Featured

Chancellor gives support to millions of self-employed individuals

26th March 2020

Rishi Sunak has announced a new scheme to support the UK’s self-employed affected by the coronavirus outbreak:

direct cash grant of 80% of their profits, up to £2,500 per month
latest announcement in an unprecedented package of government support to protect businesses and individuals

Millions of self-employed individuals will receive direct cash grants though a ground-breaking UK-wide scheme to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chancellor announced today.

In the latest step to protect individuals and businesses, Rishi Sunak has set out plans that will see the self-employed receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months.

Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.

This brings parity with the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, announced by the Chancellor last week, where the Government committed to pay up to £2,500 each month in wages of employed workers who are furloughed during the outbreak.

Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using a simple online form, with the cash being paid directly into people’s bank account.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Self-employed people are a crucial part of the UK’s workforce who’ve understandably been looking for reassurance and support during this national emergency.”

“The package for the self-employed I’ve outlined today is one of the most generous in the world that has been announced so far. It targets support to those who need help most, offering the self-employed the same level of support as those in work.”

“Together with support packages for businesses and for workers, I am confident we now have the measures in place to ensure we can get through this emergency together.”

The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

To qualify, more than half of their income in these periods must come from self-employment.

To minimise fraud, only those who are already in self-employment and meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply. HMRC will identify eligible taxpayers and contact them directly with guidance on how to apply.

The income support scheme, which is being designed by HMRC from scratch, will cover the three months to May. Grants will be paid in a single lump sum instalment covering all 3 months, and will start to be paid at the beginning of June.

Individuals should not contact HMRC now. HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility and invite applications once the scheme is operational.

Those who pay themselves a salary and dividends through their own company are not covered by the scheme but will be covered for their salary by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme if they are operating PAYE schemes.

The scheme has been designed after extensive engagement with stakeholders including the TUC, the Federation of Small Businesses and IPSE – The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed.

Self-employed individuals are already benefitting from a series of measures announced by the Chancellor to boost household incomes and will be able to access these while the new scheme is being rolled out.

These include a strengthening of the welfare safety-net with a £7 billion boost to Universal Credit, income tax and VAT deferrals, £1 billion more support for renters and access to three-month mortgage holidays.

Notes

further information and details of the scheme will be shared shortly by HMRC
HMRC will use the average trading profits from tax returns in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to determine the size of the grant
this scheme also applies to members of partnerships
before grant payments are made, the self-employed will still be able to access other available government support for those affected by coronavirus including more generous universal credit and business continuity loans where they have a business bank account

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

Community Response Unit launched to help those in need

26th March 2020

The Community Response Unit is now ready to take requests for assistance from members of the community who don’t have friends or family able to help them.

Help is available for people across the county if they are:

Self-isolating because either themselves or a member of the household is at risk
Struggling to meet basic needs because of financial, social or health restrictions
Pregnant
Have underlying health conditions
Aged 70 or over.

Volunteers from over 200 different organisations will be able to help with shopping, fetching prescriptions or offering a befriending service.

Council Leader, Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Our Community Response Unit is now ready to start passing on requests from those who need help to the army of volunteers across the county.”

“So far we’ve registered over 200 local groups with the scheme, and they will be using the volunteers they already have, and looking for more people to help out.”

“We’re supporting this vital task with £1 million that we’ve agreed to make available to support our vulnerable residents, families in need and to help businesses.”

Volunteers could be asked to help with food shopping and delivery, checking up on people who are isolated with a phone call or online help to prevent loneliness and check whether there is anything they need, or collecting and delivering prescriptions

Residents needing help should visit the Community Response Unit information on the Derbyshire County Council website or phone 01629 535091. At this stage the phone line will only be available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm.

Organisations are still looking to recruit more volunteers. Anyone who wants to help and is aged 18 to 70 and fit and well should also visit the Community Response Unit information on the website to register their interest. Some organisations are looking for volunteers to offer a befriending telephone service, so anyone who wants to help but can’t leave their house could offer this kind of assistance.

Click here to visit our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Opticians helps town’s isolated elderly residents keep in touch with loved ones

26th March 2020

An appeal from staff at Specsavers Chesterfield has resulted in four electronic devices being donated to enable local care home residents to keep in touch with their loved ones throughout the twelve-week isolation period.

The store’s optometrist director, Allissa Charlesworth, launched the fundraising campaign this week following a discussion during a recent eye-test with a lady who worked in the local Whittington Care Home.

The customer, who is in charge of planning activities for the home’s residents, raised her concern that due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the home would be closed to visitors and residents would not be able to see or speak with their loved ones.

Within 24 hours of setting up a Just Giving page, Allissa’s fundraiser had already raised £350, enough to purchase a brand new tablet for the home.

Allissa comments: “Although we might be self-isolating with loved ones at home, it was heartbreaking to hear that some members of our community would be facing the prospect of twelve weeks without the chance to see their families.”

“Although it’ll be incredibly hard for most of us to adhere to social distancing, I couldn’t imagine how much harder it must be for those without access to technology, who will be unable to keep in touch with their friends and families.”

“I’ve been totally blown away with the community spirit in Chesterfield, and I am thankful to those who have donated devices and money to the cause. I’m sure the four devices we’ve already donated will be put to good use during this period of isolation.’”

Prior to the lockdown, the team also put a request out for in-store donations of care package items to keep residents busy, which saw dozens of items donated, including jigsaws, books and magazines donated to local homes.

Following the Coronavirus outbreak, staff at the Chesterfield store have been out in the community delivering glasses to residents who are self isolating, whilst also keeping the shop open for emergencies such as the needs of Key Workers.

Click here to find out more about Specsavers Chesterfield store

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Coronavirus outbreak: Read the Chesterfield Borough Council services update

26th March 2020

Chesterfield Borough Council is continuing to prioritise the delivery of essential services across the borough, whilst following the latest Government guidance.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the council website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Their teams are currently working very hard to respond to all enquiries, but are receiving an extremely high number of phone calls. To talk about specific services and find out key information using the contact us form on the website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us, however, if your enquiry is urgent call the Customer Contact Centre on 01246 345 345.

Waste and recycling

Chesterfield Borough Council are currently receiving a high number of enquiries about our waste collection and recycling service, and will be continuing to operate as close to a normal service for as long as possible. Any updates about this service will be shared online via their website and social media.

If your bin is missed please report it here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us or call 01246 345 345. Please ensure that you state clearly where you live, the service can then rearrange collection.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Collecting waste and recycling is one of the most important services we provide, and we will do everything we can to maintain this service during the current crisis. Please ensure you continue putting your bin out for your scheduled collection.”

“I’d also like to ask residents to make sure that they are following the latest Government guidance when disposing of waste that may be contaminated with coronavirus as it will make a real impact in reducing the spread of infection.”

Anyone who has coronavirus or are self-isolating because of illness in the household, should be extra careful when disposing of personal waste like tissues and cleaning cloths. When throwing away personal waste, people must place this in a sealed plastic bag, then double bag this before storing for 72 hours. The bag can then be placed in the general waste bin. Personal waste must not be put in recycling bins.

Streetscene

The Streetscene service will continue to empty litter bins that are located around the borough and will continue to collect hazardous waste, such as used needles. However, until further notice, other tasks like cleaning graffiti and other non-essential works will not be completed. You can still report these issues and we can then prioritise them for when services return to normal.

Please report any of these issues through the website here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/home/about-this-website/contact-us

Grounds Maintenance

Work on maintaining green spaces around the borough will also be reduced in order to prioritise essential services. At the present time the council teams are continuing to ensure parks are accessible for residents who wish to use them for daily exercise, whilst ensuring proper social distancing measures are followed. However, until further notice cutting grass, maintaining flower beds or similar work will not be carried out.

Housing tenant services

The council recognises that this is a very concerning time for individuals and families with regards to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our daily lives. Information is changing rapidly and all tenants are encouraged to follow the latest health guidance, which is continually updated on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Their focus is on maintaining customer safety and providing high quality services, but in the short term will need to change the way in which some services are delivered in order to respond to Government guidance. Therefore, the teams will only be undertaking home visits in emergency situations.

Housing tenants can continue to contact the housing service on 01246 345 345 or can speak about rent by calling 01246 345 000. You can also visit the dedicated housing related pages on the council website and use this contact us form: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/housing.aspx.

Block cleaning

The council is currently undertaking all our block cleaning as normal, but it is essential that tenants and residents support this effort by maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the shared spaces. Please also keep all communal areas free of rubbish and household items.

Cleaning routines will be continuously reviewed as staff availability and other competing priorities change over the coming weeks. At that point, their teams may have to prioritise health and safety and emergency requests to clear waste. You can find all of the latest information relating to service changes here www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Garden assistance scheme

The growing season is just about to start, but unfortunately, the garden assistance scheme is suspended to prioritise resources to address health and safety concerns and move staff across to the delivery of essential services.

Chesterfield Borough Council will continue to respond to emergency situations where access to your home is blocked or it is dangerous. If you currently pay for this service, the council will ensure you are not charged during the period of suspension. Anyone affected by this will be contacted and informed of the changes to the service directly.

The latest information relating to COVID-19 and any changes to council services can be found on the council website here – www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield Borough Council update on grants and business rate relief process

26th March 2020

In response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Government has confirmed a number of financial measures to help support businesses.

Chesterfield Borough Council is currently following the Government guidance to identify local businesses that may be eligible to access business grants and business rate relief. The council will be contacting these businesses directly.

The financial support measures outlined by central Government include:

Small business grants of up to £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief, rural rate relief or tapered relief
100% business rate relief has been extended to all retail, hospitality and leisure properties (such as cafes, restaurants, bars, theatres, gyms and hotels) for the whole of 2020/21
Grant funding of up to £25,000 will also be available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property where the rateable value is between £15,000 and £51,000.
Business rate relief for nurseries – 100% relief will be paid to all premises occupied by providers on Ofsted’s Early Years Register and wholly or mainly used for the provision of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which are subject to business rates in the year 2020/21

Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We understand this will be a worrying time for business owners of all sizes and it is important that we do what we can to support them during this difficult time.

“We expect to receive the funding for the business grants from Government in early April. As soon as we get this, we will be able to issue the grants to help support our local businesses.

“In the meantime, and to help speed up the process of making payments to those eligible, we will be contacting those businesses directly and asking them to provide us with further information to enable us to make the payment. More information about the process is available on our website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/your-council/coronavirus-information-hub/businesses-information.

“Given the current demands on our Customer Contact Centre, we would request that all contact relating to this matter is via email. Please check our website first, and if you need more information, please email us at revenues.billing@chesterfield.gov.uk. A member of our team will then respond to you as soon as possible.”

Further information on the eligibility criteria for business grant and business rates can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Check out our business support page for the latest guidance

Supporting local initiatives from Chesterfield Business during Coronavirus Outbreak

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

Covid-19 Community Response Unit set up to bring agencies together

25th March 2020

Derbyshire County Council has set up a Covid-19 Community Response Unit to bring agencies and volunteers across the county together and support residents and businesses as they tackle the infection and its effects.

County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis announced the new response unit as the council’s Cabinet agreed to an initial £1m coronavirus fund to help support vulnerable residents and affected businesses.

The Covid-19 Community Response Unit will be led by public health and emergency planning officers, supported by other council teams including social care, and linking in with the Local Resilience Forum.

The unit will work to bring together other Derbyshire councils and agencies including the voluntary sector, so they can all work more effectively to help support people across the county who are experiencing hardship related to the virus.

Councillor Lewis said: “We have obviously been working closely with other agencies since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the county, but this formalises these partnerships and will bring more agencies, including voluntary groups, into the fold.”

“A cross-community response is what is needed now, to ensure our communities are as resilient as possible. It’s what people are looking to us to do and what we need to do.”

“These efforts will be supported by the initial £1 million that we’ve agreed to make available to support our vulnerable residents, families in need and to help businesses. The money we’re making available is very likely to need to rise over the coming weeks, depending on how badly Derbyshire is affected by the virus.”

“That’s why we wholeheartedly welcomed the move by the Government to create a £500 million hardship fund which was announced in last week’s Budget, which will be available for local authorities to tap in to.”

“There is no doubt that this is going to affect many of our residents personally, and it will also have a detrimental effect on local businesses, particularly small and independent traders, but we want people to know that support is available to help them get through the outbreak, whether it’s advice and information or financial support.

“Any further increases in our coronavirus fund will, of course, need to be balanced against the additional costs the council faces in delivering its own services, particularly to vulnerable residents, during this period. It is obviously vital that these services continue to ensure people are cared for when they need it most.

“Agencies including the council will be looking to volunteers to come forward over the coming weeks to help our most vulnerable and support vital services, and we’ll be putting out appeals soon for people who want to help. Offers of help that are already coming in are being collated and people will be contacted as plans take shape.

“It’s important that we all pull together at this time and work to keep everyone as safe and protected as possible.”

For more information, visit the Derbyshire County Council website here (opens in new tab).

Visit our coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page here

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Coronavirus outbreak: latest Chesterfield Borough Council services update

25th March 2020

Following the latest Government guidance, Chesterfield Borough Council have taken further “difficult, but responsible, decisions to change our service provision.”

Beat the Street

Beat the Street Chesterfield has now ended.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have seen lots of people get more active thanks to Beat the Street, so we’re very sad to see this end, however, we must assist the government in ensuring people follow the latest guidance to stay at home to stop the coronavirus spreading.

“Even though Beat the Street is ending early, our partners and game operator, Intelligent Health would still love to know what you thought of the game. Please complete our survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ (opens in new tab) and you could be in with a chance of winning prizes.”

Beat Boxes will no longer function, and the leader board has been frozen. Winners will be announced on social media and prizes will be sent out via email and post.

Town Hall reception

The Town Hall reception is closed until further notice, following the government’s latest announcements about social distancing. The Register Office is open for essential business only, and the Coroner’s Court can be contacted via phone or email.

For further information about the Register Office call 01629 533 110 or 01629 533 111 or via email at chesterfield.registrars@derbyshire.gov.uk or by clicking here (opens in new tab).

For further information about visiting the Coroner’s Court call 01246 533 405 or email chesterfield.coroner@derbyshire.gov.uk

Stone Gravels depot reception

The reception desk at the Stone Gravels Maintenance Depot is also closed until further notice. If you have any specific questions, please instead contact Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 345 345.

Parks and open spaces

In line with the Government’s guidance, residents and visitors must not use the play equipment or outdoor gyms that are situated in the parks. All toilet facilities in parks are also closed.

Parks remain open, but you must ensure that you are following social distancing guidelines when exercising:

Washing your hands before and after visiting
Keep a safe distance from people outside your household (at least 2m)
Do not gather in groups of more than two people, excluding people you live with
Sneeze or cough into your sleeve or a tissue
Avoid touching your face or eyes
Do not use play equipment or outdoor gyms

Market, Market Hall and Pavements Shopping Centre

In the Town Centre, all shops that are not classified by the Government as essential are now closed.

The Market Hall is closed apart from the butchers, pet food store and the Cheese Factor, which remain open from 10am-2pm in order to provide essential supplies. A limited number of customers will be allowed into the Market Hall at any one time so that social distancing guidance is followed.

On the outdoor market, all stall holders selling non-essential items will no longer be able to trade until further notice, but stallholders that sell essential items such as fruit and vegetables and pet food will be able to continue trading.

Only essential retailers including the supermarket and post office are open in the Pavements Shopping Centre.

Crematorium

The crematorium remains open for funerals to take place, however, due to strict social distancing guidance a number of temporary restrictions have been put in place.

If you are attending the crematorium, please adhere to the following guidance:

In the chapel, please sit a respectful distance away from others. A maximum of three people per row. The chapel capacity is now reduced to 24 people in total.
Webcasting can be organised via your funeral director; this is a free service and outside speakers can be provided on request.
Only immediate family should attend funeral services.
Services will be a maximum of 25 minutes each to allow for extra cleaning to take place in between services.
Mourners are advised not to touch the coffin when leaving the chapel.
Strictly one person can enter the office to collect cremated remains at any one time, this is to protect both our staff and visitors.
If you are in one of the Government’s vulnerable groups or have any symptoms of coronavirus please do not attend services to protect both yourself and others.
Hand sanitiser is available for everyone attending funeral services at the crematorium.

Customer Contact Centre

Although the Council have had to close face to face customer services, you can still contact the council in a number of ways including telephone 01246 345 345, email via enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk and through the website here by completing an online form (opens in new tab).

The Customer Contact Centre is currently experiencing a high volume of calls. If your call is not urgent, please contact online or by email enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk if possible to help manage the level of enquiries effectively.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the Chesterfield Borough Council website here – www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus (opens in new tab).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

All Derbyshire recycling centres closed until further notice

25th March 2020

Derbyshire County Council has issued the below statement:

All Derbyshire County Council’s household waste recycling centres are closed until further notice.

The safety of customers and staff is our number one priority and in accordance with current government Coronavirus guidelines of avoiding non-essential contact and preventing a risk of infection to others, the sites will remain shut. It is essential that we do all we can to slow down the spread of the virus.

Much of the waste that goes through the recycling centres is bulky waste (large items such as furniture, wood and metals) and garden waste. People should hold onto these items until the sites reopen.

Please do not leave any waste outside the recycling centres. Leaving waste at the gates or anywhere else is classed as fly tipping and is a criminal offence for which people will be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000.

Where possible residents should compost grass cuttings and hedge trimmings and if they can’t do that keep your garden waste until recycling centres reopen. Composting is a great way to turn your garden waste and kitchen scraps into a useful compost.

Read advice on how to make the most of the food you have and about how to cut food waste.

Thanks for helping to keep everyone safe.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Beat the Street Chesterfield concludes

24th March 2020

Organisers of the Beat the Street game across Chesterfield borough have drawn the game to a close, owing to the restrictions in place to help stop the spread of Coronavirus / COVID 19 that were announced on Monday 23 March 2020.

Beat Boxes will no longer work and the leaderboard has been frozen.

Points are now being counted and the winners of the game will be announced in the next few days on the Beat the Street Chesterfield Facebook page and on Twitter and Instagram plus via the Beat the Street newsletter at www.beatthestreet/me/chesterfield.

Unfortunately, the planned celebratory event is unable to take place however all winning teams will receive their prizes by post and email.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have seen lots of people get more active thanks to the Beat the Street so we’re sad to see this end, however, we must encourage people to stay at home to stop the virus spreading.

“We are sorry that Beat the Street is ending early but we’d still love to know what you thought of the game. Please complete our survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ and you could be in with a chance of winning prizes.”

Beat the Street has been designed to encourage people to be active, so organisers will continue to help with a new programme called Beat the Bug, packed with hints, tips and advice on how you and your family can stay fit, get active, reduce stress and have fun at home.

There will be regular Beat the Bug advice and Q&A sessions with Intelligent Health’s founder, Dr William Bird MBE, who is a doctor working on the NHS frontline, a world-famous expert in physical activity and an advisor to the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.

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

Coronavirus outbreak: latest Chesterfield Borough Council services update

24th March 2020

Following the latest Government guidance, Chesterfield Borough Council have taken further difficult, but responsible, decisions to change some of their service provision:

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of our website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Customer Service Centre and On The Move

Cllr Jean Innes, cabinet member for business transformation, said: “We are taking the difficult decision to close both the Customer Service Centre and On The Move housing options centre to customers from tomorrow (Tuesday 24 March) until further notice, in order to protect the safety of the public and our staff.

“We know that this is a worrying time and want to assure you that our council services can continue to be accessed through our other contact channels.”

Many of the council’s services can be accessed through using our website forms which can be found at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/contactus. You can also reach our services including benefits, council tax, licensing and many more via email, these are listed on our website at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

The customer service call centre can also still be reached by calling 01246 345345 between 8.30am – 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

If you are homeless and need urgent support, our homelessness service can be reached on 07870 277291.

If you need to apply for an emergency payment from the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund, you can call Derbyshire County Council directly on 01629 533399.

We are happy to accept copies of forms and documents online and encourage you to use this method to provide us with information. If you need support to do this, please call us on 01246 345345 and we will be pleased to help you.

Payments can be made online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/pay or by using our automated telephone number 0345 602 0214. If you are unable to use these methods, please contact us on 01246 345345 and we will do all we can to help.

The Market Hall Café and Artisan Market

In line with the latest Government guidance we have today closed the Market Hall café until further notice.

The Chesterfield Artisan Market which was due to be held on Sunday 29 March is also cancelled. There will be no artisan markets in the town centre until further notice.

Housing repairs and safety checks

We are currently only carrying out emergency repairs to our council houses and when doing so the council’s staff will be following the Government’s guidance regarding social distancing. All other repairs are on hold until further notice.

Our tenants can report their urgent repair needs by calling our repairs hotline for free on 0800 587 56 59 or by visiting the repairs page of our website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/housing/council-tenants/repairs-and-improvements/request-your-repair.aspx

Annual checks of your gas and electrical systems will continue, so it is important that if you are self-isolating because you have coronavirus symptoms or are in a vulnerable health category you advise staff before they enter your home.

All tenants will be asked a number of questions by the staff member who will be visiting you at home, this is to keep you and them safe.

The latest service related updates will be available on the council’s website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Meet the Buyer Event Cancelled: But local companies can still benefit from Northern Gateway development

24th March 2020

Local companies are being invited to get in touch with Chesterfield Borough Council to find out how to tender for work connected to the ongoing regeneration of Chesterfield.

The safety of residents, businesses and staff has been considered carefully following the latest government guidance relating to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and the Meet the Buyer event that was due to take place at the Town Hall on Friday 27^th March has been cancelled.

However, the construction of the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on part of the Holywell Cross car park is still scheduled to commence in April and main contractors Robert Woodhead Limited remain very keen to speak to local companies to form part of their supply chain on this project and other local projects in their pipeline.

As part of its commitment to supporting the local economy Chesterfield Borough Council, as the planning authority, includes Local Labour Clauses within planning approvals for developments of this kind to ensure developers use local suppliers, have apprenticeships and allocate as many jobs as possible to local people.

To maximise the opportunities for local companies, main contractors Robert Woodhead Limited are offering a range of sub-contractor packages available during the project. Opportunities include:

Brickwork
Plastering
Screeds
Joinery and kitchen fitting
Floor finishes
Fencing
Landscaping
Painting and decorating
Wall tiling
Mastic and sealants
Cleaners
Roof Tiling
Local Labour Recruitment Agencies

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “There is more than £1 billion of investment currently underway in Chesterfield and one of the key priorities of the council is that Chesterfield residents directly benefit from this by getting new jobs, training, business and skills opportunities.”

“Robert Woodhead Limited has worked closely with the council to ensure that our Borough benefits as much as possible from the opportunities that building this new Enterprise Centre will bring.”

“Whilst it is disappointing that the event is not going ahead as planned, I am pleased that staff have worked hard to ensure a virtual alternative is in place. I would encourage all local businesses that deliver the trades and services specified to follow the link to our website below where businesses and see what opportunities are available for them and their workforces. It is now more important than ever that we do all we can to support local businesses and this is an example of where we can make a difference.”

Dan Cove, Project Manager, Robert Woodhead Ltd said: “It is with regret that the meet the buyer event has been cancelled but we will undertake to respond to all enquiries remotely. As soon as we can, will look to reschedule the event but in the meantime, we would urge local businesses to get in touch through the website to express interest in the subcontractor opportunities we have available on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre project.”

If you would like to express an intertest in any of the opportunities listed with Robert please click here or contact Emily Williams via email on emily.williams@chesterfield.gov.uk

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