Development

150 new jobs to be created by national auctioneer in Chesterfield

21st December 2018

A hundred and fifty new jobs will be created in Chesterfield when national auctioneer John Pye opens its first auction site in the town.

The 233,000 sq ft site was acquired by John Pye Property – a division of the wider John Pye Auctions group – to support the business’ continued growth and expansion.

The new site will be the second largest in the John Pye portfolio and comes as a result of an increase in stock volumes from the company’s high street retail clients including DFS, John Lewis, Made.com and many more.

Richard Reed, head of property at John Pye, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the wider John Pye group with the acquisition of our new Chesterfield site. To be able to complete such a complex transaction in just four weeks speaks volumes about the great team we have here, and everyone at the company is very excited for the opening of the new facility.

“The property is prominently located on the A61, adjacent to Tesco Extra and Chesterfield Football Club. It has superb access to close by Sheffield and surrounding towns, and is very close to Junction 29 of the M1 Motorway. We expect it will be a very busy auction facility.”

Adam Pye, managing director of John Pye said: “This expansion is a perfect example of our continued growth and ambition. Over the last five years, we have gone from strength to strength, and this new site takes our UK salesroom space to nearly one million sq ft nationwide.

“We are always on the lookout for opportunities to expand our auction house network, and we are continuing to look for further sites in high-demand areas such as the north west. The launch of our new premises in Chesterfield is the perfect way to kick off 2019, which we hope will be another recording breaking year for John Pye.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Craft beer shop opens in Chesterfield

18th December 2018

With its official opening day on Wednesday 19th December, Chesterfield Craft aims to become the biggest source of craft beer and ales in Chesterfield town centre.

Stocking beers from local brewers such as Thornbridge, Buxton and Abbeydale, national craft brewers such as Magic Rock, Cloudwater and Loka Polly and from overseas brewers such as To-Ol, Lervig and Basqueland Brewing Project, Chesterfield Craft looks to provide a real alternative for the people of Chesterfield.

Open until 6pm Monday to Saturday, customers can call in after work to pick up a craft beer or two to enjoy in the evening. Located at 12a Saltergate, in between Lime Living and the Spire Frier, it is within a few steps of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park, and the Cavendish Street bus stops.

The new shop will offer take-out sales only, allowing customers to buy beers and ales to be enjoyed at home. There will also be a home delivery service for customers who cannot make it to the shop, with same day delivery available for orders completed before 4pm.

Richard Young, Owner and Director of Chesterfield Craft, said: “If there’s a brewery whose beers you’d like to see us stock, just let us know and we’ll see what we can do. If you are a local brewery, please get in touch if you’d like to see your products in our shop – we’d love to have you!”

Chesterfield Craft is open now! To find out more visit www.chesterfieldcraft.co.uk.

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

River Rother to be reclaimed from industrial blight

17th December 2018

Thanks to a National Lottery grant of more than £450,000, two centuries worth of industrialisation are to be reversed around the River Rother in Derbyshire.

The grant will allow the follow changes to be made;

a 700m straightened stretch of the Rother will have meanders reintroduced recreating its natural appearance
some 170 volunteers will be recruited and trained to restore natural habitats. This will include planting trees, laying hedgerows, clearing litter and removing invasive vegetation. This will be in partnership with Moss Valley Wildlife Trust.
an ambitious citizen science education programme has been devised, involving 60 events and targeting more than 3,000 people. Activities will include BioBlitz days where groups undertake a ‘record everything’ census in a specific location, nature-themed treasure hunts and river visits for 600 children from 10 local schools
public access to the restored river and streams will also be greatly improved with waymark signs and interpretation boards

Rachel Walker, Project Manager at the Don Catchment Rivers Trust, said: “Not only does this funding mean we can restore a section of the River Rother to its natural course, but we can celebrate the natural, community and industrial heritage of the area. We can’t wait to get started, and neither can all of our project partners.”

Jonathan Platt, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “This project will restore the natural environment while giving people the chance to learn about the important industrial heritage of the area. Whole communities will get the opportunity to be involved in a variety of ways and this is all thanks to the generosity of National Lottery players.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

New Chief Executive Officer appointed by D2N2 LEP

13th December 2018

A new Chief Executive Officer has been appointed by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

Sajeeda Rose, who has been Interim CEO at the D2N2 LEP since September (2018), becomes CEO with immediate effect, following a robust recruitment process.

As the LEP’s CEO, Sajeeda leads a small team supporting the D2N2 Board – a private sector-led Partnership of business, local authorities, higher and further education providers, and community and voluntary organisations – in promoting an economic growth plan for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; using resources of more than £500million in funding, derived from the UK Government and European Union.

Sajeeda joined the D2N2 LEP in November 2017, as Senior Manager for Growth Deals and Capital Programmes, and acted as Interim Deputy CEO before taking on the Interim CEO role in September 2018.

Prior to joining D2N2, Sajeeda was Chief Operating Officer for the Northamptonshire LEP, where she was responsible for strategy development and delivery of all investment programmes by that LEP. She also worked for the former East Midlands Development Agency, supporting the delivery of sub-regional investment programmes.

Sajeeda has a BA (Hons) degree in Politics & Economic History from the University of Leicester. She is married with two children.

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am confident that in Sajeeda we have found a CEO who will continue to lead D2N2 in delivering economic growth for all our communities, using the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP); currently in the final stages of being updated to meet the area’s changing needs up to 2030.

“Sajeeda is taking on the role at a time when the D2N2 LEP has much to do; including the launch of its new SEP, developing a Local Industrial Strategy, delivering current and planned programmes, as well as consultation on and establishing new governance rules for the LEP’s Board Members and staff to make our operations even more publicly accountable. I’m confident that Sajeeda’s leadership will help deliver results for all our stakeholders.”

Sajeeda Rose, CEO for the D2N2 LEP, added: “I am delighted to be appointed as the D2N2 LEP’s new CEO, and to have the opportunity to build on the great work of its Board and staff to date.”

“The LEP has a lot to do in future. We have a new strategic plan to launch to take our economy into the next decade, a Local Industrial Strategy to develop to complement the work being done nationally, increasing access to skills and training, and ensuring we continue to attract private investment to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I look forward to the challenge.”

Further information about the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can be found on its website at www.d2n2lep.org/Home

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

Local female entrepreneur chosen as science Community Leader

13th December 2018

Local entrepreneur Ann Fomukong-Boden has been chosen by the British Science Association (BSA) to become one of its new Community Leaders.

Ann is a STEM Ambassador, Electronic Engineer and Director of Chesterfield-based Kakou Technologies. Ann is one of twelve individuals from across the UK chosen to take part in the programme. The aim of the Community Leaders programme is to harness the passion and ideas of the individuals, enabling them to deliver sustained public science engagement throughout the year.

Since 1994, the BSA has organised British Science Week, an annual grass-roots celebration of science and engineering that runs over 10 days every March.

For the past three years Ann has organised Science Week events in collaboration with Brampton Brewery, Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery, Monkey Park Community Cafe, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and Pavements Shopping Centre.

Ann said: “I’m very proud to be chosen by the BSA as one of their first Community Leaders. Many people find it hard to engage with or relate to the sciences; it is still seen by many as a difficult subject that is not useful later in life. However, we all use and rely on the sciences every day, for example, using our mobile phones, cooking, applying make-up or going to the pub.”

“Working with local organisations, I’m hoping to build a network which can share and promote each other’s STEM related activities and events.”

In the New Year, Kakou will start offering a mixture of creative arts and technology-based workshops designed for people looking to learn or discover new skills. The first workshop will be a Raspberry Pi session for total beginners (parents, teachers and hobbyists) held at Chesterfield Library in January 2019. More information can be found here.

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

Plans for Whittington Moor roundabout dropped

13th December 2018

Plans for potential changes to the Whittington Moor roundabout were shared at public exhibitions by Derbyshire County Council in August. They included traffic lights being installed on all six junctions of the roundabout and the entrance to the roundabout from Dunston Road closed to all traffic apart from buses.

The exhibitions attracted around 1,700 responses from residents, businesses and commuters. While 67% of respondents agreed improvements were necessary to ease congestion and address issues with the speed of circulating traffic and lane discipline, 69% strongly disagreed with plans to shut off Dunston Road.

Councillor Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, said:“Following overwhelming objections to the plans that had been developed by external consultants it became clear to me that there was significant opposition to closing off Dunston Road.

“There was concern, shared by myself, that closing off Dunston Road would just move traffic problems elsewhere in the town.”

“We’ve listened to these concerns and are not going to go ahead. We are looking at some improvements to kerbs, lane markings and signs to the roundabout, but longer term we know that we need to consider a much more radical option to improve journey times along the A61.

“The A61 was not built to cope with the amount of traffic it has now, and this is only going to grow in the future. The only solution to really make significant improvements in journey times is to consider fly-overs at the Whittington Moor roundabout, Tesco roundabout and Horns Bridge roundabout.

“The county council wouldn’t be able to fund these, but there is a new national pot of money, the Major Road Network fund, and it might be possible to bid for the money for these fly-overs from this fund.”

If the report is agreed the council will include the longer-term major improvements to the A61 in a submission of potential Major Road Network projects to Midlands Connect.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Official opening for Brocklehurst Court

12th December 2018

Residents were joined by councillors to mark the official re-opening of Brocklehurst Court in Brampton after a £1 million refurbishment was completed.

The transformation has seen the outdated 1970s building of bedsits and small flats converted into 17 comfortable one and two-bedroom flats.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The work that has been carried out here is part of a major refurbishment programme we have begun to improve housing schemes for older people across the borough.

“Before this work was carried out we struggled to let the bedsits and flats at Brocklehurst Court. Now it is very different. We have had really positive feedback from the residents and the flats are really in demand.”

Each flat has been fitted with a new kitchen and bathroom, the whole building has been rewired, lighting around the communal areas has been improved and a new heating system installed. New windows and entrance doors have also been installed to improve the natural light in each flat.

The communal areas of the building have also been remodelled and refurbished, with an atrium being created to provide more natural light, and additional seating areas added into what were previously dark and lengthy corridors. There is also a laundry room with washing machines and tumble dryers as well as a shelter for mobility scooters.

The outdoor areas have been re-designed to include individual patios for the ground floor flats and Juliette balconies for those upstairs. Raised planting beds and seating areas have been created to encourage residents to garden and make the most of the outdoor space.

The work was designed and managed by the council’s in-house team of architects with the refurbishment carried out by Fortem Solutions. It was completed on time and to budget.

Brocklehurst Court is the first of three refurbishments of older persons’ accommodation being carried out by Chesterfield Borough Council. Work has already been completed at Glebe Court in Old Whittington ready for residents to move back in soon, while Catherine Court in Brampton will be finished in spring 2019.

Extensive internal and external works is also planned to improve blocks of flats on the Grangewood estate.

For more information about accommodation for older people visit: www.onthemove-cbc.org.uk, call On the Move on (01246) 345700 or visit their office on Low Pavement.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

New Vice Principal joins the Chesterfield College team

12th December 2018

Anna Jackson recently joined the Chesterfield College management team as Vice Principal for Learning, Skills and Innovation. She is working alongside Directors at the college to develop academic and technical provision and to drive forward the college’s quality and improvement plan.

Anna brings a wealth of education experience and a track record of curriculum improvement and working in partnership with local industry to develop the skills needed.

Following a career in industry, Anna joined the education sector around 15 years ago. Her first role in further education was in Leicester, where she initially worked as a lecturer but she quickly joined the management team.

Anna left her role as Head of Faculty for Business, ICT, Technology, Engineering and Construction at Birmingham Metropolitan College to join Chesterfield College. During her time in Birmingham she worked on key projects such as setting up the region’s Rail Academy working with stakeholders such as the National College of High Speed Rail.

Anna said: “I know from my short time in this job that this is a college which puts learning at the heart of what it does and I am looking forward to being part of that. A huge part of my role is to work with the team to improve performance and progress of learners and to develop Chesterfield College’s offer to ensure we are providing quality further education for students and employers.”

“I am keen to work with schools, employers and the Local Enterprise Partnerships to ensure that we are developing study programmes with progression and the local economy in mind. We will be working hard to raise learner aspirations and ensure they move on to positive destinations.”

Anna will play a key part in growing the college’s engineering and advanced manufacturing provision and a number of other projects to meet the needs of the region.

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

Two more additions to Markham Vale

11th December 2018

Two more businesses have selected Markham Vale as their preferred location and are now up and running in Waterloo Court on Markham Lane.

Integrity Devices Ltd, operating out of Unit 7, is a privately owned healthcare company who supply speciality medical devices in niche areas of the health industry. The company has gained plaudits for its commercial agility, offering high quality products at highly competitive prices.

The other new company at Waterloo Court is Barmy Army Ltd. Founded on the 94/95 cricket tour of Australia, the company have been supporting the England cricket team for well over 20 years both at home and abroad. They are now recognised as some of the greatest supporters in cricket and continue to help bring cricket to the masses, provide tickets and organise tours to support the team wherever they are playing.

This news follows yesterday’s announcement that a further three deals have been completed in the last two months at the Wilson Business Park, also at Markham Vale.

Markham Vale is a 200 acre business park with direct access to the M1 motorway via a dedicated junction, 29A. This prime development site offers build-to-suit units from 10,000 to 300,000 sq. ft. for industrial, warehouse, hotel or office builds.

Since acquiring the site ten years ago, more than 1,600 jobs have been created with 1.8 million sq. ft. of developed business space and another 100,000 sq. ft. available for further development.

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

Further sales announced at Markham Vale’s Wilson Business Park

10th December 2018

Commercial Property Partners LLP (CPP) has completed a further three deals in the last two months at Wilson Business Park, the flagship business park which forms part of the wider Markham Vale regeneration area.

GB Bespoke Joinery has purchased a 2,300 sq ft unit on the site which will form its new HQ, where it will manufacture joinery products for its nationwide contract projects.

Lee Gent, from GB Bespoke Joinery said: “The quality of the units at Wilson Business Park is outstanding, and the surrounding transport links mean excellent access to the surrounding cities, and beyond. We are looking forward to moving into our unit and continuing to grow our business.”

LTEK Systems, who manufacture control systems, has purchased Unit 11, totalling 1,250 sq ft, and motorcycle expedition company Globebusters have also secured a unit of the same size. A further unit has been purchased by a private investor and subsequently let to Switch Electrical Supplies.

The latest occupants to the scheme join the wider Markham Vale site, alongside businesses including Direct Track Solutions, Shotblast Solutions, Magpie Beauty & Catering Projects – negotiated by CPP earlier this year.

With three further units under offer, this leaves just two units available, of 2,200 & 3,050 sq ft. Priority Space is also building a further 15,000 sq ft standalone unit on nearby Greaves Close, which is close to completion and being offered for sale by CPP.

Stuart Waite, Partner at CPP commented: “We are delighted to have completed further sales, and additional lettings, on the park, demonstrating a resilient demand for small industrial units, especially those that are available to buy.”

“The site is now well-established as ideal premises for any business looking for accommodation in the region – and boasts an exceptional location and key transport links. We’d encourage anyone who is interested in space at Wilson Park to contact us directly.”

Markham Vale benefits from its own M1 motorway junction, Junction 29a, and is just five miles east of Chesterfield and approximately 20 miles from Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby.

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

New investor brings 60 jobs to Chesterfield

6th December 2018

I-Grunwerg, an award-winning supplier of houseware and catering products, is moving its operations to the former Franke Sissons site in Chesterfield.

The family-owned business, which has a turnover of £10 million, specialises in the design and distribution of premium stainless steel products including cutlery, tea ware, serving ware, tableware, kitchen utensils, cookware, kitchen knives, bar ware, and scissors.

It will move to the Sheepbridge Industrial Estate in May 2019 once refurbishment work on the former Franke Sissons building has been completed.

The move has been welcomed by Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council leader, who said: “We are really pleased that I-Grunwerg has decided to become one of our tenants on the Sheepbridge Industrial Estate.

“It is great that the former Franke Sissons site is back in use and providing job opportunities for Chesterfield residents.

“I-Grunwerg sells products through some of the biggest names in retail, including Harrods, Selfridges, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Waitrose, Lakeland and Costco, as well to catering businesses and restaurants. They also sell products online across the globe.

“So to get a company of that stature locating in the borough is a vote of confidence in Chesterfield. They will add to the growing number of leading companies who are located in the borough at sites like Sheepbridge Industrial Estate and Markham Vale.”

The company has received the support of the council’s economic development team to help it relocate to the area.

Igrunwerg Owner Ben Grunwerg said: “Our main focus is stainless steel kitchen equipment and we have a particular specialism in quality kitchen knives.

“We were attracted to Chesterfield because it is next to the M1, which as a distribution business is great for us. There are good local facilities here and the fact that Chesterfield is going to get HS2 is important as a lot of our customers are based down in London.

“We were also impressed with the development plans for Chesterfield, like the Northern Gateway scheme, which show the town has a bright future.”

The company will be relocating most of its existing workforce from Sheffield to Chesterfield but expects there to be some job opportunities for Chesterfield residents next year and then further roles in the future as the company looks to expand.

Ben added: “Half the jobs here will be warehouse roles and then in the offices we will have a full mix of staff in sales, accounting, operations, marketing, product design and graphic design.”

Refurbishment work to the former Franke Sissons building is already underway to create the company’s offices; a showroom for customers and business clients; research and development and product testing areas; distribution warehouse areas where products will be stored, packed and then sent out for delivery; and staff recreation facilities.

There is also space on the site where the company can expand and build additional warehouses in the future.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development