Development

Approval granted on widespread improvements for Staveley Town Centre

Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet has given its approval to a new long-term vision for Staveley town centre and an initial £5m package of improvements, to be delivered over the next four years.

A public consultation which took place late last year showed strong support for the draft Staveley Town Centre Vision Master Plan, with 70% of respondents stating that they would be more likely to visit Staveley town centre if the Master Plan’s proposals were implemented.

The immediate improvements planned for Staveley town centre also received a high level of support from the public. These improvements include the regeneration of the Market Square, a shop front improvement scheme, a new and improved link to the canal, a new landmark pavilion building, an enhanced public realm and better signposting of facilities and attractions.

The initial package of improvements will be funded and delivered through the Staveley Town Deal and have been selected on the basis of their ability to improve the current town centre offer, uplift footfall, and prepare the ground for future investment. They are also deliverable within the set timeframe for the Town Deal.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy said: “We want Staveley to be a thriving town centre, that attracts both residents and visitors, encourages new business start-ups and supports existing retailers and businesses to flourish.

“We received lots of support for the ideas and proposals that we set out within the draft Vision Master Plan but we cannot deliver everything at once. Our aim is to make best use of the Staveley Town Deal funding to deliver an initial package of improvements that will help ensure Staveley has a bright future as a place to start, to stay and to grow.

“We will continue to work closely with Staveley’s retailers, businesses and residents to ensure we deliver the planned improvements to time and budget.”

The planned improvements, many of which are conditional on receiving planning consent, include the regeneration of the Market Square, which was supported by 77% of respondents to the public consultation. Elsewhere in the Market Square, the disused toilet block will be demolished and a landmark pavilion building with new commercial space created.

The Market Square will also benefit from new paving, lighting, planting, and benches, as well as improvements to Barnfield Close to encourage members of the public to shop and socialise. Ninety percent of respondents to the public consultation indicated that they would be more likely to visit the town centre if there was more space for festivals and events, which the planned improvements are designed to achieve.

The High Street will benefit from a rejuvenation of the public ream, and a shop front improvement grant scheme will encourage retailers to make changes to their store frontages.

There will also be a focus on increased connectivity both to the canal and wider Staveley area with improved signage, paths and cycling hubs. These improvements were supported by 74% of respondents to the public consultation. There will also be enhanced digital connectivity through the creation of a town centre wi-fi network.

As part of the process of developing the draft Vision Master Plan an independent review was undertaken by IntoPlaces Ltd., a team of three High Street Task Force experts. IntoPlaces Ltd. commented that the Vision Master Plan has the capacity to transform Staveley town centre into a vibrant hub by creating new and diverse spaces and enhancing the current offer. The planned improvements have also been supported by Derbyshire County Council.

The next step is for the Council to appoint a dedicated design team to finalise the planned improvements and seek planning consent, where applicable. More details about the future designs and how the community can get involved will be shared as soon as possible.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, added: “It will take time for us to finalise our plans and gain planning consent but we are committed to working with the community throughout the delivery process in order to ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for Staveley town centre, its residents and businesses.”

Find out more about the Town Deal and the projects that have received funding on the council’s Staveley Town Deal page.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Community Chesterfield project to further expand its training offer into Derbyshire

After great results, local project Community Chesterfield is now offering free training to even more of Derbyshire’s volunteers, students, and community groups.

As a partnership between Derbyshire Voluntary Action and the University of Derby, Community Chesterfield aims to strengthen the voluntary sector by creating opportunities for the university and community to learn together. Training and Tea are short, convenient, and are held online via Zoom, so that you can make a cuppa and start your day with one of the sessions; each on a specific short subject.

The Lottery funded project has so far provided 2,271 hours of training, which has been fantastically well received. Julie Drury, the Daytime Group Leader at Chesterfield Fibromyalgia Support Group said “I’ve done lots of courses, at some point I was doing one every week or every two weeks…for it to be free training as well for groups like ours and for me personally has been amazing; massive, massive help. It’s given me loads more confidence”.

Due to past success and the positive impact made by this initiative, Community Chesterfield are now widening access to fully funded places. Those working or volunteering for a Community, Voluntary or Third Sector organisation or groups that provide a service to people living in in Chesterfield or Northeast Derbyshire are now eligible for a free place, along with staff and students from the University of Derby. If you do not fit these criteria, tickets will be available to purchase.

“I’m so proud of the success of Training & Tea sessions” says Kate Burns, Skills and Learning Coordinator at Community Chesterfield. “Especially now we’re widening the scope of people that can attend, I’m excited for more people to get involved and develop their knowledge and skills”.

For the next series of topics, chosen by the Derbyshire community, they are going to be welcoming back local Derbyshire based trainer Andrew Deighton from AWD Development Solutions Ltd.

  • 5th October– Working Styles and Preferences
  • 19th October– Building and Developing an Exceptional Team
  • 9th November– Managing Difficult Conversations
  • 23rd November– Facilitation Skills

“The sessions have been really popular, and the feedback has been fantastic. I think that’s because they’re very focused, time efficient and always end when we say they will. People can then get on with the rest of their day” says Andrew Deighton from AWD Development Solutions Ltd.

To find out more or to book your place visit bit.ly/CommunityChesterfieldEventbrite.

To stay up to date with our events and activities, we encourage you to check out our website for our social media links and to sign up to our Newsletter https://www.communitychesterfield.org.uk/.

Community Chesterfield 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, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Vicar Lane works with Chesterfield organisations to support local residents

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre will launch a major community-based campaign this autumn called ‘We Care’.

In a bid to highlight a whole host of local charities and support groups available to the community, Vicar Lane will set the stage for local residents to get the help they need, make meaningful life changes and connect with others to better cope with today’s a difficult times.

All events will be FREE to join throughout September and October and although some might need a registration, there will be no need to book.

On Saturday the 10th September, visitors can attend a ‘public living room’ in front of the large screen at Vicar Lane, where members of the public can chat to mental health workers about mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Derbyshire Voluntary Action’s Mental Health Liaison Service and The Georgia Bird Foundation are very proud to be working in collaboration with SoBS Chesterfield, The Tomorrow Project, Mentell, Kakou and a number of amazing volunteers to hold this workshop that’s been inspired and supported by CALM’s Last Photo exhibition in London.

On Tuesday 13th September there’ll be an opportunity to get involved in a panel led discussion celebrating the collective impact that our local social enterprises bring to the community – putting people, purpose and planet first. Speakers include; Hannah Bowdler from Junction Arts, Sian Spencer-Bray from Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic, Jenny Raschbauer from Community Chesterfield and Barbara Tomasella from the University of Derby.

As the weeks go on, there’ll be pop ups and drop ins such as ‘Knit and Natter’. A local group that aims to welcome people who knit or crochet, whatever their level or skill, into a relaxed and calming environment with the opportunity to meet others. Plus, a mindfulness colouring workshop, hosted by Junction Arts. An award-winning community arts charity, focused on building confidence and improving wellbeing for all those who attend.

Events will continue to be announced and pop up around the centre so keep an eye out on https://www.vicarlaneshoppingcentre.co.uk/whats_on/ for a full list of confirmed activity over the coming weeks.

Sarah Bowler, Tenant and Community Liaison Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re proud to be able to work with local community groups and charities to highlight the ways in which people can get support across many areas from Mindfulness to Loneliness. The cost-of-living crisis, combined with a change in season can make this time of year challenging and so we welcome everybody to get involved with the sessions on offer over the coming weeks. As part of a wider project for us to keep the focus on such important topics, we are exploring ways to ensure our staff and tenants continue to get support and training in mental health awareness and we will keep our community up to date with progress we make.’’

Vicar Lane, Community Chesterfield, Derbyshire Voluntary Action, University of Derby, Junction Arts and Therapy & Lifestyle Clinic support 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, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , , ,

The Café at Northern Tea Merchants is open under new ownership

Northern Tea Merchants’ iconic café based on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, is open under new ownership and with a new name.

Kim Lamin is following a long-held dream of owning her own café and has now achieved this by taking on the reins at The Café at Northern Tea Merchants. Kim has been licensed to use the Northern Tea Merchants’ brand.

She said: “It’s always been my dream to have my own café so when the opportunity arose to run The Café at Northern Tea Merchants, I jumped at the chance. Having been a long-standing customer of Northern Tea Merchants for more than 15 years, I couldn’t say no!”

Kim has recruited three members of staff to help her run the new café – Brennan, Laura and Alida. They bring a wealth of customer service experience to their new roles.

She added: “I feel incredibly lucky to have the best team around me. Our aim with The Café at Northern Tea Merchants is to offer the best customer service, alongside great homemade food and, obviously, the best tea and coffee!”

As well as a wide selection of hot and cold drinks, The Café at Northern Tea Merchant’s now boasts a new menu which includes a range of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, including sandwiches, paninis, salads, home-made quiche, pate, jacket potatoes, cakes and Cream Teas. Afternoon Tea is also available if ordered in advance.

Welcoming Kim and her team, James Pogson, director of Northern Tea Merchants said: “Our shop and café have been a familiar site on Chatsworth Road since 2003 when we first opened. As a customer herself, Kim knows only too well the pleasure of sitting in our café enjoying one of our many teas and coffees while watching the world go by. Nothing beats it!

“We are delighted to have Kim onboard at Northern Tea Merchants. With her enthusiasm and passion, I have every confidence she will make a success of her new venture.”

The Café at Northern Tea Merchants is open Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm (serving until 3:30pm), to book a table or order an Afternoon Tea, call 01246 232 600.

Northern Tea Merchants 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, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Local Proclamation of King Charles III held at Chesterfield Town Hall

Crowds gathered outside Chesterfield Town Hall to witness a local ceremony to proclaim the accession of King Charles III last weekend, Sunday, 11 September.

Councillor Tony Rogers, Mayor of Chesterfield, read the Local Proclamation from the balcony of the Town Hall, as part of a series of official events held across the country this weekend to mark the historic occasion.

It follows a meeting of the Accession Council on Saturday, 10 September at St James’s Palace in London, to formally proclaim Charles as the new sovereign.

Councillor Rogers said: “We remain united in collective sorrow following the passing of HM The Queen and we will continue to reflect together as a community during this period of national mourning.

“Today’s ceremony was an important moment in the history of our country, and our borough, as we came together to mark the local Proclamation of King Charles III reign as our new sovereign.

“It was touching to see so many across our community unite for this historic occasion and, on behalf of the people of Chesterfield in my role as Mayor, I was honoured to play my part in this unforgettable moment in history.”

The Union Flag was temporarily raised to full-mast in line with the national Proclamation protocol. It has now been lowered to half-mast to mark the ongoing national mourning period.

The Union Flag, which is currently flying at half-mast above the Town Hall, will be temporarily raised to full-mast at 11am on Saturday morning until 1pm on Sunday, in line with the national Proclamation protocol.

Businesses and local leaders across the town also paid their respects last week. Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2022/09/chesterfield-leaders-and-businesses-pay-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-ii/

People are also reminded that they can lay tributes including flowers at the official memorial site at Queen’s Park bandstand, and Books of Condolence are available at locations across the borough.

Meanwhile Chesterfield’s Crooked Spire church has announced a memorial service will be taking place there at the weekend:

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , ,

Zero-carbon tourist transport network to be trialled in Chesterfield and the Peak District

A pioneering trial is taking place in the Peak District National Park where EV and hydrogen vehicles will run together between multiple destinations and attractions.

The trial is led by the Gateway at PEAK, a major new tourism resort in Chesterfield which has planning for 5,000 overnight beds and 2,800 carpark spaces.

The trial route connects eight key locations and attractions including Chesterfield Train Station, Chatsworth, and the Gateway development, which will act as a hub for PEAK Express when it is due to open in 2025. The route is designed so that there’s no more than 20 minutes between each stop, much like the gondola lifts found in international ski resorts.

Currently 85% of park visitors arrive by car and with interest in the great outdoors and the staycation market booming, the numbers are set to increase. Regional stakeholders are also keen for more diverse groups to access the park and to grow the local economy through tourism. However, this must be done in a sustainable way which doesn’t exponentially increase carbon emissions, threaten community wellness and prosperity, or damage the park’s biodiversity.

Once fully operating, PEAK Express at the Gateway alone, aims to remove 500,000 tourism journeys from the National Park, reducing CO2 emissions by 3.6 million kg pa and provide a national exemplar of sustainable visitor economy growth. The long-term ambition is to see multiple hubs located around the Peak District National Park boundary.

Andrew McCloy, Chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, said; “We are delighted to be a stakeholder for this ground-breaking trial. Protecting the National Park for future generations and developing more sustainable ways for people to visit is high on our agenda. The PEAK Gateway site outside the National Park is an excellent location for a transport hub. The Peak Express service is a commitment to net-zero and will connect more of the National Park’s attractions without the need for a car, making them more accessible and spreading out the economic benefits of tourism.”

Hydrogen fuel and refuelling stations for the trial are being supplied by the world’s largest hydrogen producer, Air Products. The electric and hydrogen buses will be provided by Toyota where data will be gathered about each technology’s suitability for the varying terrain and refuelling needs. Jon Hunt, alternative fuels manager at Toyota (GB) said; “There is not one simple solution for zero-carbon mobility. That’s why this trial provides us with an exciting opportunity to trial both EV and hydrogen vehicles, assessing which is more suitable to different types of journeys across the park. We will also be looking at optimal ways to provide refuelling and great levels of customer service on board the vehicles.”

Andrew Lavery, Chief Executive of Chatsworth, a key attraction on the route said; “Derbyshire and the Peak District are world-class destinations for domestic and international tourists, and we are thrilled to be part of this trial.  Working with partners we are committed to reducing car journeys and supporting and promoting a more sustainable way of getting to and from the Peak District. There’s also a wonderful connection with hydrogen technology and Chatsworth – Henry Cavendish discovered hydrogen in 1766 and so, this venture is very interesting.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council praised the collaborative efforts of the project team saying: “The value of this partnership is clearly demonstrated when considering significant issues like climate change, which requires collective local commitment and action if we are to make a real difference, and we are delighted to be a key partner in this trial.

“Chesterfield has excellent road and rail connections, making it the ideal base to stay and explore the Peak District from – but we are committed to a net-zero future and this trial is an exciting step forward in how we think about our regional transport links. The trial of PEAK Express at the PEAK Resort, will make it even easier – and cleaner – for visitors to experience the UK’s first national park from neighbouring destinations, like Chesterfield.”

John Milligan, CEO of Milligan developers of the Gateway added; “The PEAK Resort site has been reclaimed from opencast, rewilded and we are investing in its future. PEAK’s proposition emulates the internationally successful ski resort model, providing a mixed range of hospitality, accommodation, retail, wellness and education facilities all served by a zero-carbon mobility service connected to 1,600 miles of trails and world class attractions in the Peak District National Park.

“Milligan has been developing iconic destinations for over 20 years. Our skills lie in curating the right mix of uses which will serve the community and visitors in a sustainable way bringing long term value. This trial is part of the development’s journey to zero and marks an important milestone for Gateway and the National Park.”

The trial has been running since 5th September and will finish on the 16th. The results will be published at the beginning of November. PEAK Express is planned to be fully operational as part of the Gateway at PEAK Resort, due to open in Spring 2025.

Find out more about PEAK at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/peak-resort/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield event technology company goes global

A Chesterfield company which provides customers with groundbreaking experiences has recently worked at a multitude of global destinations for big-named brands and agencies.

Noonah is an event technology company for brands and agencies, providing exciting experiences that maximise event engagement.

Last month, the company provided photo opportunities for Red Hot Chili Peppers in London and a 3-stop tour with Coldplay in London, Frankfurt, and Paris. With more dates added to the schedule, Noonah is set to deliver even more experiences at concerts in the future.

After opening their new LA Office, Noonah has provided event technology for various events and conferences in America. They created the ultimate fan experience for the Major League Baseball Sponsor, Hankook, at the MLB All-Star Conference in California, USA. Noonah provided a Mirror Booth with AR filters for fans, which fed into an eye-catching Tradeshow Mosaic,

Noonah also created a photo experience with a GIF Booth and Mosaic Wall at When We All Vote’s first-ever Culture of Democracy Summit. The event was attended by thousands of guests and featured keynote speakers such as Michelle Obama and Selena Gomez.

Lastly, the company provided numerous experiences for an enormous 4-day convention held in North Carolina, including 360 photo booths, green screen, and touch screen photo opportunities.

Closer to home, Noonah recently created the Love Chesterfield Mosaic, a community project consisting of hundreds of photos of people from across the local area. The artwork now sits proudly in the recently-opened Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. 

Alice Morton, Account Manager at Noonah commented: “We are excited to provide our services here and overseas and continue to put Chesterfield on the map as an excellent place for creative businesses.”

This month, they will continue to expand their business by providing tech for numerous events in locations such as Milan, Paris, and Barcelona. Find out more about Noonah and what they get up to next on their official website www.noonah.com

Noonah 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, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Markham Vale hails record job figures as it supports region’s post-Covid recovery

470 jobs were created at Markham Vale last year in one of the largest ever annual totals recorded at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship industrial and logistics scheme near Chesterfield.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre joint venture development between property developer HBD and Derbyshire County Council. It is one of the region’s landmark schemes, attracting new businesses and creating thousands of new jobs.

2,702 new jobs have been created at the development to date, with the latest figures demonstrating its impact in driving investment and supporting the region’s post-Covid recovery.

Derbyshire County Council recently had its efforts recognised by Local Government Chronicle, being shortlisted in the Economic Support category in the upcoming 2022 LGC Awards.

Richard Hinds, Development Surveyor at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is a hugely successful scheme and plays an important role in supporting the region’s economy, which is more important than ever as the region recovers from the pandemic and the many challenges that brought.

“2021 was another strong year for Markham Vale – we completed two zero-carbon buildings totalling more than 300,000 sq. ft., Daher Aerospace moved into a new 55,000 sq. ft. unit, and a landmark deal was secured with Gridserve to create Derbyshire’s first EV charging station.

“We’re very proud of what our joint venture has achieved at Markham Vale to date and we look forward to welcoming more innovative, forward-thinking businesses to Derbyshire.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration Councillor Tony King said: “These figures are very reassuring and a strong sign that businesses are starting to recover from the pandemic.

“Markham Vale plays a key role in helping to deliver on our commitment to building a strong, diverse, and green economy by creating jobs for local people and attracting local, national, and international businesses.

“As well as welcoming several new businesses to the site last year including Gallery Direct and Daher Aerospace Limited, we saw sustainable packaging firm Smurfit Kappa expand to another unit and we’re looking forward to seeing Markham continue to grow and welcoming even more businesses to the site in the future.”

HBD and Markham Vale support 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, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Three young people in the running for top apprentice title at the Love Chesterfield Awards

One young person is set to be named as the town’s top apprentice next month.

Henry Kay, Ria Smith and Will Brooks are all in the running for the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award in the annual 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management.

The award, which is sponsored by DBC Training, recognises apprentices that have made a significant contribution to the success of a local organisation.

Henry (21), a trainee accountant at BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, follows in the footsteps of the company’s founder, who also started his career as an apprentice. “I’m happy to be considered for the Apprentice of the Year award, it feels great to be a finalist. I chose to do an apprenticeship because it was a good way to get into accounting without having to take the traditional university route; it was the better option for me.”

Graham Nash, Director of BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax added: “Apprenticeships provide good quality young people and the opportunity to mould best practice in business for both the apprentice and the company. I am the result of an apprenticeship and have seen many diamonds found and nurtured to reach great potential.”

Ria (22), who is a Support Office Assistant at Peak Pharmacy, began her career with the company when she assisted with its COVID-19 vaccination clinics. She said: “I feel very grateful to have been shortlisted for this award. I was so excited when I found out I had been nominated!

“During the pandemic, I was given the opportunity to work for Peak Pharmacy in its COVID-19 vaccination clinics both within Casa Hotel and the Clay Cross Pharmacy. I was ready to further my education and jumped at the opportunity when I saw Peak Pharmacy was advertising for an apprentice in its support office. I love the fast pace of the office and no two days are the same. My apprenticeship has allowed me to start from scratch and build a career for the future.”

Andrea Street, Head of Support Office at Peak Pharmacy said: “Having apprentices has given us the opportunity to develop and grow a talented and motivated workforce. The aim is to see them move into permanent roles within our company and continue their training. Ria’s energy and enthusiasm has without doubt had a positive impact on our Support team and across the company. She is a valued member of our team, and we couldn’t be happier that she chose to complete her apprenticeship with us!”

Will (19) who is a Digital Marketing Apprentice at Superior Wellness has taken on several additional marketing responsibilities in the business this year and has been praised by his employer for ‘stepping up’.

Will commented: “I’m very happy to be included in the shortlist for the Apprentice of the Year award. I chose the route of an apprenticeship as I feel it suited my work style much better than going to university and could give me experience in the workplace at a young age. It’s had a big impact on me in terms of my ambition and motivation.”

Sarah Elphick, Head of Marketing at Superior Wellness added: Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to start their careers and we are huge advocates of them. Will adapted to his role well and was keen to learn from day one.

“In April, our two marketing executives left the business, leaving Will and myself to take on several additional responsibilities. Will adapted to this change in a calm and professional way and was excited about the prospect of additional responsibilities. Will has really stepped up and is doing the same level of work as the marketing executives despite being at the start of his career.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield congratulated Ria, Will and Henry commenting: “Apprentices play such a pivotal role in fulfilling the town’s ambitions for growth. Having a pool of young talent is crucial both for our existing businesses and potential investors in the area so it’s important we give recognition to the apprentices and their employers who are helping them progress in their careers within the town.”

The Apprentice of the Year award is one of 15 categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. The winners of all the categories will be announced at a glittering black-tie ceremony at The Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

As well as Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management and DBC Training, the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are also supported and made possible by Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Sutton McGrath Hartley.

Peter Swallow added: “After the uncertainty of the last two years, the Destination Chesterfield team is working to ensure the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards is the best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors.”

There are a limited number of sponsorship packages available. If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards, information is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

2021 Apprentice of the Year Award winner, Ellie Gibson – Heathcotes Group

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

£1.14 billion devolution deal announced for the East Midlands

Local leaders in large parts of the East Midlands will be given new powers to improve transport, boost skills training and build more attractive and affordable homes through a historic, first of a kind county devolution deal signed with the government.

Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark has signed the deal with Derbyshire and Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, which will see the area appoint a directly elected mayor, responsible for delivering local priorities, backed by a new £38 million per year investment fund, totalling £1.14 billion over 30 years.

The deal delivers on a commitment made in the government’s Levelling Up white paper published early this year to shift in powers and resources away from Whitehall to local communities.

In addition to the agreed funding being under local control rather than control from Whitehall, a new Mayoral Combined County Authority will be created, with control over the core adult education budget, to boost skills in the region, as well as the ability to increase control over transport infrastructure.

The new mayor will also be granted powers to drive regeneration, with compulsory purchase powers and the ability to designate Mayoral development areas and establish Mayoral Development Corporations to promote growth and build new homes.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield’s residents and businesses deserve to have the same opportunities as those living in the towns and cities of the West Midlands, South Yorkshire, and other areas where Mayoral Combined Authorities already exist.

“They do not at present, which is why I welcome the announcement of a devolution deal for the East Midlands. Being able to access new sources of funding and take on new powers in relation to transport, housing, adult education, skills, and other matters can only be a good thing but these freedoms come at a price.

“I will be taking a close interest in how the East Midlands Mayoral Combined County Authority takes shape over the next 18 months and how we at Chesterfield Borough Council best influence this new body to achieve the very best outcomes for the people of Chesterfield.

“Given the current cost of living crisis, we must avoid power struggles and unnecessary bureaucracy, it is a time for local government at all levels to come together and put our communities first.”

Levelling up Secretary Greg Clark said: “The East Midlands is renowned for its economic dynamism and it has the potential to lead the Britain’s economy of the future. For a long time I have believed that the East Midlands should have the powers and devolved budgets that other areas in Britain have been benefitting from and I am thrilled to be able to bring that about in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“I am impressed by the way councils in the region have come together to agree the first deal of this kind in the country, which will benefit residents in all of the great cities, towns and villages across the area of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

“Taking decisions out of Whitehall and putting them back in the hands of local people is foundational to levelling up and this deal does that.

“The new East Midlands Combined County Authority will also be granted control of over £17 million of additional funding for the building of new homes on brownfield land in 2024/25, subject to sufficient eligible projects for funding being identified, and a further £18 million has been agreed to support housing priorities and drive Net Zero Ambitions into the area.”

In a joint statement, Ben Bradley MP, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, and David Mellen, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We welcome the £1.14 billion devolution deal from the government on offer for our region. It’s fantastic news.

“We want to make the most of every penny so this can be used to make a real difference to people’s lives.

“As Leaders, we have all fought for a fairer share for our cities and counties, and a bigger voice for our area, to give us the clout and the influence we deserve, and to help us live up to our full potential.

“This deal would help make that a reality, creating more and better jobs through greater investment in our area, with increased economic growth, better transport, housing, skills training, and an enhanced greener environment, as we move towards being carbon neutral. These are what we all want to see, and we will work together for the common good of the East Midlands.

“We haven’t always had the same level of funding or influence as other areas, which has held us back. This is a golden opportunity to change that and put the power to do so in our own hands.

“There is a lot still to be agreed, and this is the beginning of the journey, not the end. We’re determined to build on this deal over time, as other areas have done.”

This will be the first ever Mayoral Combined County Authority, a new model of devolution provided for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Implementation of this deal is dependent on Parliamentary approval of the Bill and necessary secondary legislation, as well as a public consultation.

This marks another important milestone in the government’s commitment to ensure that every area in England that wants a devolution deal can get one by 2030, as promised in the Levelling Up white paper published earlier this year.

New powers will help to improve local skills which will meet the specific needs of the local economy, helping to boost the region financially. In addition, there will be greater powers to drive regeneration creating more affordable housing for local people, making the area a more desirable place to live, work and visit.

Town Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

‘Regeneration is not just confined to Chesterfield Town Centre’

Destination Chesterfield chair, Peter Swallow has given his thoughts on the town’s ongoing regeneration ahead of the 2022 Chesterfield Investment Summit.

September officially sees the end of summer and, let’s hope, this unnaturally hot weather.

While the heat has brought with it lethargy and exhaustion for many, the same can’t be said for Chesterfield’s ambitious investment plans which are to be put under the spotlight at the Chesterfield Investment Summit. And there is much to talk about.

The opening of the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre recently signified the completion of the first phase of the £20 million Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

Phase 2 is already underway with the demolition of the former Chesterfield Hotel the redevelopment of which forms part of the ambitious Chesterfield Station Masterplan which will deliver regeneration of the area around Chesterfield train station.

Phase 1 has transformed the northern entrance to Chesterfield town centre so I have no doubt that phase 2 will be equally effective.  As well as the Enterprise Centre and transformation of the iconic 1920s iconic former Co-op department store into units targeted at food and drink businesses, the project also comprised the redevelopment of the Saltergate multi-storey car park, and improvements to the public space at Elder Way and Knifesmithgate.

The new office space at the Enterprise Centre will shortly be joined by One Waterside Place at Chesterfield Waterside. It’s a different offering to that provided at The Enterprise Centre, as it delivers larger floorplates, but offers accommodation which much needed in the town if we are to achieve our ambitions. Already, there are tenants set to move in – BHP Accountants, a long-standing Chesterfield business which, because of the availability of suitable new Grade A office space in the town, is able to remain in Chesterfield and grow their business further.

Make no mistake, the investment and regeneration in Chesterfield is not just confined to the town centre; it is happening throughout the borough.

The Staveley Works development, which is being delivered by Devonshire Group, will transform 150 hectares of former industrial land in Staveley into 700 homes, shops, leisure, a hotel, primary school, and a canal marina. It is considered the largest regeneration opportunity in the area.

Regeneration and construction are one thing, however a key success factor in Chesterfield’s growth and development is creating and promoting job opportunities in all sectors for everyone; they go hand in hand like the public/private partnerships which are transforming the town and surrounding areas.

I am immensely proud of the ongoing work by all partners – public and private, to not only transform the town but ensure all young people in Chesterfield are aware of the many job opportunities here. It is a team effort, and the results very much speak for themselves.

 

Restoration of Chesterfield Canal, Staveley

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,