Development

Award nomination for Markham Vale Business Park

11th August 2015

Markham Vale Business Park has been shortlisted for the Best Overall Scheme – Logistics Park at the Industrial Agents Society 2015 Awards Ceremony.

The past twelve months has seen fantastic progress in developing Markham Vale with high quality bespoke buildings completed for Holdsworth Foods, Ready Egg Products, inspirepac and Gould Alloys. With the recent Great Bear announcement, the indication is that the remaining plots on Markham Vale will be quickly snapped up by businesses that see the great growth potential at Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration project.

Markham Vale schemes that have already been completed on the site include: a flagship Environment Centre (home to a range of firms from the environmental technology related centre): the speculative built Waterloo Court and bespoke buildings for companies such as Industrial Ancillaries Ltd, Andrew Page Limited and MSE Hiller Ltd.

Markham Vale North has also been recently launched and is a prime industrial and logistics development, within the wider Markham Vale scheme, located at Junction 29a of the M1 Motorway. Markham Vale North provides approximately 70 acres of serviced development land which can accommodate buildings up to 750,000 sq ft.

Posted in Business, Development

Markham Vale welcomes £36m industrial forward funding deal

10th August 2015

M&G Real Estate is to fund the construction of a 480,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Markham Vale in, Chesterfield. The total commitment is £36 million. The site extends to around 27.5 acres adjacent to Markham Lane and is the largest plot created by the County Council at Markham Vale to date. The development is pre-let to Great Bear Distribution Ltd, a leading third party logistics company. On practical completion of the development Great Bear Distribution will take a 15 year lease creating around 400 new jobs in the process.

Andrew Windle, Associate Director, Logistics and Industrial at M&G Real Estate, comments: “There is very strong investor demand for new, prime distribution assets in the Midlands due to the very tight supply and continued demand for new space. This will be a prime development in a core and very prominent location off the M1.”

Ben Ward from Henry Boot Developments Ltd, adds: “We look forward to welcoming Great Bear Distribution Ltd to Markham Vale. This is one of several major deals at the site over recent months and represents significant investment into the area.

Posted in Business, Development

Keeping Chesterfield town centre vibrant

22nd July 2015

New Chesterfield town centre masterplan

A masterplan has been agreed by Chesterfield Borough Council to guide future development of the town centre.

It outline proposals of how the town centre might adapt as it responds to changes in the retail sector caused by the growth of online shopping, a need for more housing and a desire to connect fringe sites to the historic core area around the market.

The plan has been produced by Chesterfield-based WCEC Architects and property regeneration consultants Aspinall Verdi after consultation with businesses and the council.

It recognises eight core areas within the town centre and contains outline proposals for each. Implementing the plan will require the support and financial commitment of both the private and public sector as many sites are outside of the control of Chesterfield Borough Council.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Chesterfield is recognised as being a historic market town, with a great town centre built around the market squares, Crooked Spire church and the historic buildings which previous generations fought so hard to protect.

“But, like all town centres in the country, we need to evolve to take account of the changing world in which we live if we are to continue to attract locals and visitors to it.

“Although the occupancy of our shops is higher than in most parts of the country, and we have a good mix of independent and national retailers, we are not immune to the effects that online shopping and changing consumer habits are having on town centres.

“We will need to take the opportunities created by new technology if it is to remain a popular place to live and visit.”

The masterplan sets out a strategic overview for the town centre, helps determine community goals and aspirations and is a development framework that guides future development opportunities.

Priorities will be established, and funding sought, to enable the aspirations to become a reality of a period of time.

The masterplan will also be used to help guide future planning decisions when applications are made to develop the town centre.

Andy Dabbs, design director of WCEC Architects, said: “As a Chesterfield business ourselves this masterplan was an important project for us to work on.

“One of the key opportunities we identified is that many of the key sites within the town are physically close together but could be better connected.

“The growth of Ravenside as a retail location, with its proximity to Queen’s Park, offers an opportunity to link up these areas better with the historic core of the town centre but then also link through to the area around the Donut roundabout and across to the railway station.

“We believe there are also opportunities to develop the Markham Road entrance to the town, particularly with the plans to demolish the disused multi-storey car park.”

The masterplan can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/masterplan

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Development

Monkey Park project creates new home for entrepreneurs

21st July 2015

A former tile warehouse is being completely renovated to create affordable, shared office space for Chesterfield’s entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. Once complete, Monkey Park will also house a community cafe, a bike workshop and a bakery run by The Gingerbread Boy (previously found on Chatsworth Road).

Based at Clifton and Chester Street in Brampton, the centre is a not-for-profit social enterprise, designed to benefit local people and projects, as well as creating three employment opportunities.

Spokesperson, Christine Redding, said: “This is not just another café. Monkey Park will pour profits made back into the local community so it’s in everyone’s interest to get it right.

“We’re trying to support community enterprises & social entrepreneurs that give something back to Chesterfield. As part of this, we’ll be creating a new network of community enterprises within the town.

“We developed the centre through research and visits to similar hubs in Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester. The initiative will be steered by a community interest company led by angel investors and local businesses.”

Monkey Park is already creating quite a buzz, with nearly 300 likes on Facebook and a bank of nearly 50 local residents volunteering their services to help the project get off to a flying start.

Visitors were also invited for a sneaky preview earlier this month to share ideas about how the venue should look and feel as well as to choose their favourite cakes and coffee.

More volunteers are wanted to help prepare the centre ready for opening in the autumn. Anyone else interested in getting involved should search ‘Monkey Park’ on Facebook or Twitter.

Posted in Business, Development

Redevelopment of Chesterfield pub approved

20th July 2015

Planning permission has been granted to redevelop the site of The Trumpeter to create a new local centre for the Grangewood community in Chesterfield.

The demolition of The Trumpeter will enable a complete redevelopment of the site, creating a new local centre.

The proposals for the site include a new Pub/cafe-bar and convenience store along with 3-4 independent retail units, potentially creating 30 new jobs in the local area.

Terry Caton, Developer, said “Caton Enterprises Ltd is a local business operating in Chesterfield for some 23 years. As such we didn’t just want to take away the facilities from the community. We wanted to look at this site in a different way.’

Martin Rix, of MAD architects LLP, says ‘We are trying to create a new retail centre for the community, providing facilities and services which are much needed in the area, and hopefully this development can act as a catalyst for further improvements locally.’

The planning department commented in their committee report that “The development has been sympathetically designed to reflect the scale and form of the wider area. A contemporary design approach has been taken which is felt would give the scheme an independent identity that would serve beneficial.”

Terry says ‘The design team are now developing the technical design to enable works to start on site and we are looking to open the new local retail centre to the public in 2016″.

Posted in Business, Development

Residents choose sculpture for Queen’s Park Sports Centre

1st July 2015

Members of the public have chosen the design of a sculpture to go in the grounds of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre being built by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Jump, by West Midlands based artist Mick Thacker, is based on the concept of time lapse motion photography and shows the various stages of a person jumping through the air. It received 48 per cent of the 718 votes.

It was chosen ahead of Wave, by Matlock sculptor Stuart Marsh, which received 30 per cent of the vote. The wave sculpture was designed to represent grace, strength and determination.

The other option, Heartbeat, got 22 per cent of the votes. Designed by Nottinghamshire sculptor Michael Johnson the design showed an image of a regular heartbeat to symbolise well-being and exercise.

The winning artist will now make the full size sculpture which will go outside the café area of the new sports centre currently being built on the Queen’s Park Annexe site, off Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “The sculpture will add to the growing collection of public art across the town being delivered through our Per Cent for Art Scheme.

“All the artists were asked to come up with themes that represented the health and fitness agenda that the new sports centre will deliver.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The sculpture will be sited in a prominent location near the café and will help provide a focal point to the grounds.”

The public consultation for the artwork was held during June. Residents were able to vote online or in person at the existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre, the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley, Chesterfield College or the Visitor Information Centre. The consultation was also publicised in the local media, on websites and social media.

Mick Thacker, who will produce the winning sculpture, said: “I am delighted to have won the public vote and very much look forward to making and installing the new work.

“The theme and form of the sculpture perfectly fit the context of a brand new sports centre and my hope is that the work will inspire and inform in equal measure. Jump celebrates the beauty of the human body in motion and the joy of life itself.”

The final scale and finishing details will be worked on over the coming weeks before fabrication of the sculpture begins in September ready for installation during mid-December.

The new Queen’s Park Sports Centre is on schedule to open in early 2016. The £11.25 million project is paid for by £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a dual use agreement, £2 million from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from Squash England.

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

Ashgate Road land earmarked for housing development

29th June 2015

A 1.5 acre site at Ashgate Road is being put up for sale by Chesterfield Borough Council to be turned into a housing development.

The land, which has been designated for houses since the mid-1990s, consists of a large car park and buildings.

The council has a requirement to build 380 new homes each year and currently has a backlog of 800 homes to be built in addition to these.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The land at Ashgate Road has been identified for housing development for nearly 20 years and was only ever intended to be used as a car park on an interim basis until the land was sold for development.

“We have a range of parking options available around the town with spare capacity to suit regular commuters who want to park near the town centre.

“It will be at least six to nine months before the car park is sold and until that time Ashgate Road will continue to operate as a car park. Users will be given plenty of notice before it is closed and made aware of alternative car parking arrangements.”

The council will use the period before the sale to look at whether it is possible to have a £1 a day car park site in the town centre area.

Monthly parking savers are also available for £20 per month at the West Street or Queen’s Park Annexe car parks, equivalent to £2 each day.

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

Chesterfield claimant count falls again as East Midlands drives the UK Economy

17th June 2015

The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Chesterfield continues to fall.

In May there were 1274 people out of work and claiming the benefit in Chesterfield compared with 1312 in April and 1840 a year ago.

The number of people aged 16-64 in work across the East Midlands for the three months to April 2015 increased by 4,635 to 2,268,398 from 2,263,763 for the same period the previous year.

The number of people unemployed in the region for the same periods dropped from 139,034 to 114,274, a fall of 24,760.

In Derbyshire the number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants fell from 6,870 in April to 6,434 in May, a drop of 436. The year-on-year fall was 3,179.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “The latest figures are welcome and prove once again that businesses in the East Midlands continue to power the economy.

“It’s also encouraging to see another period of wages rising above inflation, particularly given that inflation itself has started to rise.

“Boosting productivity is the key to sustaining increased pay. While the employment rate has shown a healthy increase over the past two years, it is not being matched by an increase in productivity.

“While UK growth is likely to remain dependent on the services sector, manufacturing remains a vital sector for innovation and productivity.

“Given this region’s strengths in manufacturing, supporting manufacturers – and in particular, encouraging more firms to explore international markets – should be an area of major focus for the new Government if it is to achieve its ambition to make the Midlands the ‘Engine of Growth’ for the UK’s economy.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Future jobs in pipeline at Markham Vale as Gould Alloys prepares for opening

16th June 2015

Metal distributor Gould Alloys has become the latest business to get the keys to a new premises at Markham Vale.

Gould Alloys will be moving from its current base at Carwood Industrial Park in Chesterfield to a new purpose-built warehouse and distribution centre at the flagship regeneration site to benefit from better transport links located just off Junction 29A of the M1.

Sixty-two existing employees will move to the new 50,000 square feet premises and the company is looking to expand over the next few years bringing more jobs to Markham.

Managing Director at Gould Alloys, Jane Bradshaw said:

“We’re really excited to open our new base at Markham Vale.

“We’re moving to the site to benefit from better transport links and bigger premises with the aim of attracting more business to our company − which could lead to further jobs being created in the future.

“The relocation has future-proofed our business and we’re pleased to be part of Markham’s growing network.”

Work began in September last year to build the premises which includes office space, features solar panels and has energy efficient heating.

The company was established in 1984 and distributes metals to a number of industries including defence, medical, scientific, exploration and production, motor sport and power generation and is a key supplier to the aerospace industry where it delivers ‘first stage’ machining.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council’s leader and cabinet member for strategic policy, economic development and budget, said:

“It’s great that Chesterfield-based companies continue to choose Markham Vale to relocate to instead of moving outside Derbyshire.

“With bigger premises and better transport links, the company aim to attract more businesses which could lead to jobs being created in the future.”

Gould Alloy’s new base was designed and built by private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Henry Boot’s regional director, added:

“We are delighted that Gould Alloys are moving to Markham Vale.

“The interest generated and current activity here at Markham Vale is exceptional. We have recently welcomed Inspirepac, AW Repair Group, Euro Garages, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg, with existing occupiers including Andrew Page and Industrial Ancillaries.

“In addition, we’re also underway with a new building for Meter Provida which will be ready at the end of 2015.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

Lloyds Bank expert and business futurologist come to Chesterfield for D2N2 Annual Conference

9th June 2015

One of the UK’s most senior economic figures and an expert in looking at business’s future challenges will be guest speakers at the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Conference.

The free business breakfast event will be held from 7.30am to 10am on Tuesday July 14; at The Leengate Legends Lounge of the Chesterfield FC Proact Stadium, at 1866 Sheffield Road, Chesterfield.

D2N2 – a partnership of business, local authorities, and skills and training providers which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – holds an Annual Conference each year.

Representatives from businesses, local authorities, education providers, community organisations and others working in the D2N2 area are welcome to attend the free event. They will hear about the Local Enterprise Partnership’s work over the last year and its ambitions for the future.

The agenda for the Annual Conference will be as follows:

7.30am to 8am – Registration and light breakfast provided.

8am to 9.15am –

Welcome and presentation by D2N2 Chairman Peter Richardson.
Presentation by Chief Executive David Ralph.
Short video on the work of D2N2 over the last year.
Guest speaker – Trevor Williams, Chief Economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, Visiting Professor at the University of Derby’s Business School and co-author (with Victoria Turton) of Trading Economics. Trevor will look at where UK growth is coming from in the next few years and its main challenges, in the context of the new Government’s first Budget (due July 8).
Guest speaker – Christopher Barnatt, Futurist and author of website ExplainingTheFuture.com, Associate Professor of Strategy and Future Studies at Nottingham University Business School, and the author of Seven Ways To Fix The World and 25 Things You Need To Know About The Future.

9.15am to 10am – Business Panel. A panel featuring D2N2 Board members and guest speakers will answer business questions live from the audience. Hosted by Neil White, Editor-in-Chief at the Derby Telegraph.

10am – A chance for networking and close of the event.

Peter Richardson, Chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Local Enterprise Partnership has had a terrific year.

“Highlights have included the launch of the Growth Hub last December, with its team now a vital resource to aid businesses, and the announcement in March this year of £214m in European funding for projects improving skills provision, entrepreneurship, business competitiveness and a wealth of other drivers of economic growth.

“We look forward to welcoming delegates to our Annual Conference, to hear how we’ve moved from planning to delivery and about our ambitious plans for the future.”

To book online to attend the Annual Conference (a maximum of two people per organisation, please) go to the D2N2 LEP website www.d2n2lep.org/About/Events

Posted in Business, Development

Discover the top 50 businesses in North Derbyshire

8th June 2015

BHP Accountants and the Derbyshire Times recently published their list of the top 50 businesses in North Derbyshire and the state of the economy.

Dominic Staniforth of BHP said “Against a backdrop of a stable economy, controlled growth and record employment, North Derbyshire continues to shine brightly and is rapidly becoming a powerhouse of the region. Overall the Top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire contribute turnover of over £712 million, generate pre-tax profits in excess of £55million and employ over 4,000 people.”

“At the headline level these numbers reflect a growing confidence in the area and demonstrate a willingness to invest. 2014 certainly felt different to previous years and many companies reported significant growth suggesting sustainable confidence and an improving economy.”

Download the report and discover the top 50 SMEs in North Derbyshire in 2015

Posted in Business, Development