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

Sculpture to transform Hornsbridge Roundabout

Work to transform a key gateway into Chesterfield town centre is set to begin after planning permission was granted by Chesterfield Borough Council.

An eight metre-high sculpture by local artist Melanie Jackson will start to be installed at Hornsbridge Roundabout from July with completion expected by the end of the year.

The design, which was voted for by residents and Chesterfield Champions, features a wheel, or cog, integrated into the landscape showing the borough’s industrial heritage with an opening bud or flower rising out of the centre.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “It’s good that work is about to start on Hornsbridge island.

“This is a key gateway into Chesterfield when you drive into the town centre from the M1 or when coming into or leaving the town by train and is a great opportunity to showcase what is great about Chesterfield.”

John Dillon, Managing Director at Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “Community investment is extremely important to us as a company and we are really excited to be involved in a project which promises to have such a significant impact on the landscape of the town itself.”

The project has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes.  This funding can only be used to make environmental improvements to install public art at key sites and entry points to the town centre.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Free studio space available for creative minds

Creative businesses are being invited to register their interest in exciting new studio space nearing completion at Chesterfield College.

Demand is expected to be high and early applications are recommended, with free rental agreements being offered for the first year of tenancy.

Situated in the former boy’s grammar school on Sheffield Road, the studios have undergone a complete transformation, thanks to a boost from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Tenants will be able to benefit from wifi, free business training, administration and social media support, as well as a strong networking community, providing plenty of events and opportunities for future business.

Businesses can also make the most of Chesterfield College’s enviable reputation in the arts with negotiated access to the printmaking, photography, metalwork and ceramics workshops in the Directorate of Art and Design, graded Outstanding by OFSTED in October 2013.

For more information and an application pack please email: westblock@chesterfield.ac.uk.  Closing date for applications is 5pm, 9 June 2014, with tenancy agreements due to begin at the end of June.

Source:Chesterfield College

Posted in Business, Development

Increase in jobs at Markham Vale development

The latest jobs figures for Markham Vale have been revealed – with a further 200 still to come.

The site, which is situated next to junction 29A of the M1, is currently home to 28 businesses and has so far helped to create 565 jobs – an increase of 208 on the previous year.

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

“We are delighted that Markham Vale is going from strength to strength and helped to create many jobs in the last year for local people.

“We are committed to building a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs and grows businesses and Markham Vale plays a key role in helping us achieve this.

“The long-term aim is to help create 5,000 jobs and we will continue to work hard to attract more companies to reach this goal.”

New businesses which have recently opened or are set to in the next few months will help to create an extra 200 jobs.

These include Northern Ireland’s biggest egg processor Ready Egg Products which is developing a manufacturing facility and Derbyshire food company Holdsworth which set up a base on Markham Vale four years ago and is building a new warehouse and cold store.

And thanks to funding of £14.2 million from the Government and £12.5m from the county council’s private sector developer Henry Boot Developments Ltd, work has started to unlock a further 81 acres of land on the former Seymour Colliery site.

The work is expected to generate £82 million of private sector investment and create capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the area.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development

Contractor appointed for new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has approved the appointment of a contractor for the proposed new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

At their meeting this morning, cabinet members accepted a tender from Morgan Sindall to construct the proposed new centre to be built on the site of Queen’s Park Annexe.

The deal will begin should the project receive planning permission when it goes before councillors on at the planning committee later this month

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism, said: “After a rigorous process, we have decided to appoint Morgan Sindall as contractors for the proposed new Queen’s Park Sports Centre.

“Their bid provided the best deal in terms of cost and quality of work. Morgan Sindall is committed to creating opportunities to improve skills within local communities, including creating a number of apprenticeships, and using ‘Meet the Buyer’ events to provide opportunities for local companies to become involved in the project.

“The company also has a good track record in successfully delivering other leisure centre projects, including the Arc Leisure Centre in Matlock.

“We look forward to a close working relationship over the coming months as we progress with the design and build for the centre.”

Cabinet members also approved plans to apply for more than £1 million ofextra funding from Sport England to increase the facilities on offer at the new centre

The current plans for the centre include:

  • Six lane 25m long swimming pool
  • Learner pool with moveable floor and children’s fun water features
  • Café and social space
  • Midwifery centre
  • Six court sports hall
  • Village changing facilities with individual and family cubicles for swimmers
  • Changing facilities for other sports or activities
  • Activity studio
  • 70 to 75 station gym
  • Two squash courts with moveable wall
  • Car parking for approximately 100 cars.

If the bid is successful the extra funding would allow the council to increase the size of the swimming pool from six to eight lanes and increase the size of the sports hall from six to eight courts.

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

Subject to planning permission being granted, 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.

Source:Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in Development

Successful Regional Growth Fund bid provides £250,000 of new machinery for Chesterfield manufacturer

Following the completion of its phase two £500,000 investment in 2013, Chesterfield Champion, Corrugated Case Company (CCC) has now unveiled the next round of investment for new equipment.

Securing assistance from the ‘Regional Growth Fund,’ the company has now placed orders for over £250,000 worth of new machinery.

The order includes a FlexiNOVA multi-point gluer and a Hi-Cut Autobox box-making machine – both from UK manufacturer British Converting Solutions Ltd.  The FlexiNOVA will be the first of its kind and will add a new dimension to the company’s product range offering.

CCC has also ordered an environmentally-friendly ink wash-up system from Solutex Ltd, which will ensure all waste water from the printing equipment is free from any contaminants before being recycled.

“Since we announced the first phase of our investment plan at our Chesterfield site in the second half of 2012, it has been really busy here,” explains Mark Wilcockson, Managing Director.

“We have confirmed our orders with the manufacturers and are expecting to take delivery of the new equipment towards the end of the Spring.  This will allow us to continue with our on-going expansion plans.

“In addition to the new equipment, we are about to submit formal plans for the extension to our factory to give us much needed additional manufacturing space and storage for finished goods for our stock and serve operation.”

“But it is not just machinery and buildings that are helping with the company’s growth, as Mr Wilcockson explains:

“With new machinery, you also need good training and additional people. We have recently seen two of our apprentices progress through to full-time operators and we have welcomed a new apprentice in February.

“It is a continuing trend here at Corrugated Case Company to train people specifically for the jobs we need and that way, we keep hold of our people for a decent period of time.

“In addition to the new apprentice, we have recently recruited a new graduate management trainee; a position which will commence in June this year.

“With increases in production capacity comes the need for additional management personnel to ensure everything runs smoothly, from order processing right through production and onto final invoicing.”

Source:The Corrugated Case Company

Posted in Business, Development

Markham Vale expansion work due to start

Work to expand Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site, Markham Vale is due to start next month after a visit to Markham Vale by Eric Pickles MP today (Tuesday 22nd April) confirmed Government cash is in the pipeline.

In January, the Government announced Markham Vale was to receive £14.2 million to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area following a bid drawn-up by the county council and submitted through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.

Added to a £12.5m contribution from the county council’s private sector developer, Henry Boot Developments Ltd, the cash will:

  • Unlock a further 81 acres of land which already has outline planning permission for development
  • Generate a further estimated £82 million of private sector investment
  • Create capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the area
  • Carry out earthworks to prepare the ground for development plots capable of generating up to around 145,000 square metres of commercial floor space, as well as putting the relevant infrastructure in place for gas, electricity and water services.
  • Widen the existing Erin Road.
  • Build 100,000 sq ft of new industrial buildings.

In addition to this investment, a link road will also be built in 2015/16 to provide direct access to the site situated next to junction 29A of the M1.  The road is estimated to cost £7.56 million and expected to be funded jointly by the county council and local transport boards for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) and Sheffield City Region (SCR).

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

“Markham Vale has a key role to play in helping to build a strong local economy in Derbyshire that creates jobs, attracts new businesses and provides a future for our young people.

“Derbyshire County Council has invested more than £60 million in the Markham Vale site since it was first launched in 2000 and we’re pleased the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has taken the time to come and see for himself the great strides we’re making in attracting business and investment to our county.

“This Enterprise Zone funding will allow us to develop more of the site, giving us the capacity to continue with our long-term vision of attracting more business and industry, creating 5,000 jobs for local people. We’re pleased we can finally start work to prepare the land and get plots in place for further development by March 2015.”

More than 560 new jobs have already been created at Markham Vale, 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

More jobs created at Markham Vale

A new development in Chesterfield is helping to boost the local economy.

Euro Garages, one of the leading UK independent forecourt operators, is due to open at Markham Vale next week, bringing more than 60 new jobs to the area.

Facilities will include a new Shell petrol forecourt including for HGVs, SPAR convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks Drive-Thru together with public toilets, seating area and a free cash machine. The Shell petrol forecourt and Subway will be open 24 hours a day.

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

“It is great news that Euro Garages has decided to set up at Markham bringing another 63 jobs to the area and we are pleased we were able to help unemployed people find work at the new site, including young people.

“Markham Vale is going from strength to strength attracting more companies to Derbyshire because of the site’s location in the centre of England and its excellent transport links.”

Ilyas Munshi, Commercial Director at Euro Garages, said:

“Markham Vale Services is an exciting addition to our national estate portfolio of nearly 180 forecourt retail sites and it is the first development where we have partnered up with Henry Boot Developments.

“Euro Garages have been actively supported by stakeholders including Derbyshire County Council and local agencies with a view to delivering much needed jobs and economic prosperity. In summary, we want local people and commuters in and around Derbyshire to have access to world-class facilities.”

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.

Working with development partner Henry Boot Development Limited, in the last year alone we have lined-up developments promising to bring 500 jobs to the site.

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments comments:

“The opening of Euro Garages at Markham Vale is the next piece of the jigsaw in delivering a comprehensive offer for existing and new occupiers together with their work force.”

Last month the Government announced plans to expand Markham Vale Enterprise Zone bringing enterprise status to another 18 hectares of land on Markham Vale and offering benefits for businesses setting up in the area including tax breaks from Government.

And in February, Markham Vale received a £14.2m boost after successfully bidding for Government cash to open up prime economic development land.

Source:Derbyshire County Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development