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Council bids for £20m of Government money to further boost Chesterfield town centre transformation and cultural offering

Plans to create a modern and extended customer experience at the Stephenson Memorial Hall – which houses Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre, and Museum – are at the heart of a bid for almost £20m worth of Government funding submitted by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The council’s bid to the Levelling Up Fund makes the case for an allocation of £11m towards the costs of a £15.6m project to remodel and refurbish Chesterfield’s ‘striking’ Stephenson Memorial Hall.

Under the plans, the refurbished Hall would bring together under one roof an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum offering, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

If successful, the remaining £8.5m would be immediately allocated to further regenerate Chesterfield’s historic town centre, with investment centred on four key public spaces – Corporation Street, Rykneld Square, Market Square and New Square – and how these are connected to one another.

These spaces would be re-imagined for a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings in a programme that will aim to complement the offering at Stephenson Memorial Hall and other key town centre assets such as the Church of St Mary and All Saints (Crooked Spire) and Market Hall Assembly Rooms.

The funding would enable delivery of a vastly improved public realm alongside new seating, landscaping, lighting, and signage, and a step change in digital connectivity.

The proposals are the next stage of the council’s ambitious plans to transform Chesterfield town centre and make sure the borough’s market traders, retailers and other employers are strongly positioned to recover from the long-term economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We recognise the need to invest in Chesterfield town centre to make sure it remains a vibrant place for generations to come – providing great opportunities and experiences for local people and businesses, and keeping Chesterfield on the map as a go-to place for visitors.

“We’re already making significant progress on our £1bn borough-wide growth programme to create new jobs for local people, support new business start-ups, improve employability through better skills provision, revitalise former industrial sites and attract new investment.

“But our ambitions don’t stop there. Here in Chesterfield, we have a compelling story to tell and a prosperous future ahead of us – one which we firmly believe is deserving of further investment as part of the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.

“The council’s bid seeks funding to invest in another round of ambitious projects which will further bolster our work to transform how Chesterfield town centre looks and feels, while creating a flagship visitor experience in one of the town’s most iconic and striking buildings.”

The Government’s £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund is open to local councils to support investment in town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.

Chesterfield Borough Council expects to hear in November 2021 whether its bid has been successful.

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Recon Electrical launches free lamp recycling initiative for businesses in Chesterfield

A Chesterfield electrical wholesaler has launched a new initiative to help fellow businesses in the town improve their sustainability, by offering a lamp recycling service.

Recon Electrical is providing firms with a free drop-off point to safely dispose of and recycle their old lamps. The recycling bin will be located in the Recon Electrical trade counter car park.

Businesses are able to simply drive up to the facility on Broombank Road and load up their lamps. They will then be recycled in-line with the latest legislation and guidance.

In the UK, businesses follow waste electrical and electronic equipment regulations which aim to reduce landfill and decrease the impact on our environment caused by hazardous substances.

Russ Gratton, Director at Recon Electrical Ltd. said: “As a business we feel its important now more than ever to operate in an environmentally contentious manner and the recycling of waste materials is high on that agenda.

“Even the smallest contribution towards saving the planet is worthwhile in our opinion and cumulatively can make a huge difference, it’s great to be able to offer a recycling service locally for waste lamps and we would encourage any business to utilise this service, no matter how big or small. We also have a recycling point for small waste batteries inside our trade counter which is open for all to use.”

While compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes must be recycled due to the products containing mercury, Recon Electrical says not all lightbulbs can be recycled. Both incandescent and halogen bulbs should be disposed of in your normal household waste.

Before recycling any old lamps, businesses must fill in a consignment note which can be downloaded from the government website.

Recon Electrical supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s Camp Inspire receives praise from local MP

An initiative which has been providing activities, food and support to young people and families in need has been praised by a local MP, alongside receiving regional TV coverage.

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, recently visited Camp Inspire, the innovative programme delivered by Chesterfield FC Community Trust at Parkside Community School.

Camp Inspire was designed to help children and young people, many of whom are disadvantaged or vulnerable over the summer holidays.

After taking a look at the activities organised to keep the attendees engaged, Mr Rowley said: “It was fantastic to visit Camp Inspire again and see the great work happening every day by those involved.

“Having visited last year as well, it is brilliant to see Camp Inspire even bigger and better this year – and doing so much.

“Thanks again for allowing me to come and meet with the inspiring leaders and young people!”

Following the success of the inaugural programme, Camp Inspire returned on a larger scale this summer, with over 200 youngsters attending on a daily basis.

With funding from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, every child is provided with a free, hot, nutritious lunch.

Camp Inspire also received television coverage on ITV’s Calendar news recently, displaying the work carried out by Chesterfield FC’s Community Trust for families in need.

Scott Atkinson, the Trust’s head of education and wellbeing, said: “We received so much positive feedback following the inaugural Camp Inspire and we are determined to make a similar impact this year.

“With over 200 attending daily, I understand that we are going to be the largest HAF provider in the East Midlands, catering for the most vulnerable children in our community, which is fantastic.”

Chesterfield FC Community Trust supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chamber calls for clarity on the future of HS2 East

The chief executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) has commented on uncertainty around the future of the HS2 Eastern Leg, calling on the government to “stop playing games” with the future of our region.

If delivered in full, Chesterfield will stand to benefit from the Eastern leg of HS2 in a number of ways, with high speed trains carrying passengers to and from Chesterfield station. There are also proposals for regeneration of the area around the station, along with further plans for a maintenence depot in Staveley, creating a significant number of new jobs in the area.

Commenting on the ongoing uncertainty regarding the future of the HS2 Eastern Leg, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Fundamentally, nothing has officially changed regarding the future of the HS2 Eastern Leg since last year when the Government said it would set out its proposals in the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP).

“Yet it seems like every other weekend, we are reading reports in national media outlets in which anonymous Whitehall civil servants are sending out signals to diminish its chances of happening.

“With the IRP being kicked down the road continuously and not expected until the autumn, it has left a void for constant speculation that is causing huge uncertainty at a time when we need to know the direction ahead for future regional economic planning.

“It’s time for the Government to stop playing games with the future of our region, and those other areas that would stand to benefit significantly from HS2 East.

“While many of our perceptions have been adjusted during the pandemic, the huge economic benefits that HS2 can bring as part of the much-hyped levelling up agenda haven’t changed.

“Much of the understanding around HS2 appears to be hopelessly flawed. It is much more than just a new railway, bringing growth in the form of business investment, house building, place regeneration, high-skilled job creation, innovation, green technologies and more to areas that have faced chronic underinvestment over a number of years.

“Indeed, we are already seeing these plans start to come to fruition across Birmingham, where the certainty of the first phase of HS2 has already spurred private sector investment and development.

“Without the development of HS2 as promised, these plans will be critically undermined, and any delivery that does happen will certainly not be of the magnitude aspired to.”

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Construction progresses well on new affordable homes in Loundsley Green

Construction of the latest affordable homes being built for Chesterfield Borough Council is progressing well, with new homes set to welcome families later this year.

As part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable properties across the borough, 21 new properties are being built on the former Brockwell Court site in Loundsley Green.

Environmental improvements, including the creation of wildflower meadows and planting areas, are also included in the scheme to help boost biodiversity, support pollinators and create a better living environment.

Despite the challenges faced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the council’s main contractor, Henry Boot Construction, started work on site in May 2020 and the homes are set to be completed in late 2021.

The new development, named Badger Croft, will comprise of ten two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses, four four-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom bungalow – all of which will be added to the council’s housing register and let to local families.

As part of the council’s planning permission, whilst works are ongoing on site, Henry Boot Construction is working with the local Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group to complete additional landscaping works close to the new development that will help to enhance the wider local community.

Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group already maintain land in the area on behalf of the council and have worked closely with the council’s tenant participation team to improve the look and feel of the neighbourhood and promote conservation and biodiversity in the area.

Members of the group have already created a wildflower meadow, installed wooden planters and planted over 100 trees. Now with the support of Henry Boot Construction, further environmental improvements are to be carried out, including mowing paths in the wildflower meadow and planting fruit trees, building and installing more planters and creating a new border for planting.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re pleased to see that works at Brockwell Court are progressing well. We’re committed to meeting the housing needs of local people, now and in the future, and these new properties will provide affordable, modern and accessible homes for families in our borough.

“It’s also really important that new developments in the borough take account of environmental issues – contributing to a more sustainable future for us all. Creating attractive places for people to live is at the heart of what we do. We’re really lucky to have had the support of Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group for a number of years, maintaining some of the land on our behalf, so we’re really pleased to see this develop even further with the help of Henry Boot.”

Tony Shaw, Managing Director, Henry Boot Construction, said: “As part of our commitment to achieving net zero carbon by 2030 we were keen to support the community through providing an enhanced conservation space which encourages sustainability, as well as being an area people can treasure and enjoy.

“It has been a privilege to work closely with the Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group who have such passion and work so hard to maintain and develop these areas and we hope these improvements will be much enjoyed by all.”

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Increased demand fuels expansion for Banner Jones

Banner Jones, which has offices in Chesterfield, Mansfield, Nottingham and Sheffield, has responded to growing demand from new and existing corporate and consumer clients with the appointment of seven new colleagues across the business.

The appointments, which span the firm’s residential property, dispute resolution and commercial property departments, have been made in response to ‘unprecedented demand’ for its legal services during the pandemic – including employment law, family law, wills, personal injury, and commercial property.

In the 12-months ending May 2021 the firm’s residential property department alone completed in excess of 5500 transactions – marking a 38% increase on the previous 12months.

Joining Banner Jones is residential Property Executive Perri Boyes-Weston who brings more than a decade of experience overseeing complex conveyancing matters including leasehold & freehold sales & purchases, remortgages, new builds and transfer of equity matters to the role.

Perri has joined the Chesterfield property team along with paralegals Amy Hawksley and Lauren Smith, and the Sheffield property team has welcomed paralegals Camilla Donnell and Morgan Buisson.

Commenting on her new role Perri Boyes-Weston said she was pleased to be joining the business at the start of such an ‘exciting new era’, and is looking forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success.

The Dispute Resolution team in Chesterfield welcomes Solicitor Adam Tankard who joins the firm from Keoghs where he worked as a ‘Property Risks and coverage’ solicitor dealing with insurance litigated claims for fires / floods and property damage claims.

Previously he undertook his training contract at the Cooperative Legal Services in its Manchester office.

Assistant Solicitor Rozeena Aslam has joins Banner Jones Business Legal Services department in the firm’s Chesterfield commercial property team.

Having qualified at Trent Law where she gained experience in commercial law, she says she is ‘now very much looking forward to expanding her knowledge of commercial law at Banner Jones’.

Welcoming the new colleagues, Banner Jones Chief Executive, Simon Wright said, “The last year or so has been extremely challenging for all businesses, but the demand for both business and personal legal services has bounced back strongly.”

“In response to that, we are delighted and privileged to be welcoming seven new colleagues to the Banner Jones family.

“We are committed to investing in our staff and look forward to providing them with opportunities to develop their career within the firm.  I’m sure that all of our new recruits share our firm-wide passion and dedication to delivering outstanding customer service.”

Simon added that the firm’s recruitment drive was still under way, saying: “As we continue to grow, we remain on the lookout for passionate, skilled individuals at all levels and we would invite anyone that can contribute to our expert, no-nonsense legal services to reach out.”

The firm are currently recruiting for two roles in their Sheffield office, a Head of Corporate and an Employment solicitor or legal executive.  Details of the roles can be found here https://www.bannerjones.co.uk/pages/vacancies.

Banner Jones employs more than 140 staff across its South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire offices; operating across a full spectrum of legal services including personal matters such as Personal Injury, Divorce, Wills and Probate, Residential Property and Dispute Resolution through to business advice on Company Formation, Commercial Property, Company Finance, Partnership Agreements, Debt Recovery and Employment issues.

Banner Jones Solicitors supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Find your next career at the Chesterfield Market Recruitment Event

People searching for work in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being invited to a recruitment event where they can, learn more about the Kickstart vacancies, meet employers and get help to perfect their CV.

Chesterfield Borough Council has teamed up with DWP Jobcentre Plus to stage the event – designed to give job seekers a helping hand to find their next role and support local businesses to recruit. This will include hospitality, leisure, construction and health care businesses which are all struggling to recruit following the pandemic.

There will be a special focus on the Kickstart scheme, which provides 16-24 year olds with a six month paid work placement, that could lead to a full time role. There will be the opportunity to find out more about current placements by speaking to the employers directly.

It will run between 10am and 3pm on Wednesday 15 September at Chesterfield Market Square, with employers from sectors including Hospitality, Retail, Warehousing, Logistics, Customer Service, Administration and more still to be confirmed attending on the day.

Find out more about the event here.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Events like these are a great way for job seekers to directly meet employers in the area, and hopefully find the right opportunity for them – while helping local businesses fill their vacancies at a time when some sectors are struggling to recruit.

“Working with our partners in North East Derbyshire and Bolsover, we’ve been supporting virtual jobs fairs over the last 18 months and feel it’s important to host this face-to-face event now that restrictions have eased. It gives employers a chance to speak to their potential employees and it gives job seekers a great opportunity to make a fantastic first impression.

“If you’re looking for work, then this event is here for you. Not only will you be able to find out more about current opportunities, you can also get support to develop your CV, interview skills and covering letters.”

Julian Sutton, North Derbyshire Employer Lead & Kickstart District Account Manager, said: “The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Chesterfield Jobcentre Plus Offices (Markham House and Steeplegate) are looking forward to working collaboratively with Chesterfield Borough Council to co-host the Chesterfield Market Place Recruitment Event and bring this fantastic opportunity for the local residents of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. On offer will be a fantastic array of new employment skills, employability skills, jobs and Kickstart vacancies through our local Partner organisations and Employers.”

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will also be a selection of local training providers and other organisations who will be able to offer help and support with your job search. They will be able to offer advice on apprenticeships and the training available.

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Enjoy a picnic in Chesterfield with local food and drink

A picnic in Chesterfield doesn’t have to be ordinary – not with the range of local produce the town has on its doorstep. With great weather forecast and so many wonderful spots to enjoy a picnic in Chesterfield, this summer could be the tastiest yet.

Whether you have a sweet tooth or are a lover of savoury snacks, there’s something to fill every picnic hamper from Chesterfield’s independent food and drink producers. And we’ve selected a few products for you to sample.

What are you waiting for? Grab your favourite picnic blanket and enjoy some of this delicious produce which is available on your doorstep.

Crooked Pickle

Shortlisted in this year’s Food and Drink Producer category in the Love Chesterfield Awards, Crooked Pickle’s popular Bread and Butter pickles feature crunchy pickled cucumber and onion in a sweet and fragrant vinegar. It’s perfect with a cheese sandwich.

Former baker and beer brewer, Felix Mendelson established the business in 2018 after discovering a gap in the market for ‘inventive and tasty pickled vegetables’. He commented: “I’ve always dabbled in food. The business has gone from strength to strength and I am getting busier.”

Bread and Butter pickles – £4.95

Crooked Pickle products can be bought at Society Cafe and online at www.crookedpickle.co. Free local delivery is also available.

Teresa Lambarelli

Winner of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Producer of the Year Award three times, Teresa is hoping to make it a fourth win at this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards.

During lockdown, Teresa has also developed a new line – Stir Naked, which incorporates collagen in its ingredients. She said: “I have developed a powdered form of my sauce with added collagen. You simply add water and it tastes just like one of my pasta sauces. It can also be enjoyed as a soup. It’s a meal working from within.”

Teresa’s range of salad dressings and pastes are perfect for a picnic. Stir her Pomodoro Sundried Tomato Paste into pasta and eat cold. Or simply enjoy with cheese and crackers.

Pomodoro Sundried Tomato Paste – £3.75

Available to order online at www.teresalambarelli.co.uk or instore at 7 Chatsworth Road.

Granny Mary’s

 A former winner of the Food and Drink Producer of the Year Award in 2015, Granny Mary’s is now stocked in 14 Co-op stores, Morrison’s in Chesterfield and a myriad of independent food stores.

Sales Director Craig Maxwell explained: “Given the current shortage of staff in the hospitality industry because of Covid, our range of pates and spreads are really popular with chefs. They know they are good quality products which they can buy in and serve quickly and easily to diners.”

Enjoy Granny Mary’s’ range of six flavours, which include Potted Beef, Beef and Tomato, Chicken Liver Pate, Duck and Orange, Chicken Garlic & Thyme, Ham Hock and Parsley, and Pulled Pork on crackers or crusty bread in a picnic.

Find out where to buy here: https://grannymarys.co.uk/where-to-buy/

Cup and Saucer

Cup and Saucer now has a place on the high street. The business opened its first shop in Clay Cross in January 2020 just two months before lockdown hit. Despite the setback, the business has gone from strength to strength. And It’s now teamed up with other local producers including Homemade by Haslemere, creating hampers and an online gift delivery service.

Gail Hannan, Owner of Cup & Saucer commented: “Lockdown was an opportunity for me to work with other local producers. The business went crazy and I was busier than I have ever been – it was full on.”

What picnic would be complete without a flask of tea – hot or cold. Try Cup and Saucer’s ‘The Pennine Picnic’, a tropical fruity flavoured tisane, served cold over ice for a refreshing cuppa on a hot day.

The Pennine Picnic – £2.85 for 30g.

Buy in store or online at https://www.cupandsauceronline.co.uk/shop

Homemade at Haslemere

A fig tree inspired former Parkside School Deputy Headteacher, Rachel Hammond to establish Homemade at Haslemere in 2018. She said: “I have a fig tree in my garden, which produces loads of figs and I didn’t know what to do with them, so I made jam and everyone loved it – the business went from there. Now most of the jams and chutneys I make are made from produce which comes from within five miles of where I live.”

All products are seasonal, so be quick. Once they’re gone, they’re gone until next year. You can, however order Afternoon tea for Two all year round, which is packed full of homemade sandwiches, scones and cakes.

Price: Afternoon Tea for Two – £25.00

Order at www.facebook.com/Homemade-at-Haslemere

Salute

Chesterfield’s Salute uses local distillery and soft drinks companies to create personalised drinks hampers. For a larger garden gathering, why not hire the Horsebox or Pop-Up Bar and let Salute serve you some summer sparkle!

Price: Hampers from £17.99

Visit www.salute-prosecco.com/hampers to purchase.

Northern Tea Merchants 

Northern Tea Merchants’ Hibiscus Flowers tea is a delightful infusion, served hot or cold. It is often common to serve this tea with a little sugar as some people can find it a little tart, similar to cranberry.

Or why not try the finest quality, small leaf ‘breakfast tea’, Gourmet Classic. Due to its excellent quality constituent teas, the Gourmet Classic has a delicious aroma, a bright and coppery liquor and excellent flavour.

Prices: from £2.19

Available to purchase online from https://www.northern-tea.com/shop/ or instore from Northern Tea Merchants on Chatsworth Road. Or give the shop a call on 01246 232 600 to arrange free local delivery.

The Cheese Factor 

What’s a picnic without a good quality, locally sourced cheeseboard? Pair these tasty cheeses with crackers and biscuits for the perfect way to finish your feast.

Price: Large cheeseboard (8 cheeses) – £16.00

Click and collect from the store next to the market hall: Cheeseboards – The Cheese Factor (cheese-factor.myshopify.com)

Derbyshire Distillery

Fancying a tipple with your picnic? Enjoy summer in a glass with this Passion Fruit Gin from Chesterfield’s very own Derbyshire Distillery.

Price: £29.95

Order online today: https://www.derbyshiredistillery.com/product/derbyshire-passion-fruit/

Liza Bakes

With a range of afternoon teas, cakes and bakes, you’re sure to find what you need at Liza Bakes. The Posh Ploughman’s lunch consists of Strong Cheddar finger, Red Leicester cheese finger, Scotch egg, bite size pork pie, rolled ham slice, quiche, home-made tear and share bread, pickle, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, celery and fruit skewer.

Price: £12.00

Delivery is available, 2 days’ notice required. Purchase online at https://lizabakes.co.uk/product-category/shop/

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Professor Brian Cox CBE to inspire young people at Work-Wise Foundation event

Chesterfield Champion, The Work-Wise Foundation is set to welcome Professor Brian Cox to one of its upcoming events, aimed at inspiring the next generation to consider careers in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths).

 The North Star Science School event will take place at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort and at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

This major event for schools, now in its second year, promotes innovation and opportunity to inspire the next generation to consider careers in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths).

North Star is part of the Science Summer School national initiative co-founded in 2012 by Professor Cox and Lord Andrew Mawson OBE with the aim of making Britain the best place in the world to do science and engineering. The event is presented in partnership with Well North Enterprises,  a social business led by Lord Mawson.

North Star will be led and organised by The Work-wise Foundation, a non-profit, employer-led charity which aims to develop young people for employment in STEAM subjects within South Yorkshire region and North Derbyshire.

Professor Brian Cox, Britain’s leading physicist and science communicator will officially launch North Star on November 24th and also appear as the keynote speaker.   The event will be hosted by Ruth Amos, inventor and founder of Kids Invent Stuff.

There will be a special opportunity for current and prospective project sponsors and supporters to hear Professor Cox speak at a special ‘invitation only’ evening event at the Advanced Manufacturing Park on November 24th.

John Barber, CEO of The Work-wise Foundation explains: “The daytime event is designed to connect our young people to inspirational businesses which will spark their imaginations and set them on the road to great opportunities in STEAM careers.  It is very exciting to be welcoming Professor Brian Cox to South Yorkshire and we look forward to seeing the impact this whole event could have on raising aspirations and shaping careers choices for our region’s young people.”

The Work-Wise Foundation supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Kickstart Scheme enables Action Coach Chesterfield to grow

Action Coach Chesterfield is one of the latest businesses in the town to benefit from the Kickstart Scheme, which aims to reduce levels of unemployment among young people.

The initiative provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

  • 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months
  • associated employer National Insurance contributions
  • minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions

Action Coach Chesterfield has recently taken on Andrew Marwood as a Customer Journey Agent thanks to the scheme, after Managing Director, Fiaz Sadiq attended a Kickstart day at the Chesterfield Job Centre to see how the firm could help those in the community seeking employment.

Fiaz commented: “The skill set we required for the Customer Journey Agent was to be data and analytic driven, to help support the complete journey for the client. In the first 5 minutes speaking to Andrew, he demonstrated confidence and ability in these skill sets, and his attitude to take ownership made it an easy decision.

“In times like these, the best thing we can do is give chance, and provide a supporting environment for young people to grow and learn skills, that will not only help them in their professional life, but more importantly build life skills.”

The company has now confirmed that further to adding Andrew to the team, the firm is now looking to fill two further positions through the scheme. One of the positions is currently being advertised (Business Development Agent), providing an opportunity for an experienced salesperson to progress within their career with a future in Business Development.

Another position in the company will be out soon; as the company aims to add a Marketing Agent to its team. This position will focus on all things Marketing, identifying social media trends and working with social media accounts.

To find out more about how Kickstart can benefit your business, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/skills/

Action Coach supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Andrew Marwood- Action Coach Chesterfield

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Tickled Trout provides hundreds of lunches for students at Chesterfield summer school

North-Derbyshire restaurant, The Tickled Trout has provided 140 lunches for summer school pupils at Outwood Academy in Newbold.

The initiative is the latest in a line of kind community efforts from the Barlow-based gastro-pub, after staff provided doctors, nurses and carers at Chesterfield Royal Hospital with meals during the height of the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Mapp, who owns and manages the restaurant said: “We just want to do our bit to help people in this really troubling time. I hope that by providing these lunches, it can help the students get a bit more out of the summer School.

“Having been in the academy, I am aware of the culinary talent of the students already there. It really is exceptional. Some of the dishes were brilliant, especially Mia’s dessert which I would quite happily serve in the restaurant. I am excited to work with the students more and see them progress.”

Chris also runs an education programme with the school through his restaurant, to help students improve their skills, and to identify students who could become future apprentices and embark on a career in the sector.

Rob Southern, Head of School at Outwood Academy Newbold, said: “We are delighted and grateful that Chris has stepped up to do this for us. Everyone is aware of how difficult it has been the last 18 months, and it really is a time for people to come together and work together.

“At Outwood, we believe in working with our community to the benefit of our students and this partnership is the perfect example of this. Working closely with someone as talented as Chris will be the opportunity of a lifetime for some of our students.”

The Tickled Trout supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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