Development

More positive job figures for Chesterfield

The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in Chesterfield continues to fall according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.   In October, there were 922 JSA claimants , 60 fewer than in September (980) and 505 fewer than in October 2014 (1485).  The current percentage of people claiming the benefit remains below the national average for a third month (1.4% for Chesterfield compared with 1.6% for the UK and 1.5% for the East Midlands).

The figures across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire continues also to fall,   In October, there were 31,550 JSA claimants across the three counties, 1,490 fewer than in September (33,040) and 9,680 fewer than in October 2014 (41,230).

The number of unemployed people in the East Midlands fell by 7,980 to 103,109 over the three months to the end of September, meaning that the region’s unemployment rate now stands at 4.5%. Over the same period, the number of people in work decreased slightly, by 747, to 2,168,138.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber said: “The employment figures released today are positive and, while taking into account the usual spike in seasonal employment we normally see at this time of year, once again show that the region continues to lead when it comes to creating jobs.

“Although the figures remain robust, there are underlying issues in the economy which still need to be addressed. Chamber members continue to report problems recruiting people with the skills they need, while the region still lags behind the UK average when it comes to productivity.

“It’s important that the jobs being created by East Midlands businesses are sustainable, which means they must be created alongside improvements in productivity.

“To keep the momentum going, we need to continue to invest in the skills and experience of our workforce and focus on attracting and retaining the best talent.”

Chesterfield Town Hall spring

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chiquito recruiting for December launch

Chiquito are recruiting for their new Chesterfield restaurant which is planned to open this December.  The new restaurant is creating around 80 jobs for the town.

The restaurant is currently recruiting for team members, cocktail bar tenders and door hosts.  A recruitment week starts on Monday 16th November.  To apply send your CV to careers@chiquito.co.uk or chesterfield@chiquito.co.uk before Sunday 15th November.

The popular mexican eatery is coming to Alma Leisure Park  at the site of the former Wacky Warehouse.

Jody Millward, Regional Marketing Coordinator at Chiquito said:-

“We’re thrilled to announce that Chiquito is to join Chesterfield’s growing food and drink offering and hope to be open to the public in December.

“The combination of our quality food, quality drinks and cocktails, soaked up in our authentic and fun surroundings will take you to places you haven’t been before! Fresh, vibrant and colourful!

“Our team is the heartbeat of our restaurant and we look forward to meeting local candidates who are as passionate as we are about food, drink and all things Tex Mex.”

Chiquito Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Visiting

Two of the top ten East Midlands hotels are in Chesterfield

Hotel search website trivago.co.uk have revealed the results of their inaugural Top Hotel Awards and the Casa Hotel in Chesterfield has been named the top-rated hotel in the East Midlands.

trivago.co.uk have used aggregated online user ratings in order to recognise the best rated hoPicture1tels, both regionally and nationally

The majority of the top-rated hotels are clustered towards the centre of the East Midlands region, with easy access to the Peak District. Two hotels are located in Chesterfield,  alongside first place Casa Hotel is the Peak Edge Hotel which was named equal 5th in the survey.

 

To view the full results, please visit: checkin.trivago.co.uk/2015/11/04/trivago-uk-top-hotel-awards- 2015/#EastMid

Stuart Downham, Operations Director, Casa Hotel: “We are thrilled to be named as the number one hotel in the East Midlands for trivago’s 2015 Top Hotel Awards, the team at Casa work tirelessly to ensure the best stay for our guests. Being an independent hotel we are able to really tailor our service to the needs of our guests and every decision we make is made with the guest as our number one priority. We value all of the feedback we receive, we use it to get a little bit better every single day and recognition for our consistently high levels of service will give us all even more motivation to exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Denise Bartlett, UK Public Relations at trivago.co.uk said “With their attention to detail and attentiveness towards their guests, it is easy to see why Casa is our top-rated hotel in the East Midlands this year. Given the high number of independent hotels and guest houses in the top 20 for this region, it is only fitting that an independent hotel should take this title.

The trivago Top Hotel Awards aim to judge all accommodation fairly, whether they are chain hotel in Lincoln, a guest house in the Peak District, or a luxury independent hotel. It is really encouraging to see such a range of accommodation, both in terms of price and geographical location, in our top 20.”

Casa Hotel Chesterfield

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

Construction of the Great Bear development to begin

Construction of the 480,000 sq. ft. building will commence on 9th November after planning permission had been secured for the Great Bear development on Plot 1 at Markham Vale.

Following the completion of all legal agreements, Derbyshire County Council’s development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd has appointed a building contractor.

At 480,000 sq. ft. the building will be the largest to date on Markham Vale.  When fully operational, the facility will employ 400 people across a variety of roles and disciplines within the logistics sector.

Markham Vale is an 80 hectare business park offering direct access to the M1 Motorway via a dedicated new junction, J29A. This prime development site offers industrial, warehouse and office accommodation in a range of unit sizes from 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) up to one million sq ft (92,900 sq m). Markham Vale occupies a high profile location in the M1 Corridor and is available for immediate development.

There has been fantastic progress at Markham Vale over the past six years with more than 732 jobs created on site so far and 700 more in the pipeline.

Key recent investment includes:

  • National distribution and warehousing company Great Bear signing a deal to move on site in 2016 creating 400 new jobs;
  • The build new premises for gas, water and electric meter supplier Meter Provida, creating 40 jobs on site in January next year;
  • Packaging firm Inspirepac moving on-site with a view to creating up to 100 jobs as the company grows over the next two years;
  • Around 50 jobs created at Gould Alloys which moved on site in June;
  • Beginning of work to expand the site and turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area

Find out more about Markham Vale

Great Bear Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield begins

Work to build a new cycle path in Chesterfield between Queen’s Park and the train station is gathering pace.

The new path is being installed as part of the Chesterfield Cycle Network by Derbyshire County Council.  It is a long term project running until April next year to link shopping areas to the train and bus station and main residential areas in the town.

The first section of the path to be built is around 100 metres long and will run from Hipper Street South, between Markham and Ravenside Retail Parks to Lordsmill Street where there will also be a new footbridge.

An additional footbridge over Hollis Lane will also be built − linking the final part of the route through to the train station. Work will start on Monday 9 November 2015.

While the work takes place, the A61 southbound exit slip road before the Horns Bridge roundabout will be closed from Monday 9 November until Friday 4 December 2015.

The slip road will be closed up to its junction with the A632 Hollis Lane where the permanent traffic lights will be replaced with temporary ones during this time. Motorists are being advised to leave extra time for journeys as there may be delays.

Access will be given to emergency vehicles but a signed diversion route will be in place for other motorists via the A61 bypass southbound − A617 Hasland bypass − A617 exit slip road onto Spital Lane − A632 Hady Hill.

Traffic travelling southbound into town on the A61 bypass can travel through to the Horns Bridge roundabout and up onto Lordsmill Street.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Dean Collins said:

“We’re committed to making it easier and safer for people to bike around Derbyshire as it’s better for the environment, cheaper than running a car and it’s a great way to stay fit and healthy too.

“Although the diversion is only around a mile long, we are still advising motorists to allow extra time for journeys as there may be some delays.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope motorists will bear with us while this work takes place.”

 Growth Sculpture Horns bridge Roundabout
Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Proposals welcomed for redevelopment of Co-op building

Destination Chesterfield and the East Midlands Chamber have today welcomed news that redevelopment plans for the town’s landmark Co-op building On Elder Way, will be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council’s Planning Department.

Find out more about the scheme and download details of opportunities

The Co-op closed the doors of its department store in 2012 and it has been a key target for redevelopment since. A joint venture has now been agreed between Midlands Co-operative and Jomast Developments Ltd to re-use the existing four storey building and create a new leisure development for Chesterfield. The developers propose to turn the former department store into a hotel, restaurants and a gym, retaining many of the building’s original design feature.

Planning permission is expected to be submitted for consideration on 12 October.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, said: “I’m delighted that the potential of the former Co-op building has been recognised by investors. It has a prime spot in the town and plays a key role in the town centre master plan. Chesterfield already has very low shop vacancy rates and the proposed redevelopment of the former Co-op store will further enhance the town’s offering, helping us attract further town investment as well as make us a go to destination for shoppers and tourists.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “It was a huge blow to Chesterfield when the Co-op closed its doors in 2012, but it’s great to see that significant progress has been made to bring the iconic building it vacated back into use to boost the town’s leisure offering.”

The news of the proposed redevelopment plans for the Co-op building follows on the back of the announcement earlier in the year that £1billion of investment is taking place in the Borough over the next 10 years, including the £400 million Peak Resorts, £320 million Chesterfield Waterside, £88 million Markham Vale and Northern Gateway developments.

Peter Swallow added: “We want Chesterfield to be a place people stop and stay in, rather than travel through to the Peak District and Destination Chesterfield is an important part of that. We forged ahead with our marketing plans through the recession and we are now reaping the rewards of that as investors are now looking at the town.”

Chesterfield Elderway (Former Co-op store)

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

New future planned for former Co-op store

A planning application is to be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council seeking permission to convert the town’s landmark former Co-op store for a mixed leisure and restaurant use.

Find out more about the scheme and download the opportunities brochure

The large site in Elder Way has been empty since the town’s Co-op department store shut its doors to customers for the final time in July 2013.

Now, Central England Cooperative, which still owns the site, is working in partnership with Jomast Developments Ltd, who will shortly submit a planning application for a scheme.  It is anticipated that this application will include:

  • An 89 bedroom hotel on the upper floor
  • Six family restaurants, of between 2,929 sq ft and 3,796 sq ft in size, on the ground floor
  • A 16,000 sq ft health and fitness area in the basement

The developers plan to refurbish the existing building and keep most of its original features.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The former Co-op store is a really important site because it occupies such a large and prominent part of the town centre.

“Our economic development and planning teams have done a huge amount of work behind the scenes with Jomast and Central England Co-operative to enable us to get to a day where a planning application can be submitted that proposes a new future for this important site within the town.

“However, as with all planning applications, the council’s planning committee will have to consider the application with an open mind, balancing all aspects of the scheme, and taking into account the opinions of the public, businesses and other bodies, before coming to a decision.”

It is expected that a planning application will be formally submitted in the week beginning 12 October. It is anticipated that a decision will be made within eight weeks. During this period there will be a 21 day consultation with the public, businesses and other interested parties.

Adam Hearld, development director for Jomast, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to revitalise a significant landmark building and create a vibrant leisure destination comprising restaurants, hotel and health and fitness accommodation in the heart of Chesterfield town centre.

“We are in the process of talking to a number of established national operators who are keen to locate in the town and benefit from a market which is currently lacking in real choice for leisure consumers.

“We will hopefully be successful in securing planning consent and able to commence works on the scheme in the New Year.”

Chesterfield Elder Way (Former Co-op store)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Aviva Secures landmark deal at Markham Vale

Henry Boot Developments has recently completed the sale of two distribution and industrial investments at Markham Vale in Derbyshire, to Aviva Insurance, for a price reflecting a net initial yield of 5.3%.

The newly constructed properties comprise a 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility let to Smurfit Kappa, which is currently occupied by inspirepac, a national corrugated packaging company acquired from the Logson Group in 2014.

The sales also include the 52,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Markham Vale West which is let to Gould Alloys, one of the fastest growing specialist metals stockholders in the country. The sale to Aviva follows the successful £36million forward funding deal of Great Bear’s 480,000 sq ft new distribution facility by M&G Real Estate earlier this year.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said “The demand for these fully let investments demonstrates the confidence in Markham Vale as a location of choice for both occupiers and investors.

We are extremely pleased with the recent deals announced this year, and with our next phase of development currently underway, we are offering a wealth of opportunities for investors and occupiers at Markham Vale.”

Markham Vale’s strategic location adjacent to Junction 29a of the M1 alongside its Enterprise Zone status has seen excellent levels of take up over the last couple of years. The next phase of development, Markham Vale North, is currently being prepared for development and there is already a strong interest from a number of parties for large scale distribution buildings.”

Burbage Realty and JLL represented Henry Boot Developments in the latest Aviva investment deal.

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Sculpture chosen for new Chesterfield College building

A sculpture celebrating the town’s famous railway pioneer, George Stephenson is to be installed outside Chesterfield College’s new construction facility on Infirmary Road.

The winning design comes from Chesterfield College art and design student, Hannah Carter, aged 17, who was one of 6 finalists shortlisted from a total of 28, and will incorporate some of the decorative stones from the old building on the site.

Hannah said:

“I was inspired by the role the railway has played in the town and I wanted to combine that with the role education plays in shaping people’s lives. My design is created from stone and metal railway tracks. It shows how education can take you on different journeys in life.”

“It has been an amazing experience to take part in this competition. I can’t wait to see my designs come to life for everyone to enjoy.”

Luke Chapman, tutor at Chesterfield College said:-

“I am proud of how each of the students has used different inspirations to create their designs. This competition has given them all a fantastic opportunity to see how design is important in the local community. Some of the students want to go on to study architecture when they leave us and being finalists in a competition like this really gives them a head start in being able to apply what they learn in a classroom to the outside world.”

Other finalists included Justine Wright, Charlene Haughton, Lauren Blount and Jordan Thorpe all aged 17 and first year art and design students. The competition was judged by Cllr Terry Gilby from Chesterfield Borough Council, Stuart Cutforth, Principal at Chesterfield College and Mike Thackery, Head of Facilities at Chesterfield College.

The new sculpture is part of the Percent for Art scheme run by Chesterfield Borough Council, which invites developers of schemes costing over £1m to include a work of art as part of their finished project.

Hannah Carter (centre) winner of sculpture competition with some of the finalists

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

New fitness equipment for Chesterfield leisure centres

State-of-the-art fitness equipment is set to be installed at two Chesterfield leisure centres.

The 150 stations currently available at the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley will all be replaced before Christmas.  There will be a mix of the latest cardio, strength and functional machines and accessories to provide a range of exercise options for users.

New equipment will also be in place at the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre when it opens early next year.  The size of the new fitness suite will be more than double that in the current centre, with over 80 stations compared to the 40 now available.

At least half of the new equipment will be designed to an inclusive standard which will improve accessibility to equipment for people with disabilities.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: “One of the council’s top priorities is the health and wellbeing of our residents and this investment shows how seriously we take this.

“We are committed to keeping the equipment at both our fitness suites as up to date and as accessible as possible for our gym users.”

A consultation will be carried out before the final mix of equipment is chosen.

Queens Park Sports Centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Visiting

Motorway link road to get £2.5m funding from D2N2

A £7.5million link road to the M1 motorway – which will help ‘unlock’ development land with the potential to create over 1,000 new jobs – is to receive a third of its funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

The £7.5m Seymour Link Road will link junction 29a of the M1 motorway to the Markham Vale Enterprise Zone site, north Derbyshire. The brownfield site, located on the former Seymour Colliery, is being redeveloped for industry – particularly the manufacturing, technology, environmental and logistics sectors – with the aim of eventually creating up to 4,100 new jobs across the whole site (732 have been created to date).

D2N2 has now agreed to give £2.52m towards the road, with the remainder of the £7.5million cost to be provided by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (£3.78m) and Derbyshire County Council (£1.26m).

Markham Vale is invested in and covered by both the D2N2 and Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEPs). There are 39 LEPs in England; private sector-led alliances between business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community organisations which promote economic growth and jobs creation in their areas.

Work on the Seymour Link Road is due to begin in October (2015). It will open up an essential highway link to the M1 for 33 hectares’ worth of employment land plots, on the Markham Vale North site.

It is anticipated that the scheme will lever an additional £82m of private sector investment by 2022 through the delivery of 148,000 square metres of commercial space on the Markham Vale North Site by Henry Boot Developments Ltd; indirectly creating approximately 1,235 new jobs, on the Markham Vale North site.

The Seymour Link Road is due to be completed by August next year (2016).

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Markham Vale site and the Seymour Link Road specifically are identified as a key priority in our Strategic Economic Plan.

“Markham Vale sits at the northern gateway to the D2N2 LEP area. Linking it to the national road network, via the M1, gives the whole Enterprise Zone site the potential to eventually create up to 4,100 new jobs; which is why we and our partners, the Sheffield City Region LEP and Derbyshire County Council, are making this significant investment.”

Councillor Dean Collins – Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure – said: “We’re delighted to be moving forward with the construction of the Seymour Link Road, which could eventually lead to 4,100 new jobs on the site.

“We’re committed to building a strong economy that creates jobs for local people and helps businesses grow. This latest development for Markham Vale is a great step in the right direction for the site.

“The Seymour Link Road is due to be completed by August next year which will follow on from the expected completion of the new distribution centre for the Great Bear Distribution company, Markham’s biggest deal to date.”

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development