Development

Robinson Packaging joins Britain’s biggest businesses to champion green recovery

CEO of Chesterfield’s Robinson PLC, Dr Helene Roberts, represented the packaging industry at a virtual meeting of over 200 business leaders to kick-start plans to make Britain a global leader of environmentally sustainable economies.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference. The event was due to take place in Glasgow in November but has now been postponed, threatening to slow efforts to tackle climate change and declining biodiversity.

The aim of the virtual event was to ensure that building an environmentally sustainable economy is back at the top of the agenda. Business leaders met with COP26 President and Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Environment Secretary George Eustice to plan the UK’s journey to COP26, now scheduled to take place in November 2021. The event was organised by the Council for Sustainable Business (CSB), in partnership with Defra.

Businesses including Unilever, Standard Chartered, Direct Line and Sainsbury’s heard film director and climate change campaigner Richard Curtis lead discussions on how the UK business community is inspiring action to repair our planet. Senior representatives from more than 200 businesses, NGOs and Government took part in the meeting.

Dr Helene says: “It was a truly inspirational event and I was delighted and proud to have taken part in what we hope will be a game changing commitment globally. As a company we are continually striving to become the best we can be environmentally and it is exciting to see other industries playing their part in a series of dramatic commitments which will help drive rapid and transformational change”.

Delegates focused on the steps being taken to advance a sustainable, green future and the need to take extraordinary actions to cut carbon emissions and restore nature and wildlife over the next 10 years, driving a ‘decade of difference’ for climate change and nature.

Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent and CEO of the Council for Sustainable Business commented: “Business leaders have faced unprecedented challenges these past months and planning a sustainable future has slipped out of focus for many. It is more important than ever that we stay committed to make Britain a world leader when it comes to sustainable business operations which protect the environment for our future generations.”

“Every business in the UK has a role to play in delivering this. That is why today we are challenging ourselves and others to kickstart this new approach and commit to rapid and real transformations, proving that Britain can rise to the green recovery challenge.”

George Eustice, Environment Secretary said: “While the world has rightly been focused on tackling the immediate threat of coronavirus, the great global challenges of climate change, and nature and biodiversity loss have not gone away.”

“That’s why, especially ahead of COP26 in Glasgow next year, the government has committed to delivering a green and resilient recovery; the show of support from business leaders prioritising reducing emissions and restoring nature will play a huge part in delivering this and ensuring that the UK continues to be a global leader in protecting our environment for future generations.”

The event represents a key moment in the business community’s commitment to working with Government to deliver a green and resilient economy, aligning government policy and industrial scale to deliver ambitious environmental solutions.

Robinson Packaging supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

CrossCountry services reinstated after lobbying efforts

CrossCountry have reinstated a number of rail services to Chesterfield after outcry from local residents and a lobbying campaign led by the leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, Cllr Tricia Gilby.

CrossCountry had announced that no services would stop at Chesterfield from the 6th July.

Following this announcement Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, wrote to the Regional Director of CrossCountry, making representations in the ‘strongest possible terms’ to reinstate the service as soon as possible.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, supported this: “The station and its excellent connectivity is an integral part of the growth ambitions of Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield wholeheartedly supports Chesterfield Borough Council’s lobbying to get CrossCountry’s decision reversed.”

Following the lobbying efforts and outcry from local rail users CrossCountry have had a change of heart and direct services will continue at peak times with connecting services to Derby and Sheffield at off peak times.

Commenting on the decision from CrossCountry, Councillor Tricia Gilby said: “I am delighted to hear that hourly CrossCountry train services at Chesterfield will be continuing during the busiest times of day.”

“As soon as I was made aware of the threat to CrossCountry services being withdrawn from Chesterfield station I wrote a very strongly worded letter to the Regional Director and involved local MP’s. We followed this up with very constructive conversations with CrossCountry and their new Regional Leadership Team.”

“Chesterfield Borough Council and our partners across Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and East Midlands have been campaigning for the full re-instatement of the CrossCountry service since we heard it may be withdrawn.”

“In normal circumstances around 620,000 passengers a year use CrossCountry services at Chesterfield, and whilst we are trying to rebuild the local economy and minimise the negative impacts on residents of our Borough and surrounding area, the action being proposed to temporarily suspend of all CrossCountry stops at Chesterfield from 6 July was appalling.”

“These services are critical to key workers and the growing numbers of people that are beginning to travel as the lockdown eases. The provision of regular and reliable public transport will be an essential part of our Coronavirus recovery plans for the Borough and northern Derbyshire communities.”

“I look forward to working with CrossCountry as our HS2 led regeneration proposals for the train station take shape over forthcoming months.”

Click here to find out more about HS2 in Chesterfield

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

Chesterfield manufacturer to increase workforce by 20%

A booming post-lockdown order book has prompted a Chesterfield manufacturer to create new full-time jobs, significantly increasing its workforce by more than 20 per cent.

Blachford UK, based in Holmewood, is looking for 20 people to fulfil a number of jobs and add to its growing work force. The available roles include multi-skilled maintenance engineers, apprentices, FLT Drivers and production operatives. All roles are available to start immediately and, following a 12-week probation period, will become permanent.

The pandemic left the business fearing for its future after it was forced to furlough all staff and shut the factory down for four weeks. After implementing social distancing measures and being given the green light by the Government to re-open, Blachford has since been met with unexpected demand for its acoustic insulation products which it produces for industrial vehicles.

Jason Lippitt, Managing Director, explained: “It’s a complete turnaround situation and a very enviable position to be in considering the current economic climate. Like many manufacturers, lockdown came as a real blow to us and created uncertainty in the business. However, since re-opening the factory, orders from our European and British customers have flooded in, securing the future of Blachford and creating brand new jobs. It’s a great sign for the local economy and manufacturing as a whole.”

Jason added: “All these new roles are part of the company’s growing future. It’s vital to me that all employees progress successfully in their career with Blachford and, more importantly, enjoy being part of a fantastic team.”

People interested in applying for the roles or who like further information, should email recruitment@blachforduk.com

Click here to find out more about locating your business in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

D2N2 LEP allocated £44.4m in Government ‘New Deal’ plan

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, has received a £44.4 million cash boost from the government to fund projects that will help the local economy and create jobs.

The ‘New Deal’ announcement is part of a comprehensive plan by government to deliver upgrades to local infrastructure and boost skills in a move to fuel economic recovery across the whole of the UK.

Answering a national call from Government, D2N2, together with partners from across the region, put forward a long list of compelling and innovative projects to deliver growth and continue to develop the talent, ideas, and facilities in the region.

These projects will now be evaluated by government to identify which will receive funding and deliver the most value in terms of restarting the local economy and meeting the future challenges of levelling up the UK. Successful projects will need to demonstrate they meet LEP key priorities and can be completed by the end of 2021.

David Williams, Interim Chair of D2N2, said: “We very much welcome the announcement by government. This will provide a major stimulus for our cities, towns and communities.”

“We believe the size of the allocation demonstrates a belief in what the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can deliver and a testament to the collaborative working between the LEP and its partners.”

“We will continue to work with partners as we begin negotiations with the government to determine which projects will receive funding based on their ability to accelerate growth and create employment.”

“As we reshape our Local Industrial Strategy to reflect the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic it’s essential we remain flexible to support our communities, that we adapt to new opportunities, and build an economy that it is more resilient in the long term.”

“We will continue to work with government on future funding for investments to support our ambitions for the region.”

This fast-tracking of investment, totalling £11 million, will help kick-start activity in towns and high streets across the East Midlands, ensuring local people can see and feel the benefit as soon as possible.

The investment will support economic recovery as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and will be used to improve digital infrastructure; support skills and career opportunities; and the transition to a low carbon economy.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chesterfield businesses can apply for free graduate recruitment scheme

Chesterfield’s SME businesses are being invited to access expert help to attract, select, recruit and train graduates through a region-wide funded scheme.

RISE is a unique business support initiative, focussed on enabling small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow through the employment of graduate talent.

RISE is delivered through a well-established collaboration of the region’s local authorities, universities and a specialist private sector delivery partner working together to provide thetailored support your business needs.

RISE makes the recruitment process easier for businesses, saving costs, time and increasing their access to a wider pool of suitable graduates; but more importantly it is about helping develop your know-how and capabilities, providing the practical tools that will enable you to confidently recruit graduates in the future.

This service is free of charge to businesses and a limited number of one-off small grants are available towards employment costs.

To be eligible your business must:

  • Be an SME based in the Sheffield City Region
  • Currently employ fewer than 250 people
  • Not already be routinely employing graduates
  • Be looking to create new/additional graduate-level jobs

SMEs who have used the scheme previously can access the scheme again, providing they meet the eligibility criteria.

To find out more about the RISE project, download the information brochure here or by calling 0114 221 0220.

The deadline for applications to get involved is Wednesday 29th July.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Featured, Home

Free advertising for Chesterfield businesses

To help support local businesses that are re-opening, and to showcase Chesterfield as a great place to visit, Chesterfield Borough Council is offering retail, hospitality and leisure businesses the chance to take out free listings on the VisitChesterfield website until 31 March 2021.

Councillor Kate Sarvent said: “We know things have been tough for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses over the past few months. It is hoped this advertising opportunity will assist them with the process of reopening and provide a timely sales boost.”

Kate added: “VisitChesterfield aims to promote the town and its businesses to potential tourists as well as local residents, so this free advertising provides a great opportunity for these businesses to let customers, both old and new, know that they are back open for business.”

Independent businesses who are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should visit www.visitchesterfield.info/advertising, complete the application form and send it to events.promo@chesterfield.gov.uk along with high resolution landscape images of their business.

Destination Chesterfield are also offering free listings to local businesses on their new Supporting Local website – www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal. It currently has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that have adapted to provide and supply their products and services remotely.

Many town centre businesses are positive about their future following the success of the Shop Local message which has been championed by Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Borough Council throughout lockdown.

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Development approved for site of former multi-storey car park

A McDonald’s restaurant and drive through has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee for the site of the former West Bars multi-storey car park. 

The new development will create 65 jobs and will see regeneration of a site, which has laid derelict since the car park was demolished in 2015. 

The application has explained that the new building will have a distinctive glazed frontage, which will offer views into a bright and lively customer area. 

The development will create 65 jobs for the community and staff will be given the opportunity to develop through McDonald’s internal training programmes, including nationally recognised qualifications in hospitality, literacy and numeracy. 

Chesterfield currently has over £1 billion of regeneration projects moving forward.  Find out more about the regeneration of chesterfield. 

McDonalds West Bars Artists Impression

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

New high-quality apartments set to add vibrancy to Chesterfield town centre

ALB Group have bought Burlington House, a four-storey 37,000 sq ft building located on Burlington Street in Chesterfield’s town centre for a seven-figure sum, and aim to convert the office block into apartments.

The company is set to apply to Chesterfield Borough Council for planning permission to turn the two, largely vacant, upper floors into 40 high-quality apartments. The ground floor would be kept for commercial use, where tenants already include Rebel Menswear, H Samuel, BetFred, Bird’s Bakery and Max Speilman.

Property consultants FHP acted on behalf of the previous owners and sold the building to ALB Group. The company has looked after lettings in the building over the past five years.

Arran Bailey, Managing Director of ALB Group, explained the attraction of the investment. He said: “The offices will make fantastic flats in the centre of Chesterfield, which will increase footfall on the high street.”

“The development will breathe life into this part of the town, adding vitality and vibrancy.”

“Chesterfield is such a good area to invest in as it is in a great location, with the Peak District and M1 on its doorstep, and it is an ideal, affordable commuter base for those working in cities like Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham, with London less than two hours away by train.”

“There are multiple million-pound projects, such as the Chesterfield Waterside and Northern Gateway developments, underway. It’s not a typical market town.”

Oliver Marshall, Associate Director at FHP, said: “The upper floors comprise of two floors of office space sectioned into individual small office suites which have been predominantly vacant for the last five years.”

“The tenants in the ground-floor retail space will stay and I’m sure Arran will look at bringing in more to fill the empty units.”

“In terms of the upper floors, the natural light and windows and the structure of the building mean it would lend itself well to a conversion to apartments.”

If approved, the scheme is expected to take 50 weeks to complete.

Click here to find out more about the Chesterfield Waterside development

Click here to find out more about the Northern Gateway development

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chesterfield Borough Council receives support from Re-opening the High Street Safely Fund

Chesterfield Borough Council has received £92,500 in funding from the Re-opening the High Street Safely Fund.

The funding is primarily for use in Chesterfield town centre, but can also be used to support the re-opening of other district shopping areas such as Staveley town centre, Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor.

The Government has allocated the funding from the European Regional Development Fund, as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, to help support the process of reopening England’s high streets safely. The European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

The funding, which will be used in collaboration with Destination Chesterfield, will help implement new measures to encourage the safe re-opening of Chesterfield town centre considering the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the need to promote and maintain safe social distancing.

Some of the funding will also be used for communication and public information campaigns to market the town centre and the borough as a place to visit and to encourage more and more people to shop local. More information about how the funding will be spent will be announced over the coming weeks.

Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Businesses and organisations across Chesterfield have shown great resilience during the lockdown period. Experiences with our Chesterfield Champions and other local companies has shown that businesses are keen to pull together and come out the other side of the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever.”

He added: “The Destination Chesterfield team will continue to promote the Shop Local message over the coming months and to support retailers in their recovery.”

Launched in April by Destination Chesterfield, the Supporting Local website has helped Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

Chesterfield Borough Council has already used some of the funding on signage and road and pavement markings to support shoppers to maintain safe social distancing around the outdoor market, market hall and Chesterfield town centre.

Click here to find out more about Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Two new units announced at Markham Vale in £25 million deal

Work to build two large new industrial units has started at Derbyshire County Council and HBD’s flagship regeneration site Markham Vale, signalling confidence in Derbyshire’s future economic prospects.

Aver Property Partnership Limited, a joint venture between Ergo and NFU Mutual, is building the 2 units at Markham Vale, off junction M1 29a, in a £25 million deal.

The units, measuring 221,518 square feet and 75,000 square feet, are being built on the north side of the business and logistics park and will be available to purchase or lease. Construction of the 2 units will be carried out by Derbyshire-based firm Bowmer and Kirkland.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “This investment in Markham Vale shows a great level of confidence in the Derbyshire economy and its potential for growth.”

“As we continue our work to support local businesses to recover from the downturn brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important that we continue to provide new opportunities for investment, bringing the potential for new jobs and helping to keep the economy moving.”

“This deal sends a strong signal to other investors that Derbyshire is a place that helps businesses to survive and thrive and I’m pleased that the construction contract has been awarded to a local business providing a further boost for the area and the local economy.”

Anthony Clitheroe, Director at HBD, said: “Both investors and occupiers are attracted by the high-quality build available at Markham Vale, combined with our proactive, partnership-led approach to development and proven track-record of delivering on time and to budget.”

Click here to find out more about Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home

Supporting Chesterfield retailers is vital for our local economy

After many long weeks of lockdown we are at last starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. We are also discovering what may be the ‘new normal’.

Social distancing is becoming a way of life, and for a friendly town like Chesterfield, this is something people can’t find easy or natural. However, I feel positive about the prospects for the town’s economic recovery following a recent report compiled by the Local Data Company.

According to the report, Chesterfield is one of the UK’s most resilient town centres in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that we could recover more quickly from lockdown than other towns and cities.

Our resilience is attributed to the fact that we have a high percentage of essential retail which has still been able to trade during the pandemic, including market stall holders such as Ibbotson’s, and Market Hall traders like Cheese Factor and Elliot RB & Son. This has helped maintain the strength of the local economy.

Having an open air market has also put us in good stead for the re-opening of the town as it can be easily reconfigured to allow for social distancing. As it did more than 800 years ago, Chesterfield’s open air market is once again breathing life into the town centre.

While much of our shopping has had to be done online during the lockdown period, it has made many of us realise the importance of the social aspect of shopping, and the ability to ‘shop local’. We miss the opportunity to bump into friends and acquaintances and enjoy the sights and sounds of the town centre while out shopping.

During lockdown we have truly witnessed Chesterfield become a ghost town through no fault of our own. We should treat this experience as a warning, just like Charles Dickens’ the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. With an empty town centre during lockdown, people have had a real chance to see what may happen if they choose not to shop local, and to make use of the facilities which are available.

Local businesses have been a lifeline to many people during the lockdown period. As the town’s market and shops re-open as we ease out of lockdown, keep in mind the importance of these businesses – they offer a shopping experience that you just can’t get online. Make shopping local part of your new normal.

Click here to view the Destination Chesterfield Supporting Local pages

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Visiting