Councillors have welcomed revised proposals which would see HS2 trains stop in Chesterfield.
In their response to a Government consultation, at their meeting on Tuesday 7 March, members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet welcomed the proposed new route from the West Midlands to Leeds, including a stop in Chesterfield and a maintenance depot in Staveley.

They agreed that:

• The council welcomes the proposed stop in Chesterfield, which will bring reduced journey times to London and Birmingham and encourage growth in the borough’s economy

• The council will continue to call for more frequent services rather than the current plans for one train per hour to maximise these benefits

• The latest plans to realign the main HS2 route further east north of M1 J29, closer to Bolsover would reduce the impact on residential properties in Woodthorpe and Netherthorpe and on the Markham Vale development

• The revised layout of the Staveley depot fits better with existing plans to develop the Chesterfield-Staveley Regeneration Route; the new plans reduce the impact on the Chesterfield Canal restoration project by crossing the canal route only once

• Government should take early decisions about the route and accelerate construction from the north in order that jobs and opportunities for the borough come as soon as possible.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “HS2 is a once in a generation opportunity to improve transport links and we want to make sure that Chesterfield people benefit from this.
“There are strong economic reasons for the project and having a stop on the route in Chesterfield as well as a maintenance depot in Staveley will offer great opportunities for our residents in terms of journey times and to grow our economy.
“We are pleased that the revised plans for access to the depot have taken into account our previous concerns but we acknowledge that further work is needed to mitigate the concerns of residents living next to the proposed line and we will continue to support them in this.”

Residents had the opportunity to comment on the proposals for the route in a consultation event run by HS2 Ltd held in Staveley last month.

In developing its reply to the consultation, the council has used networks created through its HS2 board chaired by the council leader which brings together a wide range of partners, including Derbyshire County Council, to maximise opportunities for the route across north Derbyshire.

The recruitment process at Ferdinand Bilstein UK Ltd’s state of the art distribution centre has officially begun.

The first three positions being advertised are for DC Team Managers, and applications are now open. The team manager positions are some of the first full-time opportunities the company has offered at Markham Vale, and the successful applicants will be part of the first group of people to start working at the new state of the art facility, getting the benefits of a brand new, high quality environment and workspace, with the latest technology to assist with tasks.

With up to 200 new jobs being created on the site at Markham Vale, there will be plenty of opportunities to join the company as it continues to gear towards its grand opening. The next recruitment stage will focus on filling roles within various areas of the business, including in the quality inspection department.

Ferdinand Bilstein UK Ltd are organising a huge recruitment open day in September as part of their recruitment drive, allowing people from the local area to have a first look at the new building and facilities. This will offer a sneak peek for those interested in working for the company to see what their day to day environment would look like.

For more information about jobs available within the company click here.

Plus size fashion brand Yours Clothing have officially opened a brand new store within the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield. The store, which has a dedicated stylist on hand throughout the day to offer advice and style solutions, is based in a great location in the town, close by to Bonmarche and New Look.

This news follows another great year for Yours Clothing as it successfully opened 17 new stores in 2016 and continues to be one of the fastest growing plus size retailers in the UK. The brand is best loved for its quality and value curve collections, offering a fantastic range of clothing in sizes 16 – 36 designed to fit and flatter and at highly competitive prices.

Resh Dorka, Managing Director at Yours Clothing, commenting on this news said:-

“We are excited to be opening a store in a new location within Chesterfield. Offering the latest fashions in sizes 16 – 36 for exceptional prices has always been our promise to our customers, we want them to have a unique and enjoyable shopping experience.”

Barnsley-based property developer Priority Space Limited is the latest business to invest at Derbyshire County Council’s and Henry Boot Development’s flagship regeneration site leading the way to up to 70 new jobs.

The company has appointed Scunthorpe-based construction firm Britcon (UK) Limited to build 13 new state-of-the-art units at the site which are set to be available for businesses to buy from July this year.

The units will range from 1,244 to 3,050 square feet. There will also be on-site parking.

Lee Buchanan, Director at Priority Space, said:

“The start of construction is a great milestone for the scheme − especially so soon after planning was granted.

“It is a significant speculative development in response to strong levels of demand in the area which reinforces our confidence in the potential of the Markham Vale site and the strength of the local economy.”

The latest businesses to join Markham Vale include Ferdinand Bilstein UK, Great Bear Distribution, inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods, Ready Egg Products and Euro Garages.

Derbyshire County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget Councillor Anne Western said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Priority Space to Markham Vale.

“The firm’s new development will help boost Derbyshire’s economy and create jobs for local people − two key priorities of ours.

“We’re committed to helping businesses of all sizes at Markham and these new units will be great for smaller to medium-sized companies.”

Councillor Western added:

“The site continues to go from strength to strength. It’s now home to 40 businesses and has brought over 900 to jobs to the area so far.”

Vivienne Clements from Henry Boot Developments who are our private sector property partner said:

“We are pleased to welcome this type of investment to Markham Vale, demonstrating the robust demand in the area and the benefits of our established location.

“Priority Space’s speculative development will meet the demand of smaller occupiers allowing us to continue our focus on bespoke buildings of 10,000 square feet plus.”

Blanc will be opening a second store  at 177 Chatsworth Road on Friday 17^th February 2017 and will specialise in Mother-of-the-Bride/Groom, Guest to a Wedding, Racewear and the popular Prom market.

The new Boutique, set over two showrooms, will provide ample room to show case and store a wide range of stylist outfits, dresses, accessories including big hats and fascinators — all aimed at discerning customers who want to ensure that their outfit is unique.

A Blanc spokesperson said  “Since we first opened our doors in 2011 we were confident that our range of clothing and accessories would go down well with our customers; nearly six years on and we’re running out of room to cater for all our customers.”

“Opening a second boutique will allow our Blanc to focus on our growing casual wear range and we are also looking to introduce two new major labels. With the new boutique, whatever the occasion we will dress you from head to toe. We are recruiting three new members of staff in order to maintain the high levels of customer service that we pride ourselves on.”

Blanc was a Chesterfield Retail Awards finalist in 2016 and winner in 2015.  Nominate your favourite retailers for the 2017 awards

Great Bear, who are close to completing the fit-out of their logistics centre at Markham Vale, are now in the process of recruiting their new workforce.

They recently held a careers open-evening, which attracted almost 500 people on the night with many more contacts made by email. Current vacancies at the site can be searched at https://culinagroup.mua.hrdepartment.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/index 

The Great Bear vacancies and all the others advertised by companies based at Markham Vale are tweeted through the Markham Vales Grow Your Workforce Service twitter account on @MarkhamValeJobs

Vacancies listed on the twitter account are across a range of disciplines and levels from apprenticeships through to senior management.  In addition to the many Great Bear opportunities other recent ones include opportunities in logistics, welding, mechanical and electrical maintenance, health and safety, marketing and sales, and business administration.

An employer-led board aims to inspire local employers to boost employment and skills opportunities for young people in Derby and Derbyshire.

The D2 Skills & Employment Board (D2 SEB) bridges the gap between the private sector and those delivering the local skills agenda. Set up by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and supported by both Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council, the Board aims to ensure there is appropriate employer ownership and leadership to steer opportunities for local young people. The D2 SEB also works closely with local partnerships to ensure employment and skills activity contributes to local economic growth ambitions.

The Board is chaired by Graham Mullholland from epm: technology group and involves employers from a range of private sector businesses including: Pentaxia, Katapult, Advanced Roofing, One to One Support Services, Toyota, Greenbank Group UK, The Derby Conference Centre, Yews Residential, Bowmer & Kirkland, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, Jurys Inn (East Midlands Airport), Holiday Inn Derby- Riverlights, Signal House Group Ltd, Fairgrove Homes, Brighter Directions and the Arkwright Society. There are also key representative bodies that sit on the board including the city and county councils, DWP, Federation of Small Businesses, East Midlands Chamber, Destination Chesterfield and First Steps.

Graham Mulholland, CEO of epm: technology group, said:-

“It is important that the business community has a voice in shaping the skills agenda, and although the D2 SEB has taken time to form and mature, it is now in a great position to move forward. Our annual report reflects this and business leaders should now be confident to join in and have a voice.”

D2 SEB will focus on four priority sectors; Engineering, Construction, Health & Social Care and Visitor Economy, with an equal focus on Work Readiness.

Councillor Sarah Russell, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Derby City Council, said:-

“We’re passionate about improving opportunities for young people in the city to gain new skills and have more employment opportunities. It’s fantastic to have the Derby & Derbyshire Skills and Employment Board so employers are directly involved and pushing this agenda forward.”

An Annual Report has been published for 2015/16 which provides a detailed account of all the key activities achieved in the past year and what the priorities are for the next year.

Councillor Anne Western, Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, said:-

“The job market is changing all the time so it’s a vital part of our work to make sure our young people are equipped with the most relevant skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our young people are the ones that will shape the future so it’s important we give them the best opportunities. By working closely with our partners in the Derbyshire Economic Partnership we’ll be to learn from each other about how best to support young people, businesses and local communities.”

Businesses are benefiting from upgraded internet and phone systems at Chesterfield Borough Council’s two innovation centres.

Following IT upgrades tenants at Tapton Park and Dunston Innovation Centres now receive:

• 1GB high speed digital connectivity, boosting their ability to sell and promote their products and services online
• A state-of-the-art Mitel telephone system which enables tenants to work in agile ways, taking calls when away from the centres. All call charges are part of the managed services provided at the centres.

Councillor Tricia Gilby,  Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, said:-

“A thriving local economy is our key priority. The provision of state-of-the-art facilities to encourage new business ventures as well as supporting more established businesses is essential to achieving that objective.”

Councillor Mick Wall, Chair of the Chesterfield Innovation Centres Management Board said:-

“Our innovation centres, supported by a team of excellent staff, provide a superb environment for businesses to grow and expand, providing valuable, high skilled jobs for local people.”

Hundreds of companies have used the centres over the years to successfully grow their businesses and feedback about the improvements is very positive:

Ian Ford, of First B2B said:-

“Coming to Tapton Park was one of the best decisions we have made and with the initiative of bringing in very high speed fibre and telephony we would struggle to find a better solution to our accommodation requirements anywhere else in the area.”

Matthew Brailsford, of Custom Solar, said:-

“Having vision for the future is why I love having my business at the Dunston Innovation Centre. With renewable energy, super fast broadband and affordable offices I cannot think of a better space close to Chesterfield.

“Along with fantastic centre staff who support local apprenticeships and innovative businesses I feel very much at home.”

Various office sizes are available at each centre and range from a virtual office or furnished rent a desk suite to offices from 202 sq ft to 1,500 sq ft.

Leases can be put in place quickly and have flexible easy in-easy out terms to encourage take-up. This allows businesses to be operational within a minimum time period and adjust quickly to their changing accommodation requirements as they develop.

Other key features include telephone, admin, post and reception support, a free on-site business advisor offering access to specialist innovation support and access at discounted rates to the conference and meeting rooms in both centres.

While the centres have high occupancy levels offices continuously become available as start-up businesses expand and move to bigger premises in the town.

Click here to see available business units at the Innovation Centres.