Featured

Top class cricket to return to Chesterfield in 2024

27th November 2023

The BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, in association with Chesterfield Borough Council, will return to Queen’s Park in June and July next year.

Derbyshire is set to do battle with local rivals Yorkshire.

The festival consists of two matches against Yorkshire, beginning on Sunday, 30 June 2024, with the 4-day County Championship match, and concluding with the fast-paced Vitality Blast T20 match on Sunday 7 July.

You can now enjoy the full week of cricket, at the picturesque Queen’s Park with a new Festival Pass. This gives access to all five days of cricket for just £49. You can book your tickets at https://cricket.derbyshireccc.com/chesterfield-festival-of-cricket/

There is a great summer of events in Chesterfield after it has been confirmed that both Eat in the Park and Chesterfield Pride will also return in 2024.

Jimmy Drew, Commerical Manager of Derbyshire County Cricket Club commented: “Chesterfield has a really good opportunity to capitalise on the great things that are taking place in the town and the surrounding area as well”.

Looking for details of events, and festivals happening in Chesterfield check out www.chestrfield.co.uk/events or sign up for our weekly email update here.

Derbyshire County Cricket Club and BRM Solicitors 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, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Offices at One Waterside Place now fully occupied

15th November 2023

Less than 12 months after completion, all six floors of office space at One Waterside Place are now fully occupied, as new tenants move into the building.

The flagship office development, owned by Chesterfield Borough Council, has welcomed Rosewood Wealth Management and another international company, both expanding their presence in Chesterfield. They join BHP Chartered Accounts and Varley which already occupy space in the building.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We invested in One Waterside Place during the pandemic and it was a key element of our economic recovery. To have now fully let the office spaces within the first year of opening shows how our economy is growing and demonstrates how we can compete with the cities around us to attract both investment and jobs.”

Rosewood Wealth Management is a vibrant local business providing a professional and innovative scope of financial services: a complete financial review through to mortgages, pensions, investments and more. Rosewood has the client at the heart of everything they do.

Shannan Pool-Gorman, director and co-founder of Rosewood Wealth Management, said: “Rosewood is proud to be part of the development at Basin Square. We are passionate about supporting the local area and look forward to playing our part in the next development phase for our beautiful town.”

The development of One Waterside Place was led by local property development and investment firm Bolsterstone Group PLC.

Peter Swallow, managing director of Bolsterstone Group Plc, and Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “One Waterside Place is a runaway success story having taken less than 12 months to fully let. When planning the commercial element of Chesterfield Waterside at Basin Square, we knew that the proximity of the train station would be a major pull for businesses. It has certainly been the case. We are now looking to deliver the next stages of Basin Square and anticipate similar success.”

One Waterside Place was Highly Commended in the Regeneration and Restoration Project of the Year Award at the 2023 East Midlands Property Dinner organised by Insider Media. It was also Runner Up in the Commercial Development of the Year category at Business Link Magazine’s annual East Midlands Bricks Awards.

One Waterside Place provides bespoke office accommodation for established businesses – offering a modern, high-quality base for ambitious companies looking to grow and thrive in a central and well-connected location.

The 35,000 sq.ft. building delivers Grade A, large floorplate office accommodation, which does not exist elsewhere in Chesterfield. The building incorporates two passenger lifts, raised access flooring, air conditioning, LED lighting, a high-quality entrance foyer, showers, on-site cycle parking facilities as well as an attractive public realm and landscaping.

The building has been designed with sustainability in mind, boasting a BREEAM score of Very Good and an EPC A rating for its energy performance.

One Waterside Place sits within the £75 million first phase of the Basin Square neighbourhood which includes a mixed-use development as part of the £340million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme.

This area will be landscaped to a high-quality standard with the canal basin being at the heart of the scheme, creating a great environment to spend time in on the edge of the town centre alongside a central community hub for occupiers and residents of the Chesterfield Waterside scheme.

The canal basin site has been brought forward with support from the South Yorkshire Combined Authority Infrastructure Fund. One Waterside Place was funded by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Looking for office space to grow your business? Chesterfield has a wide range of premises available to suit your needs.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in bhp, bolsterstone, chesterfield borough council, chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, Chesterfield waterside, One Waterside Place, rosewood wealth management

We all have a role to play in training the next generation, says Chesterfield construction firm

15th November 2023

With £2 billion of developments in the pipeline, Chesterfield’s vibrant property and construction sector stands as a cornerstone of the town’s economic development.

More than 50 businesses from the sector support local growth through the Chesterfield Champions network. In addition, the town’s Property and Construction Group provides expertise to support the area’s key regeneration projects. As well as encouraging open conversations around the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

The sector offers an exciting and diverse range of roles, from planning and design right through to project build. Despite this, a complex set of challenges around skills and recruitment still exists. In the East Midlands, 17,500 more workers in the industry by 2027 according to CITB.

Businesses in Chesterfield work proactively to showcase the breadth of careers available in the industry through the Made in Chesterfield scheme, which involves firms opening their doors and offering tours for young people from schools in the town. Since its launch in 2014, Made in Chesterfield has provided more than 3,500 young people with insights into what a career in construction can offer.

Getting involved with Made in Chesterfield for the first time this year is Dalton Roofing, a business which moved its base to Chesterfield around five years ago and has seen continued growth since relocating here. The firm continues to train enthusiastic young recruits as part of that expansion, and its owner is now encouraging more people in his sector to act as ‘positive role models’ to address skills shortages.

Phil Dalton believes the personal touch is key to nurturing up-and-coming talent: “You have to make them believe in themselves to make them the best they can be.”

“As a roofing company, we’re in a very specialist industry. We’ve got 12 teams, and they are all homegrown.

“We send our apprentices to college and have in-house roofing rigs to train them. We’ve got a really good site manager, Paul Stephenson who is an award-winning roofer himself, and he passes a lot on through mentoring our trainees.”

Chesterfield is not standing still in terms of addressing the skills gap. A new Construction Skills Hub is now running in Staveley, giving people access to a live building site to hone their skills and kickstart their careers. The hub aims to boost the sector by training more than 5,000 workers by 2030.

Phil believes that now is a great time for people to get into the sector, despite challenging economic conditions across the UK: “It’s a skill for life. I left school in 1985 and they were tough times, just off the back of the miners’ strikes.

“My parents told me to learn a trade, so that’s what I did. I did roofing for my work experience and went to college to do roof slating and tiling. That has kept me in work all my life. So, I think that it’s important for young people to upskill, re-train and learn a trade.”

Supporting this year’s Made in Chesterfield campaign, Phil says he is looking forward to passing on his passion for construction to the next generation.

He added: “It gives you a sense of pride. The thing about roofing is you can look back on a project and say to yourself ‘I did that.’ Getting into construction is amazing; you can take it anywhere in the world! We now deal with renewables and green construction, focusing on new technologies such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting. Roofing is one of probably more than a hundred different roles in construction alone.”

Looking to the future, Phil believes that all organisations have a role in ensuring the sector has enough skilled people to thrive and grow: “I would say to any business that they need young people, or even slightly older people who are looking to upskill and retrain, as they are the future of our industry.

“As a sector, we need to pass on our skills and wisdom and act as a positive role model. We’ve got to keep training people of all ages to ensure our sector has enough skilled people to survive in the future. There is also a massive gap in our industry for women. We’d love to see more women coming into construction, especially roofing!”

Find out more about how your business can get involved in shaping the town’s development as part of the Property and Construction Group.

Get more information about how your organisation can support Made in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield businesses, Chesterfield Skills, Construction skills, Dalton Roofing, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Everything for the perfect Christmas in Chesterfield

13th November 2023

Chesterfield is set to provide a magical festive period for families across the area, with a programme of packed events and activities – everything you need for the perfect Christmas.

Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield have once again partnered to launch the annual Christmas in Chesterfield campaign, promoting the exciting festive fun, delightful dining, and unique gifts which can be found in the local area.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, portfolio holder for the town centre and visitor economy, said: “We have a packed entertainment schedule organised in Chesterfield this winter, with many of the events being free or low-cost to come along to. We understand that the cost of living is still affecting everyone, particularly as the colder months are upon us, so as a council, we want to do all we can to provide you with things to do over the festive season that won’t cost a fortune.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, commented: “Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family, and I highly recommend people enjoy those precious moments whilst discovering our town’s superb bars, restaurants, and attractions. Once again, Destination Chesterfield has produced several blogs, articles, and guides for your perfect Christmas, and I would urge everyone to take a look and see what our town has to offer.”

Save the date for these great festive events

A Festival of Christmas Trees – at St Mary’s and All Saints Church (Crooked Spire) from Saturday 18 November to Sunday 3 December.

Visitors are invited to come and see over 100 colourful Christmas trees decorated by local people, community groups and businesses, including WI, scout and guide groups, schools and high street stores and venues. This is a free event, and one not to be missed.

Find out more about the event: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/a-festival-of-christmas-trees/

Chesterfield Pantomime, Aladdin – at The Winding Wheel Theatre from Friday 1 December to Tuesday 2 January.

Join the hero Aladdin on the journey of a lifetime as he soars through the skies in his quest for fortune and true love. A family extravaganza that’s simply Genie-us!

The Chase star Anne Hegerty is to headline the Chesterfield Pantomime this Christmas. Instantly recognisable as The Governess from ITV’s long-running, multi-award-winning teatime TV programme.

See the full list of performance dates at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-pantomime/

Santa’s Grotto at the Assembly Rooms, Market Hall from Sunday 19 November to Sunday 24 December – at various times (see website for more details on dates, times and how to book).

Families are invited to visit Santa in his Chesterfield Grotto and share their Christmas wishes. Each child will be given a wrapped gift. Tickets are on sale now and are priced at £7.50 per child.

There will also be six relaxed sessions for children with learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders. The flashing lights will be off, background lighting will be increased and children will have a little longer to meet with Santa.

Find out more about the venues where you can meet Santa in Chesterfield this festive season: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas/meet-santa-in-chesterfield/

Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market – Sunday 19 November, from noon to 6pm in Chesterfield town centre.

Join us to turn on the Christmas lights across the town centre. There will be a stage show to entertain the crowds, market stalls to visit and the opportunity to meet this year’s special guest – Paddington™.

Paddington™ will be appearing in Rykneld Square at 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Get more information about the event at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-christmas-market-and-lights-switch-on/

Revolution House, open Thursday 7 to Wednesday 24 December – from 11am to 3pm (Thursday to Sunday). Revolution House High Street, Old Whittington, S41 9JZ.

There will be a Christmas exhibition titled ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ which uses whimsical objects from the museum collection to illustrate the famous Christmas song.

You can also see Revolution House decorated for a 17th Century Christmas with displays of greenery, a kissing bough, and colourful flower arrangements provided by our volunteers.

A Christmas Carol Concert will be taking place outside Revolution House on Thursday 7 December at 6.30pm where you will be able to see the Holymoorside Brass Band in the garden for traditional, festive carol singing.

Find out more: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/christmas-at-revolution-house/

Chesterfield Canal – Santa cruises, various dates

The John Varley ll will be sailing from Tapton Lock (S41 7JB) and the Madeline from Hollingwood Hub (S43 2PF). Here you can take to the water this Christmas to meet Santa on Chesterfield Canal. There will be two different boats in operation.

More information on the cruises can be found at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/santa-special-trips-at-chesterfield-canal/

Santa Fun Run at Queen’s Park – Sunday 24 December (Christmas Eve), starting at 10am (1.5km) and 10:30am (5km)

The Chesterfield Santa Fun Run features participants dressed in Santa suits running around the park, with a 1500m race and another one of 5k. Chesterfield Santa Fun Run is Supporting local charities, Ashgate Hospice and CSALS.

More information can be found online: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-santa-fun-run/

Chesterfield Escape Rooms – ‘Elves on the Shelves.’ Available to book between 10 November – 31 December.

The popular Escape Rooms on Soresby Steet has a brand-new Christmas game this year. Can you find all six elves in a game of hide and seek? Prices range from £55 for 2 players to £120 for 6 players.

See more things to do in Chesterfield here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas/festive-things-to-do/

Christmas at Barrow Hill Roundhouse – From Saturday 9 December to Sunday 10 December.

Enjoy a family day with a difference at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse this Christmas. Activities include visits from Santa and Christmas Songs. Plus, join in with Christmas Crafts such as making a festive train lantern and funny festive masks.

Find out more: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/christmas-at-barrow-hill-roundhouse/

Everything you need for the perfect Christmas

Gifts galore and delicious food and drink available in Chesterfield’s independent shops

Find perfect gifts for all the family with Christmas shopping opportunities in Chesterfield.

Check out our guides to the best gifts, hampers, food, and drink – all from local businesses: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas/christmas-gift-ideas/

Looking for inspiration? Check out our guide to 50 retailers you should know in Chesterfield – containing lots of great ideas for sourcing that special gift. https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2023/05/50-independent-retailers-in-chesterfield/

Magical Markets in Chesterfield town centre

Chesterfield Borough Council has lots of speciality markets planned from November onwards including the Record Fair, the Artisan Market, and the Vegan Market, as well as the Market Hall, which is open Monday to Saturday 8.30 am to 5 pm where you can pick up a range of foods and gifts for the Christmas festivities.

The general market will also be trading every day from Thursday 14 to Sunday 24 December.

More information can be found at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas/chesterfield-market-at-christmas/

Delicious festive food & drink in Chesterfield’s bars and restaurants

From street food to fine dining, and cocktail bars to cosy cafés – you will find a perfect venue for your festive parties and get-togethers in Chesterfield.

Here is a list of 50 fabulous food and drink businesses you should experience: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2023/10/50-food-and-drink-businesses-to-try-in-chesterfield/

To find out more and keep up to date with the latest events, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Chesterfield christmas, Chesterfield Christmas activities, chesterfield events, chesterfield news, Christmas in chesterfield, Love Chesterfield, things to do in Chesterfield

Return of Made in Chesterfield to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and engineers

9th November 2023

A campaign which aims to close skills gaps in Chesterfield by providing young people with tours of leading manufacturing, engineering and construction businesses is returning for the tenth time.

Made in Chesterfield has already introduced more than 3,600 young people to the prospect of a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) sectors, with more set to gain valuable insights this November.

The campaign, coordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership and sponsored by Chesterfield College, was officially launched at a celebration event alongside the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions yesterday (Wednesday, 8th November).

Figures published in East Midlands Chamber’s Q3 economic survey revealed that 58% of manufacturers across the region which tried to recruit experienced problems in finding suitable staff. At the same time, Chesterfield Borough Council has forecast that 3750 people are expected to be working in the sector across the borough by 2030.

These figures outline the requirement for a strong, skilled pipeline of talented individuals to secure the future growth of these industries across the town.

During Made in Chesterfield, secondary school pupils will gain access to firms such as Weightron Bilanciai – an international firm that makes industrial weighbridges, Superior Wellness, a hot tub manufacturer listed as one of the UK’s top 50 fastest-growing businesses, and Dalton Roofing, a family-run business operating in Chesterfield’s property and construction sector.

Ivan Fomin, Managing Director at MSE Hiller and Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “Made in Chesterfield continues to play an important role in showcasing the wide range of career options available to young people in our town.

“Having hosted several tours at my own business, I’ve seen first-hand how the campaign inspires those thinking about their future options. We know a career in manufacturing can be extremely rewarding, and our sector needs to keep generating a strong pipeline of talented individuals for the future to keep our business and wider economy thriving.”

Julie Richards, Principal and CEO of the Chesterfield College Group commented: “Having sponsored Made in Chesterfield for the past few years I’ve seen the real impact the initiative has. As a stepping stone between student and employer, we are proud to help this campaign inspire young people considering a rewarding career in Chesterfield’s growing manufacturing, engineering and construction industries.

“With work on our new cutting-edge Engineering, Manufacturing and Science Centre due to commence this year and our partnership with the Construction Skills Hub now running in Staveley we’ll continue to equip more local people with the right skills required to build a successful career and help to strengthen the local and regional economy.”

Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) added: “Made in Chesterfield makes an important contribution to the CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) offer across the area; providing context for learners of the world of work, showcasing local opportunities, and enabling employers to meet potential future employees”.

To find out more about the activity taking place throughout the MADE in Chesterfield programme, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/

The Destination Chesterfield Partnership has received £180,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It follows a successful funding bid by Chesterfield Borough Council, to secure £2.69 million worth of funding for local projects.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield apprenticeships, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield Campaigns, Chesterfield Engineering, Chesterfield manufacturing, chesterfield news, Chesterfield Skills, Destination Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield

Planning application approved for new homes at Chesterfield Waterside

2nd November 2023

A planning application for more than 100 houses, along with more than 40 apartments at Chesterfield Waterside has been approved.

Following the submission of a detailed planning application in summer 2022, Woodall Homes has secured permission for a residential development and two commercial units as part of the regeneration scheme.

The residential development features 103 contemporary homes and 41 apartments, comprising a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, to suit a range of lifestyles and buyer needs.

Darren Abbott, Planning Director at Woodall Homes said: “We are thrilled that our Chesterfield Waterside application has now been approved.

“Sitting alongside the River Rother corridor, this development will transform the local area with modern, bespoke and energy-efficient properties plus comprehensive landscaping proposals, which include a linear riverside park with trim trail and a natural habitat edge that will provide a significant net gain in biodiversity.

“We can’t wait to reveal more details about the development over the coming months and see the exciting work getting underway as we look to further enrich the community.”

Pedestrian and cycle links are to be provided throughout the site to encourage residents to take advantage of the excellent local commuter facilities and nearby amenities of Chesterfield town centre, including the railway station, Chesterfield College and Tapton Golf Course.

Development at Chesterfield Waterside is rapidly continuing, following the completion of One Waterside Place, a seven-storey office building which has already been fully-let to new tenants. Companies now operating from One Waterside Place include two financial firms, BHP and Rosewood Wealth Management, along with Fashion brand, Varley.

To find out more about Woodall Homes and their work within Derbyshire, visit: https://woodallhomes.co.uk/

If you’re looking for a perfect location and quality of life for you and your family, look no further than Chesterfield. Find out more about the perks of living in our town.

Woodall Homes and Chesterfield Waterside 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, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, Chesterfield development, chesterfield homes, chesterfield housing, chesterfield news, Chesterfield property, Chesterfield waterside, Living in Chesterfield, Woodall Homes

Planning application submitted for the Gateway at PEAK Resort

1st November 2023

Revised Phase 1 planning applications have now been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council for the Gateway at PEAK, which has been consented on 300 acres of land regenerated from opencast mining located on the eastern boundary of the Peak District National Park, outskirts of Chesterfield.

The Gateway is intended to play an important role in cementing Chesterfield as a destination town and as part of the Peak District experience providing visitors to the region and the local community with low impact ways to explore the National Park thanks to a zero-carbon travel hub.

Like a ski resort, PEAK Resort will be built around a carless mobility service, not in this case to mountains and skiing, but into the Peaks for biking and hiking, for nature, heritage, sport and culture. The commercial village will comprise of experiential retail, locally sourced dining and unique spaces for events, artisan craft and learning experiences.

Phase 1 of the development will create around 1,000 jobs across these sectors with a commitment to education and green skills delivered via an onsite skills academy.

The planning consents for PEAK Gateway Resort were implemented and safeguarded in 2016. The founders of Birchall Properties, the landowner, have already invested over 35 years in nature recovery, passive rewilding and preparation for the development on the 300-acre Birchall Estate which had been the subject of extensive open-cast activities.

The development footprint for Phase One of PEAK Resort is just 10% of the 300-acre reclaimed estate. The rest of the estate continues to facilitate ongoing work and experimentation to improve biodiversity net gain and research into suitable building materials for the future development which can be gathered and replenished. It is also currently home to Forest Schools, helping bring children from urban environments into the great outdoors in safe, educational settings.

Stanton Williams were recently appointed to design the Gateway at PEAK and in recent months key, strategic agreements have been entered into, which will be announced soon. These include:

Heads of terms with national retail brands to become anchor tenants for the commercial village element of the Gateway.
An agreement with a hotel operator to bring a flagship concept to Gateway and operate the 165-room hotel.
Heads of terms with vehicle and transport partners to operate the zero-carbon travel hub.
Agreements with regional education providers to develop education and learning opportunities at the Gateway.
Heads of terms with a leading UK Waste Management partner to deliver waste management solutions and enable an innovative circular economy with a focus on waste reduction and recycling.

Further information:

PEAK Resort is a phased development of national significance. Phase 1 will represent a £200m capital investment supporting and showcasing clean growth in the visitor economy across multiple sectors.
Section 73 and Reserved Matters Applications relating to the already consented planning approvals have now been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council.
Outline and reserved matters approvals were granted for previous iterations of PEAK Resort. The revised Phase 1 has now been developed to incorporate latest best practice and operator requirements.
The Gateway will comprise zero carbon travel hub enabling carless access to and within the Peak District National Park, a 165-room resort hotel, a variety of F&B outlets and spaces for experiential retail facilitating all types of outdoor pursuits including a significant focus on horticulture and adventure sports.
The Gateway will deliver 1,000 new FTE jobs and key strategic partnerships and heads of terms are being reached with several parties which will secure the Gateway’s proposition as a travel hub, in education and skills, experiential retail, leisure, hospitality and accommodation.

Find out more about investment opportunities here in Chesterfield.

Birchall Properties supports 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, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Birchall Properties, chesterfield business news, chesterfield developments, chesterfield news, Chesterfield visitor news, Love Chesterfield, Millign, Peak Resort, The gateway at PEAK

Chesterfield estate agent wins national awards for customer service

26th October 2023

Pinewood Properties win 7 awards at The ESTAS, the most prestigious awards in the UK property sector

The Chesterfield and Clowne based agency, Pinewood Property Estates received the Gold award in the Best 2-5 Branch Network in the UK at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2023, the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

The winners were announced at the Grosvenor House in London and hosted by the country’s favourite TV property presenter Phil Spencer in front of 1,000 guests.

Pinewood Chesterfield also went on to win Gold for Best Letting Agent in the East Midlands with the Clowne branch scooping Silver in the same category. This is an achievement that very few agents have achieved in the past. The Chesterfield branch finally went on to finish second and receive Silver for Best Letting Agent in the UK.

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director of Pinewood Property Estates said “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS. It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice. We have always been very proud of our personal service, and this proves we are delivering what we promise. It’s amazing that our independent agency from Chesterfield can smash some of the big boys out of the water.”

Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 addressed the live audience “Everyone one shortlisted here today has attained the ESTAS Standard of Excellence which is based purely on service ratings from customers at the end of the moving experience, giving a highly accurate overview of the standard of service that’s been delivered to the end client. This is a great achievement in its own right so whatever unfolds this afternoon you should all be immensely proud.”

Living in Chesterfield

If you’re looking for a perfect location and quality of life for you and your family, look no further than Chesterfield.

Recently rated the 2nd best place in the UK to raise a family, our town has so much to offer. Whether you’re looking for a bustling market town or a picturesque village, Chesterfield boasts mix of contemporary and traditional housing.

Living in Chesterfield and the surrounding area is affordable too! According to Rightmove, the average house price in Chesterfield is at least £10,000 cheaper than Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham.

Find out more benefits of moving to Chesterfield.

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

Pinewood properties at ESTA awards ceremony

Pinewood Properties at the ESTA awards ceremony

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Property and Construction

Eco-friendly train launched in Chesterfield

25th October 2023

Positive Traction has launched the UK’s first re-engineered battery-powered shunting locomotive.

The eco-friendly train is free from carbon and particulate emissions.

Invited guests from the Railfreight sector, UK government & local authorities as well as rolling stock owners attended the launch at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield.

Alistair Gregory, Director of Positive Traction said: “Class 08 shunting locomotives have been the workhorses of ports, distribution centres and depots across Britain’s railway for over 60 years. As the UK moves towards Net Zero, diesel engines are increasingly unacceptable. To address this challenge, the 08e is a cost-effective battery-powered alternative for environmentally friendly facility operations.

“I’d like to thank all our partners for supporting our cleaner, greener UK transport vision, including Lithion Battery Inc. and Barrow Hill Limited.

Stagecoach Yorkshire and their partner Volvo, who supplied the latest electric Volvo BXL bus to bring guests from Chesterfield station to the launch in a sustainable way.”

After the launch, the eco-friendly train will remain on test at Barrow Hill before moving to a customer site for operational evaluation.

Rail Innovation in Chesterfield

Chesterfield has a history of innovation and is located at the heart of the UK’s largest rail cluster.

This will continue at Barrow Hill with the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle, which will be built as part of the Staveley Town Deal.

The centre will provide 1,423 square metres of floor space, consisting of classroom and workshop training areas. Additionally, the centre will boast specialist research and development facilities including a digital laboratory, and commercial offices.

DRIIVe will support a network of speciality training providers – offering rail-related education from level 2 through to postgraduate training and research.

Becoming a prominent location for rail technology, DRIIVe will also serve as a base for rail-related supply chain businesses. These companies will also have access to the latest research and innovation.

Eco-friendly train e-o8 on track at Barrow Hill Roundhouse

The 08E locomotive created by Positive Traction

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Hartington Business Park already 66% let following recent launch to market

24th October 2023

Hartington Business Park at Staveley, which completed a refurbishment in July, has already secured significant lettings since its launch to market in January this year.

Marketed by letting specialists Commercial Property Partners (CPP), alongside Knight Frank, on behalf of the Devonshire Property Group, interest to date in the brand new, terraced, industrial warehouse accommodation has been exceptionally strong, resulting in three of the units already snapped up with a fourth under offer – leaving just two available.

Ranging in size from 2,479 sq. ft up to 4,899 sq. ft, the units have been built to a shell specification allowing occupiers the flexibility to utilise the space for maximum business benefits. Office fit-out packages are also available from the landlord, if required.

The Hartington units, built with a steel portal frame and steel profile cladding, offer 6m clear height, secure concrete yards, EV charging points, full fibre broadband and ample parking spaces.

The Park is conveniently located on the northern edge of Staveley, five miles to the North East of Chesterfield. The site further benefits from easy access to the M1 via J30 and J29A, located just 3.5 miles and 2.5 miles away respectively.

CPP Senior Surveyor Max Pickering said: “Hartington Business Park has been built to a high specification and is in a great location for a range of commercial or industrial businesses looking to have a base in central Derbyshire.

“Its easy access to the M1 has garnered interest from a variety of would-be tenants and we are confident the remaining units will be occupied in the very near future.

“Its accessibility to a large skilled workforce within commuting distance of Chesterfield, Sheffield, Doncaster and Nottingham, has also been a strong pull for businesses looking to relocate.”

Commenting on the recent deals, Adam Mayfield, Property Development Surveyor at the Devonshire Property Group said, “We are delighted at the current appetite for Hartington Business Park, testament to a first-class build, fit out and premium location.

“Our thanks to the team at CPP for their support and expertise in securing the current deals and ongoing marketing.”

Find out more about locating your organisation in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, Chesterfield commercial space, chesterfield developments, chesterfield news, Devonshire Group, Hartington Business Park, Staveley

Why Chesterfield, Why Now? – Property and Construction firms highlight town’s investment prospects

23rd October 2023

Chesterfield, with its rich history and vibrant community, is not just a picturesque town with its unique Crooked Spire, but also a thriving hub undergoing a series of multi-million-pound regeneration projects.

Thanks to its strategic location in the centre of England alongside the M1 corridor with proximity to several major cities, Chesterfield has the ingredients that make it an enticing prospect for investors seeking growth and potential.

But don’t just take it from us, take it from the businesses which have invested here and call our town their home!

To coincide with the annual Chesterfield Investment Summit, we asked businesses in the town’s Property and Construction Group a simple question – Why Chesterfield, Why Now?

We think the responses below speak for themselves!

‘Tremendous support’

Emily Smith, Property Developer behind the highly anticipated Holywell Hotel by Voeberg said: “Chesterfield caught our attention initially due to its strategic location along the M1 and the opportunities for restoring and converting properties.

“The Council and local services have shown us tremendous support for our projects, which makes it an exciting place to be investing. Chesterfield’s unique local charm and welcoming community make it an ideal place to create something new to meet a growing market demand.

“It’s a town where you feel the warmth of support, and investing here has been a truly positive experience.”

‘Experienced workforce’

Roy Peters Estates have been active in Chesterfield since the early 1970s and have seen many changes in our Market Town during the last 50 years. The company offers a locally focused letting and management service.

Emma Gallagher, Director, Office Manager and Head of Commercial Operations has seen a marked increase in quality retail and office instructions over the last six months.

She said: “Chesterfield is centrally located and remains a busy market town with a good retail offering and access to an experienced workforce.”

‘Thriving business landscape’

FI Real Estate Management is the company behind the recent £2 million refurbishment at The HQ in Chesterfield.

Tim Knowles, founder and Managing Director of FI Real Estate Management (FIREM), commented: “We have seen first hand the positive impact that our investment has had on Chesterfield.

“We’re passionate about putting Chesterfield on the map as a great place to work, improving its offering in line with nearby cities and enriching the lives of the local business community.

“Further investment is vital to ensuring the town continues to grow and develop in line with neighbouring cities, such as Sheffield and Nottingham, making Chesterfield a thriving business landscape for all.”

‘Excellent location’

HBD’s successful Markham Vale scheme continues to be developed alongside Derbyshire County Council. The project, off J29a of the M1 has ensured new premises for dozens of businesses and thousands of jobs for local people.

Richard Hinds, Senior Development Manager at HBD, said: “Chesterfield is an excellent place to do business, demonstrated by the huge success of our Markham Vale scheme. The development is now home to more than 78 businesses and has created over 2,700 new jobs.

“Chesterfield not only benefits from an excellent location at the heart of the UK transport network, but offers a strong local labour market, supporting companies as they continue to grow.

“HBD is pleased to invest in Chesterfield and look forward to progressing the expansion of Markham Vale, providing more high-quality industrial and logistics space to meet occupier demand.”

‘Extremely welcoming’

Dalton Roofing provides residential and industrial roofing solutions to people and businesses across the area.

Speaking about locating his business in the town, Philip Dalton, Owner of Dalton Roofing said: “I moved my business to Chesterfield in 2018, after running my business from Sheffield for 28 years, as you can imagine, this was a big change for me.

“Not only did I move my business, but I also moved my family to live in Chesterfield and I can honestly say I have never looked back.

“The location is fabulous, being close to the M1 and the Peak district, we feel central to all the areas that we cover. The business community are extremely welcoming and offer great business support. Chesterfield is up and coming and full of future potential.”

‘Training for tomorrow’s workforce’

Lime Living is an estate agency which recently expanded into new premises at The Glassyard.

Jamie Wajs, owner of Lime Living commented: “Our town is the ideal location, with it being very placed for excellent access to the M1 network, direct train links to London and other nearby major cities.

“We also have Chesterfield College and the University of Derby Campus providing education and training for tomorrow’s workforce. Not only is our town able to train and retain a business’s workforce through exceptional facilities and resources, but it can attract employees too, through the welcoming community living our town offers.

“For me, it is a no brainer for businesses to invest in our town! There is an excellent access to a wide range of local support networks and we also have a wide variety of commercial property. This ranges from land & new build, warehouses & industrial, business parks to Grade A offices, meaning our town provides excellent opportunity, whether it be a new start up, expansion, relocation or modern hybrid working hubs.”

‘A refreshing level of cohesiveness’

Harworth Group has acquired a 133-acre stalled brownfield site in Staveley, and is now bringing forward exciting plans to deliver 600 new homes, extensive green space and other amenities.

Joanne Neville, Head of Regional Planning at Harworth commented: “We have found all local partners to be engaging and responsive as we work with adjacent landowners to develop this important site.

“We have seen a real commitment from all local partners to promote the economic growth of the town, for example in the development of the Chesterfield & Staveley Regeneration Route, demonstrating a refreshing level of cohesiveness between the public and private sector. Chesterfield is definitely open for business.”

‘Great proximity to major road networks’

Mascot Management has worked on several projects in Chesterfield recently, including The Glassyard and 33 new homes in Duckmanton. Jason Evans, Director at Mascot Management said: “I see the quality of life in Chesterfield as an important factor in attracting talent and investors.

Key factors like the lower cost of living, friendly residents and businesses, good access to cultural amenities, and the open countryside of the nearby Peak District make Chesterfield a great place.

“It has established industrial clusters, and business parks that benefit from being in the heart of the country with great proximity to all the major road networks, including the M1 motorway. This makes Chesterfield an attractive place for people to access, live and work”.

‘A great living environment’

Redbrik Estate Agents recently found in a study that Google searches had significantly increased showing interest in Chesterfield homes.

Hannah Rutter, Property Consultant at Redbrik commented: “The proximity to the Peaks make for a great living environment and offers ease of access to the countryside for their employees during their free time.

“Chesterfield is a fantastically efficient commuting hub for their business and staff with Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, Derby, Leeds and Leicester all being within a 90 minute journey. A wonderful town with a great blend of character and modern, from the Crooked Spire to Casa Hotel.”

Want to find out more about how Chesterfield can provide the perfect location for your business base? Head over to our Invest in Chesterfield page.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in Business in Chesterfield, Chesterfield business blog, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield investment, Chesterfield investment summit, Chesterfield Property and construction group, Invest in Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction in Chesterfield, Why Chesterfield