Development

Reserved Matters planning approval granted for office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside

25th July 2019

Only weeks after the green light was given for the construction of 173 new homes at Chesterfield Waterside, permission has been granted to deliver 32,000 sq ft of high quality, grade ‘A’ office accommodation together with ground floor retail space of 5,286 sq ft at the £340million development.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted reserved matters approval for the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the seven-storey office building which represents the first step in delivering Phase 1 of the Basin Square neighbourhood at Chesterfield Waterside.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, the new office building is the first grade A office building to be delivered in Chesterfield for some time and will provide much needed ‘grade A’ office accommodation for the towns businesses. The sites location adjacent to Chesterfield town centre will enable occupiers to benefit from the full range of services that the Town can offer. The site is also situated adjacent to Chesterfield train station and benefits from excellent access to the A61, providing an attractive location to businesses throughout the region.

Developer of the Waterside site, Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc, is already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space within the new building.

When complete, the first phase of the £75m Basin Square neighbourhood will also see the delivery of residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a high quality public realm area overlooking the newly constructed canal basin. Bolsterstone reports significant interest from both investors and occupiers in all aspects of Phase 1 of Basin Square and hopes to be in a position to make further exciting announcements shortly.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “I am delighted that Chesterfield Waterside continues to move forward apace. The granting of reserved matters planning approval for the office building at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and also Chesterfield’s business community, as the local property market is currently lacking in the supply of high quality, large floorplate office space. It is an exciting stage in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “Chesterfield Waterside is a substantial development for the borough with business, retail and resident elements.”

“I’m really pleased to see the development move a step forward with the reserved matters approved for the high-quality office accommodation at Basin Square and look forward to work beginning on site.”

“With its central location and excellent transport links, Chesterfield is a great location for business and we have a proven track record of growing local businesses and for existing businesses locating here and this will complement the current business accommodation in the borough.”

The scheme is making significant progress in 2019 with Avant Homes beginning the construction of 173 two, three and four-bedroom homes at the site. Named Waterside Quarter, Avant Homes’ £36 million development will form part of The Park character area of Chesterfield Waterside and will be the company’s largest site in the Chesterfield area to date.

Recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, Chesterfield Waterside is being led by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Group Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

For further information about office accommodation at Chesterfield Waterside visit www.chesterfieldwaterside.com.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Speaker line-up announced for 2019 Chesterfield Investment summit

24th July 2019

One of the 100 most influential women in technology, Polly Barnfield OBE, is headlining the speaker line-up at the third Chesterfield Investment Summit which is being held on Wednesday 11 September.

Founder and CEO of Maybe*, Polly is part of the UK Government’s High Street Task Force which was launched by High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP on 2 July to support local leaders to revitalise high streets and town centres.

As part of her presentation, Polly will address how Chesterfield businesses can use social media analysis to attract shoppers and revitalise the modern high street.

The free to attend business event, which is being held at Casa Hotel in Chesterfield from 8.30am – 12 noon, will give delegates a detailed overview of investment opportunities in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

The event is organised by Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Destination Chesterfield and Marketing Derby joint partners in the EU funded Invest in D2N2 project with a focus on promoting Derbyshire both nationally and globally as the place to invest for growth and quality of life. The event is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

In addition to Polly Barnfield, speakers at the event will also include by Peter Storey, Head of Markham Vale at Derbyshire County Council who will update on the 200-acre business park considered to be Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme and Dr. Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council.

As well as the keynote speakers, there will be a networking breakfast, exhibition and a question and answer panel with speakers and local decision makers.

Commenting on the event, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “The town is renowned for bucking the trend, from retail figures to tourism, but we must not rest on our laurels. The annual Investment Summit is an excellent opportunity for the business community to come together and understand the investment potential of the town, be enthused for the future and work with each other to ensure we achieve Chesterfield’s potential.”

Places at the free business event are limited and booking is essential. To secure your place, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-investment-summit/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Five Chesterfield parks keep their Green Flags

19th July 2019

Five of Chesterfield’s parks maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council have once again received Green Flag awards.

The parks and open spaces, maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council, received the recognition from the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy after inspections held last month.

The Green Flags were awarded to:

Eastwood Park, Hasland
Holmebrook Valley Park
Poolsbrook Country Park
Queen’s Park
The grounds of Chesterfield and District Crematorium in Brimington, which are maintained by Chesterfield Borough Council on behalf of the Chesterfield and District Joint Crematorium Committee, which consists of Bolsover District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “I’m really proud of the quality of the parks and open spaces we have here in Chesterfield.”

“They are appreciated by our residents and visitors and are a credit to the staff and volunteers who work hard year-round to maintain them to the highest standards which have once again been recognised by the Green Flag award.”

This international award is a sign to the public that the green spaces space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Upgrades to Chesterfield Railway Station included in new rail plan

18th July 2019

An ambitious new plan for the future of the Sheffield City Region’s rail network has been launched by Mayor Dan Jarvis.

The Integrated Rail Plan, has been welcomed by the Department for Transport. It was produced by Sheffield City Region and its local authority partners, supported by organisations including Transport for the North (TfN).

It sets out a vision for how the region will be better connected by both high speed and conventional rail networks into the future – regionally, across the North, and nationally.

The plan recognises that, while the benefits of national investment in HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), should be maximised, there needs to be ongoing, complementary investment in the local and regional rail and road networks. By doing this, the plan can best improve capacity, reliability, affordability, and journey times for communities and businesses across the Sheffield City Region.

Key elements of the plan include a proposed new Barnsley Dearne Valley railway station, with the preferred location on a site in Goldthorpe; the creation of a new Midland Main Line station in Rotherham; an East Coast Main Line railway station at Doncaster Sheffield Airport; extension of the Tram-Train, the upgrade of the Hope Valley Line; and significant upgrades of the railway stations at both Sheffield and Chesterfield, to accommodate HS2 services.

Mayor Dan Jarvis said: “This is a landmark moment for our region. For the first time, Government, regional partners and our local authorities have come together to welcome a vision for the future of our rail services, creating a Plan that will revolutionise rail travel for our communities.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I welcome the integration and improvements plans of routes between Chesterfield and other locations in the north of the country.

“The arrival of HS2 in Chesterfield is a fantastic opportunity to improve transport links at our railway station and we are confident that our residents will benefit from these changes.

“This also opens great opportunities for local people in terms of our growing economy, new jobs and the improvement of journey times.

“The plan continues to emphasise the importance of delivering the HS2 Station Master Plan, but there are some other initiatives linked to the Northern Powerhouse investment decision that will help to achieve objectives including further track investment and the proposal of services stopping twice per hour in the borough.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Champions working together for local house hunters

18th July 2019

Two Chesterfield Champions are now working together to provide house hunters in Chesterfield with a sleek and professional home buying service.

Chesterfield based mortgage advisers Mortgage 1st and local Estate Agent Pinewood Property Estates are now proudly working together to enhance the home buying experience for their customers in Chesterfield and surrounding areas.

When a customer visits Pinewood Properties in search of a new home or buy-to-let investment they are met by an award winning team of estate agents, led by Stacey Davies-Bowler, who will assist them in finding the ideal property.

To put in an offer to buy a property, the customer needs an AIP (Agreement in Principle) which is proof that they can get a mortgage. Mortgage 1st has a team of experienced mortgage advisers, led by Jon Stones, that can search the market to find the best mortgage deal available to them based on their circumstances.

The two local businesses have come together to do what they do best and will provide expertise, guidance and exceptional levels of service to meet the needs of the modern house hunter of today.

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

£1.15 million refurbishment of homes completed

15th July 2019

An event took place to re-open Chesterfield Borough Council’s Glebe Court in Old Whittington after a 1.15million refurbishment was completed.

Located on The Glebe Way, the property includes 22 one bedroom flats and has been refurbished throughout to create both a bright and welcoming living environment for residents.

Glebe Court is one of the council’s housing schemes for older residents in the borough.

During the renovations Glebe Court’s residents were relocated to other nearby properties, with the choice to either return to their former flats after the works were complete or to stay in their new accommodation. Eight of the original residents returned to the scheme following completion of the works.

The flats have all been altered to feature a balcony allowing fresh air and natural light to fill the newly refurbished kitchen and lounge areas, including space to fit a washing machine. The bathrooms have been converted into wet rooms with level access showers and the bedrooms all feature built-in wardrobes creating the sense of more space within the same footprint.

The communal lounge has been given a facelift with new floor to ceiling windows installed. The small kitchen space in the communal area has also been opened up into the lounge with the addition of a breakfast bar meaning that even when making drinks, residents can remain part of any activities that are taking place. A quiet room has also been designed upstairs to allow residents to escape the communal areas if they want to.

What was once the laundry room has been transformed into a treatment room complete with specialist equipment making it useable as a hair salon and nail care room with mobile businesses visiting residents regularly to offer their services.

External areas at the property have been extensively re-modelled, including a patio area outside the communal lounge, a mobility scooter store and a walkway which provides a short cut to the local shops.

The opening event was attended by a number of guests including members of Chesterfield Borough Council, staff and contractors linked who were involved in the renovation works.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The new facilities at Glebe Court are great. I have spoken to a number of residents about what they think about the refurbishments and have received positive feedback. It’s good to see that all options have been considered from creating welcoming shared spaces to comfortable flats that are bright and inviting.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Two new businesses open in Markham House

15th July 2019

Chesterfield’s Lordsmill Street is reinventing itself as the Harley Street of Derbyshire, following the opening of two new businesses in the former Markham House.

The two-storey building has been transformed into premises for The Goldsmith Clinic and Lucy Shakespeare Personal Training and Sports Therapy. The businesses are private specialists in non surgical aesthetic treatments, health and wellbeing and were unveiled at a launch event held on Thursday 11 July.

The Goldsmith Clinic and Lucy Shakespeare Personal Training and Sports Therapy are the first businesses to take up residence in Markham House which was acquired by Chesterfield based property investment company Lodge Farm Estates in September last year. At the time, the deal represented the single largest transaction in Chesterfield for a number of years.

Both businesses have relocated from outside the town centre into their new Lordsmill Street premises following growth in demand for their services.

The premises have undergone a radical facelift following its previous guise as a nightclub. Now unrecognisable, Lucy Shakespeare Personal Training and Sports Therapy which is based on the first floor, features an air conditioned, fully equipped gym which offers one-to-one and group training sessions.

Owner of the business Lucy Shakespeare said: “This is my dream. I am passionate about health and fitness and helping people be the best version of themselves. The Goldsmith Clinic and I share the same strong desire to provide high quality, accessible and friendly service. Having the two businesses side by side means that we can provide a completely holistic approach to health, fitness and wellbeing. It’s a very exciting time for both of us.”

Formerly known as TAG Aesthetics, The Goldsmith Clinic, which is owned by the highly respected registered nurse practitioner and aesthetics specialist Theresa Goldsmith, is based on the second floor of the building and boasts a light and airy reception with three modern treatment rooms and a training room.

Theresa said: “Lucy and I have both created unique spaces in beautiful surroundings. Together we have brought to life a dream we have long had to create the ultimate space for aesthetics, health and wellbeing. It is something we believe that Chesterfield can be truly proud. We represent the very best in industry standards and training in our respective fields and we are delighted to bring our shared vision under one roof at Markham House.”

David Tate, director of Lodge Farm Estates commented: “I am delighted that Lucy and Theresa have brought a bit of Harley Street to Lordsmill Street. They are the first occupiers of this landmark building which is undergoing a significant amount of investment and breathing life and energy back into one of the town’s major gateways. The investment is ongoing as we continue to refurbish 14,000 sq ft and we shortly hope to welcome further occupiers to Markham House.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

‘Step Up’ Programme Comes to Vicar Lane

9th July 2019

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is working with Derbyshire Adult Community Education (DACES), who work on behalf of Derbyshire County Council, to run an education programme for young adults in Chesterfield.

‘Step Up’ is a programme aimed at young people who have completed year 11, being run in the Hunloke Adult Education Centre for 4 weeks this July. The programme is aimed at 16 year olds with no fixed destination for further education, such as college place or apprenticeship.

Vicar Lane is working with organisers on an ‘employer challenge’ within the programme, whereby the young people are set a task within a real-life employment environment. Participants are required to visit the centre to familiarise themselves with the task at hand, meet the team and gather as much information as possible, before going away to work on their ideas. They then have to present their proposed solution back to the employer at the end of the programme.

Vicar Lane has set this year’s participants the task of developing creative solutions for the utilisation of vacant units within the centre. An initial briefing was held at the centre on 4^th July, when the young people visited the centre, explored the empty units, began work on their initial ideas and met with existing retailers to gain insight into life at the centre.

Proposals will be reviewed and winning plans selected on 24^th July. Their plans will be compared to the centre’s own thoughts to see how they align.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Derbyshire Adult Community Education on this valuable initiative, supporting young people who are unsure of their next steps in education or employment. We can’t wait to see what solutions they come up with for our challenge.”

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager added, “It was great for the team at Destination Chesterfield to be able to support DACES to find a partner to deliver this project in Chesterfield. We thank Chesterfield Champion Vicar Lane for their support of this initiative.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development, Made in Chesterfield

New jobs on the way as Superior Spas announces £1.6m expansion

8th July 2019

The UK’s largest independent distributor of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas, ‘Superior Spas’, located in Chesterfield, has successfully secured £1.6m funding to complete its planned expansion, which will see the family brand relocate to specialist 20,000 sq ft premises.

The announced expansion comes as a result of continuing growth and success, which has seen the family-run company quickly become the UK’s leading name in high-end spas. In addition to helping the brand to expand its European reach and capacity, ‘Superior Spas’ is excited to announce the move will also create 30 brand new jobs for the local community.

Currently based in Brimington’s Station Road, ‘Superior Spas’ will be moving to a state-of-the-art warehouse location, which will provide the brand with comprehensive showroom, offices and parking facilities at the former GKN Stokes site, on Sheepbridge Lane in Chesterfield.

Being a family-owned business built on a foundation of family values, ‘Superior Spas’ is committed to playing an active part in supporting the local community. Reflecting this commitment, the company is thrilled to be creating 30 new local jobs as a direct result of the expansion.

Superior Spas was able to obtain financial support for the ambitious expansion, securing £750k from NatWest with the support of Relationship Director, William Islip and also a £150k loan from University of Derby’s Invest to Grow programme.

Assisted by the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub Access to Finance team, Superior Spas has also secured a £249k grant from the Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund.

Neil MacDonald, Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Board Member, said: “The Sheffield City Region Business Investment Fund helps businesses across the region to unlock investment to secure growth and jobs. It’s great to see Superior Spas’ expansion, which is in turn creating 30 new jobs for the region and helping to grow our economy.”

Andrew McDaid, a Partner from Mitchells Chartered Accountants who supported Superior Spas with the raising of finance, said: “Having maximised turnover from their current location, the next natural step was to secure funding for larger premises to enable Superior Spas to continue its growth strategy in Europe.

“We specialise in helping businesses grow, assisting firms of all sizes, to overcome big challenges. We are delighted to assist Superior Spas’ expansion into new premises and drive the company forward in an exciting period of growth.”

On completion the newly built warehouse will bring many benefits to the company including more efficient storage, which will dramatically reduce despatch timescales, a high-end showroom and larger offices allowing for the expansion of the workforce.

The Managing Director of ‘Superior Spas’, Robert Carlin, commented: “The move to our new premises will bring with it a range of benefits to both the company and the local community. The facility will dramatically improve our efficiency by reducing dispatch times, whilst also providing a high-end showroom and offices.

Mr Carlin continued: “With our UK and European business growing year on year, we’re happy to confirm that we’ll be needing another 30 employees to support our success. As a leader in our marketplace, we’d simply outgrown our old premises and needed more modern space to continue moving from strength to strength, both in the UK and abroad.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Local Enterprise Partnership decision

5th July 2019

Chesterfield Borough Council has resolved to remain as a member of Derby Derbyshire Nottingham Nottinghamshire (D2N2) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and to relinquish its membership of Sheffield City Region (SCR) LEP. The Council will, however, remain a non-constituent member of the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is a decision that I neither take lightly nor is it a decision that I believe is necessary. But there is no option if we are to comply with the Government’s requirement for Chesterfield’s businesses and communities to in future be represented by a single LEP.”

“Chesterfield’s businesses and communities have benefitted greatly from the Council being a member of both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP since 2013 with £60 million plus of external funds having been secured for investment in infrastructure, business growth, skills and employment support.”

“We would like this position to continue, however, Whitehall appears determined not to allow the geographies of two LEPs to overlap.”

At a meeting of full Council on 27 February this year, councillors received and considered a detailed report on the Government’s July 2018 review of LEPs.

Councillors noted in particular that councils were to be represented by one LEP from April 2020 contrasting with the position that has existed across many parts of England since 2013 where the businesses and communities of particular local authority areas have been represented by two or more LEPs. This has been the case in Chesterfield borough, where our businesses and communities have been represented by both D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP.

Councillors also noted the Secretary of State’s statement that there would be consequences for non-compliant LEPs. This would include withholding payment of additional capacity funds to support LEPs to develop their respective Local Industrial Strategies and reducing the value of post-Brexit funding allocations (UK Shared Prosperity Fund).

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, continued: “I have a responsibility to act in the best interests of Chesterfield borough’s businesses and communities and indeed of all businesses and communities located within the D2N2 and SCR geographies in not limiting the ability of the two LEPs to realise the full value of their respective post-Brexit funding entitlements.”

“By taking this decision today, D2N2 LEP and SCR LEP will be able to finalise their respective proposals to the Government for geographies which best reflect real functional economic areas and remove overlaps.”

“Whilst our LEP membership will remain with D2N2, Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to maintain an active interest in SCR through its non-constituent membership of the Mayoral Combined Authority. This is viewed as essential to ensure the future alignment of D2N2’s and SCR’s key strategies on critical cross-boundary matters such as HS2 and strategic road networks.”

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re pleased that Chesterfield Borough Council has confirmed its decision to remain a member of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership area. The UK Government had requested that all local authorities, located where two Local Enterprise Partnerships’ areas overlap, must decide which LEP they wished to be a member of.”

“We very much recognise that the borough’s location means its communities look towards both Yorkshire and Derbyshire.”

“We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Sheffield City Region LEP, to provide the Chesterfield area with the best support for its economy.”

The Leader of the Council will provide a full account of the reasons behind the decisions now made at the next meeting of full Council, which takes place on 17 July.

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

Pronto Industrial Paints announces major investment in new factory

2nd July 2019

Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd have announced the acquisition of a new site that will open in the Holmewood community in the near future.

Named PP2, the main investment is an additional factory for Pronto Industrial Paints Ltd located within close proximity to their HQ. The premises will more than treble their existing footprint to 80000 sq. ft.

Further investment in their production site will increase potential output to over 36,000 litres of paint a day.

David Beckford, Managing Director at Pronto, commented “the new purchase comes at a time when other manufacturing businesses are pausing investment, I believe this is a time to be brave and believe in our team and what we can offer. A program of work at Pronto Paints HQ is also underway to make the most of PP2. It is yet to be confirmed how the company will utilise all of the new space. As the building is in need of some restoration we have plenty of time to decide on the most suitable use moving forwards.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Made in Chesterfield