What a year 2017 has been for Chesterfield. As well as confirming that the HS2 rail line would be brought through Chesterfield, work got underway on a number of key developments – Waterside, Peak Resort and the transformation of the former Co-op building on Elder Way into a hotel and restaurants.
In the words of Huw Bowen Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, who spoke recently at the Chesterfield Investment Summit, “Chesterfield’s green lungs have overtaken the town’s mining heritage which is making it an attractive 21st century investment prospect to investors.”
More than 3,000 businesses operate in Chesterfield with more set to come on board as plans for the town’s HS2 stop get underway. We asked Chesterfield Champions what their highlight had been in 2017 and what 2018 holds for them and the town., and here’s what they said:
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Managing Director of Bolsterstone PLC
“I have been the chair of Destination Chesterfield since it was formed in 2011. Every year has seen commercial growth in the town, however 2017 has been transformative for Chesterfield with physical work starting on key developments – the former Co-op, Peak Resort and Waterside. These are huge investments in their own right, however the announcement in July that we are to get our own HS2 station has taken the Towns potential to attract new investment to a different level, and put Chesterfield into an entirely new league. I don’t think we could have wished for much more for the Town this year- I and the rest of the Destination Chesterfield team go into 2018 with a very positive outlook.”
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council
“Shattering the glass ceiling was a highlight in 2017! In April I became the first female leader of Chesterfield Borough Council as part of the first all-female political and civic leadership team with Cllr Amanda Serjeant as deputy leader, Cllr Maureen Davenport as mayor and Mrs Liz Archer as mayoress. The future is very bright for Chesterfield. With Northern Gateway, Waterside and Peak Resort all moving ahead in 2018 there will be new business opportunities, more jobs and more visitors staying in Chesterfield.”
Michael Heath, Managing Director, Milestone Financial Planning
“What a year 2017 has been. From starting the company only 18 months ago we have massively expanded the team resulting in a move to brand new premises recently. It’s great to be part of the buzz in Chesterfield. There’s so much happening now and on the horizon. It’s a brilliant time to not only have a business here, but also live, work and visit.”
Laura Jo Owen, Owner, Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
“The highlight of 2017 for us was winning Independent Retailer of the Year and Excellence in Customer Service at the Chesterfield Retail Awards. To have been nominated by our customers meant the world to us. Many of our customers have told me that their resolution for 2018 is to continue to shop locally and with this kind of passion, alongside continued investment from multiple retailers and independent businesses, we can create a sparking future for Chesterfield.”
Andrew McDaid, Partner, Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
“2017 has been a great year for Mitchells. We have expanded our team at every level and also invested significantly in apprenticeships, supporting the Apprentice Town initiative. This was recognised at the 2017 North Midlands and South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards, where we won the Best SME Newcomer Award. Investing in our staff remains a priority for us as we respond to current and future local business needs. Chesterfield is a town on the up. It’s a very exciting time, particularly with work on major developments now beginning. Chesterfield is the place to do business.”
Craig Evans, General Manager, UK Asbestos Training Association
“As Chesterfield was named the UK’s first official ‘Apprentice Town’, one of our highlights in 2017 was recruiting three new Business Administration Apprentices from the local area in support of the initiative. All three have gone on to make a significant impact for UKATA. We’re proud to be involved and I hope our example and positive results will encourage other businesses to follow suit in 2018 and beyond.”
Julie Richards, Principal, Chesterfield College
“A highlight for Chesterfield College in 2017 was being judged joint fourth best college in the country by FE Week. My Christmas wish for Chesterfield this year would be for every business to employ and train an apprentice.”
Stefan Andrejczuk, CEO, Helen’s Trust
“Helen’s Trust highlight for 2017 was the annual 10k run though the magnificent grounds of Chatsworth. Over 1,000 runners took part, many of them residents of Chesterfield and surrounding areas, raising £21,000 between them. Having recently joined Helen’s Trust as CEO I am delighted with the amount raised which will be used to fund care for people in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire with a terminal illness who wish to remain at home in their final days. Our wish for Chesterfield in 2018, is the continuation of a town working together, especially the community, businesses, public services and charities to ensure the best outcomes for people who need support and services. An economically successful town improves lives for everyone and investment and development in Chesterfield, now and in the future, is exciting.”
Cloe Ingall, Business Development Manager, Chic Cleaning Services Ltd
“Winning our first big tender for a high-profile Chesterfield company was a big highlight for the business in 2017. This enabled us to move the business forward. Looking to 2018, my Christmas wish would be for all the pending developments to go ahead, create jobs and bring future business to the town. Since I moved here in the 1980s the town has developed at a great speed. There seems to be a vast amount happening with housing developments, businesses expanding and/or moving here, and this will create more opportunity for all of us!”
Sally Ambrose, Head of Visitor Experience, Chatsworth Estate
“In June 2017 The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hosted its first flower show at Chatsworth, and it was our most ambitious exhibition to-date in the house. During these two landmark events we welcomed many more first-time visitors to Chatsworth. We would like to wish everyone who lives and works in Chesterfield a prosperous 2018.”
Vicki Grove, Marketing Manager, ra Information Systems
“My Christmas wish for Chesterfield is to see more of the same progressive redevelopment. As a local resident and an employee of a Chesterfield Champion business, I have only seen a positive impact to the town and the surrounding areas over the last 10 years. As it’s just been announced that work will begin on the old Co-op department store, I am very excited to see what is done here. In the longer term, I am also very excited about the Peak Resort. There is a lot of anticipation in the local area about this project from the employment prospects this will bring through to the increased footfall to Chesterfield and Derbyshire as a whole. All in all, Chesterfield really is the place to be!”
James Annerson, Case Manager, Adcroft Hilton Limited
“The positivity amongst small to medium sized businesses, and the opportunities that are on the horizon for Chesterfield and its economy really is exciting for the town’s future. However, My Christmas wish for Chesterfield this year would be to see good trade within our town centre.”
Rod Auton, Chesterfield Canal Trust
“Our Archaeological Dig at Bellhouse Lane, Staveley where we uncovered an almost intact workboat and part of two other boats was a huge highlight for 2017. Over 500 people, half of them children, signed up to join in. We hope that every child in Chesterfield has a wonderful Christmas.”
Lee Ashley, Director, Spire Recruitment Ltd
“Spire Recruitment had a great 2017. We were particularly proud to move in to a new office in the recently renovated Staveley Hall, the move was due to business growth and has been a real positive step for our company. If Santa was to bring anything to Chesterfield this Christmas, my wish would be for all the fantastic plans for the development of our town to all go ahead. It would be amazing for businesses and residents to feel the benefit of the planned expansions.”
Simon Paterson, NCS Delivery and Development Manager, Future Foundations
“Our highlight of the year was delivering the NCS programme to over 450 students in Chesterfield, who between them completed over 24,000 hours of social action and charity work!”
Alice Singleton, Website and Marketing Co-Ordinator, Green and Benz
“One of the highlights of 2017 was being named as the Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year at the Chesterfield Retail Awards. It’s always fantastic to be recognised within our local community. Our Christmas wish for Chesterfield it that people visit the town and have a great experience with the wide range of retailers. Chesterfield has a great shopping offering for all and alongside the wide range of food options, it’s the perfect place to complete all your shopping.”
Emma Loughlin, Director, eBusiness Works
“2017 has been a busy but fantastic year. We moved to new, bigger premises enabling us to expand the team and giving us room to grow. We have invested heavily in apprentices and it’s great to see them growing and developing their careers in Chesterfield. Working with so many fantastic businesses in the town, I know first hand the job and career opportunities that exist and I hope young people and their parents feel as positive about Chesterfield’s future as I do.”
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber
“With an organisation as diverse as the Chamber, there have been many highlights during the year, however, from a Chesterfield perspective, it would have to be the move, over a single weekend in February, from our old, not-fit-for-purpose offices in Canal Wharf to future-proofed premises at Millennium Way, off Dunston Road. Chesterfield is the focus of considerable development opportunity at the moment, from the hotel and restaurants in the old Co-op building, to Waterside and Peak Resort to the north of the town. Some of these plans are already quite long in the tooth and it would be nice to see them progress and start to create the promised jobs. It would also be nice to see our old office site converted to much-needed housing.”
