidWilliams

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Local businesses grow into new spaces at Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Two Chesterfield-based companies have expanded into larger offices at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – after growing their businesses over the last year.

We Are Spaces, a commercial interior design and property solution company, and Integrated Interest, a sales and marketing technology company, have expanded into larger office spaces in the centre.

Owned by Chesterfield Borough Council, the flagship office development opened in July 2022 and with the expansion of these businesses is now 85% let.

Amy Revell, co-founder and director of We Are Spaces, said: “The Enterprise Centre is a wonderful space for us to call our home. “The Grade A space and service we receive from the team here really Is great value for money. We are incredibly settled and have a great relationship with the other businesses and staff, so we didn’t want to lose this, when needing to increase the size of our office to meet the new needs of our team”.

amy revell wearespaces

Amy Revell, We Are Spaces

“The Enterprise Centre has made the process so easy for us to move into a bigger suite without incurring big moving costs and disruption. We always knew that when we first based ourselves here, it provided us with lots of flexibility to grow efficiently and we are doing just that.

“It’s a pleasure to have our offices within the enterprise centre and we are investing a huge amount to create an amazing fit out for our clients and staff to enjoy for many more years to come.”

Steven Brough, director of Integrated Interest, said: “When we first started looking for office space the Enterprise Centre was at the top of the list straight away, with it being in such a prominent location. It is perfectly placed for access by car, bus or train, and with access to Chesterfield town centre and Queen’s Park, there is everything you need on the doorstep. With it being such a new building, everything is modern and creates the feel I wanted for a technology company.”

The Enterprise Chesterfield model aims to provide space for new and small businesses, where they can access a range of support that will help them to grow.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic to see local businesses growing, employing more of our residents, and expanding their presence in the Enterprise Centre.

“Our investment in the development formed a key part of our economic recovery plan following the pandemic – the growth of these businesses and the high occupancy rate of the centre shows how the building has helped our borough’s economy to bounce back and has created new employment opportunities for our residents.

“As well as growing the local economy, our enterprise centres also provide a small income for the council. This income helps ensure we can support businesses to grow whilst still providing the essential services our residents rely on.

“We knew our Enterprise Chesterfield model would be successful because we’ve seen businesses based at our other centres grow significantly and expand their presence in our borough, but it is great to see this working as planned in our newest centre less than two years since opening.”

Female leader of Chesterfield Borough Council in red jacket on Town Hall balcony

Cllr Tricia Gilby

Chesterfield Borough Council also owns Dunston Innovation Centre and Tapton Innovation Centre, both of which are also over 85% let.

The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is Chesterfield’s flagship centre and includes 32 office suites in a range of sizes, which all include individual security and high-tech features which allow businesses to adapt to modern ways of working.

Sustainability sits at the heart of the building, with built in energy efficient systems that help businesses keep costs down whilst also reducing their carbon footprint.

The centre also includes a breakout room where businesses can network and build relationships so that they can work together more efficiently.

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

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

Find Your Perfect Office in Chesterfield.

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

 

2 male and 2 female business people speaking at table at Chesterfield Enterprise Centre

Northern Gateway Chesterfield Enterprise Centre

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

Chesterfield artist opens new Hasland studio featuring spectacular local designs

An artist and illustrator, known for his vibrant designs showcasing many of Chesterfield’s prominent landmarks has opened a new studio.

Matt Cockayne’s new store is now open, based at The Green in Hasland. The new studio provides a workspace for Matt, alongside an art and gift shop stocking prints, mugs, framed art, cards, cushions and more.

All of Matt’s art is hand drawn, and going forward will all be created in Hasland either at his home studio or at his premises at The Green.

The artist and designer explained how pleased he was to get the shop up and running: “The last six weeks have been a bit of a slog for me, doing a bit of a renovation work on the building, but I’ve cracked on with it and I’m really pleased.”

Matt explained the reasons behind his decision to invest in a new studio in Hasland: “I’ve lived in Chesterfield for nearly thirteen years now, and moved to Hasland during lockdown.

Matt Cockayne art prints of spire and market hall

I just love it here. I live two minutes away from work so I don’t have to drive, I can walk to work for my commute. Where it’s situated on the crossroads in Hasland is ideal in terms of footfall. Another reason why I wanted the property is that I just like the Victorian look and layout of it. I’ve got my studio in the back of my shop, so I can produce work and sell it from the same place. I want to add something alternative and exciting to the town and Hasland.

“Geographically Chesterfield is a great place to live as it’s in the centre of the county and on the doorstep to the Peak District which I love, I’m an outdoor person and take a lot of inspiration from my surroundings.

Matt also explained why he’s excited to be growing his business and reputation as an artist: “The thing I love about being an artist is having my own freedom to create art, being an independent artist is important as I can draw what I want to draw, rather than being told what I should draw.

“Being local is always nice, as when people say they have my art in their homes it’s humbling to know my creativity has bought some pleasure into someone else’s life.

“I’m big on supporting local business. I use all the shops in Hasland, so hopefully people will follow my ethos and visit me in my shop too. Having a vibrant High Street such as Hasland’s, is just great for the community.”

Find out more about Matt’s latest projects and designs on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattCockayneArt/

Matt Cockayne art spire designs cushions

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

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