Up to 200 new jobs are set to be created at Markham Vale as supply chain specialist Gist Limited announces it’s opening new premises at Chesterfield’s flagship regeneration site.

Commercial property agent Knight Frank has been appointed to find new tenants for the biggest vacant office space in Chesterfield.

Knight Frank, through its Sheffield office, has been hired by FI Real Estate Management to market the 44,000 sq ft former Royal Mail building on Boythorpe Road in Chesterfield.

The modern, four storey office building, now known as The HQ, sits in a central position in the market town and has recently become available following a reorganisation within Royal Mail which freed up this building.

Knight Frank is seeking tenants for the whole building or for individual floors of approximately 11,000 sq ft, at a rental asking price of £12.50 per sq ft per year.

Peter Whiteley, head of office at Knight Frank in Sheffield, said:-

“The HQ is the largest vacant office space available in Chesterfield. It became available following a reorganisation within Royal Mail which freed up the front building of this development. Royal Mail still operate from the original Rowland Hill House in the building at the rear of The HQ.

“The self contained building is finished to Grade A specification on a secure site and delivers a flexible working environment to meet the demands of modern business combined with generous on site car parking.

“While it is envisaged that the whole accommodation could be taken by a call centre or similar operation, it could also be taken on a floor by floor basis for other employment purposes such as smaller technology or creative industry companies.”

Features at The HQ include 147 car parking spaces, double glazing and air conditioning, raised access floors and full DDA compliancy.

Historic market town Chesterfield nestles on the edge of the Peak District National Park and has a population of approximately 103,800. It has excellent links to the motorway network, via Junctions 29 and 30 of the M1 and is well served with train connectivity, including fast links to the capital and a proposed HS2 station in the future. It also benefits from being well located within easy access of Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

The HQ is located within walking distance of Chesterfield town centre and Chatsworth Road. Giving access to award winning restaurants and bars, independent and high street shopping, Chesterfield market and the famous crooked spire. The site is adjacent to the picturesque Queen’s Park and the new Queen’s Park Sports centre with its state of the art gym and pool.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager at Destination Chesterfield, said:-

“Chesterfield is the perfect location for your business. North Derbyshire is cost-effective, well-connected and full of potential. By locating to Chesterfield, you will join businesses from world-leading manufacturers to multinational communication companies. Enterprises of every kind already benefit from our positive approach and superb travel links.”

A scheme to further develop the land surrounding Sheffield United’s stadium – proposed by Chesterfield based architects Whittam Cox – has been given the council go-ahead.

A planning committee approved proposals to develop the Cherry Street / Shoreham Street corner into Boundary Corner, a four-storey largely residential building including 45 flats, as well as a new ground floor 6,600 sq.ft. Blades Superstore.

The scheme – drawn-up by Chesterfield Champions and Sheffield United’s retained architects Whittam Cox – features in long-term business plans from the owners focusing on ever-improving stadium facilities contributing to the future business performance of the Club.

The development is part of a cohesive Masterplan for the Sheffield United estate, produced to ensure the various opportunities for development work successfully together.

Council approval of the planning application –  submitted in February – was welcomed by Sheffield United director Simon McCabe.

He said:-

“The corner site we are developing could fulfil a dream for some of our supporters – a chance to live at the home of football! It will also enable the Club to expand the Superstore into a 21st century retail outlet.”

Scott McCabe, fellow director said:-

“Further development of the stadium area is a positive move to enhance income streams, ultimately supporting our plans for the key football side of the business.”

The proposals come in the wake of extensive modernisation undertaken in recent years including the installation of a state of the art Desso pitch giving the Club greater use of the ground for events and other activities during close seasons.

Ashley Turner, Chief Executive at Whittam Cox Architects’ added:-

“Following on from completed projects such as the Westfield Corner Stand and Copthorne Hotel, we are delighted that, working with Sheffield United, we now have council permission to further enhance what is already a superb venue.”

Sheffield City Council’s head of planning said in a report:-

“This is a well-designed scheme and does not have any significant impact upon the amenities of neighbouring residents on Cherry Street and Shoreham Street.”

The report also acknowledged the scheme’s sustainable location and the development of a brownfield site.

A Chesterfield beauty salon has risen from a home-grown ‘garden shed’ boutique to opening their very own salon in Brampton.

The Pamper Shack, founded by Kayleigh Valeisa in 2013, began life in the back garden shed at Kayleigh’s father’s house with just a single room divided into two sections, one as a children’s waiting area and other with just enough space for a single bed.

As time went by and the shack’s reputation grew, expansions were made via an extension into the area previously reserved as a tool area.

From humble beginnings it soon became clear that demand was quickly outpacing the number of people the ‘shack’ could handle, this month the ‘Shackettes’ moved into their own premises in Brampton, Chesterfield.

Four years after the initial launch, there are now seven full-time employees working their hardest to make the town more beautiful with each new client.

Kayleigh said:-

“Space was tight in the old shed but we pushed and put our hearts into the salon, it’s brilliant to finally be in the position to stand back and look at our very own store front!”

With a new location, there are hopes for even greater business. Kayleigh says the current plan is to keep growing, bringing in more clients and maintaining a tight-knit team of beauty experts that ‘feel more like a family than staff’.

The results of the efforts of those at Pamper Shack are already on show after being named as a finalist in the Hair and Beauty Business of the Year category at this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards.

New build and housing retrofit company Starfish Group have expanded into an additional office space at Dunston House in Chesterfield this month.

The main office for the business is located at the nearby Bridge Business Centre where the socially responsible business are keen to develop the local economy through job creation and developing strong relationships with local businesses.

The business are dedicated to working closely with clients, local councils and residents, to achieve the best practice under the code of considerate construction in accordance with the Social Value Act 2012. It is the Starfish mission to build high quality new homes that environmentally improve, economically develop and socially enhance any area they do business in.

Starfish recently had a scheme feature in Inside Housing as Development of the Week and hope to continue this success in the coming year.

The founders of Chesterfield-based Willows Shepherd’s Huts, which designs and installs handcrafted willow huts as alternative business premises, is celebrating the completion of its first commercial contract since it was established earlier this year.

Boasting characteristics that are typical of Shepherd’s huts dating back to the 1800’s, the unique wooden 15 ft by 8 ft oak chassis hut will now house beauty salon Little Bo Chic from its new home in the gardens of local contemporary French restaurant, Maison Mes Amis.

Leading business legal services law firm Banner Jones Solicitors advised on the deal, with Maison Mes Amis leasing the hut from Willows Shepherd’s Huts on a rolling agreement basis.

Following a lengthy career as a joiner, tiler and bathroom fitter, Willows Shepherd’s Huts’ business owner and founder, Steven Avenier, said:-

“The idea to launch Willows Shepherd’s Huts came about when I was in the South of France visiting my parent’s mobile home which was in need of serious renovation.

“I ended up stripping the van to its bare bones, redesigning the layout and refurbishing the interior finishes in order to make the space better meet their needs, and in doing so I got the inspiration to design and build my own shepherds huts.

“They’re flexible and pretty to look at, and because they can be designed to meet the bespoke needs of each customer they don’t come with all of the usual limitations that a traditional set up would. They’re suited to being accommodation, offices, man-caves, boudoirs, garden retreat or anything, really.”

Although still considered to be quite unique for business use, popularity of the unique huts has hit the headlines recently with former MP David Cameron investing in a similar structure to be situated in his own garden in the Cotswolds.

“Each hut is a blank canvas, and they can be designed and built to meet the bespoke needs of each individual client,” said Avenier, who runs the business alongside his wife, Rachel. “To that end, it’s no surprise that demand is increasing rapidly.”

Banner Jones Executive Director and property law expert, Chris Sellars, advised on the deal between Maison Mes Amis and Willow Shepherd’s Huts. He said:-

“It has been great to be involved in a start-up project that has been an ambition for Steven for many years. Willows Shepherd’s Huts is a truly unique business, with a very unique product, and we look forward to seeing the founders take it forward in the months and years ahead.”

Commenting on the deal Marcella Kirk from Maison Mes Amis, said:-

“Upon meeting Steven you can see that he is incredibly passionate about his new business venture. The addition of the unique property to Maison Mes Amis enables us to standout in our location on Chatsworth Road, and ultimately allows us to house Little Bo Chic – expanding our reach and target audience.”