Development

Partnership between Derbyshire Voluntary Action and University of Derby recognised by Student Nursing Times Awards

Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s partnership project ‘Community Chesterfield’ has been named as a finalist for its work with the University of Derby in the upcoming Student Nursing Times Awards.

The Student Nursing Times Awards is the largest student and nurse education awards in the country, and will take place at the end of April.

It recognises the work of individual student nurses, and the organisations and groups that help them excel. The finalists have been named, and now have to present to the judges to see who will be named the winner at the awards in Mayfair, London.

DVA’s Community Chesterfield project won the award last year, and the team is hoping to retain the title in 2023.

The partnership between Derbyshire Voluntary Action and the University of Derby is a great example of how charity organisations and universities can come together to have a positive impact on healthcare.

Daniel Jones, Marketing and Communications Officer at DVA commented: “Our partnership project being recognised as a finalist in the upcoming Student Nursing Times Awards is a testament to its success. We hope to impress the judges next month to win for the second year running.”

The collaboration between the two organisations has enabled nursing students to gain access to free training, placements, events, and opportunities to meet and network with community groups and experts, giving them invaluable experience in the healthcare sector. The university’s support for the charity’s work has also helped to strengthen relationships within the local community, helping to provide essential resources to community groups throughout Derbyshire.

This partnership is an inspiring example of how university-charity connections can have a meaningful impact on healthcare education as well as the ability to prepare future healthcare professionals for success.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action and the University of Derby support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

team community chesterfield

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Chesterfield Museum collection to inspire local students

Students in the Art and Design Faculty at Chesterfield College are using Chesterfield Museum’s collections as part of a new project for the spring term.

On Friday 3 February the museum team took a beautiful example of a traditional celebratory ‘Posset Pot’ into the college for students to study and then use as an object of inspiration for their own work during the next term.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It’s fantastic to see our museum team working closely with Chesterfield College. Whilst the Museum remains closed for a multi-million-pound renovation it’s important that we work with our partners and explore alternative routes to help ensure local people can connect with our shared history.”

Dating back as far as the 1400s, Posset Pots were a traditional decorative ceramic to celebrate special occasions.

Posset, a popular hot spiced drink made of milk curdled with wine or ale, was shared between guests and everyone drank from the Posset Pot. It was brought out at Christmas or anniversaries, but most often the Posset Pot would be used at the celebration toast of weddings, which is why most of the examples in the Museum’s collection are decorated with the names of the happy couple.

Tracey Heyes, Art and Design Lecturer at Chesterfield College, said: “The students are looking forward to working with Chesterfield Museum in this capacity and are excited at the prospect of using the Posset Pot as a starting point for their individual projects.”

Chesterfield Museum is closed for a multi-million-pound renovation that aims to create an enhanced visitor experience, but whilst it is closed the museum team are working with partners ensure the collection can still be enjoyed by the community.

Outreach cases featuring some fascinating objects from the collection are being displayed at different Borough Council sites around the borough (Visitor Information Centre, Market Hall, Town Hall, Queen’s Park Sports Centre and Staveley Healthy Living Centre). The museum team will also be attending and hosting activities at public events happening throughout the year and is working with partners, including Chesterfield College, to present exhibitions, workshops, and events in the future.

The ambitious renovation of Stephenson Memorial Hall which houses both Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre will bring together an extended theatre, a reconfigured museum, new gallery space, a café bar, and education and community facilities. The work will also protect the Grade II listed building, improve accessibility, to ensure that it remains part of the borough’s heritage for many more generations to come.

Funding for the project has been secured through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund with additional funding from Arts Council England.

Find out more about the plans for Chesterfield Museum by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revitalise

Posset Pots from the Museum collection

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Chesterfield’s Oasis Studio brings local housing development to life with immersive digital experience

A Chesterfield company which specialises in creating immersive digital experiences has worked to bring a local housing development to life.

Oasis Studio’s EyeSiteView brand creates immersive & interactive CGI for property marketing and sales, with the technology recently being implemented to showcase the William Davis Homes’ Skylarks development in Dunston.

Only a five-minute drive from Chesterfield, Skylarks is a development nestled in the Derbyshire countryside. William Davis wanted to invest in a virtual toolkit that drives engagement from their increasingly digitally-savvy customer base.

Oasis Studio is based just over a mile away from where the development is taking place. The content created by the firm is now being used across the William Davis website, social media and sales centre.

Tony Buck, Associate Director at Oasis Studio commented: “As technology continually evolves, we are noticing an increasing demand from developers and house-builders to be able to start selling their homes much earlier.

“However, to be able to achieve this, buyers also need to feel like they are able to make well-informed decisions in order to make a sizable financial commitment. So, that’s where we come in. Using a combination of VR, AR & CGI, we can allow house buyers to explore sites, houses and even customise their kitchens to fit their requirements, all before any bricks are even laid.”

Speaking on the local linkup with William Davis on the Skylarks project, Tony added: “Chesterfield is obviously the heart of where our business is. We have several employees here who live locally or who have been brought up in Derbyshire, so it’s very rewarding to be able to not only see these developments enhance our surrounding towns but also to be involved in the journey.

“From the initial CAD drawings, our talented team create amazing interactive experiences that really impact the sales of property, so to see all that hard work come to life is very satisfying.”

We are experts in guiding housebuilders through a digital transformation. By creating highly accurate ‘3D digital twins’ of developments before they exist, our 360 Virtual Tours, Active Siteplans and Home Configurators really help bring them to life. Ultimately, it allows house buyers the ability to make well-informed decisions more quickly, and increase those all-important off-site sales.

Find out more at: www.eyesiteview.co.uk or on our social media channels: @eyesiteview

Oasis Studio supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

skylarks eyesiteview

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Chatsworth announces signature events and new additions for 2023

An exhibition celebrating Chatsworth’s 500-year history of design and creativity leads a season of discovery across the house, garden and park of the Derbyshire estate this year. Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth opens 18 March 2023.

All the signature events are back, from the Chatsworth International Horse Trials in May to the three-day Chatsworth Country Fair in September with the show stopping festive season opening in early November. New for 2023 is a Celebration of Derbyshire Women for International Women’s Day.

As well as the popular annual events, a year of discovery awaits the curious with a carefully curated programme of activities from landscape drawing and gardening clubs to exploring literary gems in the library and getting a behind-the-scenes insight into the historic textiles conservation.

Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground: 11 – 26 February 2023

Chatsworth Farmyard

Opening for February half-term, there is plenty for children to enjoy from feeding the animals to learning all about the rare breeds thriving at the farmyard including the Suffolk Punch horses, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Bagot goats and Cream Legbar chickens. The farmyard has Rare Breeds Survival Trust accreditation in recognition of its important contribution to the conservation of some the rarest livestock and equine breeds native to the UK, making it the perfect place to see these animals up close. There will also be crafty creative sessions under cover and tractor and trailer Discovery tours into Stand Wood.

International Women’s Day: 10 March 2023

Curated and hosted by the High Sheriff in Nomination 2023/24, Theresa Peltier, a celebration of Derbyshire women will take place at Chatsworth. The day will feature displays and a rolling series of talks, discussions and performances by women from a diverse range of backgrounds on topics as broad as running small businesses, creating art, or providing charity and other services to the communities of Derbyshire. This free to access, drop-in event is open to all and also features local singer songwriter Carol Fieldhouse; writer, poet and performer Seni Seneviratne; resident sculptor at Derbyshire Eco Centre, Sue Allanson; Derbyshire Lord Lieutenant Mrs. Elizabeth Fothergill CBE and charities such as Women’s Work and Adoption East Midlands.

Mirror Mirror: Reflections on Design at Chatsworth: 18 March – 1 October 2023

Chatsworth has been a centre for creativity and new ideas for more than 500 years. This exhibition brings the legacy up to date and introduces new works from 16 leading international artists to the house and garden. Contemporary pieces in the historic setting make unexpected connections with the architecture, interiors, furniture, ceramics as well as its essential materials of glass, stone, wood, and light.

Chatsworth International Horse Trials: 12 – 14 May 2023

Chatsworth Horse Trials

World-class equestrian competition across the three disciplines of cross country, show jumping and dressage combine with the fun dog show, children’s entertainment and have-a-go dog agility to make for a memorable experience for all the family. Book before 30 April for early bird tickets.

Chatsworth Country Fair: 1 – 3 September 2023

Chatsworth Country Fair

One of Britain’s most spectacular annual outdoor events held in the 1000-acre parkland, Chatsworth Country Fair delivers three action-packed days of thrilling Grand Ring entertainment, inspirational cooking masterclasses, countryside crafts, interactive activities and a vintage fun fair. Book before 30 June for early bird tickets.

Christmas at Chatsworth: 4 November 2023 – 7 January 2024

Chatsworth Christmas_ Painted Hall. Credit DPC Photography

Chatsworth’s must visit Christmas season will see the house transformed from early November. While the theme is a hotly guarded secret until September, preparations are already underway for the show-stopping festive display.

In the garden

The ongoing work around the recently developed area of the garden known as Arcadia continues, with the glades now looking spectacular as the planting led by designer Tom Stuart-Smith has become established since it was planted. Other work includes 200 Rhododendrons being planted to repopulate the area around the Ravine and Grotto Pond. This year, there are more opportunities to engage with the 105-acre garden from landscape sketching and creative sessions for children to gardening clubs for all ages, as well as talks and workshops from the expert garden team.

In the park

Free to access all year-round with free parking until 16 March, and well-served by local transport links, the trails and paths in Chatsworth Park offer the perfect setting for enjoying the Derbyshire landscape. Three new waymarked paths have been created in Stand Wood above the house to make it easier to explore the medieval woodland located on the hill near the farmyard. For those who would like to find out more about the landscape, an expert from the park team will be running two hour walking tours focusing on the flora and fauna and sharing insights into what goes into managing the estate which includes 1,000 acres of parkland and the river Derwent.

For more events and activities taking place in Chesterfield throughout 2023, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/events/

Chatsworth supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth House

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University of Derby named in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion at work

The University of Derby, which runs courses from Chesterfield’s St. Helena’s Campus has been ranked in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers for the first time.

Compiled by Stonewall, Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights, the widely anticipated list recognises employers who support LGBTQ+ employees to be themselves at work.

The University of Derby joins a number of construction firms and legal, health, finance and education providers who made it onto the list. In addition, the institution has also received the Stonewall Gold Employer Award for the second year running.

Over the past year the University has run a variety of campaigns and initiatives to help raise LGBTQIA+ awareness among its employees and to promote an inclusive environment across its campuses in Derby, Buxton and Chesterfield. These include mentoring and coaching programmes, staff training, and development of its LGBT+ Allies staff network.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “I am delighted that the University has been recognised by Stonewall for the continuing emphasis we place on supporting all people to be themselves. The Top 100 ranking and the Gold Employer Award reflect the work we have done to emphasise our commitment to inclusion, and demonstrate that our University is a safe and inclusive environment for our staff and students to work and study.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List 2023 is the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are.

Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall, said: “It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by the University of Derby over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves.

“For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”

Stonewall’s Top 100 list is compiled through submissions to a free, voluntary benchmarking tool, the Workplace Equality Index. All submissions are then marked against thorough and standardised criteria and the Top 100 are picked out by Stonewall for their excellent work in creating inclusive workplaces for their LGBTQ+ staff.

Stonewall was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. It continues to campaign on LGBT Equality, as well as work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.

The University of Derby supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Univerity of Derby

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Major investment projects in Clay Cross Town Centre approved by Government

Proposals for four key town centre projects in Clay Cross have been approved, supported by the £24 million Town Fund investment.

The Clay Cross Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council’s proposals have been given the green light by the government this week.

Final details are still to be agreed, but the projects are now progressing and the Council and Town Board are keen to hear the views of businesses and residents of Clay Cross on these transformations.

The four proposed projects of the newly-produced masterplan for the town centre consist of:

  • Transport and connections improvements (subject to an upcoming consultation) – proposals include providing enhanced parking and access from the A61, improving traffic flow through the town, re-opening Bridge Street from Harris Way and the possibility of converting the one way section of Market Street from Bridge Street to High Street into a pedestrian zone.
  • Skills and Enterprise zone – renovating the clock tower building (Adult Education Centre) into a hub for learning and business engagement, which also includes a proposal to bring the library into the town centre.
  • Clay Cross Community/Social area – preserving, restoring and enhancing heritage buildings in the centre of the town, focused on restoring the annex building of the clock tower building and creating a new leisure space fronting onto the proposed new town square area.
  • Broadleys site – forming a new town square as the heart between other elements of the Town Deal, providing flexible accommodation for start-up businesses in pop-up enterprise units and providing a space for community activities.

Proposed masterplan for clay cross project

Clay Cross Town Board Deputy Chair and North East Derbyshire District Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Charlotte Cupit said: “The £24 million Town Deal is a great opportunity to bring a boost to Clay Cross town centre.

“Through our business forums we’ve been speaking to local shops and businesses to focus on the key spaces and transport improvements needed.

“The aim of these proposed projects is to promote a more effective, cohesive town centre regeneration whilst also preserving some of the fantastic historic buildings we have in the town to create a really good mix of old and new features for our residents and businesses to enjoy.

“We’re really keen to hear the views of residents and businesses on these plans and we’ll be holding various consultations and events over the coming months – please do get in involved and let us know your thoughts.”

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Transformation and Climate Change, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon said: “It’s fantastic to get the green light from Government and really get things moving with a more focused plan for Clay Cross.

“We have got some great projects here which will really transform the town, bring investment, jobs and opportunities to the area.”

Behind the scenes, progress has been made in procuring buildings and land, and a more specific design plan is being developed which will reflect the approved refocus.

In addition to the above, the Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council continue to progress the redevelopment of Sharley Park (with works now starting on site!), reviewing the feasibility of a new Clay Cross train station and developing further projects around decarbonisation of the town.

Clay Cross

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Regional unemployment rate remains below the national average

The unemployment rate in the East Midlands declined slightly from 3.4% to 3.3% in the three months to December, remaining below the UK average of 3.7%.

The figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics in its latest regional labour market data published on Tuesday, 14th February.

However, the region’s economic inactivity rate – which measures the number of working-age people who have dropped out of the labour market for reasons such as retirement, caring duties, long-term ill health or studying – climbed to a record high of 22.7%, compared to a UK rate of 21.4%.

East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “After an upwards trajectory in the level of unemployment since the summer – albeit against a context of still being at historically low levels – it is good to see this curve begin to flatten in recent months.

“As we also saw with the UK economy narrowly heading off a widely-expected recession at the end of 2022, this is another important indicator in illustrating the resilience of our businesses during what has been a very challenging three years with pandemic restrictions followed by a cost-of-doing-business crisis.

Scott Knowles

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber

“Yet we shouldn’t get complacent about a strong jobs market and our own research suggests unemployment levels may not remain so low this year.

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2022 found there was an 8% decline from quarter to quarter in the proportion of East Midlands businesses that added to their workforce in the previous three months, while there was a similar drop-off in recruitment prospects over the coming three months.”

The rising economic inactivity rate – which was 18.7% immediately before Covid-19 lockdown – poses a cause for concern and the Chamber has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to address it in the forthcoming Spring Budget, scheduled for 15 March.

Scott added: “Not only are they continuing to face unsustainable cost pressures, but as the rising economic inactivity rate demonstrates, we have one of the tightest labour markets ever seen. Businesses that want to grow, and create jobs and wealth in their local areas, are unable to do so because of acute skills shortages.

“This poses a major concern for the road ahead as our economy plateaus but with the Spring Budget fast approaching, there are measures the Government can take to support businesses to develop a skills base fit for 21st century industry.

“In our Business Manifesto for Growth launched in Parliament last November, we proposed a series of reforms around how businesses invest in their people.

“These include flexible incentives for business investment in staff training, expanding the use of the apprenticeship levy, bringing forward the introduction of the lifelong loan entitlement to support retraining and the retainment of an older workforce, and a comprehensive reform of the shortage occupation list to allow sectors facing urgent demand for skills to get what they need.

“In other words, this is about ‘getting the basics right’ – removing the day-to-day barriers for businesses and ensuring the basic building blocks of economic success are in place.”

To read the Chamber’s Business Manifesto for Growth, A Centre of Trading Excellence, visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/manifesto. 

East Midlands Chamber - Chesterfield office

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Family Law Group moves to new office space in Chesterfield

The Derbyshire branch of Family Law Group has announced a move to Chesterfield’s Hayfield House.

The office space, situated prominently in the heart of Chesterfield will provide the business with a central location to improve the firm’s quality service to clients.

Established in 2005, Family Law Group has over 130 employees across 10 offices in Nottingham, Chesterfield, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Wellingborough, Derby, Loughborough, Peterborough, Bedford and Cambridge.

Family Law Group provides expert legal advice across the full range of Family Law matters including Divorce & Separation, Child Arrangements & Social Services, Care Proceedings, Matrimonial Finance & Property, Mediation, Collaborative Law, Forced Marriage and Domestic Abuse Injunctions. Family Law Group is Investors in People and Lexcel accredited.

In the company’s Chesterfield office, Associate Solicitor Johanna Brewer, Solicitor Aimee Booth and SQE Apprentice Stephanie Smart together have substantial experience in divorce proceedings, finance settlements and child contact arrangements, as well as Legal Aid work. They are looking forward to supporting their local community through the new Family Law Group presence in the town.

Johanna Brewer, Associate Solicitor at Family Law Group commented: “As a team, we’re really excited to be moving to Hayfield House. The building has excellent facilities and will enable us to grow our presence in the local area.

“Chesterfield is undergoing a lot of regeneration at the moment, which will transform the town for years to come. We’re excited to be part of that transformation, and our investment shows our belief in the growth of Chesterfield and the surrounding area.

“We are always happy to help residents in the town with any of their family law matters, so please do get in touch if there is any situation in which you require our services.”

Find out more about the fantastic range of flexible, affordable and high-quality office spaces available here in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

Family Law Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Johanna Brewer Family Law Groupimage

Johanna Brewer, Family Law Group

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Work to take place on two sections of new Chesterfield cycling route

Work is beginning on a new cycling route which will run from the west to the east of Chesterfield.

Crow Lane in Chesterfield will close permanently to vehicles on 17 February 2023 to allow a dedicated cycle and walking route to the Royal Hospital.

The decision to close the lane was taken by Derbyshire County Council last November, following a public consultation.

Crow Lane is the eastern end of the new cycle and walking route, which will take people past the train station, through Queen’s Park and along Chatsworth Road to the A619 junction with Holymoor Road.

The lane was used by many hospital staff who walked or cycled to and from work at the height of the pandemic, and from 17 February they will once again be able to do this safely.

Work also starts on a further section of the route on 13 February. The Hipper Valley Trail through Somersall Park is being upgraded, which will create a new wider asphalt surface for pedestrians and cyclists to use.

This work will take around 12 weeks during which time the park will remain open to the public. Traffic marshals will ensure safe passage of construction vehicles. As sections of the pathway are upgraded they will temporarily be out of use to the public.

The new walking and cycling route, once completed, will give a real alternative to taking the car for short journeys across Chesterfield, which is for the benefit of everyone who lives, works or visits the town. Fewer car journeys will bring health benefits to the whole town including cleaner air.

The County Council has been awarded £1.68 million by the Government to create the new route and work will take place later this year on further sections.

Cycling in Queens Park - Get on your bike in Chesterfield

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Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group continues drive to promote skills & talent in the sector

Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group is continuing to address skills shortages in the sector by working in collaboration with the public sector and education providers.

This was evidenced recently at the town’s Employability and Skills Conference, which saw more than a hundred delegates discuss the current skills landscape in the town.

At the conference, Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at the Devonshire Group updated attendees on the exciting Construction Skills Hub, which is set to be developed in Mastin Moor.

The hub will provide a live learning environment for apprentices in the town, in order to help them gain vital skills and experience, helping people in Chesterfield build strong careers in the property and construction sector.

In the East Midlands, an extra 17,500 construction workers will be needed from 2023-2027, an annual requirement of 3,500 new workers every year.

We spoke to Andrew at the conference to get his thoughts on the current skills landscape across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, and how local organisations are working to meet the demand.

We’ve heard in recent times a lot about skills shortages in the property and construction sector. To what extent is this affecting the industry?

“One of the problems the property and construction sector faces at the moment, is that its workforce is getting older. We need to begin bringing in the next generation.

“The next generation can help us contribute towards solving the housing crisis, delivering the employment and industrial growth that we want to see in the country, and helping to deliver the physical, social and green infrastructure needed to help us meet that key target of net-zero by 2050.”

What can Chesterfield and North Derbyshire firms do to bring more skilled and talented people into their companies?

“We’ve been here at the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference today (Wednesday, 8th February), hearing from both the education sector and industry about the skills that are needed.

“My key message for people in industry and the property and construction sector, is to get involved!

“It is incumbent on us to actually make a difference, get involved and encourage people into what we do. We should be proud of it.”

For a young person, how rewarding can a career in the property and construction sector be?

“I absolutely love the business that I’m in and I love the property and construction sector. The people I meet, the problems I solve, and the fact that I’m part of teams that build the places that we live, work and play in.

“To come away from a project and know that you were actually a part of it, and that project is going to be there for years to come is a great feeling.”

Tell us about the partnership working taking place locally to encourage the growth of skills in the property and construction sectors.

“You’ll have heard a lot about the work that we’re doing as part of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group.

In the forum, we launched a pilot scheme for women in construction. That is a mentoring scheme where women who are already in the property and construction business, have been mentoring pupils in years 10 and 11 across local schools in Chesterfield.

The second way we’ve been making a difference is the work we have been doing with Parkside School. Members from the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group have been into the school, carrying out a speed networking session with the pupils to show them the range of careers and projects that we get involved in. We answered some of their questions and tried to light that spark so that they take more of an interest in what we do.

I’d also like to refer to the Construction Skills Hub that we’ve been working to deliver with Chesterfield College, Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby. This will be delivered on-site at Mastin Moor across the course of 2023.

New apprentices will be able to learn the skills that the industry needs at the moment, alongside what the industry is going to need in the future to hit those net-zero targets.”

With a range of regeneration projects taking place in Chesterfield currently, do you feel it’s an exciting time to get into the profession?

“The sector is always exciting, but it is particularly exciting in Chesterfield at the moment because there is so much going on.

You see the schemes at Chesterfield Waterside, the work that we’re doing over at Mastin Moor, work that we’re looking to do over at Markham Vale and the regeneration of Staveley.

There is an awful lot going on in Chesterfield at the moment, so it really is a great time. What I would say though, is that it is always a great time to be getting involved in the industry.

If you’re not building it, you’re usually planning for it or trying to solve the problems that make it happen, so the key thing is to get involved!”

Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an Apprentice Town – demonstrating its commitment to growing the future and careers of young people alongside business and the economy by retaining and developing young talent in the town in order to attract more employers to invest here.

Find out more about the range of activities and initiatives being carried out by Chesterfield Property and Construction Group at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/

andrew byrne devonshire group

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Vicar Lane Shopping Centre encourages businesses to join its independent offer

Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has launched a drive to add more small, independent businesses to its lineup of thriving retailers on Steeplegate in the heart of Chesterfield.

Alterx purchased Vicar Lane Shopping Centre back in 2018, and has worked collaboratively and innovatively to turn the street into a thriving independent community of businesses.

Barker Proudlove, the leasing agents involved in the shopping centre, are continuing to take a flexible approach to leasing and are keen to discuss opportunities with independent businesses who are thinking of taking the next step in their business growth.

With increasing shop vacancy rates a national theme, Vicar Lane has managed to reverse the trend. By investing into each vacant unit, the shopping centre has created a series of blank canvases for businesses to make their own. They’ve also offered flexible deal terms which has made these units far more accessible for a range of businesses to consider.

Over the last couple of years the street has been home to a string of independent businesses offering a range of products such as coffee, homemade cake, wedding dresses, pizza, homewares, handmade gifts and so much more.

The current line up consists of Shop Indie, Clarissa’s Interiors, Vintage Tearooms, Pizza Pi and several others.

Shop Indie who joined Steeplegate in 2019, commented on their journey to becoming a part of their local high street: “After many years of selling online and at craft fairs and markets, we knew that the high street was missing out on so many fabulous products from independent makers – those gifts that you just wouldn’t find in the bigger stores.

“Opening a bricks and mortar shop was a big step for us but we were very happy to find the shop on Steeplegate and be part of a new group of independent businesses trading there. We believe this is the future of the high street.”

To find out more about basing your business at the centre, email jessica@barkerproudlove.co.uk.

Vicar Lane supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Shop Indie

Shop Indie, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

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