Destination Chesterfield

Chair’s Blog: Showing pride in Chesterfield’s beautiful green spaces

We are so proud of our local area; from the wonderful people who live and work here to the historic charm and architecture of our town centre and the beautiful landscapes surrounding it.

This April, I wanted to highlight some of the achievements of our communities, as well as encouraging everyone in our town to keep working together to make Chesterfield a brilliant place to live and work.

Picturesque parks

Our tremendous open spaces, such as Queen’s Park, Holmebrook Valley Park and the Chesterfield Canal continue to win awards for their unique natural landscapes, which of course is helped by the dedicated teams of people whose continuing hard work helps to maintain these areas for us all to enjoy. It’s great to see that further tree planting is taking place at a few parks across Chesterfield too; keep your eyes on the Chesterfield website for further updates!

Chesterfield Canal Paddlespots 2

Proximity to the Peak District

If you travel just 10 minutes or so out of town, you’re transported to the breathtaking beauty of the world-famous Peak District National Park – perfect for a weekend stroll or even an activity that gets the heart racing a bit more such as rock climbing, caving, or cycling.

It was fantastic to hear that our town has been named the best in the UK for access to green spaces. The average distance to the nearest park, public garden or playing field is less than 300 metres, and 95% of our town’s homes and flats have private outdoor space. Again, this is something we should be so proud of, and one of many reasons why people love living here.

Building our communities

Given this backdrop it is no surprise that we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of people looking to move here. Just last year, local estate agent Redbrik reported an almost 200% increase in online searches for properties in Chesterfield, with more people keen to benefit from the fantastic quality of life our town offers.

Bearing this in mind, let’s celebrate Earth Day 2024 this April by continuing to look after our small corner of the planet, and making sure we are showing plenty of love for our beautiful town and county.

There is no doubt in my mind that we all play our part in keeping Chesterfield a beautiful place to live. From helping to keep our town clean and tidy, to telling those who don’t know about our town how much you enjoy living here!

It could be as simple as mentioning a family walk you enjoyed, or even an outdoor event you loved. You could even share a photo or two of your experiences on social media using #LoveChesterfield and tagging in one of the Chesterfield UK channels. The more we show Chesterfield in a positive light, the more attractive the town becomes to others, which can only be a good thing for our high streets and our communities.

Family enjoying nature and supporting their wellbeing in queens park

 

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Conference urges business growth and collaboration to boost Chesterfield’s economy

Businesses in Chesterfield are being encouraged to explore ways in which they can grow, as part of ambitious plans to improve the town’s economy and create higher-value jobs for residents.

Speakers at Destination Chesterfield’s annual Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference highlighted ways in which local businesses can harness support to innovate and create new jobs.

They also identified that if all organisations in the town currently categorised as ‘low growth’ experienced just a 1% uplift, it would significantly boost the local economy.

Helping businesses to grow and ensuring people have the right skills are key objectives of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Growth Strategy (2023-2027). To support this, delegates at Celebrate Chesterfield heard from businesses which are innovating and overcoming challenges to boost growth.

Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of event headline sponsor, System Q explained how his business has evolved and adapted to become a supplier to major organisations, including the Ministry of Defence: “We are committed to providing our customers with the most innovative and advanced technology, ensuring their safety and security at all times.

“Our company is proud to be a part of the thriving high-tech community in Chesterfield, a town known for its innovation and progress. Despite the common belief that the best firms and talent are found in larger cities, this quaint town is home to a wealth of undiscovered talent.”

Ash Young, Managing Director of CarMats.co.uk recently relocated his business to the town.

He said: “If we hadn’t done things differently, we wouldn’t have seen the growth that we have. When we set up the business we were aiming for 100 orders per day, but because we changed the way we marketed the products, we are now shipping around 150,000 orders per year and we’re going to turn over about £7.5m this year.

“We’ve managed to hire a really skilled team in Chesterfield and the transport links mean it’s easy for us to get out to couriers easily.”

Amy Revell, of We Are Spaces Ltd recently expanded her business into larger office space at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, having initially moved into the development last year.

She said: “We currently turn over around £7m and have 15 employees, and we are rapidly growing. Chesterfield has played a big part in our growth – we have a lovely office space here which we managed to grow from one of the smaller suites into a larger one. We’ve managed to recruit really good people in the area, and we are strategically placed really well. Being so central has allowed us to grow all of our core services nationally.”

At the conference, Destination Chesterfield also launched its ambitious new strategy and plan, which outlines the partnership’s aims to attract further inward investment, support businesses to grow and encourage more people to visit the town.

Peter Swallow, Destination Chesterfield Chair, commented: “This plan reflects our town’s ambition, and where we collectively see the biggest growth opportunities. Recent research has identified 26% of revenues from tourism, inward investment and talent growth are shaped by people’s perception of a town or city.  Meaning our collective work to promote the town are vital to achieving the towns growth aspirations.

Celebrate Chesterfield business innovation panel, Mike Isherwood, Cllr Tricia Gilby, Adam Doyle

“Since 2010, Destination Chesterfield has worked alongside Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield Champions to promote the area as a contemporary destination to invest, work, live and visit, and our public-private partnership continues to play a central role in the town’s success. We must continue working together to raise the profile of Chesterfield to realise its significant potential.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council added: “Celebrate is always a fantastic event that showcases the very best that our borough has to offer. It was great to be able to meet with businesses to talk about how the council can support them to grow, but also to hear from them directly and discover what else we can do to drive growth and investment.

“I was also pleased to see a strong reception the new Destination Chesterfield strategy and plan – this aligns closely with our own growth strategy and together we can help grow our local economy, attract more investment and deliver benefits for both businesses and our residents.”

The 2024 Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference was also sponsored by Markham Vale and the University of Derby. The event also saw almost 40 businesses exhibiting across the East Midlands Chamber Business Support Zone and the Invest in Chesterfield Zone.

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Staveley Town Deal is a ‘Once in a generation opportunity’

Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, Ivan Fomin has provided an extensive update on the progress of several projects taking place as part of the £25m town deal, which will make a major impact on the future prosperity of the town for its residents and communities.

Strong progress is being made on the transformation of Staveley, with several projects being brought forward thanks to the £25m Town Deal Fund.

In January 2020 we held the first Staveley Town Deal Board and I had the honour of being elected as Chair of that Board responsible for the governance and oversight of the bidding process and subsequent delivery of the Towns Fund money allocated to us. We have already achieved plenty of progress over the last few years, and I’m excited by what is to come in 2024.

We were lucky enough to be granted in excess of the initial £25m as we had put forward 11 strong cases for projects within the greater Staveley area. We have delivered five ‘accelerator’ projects including juniors pitch drainage at Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club (SWMFC), town centre CCTV enhancement, improvements to King George V Park, design and enabling works for the DRIIVe project and the new performance canopy at Springwell Community College.

For the projects themselves, we have seen good progress but sometimes frustratingly they are hampered by uncontrollable events such as land acquisition and of course cost inflation.

Hartington Industrial Park has particularly suffered from the delay in land release by third parties, but this has moved forward, such that access to the site will be secured as will the route of the new mains incoming power supply.

hartington industrial park

Chesterfield Canal Trust continues to be a shining example of project management and is well on the way to commencing work on site. You may also have seen in the media that they have secured a large donation of the clay needed to construct the puddle bank on the eastern side of the proposed new route. The re-routing of utility services is bringing some challenges, but they are confident these can be resolved. A contractor has also been secured for a new bridge over the canal for cyclists and pedestrians, linking the Trans Pennine Trail and the Arkwright Trail.

TPT Bridge Chesterfield canal artist impression

Staveley Waterside which covers the onward development of the canal basin has passed planning approval. The development will bring flexible space for small businesses, alongside generating opportunities for retail and food & beverage outlets.

staveley waterside

The new DRIIVe rail innovation centre at Barrow Hill is a scheme of national significance and has now received planning permission. This unique project will provide workshop and classroom space to support specialist rail industry training, research and development facilities, and commercial space for rail-related businesses – bolstering Chesterfield’s ambitions to be a leading destination for the rail sector.

Driive artists impression

The Barrow Hill Memorial Hall has such historical importance it is wonderful to see the plans for resurrecting this building. The project is managed by a community trust, and they have employed a new project manager to oversee the next stages of the renovation. Once complete the new facility will provide a bar and café, health facilities, function room, and sports hall. It will provide a much-needed centre for the community to come together.

Barrow Hill Memorial Hall Image

Staying in Barrow Hill you may recall the announcement in October that the Barrow Hill line would be given the go ahead. It is important to note that this is subject to the scheme going through a government business case review, but we are pleased that there is every chance this line and the associated railway station will now come forward. As a Board we have allocated funding to enhance the new station, but meanwhile are pressing on with the delivery of the surrounding works such as pedestrian crossings, lighting, Wi-Fi and bus information systems. We await the outcome of the business case reviews.

A major concern of the Board is how the people of Staveley are going to access the new jobs which are being created. Even despite the success of the industrial investment in Markham Vale there is still no suitable bus service from Staveley. The Wheels to Work scheme proposes to help with this by introducing a number of travel related options to enhance mobility, and the first e-bikes and e-mopeds have now been made available to users.

markham vale

The Construction Skills Hub is an exciting initiative where the training will take place alongside a live building site. This has been designed to be a mobile scheme, and the first site has been established at the new Devonshire Group development at Mastin Moor. It is hoped in future that the installation will then be moved to new sites along the proposed relief route from Staveley to Chesterfield.

Staveley Miners Welfare Football Club continue to show massive commitment to the Staveley Town Deal, having obtained planning permission for their new training academy for BTEC sports skills development. Construction tenders came in higher than expected and this has led to a revised plan to refurbish an existing building to welcome the first cohort of students in addition to new buildings.

Artist impression of Staveley Miners Welfare Academy

Image supplied by Staveley Miners Welfare F.C. – Designed by Verteks Associates Ltd

These inflationary pressures in the construction sector have also influenced what will be possible to deliver on the Staveley 21 – a significant regeneration and revitalisation project in Staveley town centre. It is based around the masterplan developed in 2021 and includes improvements to the marketplace, a new lighting scheme, additional tree planting, a better connections to the canal and enhancement to the public realm. Shop front grants are available to local retailers to make exterior improvements to their business premises.

One casualty in 2023 was the loss of the Staveley Hall project. This project was to add a function room extension to the Grade 2 listed hall, but in the end it became apparent that it was unlikely to be able to satisfy planning conditions, and the project was reluctantly dropped. This meant that the funding allocated to that project was available to be used by other existing projects which could demonstrate the additional benefits from having the extra funding.

As a Board we were keen not to just put all the allocation into the Staveley 21 town centre scheme (which could no doubt have used all the £25 million of funding!), but rather to see what additional benefits could be found from the other nine projects too. We continue to work with all projects to ensure we can maximise the benefits and develop the programme on that basis.

One of the early considerations we had as a Board was the importance of communication with the residents and businesses in Staveley as to the progress of the programme, and we invited our Board member, Head Teacher from Springwell Community College, to chair a sub-group responsible for communication and engagement. While it is clear you can never have enough information being circulated, the group has been successful in liaising with local groups and attending events.

This has also allowed us to work closely with school pupils in the area to explain to them the work that is being done on the various projects, and to try to give them some vision for their future in Staveley.

In addition to the Government’s agenda for the Town Deal Board, we were also keen to find additional ways in which we could have a positive influence and add long term value to the work that was being done in the area. Our Board member, local GP and Divisional director from the Royal Primary Care Trust was able to help us understand the health metrics locally and also raised the issue of lack of cooking skills being taught to young people these days in schools.

The Town Deal Programme Manager, supported by Chesterfield College, have pushed forward with an initiative called Staveley To Eat Well (STEW), whereby a number of local school pupils spend time with catering students at the college to learn how to produce some simple but healthy meals.

Just before Christmas last year, I was invited to visit Staveley Junior School to have a look at the Christmas cards and decorations they had made. It was an opportunity for me to discuss with the Head Teacher the challenges the school faces, and we hope to be able to connect the school to local businesses who can help not only with funding, but also on developing the links with the world of work and careers.

We have a busy year of delivery ahead of us and I have encouraged projects to display hoardings and sign boards so that the residents can see more detail of what is going on at the various sites around the area. I hope that by this time next year we are seeing some real changes to the look of the wider town’s built environment and amenities.
This Town Deal is a once in a generation opportunity for us all, and I hope you are encouraged by the hard work and commitment that is going into delivering these projects.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board

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More than 160 new energy-efficient homes to be built in Bolsover

Chesterfield housebuilder, Woodall Homes has secured a resolution to grant permission at Bolsover District’s Planning Committee this week for one of the firm’s biggest developments to date.

The development lies on the countryside edge of Bolsover and will comprise 161 energy-efficient properties, with a mixture of one to five-bedroom homes, including bungalows.

Accessed by a new tree-lined link road connecting Shuttlewood Road and Oxcroft Lane, the scheme will feature broad swathes of attractive, accessible open spaces, with multifunctional green infrastructure, landscape corridors, wildlife-friendly habitats and a local play area for community use, along with pedestrian and cycle connections linking to Bolsover’s amenities.

Oxcroft View bolsover

Darren Abbott, Planning Director at Woodall Homes said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured a successful resolution to grant full planning permission for our new site in Bolsover. This will be one of our largest developments and will make a significant contribution to achieving our targeted growth as a business in the coming years. It will cater for a wide range of needs within the area, providing accommodation perfect for couples, families and buyers who are ready to downsize.”

Committed to their sustainability pledge, Woodall Homes strives to deliver excellent developments which nurture safe and inviting communities and their previous work within the area at Scarsdale Green is an outstanding example of how these communities are built.

For more information about Woodall Homes and their work within Derbyshire, visit: https://woodallhomes.co.uk/

Rated the 2nd best place in the UK to raise a family, and the happiest place to live in the East Midlands, Chesterfield has so much to offer. Find out more about the wide range of benefits associated with living here for you and your family here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living/

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

Oxcroft View 15

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£117m to be invested in council housing across Chesterfield

Around £117 million is to be invested into council homes across Chesterfield over the next four years – as part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s continued commitment to creating affordable, decent homes for people across the borough.

The Housing Capital Programme sets out the investment priorities for the next financial year, which will see the council spend £30.1 million on improving and increasing the housing supply in the borough.

The capital programme also details the council’s longer-term plans through to March 2028 to ensure that the council can continue to meet the decent homes standard, further improve the energy efficiency of its houses, and provide quality, affordable and accessible homes for local people.

Modernisation and refurbishment of the council’s existing homes remains a key priority in the council’s programme and will see the continuation of kitchen improvements and roofing upgrades, whilst there will also be improvements to footpaths, fencing and gates to help improve the look and feel of neighbourhoods.

In addition to refurbishing the existing housing stock, the council is committed to building almost 100 new council properties by 2028 to increase the number of affordable homes available in the area. Work to create 22 new build properties at Middlecroft and Westwood Avenue is now well underway, and additional sites have also been identified for new build projects.

In line with the council’s climate strategy, the work set out in the capital programme will also make a significant step towards improving the energy efficiency of its homes, for example replacing boilers and windows with more efficient options – allowing Chesterfield to become a low carbon, resilient and sustainable borough. This will not only help to reduce carbon emissions but will also help to reduce energy bills for tenants.

A further investment will also be made to help tackle damp and mould in homes. A recent survey has shown that the number of homes experiencing issues with damp and mould has almost halved but the council remains committed to tackling these issues.

Councillor Jean Innes, cabinet member for housing, said: “Our aim, as always, is to enhance Chesterfield’s housing offer and ensure we can provide affordable high-quality homes. A stock condition survey carried out in 2022 identified that the quality of our council homes has improved from the previous survey that took place in 2017.  This shows our investments have been made in the right areas, but we know there is more that we can do to ensure we can achieve and maintain a 100% decent homes standard.

“Our newly approved capital programme set out our strong commitment to achieving this and improving our homes to ensure they meet the needs of the people of Chesterfield, as well as actively contributing to the climate change agenda by ensuring all homes are energy efficient.

“Like local authorities across the country, the council is facing unprecedented financial challenges  but our priority is to make sure under-pressure budgets are spent on the essential services that local people rely on, including the provision of quality and affordable homes for the people of Chesterfield.”

town hall drone shot

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Contractor appointed to build new canal bridge at Staveley

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has appointed O’Brien Contractors Ltd. to construct and install a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the soon-to-be restored route of the canal at Staveley.

This will be the first stage of the Trust’s £6 million restoration project. The bulk of the money is from the Staveley Town Deal, a government levelling up project.

The new 38 metre long bridge will take the Trans Pennine Trail across the canal to meet the Arkwright Trail. Later the canal itself will be restored including a new bridge for farm vehicles and a new lock. There will also be a freshly landscaped relaxation area including picnic benches and information boards. This will be carefully planted to encourage wildlife.

O’Brien’s will start on site in April and major groundworks will start in May. The bridge will be installed in the summer and there will be a formal opening ceremony in September. You will be able to follow the progress of the works as they happen by going to the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s website.

Tony Mitchell, Director, O’Brien Contractors Ltd, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been appointed by The Chesterfield Canal Trust to provide the new canal bridge at Staveley. This prestigious project will be a huge benefit to pedestrians and cyclists all over the region and the restoration of this historic route will benefit the community for many years to come. We look forward to working with the Trust and their team over the course of this exciting project.”

Chesterfield Canal Trust Development Manager, George Rogers, said “This is a big milestone for the Chesterfield Canal Trust, and we are delighted to appoint O’Brien Contractors to deliver this statement structure over the canal. Installing this bridge will open up the route for future restoration in multiple ways and I am looking forward to seeing it progress over the summer”.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “It’s taken a huge amount of work by the team at the Chesterfield Canal Trust to get to this point and I want to thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on reaching this important milestone. The expansion of the canal is an important project for the town deal – it will help make the town a more attractive place to visit and provide residents with new outdoor facilities to explore. I look forward to seeing the bridge completed as this will unlock the next stages of this project.”

The Trust currently has an appeal to raise £50,000 to go towards the cost of the gates for the new Keith Ayling Lock, named after a former Chair of the Trust.

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

TPT Bridge Chesterfield canal artist impression

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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 firms urged to access skills support to grow town’s economy

Businesses across Chesterfield have been told they must act today to futureproof their businesses and the town’s economy, by ensuring their staff are receiving the relevant training and skills.

The Chesterfield Employability and Skills Conference (Thursday, 8th February 2024) was hosted in partnership by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

The event at the Winding Wheel Theatre in the heart of the town, introduced a new wave of support for firms in the area, signposting businesses to relevant schemes which will help them to upskill and reskill their staff. Attendees at the event were given the chance to meet with representatives from the following organisations:

  • Chesterfield Borough Council, Skills Brokerage Service
  • Chesterfield College
  • Derbyshire BAME Forum
  • Direct Education Business Partnership
  • University of Derby
  • D2N2 Careers Hub/ D2N2 LEP
  • Derbyshire County Council/ National Careers Service
  • North East Derbyshire District Council
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Auto Windscreens, owned by Markerstudy Group
  • East Midlands Railway

The call for businesses to access this support comes as firms in some of the town’s key sectors say they are finding difficulties in filling vacancies with suitable skilled people.

The latest East Midlands Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey showed that more than 70% of businesses in the region are struggling to fill vacancies, with skilled manual or technical roles proving the most challenging. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, engineering, digital and health & social care are just some of the sectors which Chesterfield Borough Council aims to support with workforce growth.

To address those challenges, Chesterfield’s new skills brokerage gives businesses in the borough the opportunity to gain free, impartial, bespoke advice to support them to access funding, alongside connecting companies to training and development opportunities.

The full range of services offered includes:

  • Access a range of fully funded courses to upskill the workforce, ranging from basic skills and business fundamentals to leadership and management, green and digital skills.
  • Accessing a variety of funding streams.
  • Support to employ Apprentices, including how to access apprenticeship funding and information around the apprenticeship levy.
  • Recruitment and retention advice.
  • Succession planning.
  • Advice and continued support.

Michael Timmins, Director at AECOM and Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership said: “It was fantastic to see so many businesses in attendance at the Employability and Skills Conference. We know that firms across our area are concerned about the future of their workforces, so it is extremely important that we continue to highlight the support that is out there. I would urge businesses of all sizes to make the most of the assistance available. We must all work together to secure the future growth of Chesterfield and ensure that our workforce has the right skills and abilities to meet future challenges.”

Michael Timmins speaking at 2024 employability and skills conference

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership said: “We work closely with a wide range of partners to help local people develop the skills that businesses need both now and, in the future, which in turn will help ensure everyone can benefit from a growing local economy.

“Our Skills Brokerage service aims to help businesses access the funding and the information they need to deliver skills development programmes for their employees, but this is just one of the initiatives we have launched that aim to help businesses based in our borough to grow. If you are running a business in Chesterfield, please contact our team directly to find out more about the support available to you.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby speaking at 2024 skills and employability conference

For more information about this service or to arrange a meeting contact Chris McKechnie, Skills Brokerage Business Advisor by calling 07583416749 or emailing Chris.McKechnie@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Brokerage Service is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was 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.

skills conference 2024

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Chesterfield’s rising stars spearhead campaign to promote local apprenticeships

Young people building their careers in Chesterfield have spoken of the benefits that apprenticeships have in paving the way for a prosperous future.

Speaking to Destination Chesterfield and the Derbyshire Times, the town’s rising stars expressed their satisfaction at not following the ‘traditional’ University route and gaining valuable workplace experience alongside their studies.

Abigail Dodd, Level 3 Apprentice Business Administrator at Rosewood Wealth Management, commented: “I don’t think I would have learned anywhere near as much at University or College, compared to the skills I have developed during my apprenticeship.

“The skills which I’ve learned on the job are incomparable to anything that you could learn in a classroom. Getting the hands-on experience, such as greeting and communicating with clients is unlike anything you could learn in traditional education.”

Woman sitting at a computer with the Rosewood logo behind her

Abi Dodd, Rosewood Wealth Management

There are currently more than 2,500 people currently participating in apprenticeships in Chesterfield. Participants were keen to highlight the key advantages of opting for an apprenticeship in the town.

Tom Zerboni, Level 2 Junior Estate Agent at Lime Living, believes his apprenticeship has given him the chance to showcase a high level of responsibility and maturity: “I’m already going out and showing people around properties. Working with a smaller company, I’m getting broad experience in terms of getting to grips with all aspects of the business and being able to help my colleagues.”

Man on the phone sitting in front of a computer

Tom Zerboni, Lime Living, Level 2 Junior Estate Agent

A common theme was how apprenticeships provide hands-on experience, whilst enabling participants to gain high-level qualifications.

Ewan Walker, Level 3 Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at MSE Hiller, said: “There is textbook learning, but also things that you can pick up ‘on the job.’ There could be something in class which you may not have much knowledge of, but as an apprentice, you’ve done it in the field, so you get a much better understanding.

“I’ve been able to go through the whole company and learn so many different things. For example, welding, centrifuge balance, fitting and site work. I recently got to visit Walkers Crisps in a customer-facing capacity.”

Ewan Walker MSE Hiller 873x466

Milena Vasileva, Level 7 Architecture Apprentice at Whittam Cox Architects, commented: “There are seven people taking part in an apprenticeship at our company.

“Alongside studying at University, I’ve also been able to develop skills such as time management, working under pressure, working at a fast pace, prioritising workload and decision-making. You wouldn’t be able to develop those skills as quickly if you weren’t working in the industry alongside your studies.”

Woman in peach shirt smiling and sitting at desk

Milena Vasileva, Whittam Cox, Level 7 Architecture Apprentice

Chesterfield’s apprentices contribute to the local economy by addressing the skills gap. As apprentices become skilled professionals, they meet the demands of the local job market, fortifying Chesterfield’s industries and supporting economic growth.

Gracie Stevenson, Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice at Peak Pharmacy, explained what attracted her to the town as an ideal location to launch her career: “Usually the big opportunities are in cities, and I hadn’t considered that there were potential opportunities on my doorstep as well.

“The business I work for recently moved to the new Horizon development near Markham Vale, which has brought all aspects of the organisation together, so to be part of that transition has been a fantastic learning experience. In the big cities, there is lots of competition, but Chesterfield is up and coming, and the route to get into an apprenticeship is probably a lot easier.”

Woman sitting at a computer with a notepad open

Gracie Stevenson, Peak Pharmacy

MSE Hiller’s Ewan Walker agrees that the town’s location and transport links is providing more investment and job opportunities, adding: “We’re a company which deals with organisations up and down the country, so being next to the M1 is a great base for us to get to wherever we need to be.”Further development coming up at Markham Vale will bring in more opportunities and jobs to Chesterfield, which will hopefully bring more apprenticeships too.”

Financial independence is an advantage of apprenticeships. Instead of accumulating student debt, apprentices in Chesterfield earn a wage while learning. Some roles currently being advertised in the town offer wages above £20,000 per year.

This dual benefit ensures that young individuals can support themselves financially from the outset of their career journey. What’s more, apprentices have the opportunity to work their way up the career ladder, and into higher-level and more highly paid roles in the future.

Rosewood’s Abigail Dodd continued: “The apprentices of today are going to be the leaders, teachers, and directors of tomorrow. In the financial advice industry, there is a stereotype that the majority of higher-level professionals working in it are older gentlemen.

“However, at my company, the two directors are women and are considered young for the industry. Our team of seven are all women too. With all the development taking place in Chesterfield, we need to make sure we have got the people to sustain those higher roles.

“Therefore, I think that it is crucial to have more young people taking on an apprenticeship, to get that knowledge and carry on the legacy that other people have had.”

Participants were eager to point out that being an apprentice in 2024 comes with a high level of responsibility from the outset. Whittam Cox’s Milena Vasileva told the panel: “There’s a huge point of interest around competency in our industry and showing visible proof of it.

“Relevant experience is certainly part of that, so being able to prove that as an apprentice, you’ve worked on several projects at a time will add to your competency levels.”

Want to find out more about the apprenticeship roles available locally? Head over to https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/ to discover more.

apprentice round table participants

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Chair’s Blog: Show your love for the town this Valentine’s Day

As Chair of Destination Chesterfield, I’ve always found joy in championing the local gems that make our town unique, such as the picturesque Crooked Spire or the stunning scenery which can be found in abundance around the local area.

With Valentine’s Day approaching and love well and truly in the air, now is as good a time as any to support the beating heart of Chesterfield… Of course, I’m speaking about our beloved local retailers and food and drink businesses. There are plenty of ways in which you can celebrate your love for those closest to you, whilst also embracing the unique charm that lies within our town.

Stroll through the quaint streets of Chesterfield, and you’ll discover an array of independent retailers. From handmade crafts to bespoke jewellery or the perfect bouquet, our local shops offer treasures you won’t find anywhere else. No Valentine’s Day is complete without a touch of sweetness. Skip the generic chocolates and head to our local producers for treats that are made with passion and care.

Our town also boasts a delightful independent culinary scene, and what better way to celebrate your love than by indulging in a romantic meal at one of Chesterfield’s finest eateries? Local restaurants are at the forefront of our community, and they’re ready to make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable.

If you’re looking to spend some quality time with the person you love, Chesterfield’s parks and scenic spots provide a backdrop for leisurely strolls, creating a calm atmosphere for heartfelt connections in our picturesque town. Why not treat them to an evening of entertainment by catching the latest show at our theatres? And if you’re lucky enough to get a night away from the kids, maybe you could book into one of Chesterfield’s luxurious hotels and spas for a perfect romantic break.

To help you spoil loved ones, Destination Chesterfield has compiled guides to 50 retailers and 50 food and drink businesses you should follow on social media. Just search “50 independent retailers in Chesterfield” and “50 food and drink businesses in Chesterfield” to find out more! Keep an eye out for the Valentine’s Day gift and eating out guides @ChesterfieldUK on social media too!

By choosing local this Valentine’s Day, you’re not just creating memories; you’re contributing to the prosperity of our community. Remember to show your love for the town by telling others about great products or experiences you’ve enjoyed locally, or even with a quick post online using #LoveChesterfield. Chesterfield is more than a town; it’s a place with wonderful history and heritage. Let’s keep backing our local business and add to that wonderful story.

AdornJewellersShopping

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield firms to find out more about East Midlands devolution plans at town’s largest annual business conference

Organisations in Chesterfield are invited to hear from the first mayoral candidates in the running for the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The EMCCA will bring forward £1.14 billion of investment for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby City and Nottingham City over the next 30 years, unlocking economic growth and jobs, as well as significant funding and devolved powers for transport, skills and adult education, housing, the environment, and economic development.

Ahead of the mayoral election, which is set to take place on Thursday, 2 May 2024, businesses will have the chance to hear from Conservative candidate Ben Bradley, Labour’s Claire Ward, Green-Party’s Frank Adlington-Stringer and Independent Matthew Relf at the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference taking place this March.

In a conversation chaired by Chris Hobson, Director of Policy and Insight at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire), candidates will outline their plans to boost our region’s economic growth, establish new relationships and broaden the pipeline for inward investment.

Now in its thirteenth year, Celebrate Chesterfield, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and in association with System Q, has become a key date in the town’s events calendar, attracting more than 250 delegates each year.

In 2024, the event will highlight the big impact that small innovations have on the town’s economic growth, focusing on investment, regeneration, and entrepreneurial successes.

celebrate Chesterfield 2023 - delegates view presentation at the winding wheel

Delegates will also hear about the new Destination Chesterfield plan, which outlines partnership activities to further raise the profile of the town as a destination to invest, work, live and visit.

Peter Swallow, Destination Chesterfield Chair, commented: “We are very excited to be hosting mayoral candidates at the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Conference, and finding out more about their ambitions for the region. Our town has major plans for regeneration over the coming years, and our businesses are hopeful that the extra funding will provide a welcome boost by attracting further investment to Chesterfield.

“At our Chesterfield Champions event in January, we heard about some of the regeneration projects that could be supported by the EMCCA. We heard how the East Midlands Investment Zone will focus on advanced manufacturing and green industries, expected to support the creation of £383 million of private investment and help to create 4,200 jobs regionally. We also heard how funding is set to increase each year until 2026/2027.

“I would also encourage the business community to come along to find out how Destination Chesterfield plans to further collaborate with partners and businesses in the future, to continue supporting economic growth and regeneration across the borough.”

Mike Isherwood, Managing Director at System Q, commented: “We are proud to be the headline sponsor of Celebrate Chesterfield, a prestigious event that holds great significance to us. Chesterfield has been our cherished home for three decades. Our town boasts a thriving business and technology sector, which we believe deserves recognition and admiration. We think it’s a priority to showcase and celebrate the strengths of Chesterfield and we are honoured to support our community.

“As we continue to expand, we are seeking partners and talented individuals to join our team. Celebrate Chesterfield is a fantastic platform for local businesses to establish valuable partnerships, secure investments, and recruit top talent to drive our growth even further.”

As well as being in association with System Q, Celebrate Chesterfield is also supported by the University of Derby and Markham Vale.

This year, the event will also host the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Expo, featuring the East Midlands Chamber Business Support Zone and the Investment Zone (currently open for sponsorship). At 70% full already, businesses are encouraged to reserve a spot quickly to avoid missing out.

Delegates wishing to attend Celebrate Chesterfield can book their free place at the event here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/celebrate/

Celebrate Chesterfield business expo

 

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