Home

Chesterfield chosen as home for new bridging finance company

Following his departure from Banner Jones Solicitors in 2020, Chesterfield solicitor Chris Sellars has announced his new venture and it is to be based in the town.

In a bold move Chris has left the world of law to concentrate fully on his new business Bridge Help, a bridging finance company which provides short term loans for commercial property deals.

Established in late 2018 by Chris and business partners Andrew Parker and Sam Wood, the company is successfully filling a gap in the finance marketplace by providing short-term loans for property deals where High Street banks will not.

The company has grown month-on-month prompting Chris to make the decision last year to leave the legal profession after nearly 30 years and focus on developing Bridge Help further.

Bridge Help provides loans from £150,000 to £10 million and has ambitions to lend £100 million per year both direct to individuals and through a broker network.

Already it has provided finance for developments throughout the UK, including Sheffield, Dover, Dundee, York, Hornsea and Norfolk. Bridge Help is fast becoming known as one of the best and most competitive commercial lenders on the market.

Chris commented: “Leaving Banner Jones was an incredibly difficult decision to make but Bridge Help represents an exciting new chapter in both my professional and personal life. For 12 months the business was a side venture however, the level of demand from clients in that time has shown me the true potential of Bridge Help.

“Together with the team I have recruited, I have the opportunity to once again develop a company into a leading name in its field. I am very much looking forward to the challenge.”

The company is based in offices on Hady Hill in Chesterfield and already 12, three of which are field based covering the UK. Plans are already in place for further recruitment in 2020.

He added: “I remain committed to my home town of Chesterfield. The town is an excellent central base for servicing projects we are financing throughout the UK.”

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home

Free swimming lessons to kick start 2020

Free 30-minute swimming lessons are being offered at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre this weekend to urge more people to learn to swim.

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging residents to secure their place at the open swimming sessions being held on Saturday 4 January 2020 between 9am and 11am where they will be able to find out more about the learn to swim programme and this valuable life skill.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We’re encouraging people to head down to Queen’s Park or the Health Living Centre and take advantage of these free sessions on Saturday, regardless of their current swimming ability. Learning to swim is a vital skill that can last a lifetime and is also a great was to keep fit.”

“The new year is a perfect time to try something new and we believe that these taster sessions are a great way to get you started.”

“Chesterfield has some of the worst health statistics in the country across a range of indicators, so by offering people the opportunity to get out there and try something new, we hope to encourage more people to get active in 2020.”

The sessions are available to children from 3 years at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and to children from 12 months at the Healthy Living Centre.

Those wishing to attend the sessions will need to book in advance by calling Queen’s Park Leisure Centre on 01246 345 555 or the Healthy Living Centre on 01246 345 666.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Superior Spas win top industry awards

Chesterfield based, Superior Spas, the UK’s largest importer and distributor of Hot Tubs, celebrated two major awards at the UK Pool & Spa Awards.

The awards acknowledged a company built on professionalism, motivation and customer service. The first award was the much coveted UK Team of the Year, which was followed by the prestigious Supplier of the Year, an award Superior have now been honoured to receive for the third time in the last 4-years.

The awards brings together the very best of the wet leisure industry and honour the outstanding work companies and individuals achieved throughout the year and 2019 was another standout year for Superior Spas.

Both awards showcase a fantastic company achievement within a very competitive UK industry.

Managing Director, Rob Carlin said, ‘I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all my team for the amazing work, dedication and commitment to Superior Spas. Rob continues, ‘2019 has been our best year on record for number of sales and development of the company. Our vision and success would not be possible without the outstanding team and customers we have. Gareth Ward, Sales Director of Superior Spas added, ‘we are immensely proud to win Supplier of the Year and Team of the Year. We couldn’t achieve these accolades without our great team and the support from our amazing partners across the UK’.

With a recorded breaking year coming to an end, 2020 looks set to be another outstanding year in the growth of Superior Spas, with the completion of a state of the art distribution centre and headquarters in Chesterfield.

2020 also sees the company portfolio increase, allowing Superior to offer more quality industry products that will further enhance the growth of the largest distributor network across the UK and advance further into Europe.

Superior Spas is the UK's largest independent distributor of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Chesterfield residents urged to recycle their Christmas waste

Residents across Chesterfield are being encouraged to recycle or reuse as much of their Christmas waste as they can following the festive season.

Chesterfield Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency in July last year and following this would like local people to consider their waste, what can be reduced, reused or recycled in 2020.

The majority of households in the borough have a blue bin and black box/caddy insert for recycling. A full list of what can and cannot be recycled in your blue bin can be found below.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant (below), Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Tackling the effects of climate change is a key priority for the council.”

“Reducing waste by giving more thought to the products we buy and reusing materials as well as reducing food waste are all ways we can individually make a difference.”

“I encourage people to take action to reduce, sort and separate their waste and to recycle as much as they can of the right items. Recycling is a positive way we can all make a difference and change behaviours in our communities.”

“2019 saw environmental issues come to the forefront with many climate related marches taking place across the world. We are committed to making a difference in Chesterfield and encourage members of the community and local businesses wherever possible to reduce waste and protect the environment.”

“A working group has been set up including representatives from the council, community and business to establish how we can work together to make a real difference in our community.”

“The council’s working group are developing a fully costed action plan that will be presented to a meeting of full council by March 2020”.

Please find below a list of what can and cannot be recycled in the borough:

Blue bin recycling

Yes please:

  • all plastic bottles (drinks, toiletries, cleaning products) remove lids and put in loose
  • plastic pots and tubs (yoghurt, margarine, ice cream, clean plant pots etc)
  • plastic food trays and punnets e.g. meat trays, fruit punnets
  • chocolate and biscuit tins (plastic and metal)
  • drinks cans and food tins
  • empty aerosols
  • clean aluminium food trays and foil (scrunched)
  • metal lids from jars and bottles
  • card and corrugated cardboard (flattened)
  • newspapers, magazines and brochures
  • shredded paper
  • catalogues and directories (including yellow pages, direct mail)
  • envelopes (no need to tear out the window)
  • greetings cards and wrapping paper (please remove all tape, ribbons and plastic)

You can recycle your wrapping paper if it passes the scrunch test. Before recycling make sure you remove any sticky tape and decorations such as bows as these cannot be recycled.

Christmas cards are paper based and can be recycled, along with their envelopes. Remember that any extras such as glitter cannot be recycled and need to be removed.

No thanks:

  • plastic bags e.g. black sacks, carrier bags, bread wrappers, cereal bags
  • plastic film e.g. bubble wrap, magazine wrapping, lids from food trays
  • crisp and biscuit packets/sweet wrappers
  • polystyrene e.g. packaging, takeaway food trays
  • hard plastics e.g. buckets, toys
  • metal items e.g. pans, baking trays
  • textiles e.g. clothes, bedding
  • food waste
  • food / drink cartons and Tetra Pak® e.g. fruit juice cartons
  • foil pouches e.g. pet food, coffee
  • Pringle tubes
  • wallpaper
  • nappies and general waste

In the inner caddy/box – 

Yes please:

All glass bottles and jars (rinsed out please)

No thanks:

  • pyrex and drinking glasses
  • window glass
  • light bulbs
  • microwave plates.

Please don’t mix glass with your other recycling materials. This could lead to a whole lorry of recycling being spoilt.

Find out more: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/living-here/christmas-and-new-year-20192020/recycling-your-rubbish-after-christmas

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home

Acquisition sees expansion for Aztec Oils

Leading industrial lubrication specialist Aztec Oils has completed the acquisition of the lubricant, pre-packaged fuel and contract packing business of Multispec Limited (formally “Caldo Oils”), for an undisclosed sum.

North Derbyshire based Aztec Oils manufactures and distributes high performance lubricants to a wide range of industrial sectors and is fully committed to building long term relationships with its ever growing number of world-wide customers.

The terms of the acquisition will see Aztec procure Caldo’s manufacturing facilities in St Helens (Merseyside) along with distribution operations in Newton Abbot (Devon) and Rhuddlan (North Wales).

John Longstaff and John Warner from BHP Corporate Finance acted as lead advisors to Aztec Oils with tax advice being provided by Mark Cooper and Katherine Taylor.  Andrew Fielder and Katie Ash from Banner Jones provided legal advice.  Funding for the transaction was delivered by Matthew Chenery from Barclays Bank.

Mark Lord, Managing Director of Aztec commented “This venture really excites us.  It gives us a great opportunity to develop our retail packaged range, offering both Aztec’s branded products, whilst at the same time growing our private label offering”.

John Longstaff, director at BHP Corporate Finance, commented, “we are delighted to have advised Aztec on this strategic transaction.  Caldo is a perfect fit and I am confident that Mark and the team at Aztec will maximise the benefit of the opportunities afforded to the enlarged group.”.

Andrew Fielder, director at Banner Jones, commented, “this acquisition will enable Aztec to further expand its offering to existing customers, as well as reach into new markets, with new products and an increasingly impressive geographic footprint.

“We are pleased to have been able to support Aztec with its legal requirements throughout the transaction, and wish the company every luck for the future of the business as it continues to grow.”

Matthew Chenery at Barclays went on to say, “It’s great to see Aztec Oils going from strength to strength, demonstrating a real thirst for expansion and growth.  We’re thrilled to be supporting this latest exciting acquisition which sets them up well to exploit future market opportunities”.

Aztec Oils Acquisition

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

Heathcotes achieves Outstanding rating at two services

Chesterfield-based care provider, Heathcotes Group, is ending 2019 on a high following CQC Outstanding ratings for two of its specialist residential services in Bridlington and Sutton, South London.

Previously rated Good, Heathcotes Larkrise in Sutton supports adults with learning disabilities and autism. The CQC report praised Registered Manager, Ridwan Ameerbeg, and his staff team for person-centred care which truly focused on people as individuals, supporting them to live life to the full and working with them to learn new skills, increase their independence and become more confident in everyday life. It said the environment was unique and creatively supported people’s individual needs and preferences. CQC inspectors added that “without exception, people were treated with compassion, respect and dignity by staff who built meaningful relationships with them.”

Ridwan, who joined Heathcotes as a Support Worker in 2010 and progressed to Registered Manager in 2016, commented on the achievement:

“I’m passionate about supporting learning disability clients and I want to deliver standards that pass the ‘family test’ – the quality of care you would want for yourself or your own loved ones. It’s wonderful to see Heathcotes Larkrise pass that test with flying colours. To have so many people – the inspectors, clients and relatives – saying so many nice things about myself and my team was incredible.”

“Heathcotes Larkrise has taken a lot of inspiration from the organisation’s guidance and the Groups’s core values as a person-centred care provider. Above all, my Support Workers are the face of Heathcotes Larkrise and, without their commitment to delivering quality care, we would not have achieved an Outstanding rating.”

Previously rated Good, Heathcotes Bridlington supports adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome who may have dual diagnoses and associated complex needs.  The CQC rated the service as Outstanding in the Effective, Caring and Well-Led categories, highlighting the role of Registered Manager, Becki Yardley, in embedding a solid structure of governance and a strong commitment to provide person-centred, high quality care which achieved excellent outcomes for people.

The CQC report praised staff for being passionate about providing a good quality service and extremely skilled in effective communication to ensure people felt supported and relaxed, which impacted on people’s behaviours and ability to build relationships with family and friends. It said they actively supported clients to increase their levels of independence and were creative and innovative at looking for ways to meet individual needs in line with best practice.

Becki, who joined Heathcotes in 2004 and became Registered Manager at Bridlington in 2015, was also delighted with the achievement:

“Everyone at the service is thrilled at the achievement and it’s a testament to the dedication, passion and skill of the staff here – their hard work made this happen. I’ve also learned a lot from senior management – they really back you and support your ideas in finding creative ways to improve the quality of care.”

Brendan Kelly, Group Managing Director at Heathcotes, said:

“Many, many congratulations to my colleagues at Heathcotes Larkrise and Heathcotes Bridlington on achieving an Outstanding rating. Their service exemplifies the standard of care that Heathcotes Group seeks to promote and support at every opportunity. It’s an amazing achievement – less than three per cent of care homes in the UK have an Outstanding rating, so really well done to Ridwan, Becki and their brilliant teams. They should be very proud of themselves. I know I’m very proud of them.”

Heathcotes Ofsted

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Council to share plans at community assembly

Chesterfield residents are invited to attend a special community assembly meeting to find out more about the council’s activities for 2020 and plans for the future, including how the council uses the portion of Council Tax it receives from residents to pay for vital services.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 7 January from 6.30pm at the Town Hall, Rose Hill.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, Councillor Tricia Gilby and chief executive, Huw Bowen, will give a presentation about the key issues and financial pressures facing the borough before hosting a discussion about the 10 per cent of Council Tax bills which is used to pay for more than 50 services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The rest of Council Tax bills pay for services by Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Police and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue.

Residents in Brimington and Staveley also pay for parish and town council services.

Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions of the leader and chief executive as well as Councillor Amanda Serjeant, the council’s deputy leader and Helen Fox, chief finance officer.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Spireites donate winter coats to the homeless

The Spireites have donated a quantity of winter coats to Pathways of Chesterfield, a service for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

Commenting on the donation, Kit Man Jason Baker explained: “I thought it would be nice if the coats could be put to good use and help people in the local community. ”

“I spoke to Keith Jackson from the Chesterfield FC Community Trust who contacted Pathways and arranged for the coats to be handed over to them. The work being done by the organisation is very important and it’s pleasing to know that the club can help them in this way.”

Matilda Towndrow, Volunteer & Activities Co-ordinator at Pathways, said: “The coats will be nice and warm for the winter and it’s really nice and generous of the club to donate them.”

“Often, homeless people can feel pushed out by other members of society, but people do have a genuine interest in homeless people.”

Pathways aim to prevent homelessness. Their mission is to eradicate rough sleeping in our community and to support those without a permanent home to obtain and maintain one. To find out more about Pathways, please visit www.pathwaysofchesterfield.co.uk.

Photo credit: Tina Jenner

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Home

Nominations now open for relaunched Chesterfield High Street Awards 2020

Recognising the changing face of the high street, the annual Chesterfield Retail Awards have a brand-new name and look for 2020 – the Chesterfield High Street Awards – as well as two new categories.

The popular awards are now open to almost every business on Chesterfield’s high street from shops, market traders, events and regeneration projects to estate agents, banks, solicitors and accountants.

The new High Street Business category has been added to this year’s awards’ line up to reflect the diversity of Chesterfield’s high street and is open to all non-retailers except food and drink businesses. While the new Future High Street Award recognises the physical improvements and regeneration of high streets across Chesterfield.

Nominations are now open in the quest to find the best customer-facing high street-based businesses across the borough of Chesterfield.

Organiser of the annual awards, Destination Chesterfield, wants you to say which businesses on the town’s high street are your favourites and why. Nominations are open until midnight on Friday 14 February.

All nominated businesses will be evaluated and a mystery panel of judges will visit businesses shortlisted in 11 of the 15 categories before the winners are announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 24 June.

The awards’ relaunch recognises the town’s exceptional businesses, people, events and regeneration projects that are working together to overcome the challenges of a rapidly changing retail environment.

Now in its seventh year, the awards have gone from strength-to-strength; mirroring the town’s economy.

Commenting on the relaunch of the awards for 2020, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The new 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards recognise the contribution that every business based on high streets in the borough is making in creating jobs, attracting visitors to the town, delivering great customer service and collectively helping drive the success of Chesterfield’s economy.

“I urge everyone to get involved and put forward their favourite businesses. We want to celebrate as many as possible in the awards.”

People can now nominate across 12 categories in the 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards:

• High Street Business of the Year
• Future High Street Award
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
• Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
• Best New Store 2019/2020
• Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
• Home, Gifts & Leisure Retailer of the Year
• Market Trader of the Year
• Independent Retailer of the Year
• National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year
• Best Town Centre Event 2019/2020

The 2020 Chesterfield High Street Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors, including Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College Group, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), eBusiness Works, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Peak FM and Q2 Creative.

You can nominate online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards until midnight on Friday 14 February 2020.

Information about the various sponsorship packages are available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/highstreetawards or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator, by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207207.

Nominate Now

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

Apprentice turns life around with Chesterfield FC Community Trust

Alice Hodgson, a football coaching apprentice at Chesterfield FC Community Trust, has explained how the organisation’s traineeship programme has helped turn her life around.

Alice, aged 17, joined the programme in February after mental health issues resulted in her losing her place at college.

She said: “I was told to leave college because I’ve had issues with mental health and I had a few incidents there.”

“When I came here, I still had a few issues, but I got over them due to the people who were here as they helped me. They didn’t push me away or tell me to leave if I was struggling.”

“I really don’t think I’d be alive without them because they’ve given me the motivation to see life for what it is again, which is great.”

Alice joined the Trust’s traineeship programme, which is for NEET individuals – those aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, education or training – and now hopes to work as a football coach.

“I’ve got such a strong love for football and I feel that would be a positive step for me,” she said. “I hope to become a fully-qualified coach and have a positive effect on people.”

“Kids bring a lot of joy to me because they are very hopeful and optimistic about things. One bit of reassurance from a coach or a teacher makes them feel a lot better about themselves because they’re always in need of reassurance.”

“Knowing that I could help someone in the future is what I want to do and I’m on an apprenticeship now, so it’s all going in the right direction.”

Scott Atkinson, the Trust’s Head of Education & Wellbeing, said: “What Alice was really in need of was something that was more than an education programme and could provide emotional support.”

“She needed something that could nurture her and build her self-esteem, confidence and resilience and develop her communication skills, to really get her believing in herself.”

The traineeship programme takes place over a 12-week period with new cohorts starting every six weeks. The next cohort begins on January 13. To enquire about the opportunities to take part in the traineeship programme, please email scottatkinson@spireitestrust.org.uk.

Photo credit: Nick Johnson

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Magnolia Barbering to serve alcoholic drinks following recent expansion

Magnolia Barbering, based at Chesterfield Market Hall, are the first barbershop in Chesterfield to serve alcohol on the premises.

The barbershop is now able to offer their customers a selection of draught beers, bottles and cans as well as soft drinks and tea or coffee. The shop has also been extended, taking over the empty retail unit next door to expand their premises.

In 2014, owner Ollie Ward had a vision of bringing a different style of barbershop into Chesterfield town centre. Alongside Andy Lakin, Magnolia Barbering was created and the shop has since gone from strength to strength. Three years ago, PJ Farrand and trainee Dan “Massive” Newman joined the team. Dan is now a fully qualified barber and works full time. Earlier this year Alex Bennett joined the Magnolia Barbering team.

The expansion has also allowed the business to employ three more staff members, KJ Nash, Rossco McKay and Sam Hague, each bringing their unique talents to the team. Now the barbershop boasts an experienced team of 8, all with vast amounts of industry knowledge and a range of skills.

Andy Lakin said: “We would like to welcome clients old and new to Magnolia and are really looking forward to what the future holds.”

Magnolia Barbering can be found on the corner of Chesterfield’s Market Hall, next to the Market Square.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Development, Home, Leisure, Visiting