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Beat the Street Chesterfield concludes

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

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.

Chesterfield council houses homes building Brampton

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

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

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 27th 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

UKATA announces temporary video conference asbestos training during Coronavirus crisis

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging workers in construction-related industries and trades to make use of the time to upskill or refresh training.

In line with this, UKATA has approved its 200-member companies and individuals to deliver a number of its approved courses by video conferencing software, including Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, UKATA members are approved to deliver the following courses by video conference:

  • Asbestos Awareness
  • Asbestos Awareness Refresher
  • Duty to Manage – Extension to Asbestos Awareness
  • Non-Licensable Refresher (Delegates must complete a Training Needs Analysis prior to the training)

The move to temporary video conference training was approved during a recent emergency UKATA board meeting.

A number of quality control measures have also been put in place with members to ensure the training delivered continues to be of a high quality. To support the delivery of courses UKATA is also developing a new, bespoke online examination system.

UKATA-approved training providers are audited regularly by UKATA to ensure the training they deliver is of a consistently high standard. They are also authorised to award industry-recognised and respected UKATA certificates following successful completion of training.

To ensure that training can continue to be delivered by members, UKATA has also agreed to grant an extension period to members whose membership process deadlines are approaching.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA, which is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training explained: “These are uncertain times and we have acted swiftly to ensure that workers can access vital asbestos training and that our members can continue to deliver it.

“It’s a distressing time for everyone concerned, particularly self-employed people, but we are urging people to use this enforced downtime to upskill and increase their knowledge and awareness of asbestos.”

He  added: “The industry is going to have some difficult times ahead, from projects being cancelled to shortage of supplies, inevitably meaning works cannot be carried out, but the country and the industry WILL recover and we must all be ready to hit the ground running when that happens.

“UKATA staff are all working remotely to ensure that, as much as possible, it’s business as usual and that we can continue to support our members and the industry during these unprecedented times.”

To find a UKATA member in your area delivering asbestos training visit www.UKATA.org.uk,call 01246 824437 or email info@ukata.org.uk.

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

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

Coronavirus – Business support to launch from today

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will provide government-backed loans of up to £5 million to small and medium businesses.

The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility will provide a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for those large firms who need it.
A business information campaign has launched to ensure that businesses are aware of support available.

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus. Details of two new loan schemes are being confirmed and an information campaign launched so that businesses know how to get help.

More than £330 billion of loans and guarantees to help firms continue operating will be available for applications from the two schemes launching today – as the government delivers on its commitment to do everything it can to support business and manage cashflows during this difficult time.

For small and medium sized businesses, the new Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now available for applications. This scheme will help any viable business with a turnover of up to £45m to access government-backed finance of up to £5 million. Interest payments and any lender-levied fees for businesses will be covered by the Government for an initial period of up to twelve months.

The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each facility to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The scheme is available through more than 40 accredited lenders, which are listed on the British Business Bank website.

The Bank of England’s new lending facility for larger firms – the Covid Corporate Financing Facility – will also be open for applications to participate from this morning. By purchasing short-term corporate debt – known as commercial paper – the scheme provides a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for companies who are fundamentally strong but are experiencing severe disruption to cashflows, helping businesses across a range of sectors to pay wages and suppliers. The scheme is open to firms that can demonstrate that they were in sound financial health prior to the impact of Coronavirus. Companies who wish to use the scheme do not need to have issued commercial paper before.

A government information campaign has also launched today to ensure businesses are aware of the support available to them and how to access it. In addition to a new central website, the campaign will use media channels including radio, social media and television to reach businesses eligible for help.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “We are working round the clock to do whatever it takes to protect our people and businesses. That means that we are not only taking unprecedented action but doing so at unprecedented speed, because we know that businesses and their employees need help now.”

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “We know that businesses are in urgent need of access to funding during these unprecedented times. The Business Interruption Scheme will make it easier for banks to lend and businesses to borrow. This will ensure that credit keeps flowing to where it is needed, when it is needed.”

Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, said: “The Bank of England has taken a number of steps in recent weeks to support the UK economy through the economic shock caused by covid-19. On Monday a new lending scheme, the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, will open to help businesses manage through this period of uncertainty. Combined with steps taken by the Government, this will help companies through this difficult time and support the needs of the people of this country.”

This builds on the Chancellor’s announcement on Friday of further support for firms and employees, meaning that businesses should have the access to the funds they need during this difficult period. Further measures will be announced to ensure larger and medium sized businesses will be able to access the credit they need.

Links to the information provided here and more can be found on the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Derbyshire Emergency Relief Fund for businesses now in place

UPDATE 25/03/20: Applications are currently closed on a temporary basis – “We are currently processing the applications received so far as quickly as possible and prioritising self-employed applicants to ensure they are the first to receive payments.” Read more here.

Following the announcement of an initial £1m allocation, complementing the Government’s coronavirus funding packages, the Derbyshire County Council Emergency Relief Fund for the county’s smallest businesses is now in place.

Businesses with nine or fewer employees and sole traders will now be able to apply online for up to £500 in emergency support to help to cover the initial hardships that companies might have as a result of the pandemic.Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Derbyshire’s smallest businesses, particularly in certain sectors, will already be feeling the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The support available from the Emergency Relief Fund won’t solve those problems but might help those who face an immediate issue as a result of lost income.””The Fund is easy to apply for and one-off payments will be made quickly for successful applicants. Alongside this direct financial help we are pulling together a wider package of support in place to help companies access the millions of pounds that the Government has made available for businesses and more details are available at  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/businessgrants.”

The Emergency Relief Fund criteria and application form are available online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/businessgrants . Businesses will need to be registered in Derbyshire, be able to evidence a loss of income as a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak and fulfil the other criteria laid out online in order to apply. The Fund will be open until the 17th April 2020 and has a limited number of grants available.

The Government has already announced a wide range of measures to support businesses across the country including a business rate holiday and a range of grants. Details of this support is awaited and the Emergency Relief Fund is intended to help businesses whilst the national support is put in to place.

Businesses and residents can find Derbyshire-specific support during the coronavirus outbreak.

Click here to view our 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, Leisure, Visiting

National Trust closes parks and gardens

From midnight on 21 March the National Trust will close all of its gated gardens and parks to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres announced by the government on Friday, and tightening travel restrictions and public health advice.

At the start of this week the conservation charity announced that despite closing its houses, shops and cafes, it would work to keep gardens and parks open so people could access open space. However, the Trust warned that a fair weather forecast and Mothering Sunday could tempt people onto the roads over the weekend and National Trust sites would close if high demand meant social distancing could not be enforced.

Director-General Hilary McGrady said: “Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority. Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today and I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother’s Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.”

“We have now sadly taken the decision to close all of our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafes, to avoid crowding that puts social distancing at risk.”

“We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible.”

“Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.”

“Over the coming weeks our digital platforms – our website, social media feeds, podcasts and video – will become even more important, ensuring the places of nature, beauty and history that we care for on behalf of the nation can remain open for business virtually while we are temporarily closed.”

“We will also be ramping up our efforts to help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time.”

Information on which National Trust outdoor places are open can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chatsworth to close garden with immediate effect

Chatsworth has taken the decision to close its garden to visitors with immediate effect today (22 March) until further notice in light of the most recent government guidance.

The toilets will remain open today 22 March, but all public toilets at Chatsworth will be closed from 23 March. Chatsworth House, Farmyard and Adventure Playground were not open, and will remain closed.

Chatsworth Chief Executive Stephen Vickers said: “This decision has not been taken lightly. The situation is enormously complex and fast moving, and we believe that taking decisive action to help implement effective social distancing is in the best interests of all of our visitors and staff, and is part of the collective national effort to help contain the coronavirus.

“On behalf of the Duke and Duchess, and everyone as at Chatsworth, I would like to thank our visitors for their continued support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.”

As a vital food service outlet, the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop remains open, and everyone is working hard to ensure staff and customers are protected with social distancing measures, and maintain stocks and replenish shelves, so it can best serve the community.  More products are being added to the online shop, and local delivery and click and collect services are being set up to support those who are self-isolating. The café at the farm shop remains closed.

Outdoor space and fresh air are imperative to everyone’s wellbeing, and the Chatsworth Park and Woodland will remain open. However, Chatsworth is asking people to observe all Government guidelines regarding social distancing and unnecessary travel.

Updates will be posted when available on the Chatsworth website and social media channels, so please look out for these.

For more information, visit www.chatsworth.org

Chatsworth House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Barrow Hill Roundhouse and the Rail Ale Team issue joint statement

Barrow Hill Roundhouse and the Rail Ale Team have issued a joint statement regarding the upcoming event:

It is with the utmost sadness that we have made the decision to postpone this year’s celebration of 20 years of the Rail Ale Beer & Music Festival at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

This has not been a decision taken lightly in our 20th year but the welfare and safety of visitors to this hugely popular event as well as that of our staff, volunteers, traders and musicians is of the utmost importance.

As the country comes together to deal with the threat of coronavirus we must all do what we can to overcome it. Following discussions with all those involved in the organisation of the event – which was due to take place on 14th, 15th and 16th May 2020 – we have agreed that this year’s Festival will now take place on 13th, 14th and 15th August 2020, subject to the Government’s advice at that time.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies to all those who have already booked tickets for this year’s Festival. We are pleased to advise that you may use the tickets you have bought for May in August without any additional charges being payable. However, if you would prefer to be refunded, please contact the ticket seller. For online tickets this is www.seetickets.com who will be happy to help.

We also hope to reschedule the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event that was due to take place on 14th May 2020 and are in contact with his management team about this. As soon as we are able to provide an update on this event, we will contact all those who have already bought tickets.

The postponement of this year’s Festival will no doubt be a great disappointment to many of you – our incredible team of staff and volunteers who work so hard to make this event happen are equally saddened.

We were really looking forward to welcoming you all to the Roundhouse in May but are hopeful that we will see you all in August. You can keep up-to-date with details of the revised dates and our plans at www.railalefestival.com or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Barrow Hill roundhouse will also be closed until further notice:

We have made the decision to temporarily close Barrow Hill Roundhouse to our weekend visitors.

This has not been a decision taken lightly in the year that the Roundhouse celebrates its 150th birthday but the welfare and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is of the utmost importance.

We do not know when we will be able to reopen and will follow the Government’s advice before we make that decision.

In the meantime you can still keep in touch with us through our website www.barrowhill.org and social media channels.

Stay safe and take care.

The Roundhouse Team

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

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

Garden will open as Coronavirus hits new season at Chatsworth

UPDATE 22/3/2020: Chatsworth to close garden with immediate effect

Chatsworth has announced that the wide-open spaces of its world-famous garden and parkland will welcome visitors from Saturday 21 March but that the house, farmyard, adventure playground, gift shops and most of its restaurants will remain closed until further notice.

The estate farm shop at the nearby village of Pilsley will remain open and is looking at new ways of serving local communities, and particularly elderly and vulnerable people, by extending its home delivery service and increasing the number of products available from its online shop.

Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Derbyshire estate took the decision to restrict entry in response to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus. While the garden and parkland will open for visitors wanting to take a walk and get some fresh air, ‘social distancing’ and additional hygiene measures have been put in place (Read more here – Visiting Chatsworth and the Coronavirus).

Chatsworth’s 105-acre garden is famous for its rich history, historic and modern waterworks and sculptures, its Victorian rock garden and maze while the spectacular 1,000-acre park on the banks of the River Derwent was chiefly designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s. Parking charges have been waived at Chatsworth and nearby Calton Lees – entry to the garden is paid for but the parkland is free to all visitors.

The Duke of Devonshire: “The health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff is paramount and, in the end, that made it an easy decision to restrict entry. At the same time, with so much of the country in shutdown, we wanted to keep the garden and parkland open to visitors because they are big spaces and can still be enjoyed safely.”

“It’s a great shame that the treasures in the house will be closed and that children won’t be able to go to the farmyard or adventure playground but, under the circumstances, I’m sure they’ll understand. Everybody is still welcome to come and enjoy Chatsworth and we will open in full again as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

At present, the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials (15-17 May) and the Chatsworth Country Fair (4-6 September) are scheduled to go ahead but RHS Chatsworth (11-14 June) has been cancelled. All events, large or small, will remain under review and visitors are advised to check Chatsworth’s website and social media channels for updates before making any plans.

Chatsworth is currently undergoing the biggest transformation of its 105-acre garden since Joseph Paxton’s work finished more than 200 years ago. An undeveloped 15-acre area of the garden, now called Arcadia, is being replanted and reshaped by celebrated garden designer Tom Stuart Smith as part of a total 25-acre redevelopment area that also includes a remodelled Rockery, the Maze borders, the Ravine, and Dan Pearson’s work at the Trout Stream and the Jack Pond.

The project involves the clearance of previously inaccessible areas, large-scale structure installations, new sculpture commissions, the movement and addition of hundreds of tonnes of rock, hundreds of thousands of new plants and hundreds of new trees, as well as new pathways taking visitors into underexplored areas of the garden.

The garden is the product of nearly 500 years of careful cultivation. Although some points of interest have been replaced to make way for new fashions, the garden retains many early features, including the Canal Pond, Cascade and Duke’s Greenhouse. The famous waterworks include the 300-year-old Cascade, the Willow Tree Fountain and the impressive, gravity-fed Emperor Fountain, which reaches heights up to 90m.

Read our Supporting Local page here to help businesses across Chesterfield & North Derbyshire

Images credit: Chatsworth House Trust

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

Chamber reacts to Bank of England interest rate cut

Reacting to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to cut interest rates to a historic low of 0.1%, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said:

“The decision to cut interest rates to their lowest ever levels leaves us in no doubt as to the immediate challenges we are facing as a business community here in the East Midlands and as a country.”

“While the measures announced this afternoon may offer a short-term boost to market confidence – indeed the value of the Pound immediately rose as a result – it is unlikely to have much long-term effect unless it translates to tangible support for businesses on the ground.”

“It is imperative that the Bank of England works with financial institutions without delay to ease cash flow challenges for firms in these unprecedented times.”

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure