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West Studios offers virtual office space in Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s West Studios, featuring a gallery, studio and meeting & event space, and home to a number of creative businesses, is now offering virtual office space.

The service offers a cost effective way for new and developing businesses in Chesterfield to take their business to the next level, at the same time as joining a supportive and established community of creative businesses.

The Virtual Tenancy offered by West Studios, for just £15 per month, not only gives new businesses the chance to have a registered business address away from their home address, it also gives them access to a whole host of other benefits including:

  • Access to an established creative community who work in the managed workspaces in the historic building
  • Use of the Gallery for informal meetings for up to 4 people
  • 20% off Monday – Friday bookings for the Meeting Room and Studio
  • A postal service
  • Exclusive tenant communications, offers and invitations
  • Details about the business will be included on the West Studios website, social media and there are opportunities to be featured in the monthly newsletter

West Studios is situated in the old Boys Grammar School on the Chesterfield College campus. It is designed to be a space to drive creativity and business growth, as well as to promote and showcase local talent.

To find out more about the Virtual Tenancy, contact the team on 01246 500799 or hello@weststudios.co.uk. For more information about West Studios, click here.

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

Markham Vale partner rebrands

Henry Boot Developments Ltd, Derbyshire County Council’s private sector partner at Markham Vale, has a new brand.

The company has overhauled its identity and will now be called HBD. This marks the first time it has done so in its 40-year history, after the firm boosted its pipeline from £1bn to £1.6bn in 2019. Whilst the company have a new brand and logo they still have the same driving ambition to create places with purpose. HBD will still remain an important part of parent company Henry Boot.

Managing Director of HBD, Ed Hutchinson, said: “I’m really excited about where we could get to. We’ve got some major schemes on the books now.”

“We are not distancing ourselves from Henry Boot,” Mr Hutchinson added.

“The rebrand is in order to reposition ourselves and make us look more current. Our people are first class. We will always be modest as a company, but perhaps we are guilty of being too understated.”

Following on from the rebrand, HBD has announced a number of senior promotions across its business which forms part of a wider strategy to deliver ambitious growth targets and continue to attract top talent.

Adam Brady, Vivienne Clements and Hamer Boot all become Executive Directors, focusing on city centre regeneration projects, partnerships and strategic employment sites, and investment & funding respectively. Their new roles will see them working across HBD’s seven offices.

Directors Julian Painter, John Cullen and Adrian Schofield all become Senior Directors, while Anthony Clitheroe and Harry Bunbury have been promoted to Director. Tom Wheldon becomes Director and Head of Yorkshire and North East, Justin Sheldon to Director and Head of Midlands, Dean Thompson to Director and Head of North West, and Matt Belshaw becomes Director and Head of Scotland. Nigel Munro becomes Project Director.

Along with individual promotions, the developer has created a new Executive Board that will comprise Ed Hutchinson, plus Executive Directors Hamer Boot, Adam Brady, Vivienne Clements, and Commercial Finance Manager, Wayne Wearing.

Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, said: “We have announced a series of senior promotions across the UK, which is reflective of the talent and expertise within our business. Our new management structure allows us to continue attracting top talent, while maximising expertise throughout the regions as we deliver an ambitious growth strategy.”

Click here to find out more about Markham Vale.

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

UKATA donates £5,000 to Mesothelioma UK

UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has become corporate partners with Mesothelioma UK and has raised £5,000 to support people living with asbestos-related cancer.

Statistics from the Health & Safety Executive released in October 2019, reveal that in the UK more than 2500 people die from mesothelioma each year, with a similar number of lung cancer related deaths, linked to past exposures of asbestos.

A cheque was presented to Guy Tewley, Corporate Fundraising Officer for Mesothelioma UK at a ceremony at UKATA’s head office in Chesterfield.

Guy said: “It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to work with UKATA over the past year and the funds they have raised will help us to continue to support patients, families and achieve our goals. We look forward in continuing this great partnership and working together in the future!”

UKATA’s Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans said “UKATA is a leading not for profit asbestos training association, raising standards in asbestos training throughout the industry. Our members train in excess of 200,000 delegates each year on the dangers of asbestos and how to work safely.”

“The corporate partnership with Mesothelioma UK allowed us to further raise awareness of the risks associated to working with asbestos, at the same time, raising much needed funds to help support patients and families.”

“The money raised by the UKATA team and members is a great achievement and I am very proud of everyone’s efforts to support this great charity.”

The partnership will allow UKATA to support the charity in providing specialist mesothelioma information, support and education, and to improving care and treatment for all UK mesothelioma patients and carers.

Click here to find out more about UKATA

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Featured, Home

Work to begin on Chesterfield’s new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Work is set to begin on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on part of the Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

Chesterfield Borough Council has appointed local contractor Robert Woodhead Ltd to build the new development for businesses, with work to begin in Spring 2020.

This appointment follows an extensive procurement process undertaken by Chesterfield Borough Council in which Robert Woodhead Ltd has proved successful amidst a highly competitive field of design and build contractors.  The good response by the construction market to this opportunity indicates there is a high level of interest for schemes in Chesterfield.

The new building will provide 32 high-quality offices in a range of sizes (26 to 120 square metres) over three floors.  It offers a shared reception and lobby area, meeting rooms, first floor break out area, bicycle store, shower and changing facilities, air conditioning throughout, lift access, internal bin store, kitchenettes on the first and second floor for use by occupants, individually metered power supplies, access control to all office doors, CCTV coverage to internal communal areas and external area.  IT fibre connection into building with maximum speed multi bandwith and Wifi is provided throughout.

Businesses moving in to the new facility will benefit from its central location, being in easy access to the town centre, Chesterfield train station, local buses and there being car parking nearby, and will benefit from having access to business support.

The development is estimated to take 12 months to build, so will be open for business in early 2021. Those interested in occupying one of the spaces should use the contact details below to discuss options available.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “The new centre will allow those based there to have access to in-house support services to encourage and nurture start-up and early stage businesses in a wide variety of industry sectors.

“The contractor appointed is based in the East Midlands, and as with all our contractors we will work with them in the support of the local labour clause promoting the use of a local supply chain and the employment of local people.

“The council declared a climate emergency in Chesterfield last year so being environmentally friendly in our forthcoming building projects is essential.

“This building has been deliberately designed to reduce its demand for energy and related carbon emissions.  Through this design we are looking to achieve a 39.11% reduction in carbon omissions and 41.28% reduction in annual energy consumption when compared with a standard building.

“The combination of building fabric design and efficient building energy management systems will help us to achieve these targets.  To demonstrate the sustainability credentials of this building we aim to achieve a BREEAM – New Construction Rating of Excellent.

“The location of the building in the town centre also ensures it benefits from proximity to a range of public transport services.  The building will provide shower and changing facilities for those occupants who cycle or travel to work on foot.  A building travel plan will also help promote more environmentally sustainable forms of transport to those using the building.

“The new centre will be the third managed workspace in the council’s portfolio, and we are seeking to build on the success of our well let Tapton and Dunston Innovation Centres.”

Leo Woodhead, Business Development Director at Woodhead Group, said: “Woodhead Group is delighted to be taking part in this exciting opportunity collaborating with Chesterfield Borough Council.”

“Our partnership will allow Woodhead Group to grow and develop our business within the local community.”

The centre will be developed on the same area that the archaeological dig took place last year, with hoarding going up around the site over the next few weeks.  It has benefited from grant funding support from the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund.

To find out more about your business being based in the Enterprise Centre call either Claire Cunningham or Hannah Ramsdale on 01246 345255 or email hannah.ramsdale@chesterfield.gov.uk or claire.cunningham@chesterfield.gov.uk .

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

Two new additions for Markham Vale

Following the completion of new deals at Wilson Business Park on Harper Way, two new companies have recently moved to Markham Vale.

QCR Recycling Equipment have moved in to Unit 5 along with their sister company Mypower Ltd. QCR supply balers and compactors which help businesses reduce waste costs, increase recycling rates and lower their carbon footprint.

After 20 years of waste equipment across the UK, QCR has vast experience with a huge range of waste materials and how to reduce costs. Their customers are so varied, spanning pubs and Michelin starred restaurants to the biggest retailers and manufacturers in the UK.

Sister company, Mypower, are award-winning designers and installers of commercial solar PV systems that help businesses of all sizes reduce their impact on climate change, whilst reducing their electricity costs.

This follows the recent announcement that Catering Projects, based in Waterloo Court, have acquired a second unit across the road in Wilson Business Park, as well as hiring four new staff members, including an Administration Assistant apprentice from Chesterfield College.

Discussions are progressing with three further businesses that are considering Markham Vale as the place for their future business needs.

Click here to find out more about locating your business in Markham Vale.

Click here to learn more about finding commercial property in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

£1.3m Revamp of Chesterfield’s The HQ office building

Asset and property company FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) is undertaking a significant refurbishment programme at Chesterfield’s The HQ office building, formerly known as Rowland Hill House.

FIREM’s refurbishment works – totalling an investment of more than £1.3m – comprise an extensive refurbishment of the office accommodation to include a Grade A specification of raised floors and air conditioning.

Keen to enhance the offering for employees choosing a greener commute, FIREM has also installed new showers and cycle facilities, to cater to those who cycle to work. The HQ workers will also enjoy a brand-new entrance and reception area with communal meeting rooms.

Formerly home to the Royal Mail, The HQ comprises an imposing four storey office building totalling 44,000 sq. ft. The floor plates total 11,000 sq ft and are the largest available within the town and wider region. With a pre-let already agreed for the 3rd floor, the building can now accommodate requirements ranging from 5,000 – 33,000 sq ft.

A spokesperson for FI Real Estate Management commented: “We are delighted with the works that are progressing at the newly revamped The HQ. This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to the building and the interest being generated attests to the strength of the location and the quality of accommodation we have been able to offer.”

Peter Whiteley of Commercial Letting Agents Knight Frank added: “We are delighted that works have commenced at The HQ. This is a superb opportunity for office based businesses to secure flexible, efficient and modern space, finished to the highest standards in an accessible location, close to Chesterfield town centre. The HQ can deliver a variety of suite options on new leases and we have already received strong interest in the available accommodation.”

The offices also benefit from 150 on site car spaces as well as cycle storage. HQ is located within a 10 minute walk of Chesterfield Town Centre on Boythorpe Road, just off the A61/A617 roundabout, and is within a forty minute drive of Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham. Chesterfield railway station is located on the Midland Main Line, providing services across the UK.

Click here to find out about locating your business in The HQ

Click here to find available commercial properties in the Chesterfield area

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Young people to have their say about how they influence county council decisions

Children and young people are set to be asked for their views on the best way for Derbyshire County Council to involve and consult with them on decisions that they make.

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet is to consider a proposal at its meeting on Thursday 16 January 2020 to carry out a consultation about changing the Derbyshire Youth Council (DYC) for more representative arrangements to increase the number of young people taking part in local democracy.

The DYC was set up in 2002 and has 36 members aged 11 to 19 voted into office by children and young people through the ‘Big Vote’ process every two years.

As well as hosting the DYC we also support a variety of other opportunities to encourage youth democracy including Locality Youth Forums, the Children in Care Council, School Councils, the Care Leavers’ Council and countywide locality youth forums.

An independent review of these groups carried out in 2018 identified that they were all valued by young people, but that a significant proportion of available staff time and resources was devoted to the DYC which in comparison only benefited a relatively small number of young people.

The Cabinet will consider a recommendation to carry out ‘The Big Consultation’ on a proposal for the DYC to be disbanded and replaced with a strategic network developed around the current School Council and other structures.

If Cabinet agrees to approve the consultation it would run for 12 weeks from Friday 24 January 2020 to Friday 17 April 2020 and gather views from:

  • children and young people
  • schools
  • voluntary organisations
  • youth service providers
  • councillors
  • children’s services managers and staff

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Young People, said: “We are committed to involving young people in our decision-making processes for a variety of reasons including the opportunities for them to learn about democracy and to help us plan services and make the best use of our resources by listening to what they have to say.”

“Young people have told us that the DYC is a great way to discuss relevant issues and make a difference, but they also raised concerns that it was not always representative and only allowed for a small number of young people to be involved and benefit from the experience.”

“That’s why we’re asking Cabinet to consider approving a consultation around a proposal which would focus resources on supporting opportunities young people think would enable and encourage more of them to get involved in local democracy and influence our decision-making process.”

Representatives from the DYC and some schools took part in an initial consultation to help shape the consultation options. The feedback was that it was ‘great to be part of the DYC’ but it was only available for a few young people and funding should be used to enable more young people to be involved in council decisions and that existing groups could be developed using technology to improve communication and connections between them.

 

And the issues young people were most interested in included:

  • the council’s long-term plans and how it is meeting its environmental responsibilities
  • how budgets are spent
  • the quality of schools and services
  • equality and diversity

Current DYC members were due to end their two-year term in office in March 2020 but that would be extended for a further year while proposals for possible future arrangements were considered.

Derbyshire county council are committed to involving young people in local democracy and decision-making and this is supported by legislation including the Children Act 1989, the Education Act 2002 and the Health and Social Care Act 2001.

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

University of Derby Business School awarded Small Business Charter status

The University of Derby’s Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter in recognition of its high standard of support for SMEs and the local economy.

The award from Chartered Association of Business Schools is also recognition of the work Derby Business School does in developing entrepreneurial skills in students.

The Small Business Charter (SBC) award is a national kitemark awarded by small businesses to recognise business schools which demonstrate excellence in supporting student enterprise, small businesses and the local economy. There are 34 business schools across the UK that hold the award.

Among the key features which earned Derby Business School its accreditation was its offer of internships and placements as part of its career and employability service.

The Derby Internship Programme, funded by the ERDF, engaged more than 1,400 students between 2016-2019, with over half of the small businesses involved giving students a part time or full-time role after the internship.

The association noted Derby’s superb teaching facilities and its community business links. Banks Mill innovation and digital studios are fully occupied by students, graduates and creative entrepreneurs, while the business school’s base at the University’s Kedleston Road site provides “a visual presence at the heart of the city”.

The University’s Careers and Employability Service was hailed as an “excellent hub of activity” which creates a fantastic environment for networking opportunities for both students and SMEs.

Professor Kamil Omoteso, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences at the University of Derby, said: “The confirmation of our Small Business Charter accreditation is fantastic news. There are more than 25,000 small businesses in Derby and Derbyshire, which is 88 per cent of all businesses in the city and county.”

“To show that our business school, with the full support of the whole University, has Small Business Charter status sends a clear message to the SME community that we are here to support them in their growth, to promote their activity as a vital part of our local and national economy, and to drive their sustainability. We recognise that at the heart of our University we have a body of students that are their future talent.”

Anne Kiem, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter and Chief Executive of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, said: “We congratulate Derby Business School on achieving the Small Business Charter award. Their commitment to offering a diversity of services to local businesses is impressive, and their team does excellent work to bring together business, enterprising students and other stakeholders across the East Midlands region. Their work in supporting student employability locally further speaks to this business-orientated mindset.”

The business school’s strong connections with stakeholders in Derby, have resulted in high quality events and workshops in the local area, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship in the region, some of which include FSB, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), CBI, Princess Trust, D2N2 LEP, Erewash Partnership, and Destination Chesterfield.

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Expansion for Markham Vale business

An existing Markham Vale business, based in Waterloo Court, has grown since their initial investment and have acquired a second unit in Wilson Business Park.

Already well established at the site, the addition of the new unit enables Catering Projects to continue growing their business. The company design, supply and install high quality bespoke commercial kitchens and bars. Their works can be seen nationwide for big brand names such as the likes of Nandos, Wagamama’s, Wahaca and German Doner Kebab.

The continued business growth also means a growing workforce; the company have recently brought an apprentice administration assistant into the business from Chesterfield College and taken on a further three full time employees in the commercial team.

In addition to the above companies, other businesses based at Wilson Business Park include; Direct Track Solutions Ltd, GB Bespoke Joinery Ltd, Drill Store UK Ltd, Gradewell Ltd, Magpie Beauty Ltd, Switch Electrical Supplies Ltd, GlobeBusters, LTEK Systems and Shotblast Solutions Ltd.

This year sees exciting developments on the horizon for Markham Vale after celebrating a very successful 2019.

Click here to find out more about locating your business in Markham Vale.

Markham Vale

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Derbyshire County Cricket Club apppoints Head of Talent Pathway

Daryn Smit has been appointed Derbyshire County Cricket Club‘s new Head of Talent Pathway, with the aim of enhancing the number of local home-grown players progressing into the first team.

The 35-year-old will oversee players developing within the Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with The University of Derby, working closely with the Derbyshire Cricket Board and local clubs.

Smit will now transition into his off-field role, bringing his 16-year playing career to an end after making his last appearance for the club at Finals Day.

He already has experience working with developing players, having captained the Second XI side which saw Fynn Hudson-Prentice break through in 2019.

Head of Cricket, Dave Houghton said: “Daryn is a tremendous young coach and he has shown great leadership qualities throughout his work with the Second XI.”

“With this appointment, there will be more emphasis on the Academy and the long-term goal of developing local players to play professional cricket for Derbyshire.”

Smit added: “My goal was always to go into coaching and this is a brilliant opportunity for me, at this stage in my career. To finish playing now to take this role is a small sacrifice to make.”

“I have had a long and enjoyable playing career, the club have been brilliant to me, so this is a chance for me to give back to them and the youngsters that are coming through our pathway.”

Smit will now be tasked with increasing the number of Academy graduates playing professional cricket for Derbyshire and, potentially, England.

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

BHP announces record month for client wins

The region’s leading accountancy firm, BHP, has announced a record month after winning 10 new clients worth nearly £500,000 in total.

The client wins, which include prestigious companies from the timber and flooring markets as well as the professional services and charitable sectors, are a reflection of the firm’s recent national recognition for the quality of its audit work.

Joint Managing Partner, Lisa Leighton, said: “We have seen a solid increase in demand for our services across the year but significantly in this last month.

“While we’ve been up against national firms, new clients have fed back that BHP’s approach and ethos have shone through and we’re particularly pleased to note a couple of private equity backed companies highlighting our rigorous audit approach as a decisive factor.”

In November 2019, BHP – which has offices in Sheffield, Cleckheaton, Leeds, Chesterfield, and York – scooped Audit Team of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards (below).

The award – run in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) – recognises BHP’s market-leading use of data analytics in audit.

Lisa explains: “We continue to push forward with initiatives to further add value in our audits and lead with technology.

“It’s important to us that we don’t grow for growth’s sake and we continue to devote time to building those relationships we’ve already got – this has always been fundamental at BHP.

“If you focus on what clients need and continue to provide a great service then this will show through.”

In 2019, BHP was recognised by the Sunday Times in their 100 Best Companies to Work For list – now in its 19th year, the hard-fought and nationally-celebrated list recognises the very best in employee engagement around the country.

BHP was also awarded Mid-Tier Firm of the Year and Best Employer of the Year at the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards, while its Professional Services team were recognised by the Derbyshire Times Business Awards.

With more than 300 staff, over the last 10 years BHP has increased turnover from £8m to over £22m.

Click here to find out more about BHP.

In 2019, BHP scooped Audit Team of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home