Development

Derbyshire highlights why it is the Uk’s Capital for Innovation at MIPIM

11th March 2019

Derby and Derbyshire are certainly living up to the title of UK Capital for Innovation with recent announcements taking centre stage at MIPIM this week.

The largest-ever delegation from Derby and Derbyshire is promoting the county and city at MIPIM 2019 – the annual global real estate exhibition held in Cannes, France which will be attended by 25,000 delegates.

In Chesterfield the transformation of the town centre has taken another significant step forward as plans for a new enterprise centre have been given the go ahead. The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre will help meet demand for office space to house start up and growing small business and support the council’s existing innovation centres at Dunston and Tapton Park.

Derby City Council has approved Pattonair to develop a 9.7acre site with 80,000sqft warehouse and 15,000sqft office building, located at Infinity Park Aerospace Campus.

The iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park in Derby is now at 100% capacity. The 45,000 sq ft. facility has attracted some of the biggest names in the automotive, rail and aerospace supply chain industries. Tenants include Airbus, Altran, and advanced aviation company VRCO.

Nuclear AMRC Midlands, a new research and innovation centre to support manufacturers across the region, has opened for business in the iHub at Infinity Park, Derby. The new centre is a major expansion of the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and is a collaboration between the Nuclear AMRC, Derby City Council and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Rolls-Royce plc has been awarded a £235m contract to support the Royal Navy’s submarines in a move that will safeguard 500 jobs.

A combination of public and private sector officials are part of the first joint city and county delegation to attend MIPIM, playing a full role in the Midlands UK Pavilion supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield to be showcased at ‘Europe’s premier real estate event’

6th March 2019

Chesterfield will once again appear on the worldwide investment stage when it is showcased at the leading property event – MIPIM – this month.

Now in its 30^th year, MIPIM is regarded as the international platform for industry leaders to connect and do business.

Taking place in Cannes, France, MIPIM is described as ‘Europe’s premier real estate event’. It is expected to attract more than 26,000 of the most influential players in the property industry when it opens its doors from 12 – 15 March later this month.

Both Team Derby and Derbyshire and Sheffield City Region will highlight the investment potential of the borough at MIPIM.

With £1 billion of development already underway and an HS2 station expected in 2033, Chesterfield and north Derbyshire is considered an attractive investment prospect.

The town’s central location and transport networks have made it a magnet for commercial, leisure, industrial and residential investment in recent years and there is further potential to unlock in the town with the right investment.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, explained: “Chesterfield has strong investment potential and Team Derby and Derbyshire and Sheffield City Region take a very compelling pitch to MIPIM 2019 on our behalf.

“We have made huge progress in the town during the 12 months since we were last represented at MIPIM. An HS2 station has been confirmed, planning applications have been submitted for homes and offices at Chesterfield Waterside, the new Saltergate car park is under construction and the Premier Inn, which has been developed in the former Co-op building, is about to open on Elder Way. Make no mistake – there is significant investment potential for the town.

“We are already a town already punching above our weight, made possible by the partnership of public and private sector partnership and investment. We have secured more than £1 billion of development in the borough to create significant opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors, and there is lots more potential just waiting to be unlocked by the right investors.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “With £1 billion worth of development happening in the borough and our excellent travel links by road, rail and air, Chesterfield is ideally placed for investment.

“With the council-led Northern Gateway scheme and as a partner in Chesterfield Waterside, as a council we do all we can to help support local developments and continue to work with investors to bring more opportunities to the borough.”

For further information about investment opportunities in Chesterfield, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/invest

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Local residents form ‘Friends of Monkey Park’ community group

6th March 2019

A group of Brampton & Ashgate residents are coming together to form the ‘Friends of Monkey Park’.

The Friends of Monkey Park is a newly established, volunteer run community group facilitated and hosted by Monkey Park Community Hub on Chester Street. The aim to bring local people together to improve and maintain Chester Street Park (a.k.a. Monkey Park).

The main aims of the group are:

To apply for grant funding and raise funds ourselves, to replace the old and dangerous play area with new play equipment
To work with the local council, police and community to reduce key issues such as littering, dog fouling and antisocial behaviour
To arrange events that bring people into the park
To act as guardians of the park

The first meeting of the group is on 13th March 2019 at 6:30pm at Monkey Park Cafe. Local councillors and members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Green Spaces team will be attending the event.

Kevin Walker, Director at Monkey Park CIC said: “We welcome everyone to our meetings and are keen to hear from all points of view. We want to create a park that is open and accessible to the whole community and would love to hear your views.”

For anyone wishing to get involved with the group, they can be contacted via email – admin@friendsofmonkeypark.org.uk, via Facebook – facebook.com/friendsofmonkeypark or via Twitter – twitter.com/friendsofmonkey.

The group are actively seeking donations and raffle prizes to help fund the project. They have a crowdfunding campaign running at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsofmonkeypark for anyone wishing to donate.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Talk on Chesterfield Canal to take place at the Winding Wheel

5th March 2019

On Wednesday 13th March at 7.30 pm, John Lower, a long-term volunteer at Chesterfield Canal Trust, will be giving a talk at the Winding Wheel on ‘The History and Restoration of the Chesterfield Canal’.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is a charitable company run entirely by volunteers. Their aims are to promote the full restoration and appropriate development of the Chesterfield Canal, and to campaign for the construction of the Rother Valley Link, a navigable waterway to join the Chesterfield Canal to the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

John Lower has been a volunteer on the Chesterfield Canal since 1981, most recently involved in the construction of a replica wooden horse-drawn narrowboat of a type unique to the Chesterfield Canal. He is a well-known writer of waterway guides and magazine articles who has given hundreds of talks about the Chesterfield Canal right across the country.

John’s presentation will feature an illustrated journey along the beautiful and historic Chesterfield Canal. On the way, attendees will discover its history, the 12 miles of restoration already completed and what work is still required to once again link Chesterfield with the River Trent. Guests can also learn about the varied activities of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and its more than 1800 members.

For more information and to book click here.

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

Redbrik acquire property management company

4th March 2019

Leading regional estate agency Redbrik have strengthened their lettings proposition with the acquisition of Noble Hardy Property Management.

Redbrik has purchased the assets of the Chesterfield-based property management company and will take over managing the company’s portfolio with immediate effect.

Peter Lee, Lettings Director at Redbrik, said: “This acquisition is fantastic news for Redbrik as we look to expand our lettings service further.”

“We were attracted to the business as it had a very similar ethos to Redbrik in terms of delivering outstanding customer service and striving for 100 per cent occupancy. The company has been run very well by Wilson Spencer, aided by Sam Cauldwell and Joshua Whittaker, and we have inherited a great business with no debt or arrears. It is a really nice fit for the Redbrik brand and a great opportunity to expand our lettings offer in Chesterfield.”

“We are continually looking at ways to attract new landlords so we can work with them and help to maximise their assets. We have an extensive database of tenants waiting for properties and are always eager to add new properties to the market.”

Abigail Wilks, Redbrik’s Chesterfield Lettings Manager, added: “This is an exciting time for the business, and we are looking forward to welcoming the Noble Hardy’s Tenants and Landlords to Redbrik.”

“Providing unrivalled levels of customer service is at the heart of everything we do, and we offer a personal, consistent service with one Lettings Negotiator dealing with properties from beginning to end.”

“Our expert Lettings team provide Tenants and Landlords with a concierge-style service, which is entirely tailored to each individual. We understand what Landlords are looking for in a Tenant and go the extra mile to ensure they find the perfect match.”

When looking so sell Noble Hardy Property Management, Owner Wilson Spencer identified Redbrik as his preferred buyer for the business he started over fifteen years ago. He commented: “I have built a real bond with my clients and my primary focus when I knew I was selling was to choose an agency that would look after and take care of my landlords and tenants. I have known Redbrik’s co-founders Julie Bulheller and Mark Ross for many years, and when I knew they were interested, they were my number one choice.”

For more information, visit www.redbrik.co.uk

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

700 new homes planned for Chesterfield’s Staveley Works site

27th February 2019

A planning application has been submitted to build up to 700 new homes as part of a vibrant new community at Staveley in what is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the Chesterfield area.

As well as new two, three and four-bed housing, redevelopment of the 100-acre brownfield site, known as Staveley Works, will include a primary school, a marina on the Chesterfield canal, retail and community facilities, a cycle and footpath network, and new wildlife habitats.

Formerly an iron and steel works, the site will benefit from more than £100m of investment, which will link the communities of Brimington, Hollingwood, Staveley and Barrow Hill. The first homes are expected to be available in around five years time while redevelopment is scheduled to last around ten years in total. During the building and infrastructure work, the development is expected to create around 200 construction jobs. The completed development is expected to support around 800 jobs in the commercial, leisure and education sectors.

The plans have been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Chatsworth Settlement Trustees, part of the Chatsworth estate, which has owned the land since the 17th Century.

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director: “Since closing as an industrial site, Chatsworth has been keen to put something back into the community by redeveloping Staveley Works in an attractive and creative way that provides modern housing, community facilities and jobs for people in the area.

“We held a public consultation in December and got a very positive reaction to our plans. We believe we’ve put forward imaginative ideas to redevelop the site. We can’t wait to get started.”

The planning application is the latest stage in a regeneration process that links with the overall aims of Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council to deliver new investment and infrastructure into the area.

The once-bustling Staveley Works site has been derelict for several years when its 200-year history of industrial development, including mining and iron and steel making, came to a close.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Plans submitted for offices at Chesterfield Waterside

27th February 2019

Chesterfield’s premier regeneration scheme, Chesterfield Waterside is set to take significant step forward in 2019.

A Reserved Matters planning application has been submitted for the construction of a six storey office building in the Basin Square neighbourhood of the £340million development, in line with the planning permission granted in May 2017.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the office accommodation will begin later this year and will be the first building to be constructed in phase 1 of Basin Square.

In addition to the office accommodation, Basin Square also has outline consent for residential apartments, a hotel and multi-storey car park, all sited around a public realm area and newly constructed canal basin.

The building will deliver circa 35,000 sq ft of much needed high quality, Grade ‘A’ office space to Chesterfield, and is the first step in creating a new business district for the town. The developers are in already engaged in commercial negotiations with occupiers for the majority of the space contained within the new building.

The office planning application follows hot on the heels of an application in January by Avant Homes to construct 177 homes in The Park neighbourhood of the 16-hectare site.

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.

As a result of Waterside and Chesterfield Borough Council receiving a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant in 2016, extensive site remediation works have been completed to facilitate the delivery of the phase 1 Basin Square construction works.

Peter Swallow, managing director of the Bolsterstone Group Plc, commented: “The submission of the planning application at Basin Square is another major milestone for the development and will deliver the first spade in the ground for this new neighbourhood.

“I am delighted at the progress Chesterfield Waterside is making in 2019. There is great interest in Phase 1 of Basin Square from both investors and occupiers, which has been brought about by the enabling works and granting of consent for the heights and massing of the buildings. It is an exciting time in the development’s timeline.”

Welcoming the news, Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said: “I am pleased that the Waterside development is progressing and the planning application for the office accommodation has now be made.

“The decision on the development will be made by my fellow councillors on the council’s planning committee in the coming months.”

Chesterfield residents have shown their support for the site. A survey last year found it is the development local people are most looking forward to seeing complete.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

New speculative industrial unit at Markham Vale is completed

25th February 2019

A new 15,000 sq. ft industrial unit at Markham Vale in Chesterfield has been completed.

The new industrial unit located just off J29A of the M1 has been developed by Priority Space and provides a secure, self-contained yard area and integral offices, available for sale or lease.

It is suitable for a company looking for new headquarters or a regional hub which provides access to the motorway.

The unit follows the completion of phase one of Wilson Business Park, developed by Priority Space to provide 13 units for small to medium sized businesses and is now fully occupied.

Wilson Business Park sits within the Markham Vale flagship regeneration zone which is a 200-acre business and distribution park.

Priority Space, based in Barnsley, delivers commercial property schemes across the UK. It works closely with local authorities and partners to ensure the spaces are designed to meet the needs of businesses and communities.

Lee Buchanan, co-director at Priority Space, said: “We are pleased to complete the second phase of this development which provides large warehousing space to an area where there is demand. We have seen a great deal of interest in the site and hope to secure an occupant very soon.

“The development of Wilson Business Park has enabled Markham Vale to become one of the biggest commercial parks in the region and we’re proud to have contributed towards that.”

Priority Space is working with letting agents Commercial Property Partners (CPP), which has offices in Nottingham and Sheffield, to find occupiers for the new development.

Stuart Waite, partner at CPP, said: “We are delighted to see the build complete and excited to commence this next phase of our marketing campaign. Priority Space has delivered a high-quality building in a market which is starved of high-quality supply. We already have a strong enquiry list and have commenced viewings of the property.”

Wilson Business Park is built on the site of the former Markham Colliery. It was named in honour of Johnny Wilson who died while working on the site as a miner in 1987. Markham Vale is an employment-led scheme delivered by Henry Boot in partnership with Derbyshire County Council.

Discover commercial property in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Annual Celebrate Chesterfield event to update town on Vicar Lane transformation

22nd February 2019

The latest developments at Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will be unveiled at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event on Wednesday 20 March 2019 by the centre’s new owner ALTERIS.

Bert Broadhead, Director at ALTERIS is one of the confirmed speakers at the event which is being held at the Winding Wheel.

The town’s shopping centre, which attracts more than three million visitors every year, is set to be transformed and revitalised following its recent sale to property fund ALTERIS.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of the Chesterfield Borough Council, will also be speaking at the event, which is expected to attract nearly 300 delegates. Mr Bowen will be updating on the progress the town is making with multi-million pound commercial and residential developments, including Northern Gateway, which recently got the go-ahead for construction to begin on a new enterprise centre.

Celebrate Chesterfield, now in its ninth year and organised by Destination Chesterfield, is one of the biggest and most hotly anticipated business events in the area.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “It’s been a great start to the year for Chesterfield and we’ve got some exciting things ahead. The recent announcement of the transformation of Vicar Lane is just one of the things we are going to be talking about at the event, as well as the town’s other major developments, including Chesterfield Waterside and Northern Gateway.”

“Celebrate Chesterfield is a great opportunity for the town’s business community to come together, not only to celebrate the town’s success, but to look forward to future plans. We have a lot to look forward to in 2019 and we are eager to share our plans with the town at the Winding Wheel.”

The University of Derby is this year’s headline sponsor with Central Technology and Markham Vale – Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, as associate sponsors.

Julie Stone – Associate Pro Vice Chancellor External Affairs, University of Derby, said: “We are delighted to be working with Destination Chesterfield and supporting the Celebrate Chesterfield event again this year.”

“As Derbyshire’s only university we look to use our academic expertise, research and innovation to foster talent and create impactful partnerships with businesses. The Celebrate Chesterfield event provides a great opportunity for us to have valuable conversations that enable us to understand more about the challenges local businesses face. Our priority remains to understand and effectively service the needs of businesses and to create opportunities for individuals, employers and communities to develop and flourish.”

Ian Snow, Managing Director at Central Technology, added: “Supporting Destination Chesterfield is of huge importance to us at Central Technology. Having been established and working in Chesterfield with year on year growth for over 16 years, we seek to employ local talent and work with mid-market organisations that require IT support and critical data and security protection. 2019 is a big year for Central Technology. We have recently moved to a new 11,000 sq ft office to accommodate our growth and provide more opportunities for jobs in the area.”

“With a key focus on staff training and development, we now have dedicated training facilities and test labs for technical learning time. By attracting excellent technicians and developing our local apprenticeship scheme, we will be able to continue to provide the excellent service our customers expect. The event is a great opportunity for us to meet and work with like-minded mid-market organisations that are keen to grow business in Chesterfield and make it a great location to both work and live.”

Henry Boot Developments (HBD), development partner for the Markham Vale site, will also be attending the event. Vivienne Clements, Director at HBD Sheffield, added: “We are now in our tenth year of development at Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, Markham Vale, and our partnership with Derbyshire County Council has brought about continued economic growth to the Chesterfield area and beyond.

“2018 saw us maintain 1,600 jobs at Markham Vale, along with securing 164,500sq ft of new commercial space for three global businesses: Protec International, Sterigenics and Grangers International. Our goals for 2019 are to continue to attract both local, national and international companies to the scheme.”

“Business development and employment creation within this region has always been a key focus for the partnership and we are set to achieve another successful year. The Celebrate Chesterfield event is a chance for us to develop our business relationships in the local area and explore exciting opportunities with those looking for high-quality, purpose-built premises.”

Tickets for the breakfast event, which is being held from 7.30am to 11:00am, and includes an exhibition with 28 businesses, are available to book now.

To book your ticket at the event, please visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate/.

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

Ringwood Suite receives transformation refurbishment

22nd February 2019

The Ringwood Suite at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa in Chesterfield held its first large event last week after being closed during January for a full refurbishment.

The Ringwood Suite part of the Grade II listed Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa is the main Ball Room, located in the original building. Although the exact year cannot be stated when the hall was originally built, documentary evidence exists to prove that Ringwood Hall stood from 1809, even then the Ringwood Suite served to be the Ball Room for the family of the house.

During January, the Suite has been lovingly restored with original ceiling detail being highlighted within the new paintwork, new carpets, flooring, patio heaters, chairs, new statement mirrors and a stunning draped domed feature with creates the perfect ambiance. The suite has many uses including, weddings, birthday celebrations and conferences and can cater for up to 250 guests. Find out more.

Rona Davies, General Manager said “We are thrilled to have been able to restore and revive the Ringwood Suite. It has been 9 years since its last refurbishment and it’s fantastic to be able to add the modern touches to this traditional room. The team and I are loving our guest’s reactions to the changes”

For further information on Ringwood Suite please call the hotel on 01246 280077.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Green light for Chesterfield’s Enterprise Centre

19th February 2019

The transformation of Chesterfield town centre has taken another significant step forward as plans for a new enterprise centre have been given the go ahead.

The proposals, developed by Whittam Cox Architects on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council, will see the new centre built on part of the site of Holywell Cross car park and form a vital part of the Northern Gateway.

The new centre will help meet demand for office space to house start up and growing small business and support the council’s existing innovation centres at Dunston and Tapton Park.

When complete, the three-storey building will comprise 32 offices to suit a range of start-up and small companies; two meeting rooms; a reception and shared lobby area; facilities for staff working in the building including kitchenettes, break out spaces, showers and a bicycle store.

Andrew Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects commented, “We are delighted that the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre will soon be breaking ground bringing a contemporary commercial offer to Chesterfield. This development is a great example of how a forward-thinking Local Authority can take hold of its own direction and positively influence change and investment in our town centres. I have no doubt this development will act as a catalyst for further development and opportunities for the town.”

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said: “These plans are a vital piece of the jigsaw in the Northern Gateway scheme and we know from the enquiries we get from start-up businesses how much this type of office space is needed in a town centre location.”

Works are due to start next month and will take a year to complete.

Local businesses looking for space at the new enterprise centre should contact Chesterfield Borough Council’s economic development team by calling (01246) 345255.

The Northern Gateway project is funded by a Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund grant of £5.83 million with Chesterfield Borough Council contributing £6.5 million.

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