Destination Chesterfield

Figures revealed at annual Investment Summit show new businesses are booming in Chesterfield

Official figures presented today at the Chesterfield Investment Summit show record levels of startups setting up in the Chesterfield area, alongside substantial growth in the town’s visitor economy and construction sectors. Survival rates for companies in Chesterfield far exceed the national average.

New business activity in Chesterfield, Derbyshire’s largest town, reached record levels in 2022 and is expected to grow again this year, according to figures shared today at the Chesterfield Investment Summit. Analysis of Companies House data, the official register of UK companies, shows that 1,021 startups with Chesterfield addresses were registered in 2022, 4% more than in 2021, and indicates the area is on track to create over 1,100 more businesses in 2023.

Analysis from Destination Chesterfield – the organisation responsible for promoting investment in the town – shows strong levels of new business activity in several sectors prioritised in Chesterfield Borough Council’s growth strategy, as well as encouraging signs for the town’s independent retail sector:

  • 92 new hospitality companies were launched in Chesterfield during 2022, a 10% increase on 2021 (84) and more than three times the number (29) created in 2012. Hospitality is a crucial component of Chesterfield’s growing visitor economy, which attracted 3.7 million people in 2022 (20% more than 2021), according to Chesterfield Borough Council. The visitor economy supports over 2,000 full-time jobs in Chesterfield and was worth £207 million last year.
  • 106 new professional services companies were created in Chesterfield during 2022, an increase of 29% on 2021 (82). They include 27 management consulting companies, 22 engineering advisory firms and 12 advertising and digital media specialists. Chesterfield is actively encouraging professional services firms to locate to the town to help achieve a 15% increase in higher-skill, higher-wage knowledge-based occupations for residents by 2030.
  • 99 construction startups were established in Chesterfield in 2022, 10% more than 2021 (90) and 55% higher than 2012 (64). Data from Chesterfield Borough Council shows the number of new homes built in Chesterfield has more than doubled over the last decade to reach 373 completions in the year to April 2023. Chesterfield has exceeded its new build target in each of the last four years and the council has earmarked several prime locations for new residential development as part of plans to build more than 4,000 new homes by 2035.
  • 124 retail and wholesale startups began trading in Chesterfield in 2022. Although this was down 5% on 2021 figures, it represents a 49% improvement over the last decade and is expected to grow to more than 150 in 2023. The number was driven, in part, by a threefold increase in online retail startups over the last decade. Entrepreneurs in Chesterfield launched 23 e-commerce companies in 2022 and are on track to create over 40 more during 2023.

Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “New business activity is booming in Chesterfield, which is seeing growth from homegrown startups and those relocating to the town from elsewhere.These outcomes are the fruits of a purposeful strategy to secure new business investment in Chesterfield and help our existing businesses to grow.”

Dr Huw Bowen - Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council

“Chesterfield Borough Council is supporting, either through direct investment or public-private partnerships, a series of projects to provide high-quality commercial space for businesses. It has helped bring to market almost 300,000 square feet of modern office, industrial, manufacturing and logistics space since the start of 2022, and expects further new premises totalling more than one million square feet to become available by the middle of 2025.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Chesterfield is growing thanks to its location, its supportive community, the incredible lifestyle you can enjoy here, and the investments that are being made in high-quality business space and housing. We’ve seen more interest from local and incoming entrepreneurs post-pandemic, who are creating new jobs and opportunities for the abundant talent pool Chesterfield can access, and we expect that growth to continue as the town seizes new opportunities associated with the East Midlands devolution deal over the coming years.”

peter swallow speaking at Celebrate

Official figures also show that businesses based in Chesterfield consistently enjoy significantly higher survival rates than the national average. The latest data from the Office of National Statistics show that 62% of Chesterfield companies started in 2018 were still trading after three years, compared to 54% for all of the UK. Similar figures were recorded for businesses founded in 2016 and 2017.

More than 200 delegates, including domestic and commercial property investors and business leaders from the UK, attended the Chesterfield Investment Summit today. The Summit is organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend.

Destination Chesterfield has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

spire drone 1

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Sorbus Finance announces move to Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

A Chesterfield finance broker, which supports businesses to get the best deals on vehicles, premises, equipment and cash flow solutions has moved into the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, one of the town’s flagship office developments.

Sorbus Finance was founded in September 2021, and has developed relationships which allows the firm to access a panel of over 70 lenders.

The company’s aim is to support local firms in gaining extra capital and profits to re-invest in their businesses, employees and local communities.

Sorbus Finance is able to support the town’s business community, ranging from start-ups through to some of the largest businesses in the area turning over £10M+.

Speaking on the move to the Enterprise Centre, Director Arran Turner commented: “Having grown up in Chesterfield I have always seen the potential in the town and the commitment that the business community in Chesterfield puts in to continually pushing for a better future.

“We have one of the best locations to conduct business with great links to the rest of the country, and the developments we can see around the town at the moment are a great visual advert for what we can look forward to in the years to come.

Following the success of Sorbus Finance’s first 12 months of business, the firm wanted to find suitable premises which was not only cost-effective and convenient, but also provided a home for for the future.

Arran said: “From the first time I viewed the Enterprise Centre, it was clear that this was right for my business. The modern and spacious offices, the great team that runs the centre and the other businesses located in the building all take great pride in the space, and want to see each other succeed. Alongside this, the location is perfect for us, close to the railway station, coach station, town centre amenities and road links.

“Chesterfield is thriving and stakeholders investing in Chesterfield have a clear vision for its future. Chesterfield is home to a diverse range of business and industries ranging from Manufacturing, Professional Services, Hospitality, Agriculture and so much more!

“The decision to stay in Chesterfield as opposed to moving towards Sheffield or Nottingham was an easy choice for me, I want to be part of the future of this town and everything it is looking to achieve.”

Over the next 12 months, Sorbus Finance aims to grow its team at different skill levels and is now engaging with local education providers. On top of this, the company is committing to Chesterfield in part of its ‘giving back’ programme, and will shortly be looking to find charitable partners it can work alongside, in addition to supporting one-off events.

Further to the financial brokerage, Sorbus Finance has developed an additional brand, The Lease Hub, which specifically helps businesses and private individuals navigate vehicle leasing in an easy-to-use format.

Arran added: “We are already helping local business move towards Electric Vehicles for the first time, grow their fleet of vehicles and ensure that their employees are travelling in cost-effective, safe and reliable transport.”

For more information of the services offered by Sorbus Finance, visit the company’s website. 

More than 80% of the offices available at Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre have now been let, within just over a year of its opening. Find out more about the modern, affordable office space available in Chesterfield.

Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

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Fully booked Chesterfield Investment Summit to showcase town’s huge potential

Destination Chesterfield’s annual Investment Summit is now fully booked, with more than 200 guests expected to attend the event at Casa Hotel on 18 October 2023.

Putting a spotlight on the town’s wide range of ongoing and future regeneration projects, the Summit – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend – will hear from companies which have recently invested in Chesterfield business premises.

Matt Close, from leading automation and engineering firm NeoDyne is confirmed to be speaking at the event. In addition, delegates will hear from Emily Smith, the developer of Holywell Hotel by Voeberg, which will see a grade II listed building in the town centre transformed into boutique short-stay accommodation.

Both businesses will explain how the town’s location, connectivity and business support packages have assisted their growth plans.

Dr Huw Bowen, CEO of Chesterfield Borough Council, will provide an update on several of the town’s regeneration sites, highlighting the opportunities available to potential investors looking to start up or grow their businesses in the area. Huw will also provide details on the exciting work taking place to regenerate Chesterfield Town Centre and the iconic Stephenson Memorial Hall, alongside the £6 million package of improvements planned for Staveley Town Centre, as part of the Staveley Town Deal project.

On top of that, attendees will hear the latest updates on the highly anticipated visitor development, The Gateway @Peak – with Tarah Gear, Head of Marketing at Milligan presenting exciting new plans for the project.

Another topic to be discussed at this year’s event will be new housing, with developments attracting new families to live and work in the area. Gemma Smith, Managing Director of Strata Homes, will update on the company’s latest sustainable projects in the area.

The Chesterfield Investment Summit 2023 is sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend. The Chamber’s CEO, Scott Knowles and Nick Jones, Strategic Lead and Director of Project Management at Turner & Townsend will be part of a panel discussing the current economic landscape and business support available for firms in our region.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “We’re excited to be bringing you this year’s Chesterfield Investment Summit, showcasing the huge range of benefits our town has to offer to businesses and developers.

“It’s great to hear that the Casa Hotel will be packed out once again, with guests set to learn more about our superb strategic location, access to a skilled workforce, supportive business community and excellent quality of life.”

Hear more from Chesterfield investors by viewing the ‘Why Chesterfield, Why Now?’ videos, released by Destination Chesterfield as part of the town’s latest inward investment campaign.

Delegates interested in attending the Chesterfield Investment Summit are invited to join the waiting list, as spaces may become available in the run-up to the event. Those who wish to find out more about investment opportunities in Chesterfield can get in touch with the Destination Chesterfield team here.

Destination Chesterfield has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

Huw Bowen, CEO of Chesterfield Borough Council on stage at Chesterfield Investment Summit 2022

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Chair’s blog: “How do we continue to adapt, change perceptions, and inspire our next generation?”

‘Nothing is made in the UK anymore’: a sweeping statement I’ve heard many times over the years. Yet, 2.5 million people currently work in manufacturing in the UK.

Did you know that in Chesterfield 4,000 people are working in the sector? With industries ranging from food and drink to rail and aerospace, we have a breadth of opportunities for young people.

Projects are moving forward to strengthen our future talent pipeline in the key sectors of manufacturing, engineering, and construction.

The new Construction Skills Hub is now operating in Staveley. This pioneering project will provide 5,000 young people with the chance to learn on a live site. Courses include bench joinery, brickwork, groundworks, and electrical installation to name a few.

In nearby Barrow Hill, The Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) will include state-of-the-art training facilities for the rail sector. This project is evidence of our town capitalising on the landscape around us, with key rail firms such as Bombardier and Alstom having a strong presence in Derbyshire.

So, how do we continue to adapt, change perceptions, and inspire our next generation?

Since 2014, the innovative Made in Chesterfield project has enabled more than 3,500 school pupils to visit our local manufacturing, engineering, and property businesses to see behind the scenes and discover what a career in these industries might involve.

Businesses offering ‘Made in Chesterfield’ tours this year include Europe’s most prestigious cast iron foundry United Cast Bar, Weightron Bilanciai – an international firm that makes industrial weighbridges, and Superior Wellness, a hot tub manufacturer listed as one of the UK’s top 50 fastest growing businesses.

We are once again excited to promote another cohort of young people engaging with our range of innovative organisations, and I hope it will inspire them to become our next generation of highly skilled individuals.

All too often, I hear stories of children being told that going to university is the only way to ensure they receive high-level qualifications and good jobs. In Chesterfield, we were the first town in the country to proudly declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town,’ as part of efforts to bust those myths.

Apprenticeship and training programs are widely available in Chesterfield, providing individuals with the opportunity to develop specific skills and gain real-world experience. Did you know many of those apprenticeships can also be studied to a degree level? Not to mention the opportunity to earn while you learn.

Would your children benefit from a business tour this November? Or would your business like to open its doors to young people? Please do get in touch with the team at Destination Chesterfield to find out more or visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/made.

peter swallow

Destination Chesterfield Chair, Peter Swallow speaks at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023

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Government announces £20 million boost for Chesterfield

Chesterfield is set to benefit from £20 million over the next 10 years, as part of further government levelling up investment being provided to 55 towns across the UK.

Under the new approach, local people will be put in charge, and given the tools to change their town’s long-term future. They will:

  • Receive a ten-year endowment-style fund to be spent on local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.
  • Set up a Town Board to bring together community leaders, employers and local authorities to deliver the Long-Term Plan for their town and put it to local people for consultation.

The funding follows a £25 million investment awarded to Chesterfield by the government’s levelling-up fund to revitalise Chesterfield town centre and the historic Stephenson Memorial Hall.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “This is good news for Chesterfield, which builds on our success in securing Levelling Up Fund funding for the restoration of Stephenson Memorial Hall and for revitalising our historic market grounds and high streets.

“The announcement also reflects the positive work that we have been engaged in over the past 12 months with the Government’s High Streets Task Force.

“Our aspiration is to strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of our town centres. Whilst we await the detail, the availability of additional funding and powers to make it easier for residents and visitors to visit Chesterfield town centre, to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and to make our town centre more attractive and accessible are to be welcomed.

“As the Government’s lead delivery partner, we will also be able to draw on our experience of bringing community leaders, businesspeople and representatives of other local bodies together to establish a new Towns Board, which would mirror that which the council has already established to oversee delivery of the £25.2m Staveley Town Deal.

“We must and will take advantage of all such opportunities. We want our town centres to be competitive, sustainable, safe, and dynamic places that create new openings for local people and support employment and housing growth, and from which visitors can explore the borough and surrounding areas.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, commented: “This extra funding for our high streets is extremely welcome, and will help to continue the ongoing work already taking place to regenerate our town centre.

“In Chesterfield, we’re already looking forward to several major improvements in the next few years, including a revitalised market, a refurbished Stephenson Memorial Hall and improvements to the connections between key points of interest across the heart of the town.

“Whilst celebrating the magnificent history and heritage of our town centre, we must also be aware that high streets must constantly adapt to changes to ensure their relevance today, and in the future.

“Destination Chesterfield is committed to working alongside partners and businesses in championing our town as an excellent location to work, live, visit and invest.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “It’s promising to see a renewed focus on driving forward towns, which are inhabited by a large portion of our population and have a significant role to play in a successful and thriving economy.

“The changing face of towns, much like in cities, has created challenges in how we ensure they are fit for purpose as places for living, working and spending leisure time.

“A Long-Term Plan for Towns therefore feels like a vision our country has lacked for a long time in order to deliver on their economic potential.

“Local decision-making by those who know the area is crucial to this and gives us the best opportunity to create good jobs for local people, breathe new life into neglected places and unlock wider economic growth that benefits everyone.”

Located in the centre of the UK and sat on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Chesterfield is a great strategic location for your business. Find out more about investment opportunities in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Market at Christmas

 

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Win tickets to the Chesterfield pantomime by completing our survey

Residents and visitors have the opportunity to win two pantomime tickets to see Aladdin at The Winding Wheel Theatre this year, by completing our Love Chesterfield consumer survey.

Both the consumer and business surveys are published on a quarterly basis to allow us to track your thoughts and feedback on what has been happening in and around Chesterfield.

Love Chesterfield is a campaign organised by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to promote and support high streets and town centres across the borough of Chesterfield.

The short surveys will ask you two different sets of questions, depending on if you are a consumer or a business owner.

The consumer survey will ask you to update us on what events or venues you have attended and services you have used recently in our communities.

Chesterfield Town Centre vicar lane high street

The business survey will ask about your performance and any changes you have noticed in the last three months (July 2023-September 2023).

Please spend a few minutes to complete the relevant questionnaire. The results will allow us to monitor the performance of the town, the success of marketing campaigns and business support and will help to shape future activity to support high street businesses across the borough.

The survey will close on 13 November 2023.

At the end of the consumer questionnaire, there is an opportunity to win two free tickets to see Aladdin at The Winding Wheel Theatre which is on stage from 1 December 2023 to 2 January 2024. The winner will be notified by email or phone by 24 November 2023.

Businesses who complete the survey, will have the chance to enter a prize draw to win advertising for your business in the Destination Chesterfield business or leisure e-shot (worth £100).

The Leisure E-shot which is sent to nearly 8,000 contacts on a weekly basis or The Business E-shot which is sent to almost 5,000 contacts on a weekly basis.

A winner will be drawn in Spring 2024. To qualify for the prize draw, you must have filled out the previous surveys in May and July 2023 as well as this survey and the planned one January 2024.

The email the banner ad will feature in will depend on the type of services and products the winning business delivers – the most relevant email will be selected by matching the business end consumer with the email’s audience.

Complete the surveys here:

Business:
https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/5c6siw

Consumer:
https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/7tbl3t

Winding Wheel

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Top marks for Chesterfield in regional ‘In Bloom’ competition

Chesterfield has scored top marks in the East Midlands In Bloom competition.

The town has once again won the Best Small City category, alongside a Gold Award – improving its score from last year.

As well as winning the overall Small City category, the town also won a number of other awards including a Judge’s Discretionary Award for Hunloke Allotments, Least Littered Community, a Gold Award for the Britannia Inn and Best New Permanent Landscape for the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Representatives from the Chesterfield In Bloom committee and Chesterfield Borough Council were presented with the award at a ceremony on Wednesday 20 September.

Councillor Jonathan Davies, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It is absolutely brilliant that we have managed to win this competitive category once again and the other awards are also a fantastic victory for our borough. I want to thank all the volunteers and officers who put their time and effort into supporting our entry every year.

“Awards like this are important because they help raise the profile of our town but also recognise the way in which fantastic green spaces can have a positive impact in our community.”

Chris Turner, chair of the Chesterfield In Bloom committee, said: “There is a lot of preparation from many different community groups and the council to ensure the borough is looking its best in time for judging. I’m delighted that we’ve won this award again, it’s fantastic to be recognised for our efforts.”

Judging for East Midlands In Bloom took place in July and the judges were taken on a tour of the borough, starting in Queen’s Park, they visited the town centre, the Dementia Awareness Garden, the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre, Holmebrook Valley Country Park, the Britannia Inn, Hunloke Allotments, Brimington community garden and the pocket park on Edinburgh Road Park.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield – a great day out or to stay, located in the centre of the UK.

Chesterfield in Bloom July 2023

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Construction progressing on major cold store expansion for Magnavale

Magnavale, one of the UK’s leading providers of temperature-controlled storage, has announced that its development currently taking place at its Chesterfield cold storage facility has made significant progress, and is on track to be completed in late 2024.

Since breaking ground in February 2023, construction of Magnavale’s Chesterfield cold storage expansion has progressed smoothly. As of August 2023, the company reports that the steel framework is now complete, and the installation of insulated wall and roof panels is also nearing completion.

A Magnavale spokesperson said: “Over the month of September, the construction crew will be finishing the roof membrane and intumescent painting of the new steelwork. Concurrently, work will commence on the small plant rooms and internal services including electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, and other systems.

“On completion, the expansion will add a significant 25,000 pallet positions to the cold stores’ existing capacity of 44,000, bringing the total pallet capacity of the facility to 69,000, making it one of the largest cold stores in the area.

“This expansion will not only accommodate the increasing volumes of Magnavale’s existing customers but also open doors to new customers wanting to utilise Magnavale’s temperature-controlled facilities and value-added services.
The facility features one of the most comprehensive portfolios of value-added services, encompassing, blast freezing, microwave up-tempering and contract packing.

“Coupled with its strategic location, just off the M1, Magnavale Chesterfield is extremely desirable for food manufacturers that wish to cut unnecessary cost, risk, and complexity from their cold chain.”

Well served by the M1 and the Midland Mainline, Chesterfield is within one hour’s drive of four major airports and London is under two hours by rail. Find out more about why the town is perfectly located to base your business.

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

magnavale cold store expansion

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Investors praise Chesterfield’s location and lifestyle in new campaign

A series of short films celebrating small and medium-sized companies investing in Chesterfield during 2023 have been premiered online by Destination Chesterfield, the organisation responsible for promoting Derbyshire’s largest town as a place to invest, work, live and visit.

The Why Chesterfield, Why Now? films, which are being published and promoted across a range of online and social media channels, including YouTube and the Destination Chesterfield website, seek to inspire more businesses to locate in Chesterfield and attract investors to the Chesterfield Investment Summit, which will take place in October.

They feature four companies – ChargedEV, Rosewood Wealth Management, NeoDyne and Voeberg Hospitality – that have already created more than 100 jobs in Chesterfield and are expected to invest over £5.6 million in the town’s facilities over the next ten years.

All four business leaders featured in the films cited Chesterfield’s central location and transport connections as significant benefits of being located in the town. They also mentioned lifestyle, access to talent and a supportive investment environment as reasons to base businesses in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield will hold its eighth annual investment summit on 18 October 2023, which will outline the town’s growth strategy, detail new investment opportunities, and provide an update on development activities. More than 200 delegates, including domestic and commercial property investors and business leaders from the UK, are expected to attend the event, which is sponsored by East Midlands Chamber and Turner & Townsend.

Data shared in Chesterfield’s growth strategy, published in April 2023, show the town’s business population grew by more than a fifth (21 per cent) in the last decade and created 2,000 new jobs. Chesterfield aims to attract 400 more businesses and a further 2,000 jobs by 2030.

Matt Close, UK Business Lead at NeoDyne, an Irish industrial automation and electrical engineering company that opened its first UK office at Spire Walk in August, said: “There’s a huge benefit to be able to go and see our manufacturing customers and their processes. Getting to them easily and quickly is why we’ve opened the UK office, and Chesterfield is close to many areas that undertake manufacturing in the UK. There are good transport links from airports, public transport and the road network, a history of engineering excellence in the area, and several local universities we’re partnering with and have recruited from.”

Emily Smith, Director of Voeberg, the property investment company developing The Holywell Hotel in Chesterfield town centre, comments: “We moved from Scotland almost two years ago looking for a new investment area for our residential and commercial projects. Chesterfield was one of the first places we looked at because of the location, and it stood out because of the demand in the area. Chesterfield gave us that kind of local feeling that you don’t get in big cities and the ability to bring something new to the area. Going through this project, we’ve worked closely with the council, which has been massively supportive.”

Mark Pymm, Founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV, an electric vehicle chargepoint installation specialist which relocated to The HQ in March, comments: “We’re already one of the leading installers of EV charging points in the UK, and we expect to maintain that position. We needed new premises that allowed us to grow and scale our customer operations and office-based functions, and this building was prime for that. We chose to maintain a team in Chesterfield because of its transport links and central location, which offer easy access nationwide, and because of the diverse and talented range of people we can get here.”

Donna Robertson, Director of Rosewood Wealth Management, an independent financial advice company relocating to One Waterside Place, part of Chesterfield Waterside, comments: “Chesterfield has a great community feel, people do want to help each other out. It is exciting to be part of that and to be able to grow the business and give back to the community. It was great to get in when Chesterfield Waterside was just starting to take off, and be here from the start, knowing how amazing this development is going to be.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, comments: “Entrepreneurs and SMEs are vital for economic growth and Chesterfield provides this section of the business community with everything they need to thrive. Businesses in Chesterfield enjoy a strategic location in the centre of the UK, offering access to great talent, great transport links and a great quality of life. Chesterfield is investing in the facilities and homes required to deliver sustained growth, support local startups and scaleups, and attract great people and businesses from elsewhere looking for a compelling alternative to big cities.”

Destination Chesterfield has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

The HQ Chesterfield Charged EV

 

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How is Chesterfield creating quality urban spaces for future work and play?

Town centres across the UK must evolve as people demand more experiences and better accessibility. In Chesterfield, several projects are moving forward to improve the look and feel of our key spaces, known as the public realm.

At this point, you might be thinking – ‘What exactly is the public realm?’ In simple terms, it encompasses all publicly owned areas outside of buildings, such as streets, squares, parks, and pedestrian zones. These spaces act as the backdrop for our daily lives, providing settings for social interaction, leisure, and recreation.

Organisations in the town’s Property & Construction Group aim not only to enhance the visual appeal of the town but also to foster a sense of community and pride among its residents.

To find out more, we have been catching up with the people behind some of Chesterfield’s key local public realm projects. Read below to find out about the exciting changes you can expect, or may already have seen across the area.

Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield

We will all see major changes to our town centre over the next couple of years. That is because Chesterfield Borough Council has secured £25m in Levelling-up Funding from the government.

A significant portion of this funding will be spent on improving the public realm in the town. We will benefit from enhancements to the Market and New Square, including more seating, improved lighting, refreshed paving, and a new market layout with modern stalls.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield will improve the look, feel and flow of public spaces across the town centre. We want to celebrate our heritage whilst ensuring the town centre is an attractive place to live, work and visit.

“The improvements aim to encourage people to spend more time in this area, as well as creating enhanced flexible event space to boost visitor numbers.

“Elsewhere, improvements to the public realm will be made along Burlington Street, Rykneld Square and Corporation Street where paving, planting and lighting will be improved.  This will create an enhanced visitor experience when travelling to the market from the railway station and will also support the businesses situated along this route.

“We have already made a start towards this vision with works on Packers Row. This area demonstrates the high standards we are aiming for across the town centre. We expect works to start on the Market area during Spring 2024 with the entire project complete by March 2025.”

Chesterfield Waterside

One Waterside Place

One of Chesterfield’s flagship regeneration schemes, The Chesterfield Waterside project is beginning to come to life.

A new seven-storey office development is now open, with firms such as BHP and Varley operating from there.

But that’s not all!

New homes and leisure spaces will bring a key area close to the railway station back into use.

Speaking on Chesterfield Waterside’s ambitions to create a vibrant public realm for the area, Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group commented: “One of the main aims for the regeneration at Chesterfield Waterside is to deliver a truly sustainable development in which people can live, work and ‘play’.

“A high-quality public realm is integral to this aim. It provides a space which people can truly use and appreciate. It is also essential to the making of a new place adjacent to Chesterfield town centre.

“The main function of the public realm is to make places more accessible. It is about creating permeability through the space, linking the surrounding areas such as the town centre, train station and Chesterfield Canal. We are looking to do this through the creation of new public squares, footpaths and shared surface roads which encourage people to walk rather than drive.

“High-quality public realm also supports retail and leisure trade. It drives footfall as occupiers look to locate to areas which complement their business in a safe environment. To achieve this, we’re focusing strongly on landscaping and design during the planning stages. The aim is to draw people to Chesterfield with unique a unique offering. The public realm is the key to unlocking this.”

Elder Way

elder way public realm bsp

The Chesterfield Elder Way scheme is breathing life into the town’s famous former Co-op department store.

This area has already seen major improvements – from modern paving to the addition of nature. It has been designed to give the northern entrance to the town centre a modern feel. BSP Consulting explains how they have collaborated with partners to transform Elder Way.

Carrie Booth, Business Development Manager at BSP said: “BSP has recently been a part of the team that completed a key public realm project in the town. This involved works to the whole length of Elder Way, along with its junctions with Saltergate and Knifesmithgate. The work was part of the wider Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

“BSP worked alongside Danaher & Walsh, who were appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to carry out the public realm and highway works.

“The recent scheme that our engineers were involved in included reconstruction of existing footways and paved areas. It also included the introduction of trees, pavement widening, taxi rank improvements, and a range of formal and informal pedestrian crossing improvements.

“We worked on de-cluttering the street scene, adding new bus shelters and re-positioning bus stops on Elder Way. Furthermore, we implemented new street furniture, improved the design of loading bays, and carriageway resurfacing.

“Making the town more accessible to residents and visitors will play a key role in its future regeneration. As a result, Chesterfield’s economy will be boosted, attracting future economic growth and creating more jobs. We are excited to be part of the team regenerating the local area.”

Chesterfield Station Masterplan

Plans to transform Chesterfield Station and the areas around it will ensure a bright and inviting welcome to everyone.

The Chesterfield Station Masterplan centres around a new transport hub, capitalising on the benefits of Chesterfield’s proximity to nearby cities.

Chesterfield Borough Council is partnering with Aecom and Whittam Cox Architects on the proposals.  View the plans in more detail here.

The plans include a new public boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists, leading from the station to the town centre. In addition, those walking to and from the town centre will benefit from a new footbridge over the a61 bypass.

Andy Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox and Chair of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group commented: The forthcoming masterplan for Chesterfield Station is not merely a logistical upgrade, but also a reimagining of the space as a welcoming gateway to the town. Careful selection of materials, incorporating both hard and soft landscaping elements, will significantly alter the station’s look and feel.

“Attention to accessibility features, such as well-designed pathways and signage, ensures that the arrival space will be user-friendly for all. By creating a balanced, aesthetically pleasing environment directly outside the station, the masterplan aims to provide a fantastic arrival experience that complements the overall town centre.

“This approach to integrating materials and accessibility features enhances the urban fabric and further solidifies Chesterfield’s status as an increasingly desirable destination.”

Find out more about the wide range of regeneration projects currently taking place in Chesterfield.

To get more information on Chesterfield’s Property & Construction group, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/ or email: PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk.

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Chair’s blog: “It has been delightful to see so many people attending events”

As summer draws to a close, I wanted to reflect on some of the fantastic activities which have happened in our town over the last few months…

It has been delightful to see so many people attending events, bringing local communities together and supporting our independent businesses.

Back in June, we saw some fantastic cricket as Derbyshire played host to Yorkshire at Queen’s Park, with Derbyshire coming out victorious in front of a fifth successive sell-out crowd.

The Chesterfield Canal Festival also saw more than 8,000 people visiting Staveley. It is brilliant to hear of the work Chesterfield Canal Trust is carrying out with partners to restore the canal and the Staveley basin.

Elsewhere, Chesterfield’s reputation for having one of the biggest and best Pride festivals in the region was once again showcased, with more than 5,000 attendees enjoying ‘90s boyband, A1 and rapper Tinchy Stryder.

The first-ever Chesterfield Children’s Festival proved a hit with youngsters, with silent discos, comedy clubs, theatre workshops, and more. It is wonderful to see that our town is providing a quality leisure offer for people of all ages.

One of the events which really stirred emotions was the Sparkle Night Walk, in aid of Ashgate Hospice. A record 3,100 people took part, raising over £150,000 for a charity which I know is dear to so many in our area. A big well done to everyone who got involved.

We also saw the first-ever Peddler Market in Chesterfield, which was welcomed to the town centre with resounding success. It was great to see people enjoying quality food and drink from the traders, including Chesterfield’s own Pizza Pi! I can’t wait to see its return on the 15th and 16th of September.

I’m excited to see how Chesterfield’s programme of events continues to develop in the coming years, with upcoming regeneration in our marketplace set to create a more communal and social space in the heart of the town. Somewhere you will enjoy sitting and chatting with family and friends.

Plans for next year include a new market layout with modern stalls, more seating, better lighting, and refreshed paving. This will all provide the flexibility needed to host events regularly in the town centre, providing that much-needed footfall for our independent shops, bars, and restaurants. The regeneration will go ahead thanks to £25m of funding, secured by Chesterfield Borough Council, with the market being just part of a major project that will see several improvements to our town centre, including the Stephenson Memorial Hall. Who knows what fun awaits once all the work is completed!?

I hope that we can all continue to support our local events, businesses, and people. By doing so, we can make a huge impact on the future economic growth of our area by attracting more visitors to stay here, more families to live here and more businesses to invest here.

Peddler Market

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