Development

Chamber teams up with University of Derby to deliver upcoming Sustainability Summit

The transition to net zero and getting over ‘climate fatigue’ are among issues taking centre stage at the East Midlands Sustainability Summit at the University of Derby on 12th September.

Presented by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with the University of Derby, the summit will bring together industry specialists, academics and the region’s business community to explore how to overcome challenges in changing working practices to tackle climate change.

East Midlands Chamber President Stuart Dawkins said: “The East Midlands, like all regions, has a responsibility to think carefully what it leaves behind for what I call Generation Next-But-One, those who will inherit the world we leave behind. All businesses should play their part in adopting measures that mitigate against and significantly reduce the catastrophic impact of climate change.

“The good news is that most businesses have already taken steps toward cutting their carbon usage, cutting out working methods that are not energy efficient, but this isn’t an easy challenge with a simple out of the box solution. The East Midlands Sustainability Summit is a place to hear and share best practice from a wide range of industries and to take an informed look at how we navigate the hurdles to achieve net zero.”

University of Derby Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability Dr Polina Baranova, who will speak on research into Green Growth trends in the East Midlands said: “The study we carry out into Green Growth in the East Midlands is now in its 9th year and I look forward to sharing the latest findings at the Sustainability Summit. From last year’s position we’ve seen encouraging signs of green growth recovery in the region. Within the context of political uncertainty around green business support at national and local level, businesses in the East Midlands continue to commit resources and develop strategic capabilities to compete in the green market niches at home and internationally.

“The research that we’ll present at the summit also reports an increase in the number of regional businesses investing in decarbonisation and biodiversity net gain. This signals an intensifying role of regional business in tackling climate challenges. Despite these developments, more needs to be done to excel and expand on the green growth progress that’s been made thus far, and at the summit I look forward to outlining how policy and local government can put forward measures to achieve that.”

Speakers at 2024’s East Midlands Sustainability Summit:

• Professor Chris Sansom – Professor of Concentrated Solar Power and Head of Zero Carbon Theme, University of Derby
• Dr Polina Baranova – Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability, University of Derby
• Julie Adams – Carbon, Cost and Procurement Consultant, Auditel.
• Becky Valentine – Co-owner, Sustainability & Building Health Consultant, Spenbeck
• Andy Wright – Responsible Business Director, Samworth Brothers
• Becky Clayton – Partner, PwC
• Stuart Dawkins – President, East Midlands Chamber

Building photographed from above with solar panels on the roof

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

Meet the new Chesterfield bakery serving up delicious brownies

A new bakery has opened in Chesterfield, specilaising in serving coffee and decadent brownies to customers.

Located at York House, 38 St Mary’s Gate, this cozy spot is the latest addition for The Savvy Baker, which already boasts popular locations in York and Roundhay, Leeds.

After already proving popular in Yorkshire, the business is excited to bring its sweet treats to the Chesterfield community.

But that’s not all! The Savvy Baker Chesterfield is more than just brownies – the summer special drinks are already causing a stir among iced drink lovers.

Indulge in Iced Kinder, a chocolatey delight perfect for those hot summer days, or try Iced Biscoff, which comes topped with a creamy, dreamy Biscoff cold cream. For something refreshing and a little different, the Iced Raspberry Matcha is a must-try, combining the earthy notes of matcha with a burst of raspberry sweetness.

The Savvy Baker also proudly serves North Star Coffee, renowned for its rich and robust flavour.

box of sweet treats being held outside a shop

Situated in York House Business Centre, the new Chesterfield location offers a convenient and inviting space whether you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or a place to relax. The shop is easily accessible, with an entrance from the street, making it a perfect stop for locals and visitors alike.

“We’re excited to expand our presence to Chesterfield and share our love of coffee and brownies with the community here,” said Savannah Roqaa Founder of The Savvy Baker. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where people can enjoy high-quality drinks and treats, whether they’re grabbing something on the go or taking a break from their day.”

With its central location and delicious offerings, The Savvy Baker Chesterfield is set to become a favorite spot for coffee enthusiasts and brownie lovers. The shop is open every day from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and until 4:00 PM on Saturdays, giving you plenty of time to drop by and experience what everyone’s talking about.

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member said: “I’m really pleased to see The Savvy Baker has chosen to open in our town centre, providing another great food and drink option for customers.

Chesterfield is home to many fantastic cafes, allowing visitors to spend time with their loved ones in the heart of our town, whilst creating jobs for local people.

“I would like to wish the Savvy Baker team lots of success in their new location.”

For more inspiration on delicious food and drink businesses across our town, along with great ideas to make the most of your time in Chesterfield, visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/

The Savvy Baker Chesterfield

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

Destination Chesterfield welcomes eight new board members

Destination Chesterfield has announced the recruitment of eight new board members to strengthen the promotion of Derbyshire’s largest town.

The Destination Chesterfield Board is made up of local businesspeople who volunteer their time to influence the strategic direction of place-making and place marketing for Chesterfield.

Since being founded by Chesterfield Borough Council and local businesses in 2010, Destination Chesterfield has showcased the town as a contemporary destination to work, live, visit and invest.

The partnership works alongside a community of more than 230 businesses, known as Chesterfield Champions, to achieve this.  Board members are representatives from their Chesterfield Champion Companies.

Joining the Destination Chesterfield board are:

  • Ann Fomukong-Boden, Owner, Kakou CIC
  • Andrew Dabbs, Director, Whittam Cox Architects
  • Nick Hogan, Owner, Chesterfield Escape Rooms
  • Dominic Staniforth, Partner, BHP LLP
  • Ryan Wilkes, Director of Owner Managed Business, Shorts Chartered Accountants
  • James Borkoles, Head of Business Development, University of Derby
  • Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director, Devonshire Group
  • Nick Catt, Managing Director, Weightron Bilanciai

As the new board members begin their voluntary roles, the Chair of Destination Chesterfield, Peter Swallow has announced that he is stepping down from his position after 14 years of service.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Vice Chair and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, will lead the board while a new chair is elected.

Peter commented: “It is fantastic to be signing off my chairmanship by welcoming eight new board members, who will all be helping to guide the future marketing and economic growth of Chesterfield.

“One of Chesterfield’s great strengths is the collaborative nature of its business community, and this is reflected in the broad range of sectors represented on the board. The new members all have a vast amount of knowledge and expertise when it comes to the needs of our businesses and communities.”

“As I come to the end of my service as Chair of this successful partnership, I would like to wish Destination Chesterfield and all organisations across our town success in bringing further growth and regeneration, fulfilling Chesterfield’s ambition to be a fantastic location to live, work, visit and invest.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby said: “On behalf of the Destination Chesterfield Board, I would like to thank Peter Swallow for his years of dedicated service to the town. I am looking forward to working with all new and existing members of the Destination Chesterfield board to continue building on the progress made by the partnership over recent years. Not only does Destination Chesterfield raise the profile of our town, it also acts as a vital private sector voice for the area, ensuring that our businesses are heard.”

Meet the new board members

Andrew Dabbs, Director, Whittam Cox Architects

“I’ve lived locally my entire life, and being part of a thriving business in Chesterfield is something I’m very proud of. I’m excited to be part of the Destination Chesterfield board, with my role going hand-in-hand with my existing involvement in the town’s Property and Construction Group. Being part of the board gives me a great opportunity to represent our sector and the communities we ultimately serve through our work. There is so much talent and quality in our region and I’m delighted to be working with colleagues to showcase it.”

Nick Hogan, Owner, Chesterfield Escape Rooms

“I genuinely feel honoured and privileged to be able to join such an experienced team, all with the intention of making our hometown a better to live, work, invest and visit. Everyone on the board has got something a little different to offer and specialise in. During the selection process, I focussed on my expertise of recently opening a business in the town centre. I firmly believe Chesterfield can buck the national trend and would love to engage with anyone thinking about opening a business in town. It only takes a few great businesses to open to create a snowball effect.”

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Owner, Kakou CIC

“I am deeply honoured to join the Destination Chesterfield board and play a greater part in supporting Chesterfield’s vibrant community. This role presents an incredible opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of our Town.

“My main aims and aspirations for this role are centred around fostering strong collaborative connections and partnerships within the Town’s diverse corporate, third sector and community organisations; in addition to shining a light on the creativity, innovation and heritage that define our unique Town.”

Dominic Staniforth, Partner, BHP LLP

Dominic Staniforth BHP

“Chesterfield is a town full of driven and passionate people who share a common purpose to make it an excellent place to live, work, invest and study. I am honoured to be joining the Destination Chesterfield board, which brings together leaders from our business community and the public sector to guide the strategic promotion of the town.

“This position will sit alongside my other exciting new role as Chair of the new Chesterfield Town Board, which will oversee the spending of almost £20m from the government to bring more positive change to our town.”

Ryan Wilkes, Director of Owner Managed Business, Shorts Chartered Accountants

“I am very grateful and honoured to be selected to represent Chesterfield, where I have called home all my life. I am keen to build on my knowledge of the area, to help provide support and showcase both emerging and established businesses in Chesterfield, as well as the town as a whole.

“I have a unique insight into the thriving businesses around the area through my role at Shorts, which I would like to share and shout about to attract new business to Chesterfield and show what a great town it is. Talent attraction and retention are also big areas I would like to focus on. We have a great business community here, and we need to continue building talent to help grow our organisations. I want to help show the rest of the UK what Chesterfield has to offer, and to show the people and businesses of Chesterfield why they should stay!”

James Borkoles, Head of Business Development, University of Derby

“I’m very excited to be joining the Destination Chesterfield board at this critical time – the pace of change is relentless and there are significant opportunities to set our sights high in terms of developing Chesterfield as a first choice place for businesses to start, develop and thrive.

“My involvement, and that of the University of Derby, is to ensure that businesses are given the best support possible to establish themselves, grow and evolve to meet the challenges in the short and long term. This might be through skills provision, apprenticeships and securing talent to grow your business, or it might come through innovative, applied research and consultancy.”

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director, Devonshire Group

“I’m delighted to be joining the Destination Chesterfield Board. The Devonshire Group has a long-standing relationship with Chesterfield and through our property development activity we are actively investing into the area.

“Working with the Council and Chesterfield College we have partnered in the delivery of the Construction Skills Hub on our housing scheme at Mastin Moor.  Having a skilled workforce is key to the area’s success and I hope to continue to help shape and deliver those skills, to ensure Chesterfield remains a great place in which to invest.”

Nick Catt, Managing Director, Weightron Bilanciai

Man smiling at camera wearing blue formal jacket

“I’m enthused and excited to become part of the Destination Chesterfield board. I love working in the town because of our central location with great access to the motorway network, businesses can find good employees who benefit from a great work/life balance.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the redevelopment of the town centre and market square. I would like to see our town further develop its nighttime culture, with more places for people to go and enjoy, encouraging more visitors to our area.”

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

Chesterfield businesses urged to take up free green and digital skills support

Companies across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire are being urged to take up the offer of free training.

North East Derbyshire District Council and Chesterfield Borough Council have joined forces to offer green skills and higher digital skills courses – made possible thanks to £200,000 worth of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The green skills courses will help construction companies access skills development that will help them comply with the Future Homes Standard (FHS) – which requires new homes built from 2025 to produce significantly less carbon emissions than under current building regulations – and will also contribute to the UK achieving its 2050 net zero target.

The higher level digital skills courses are open to businesses of any kind, interested in equipping their workforce with essential digital skills.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that everyone can improve their skills and access new career opportunities. These programmes will allow people to upskill in their current roles, access promotions and ensure local businesses have access to the skills they need. The focus on green skills will also help ensure we can become a carbon neutral area and reduce the impact of climate change.”

Cllr Jayne Barry, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Cabinet member for Growth, said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses across our district to upskill their workforce as we move towards a greener and more sustainable future. Also, a future which is increasingly reliant on the use of technology, with all the rewards and threats that can bring.”

Chesterfield College will be delivering green skills courses, including the installation of wall insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. As well as hybrid vehicle awareness and a qualification in sustainability.

While Derby-based training provider Althaus Digital will deliver a suite of higher level digital skills training, including generative AI in digital marketing, cyber security and green digital training programmes.

Courses start from 22 August 2024 and run until Feb/March 2025. Some are short one day courses, while others take place over several days.

They will be delivered face-to-face and also online – and are all free.

To find out about all the courses available at Chesterfield College and to book on a session, visit www.chesterfield.ac.uk/greenskills/ or call 01246 500500 for more information.

For more information about the Althaus courses, contact Am Seabright, Director of Transformation am@althausdigital.co.uk 07913424467.

If you can’t make any of the courses, don’t worry as there is some flexibility with dates.  Just contact Economic.Development@NE-Derbyshire.gov.uk for more information.

Looking for more support for your business? Find out more about the latest schemes available at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

Two women wearing VR headsets and animation on big screen

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield business leaders share advice for young people ahead of results day

Millions of young people across the UK are eagerly awaiting their GCSE and A-Level results in the coming days, marking the culmination of years of hard work and exam preparation.

While this is a moment to celebrate their achievements, it’s also a time of important decisions about the future.

With numerous pathways to consider, the choices can feel overwhelming. Some may choose to continue their education by attending sixth form, college, or university, while others might opt to enter the workforce directly through full-time employment or apprenticeships.

At a recent business roundtable hosted by Destination Chesterfield in collaboration with the Derbyshire Times, leaders from various training providers and companies in Chesterfield shared valuable insights and advice, to help guide our young people in making informed decisions about their next steps.

Discover what our local businesses had to say below…

Jo Down – Assistant Principal for Student Experience and Wellbeing, Chesterfield College

Keep your options open and take advantage of opportunities to try new things. Everything will be a learning journey, and throughout that journey you’ll be developing skills which you can take anywhere.

I’d also recommend you look at the job market in the area as well. Find out more about the careers that are available, then once you find something that interests you, research the different routes and options available.

Lastly, it is OK to change your mind along the way and take a different path. We all do that through life, and it’s good to keep learning new skills!

Rebecca Erskine – Owner, Yellow Bird Marketing and Communications

Don’t rule out the option of self-employment and starting up your own business. You can make a good living out of working for yourself, whilst gaining valuable entrepreneurial skills… which perhaps you might not learn a lot about in school!

Also, the most vital skill you can learn is communication. Ask questions of your parents, your parents’ friends and everybody around you about how they got into their career.

Observe situations around you too, so if you’re in a shop and somebody’s not happy with something, how do the staff speak to customers? How do they reach a solution or come to a compromise? Having good communication and negotiation skills will stand you in good stead, no matter what career you choose.

Catherine Wenborn – Owner, Vines Legal Ltd.

Catherine Wenborn Vines Legal

You could have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship and and be paid for the work you’re doing, and also learn and develop as you’re going along.

Secondly, make good use of your school or college careers service and don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions!

I’d also recommend taking part in work experience and getting used to writing to employers. It shows that you can use your initiative, and its shows future employers that you’re interested in working for them, so it can open all sorts of doors!

Lewis Silcock – Business Development Manager, DBC Training

Lewis DBC Training

Go into things with an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new things. However, don’t expect to achieve things overnight – building a career can take time.

Don’t be afraid to pick up the brush or make those cups of tea – there are jobs in the workplace that you might not necessarily want to do, but everyone’s had to start somewhere and in the long-term it shows that you have a good work ethic.

Paul Stuart – Head of Business Support Services, East Midlands Chamber

Man speaking to woman at business expo

I’d advise young people to get a part-time job. It’s important to get those people skills so they’re informed on how to deal with difficult customers.

Simply applying for a job can give you experience on the types of questions employers ask you. You’ll then be set up to handle interviews calmly and use those listening skills.

Helen Bradshaw – Business Development Director, Learning Curve Group

Headshot of a woman with dark hair looking into camera

Keep your options open and ask lots of questions. Don’t be frightened to change career direction, but most importantly don’t do nothing.

Get out there, explore and do something you enjoy. You can make it happen, sometimes you just need to go that extra bit of distance to stand out and achieve your goals.

Jamie Wajs – Owner, Lime Living Estate Agents

Jamie Wajs Lime Living

Don’t worry about whether the choice you make doesn’t work out, because there are always options to go back into education and learn new skills.

You’ve got to find something you enjoy doing, and you don’t have to stay in the same career your whole life. Just go out there with a positive attitude and take opportunities.

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Find out how you can boost your talent pipeline by supporting our young people on their journey to the workplace. Sign up for the latest updates at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/skills/skills-and-employability-newsletter-signup/

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

Chesterfield property and construction firms encouraged to apply for 2024 East Midlands Bricks Awards

Property and Construction businesses have just three weeks to submit their applications for a prestigious awards ceremony which celebrates the sector.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will shine a light on the industry across our region, while offering an opportunity to network with business leaders.

This year’s glittering ceremony will take place on Thursday 3 October at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham.

Hosted by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, the event is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate successes, boost businesses’ profiles, showcase teams, reward their efforts, and bolster morale.

To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of the awards, visit this page.

Award categories include:

  • Most active agent
  • Commercial development of the year
  • Responsible business of the year
  • Residential development of the year
  • Developer of the year
  • Deal of the year
  • Architects of the year
  • Excellence in design
  • Sustainable development of the year
  • Contractor of the year
  • Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated)

Nominations end Thursday 5th September.

Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.

Are you a Chesterfield business looking to gain recognition for your work and promotion of your company by entering awards? Our guide will enable you to find out more about the awards available in our region. Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/promote-your-business/

A digger and construction worker on a Stancliffe Homes development

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

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s staff wellbeing hub shortlisted for prestigious award

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Health and Wellbeing Hub has been shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards, recognising an outstanding contribution to healthcare and securing a place at the prestigious awards ceremony later this year.

Over 1,000 entries have been received for this year’s Awards, with 234 projects and individuals reaching the final shortlist. The high volume and exceptional quality of applications showcases the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed within the UK’s healthcare networks.

Following the thorough judging process, the Trust was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held later this year, with the Health and Wellbeing Hub standing out as a real ‘success story’ worthy of a prized place on the panel’s shortlist.

The Trust’s vision is ‘exceptional care provided by exceptional people’, we have 5,000 colleagues and following the pandemic wanted to invest in their health and wellbeing – caring for the carers.

The Health and Wellbeing Hub opened in July 2023 – and is a free on-site facility supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. The facility boasts:

  • Counselling rooms
  • A fully equipped gym
  • Two studios to host groups and exercise classes
  • Areas for group or individual reflection after traumatic incidents
  • Changing room and shower facilities
  • Bike storage facilities
  • Foyer space for colleagues to take time out, eat lunch and network

Abbie Foster, Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Trust, said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards. It’s a great way to showcase all the incredible work the teams have been doing across the Trust to make improvements for our colleagues and their wellbeing. A huge thank you to everybody involved.”

Caroline Wade MBE, Executive Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, added: “The real value comes from how the Hub and support available makes our colleagues feel. We saw a 5% decrease across the burnout question on the 2023 NHS Staff Survey – with the Trust scoring 3.5% better than the national score.

“We hope that this will inspire other organisations to take further steps to support their colleagues’ wellbeing.”

Abbie Foster, Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Trust, added: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards. It’s a great way to showcase all the incredible work the teams have been doing across the Trust to make improvements for our colleagues and their wellbeing. A huge thank you to everybody involved.”

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan, adds; “It always gives me great pleasure to congratulate our finalists at this stage of the judging process and this year is no exception as we acknowledge Chesterfield Royal Hospital for being shortlisted in the category of Staff Wellbeing.

“However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

“We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector. Huge thanks also go to our headline partner, Vodafone Business, who share our mission of driving the standard of healthcare excellence and creating better patient experiences.”

The full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ awards can be found at www.awards.hsj.co.uk. The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21st November 2024.

Find out more about the benefits of working in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/working/

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

Exterior of wellbeing hub building with lawn in front

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

Project provides career inspiration for Chesterfield young people

A new project has provided career insights and work experience for young people in Chesterfield.

The Careers Made in Chesterfield (CMiC) programme has had a successful first year, hosting eight workshops for 275 young people and providing work experience placements for almost 30 students.

It provides students with insights about local career opportunities and aims to create a pipeline of talent to support local businesses. In its first year, the programme has focussed on the property and construction sector but will expand to include the health and wellbeing sector and manufacturing sector over the next three years.

Industry experts have hosted interactive workshops at Ashgate Croft School, Parkside School, Springwell Community College, Netherthorpe School and the Chesterfield YES Youth Hub. As a result of these workshops, students have reported an increased interest in pursuing careers in the construction industry.

The project has been funded by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of its Skills Action Plan and delivered in schools by Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP).

On Tuesday 2 June Gateway 1 students from Ashgate Croft School were visited by G F Tomlinson where they played ‘guess my job’ with three volunteers – Gemma Thorpe, Senior Bid and Marketing Coordinator; Dave Miller, Site Manager; and Olivia Brindley, Assistant Quantity Surveyor – to learn about the varied roles within the construction sector.

In preparation for a site visit, students were also shown the refurbishment plans for Stephenson Memorial Hall, home to Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre, which is currently being refurbished by G F Tomlinson on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.

The students then took on the challenge to come up with their own designs for a cafe, shop, or entire museum using K’Nex construction kits.

Stuart Rooker, Careers Lead at DEBP said: “Collaboration between businesses and schools is crucial to CMiC. It is a fantastic way for employers to engage directly with students and inform them about their business and industry. It also provides the young people involved with the opportunity to learn about the skills they need, which employers value, and the options available to them.”

On Thursday 18 June, the students were given a tour of the construction site. After a health and safety talk from Jack Harvey, Technical Apprentice and putting on the appropriate PPE, Jason Tromans, Site Manager for G F Tomlinson, led a fantastic tour of the building. This included how key parts of the building are being restored and the interesting things that have been found on-site such as old newspapers and messages on the walls. Students were able to see a variety of construction trades at work, including roofers, joiners, ground workers, and scaffolders.

Vicky Bridge, Gateway 1 Teacher from Ashgate Croft School said: “The students thought both the workshop and visit were really interesting. It was a great experience for them to learn all about the company and the trade, and then see it in person and in action. This fits well with our employability lesson where we look at different jobs and types of employment.”

In total 14 employers have supported the CMiC programme including, Stepnell, Fortem, Devonshire Group, Henry Boot, Elliot Mather LLP, Whittam Cox Architects, Turner and Townsend, Castle Owen, Clee Hill, Shelby Group, Frank Shaw Associates and Chesterfield College.

CMiC is a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Action Plan which aims to ensure that local people have the right skills to support career progression and benefit from future employment opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “CMiC has made a great impact in its first year, it’s helped provide young people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their future and by working with employers we can ensure that skills provision in the borough meets their future needs. I look forward to seeing how this programme progresses in future years and hearing from young people about how it has helped them.

If you’re a local business, I would encourage you to get involved in the scheme because it will help guide young people to work in industry and even your business.”

As well as construction and property, the programme will expand over the next four years to include health and social care, and engineering and manufacturing and businesses in these sectors are encouraged to get in touch to volunteer for the scheme.

If you are an employer and would like to get involved in CMiC please email enquiries@debp.org.

Looking for support to improve skills and recruitment in your business? Head over to our business support page to find out more.

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

Students wearing high viz clothing

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Staveley Waterside Development gets underway

A transformation is about to begin at Staveley town’s canal basin as part of the Staveley Town Deal, a £25 million government-funded regeneration programme for the area.

A new, 2-storey building is to be constructed adjacent to Staveley Canal, creating an attractive mixed use facility that will support 11 business units for office, retail and workshop use alongside opportunities for food and drink. In short, creating a whole new destination in Staveley for both commerce and visitors.

The project is being managed and funded by a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and the Staveley Town Deal, which is overseen by Chesterfield Borough Council. The Town Deal is providing £3.5 million of the £4.5 million cost of the project with the balance being met by the County Council.

The canal basin will be greatly enhanced by the new development and, hopefully, will encourage more visitors to make recreational use of the canal for walking, cycling and boating. Access to the site will be improved with a new road and footpath and there will be indoor and outdoor dining space. Contractors started work on phase 1 of the project at the end of July. This initial phase is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2025.

This Staveley Waterside project forms part of the wider Markham Vale programme of works, a flagship 85-hectare business park based on the site of the old Markham Colliery.

The programme is a joint venture being delivered jointly with HBD focused on attracting and assisting businesses to support net zero ambitions and helping make Derbyshire a greener and lower carbon place to live, work and visit.

staveley waterside

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “It’s great to see this highly anticipated new development get underway at Staveley.

“Not only will it bring more life and jobs to the area, it will also draw more visitors to this attractive canal-side environment and encourage greater use of the infrastructure that’s already there.

“We have drawn on our many years of experience from work at Markham Vale and brought it to the Staveley Waterside project to help regenerate the area. It will provide both high-quality business accommodation and a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “I am thrilled to see this prominent project right by the canal, start on site. This landmark development is a key part of the Town Deal programme as it will help create new jobs and encourage people to explore the historic canal, contributing to our overall goal of ensuring that Staveley is a place where everyone can start, stay, and grow.”

Staveley Waterside is one of 3 projects the county council is leading as part of the Staveley Town Deal which includes 10 projects in total.

Wheels to Work is a project we are leading to help people in Staveley access job and training opportunities by providing bicycles and e-scooters for those with limited transport options. And we are also working with partners on a project to reinstate a railway station in Barrow Hill and create better public transport connections between Staveley, Chesterfield and Sheffield for jobs and training opportunities.

Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal Projects here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/staveley/

group of representatives holding banner wearing hard hats

 

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

Board launched to strengthen regional business connections

Representatives from across the East Midlands are being sought to help strengthen the connection between East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and local businesses.

EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will provide strategy, advice and guidance to the main EMCCA Board, chaired by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward and EMCCA’s committees. It will help ensure the experience and knowledge of regional businesses is harnessed when making decisions around the economy, skills, transport, housing and the transition to net-zero.

David Williams, Chairman of Geldards, one of the UK’s leading law firms and business representative on the EMCCA Board will chair the new Business Advisory Board.

David Williams, Chair of the Business Advisory Board, said: “I’m committed to raising the economic prosperity of our region and through this board we will build a strong partnership between the public and private sector and ensure that the benefits of devolution can be realised across the region. We need experienced individuals to join the board who are willing to share their insights to help guide the work of the new combined county authority.”

Mayor Claire Ward said: “It is vital that we bring together representatives from across the business community to help shape the future direction of the East Midlands. Our region is home to a huge range of businesses from global manufacturers through to small high street retailers and through this board we can shape policies and support programmes that will drive growth across our region.”

EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board will include 16 members, including representatives from the private and public sector and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. Private sector representatives will include experts from large businesses, small and medium enterprises and sectors with a significant chance of attracting further investment.

Members of the Board will be expected to have a good understanding of the East Midlands region and the business sectors that operate within it, experience of leadership roles in business and understand the challenges faced by businesses.

The Business Advisory Board will meet four times during each financial year.

More information about the Business Advisory Board including details about the role of the board and the person specification for members can be found in the East Midlands Combined County Authority Board papers from Monday 17 June: (Public Pack)Agenda Document for East Midlands Combined County Authority – Board, 17/06/2024 11:00 (derbyshire.gov.uk)

Two briefing sessions for businesses are set to take place on the following dates:

  • Weds 14th at 1400
  • Thurs 15th at 0930

Anyone wishing to express an interest in joining EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board should contact Acting Executive Director for Strategy and Inclusive Growth, Will Morlidge at will.morlidge@eastmidsdevo.org.uk

claire ward speaking into a microphone at Celebrate Chesterfield

 

 

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

Successful Markham Vale Scheme turns 20 years old

From a former colliery site to a contemporary business hub housing 70 businesses supporting more than 2,700 jobs, Markham Vale is celebrating turning 20.

A joint venture in partnership with property developer HBD, part of Henry Boot, the 200-acre scheme – situated off M1 junction 29a – is centred around what was the mostly derelict Markham Colliery site and has been transformed into a prime business location over the last 2 decades.

The successful partnership has resulted in the creation of bespoke spaces for businesses of all sizes. From local start-ups such as a car body repair shop to large occupiers such as Great Bear logistics, and medium-sized marketing agencies such as Noonah, the site has become a hub of diverse economic activity bringing employment opportunities for the local community.

Plans for further expansion and green initiatives include the installation of 30 electric vehicle charging points in collaboration with Gridserve and the improvement of cycle areas to promote sustainable transport.

Markham Vale has also fostered a sense of community and remembrance through the ‘Walking Together’ memorial as a lasting tribute to men who lost their lives in mining disasters at the site in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

Weaving through the site from the former pithead to the village of Duckmanton, the memorial features 106 individual steel statues – one for each of the men who died down the pit and acts as a permanent reminder of the site’s significant mining heritage.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “Markham Vale is a real success story and travelling around the site today you really get the chance to reflect on its phenomenal transformation over 2 decades.

“From a deserted, overgrown landscape, home to an industry of the past, to a state-of-the-art, dynamic hub attracting business and industry for the future, Markham Vale has gone from strength to strength through uncharted waters including global economic crises and not to mention a pandemic.

“Today Markham Vale continues to attract local, national, and international businesses to Derbyshire and 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.”

Vivienne Clements, Executive Director at HBD added: “Our partnership with Derbyshire County Council has been fantastic. HBD is incredibly proud of our close collaboration with the local community and our support in helping occupiers grow and expand their businesses. We look forward to many more successful years ahead.”

Find out more about why Chesterfield is a perfect location to base your business: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

HBD 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, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,