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Businesses offered rent deferrals for three months

Derbyshire County Council business tenants will be given the opportunity to defer up to three months of their monthly rent payment in a move to give them some relief during the coronavirus crisis.

The rent deferral will cover the months of April, May and June 2020 and the scheme then reviewed to see if it needs to be extended. The outstanding rent would be paid back over a period up to the end of March 2022.

Derbyshire County Council own and maintain a number of small business units, larger units and the Markham Vale Environment Centre. The total annual rental income across this portfolio amounts to nearly £2 million a year and the rent deferral would reduce this by nearly £0.5 million with the money being recouped at a later date.

All businesses applying for the rent deferral would be assessed to check that they will be able to repay the rent over the longer term.

Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “We welcome the support being given by government but we cannot underestimate the impact coronavirus is having on our local businesses and we’re keen to do what we can to help.”

“We’ve been getting enquiries from our tenants about how we can assist them.”

“We hope that a rent deferral and the other measures we are introducing will help to keep these companies in business and once the crisis is over they can continue contributing to the vibrant economy of our county.”

Find out more about the support available to Derbyshire businesses on the Derbyshire County Council website.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Organisers of Beat the Street Chesterfield launch Beat the Bug

From the organisers of Beat the Street Chesterfield, Beat the Bug is a new health & wellbeing programme designed to help you and your family stay active and well during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Beat the Bug has been created by Intelligent Health. Intelligent Health was founded by Dr William Bird MBE, a frontline NHS doctor, global expert in physical fitness and advisor to the World Health Organisation and Public Health England.

Those wanting to stay up to date with the latest Coronavirus advice, receive tips and advice about staying healthy or those seeking fun ideas for activities you can do at home, can sign up for a weekly Beat the Bug newsletter to help people of all ages during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Beat the Bug Facebook page is updated daily with new activities and is host to a number of regular online events such as ‘ABC Animal Yoga’ and ‘Bedtime Yoga’ for children and all ages ‘Mobilise Yourself’ yoga classes.

If you or your children want to ask Dr William Bird a question about Coronavirus/COVID-19, or about how to improve your physical or emotional wellbeing, or even if you’ve got a top tip to share with other families, he is holding regular Facebook Live sessions.

Find out more by visiting their website here – www.beatthebug.me or see their latest news and activities on their Facebook page here – www.facebook.com/BeattheBug1

Watch Dr William Bird talking about Beat the Bug below:

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

CBE+ set to help in UK ventilator shortage

CBE+ will be required to machine critical components for the ventilators in an extremely short timeframe to support the UK NHS throughout the COVID 19 pandemic.

CBE+, a Chesterfield based manufacturer, has recently enhanced its efforts in the medical sector after being approached by a group of companies tasked with the production of ventilator parts.

Ventilators are vital pieces of equipment in the fight against coronavirus, taking oxygen into the lungs and removing carbon dioxide when people are too ill to breathe on their own. The UK government aims to add more than 1,200 ventilators to its system in less than two weeks, and is forecasting it will need 30,000 at the peak of the outbreak. Governments and health authorities have called on non-health industry manufacturers and universities to help meet these drastic demands.

For this project, CBE+ have partnered with other specialist manufacturers from the aerospace and automotive sectors. CBE+ offer CNC machining and Electroless nickel plating to AS9100 certified standards and have therefore have previously focused on the aerospace, defence and oil & gas markets. Both companies have turned their full attention to producing the time critical components to support the national health service.

Fabio Cosenza, business development managers for the CBE+ group said: “We were honoured to have received a request to help the national effort by producing these parts: I knew we had to make it happen. We have created additional capacity to be able to machine these components on time, we understand how important they are to the nation and the team are working 24 hours around the clock 7 days a week to help with the shortage. I salute the flexibility and commitment of our staff who are dedicating days, nights and weekends to this project.”

Marie Cooper, CEO said “I am extremely proud the business and every single employee for working hard through these challenging times. We are considering the health risks and being extremely careful to follow government guidelines regarding those with symptoms to ensure we keep our employees and their families safe and can guarantee business continuity to produce these critical components for the country.”

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

£20 million of funding for innovative businesses

Technology and research-focused businesses in Chesterfield are invited to apply for a share of up to £20 million of Government funding to help boost the UK’s resilience.

Grants of up to £50,000 have been announced for businesses to develop new ways of working to support industries such as delivery services, food manufacturing, retail and transport, as well as to support people currently staying at home.

Applicants, which are able to demonstrate significant benefits for communities, have been invited to claim 100% of project costs, with payments being made available in advance of project start dates.

Innovations could include:

  • new technology allowing retailers to respond better to sudden spikes of consumer demand and improve deliveries across the UK;
  • new services for families to connect with and remotely monitor their elderly or vulnerable relatives, giving people peace of mind that their loved ones are receiving the services they require such as food deliveries, doctor’s appointments and paying bills;
  • creating education tools which seamlessly integrate the classroom with the kitchen table, allowing teachers to remotely set dynamic tasks, support vulnerable children and make certain no child is left behind.

Science Minister, Amanda Solloway said:

“The response of researchers and businesses to the coronavirus outbreak have been remarkable. This new investment will support the development of technologies that can help industries, communities and individuals adapt to new ways of working when situations like this, and other incidents, arise.”

Dr Ian Campbell, Executive Chair Innovate UK, said:

“The COVID-19 situation is not just a health emergency, but also one that affects the economy and society. With that in mind, Innovate UK has launched this rapid response competition today seeking smart ideas from innovators. These could be proposals to help the distribution of goods, educate children remotely, keep families digitally connected and even new ideas to stream music and entertainment.

“The UK needs a great national effort and Innovate UK is helping by unleashing the power of innovation for people and businesses in need.”

The proposals will be reviewed as part of a competition launched by Innovate UK, seeking the best new ideas from businesses.

All the projects will begin by June 2020 and will last up to 6 months, with products and services expected to be available to the public towards the end of this year.

Businesses should apply by 12pm on Friday 17th April at https://www.apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/covid19/overview.html?_ga=2.83497237.2099540618.1586329832-2046482744.1586157545.

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

Chesterfield Borough Council supports ‘Everyone In’ initiative

Chesterfield Borough Council, along with its near neighbouring local authorities in the North Derbyshire Homelessness Forum, has stepped up its efforts to tackle homelessness and ensure that everyone has an offer of suitable shelter at this difficult time.

Government guidance has highlighted that rough sleepers and the homeless are particularly vulnerable to COVID 19 because they have limited access to important health messaging, have difficulty self-isolating and they often rely upon the generosity of the local community in receiving food and other donations, which due to the current situation has been significantly reduced.

The ‘Everyone In’ Government initiative aims to house all rough sleepers and homeless people and, in this area, is being organised through the combined efforts of Chesterfield Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council, Bolsover District Council, Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The councils are also working closely with partner agencies including Pathways of Chesterfield, Derbyshire Law Centre, P3 Charity and Derbyshire County Council, including Public Health.

Councillor Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We are working very hard to identify all members of the local community who require support at this difficult time. This approach of partnership working helps ensure that all those identified, no matter what problems they are facing will receive the shelter and support that they need.”

Working together, the North Derbyshire Homelessness Forum have been able to provide a range of accommodation options including:

  • Furnished flats and houses within the local authorities’ own stock
  • Existing bed and breakfast providers
  • Supported accommodation for higher needs cases
  • Exclusive use of a local hotel

However, Chesterfield Borough Council recognise that simply providing shelter is often not the only solution to the problems faced by this vulnerable community and have therefore arranged for internal and external support to be available, including the provision of food supplies for the most vulnerable. The main objective of this initiative is to assist people by helping them to isolate and therefore avoid going outside.

Everyone has their own specific needs and requirements which is why the council have identified a team of key professionals including council homelessness officers, public health staff and specialist homeless support workers from the voluntary sector. This team will carefully assess each person needing somewhere to stay and make the most appropriate placement in accordance with their needs and their safety.

Our outreach teams are currently operating as normal and are trying to make contact with rough sleepers where they are made aware of them. This is a vital part of the process in identifying and contacting rough sleepers.

Chesterfield Borough Council is also currently operating a telephone interview service for homeless households in need of assistance. The main homelessness contact number is now 07870 277291 or referrals can be made via email to homelessness.prevention@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Pathways of Chesterfield, who the council work in partnership with to deliver essential support services, can also accept referrals from the public or people requiring assistance. Pathways can be contacted on 01246 498204. You can also refer rough sleepers via the Streetlink service: www.streetlink.org.uk. Should you need assistance outside of office hours please contact the out of hours team by calling Derbyshire County Council on 01629 533190.

Stay up to date with all the latest information about coronavirus on the Chesterfield Borough Council dedicated hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

anzacs chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

University of Derby donates PPE equipment to Chesterfield Royal Hospital

Technicians from the College of Health and Social Care at the University of Derby have provided the Hospital with personal protection equipment including medical gloves, aprons, wipes, cleaning materials and alcohol gels. The equipment would usually be used by medical and healthcare students at the St Helena Campus, on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield.

Vice Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL said: “We want to make as full as contribution as we can to help, and donating this equipment to a local hospital is just one of the ways in which we are doing so.”

“Many of our nursing and allied healthcare students are already on the frontline, working in hospitals alongside experienced professionals to provide the support the health service needs at this hugely challenging time.”

“With the university moving to delivering all HE teaching online for the remainder of the academic year, it is only right that equipment that would have been for the use of students is supplied to hospital staff who need it to ensure that they themselves are properly protected against the risk of contracting and spreading coronavirus.”

“The work of our technicians is so valuable to our students and teaching staff, and this proactive contribution to the crisis speaks volumes about their knowledge, specialism and desire to help however and whenever they can.”

A spokesperson for the Chesterfield Royal Hospital said: “We’ve had so many donations and messages of support which has given all of our hard-working colleagues a much needed boost.

“We work very closely with the University of Derby and we’re delighted to be able to make use of the equipment that would have been used to train some of the students. They will certainly be put to good use and we’d like to thank everyone at the university for their continued support and for helping our incredible frontline staff in this way.”

Click here to find out more about the University of Derby’s Chesterfield Campus

chesterfield college

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

Casa Hotel commends NHS staff with free meals

Chesterfield Champion, Casa Hotel has started a complimentary dining service for employees of Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

The partnership with Winster Foods has been enabling workers to enjoy freshly cooked, locally sourced meals.

A recent delivery included Franklin & Sons’ Mango Go Natural Energy Drinks from Global Brands, which is also located within the hotel building.

This generosity follows the hotel’s invitation to local NHS workers to enjoy a complimentary night’s stay.

Last week the team welcomed a nurse to the four-star hotel following a 95-hour week.  It is hoped that the break, which included a hot meal, helped the guest to recuperate before returning to the frontline.

Casa Hotel is proud to commend the town’s frontline NHS employees.  Owner, Steve Perez said: “We just want to do what we can to say thank you to the key frontline workers tirelessly fighting against this pandemic.”

“We will do everything we can to take advantage of the Government support available to help both our business and our amazing team in order to get through these difficult times together.

“We are maintaining what operations we are able, cutting back where we can and trying to support our customers, our local community and our teams at the same time. All within the realms of what is possible under the current Government guidance.”

Casa is also currently providing a dine at home takeaway and collection service for the public. For further information about this and other local businesses which are operating creatively, whilst following Government guidelines, visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2020/04/supporting-local/.

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

D2N2 appeals to businesses for Personal Protective Equipment

D2N2 is putting its support behind the PPE4NHS campaign and is asking businesses across the region to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the fight against Coronavirus.

In addition to widely reported shortages of PPE within the NHS, the Care and Charity sectors are also finding it difficult to source adequate items of PPE in order to safeguard vulnerable members of society.

Amongst the items in demand are:

  • Any fluid-resistant surgical masks including although not exclusively FFP2 or FFP3 (the rating is marked on each mask)
  • Nitrile gloves
  • Visors or goggles
  • Disposable aprons or overalls
  • Sanitising Gel
  • Overshoes

D2N2 Chief Executive Sajeeda Rose said: “We fully understand the efforts government are making to ensure PPE is available for all who need it, but we equally recognise the challenge they face in reaching beyond the NHS into other parts of the care system that are vital to shielding our most vulnerable citizens and preventing further strain on the front line by keeping people safe.”

“It may be that there are protective items sitting in storage cupboards that can be put to good use to support our social care workers, care workers and other front-line employees.”

“If businesses are able to offer up this stock in our fight against this virus, please get in touch.”

PPE4NHS

The campaign for PPE donations is the brainchild of Martin Rigley MBE, Chair of Discover Ashfield, and a D2N2 Enterprise Adviser with Portland Training College in Mansfield. Rigley has also been Managing Director of Sutton-in-Ashfield based, Lindhurst Engineering for the past 25 years.

Rigley said: “Having worked in engineering and manufacturing for nearly 40 years, I know there will now be cupboards and storerooms in manufacturing, engineering, construction and science-based businesses, full of brand-new PPE.”

“Our Health and Care workers desperately need this PPE and, as a business community, we have a duty to get it to them, if possible, without putting people at risk.”

Originally set up to cover the Mansfield and Ashfield area, the scheme is now being rolled out region-wide with the support of D2N2.

PPE Donations

Businesses interested in donating should visit the D2N2 PPE4NHS webpage.

To make the donation process as quick as possible, emails should include PPE supply details including quantity and postcode, plus a contact name and phone number. Businesses will be asked some questions about the type of support that can be provided and will be contacted as soon as possible if the support is needed.

Businesses can also interact with the scheme on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin via the @PPE4NHS accounts.

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

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

Businesses unite to support health and social care workers across Chesterfield and Derbyshire

Four local businesses have teamed up to manufacture and deliver free protective visors to health and social care workers.

Production has begun by Inkersall manufacturer, Hutchinson’s PVC Solutions Ltd.

An additional assembly line has also been created at One to One Support Services in Hasland.  With the support of the training academy’s office workers and tutors, it is hoped that 1,000 units will have been completed and delivered by the end of the week.

Melanie Ulyatt, MD of One to One Support services comments: “It is paramount that we all work together.  Keeping people safe in the community and keeping our essential workers as safe as possible is key to saving lives during this crisis.

“I am keen to promote this widely to ensure these reach those front line people that need it urgently”.

Local firms, Peak 4×4 Response and Autosupplies Chesterfield Limited are two of the businesses, which have volunteered to deliver the visors to local health and social workers.

A collection option is also available to those who are able to do so safely, following current Government guidelines.

Heath and social care providers in need of visors can register their interest at https://form.jotform.com/200912491635049

Hutchinson’s PVC Solutions Ltd has so far utilised materials usually designated for its PVC industrial and personal use products.  Businesses that are able to donate materials (ideally Clearplas PVC 50 and 1’ self-adhesive hook and loop Velcro) are urged to contact the Visor Distribution Chesterfield team via Facebook.

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home

Sport England funding package to help sport and physical activity manage the COVID-19 crisis

A £20 million Community Emergency Fund package will help Sport England’s partners, clubs and community organisations cope with the short and long-term impact of the pandemic. It will be opened immediately for clubs and community organisations to bid into and grants between £300 and £10,000 are available.

This fund aims to deliver immediate funding to those most in need. It’s specifically targeted at organisations, including those not currently supported by Sport England, who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but who are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

The types of organisations eligible include local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around maintenance and utility bills, and voluntary and community sector organisations who deliver or enable sport and physical activity.

A specific example might be a grant to support a local boxing club pay costs for their facility when no activity is taking place, or a grant to support a league who have paid for equipment to run a competition which has now been cancelled.

Other funding support includes:

  • A £5 million pot for existing partners to bid into if they’re facing specific financial difficulty
  • An additional £55 million to support our sector during an ongoing period of restrictions, to fund new and innovative ways to keep people active and, when the period of restrictions is over, to help organisations get back to business and adjust to a different environment
  • A £115 million rollover of current funding into 2021/22 to give long term certainty to over 100 well established partners who play a vital role in the delivery of sport and physical activity in England.

Eligibility criteria can be found here. More information can be found here.

It has also been announced that Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a new Coronavirus Emergency Fund. Through this fund smaller charities, not for profit organisations, social enterprises and unregistered community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them to continue to deliver much needed support to within their communities. Read more here.

Queen's Park artificial sports pitch

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Two local magazines combine

Two Chesterfield publications have united to continue to serve their local communities during the Coronavirus crisis.

A combined April 2020 edition of ‘Twist’ and ‘Wings’ is published this week, but you can read it online here.

Heron Publications produce both titles – ‘Twist’ in Chesterfield and ‘Wings’ in Wingerworth, Tupton, Ashover and Clay Cross. The company has temporarily closed its office, but has managed to put together a 36-page ‘emergency edition’ to serve its readership.

Said editor Mike Firth: “We were encouraged when a good number of local businesses told us they wanted to continue to get their messages across to local people through advertising in our publications, so we combined our two Chesterfield titles for ease of production.

“Along with important public information, this magazine also contains plenty to entertain – and even amuse – our readers.

“We have tips for activities people can to take up at home, a tale about previous school closures, a feature detailing how local folk can enrol to become life-savers, an update on Chesterfield Canal progress… and readers can learn why a former local headmistress used to remove her teeth in class!”

To read this special edition of Twist / Wings, click here.

Last year, Twist Magazine delivered the 100th edition of Twist. Heron Publications are also responsible for Active8, delivered in south Sheffield, and the Dronfield Eye.

Click here to find out more about Twist Magazine

Click here to view the online publication

Click the image above to view the online publication

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