Development

£16m now available to support growing businesses

Businesses with clear growth aspirations are now invited to apply for a share of a £16 million fund via the University of Derby.

The money has been secured from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF), which is aimed at fuelling business expansion and helping to create and safeguard thousands of jobs in the East Midlands region.

The ‘Invest to Grow’ project, is now open for expressions of interest, which can be submitted via the website: www.derby.ac.uk/investtogrow.

The university will use the fund to support business growth in the region by investing in companies, as well as providing access to its extensive range of wider resources including academic expertise and technology.

Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our city and region. We are delighted that the university will deliver this multi-million pound investment, supporting companies in the East Midlands to grow and flourish.

“It will benefit companies that need funding or other support to innovate and accelerate growth, particularly those companies which have the potential to become high value incoming generating businesses.

“This funding is particularly timely, especially in a fast growing region such as ours where companies are trying to grow and confidence is returning but it still remains difficult to get all the help needed from the banks.

“Investing in these companies will create high value jobs in the region, which will help to retain our best graduates and attract others, creating a pipeline of young talent to the region.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, added: “It is great news that a fresh injection of funding is now available to help support businesses to grow, create new jobs and safeguard others, as well as access wider resources of expertise.

“We have already seen excellent results from the Regional Growth Fund programme in our area, through our own ‘Unlocking Investment for Growth’ programme and others, such as the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and Global Derbyshire.

“The Invest to Grow project, managed by the University of Derby, will further enhance the help available to firms in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I would urge all those who need this assistance to further their business, to look into this new grant project.”

The University of Derby Invest to Grow team can be contacted on 01332 597907 or via email: investtogrow@derby.ac.uk

Source:The University of Derby

Posted in Business, Development

Electronics firm moves into 21st-century building thanks to grant funding

An expanding electronics company is enjoying life in a new premises – and has created new jobs – thanks to grant funding of a quarter of a million pounds from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

Kingfield Electronics, based in Chesterfield, has moved from two separate locations into a large new manufacturing facility that provides an increased range of manufacturing capabilities, and significantly improves its competitiveness within the global electronics manufacturing marketplace.

The £2.5m project was supported by a grant of £250,000 from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which has been awarding RGF grants to business across the region.

The grant has enabled Kingfield Electronics to create 30 new jobs and safeguard a further 20 jobs which may otherwise have been under threat.

Kingfield Electronics’ new 45,000sq ft facility at Carrwood Road is in excess of twice the size of the previous premises, and the company says it provides “a far better platform on which to develop and win new customers.”

The project also includes further investment in new equipment, and the implementation of existing equipment that has been in storage due to a previous lack of space.

Kingfield Electronics started up in 1985 and manufactures products for companies operating in a number of high reliability, high technology areas including: aerospace, defence, process instrumentation, and oil/gas production.

It has grown steadily in recent years, though global competition has become tougher due to increased amounts of manufacturing moving out of the UK to countries offering cheaper labour rates.

Nick Taylor, Managing Director of Kingfield Electronics, said: “There is a constant requirement to offer ongoing performance improvements, cost reductions, and ever-quicker turnaround times.

“This latest investment has involved purchasing and refurbishing our new premises, as well as adding new production equipment, including an additional high-speed robotic assembly line.

“We are still a relatively small company, with no group company or external investors. However, we hope that this expansion – made possible with the grant from the RGF – will enable us to grow and compete more strongly in a global marketplace.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration said: “Chesterfield is on the up – each year we see new businesses relocating to the borough and existing businesses like Kingfield Electronics growing. In great part this is due to our own regeneration team providing expert support for Chesterfield businesses.

“It is great to see businesses growing thanks to the funding they have received from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and as a board member I will continue to work with other members in the partnership to get the best deal for businesses and residents in the region.”

The grant funding has come from the LEP’s “Unlocking Business Investment” programme, which has seen £32m in central Government funding allocated to the Sheffield City Region.

Around £29m of that fund has already been allocated, while £3m is still available to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that plan to create sustainable, private sector employment in the Sheffield City Region.

Significant expenditure must have taken place by March next year and the balance of investment must be in place by March 2016.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Sheffield City Region has secured a £320m “growth deal” from the Government, which will create more than 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people.

This is the fifth-largest sum to be secured of the 39 LEPs within the country.

For more information on Kingfield Electronics visit the website atwww.kingfield-electronics.co.uk

Information regarding Sheffield City Region’s “growth deal” will appear hereover the coming months.

Source:Sheffield City Region

Posted in Business, Development, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield firm to expand thanks to £50k grant

A Chesterfield firm is set to boost its workforce thanks to funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

The Corrugated Case Company has secured a £50,000 grant from D2N2’s Unlocking Investment for Growth programme, which is backed by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

It will form part of a £205,000 project to purchase new machinery, allowing the company to produce new work and enter different markets.

Staff numbers will rise by five full-time employees to 38 at the Danesmoor site, where they design, manufacture and merchant corrugated packaging, point-of-sale displays and related packaging material and services.

Three new machines have been purchased with the last of them to be installed in late Nov to create cost-effective types of packs they cannot currently produce whilst a new waste ink cleaning system will allow them to work in a much more environmentally friendly manner.

Mark Wilcockson, M.D. of The Corrugated Case Company, said: “This tranche of investment represents stage three of our three-year investment programme which started back in 2012 and will culminate with a large scale extension to our Danesmoor premises during 2015. I’m very pleased to say that throughout the period all sales and profit forecasts have been met which gives us great confidence going forward.”

David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2, the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, said: “This grant was deemed essential to their plans and the jobs created will be in a high priority area of the region.”

D2N2 secured £5m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, topped up further by the European Regional Development Fund, to help businesses grow through its Unlocking Investment for Growth (UI4G) programme.

Since launching in 2013, the programme has approved £3.2 million in grant funding which will create more than 300 jobs.  Further applications that are at an advanced stage are requesting in excess of £1.6m and expect to create an additional 200 jobs.

But it is a time-bound opportunity, with capital projects having to be completed by March 2015.

The programme will provide a grant in support of capital investment projects with a minimum overall project value of £200,000.  In exceptional circumstances up to £500,000 of grant funding is available for projects that can demonstrate real potential to create new jobs.

For more information, go to www.d2n2lep.org/UI4G, or call 01332 826366 or email UI4G@embltd.co.uk.

Source:D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Posted in Business, Development

Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Chesterfield residents are to benefit from an enhanced sport facilities thanks to a £2 million funding Funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

The investment comes from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities fund and will allow previously approved plans for the new centre to be expanded to provide additional activity space, including:

• Increasing the main swimming pool from six to eight lanes

• Increasing the size of the learner pool

• Increasing the number of sports courts from six to eight

• Additional studio space on the first floor of the building.

• Spectator seating in the swimming pool hall and main sports hall

Councillor Amanda Serjeant welcomes funding boost for new Queens Park Sports Centre

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Along with the collaboration agreement and funding committed by Chesterfield College, this £2 million grant from Sport England will make a huge difference to the quality of the sports provision we will be able to offer to our residents and visitors in the future.

“Since we first announced the project in early 2013, we have consistently said that we would seek grants to improve the number of activities and the space in the new centre and we have worked closely with national governing bodies, local sports groups and current users of our sport and leisure centres to achieve this.

“One of the council’s top priorities is to encourage people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and the new purpose-built Queens Park Sports Centre with its extended swimming pool and sports courts will allow us to offer more space and activities than is possible in the current sports centre. The new design is very space and energy efficient with more activity space being provided in a smaller building footprint than at present.

“There will also be opportunities for employment and training for local people while the centre is built with the current centre remaining in use until the new centre opens to cause as little disruption as possible to residents and sports clubs.”

Charles Johnston, Sport England’s property director, added: “The right facilities in the right areas are fundamental in providing more people with the opportunity to play sport.

“We’re investing in the new Queens Park Sports Centre to provide outstanding facilities which will encourage more people to take up sport and create a sporting habit for life.”

The plans for the extended new Queens Park Sports Centre were approved by the council’s planning committee at its meeting on Tuesday.

As well as the extended pool and sports courts, facilities on offer at the new sports centre will include:

• A learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features

• Café and social space

• Midwifery centre

• Village changing facilities with individual and family cubicles for swimmers

• Changing facilities for other sports or activities

• Three Training Rooms

• Additional Activity studio

• 80 station gym

• Two glass back squash courts with moveable wall

• Car parking for approximately 150 cars.

The new centre will be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.

At 19,050 square metres, it will take up less than half of the site and will also allow currently unusable space such as the derelict seating area to be re-established as green space. The bowls and tennis facilities are unaffected and will remain available.

Morgan Sindall has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the project. The contract specifies that where possible, they will use local people and supplies in building the new centre.

Work is set to begin on site in September with the new centre opening in early 2016.

Further information and displays will be available at the current Queens Park Sports Centre, the Staveley Healthy Living Centre, and the Councils Customer Service Centre.

Information will also be available on the council website and on social media.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Further development in the pipeline at Markham Vale

A planning application has been submitted for a new 100,000 sq ft warehouse and office building at Markham Vale.

If given the go ahead, work on the site (next to the roundabout on Markham Lane) could start in the autumn − bringing more construction jobs to the area.

Outline planning permission has already been granted for the development and approval is now being sought for the appearance of the state-of-the-art building which has been designed by Henry Boot Developments Ltd.

The work is to be funded as part of a £14.2m government grant awarded to Markham Vale to provide ultra-modern accommodation for warehouse, manufacturing and offices designed to attract further business and industry to the area.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“This is a really exciting time for Markham Vale with development really starting to gain pace.

“We’ve already started laying the foundations to expand onto the former Seymour Colliery site and turn a dormant site into prime economic land for business and industry with the potential to create an additional 2,000 jobs.

“If planning permission is granted, this warehouse will provide yet another excellent opportunity for a business to relocate or set-up at Markham and benefit from all it has to offer − including excellent transport links right next to the M1.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is set to consider the planning application in September.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Development

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved by Councillors at their meeting on Tuesday 19 August.

Members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee approved plans for the new centre, which will be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe, subject to planning conditions.

The council has applied to Sport England for a grant of more than £1 million to extend the plans for the new sports centre.

This would allow the main swimming pool to be extended from six to eight lanes, to increase the number of sports courts to eight and extra activity studio space.

This would enable more activities to take place at the same time than is possible in the current sports centre.

Plans for extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre approved and are welcomed by Councillor Amanda Serjeant

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Now the plans for the extended Queen’s Park Sports Centre are approved, we are able to move on with the project, with work expected to start on site next month.

“We are currently waiting for the outcome of our bid to Sport England for the new centre and we hope to be able to share this imminently.”

The council has appointed Morgan Sindall, who built the Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock, as the contractor to deliver the project with a commitment to provide employment opportunities for local people.

It is anticipated the new centre should be complete by the end of 2015. The current Queen’s Park Sports Centre would remain open until a replacement has been constructed.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Markham Vale expansion underway

One of the country’s largest cranes is in Derbyshire to remove a bridge deck as part of plans to expand the Markham Vale regeneration site.

The ‘Bailey’ bridge over Erin Road is being removed today (Tuesday 12 August) by Mabey Bridge Ltd which has brought its 350 tonne weight limit crane to lift it off its abutments before dismantling it.

The work is part of Derbyshire County Council’s plans to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create an additional 2,000 jobs.

It is being funded as part of a £14.2 million cash injection from the Government through its Enterprise Zone grant funding programme following a successful bid through Sheffield City Region’s Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said:

“Markham Vale has already provided a great jobs boost to Derbyshire and we are very excited to be expanding the site further.

“The expansion is part of our long-term vision of creating 5,000 jobs for local people on both sites and we look forward to welcoming businesses by March 2015.”

Erin Road, which will serve the next section of land to be developed, will also be closed for up to six months between Poolsbrook and Duckmanton and Markham Vale.

As well as groundwork for the gas, water and electricity supply, improvements will be made to make sure it is fit to carry traffic to and from local businesses setting up in the area once the site is developed.

A shuttle bus will be running between Poolsbrook and the Staveley and Duckmanton area, providing a connection to the existing bus services while the work takes place.

More than 560 new jobs have already been created at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site which is currently home to 28 businesses.

A further 200 jobs have already been announced with the construction of new buildings underway.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Development

New development creating more jobs for Chesterfield

A new family pub and restaurant development is to open at the Markham Vale regeneration site in Chesterfield.

Named The Little Castle, the new eatery is expected to open by December and will bring 40 jobs to the town.

Run by Marston’s Inns and Taverns, which provides pubs throughout the UK, The Little Castle will be located next to McDonald’s and will offer an extensive food menu, including a Sunday carvery and weekend breakfast buffet.

Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Marston’s Inns and Taverns to Markham Vale and the employment opportunities it brings.

“Markham Vale is playing an important part in our vision to build a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs and we look forward to welcoming many more businesses to the site in the future.

“Working with development partner, Henry Boot Developments Limited, we have helped to attract 28 businesses to the site to date and create 565 jobs.

“We have invested £77 million to reclaim the former mining area at Markham, between Chesterfield and Bolsover, with the long-term aim of creating 5,000 jobs.

Rachel Newnes, from Marston’s Inns and Taverns said: “We are extremely excited about our latest pub which we hope will build a great reputation locally, and we are hoping to welcome the community through the doors in time for Christmas.”

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in Development, Visiting

Paving the way for more Markham Vale development

Work to open up a new section of the Markham Vale regeneration site started today with a £1.2m road refurbishment project.

Erin Road, which will serve the next section of land to be developed on the site where the former Seymour Colliery once stood, will be closed for up to six months between Poolsbrook and Duckmanton and Markham Vale.

As well as groundwork for the gas, water and electricity supply, improvements will be carried out along the section of road stretching just over half a mile to make sure it is fit to carry extra traffic travelling to and from local businesses setting up in the area once the Seymour site is developed.

A shuttle bus will be running between Poolsbrook and the Staveley and Duckmanton area, providing a connection to the existing bus services while the work takes place.

A bridge carrying an old haul road over Erin Road will also be demolished. The ‘Bailey’ bridge − a temporary bridge made of prefabricated steel truss panels bolted together − was used by colliery vehicles travelling to and from the former pit.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, Councillor Joan Dixon said:

Developing the next phase of Markham Vale is the next step in our long-term vision of attracting more business and industry, creating 5,000 jobs for local people.

“We are pleased we can finally start work to prepare the land and get plots in place for further development by March 2015.

“We will be working hard to get this work done as quickly as possible and if we can reopen the road sooner, we will. I hope road users will bear with us while this important work takes place and apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused.”

The work is being funded as part of a £14.2 million cash injection from the government to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs.

More than 560 new jobs have already been created at the county council’s flagship regeneration site which is currently home to 28 businesses. A further 200 jobs have already been announced with the construction of new buildings underway.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

More new homes for Chesterfield

Plans have been announced by Miller Homes Midlands for a further 63 homes to be built at Chesterfield’s popular housing development, The Portlands.

New two, three and four-bedroom properties will form phase two of the development, which is situated on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield.

Amongst the new properties released for sale is the three-bedroom Montgomery style property, which boasts a master bedroom with ensuite and French Doors that open onto a generous garden.

The Portlands, Chesterfield is set in an ideal location with excellent commuting links to nearby Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. The development also offers the buyer a countryside escape, with the Peak District being just a short hop away.

Paul Walters, Associate Director for Miller Homes Midlands, explains how phase two offers the perfect opportunity for those looking to get on the housing ladder:

“Phase One of The Portlands continues to be extremely popular with first time buyers and we are still experiencing high interest levels. With Phase Two, we have sold five properties in just three days so it shows how well received the development is.

“We are beginning to see confidence return to the housing market and with the government-backed Help to Buy scheme, making a move to a newly built home has never been easier.”

For more information on The Portlands, visit the sales centre, open Thursday to Monday 10am-5pm, or call 0808 250 6460.

Source:Tank PR on behalf of Miller Homes

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

£174m investment deal agreed for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire

£174.4 million is to be invested in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire thanks to an historic Growth Deal agreed with the government by the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) D2N2.

£47.4million has been confirmed in the first year, and as part of the government’s on-going commitment to the D2N2 LEP it has provided an indicative award of a further £127million of funding from 2016/17 onwards.  The projects which start in 2015/16 will help to create up to 18,000 jobs, allow up to 8,000 homes to be built and generate up to £380 million in public and private investment.

In Chesterfield the funding will provide a centre for higher level skills.  The centre will mean local people can access skills and learning, either higher education or equivalent vocational qualifications, in a new building in Chesterfield.  Crucially, as part of this scheme, business owners will be able to recruit the skilled people they need to grow their firms.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, said: “This is positive news and businesses will welcome the fact that, after four years of hard work to produce these proposals and negotiate with government, the money – which will make a real difference to businesses on the ground here in the East Midlands – is finally starting to materialise.

“The Growth Deal will have a positive and practical impact on the regional economy, helping to protect existing jobs and drive job creation, upskill the local labour market, transform local infrastructure and, most importantly, support private sector growth and investment at what is a crucial time for the economy.

The D2N2 Growth Deal is part of a £12 billion long-term programme to revitalise local economies. The deals are the latest and greatest example of the British economy being rebuilt from the bottom up, and sharing the benefits of the recovery around the country. Local businesses and council leaders have been invited to open discussions immediately on the next set of projects to be funded, building on the momentum that has been established.

The Prime Minister said: “Growth Deals are a crucial part of our long-term plan to secure Britain’s future.

“For too long our economy has been too London-focused and too centralised. Growth Deals will help change all that. They are about firing up our great towns and cities, boosting local economies and driving growth across the country.

“This historic deal means real change for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, with plans to attract new businesses to the area, help young people in the region get the skills they need to get on, and ensure the area has the workforce it needs to prosper.

“By trusting local people, backing business and investing in infrastructure, skills and housing, we can create thousands of new jobs. And that means more economic security, peace of mind and a brighter future for hardworking people across the region.”

Source:D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Posted in Business, Development