Development

Weightron Bilanciai continues partnership with world’s first football club

Chesterfield manufacturer, Weightron Bilanciai has continued it’s partnership with the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC.

The agreement which began in 2020 has enabled the football club to continue its engagement in the local community, enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy playing football.

Established back in 1857, Sheffield FC’s vision is to become a worldwide iconic grass-roots football club based on the club’s founding values of Integrity, Respect and Community.

Using the power of sport to encourage social interaction, the club hopes to spread its message locally, nationally and internationally, through diversity programmes in disadvantaged communities under the banner of The Sheffield FC Community.

Weightron Bilanciai have already helped ‘The Worlds First’ make a positive impact in making football accessible for all. Since then, the firm’s work in the local community has grown positively impacting a wide demographic delivering aged friendly sessions, alongside delivering healthy activity and food camps in partnership with Sheffield Council and North East Derbyshire District Council for under-privileged families.

For the upcoming season, The partnership will provide new home & away kit for 190 players across more than a dozen teams, which will feature Weightron Bilanciai front of shirt branding on all home and away shirts.

Graham Abercrombie, Head of Community at Sheffield FC said: “I am delighted that Weightron are continuing to support Sheffield FC.  The wonderful partnership will enable the community and disability departments in particular, to continue to grow and have a bigger positive impact than ever before, whilst creating lifelong memorable experiences for all involved.”

Nick Catt, Managing Director at Weightron Bilanciai Ltd. commented: “The level of involvement Weightron is providing to support our local community forms part of our business strategy and is an integral part in our long term plans.”

In addition to this Weightron are also involved with:

  • Aged Friendly sessions: Bringing together 20 vulnerable elderly local community members before home games for a social meet, food, drinks, transport, and free entry to the home games.
  • FA Wildcats: A non-competitive football for girls who want to give it a go for the very first time or want to play with other girls their own age from 5 to 11.
  • HAF camps: Holiday activities and food programme has provided support to children in receipt of free school meals through holiday period with over 450 local children supported.
  • Disability sessions.
  • CPD Workshops.
  • Weight Management Programs.

Richard Sheldon, General Manager of Sheffield FC added: “I am delighted to announce that Weightron Bilanciai will continue as principal community partner to Sheffield Football Club for the 2022-2023 season. The positive impact for our community teams, players and volunteers has truly been overwhelming since Weightron Bilanciai partnered with The World’s First in 2020. Their continued support the new season will provide invaluable opportunities for our grassroot clubs and community department to grow and flourish.”

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

£47 million confirmed to improve bus services in Derbyshire

£47 million has been awarded to Derbyshire County Council to improve bus services over the next two and a half years.

Last year the Government published a new National Bus Strategy which set out a vision for future improvements across England and how bus services can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy placed a requirement on the County Council and bus companies in the area to work together to create a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

Working with bus operators, district and borough councils, bus passenger groups, disability groups, and other special interest organisations a consultation was held last year, which asked the public what they wanted to see to improve bus services. The results helped to inform the BSIP which was submitted to the Government last year and asked for money to improve services across the county.

Derbyshire’s success in gaining £47 million provides the money which will help pay for:

  • More frequent buses and extended hours for vital services
  • Improved bus punctuality and reliability
  • Better value bus fares, especially for young people and those looking for work
  • Expansion of the ‘tap on and tap off’ system for paying for tickets
  • New transport hubs with Real Time Information to help connect bus services to other bus and train services
  • More demand-responsive services for rural and semi-rural areas
  • A new website and app which will cover all services to make planning a journey much easier

It is expected that work will start on delivering these improvements from October 2022.

Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said: “To have the money finally confirmed is great news for everyone in the county.

“Bus services will become so much more attractive to more people and will mean less traffic on our roads. This will make a positive contribution to our approach to tackling climate change.

“We will build on the positive work to date and continue to work in partnership with all the bus companies on a wide range of projects to improve bus travel.”

A partnership board, the BSIP Enhanced Partnership Board, has been set up to deliver the actions in the BSIP. It is chaired by Professor Margaret Bell, with Jeff Counsell, Managing Director of Trentbarton the vice chair.

Professor Margaret Bell CBE said: “This funding is the outcome of a lot of hard work and commitment of council officers and public transport operators who will continue to work together to make public transport a realistic alternative to the use of private cars in the future delivering substantial benefits to health.”

Jeff Counsell added: “The allocation of this funding just goes to show what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together for a common cause. I know that we, and all bus operators, are looking forward to delivering the BSIP outcomes in continued partnership with the county.”

Find out more about Chesterfield’s excellent transport networks and connectivity at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/getting-here/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

New paddlesports hire business has launched on the Chesterfield Canal

A new paddlesports hire business has launched on the Chesterfield Canal.

Equipment will be available for hire from Hollingwood Hub and will initially be open on Saturdays from the 13th August 2022.

The centre will cater for people experienced in watersports or those who would just like to give something a go.

A  range of equipment is available from stand up paddleboards, single and double kayaks and a Canadian canoe.

Explore the Chesterfield Canal for 1, 3 or 6 hours.

Rob Auton from Chesterfield Canal Trust said “We are delighted that this exciting new venture is finally able to start. Kayaking and especially paddleboarding on the canal have increased greatly in popularity in the last two years. Experienced watersports enthusiasts or complete novices are welcome.”

You can book your paddle boarding experience here.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust was recently awarded £5.3 million from the Staveley Town Deal Fund.  These works will extend the canal and improve facilities for users.

The canal extension will run for two miles from Hartington Harbour onto the Staveley Puddlebank which runs across the Doe Lea valley. Completing the works will take 3 years.

There will be two miles of multi-use towpath to Renishall. There will be a new lock and two new bridges, and a siphon pipe to take the water from Staveley Waterside (the new name for Staveley Town Basin) to the new canal section and full designs will be prepared for further work.

Staveley Waterside is the first phase of a mixed-use development centred around the Staveley Canal Basin. This will include the creation of an access road, pontoons to create moorings, a café and flexible office and workshop space for small businesses.

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

New paddlesports hire business has launched on the Chesterfield Canal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Love Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

Town centre transformation key to success of Chesterfield

A need to reimagine Chesterfield’s town centre to complement social and cultural changes has been identified by a cross-industry panel of local experts. 

Speaking at Willmott Dixon’s ‘Towns of the Future’ round table, hosted at Casa Hotel, the panel highlighted the importance of a town or city understanding, strengthening and marketing its unique selling proposition (USP).  

Using Chesterfield as an example, attendees agreed that – as with many towns and cities across the UK – Chesterfield has the raw social and cultural elements to meet public demand and expectations, but further evolution is required. This includes the need for a strong mix of retail, office and leisure. 

Chesterfield

Chesterfield has a number of regeneration schemes in progress or in the pipeline that are set to redefine the town following the Covid pandemic.

Jenna Frudd, relationship manager at Willmott Dixon and member of the Chesterfield Property & Construction Group run by Destination Chesterfield, said: “Chesterfield is a prime example of a town with hidden gems – it’s incredibly welcoming and you have a local council and business community that is really open to conversations.

“A collaborative approach between the public and private sector is key to getting to this stage and having this enthusiasm for change is one of the reasons why Chesterfield is well placed to make the right moves going forward.” 

A Place Story and brand identity was created in 2010 by Chesterfield Borough Council in collaboration with the local community.  This focuses on the elements that makes Chesterfield unique and is used to market the town to potential investors and visitors.   

Destination Chesterfield was created at the same time and is a collaboration of over 200 businesses, organisations and public sector partners working together to promote Chesterfield. 

As part of the discussion, the group analysed the changing nature of how town centres are used and how the mix of commercial, retail, and social spaces can best be balanced in a rapidly changing world. 

Chesterfield is looking to transform the town centre with the £10.28m Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme.   This will change the look, feel and flow of the town centre – creating a contemporary market town that has better connections between key public spaces, and a more attractive physical environment. 

It includes plans for significant improvements to Chesterfield’s historic market grounds, along with proposals that will help maximise the potential of the iconic Crooked Spire as a key attraction for visitors, while also re-imagining town centre spaces for a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations and community gatherings.

Together with the £17m refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall the project is being brought forward thanks to almost £20m which the council secured from the Government’s levelling up fund at the end of last year.

David Willis, director at Chesterfield-based Frank Shaw Architects, said:  “A real shift in our urban planning mindset is required, moving away from the traditional town centre mix and towards more social spaces. Chesterfield is a prime example of this – the town square is massively underused, so reinvigorating it is fundamental to what the place has to offer.”

The future of the office was another key talking point, as the panel looked at how a changing approach to hybrid and in-office working will impact town centre spaces. 

The need for high quality, flexible, sustainable, energy efficient office space is being addressed in Chesterfield with two Grade A office developments opening in 2022.

Businesses have started to move into the stunning new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.  The centre, which opened in July, is the first of two recently constructed high quality office developments in Chesterfield town centre. 

One Waterside Place at Chesterfield Waterside will open later this year giving the town much-needed modern large floor plate office space which will help attract investment as well as provide space for growth for established businesses in the borough. Tenants have already been identified for significant elements of the space, who will take up occupation on completion. 

The Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place are a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s ambitious growth strategy that will see large scale investment and regeneration across the borough. 

Rebekah Bacon, land and partnerships manager at Pulse Developments, said: “When thinking about the new role that offices have to play, it’s really important to consider how they sit within the town centre and whether that is a space people want to be in. 

“If people want to be in the office, this creates a huge ripple effect across the town, as people are already out of their homes and much more willing to engage with the spaces in the town centre.” 

If you are interested in the regeneration of Chesterfield, you can find out more at the Chesterfield Investment Summit which takes place on the 28th September at the Casa Hotel

The ‘Towns of the Future’ roundtable was chaired by Liz Cartwright (Cartwright Communications), and featured Jenna Frudd (Willmott Dixon), Mark Deakin (Turner & Townsend), Amy Revell (We Are Spaces), Lydia Sadler (DLP Planning), Philip Riden (Chesterfield Civic Society), David Willis (Frank Shaw Architects), Spencer Ryan-Prewitt (University of Derby), Rebekah Bacon (Pulse Developments), Andy Dabbs (Whittam Cox, Chair of Chesterfield Property and Construction Group) and Joanne Neville (Harworth Group). 

Wilmott Dixon, We Are Spaces, DLP Planning, Frank Shaw Associates, University of Derby, Whittam Cox and Harworth Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chesterfield Property and Construction Group is a collective of Chesterfield Champions who are working together to represent and support the property sector and help promote Chesterfield as a place to invest. 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Property and Construction

Local businesses commended for work in bringing Knife Angel to Chesterfield

Local businesses and organisations in Chesterfield were commended for their efforts in bringing the poigniant ‘Knife Angel’ sculpture to the town.

The sculpture, made out of discarded blades was created to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime. The monument went on display in Chesterfield, near the famous Crooked Spire church in October/ November 2021.

Now, the businesses and organisations which enabled the visit to happen have been awarded with commendations by Derbyshire Constabulary’s North Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett.

The organisations commended included Leverton UK, Pinewood Properties, Ava Print,  Chesterfield Borough Council, The Community Safety Partnership and The Crooked Spire.

Marcus Leverton, Director of Leverton UK explained their vital role in bringing the sculpture to the town. He commented: “Inspector Mathew Winterbottom is a close friend and he asked me prior to the event if we could help with the secure fencing that was to be erected and dismantled on a daily basis to prevent any potential problems with people mistreating the sculpture at night-time.

“We as a company provided this service free-of-charge for the duration of time that the sculpture was in chesterfield. It was important to us as a business to be involved with this scheme, as with most people I have spoken to the sculpture is quite a powerful statement and very moving when you understand that each knife used was from real life crime, some cases were even fatal.

“It was an important message for the Police to get out there, to raise local awareness and to call for a knife amnesty to prevent any further unnecessary deaths or injury through knife crime.

“We were very proud to be involved and it was great work from the full team who contributed to this project’s success.”

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “The Knife Angel brought a very powerful and moving message about the horrific reality of knife crime – one which thousands of people had chance to reflect on when they visited the sculpture in Chesterfield town centre.

“Chesterfield is a safe place to live, and we want to keep it that way, by working with our partners to lead hard-hitting and difficult conversations with our young people. Through a variety of engagement and awareness sessions, the Knife Angel’s visit has prompted these discussions, which is a really positive result.”

During the monument’s visit, Derbyshire Police and Chesterfield Borough Council gave people the opportunity to surrender any unwanted knives, and as a result more than 100 knives and bladed articles were taken into safe keeping and off the streets.

Leverton UK, Pinewood Properties and Parish Church of St. Mary and All Saints support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Knife Angel Chesterfield

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Visitor Economy businesses encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000

Visitor economy businesses based in Derbyshire are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to enable them to adapt, recover and rebuild in response to the pandemic.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official destination management organisation, is offering grants to help local tourism and hospitality businesses respond to new consumer trends and changes in visitor behaviour.

Business grants are available to help small and medium sized businesses invest in valuable digital assets such as online booking systems, updated websites and cashless payment facilities.

Grants are also available to support the purchase of bike-friendly facilities, such as secure cycle storage, and accessible facilities to help local businesses cater for visitors with additional access needs.

The business grants programme is funded by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project, which supports business growth and development. Phase II of the project has provided over £80,000 of business grant funding to 28 Derbyshire businesses since 2019.

Business grants of up to £2,000 are available in the following areas:

  • Digitalisation – e.g. an upgraded business website incorporating an online booking system, or a digital point of sale system.
  • Accessibility – e.g. accessible equipment such as ramps, hearing loops and signage for people with additional access needs.
  • Cycling – e.g. secure cycle storage and cycle maintenance equipment for visitor use.
  • Internationalisation – e.g. website translation and the implementation of cashless payment facilities to encourage international visitors.

The deadline for businesses to register their interest for a business grant is Monday 12th September 2022.

Businesses can find out more and register interest for a grant by visiting: https://MPDD-Business-Grant-Scheme.eventbrite.co.uk

Lindsay Rae, Deputy Director and Head of Industry Engagement at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Our ERDF business grants programme has already been very successful, helping Derbyshire visitor economy businesses to grow, innovate and reach new markets.

“Now, as the industry recovers from the pandemic, we’re renewing calls for local businesses to register their interest for a grant to enable them to adapt and rebuild. These grants can help businesses respond to new consumer trends by investing in online booking facilities, updated websites and cycle facilities to support sustainable tourism.

“We expect to receive a large number of enquiries, so we urge eligible businesses to register their interest as soon as possible.”

Businesses applying for the grant funding must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be part of the visitor economy
  • Located in Derbyshire
  • Less than 250 employees
  • Trading for more than 12 months
  • Have a business bank account

Successful applicants will receive a 50% grant towards the cost of the overall project, with a minimum grant contribution being £1,000 and the maximum grant contribution being £2,000.

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

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Chesterfield Digital High Street project equips 127 businesses for the future

More than 120 businesses in the Chesterfield borough are now up to speed with the online revolution after receiving expert digital support via an innovative scheme.

Since being launched in June last year, the Chesterfield Digital High Street project has engaged 127 small and microbusinesses reliant on bricks and mortar to transition into the digital world by building their online offering for customers and improving their social media profile.

Of this cohort, 81 businesses worked with a digital high street adviser, 56 companies developed a digital action plan and 50 firms accessed grants worth £2,200.

Some 38 new websites are now either live or in development – many of these equipped with the latest payment systems such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as modern shopping concepts like “click and collect”.

Funded by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered in partnership by East Midlands Chamber and its strategic partners Purpose Media and Destination Chesterfield, the year-long project aimed to support small outfits in sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure, which were hit hardest by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, to become more resilient.

Diane Beresford, deputy chief executive of Chesterfield-headquartered East Midlands Chamber, said: “We’ve been delighted with the level of engagement with the Chesterfield Digital High Street project among businesses, which are now well-placed to embrace current and future digital trends.

“This will go some way to ensuring the much-loved independent businesses on our high street continue to thrive in a sustainable fashion for a long time to come.”

Among the businesses that have benefited from support is Café Nellie, a recently-opened independent coffee shop in Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield.

Owner Tracey Wallis said she was aware the business needed a marketing strategy to quickly become visible to a wide and varied audience.

But as none of the six-strong team had much experience of using social media, the Chamber’s support came at “exactly the right time”, with digital high street advisers Steve Phillips and Alex Gardner helping to build a website and Facebook page.

“Since our Facebook page went ‘live’, we have seen a marked increase in in table bookings,” said Tracey. “Despite the recent heatwave, our sales have increased by about 30%, which our own research suggests is a direct result of our social media presence.

“Having a website is just as important in enabling non-social media users to access attractive, up-to-date information about Café Nellie. In the future, we hope to develop the site to enable our customers to purchase gift vouchers, our own brand of coffee and to make table bookings online.”

While Ibrahim Assaf was literate in using Facebook to promote his business Ibzy Salon, located in Chesterfield’s Jawbones Hill, he noticed it couldn’t be found very easily on Google – with the barbershop, tattoo studio and shisha bar’s location on Google Maps in the wrong place.

“I struggled with the process of updating Google but after experiencing frustration, I left it,” he said.

He signed up to the Chesterfield Digital High Street project and received one-to-one support from Steve, who talked him through the problems he had encountered and came up with a digital action plan.

Ibrahim, who also took up the offer of creating a website, added: “I didn’t have a Google Business Profile at the time, which meant we weren’t listed and new customers couldn’t find me. Steve helped me to set up my page and download the app, so I can easily make changes to opening times and prices.

“I have noticed an increase in new customers who have come to us by finding us on Google and through our new website. In one week last month, we had a 300% increase in visitors to the shop compared to the previous week.

“The website has given me credibility and with setting up the Google Business Profile, customers can leave reviews, which will help boost my visibility and attract new customers.

“With the bigger customer base, I have now recruited another two barbers so we can offer more services and shorter waiting times. We are very much looking forward to the future – with the help from my advisor Steve, we have the tools to grow the business.”

Councillor Dean Collins, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, added: “The Digital High Street project has been very successful in helping many organisations that were affected by the pandemic to get online and increase their interaction with customers in a new way.

“We have been able to review current marketing and social media activities, and support businesses on any recommended actions, set up Google listings if needed and offer each organisation a one-year membership to East Midlands Chamber.

“We have received excellent feedback from those who have taken part in the project, with many increasing their online profile so they can expand their business presence.”

The Chesterfield Digital High Street project has now ended but the Chamber continues to offer support to businesses across the region via a digital high street adviser. To find out what support is available, email information@emc-dnl.co.uk or call 0333 320 0333.

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Apprenticeships in Chesterfield now even easier to find online

Young people looking for an apprenticeship in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have been given a helping hand.

A new online search tool has been launched by Apprentice Town making it quicker and easier than ever before to search for apprenticeship vacancies.

The new search function, which is hosted on the Destination Chesterfield website, enables people to browse the wide range of Level 2 – 7 apprenticeship roles within a 15-mile radius of Chesterfield.

People can search for apprenticeship vacancies based on both subject area and Level, with hundreds of opportunities currently available in the local area.

With thousands of young people set to pick up their GCSE and A Level exam results next month; the Apprentice Town website has been praised by business and education leaders in the town.

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director of MSE Hiller, Destination Chesterfield board member and an apprentice employer, commented: “The practical benefits of the Apprentice Town initiative are invaluable both to young people and businesses based in Chesterfield. I have been an employer in Chesterfield for 25 years and I have always made a point of offering apprenticeships; they are an intrinsic part of both Chesterfield’s and MSE Hiller’s growth ambitions.”

Chesterfield College Group Principal and CEO, Julie Richards explains: “We’re proud to have supported so many generations of workforce to Chesterfield employers through apprenticeship programmes. Post-pandemic, it’s pleasing to see that the appetite for recruiting young talent into a business via earning whilst learning is still as great as ever. There are so many fantastic opportunities out there from Level 2 right through to degree equivalent apprenticeships and I strongly encourage those considering their options when leaving school, or even mature learners, to consider an apprenticeship route to achieve the career they want.”

In 2017, Chesterfield became 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.

Chesterfield Borough Council leads the Apprentice Town initiative, which aims to increase the number, levels and quality of apprenticeships available by raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities in Chesterfield including traineeships, higher level apprenticeships and align these with opportunities emerging in the area.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re proud to be the first Apprentice Town in the UK, an apprenticeship is much more than just a job. They allow people to develop their skills and set them along a career path which leads to higher paying jobs – improving their quality of life and helping our borough’s economy to grow.

“We’re committed to making it easier for our residents to find the right apprenticeship opportunity for them, so that everyone has the chance to build a great career in our borough.”

To access the search tool, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield/

Or, for more information on the Apprentice Town initiative, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/what-is-apprentice-town/

 

Apprentice Town - Find Your Apprenticeship - Social Media Landscape2

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

£1million investment completed at Chesterfield motorway truck stop

Work to resurface a forecourt and lorry park just off junction 29 of the M1 near Chesterfield has been completed.

Truckstop service operator Onroute has just completed the £1m project, providing quality facilities for HGV drivers when taking breaks and refueling.

Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield, officially opened the new forecourt at a launch event attended by staff, customers, suppliers, local councillors, members of the Road Haulage Association and contractors involved in the design and completion of the works.

He stressed the importance of the role HGV drivers play in keeping the nation running and praised the work being done by Onroute Truckstops to improve facilities, drive up standards and safeguard their comfort and safety.

Duncan Buchanan, RHA Policy Director for England, also attended the launch. He said: “This is a welcome major investment – a 100 percent privately funded vote of confidence in the viability of high-quality lorry parking facilities. We look forward to more investment from Onroute and many others in the future. We need high-quality lorry parking facilities all over the UK; with a shortage of around 11,000 spaces there is a lot more to do.”

One of Onroute’s busiest sites, Junction 29, forms part of the company’s steadily growing chain of truckstops located across the UK. Their aim is to create a network of high-quality sites where HGV drivers can rest, refresh and refuel before continuing their journey. This aligns with the government’s current plans to boost driver welfare to help tackle the effects of driver shortages throughout the UK.

Onroute acquired Junction 29 knowing that resurfacing would be required to both improve the site and address health, safety and environmental concerns. Plans were drawn up specifying materials that would withstand the volume and weight of traffic to the site.

General Manager at Onroute Truckstops, David Hatherell, said; “The new surface looks fantastic and we are delighted with the outcome. The project is a significant milestone in our ongoing journey to develop and improve facilities and services for HGV drivers. Plans are also in place to further expand our network and we are actively engaged in additional acquisitions which we hope to announce in the near future.”

Find out more about Chesterfield’s excellent transport links and connectivity at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/getting-here/

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Chesterfield Residents encouraged to have their say on A61 improvements

Residents and commuters are being asked for their views as part of a project to manage congestion and reduce emissions on the A61 Derby Road between Chesterfield and Clay Cross.

Derbyshire County Council is currently revising its Local Transport Plan, the document which sets priorities for investment in roads and transport across the county, and as a number of new housing and commercial developments are expected in the years ahead, this stretch of the A61 is likely to get much busier.

Highways engineers have been carefully examining a range of options to help manage traffic growth and now want to hear from people who live near the route or use it for commuting, business, school runs, shopping and leisure.

A 10-minute survey has been launched to find out how people use the road, their views on potential options to improve it in the short, medium and long-term, as well as options for alternative ways to travel.

  • short-term: measures to keep the road moving in the short-term such as the new traffic management control centre, giving the council much better ability to respond to problems and inform users, as well as other measures such as real-time passenger information for bus passengers
  • medium-term: identifying preferred solutions to tackle some of the pinch points or challenges on or near the A61 such as electronic variable messaging signs, changes to the Storforth Lane junction and improving visibility
  • long-term: investigations into what major engineering projects could potentially be needed and might be feasible, subject to funding from government, to reduce the congestion problem in the long-term, for example, some of the potential options might be a relief road around Clay Cross, a new railway station or a Grassmoor link road

The findings will shape preliminary design and appraisal work which will be shared with local communities via public consultation later this year before any work takes place.

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “If you live on or near the A61 between Chesterfield and Clay Cross, you’ll already know it carries a lot of traffic. With new housing developments and business growth, more people will mean even more journeys.

“So now is the right time for us to look at how we manage congestion and reduce emissions while enabling people to travel and our economy to grow. We want you to have your say in that process right at the start.”

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, said: “Lots of people have told me about the challenges they face traveling up and down the A61, and as it gets busier the risk is that it becomes a real burden on people’s daily lives. That’s why I’ve worked with the council to develop a plan for Derby Road, which involves a mix of short, medium and long-term ideas.

“If we’re going to make a real difference then we need people’s support. This is why we’re asking you for your views about what you’d like to see. If we build a strong enough case then I can go to Westminster and make the case for investment. So this really is your chance to shape the future.”

Find out more and take part in the survey here.

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Barrow Hill Memorial Hall recieves lottery funding for centenary project

The Barrow Hill Community Trust has announced it has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Barrow Hill Memorial Hall Centenary Project.

The £90,400 award will support the work, which aims to renovate and repurpose the upper floor rooms and exterior of the Memorial Hall whilst preserving its heritage.

The initial development funding has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help Barrow Hill Community Trust progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.

The project aims to restore the imposing frontage and key heritage features of the Memorial Hall and will renovate the first floor of the building, creating a learning, skills and heritage space in the reading room and a restored venue for celebrations and events in the former ballroom.

It will create a sustainable future for the building, filling community needs and providing accessible training opportunities for volunteers and staff. The building will be run with and for local people, and be open to the world. It will become a heritage-led wellbeing and cultural destination with community at its heart.

This first stage of funding will be used to replace the slate roof over the heritage space and appoint a Project Co-ordinator to plan a programme of activities that bring local heritage to life, giving local people the chance to find out about the past, get involved and have a say in this important development. Building on the last few years of consultation with local people, the Community Trust and our design team will be finalising the designs for the building and agreeing how the hall will be re-opened to again provide much needed community services’

Built in 1863 as part of Richard Barrow’s industrial model village, the Memorial Hall has long been a focal point for the area and, over the years, has been used as a Dining Hall, Workmen’s Hall, War Memorial and social centre. Gifted in trust to the community by the Staveley Coal and Iron Company in 1924, the project aims to renovate and modernise the Memorial Hall for the future while continuing to honour its legacy and its past.

Commenting on the award, Simon Redding, Chair of Barrow Hill Community Trust, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support and would like to thank Lottery players for helping to make our vision a reality as we approach the centenary of community ownership of the Barrow Hill Memorial Hall. This grant will enable us to further our ambition to create a building which is truly inclusive and which embraces the whole community. It’s great to know that we are a step closer to conserving the Memorial Hall and preserving it for future generations.”

Chesterfield Community Hubs in Barrow Hill, Brampton, Town Centre & Loundsley Green support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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