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Chesterfield artist to create free open signs for local businesses

Chesterfield mural artist, Peter Barber is supporting local organisations by offering a free hand painted ‘OPEN’ sign and launching a social media campaign to celebrate Chesterfield businesses as they reopen after the Coronavirus Outbreak.

Peter Barber is a mural and sign painter, based in Chesterfield but working UK wide. He specialises in spray painting, photo realism and advertising murals.

Peter said “I am offering local independent businesses, sole traders, shops and pubs a free hand painted “Open” Sign.

I am hoping that when the time is right there will be a flurry of positive optimistic images shared on social media of local businesses with their Open sign.  This will be an opportunity to celebrate and promote Chesterfield based business.”

Chesterfield businesses that would like to request a sign should email info@peterbarber.co.uk or visit his facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/modernmurals

Once businesses receive their sign and they are open and trading they are encouraged to share pictures of their business and the sign across their social media channels with the hashtags#lovechesterfield #supportlocal #shoplocal #freeandopen #opensigns #withlove

For further information on how Chesterfield businesses are supporting the local community during the Coronavirus Outbreak visit Destination Chesterfield’s Supporting local website.

Chesterfield artist to create free open signs for local businesses

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home

Extra cash for councillors to donate to local community groups

Derbyshire County Council councillors have been given extra funding so they can help local groups in their area.

Each year every councillor has £3,860 which they can donate to groups in their area which aim to improve the lives of local people. At a meeting on Thursday (23 April) our Cabinet agreed a proposal to double this amount of money, giving each councillor £7,720 for this financial year.

Derbyshire County Council Leader, Councillor Barry Lewis, said: “Local councillors know their areas the best and are well placed to spend this money where it is going to make the most difference.”

“For some local groups a small donation may make the difference to that organisation making it through this pandemic.”

“These funds cannot usually be used to help groups with general running costs, but given the circumstances we are lifting this requirement.”

Anyone who runs a local group in their community and wants to find out more should contact their local councillor here.

The total cost of £247,000 is to come from Derbyshire County Council reserve funds.

Please note these are photos from our image library and were not taken recently. 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure

Scarecrow competition supports Royal’s urgent appeal

A celebratory keyworker scarecrow competition has raised smiles and almost £2,000 for Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Residents of Matlock Road in Walton paid to enter their handmade designs to raise vital funds for NHS equipment. Scarecrows recognised doctors and nurses, police officers, supermarket staff, refuse collectors and many more essential workers.

The latest £500, which was donated by Cheese Factor based at Chesterfield Market Hall, has brought the total amount raised to £1,850. Although no formal prize for the competition, Cheese Factor has also gifted a cheese board to the winning family, whose design was a celebration of Chesterfield’s carers.

Simon Davidson, Owner of Cheese Factor said: “I wanted to say well done to everyone who has supported this competition. You have all shown amazing creativity and generosity.  It has been fantastic to see the local community coming together during these challenging times and it has made me feel proud to live and work in Chesterfield.”

Catherine Allen, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch, who set up the Just Giving Page, said: “As our Neighbourhood Watch group was unable to meet for our usual monthly catch up, we decided to come together in a different way.

“One of the ladies in the group suggested a scarecrow competition, as a thank you to the key workers to whom we are so thankful.  Another lady suggested making it a fundraiser.

“We thought it would be fun to do and would allow participation by all ages in our community.

“All entries to the competition were asked to make a minimum donation of £10 per household and then the additional funds raised have been through advertising the Just Giving page.

“The Protect Our NHS campaign led by Chesterfield Royal Hospital seemed like the perfect recipient.”

The keyworker scarecrow competition was judged by Toby Perkins MP on 18th April, who awarded first prize to a tribute to local carers.

The first prize scarecrow was to a tribute to local carers

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chesterfield technology company launches Virtual Graduate Fair to support students and universities

Inspired to find a solution for graduates and students affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Chesterfield technology company Oasis Studio have developed the ‘Virtual Graduate Fair’, allowing students to showcase their skills online to visitors around the world.

The online system allows students to display videos, images, and documents within their own custom CGI exhibition stands, all of which can be viewed by potential employers at the click of a button.

Up and down the country, the coronavirus pandemic has forced cancellations and postponements of everything from exams to graduation ceremonies. As a result, students are missing out on one key element of graduation – an end of year show and the opportunity for students to showcase three years of hard work to friends and family, the community, and most importantly, potential employers. A recent report found over 60% of students now have reduced confidence in their post-graduation job prospects.

The event also allows universities to promote the high standard of work created within their halls and allow their graduates to stand out from the crowd as they prepare to leave education and enter the competitive world of work.

Paul Deakin, Director of Oasis Studio, explains: “Competing for your first job after leaving university is difficult at the best of times. The Virtual Graduate Fair allows universities to continue offering the typical end of year shows and graduate fairs which have been threatened this year by COVID-19”.

Paul added: “We hope more universities will see the value in helping their graduates to promote themselves to a much wider audience – and add a bit of an extra boost to their career prospects!”

Oasis Studio is currently in talks with a number of universities, with graduates of creative degrees expected to be among the first to trial the platform.

Click here to find out more about Oasis Studio

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

Work to begin on Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Work is set to begin on the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre next week (27 April), to ensure the site is available for local businesses to move in to at the earliest possible opportunity and benefit the local economy.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s contractor, Robert Woodhead Ltd, will take control of the site and begin groundworks on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) Car Park in Chesterfield town centre as preparation for the construction of the new Enterprise Centre.

Developing a thriving borough continues to be a priority for the Council and that includes supporting the business community during the COVID 19 outbreak and into recovery. Robert Woodhead Ltd have completed assessments ahead of the work beginning and have confirmed they will follow strict COVID 19 social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of employees and the public.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We appreciate there may be concerns around any construction activity starting in the town centre right now, given we remain at a key stage of the national response to the COVID 19 outbreak.

“The contractor will be working to the latest Construction Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“With these essential works progressing safely we hope to minimise any delay to the start of the main build and ultimately its completion. This major construction project will also help contribute to Chesterfield’s post COVID 19 recovery with the council’s requirement for Robert Woodhead Ltd to source local labour, supplies and equipment.

“The project will result in high quality, flexible, office space being made available on easy-in and easy-out letting terms to businesses just starting out or looking to grow their company here in Chesterfield.”

Tom Woodhead, Business Services Director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been working with our industry peers, government and industry bodies to understand how the government guidelines and CLC Site Operating Procedures can be implemented on construction sites.

“We have developed stringent operating procedures, risk and method statements to enable us to start on site to deliver this exciting project in collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council.”

Groundworks are likely to take around eight weeks to complete, running from the end of April onwards. Whilst these works are taking place the building design will be finalised, supplies of materials ordered and sub-contractors hired. These activities will put the project in a good position to proceed to full construction later on in the year.

The new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre will accommodate a range of businesses within 32 office suites. It will also offer access to outstanding shared facilities and local business support services.

The new centre is an important addition to Chesterfield Borough Council’s commercial property portfolio and will hopefully be a key component in Chesterfield’s post COVID 19 recovery.

The Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre project has benefited from grant funding support from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.

To find out more about your business being based in the Enterprise Centre email either claire.cunningham@chesterfield.gov.uk or hannah.ramsdale@chesterfield.gov.uk.

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

East Midlands Chamber responds to UK Finance’s update on CBILS applications

UK Finance, the trade body representing more than 250 financial services firms across the UK, today announced that more than £2.8bn of funding had been lent to businesses under the Government’s Cornonavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

The organisation said that more than 9,000 loans have been approved over the past seven days, taking the total number of loans allocated to 16,600. Lenders have received more than 36,000 applications since the scheme was launched earlier this month.

Commenting, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Although the increase in firms accessing CBILS is encouraging, there is still a clear need to ensure that the gap between applications received and those processed and approved can be closed quickly to ensure funding can reach the businesses which need it.

“Many firms are urgently trying to access financial support to help them ease cash flow and wage pressures and having to wait for their applications to be processed could be having a critical impact on their operations.

“We are also hearing from a lot of local businesses that accessing the scheme is a complex and lengthy process with no consistent approach between lenders, which is causing real problems on the ground.

“Government and lenders must continue to work together to address these common issues and improve the way the scheme works, so more firms on the frontline can access the cash they need, quickly.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council leisure activities go digital

Following the ongoing temporary closures of both Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre, the Chesterfield Borough Council leisure team have been putting together a selection of digital sessions that include dance classes, gymnastics, high-intensity interval training and Pilates.

You can get involved in these classes by visiting either of the center’s Facebook pages below:

The team have also put together a selection of downloadable resources that can be used to support your child’s education around health and fitness. These cover a range of topics from swimming to gymnastics and can be downloaded from the council’s website.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing (right), said: “I want to thank all of our customers for their understanding and support at this difficult time. Our leisure team are working hard to put together digital classes and activities for the whole family that will encourage people to lead a healthy lifestyle and exercise at home.”

With regards to the reopening of the leisure centres, the council will continue to evaluate the situation and update the public in line with the latest Government guidance. If you are currently a member of the leisure centres, your direct debit has been stopped and the council will not resume taking payments until after the centres have reopened.

The midwifery team based at Queen’s Park Sports Centre are still taking appointments, please contact the midwifery team directly to discuss arrangements for visiting the Centre.

Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to provide updates about its services on its dedicated coronavirus information hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus-information-hub/leisure-services-updates

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Lime Living Estate Agents organise children’s art display to show support for NHS and key workers

Lime Living Estate Agents, based in Chesterfield town centre, have created a poster display with colourful artwork made by local children to thank NHS staff and key workers.

Jamie Wajs, Director of Lime Living Estate Agents, said: “We initially asked family & friends who are home schooling if they would like their children to have some fun and create a poster for our town centre office window. We gave a simple brief of make it bright, with a supportive and positive message for anyone passing and in particular for key workers and NHS staff – All of whom we are all very grateful to for their continued hard work, bravery and unselfish efforts during this pandemic.”

He added: “The posters that have been produced so far are excellent and we still have a few more window spaces to fill. If anyone would like to help fill our window, please email us!”

The posters are currently on display in the window of their office on Saltergate. Posters can be submitted by sending a landscape, jpeg image or photo of their design to info@limeliving.co.uk.

The Lime Living team are currently working in a remote capacity and are still able to advise those looking to move, as well as those with queries regarding residential lettings, sales, land, auctions and commercial services.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Dronfield Arts Festival create online hub for residents to celebrate VE Day 75 at home

The organisers of Dronfield Arts Festival have created an online hub with ways residents can take part in stay at home celebrations for VE Day 75 on Friday 8th May.

Even though the highly-anticipated celebrations planned at Dronfield Hall Barn will no longer be taking place, local digital design agency FWD Motion, who manage the Dronfield Arts Festival, have created a new hub with ways residents can show their wartime spirit.

Ideas for celebrating at home include holding a patriotic party from your house or garden, cooking wartime recipes or downloading their specially-themed craft activities.

In the lead up to the 8th May, there will be lots of free online activities to enjoy as part of their virtual entertainment programme featuring classic 40s artists including swing and vintage singer Jayne Darling, female harmony group La-Di-Dah and jazz vocalist Sarah Eastwood. Dronfield’s History Van will have online activities for children throughout the day itself.

Donations are still being welcomed online to support SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and The Dronfield Heritage Trust charity who supports and maintains Dronfield Hall Barn.

The festival team are encouraging residents to share their celebrations and stories on social media to help boost morale. To see a full list of activities taking place and ways you can get involved, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield Borough Council reaches over £15 million paid in business support grants

Under the Government’s business grants scheme, Chesterfield Borough Council has paid more than £15.7 million to over 1,300 Chesterfield businesses in order to support them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

The business rates team are working hard to process applications as fast as possible, including working in the evening and at weekends.

Chesterfield Borough Council have stated that a number of eligible businesses still need to provide information before they are able to pay the business support grant. If you are eligible for a grant and you have not yet completed the application form, please apply as soon as possible, so the council can process the grant and make payment to you.

You can download the application form here (opens in new tab).

The council has also produced a new FAQs sheet about the business support grants, which aims to highlight which businesses are eligible and what the funding can be used for. Currently the following grants are in place to support businesses:

  • a small business grant of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief
  • grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,000 and £51,000

You can find more information on the council’s website here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Click here to see the Detsination Chesterfield Coronavirus (COVID-19) business support page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Chesterfield manufacturer CBE+ becomes Apprentice Town ambassador

Local manufacturer CBE+ has become the latest Apprentice Town Ambassador, aiming to boost the number of young people participating in apprenticeships in the Chesterfield area.

Apprenticeship Ambassadors are businesses and organisations which sign up to actively promote and celebrate apprenticeships in Chesterfield and their benefits in strengthening the workforce.

Chesterfield is the first town in the UK to declare itself an ‘Apprentice Town’, demonstrating a commitment to growing the careers of young people alongside the economy. Chesterfield Borough Council is at the forefront of the Apprentice Town initiative which, with support from Ambassadors, is raising awareness of apprenticeships and advocating cooperative working across the education, business and learning community.

CEO, Marie Cooper, said: “Becoming an apprentice town ambassador is important to the future of Chesterfield and for the manufacturing industry in general. Failure to address the constant need to feed new people through a business and train them with job specific skills has led to a skill gap which has caused problems in the sector in the past. Therefore, initiatives like this are so important to bridge the gap between education and the business sector and is why we are proud to be a part of them.”

CBE+ have multiple apprentices on the shop floor studying mechanical engineering, as well as office apprentices in production, marketing and finance. When their course is finished, the business has a fully trained member of staff with both experience and the appropriate qualifications.

This decision is an extension to CBE+ becoming a cornerstone business in January 2020 to support the North East Derbyshire District Council to strengthen the area and ensure it is a great place to live and work.

Marie continued “Ten years ago, we were instigators in setting up a successful apprenticeship programme and have since worked with schools, colleges and young people to help them develop and enhance their employability skills. We believe the key to this was engaging with them on projects, recognising their strengths and how experiences develop certain strengths like confidence, resilience and commitment.”

“Most of the young people we have met, do not know what they want to do because they do not know the extent of what careers are available and are not fed the ideas which should inspire them to take a certain path. They can only get so much career advice from within schools and parents, so it is up to us as businesses to showcase what those opportunities are, to engage with them, talk to them and show them.”

Click here to find out more about the Apprentice Town initiative

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

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