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Ashgate Hospice to launch 1st ever Superhero Night Walk at Queen’s Park

Ashgate Hospice is set to host a brand-new event in Chesterfield, with participants encouraged to wear their capes, masks and facepaint for the first-ever Superhero Night Walk.

The event is being launched following the success of this year’s Sparkle Night Walk, which saw more than 3,000 people take on the 10-kilometre course around Chesterfield in memory of their loved ones.

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 Tom Hodgson Photographyby

Sparkle Night Walk 2023 by Tom Hodgson Photography

Ashgate’s new Superhero Night Walk will take place in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield on Saturday 14th October, and provides youngsters with the chance to raise vital funds for the hospice.

Tickets cost just £5.50 per child and adults go free. The walk will start at 6:30 pm with doors opening from 4:30pm.

Among the hundreds of participants expected to take part in this year’s event are Molly, (10), Theo, (6) Jesse, (5), and Noah, (4) – who are walking in memory of their Nannan Linda Ellison, who passed away at the hospice in October last year, aged 65.

Linda’s daughter, and Jesse’s Mum, Liz Riley from Killamarsh, said: “Mum’s life was dedicated to her four grandchildren, she idolised them and helped to care for them since they were babies. The grandchildren adored Mum. She would always spoil them with treats and give them lots of kisses and cuddles.

“Having never been to the hospice before, she was worried that it wouldn’t be suitable for them. But she was relieved to find out that they had lots of family rooms that we could use so we could keep the kids entertained whilst they were visiting their Nannan.”

“The grandchildren miss their Nannan so much. That’s why they’ve decided to take on the Superhero Night Walk together and do something positive to remember her by.

“The date of the walk will be very close to the first anniversary of Mum’s death, so it’s going to be a special event for the whole family to get together.

“They’ve raised over £350 already which is amazing, and they’re aiming to raise even more so that more people like their Nannan can receive care from the hospice.”

Every participating child will receive a fundraising pack, superhero cape and a glow in the dark mask to wear whilst taking part in the event.

Sign up or find out more about the event by going to www.ashgatehospice.org.uk/superhero-night-walk-2023 or calling 01246 567250.

Ashgate Hospice supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

QueensParkTaraUnderhill

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Chesterfield showcased in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards

Chesterfield businesses and organisations have made the prestigious shortlist for the 2023 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards.

14 category awards are up for grabs to recognise the incredible apprenticeship network across the region.

Brookfield Community School, Dalton Roofing, Central Technology and Chesterfield Royal Hospital are among the Chesterfield firms to make the final shortlist:

  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Alfie Wooldridge Derby City Council; Franchescia Davies Buxton & Leek College; Jordan Pirie Brookfield Community School; Olivia Scane HM Land Registry
  • Higher Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Nottingham Trent University: Alison Liles The Gables Residential Care Home; Sarah Westwood BWB Consulting;
  • Degree Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by University of Nottingham; Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Mia Outram No7 Beauty Company; Stuart Rendall Continental Engineering Services
  • Construction Apprentice of the Year: Avikaash Manon Derby Homes; Ben Wilcox BWB Consulting; Eddy Palethorpe Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; William Thompson Dalton Roofing
  • Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year: To be announced
  • Professional Services Apprentice of the Year: Eleanor Ancliffe Reach Separations; Jacob Whitty Crawford & Co Surveyors; Lloyd Dabell Crawford & Co Surveyors; Megan Tuohy Crawford & Co Surveyors.
  • Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Auto Windscreens: Holly Johnson Derby Homes Ltd; Jade Smith St Albans Medical centre; Poppie Staden Blythe House Hospice Care and Helen’s Trust.
  • Technology and Digital Apprentice of the Year, Sponsored by Aim Qualifications Group: Arron Faulkner E.ON UK; Connell Parker E.ON UK; Hannah Jones Experian; James Bennington BWB ConsultingJames Cox Central Technology; Joe Hawksworth Althaus Digital.
  • Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Greatest Hits FM: Janet Quinlan-Jones Sort Legal; Kiera Bailey Reach Separations; Sarah Walker BWB Consulting; Sophie Bancroft – Employee Development Manager Derby Homes Limited; Waqas Matloob Althaus Digital.
  • Diversity & Inclusion Award: Auto Windscreens; Broxtowe Borough Council;
  • SME Employer of the Year: Sponsored by EMAAN; Crawford & Co Surveyors; Dalton Roofing; Project D; Sort Legal.
  • Large Employer of the Year: Broxtowe Borough Council; BWB Consulting; Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Derby Homes Ltd; Experian; Motus Commercials; Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust;
  • Training Provider/Programme of the Year: Althaus Digital; Auto Windscreens; JTL

East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network are headline sponsors of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards with a special focus on the SME Employer of the Year award category, which is open to businesses with up to 249 employees, which offer an apprenticeship programme.

The awards night is set to be held at The Village Hotel, Nottingham on Thursday 6th October.

For further information and to purchase your tickets to attend the event – visit the event website www.dnapprenticeshipawards.co.uk.

Dalton Roofing, Central Technology and Chesterfield Royal Hospital support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

DERBYSHIRE-NOTTS-APPRENTICE 2022

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Chesterfield Champions announce new team members, mergers and collaborations

Businesses in the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are continuing to grow.

Recently, several businesses have added new members to their teams. Meanwhile, firms have also announced collaborations, mergers and even growth in international export markets.

Find out about the latest news from businesses in Chesterfield below.

Franklin & Sons announces international partnership

Global Brands‘ Franklin & Sons beverage range has announced an exclusive partnership with De Monnik Dranken (DMD), a leading firm in the Dutch drinks market.

The partnership will enable Franklin & Sons’ mixer products to pair alongside DMD’s range of spirits. The company posted the update on it’s LinkedIn page:

Chesterfield’s SMH Group strengthens presence in Leeds

SMH BCL Accountants has announced a merger with D’Arcy Howard & Co, a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants in Leeds. This strategic partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance client services, expand business development opportunities, and ensure sustained growth for the future.

The merger took place on 1st July 2023, resulting in the formation of a new entity called SMH D’Arcy Howard & Co Limited. The integration of the two firms brings together a wealth of expertise and resources to offer an extensive range of services from the newly consolidated office.

Stacey Pocklington, Partner and Director of SMH BCL Accountants, adds: “We are thrilled to welcome D’Arcy Howard into the SMH family. By combining our strengths and expertise, we are better positioned to deliver a seamless service to our valued clients.”

Fellow Chesterfield Champion business, CMP Legal were also involved by providing legal advice on the transaction.

Workpays and the Education and Training Foundation Join Forces to Enhance Staff Training

Workpays and the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) held a recent meeting to discuss the importance of allowing staff members to grow their own skills through training.

The ETF aims to improve the quality of teaching and leadership in the further education and training sector. To do this, they look to give more training opportunities to independent providers.

Workpays strongly believes in developing its own people and are excited to have even more opportunities for its staff to pursue continuous professional development.

Director of Excellence, Kevin Dowson, organised the day to demonstrate the important role we play in the FE system.

He said: “Workpays delivers a wide range of courses to help people enter a working environment and develop the skills and knowledge that they need. This can be through the development of literacy and numeracy skills, the provision of vocational training, such as construction or health and care, or specific technical training through our apprenticeship programmes.

“It was great to meet with Katerina, CEO of the ETF, as she understands just how important Workpays’ position in the sector is. We look forward to continuing to work with the ETF and build on our workforce development plans by investing in the professional development of our employees.”

BRM Solicitors appoints new Dispute Team Director

BRM Lewis Hastie

Regional law firm BRM Solicitors has appointed Lewis Hastie as a Director of its Dispute Team

Lewis joins the firm with more than 14 years’ post qualified experience, specialising predominantly in contentious probate cases and acting in contentious Court of Protection proceedings.

Strengthening both the Dispute and Private Client teams, Lewis joins at a time of expansion for the departments.

Lewis said: “I am very excited to be joining BRM, a firm that is expanding quickly and is fully committed to providing the best possible service for its clients, really going above and beyond for them. I look forward to bringing my strong experience in contentious probate and contentious Court of Protection cases to the firm and positively contributing to the firm’s vision for the future.”

“I look forward to working with the team and helping to expand its growing client base, building on the excellent progress it has made.”

Central Technology announces new Sales Director

Central Technology Steve Dono

Chesterfield’s Central Technology has announced the appointment of Steve Dono to its leadership team.

Steve brings with him a wealth of expertise, having previously held pivotal roles as Sales Director in major IT companies. His impressive track record in sales leadership and business development within the Telecoms and IT industry makes him an invaluable addition to the Central Technology team.

Steve Dono’s entrance marks a pivotal moment in Central Technology’s journey, promising an era of growth, innovation, and collaboration. With his leadership skills, coupled with his rich experience and commitment to excellence, the company is looking forwards to a successful 2024 and beyond.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve said: “What truly drew me in was the strength of the Senior Management Team (SMT). A robust leadership team is essential for any organisation’s growth, and CT’s cohesive blend of knowledge, experience, and united purpose resonated profoundly with me.

“Central Technology boasts a commendable 20-year legacy of customer loyalty, built upon consistent service delivery. However, both CT and the IT & Telecoms industry have evolved rapidly. Our commitment to service excellence remains unwavering.”

Former Tupton Hall Student Lucy celebrates A Level success with DBCP apprenticeship

Lucy Jones - DBCP

A former Tupton Hall Sixth Form student is celebrating her A level success by embarking on an apprenticeship.

Lucy Jones, who achieved three A’ Levels last week, including an A in Art, has secured a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with DBCP, the leading provider of building control services across Derbyshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.

She has joined DBCP’s Chesterfield-based technical team supporting the company’s team of building inspectors.

She explained: “I am really excited to start my career at DBCP. University wasn’t for me; I wanted to get a job and start working immediately. DBCP has given me the opportunity to continue my learning with an apprenticeship. There is also the option to go on and do a degree level apprenticeship in building control and eventually become an inspector which really appeals to me.”

DBCP’s long-running apprenticeship programme is helping the business attract local young people who want to progress their careers within the field of building control. The company currently employs seven apprentices who are at different stages of their training, including degree level.

David Pratt, Building Control Manager at DBCP, welcomed Lucy to the business saying: “Apprentices like Lucy, are key to the building control industry addressing its current skills shortage. We’re delighted to have Lucy onboard and very much hope she chooses to build her career within the field of building control beyond her level 3 apprenticeship. There are many opportunities at DBCP and within the industry to build a long and very rewarding career.”

New Finance Director appointed at Hopkinson Waste Management

Hopkinson Waste Jules and Adam

Adam Hadfield has officially joined Chesterfield-based Hopkinson Waste Management’s finance team.

The appointment has been announced as the firm begins its second year of ownership with some very ambitious growth plans.

The company’s Managing Director, Jules Gaynor commented: “Adam is joining us at a crucial time. We’ve grown massively in year one, but the next year will be lift-off as we are ideally placed to provide waste management and recycling services as Chesterfield’s own growth plans are realised.”

Adam added: “The Hopkinson growth plans are simply stunning. A 32-acre fully permitted waste and recycling centre in Chesterfield is a hidden gem. We have instant capacity to treble our operation in size.

“Balancing the financials will be my job. Jules is freed up now to do the business development work with Natalie Hirst, our Head of Commercial. I’m thrilled to be here, it’s an amazing place to work with a totally unique culture.”

The businesses featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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£1.9m funding announced for new leisure centre in Clay Cross

North East Derbyshire District Council has announced a £1.9m funding boost from Sport England as part of the development of the new Clay Cross Active Leisure Centre.

Sport England has been working closely with North East Derbyshire District Council for more than 8 years, assisting with strategy work, playing a key part as active members of the Clay Cross Town Board and generally supporting the development of the new facility which will replace the current sports centre at Sharley Park.

The £1.9m funding will go towards delivering the project, which will boast a range of sport, wellness and community assets:

  • 6 lane x 25m pool & spectator seating
  • Teaching Pool
  • 4 badminton court sports hall
  • 100 station fitness suite,
  • 2 studios, (1 group exercise, 1 group cycling)
  • Treatment room
  • Soft play & TAG active
  • Multi-purpose room
  • Full size, floodlit 3G pitch,
  • Citizens Advice
  • Clinic Facilities
  • Café
  • Wellness Suite to cater for people of all fitness levels, those less mobile, suffering from illness or undergoing post-operative rehabilitation

The facility is set to open in the winter of 2024 (timings estimated at this stage) and is part of the wider Clay Cross Town Deal regeneration and developments which will transform the town.

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Health and Leisure, Cllr Kathy Rouse said, “We are genuinely delighted to have Sport England on board as a partner and are grateful for their funding contribution to help deliver this fantastic project. Their support and expertise has ensured the new centre meets the needs of the community and includes learning from other new build leisure centres from across the country.

“You can see the progress being made on site and I can’t wait for Clay Cross Active to open. If you want to keep track of progress or see information about what’s included in the facility visit: www.claycrossactive.co.uk”

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place, Sport England said: “This is an exciting project that will enable a community to come together and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.

“We will continue to work with North East Derbyshire Council as development of the Clay Cross Active leisure centre reaches a critical stage, supporting in the construction of the facility to ensure the centre delivers on its promise of being a low carbon, low energy facility and a hub for all the community for years to come.”

clay cross active construction councillors and representatives on site

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Midlands councils collaborate to bring more EV chargers to the region

Local authorities across the midlands, including Derbyshire County Council have successfully submitted a bid for £39.3m for more EV chargers in our region.

A partnership between thirteen councils applied for funding from the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, alongside sub-national transport body, Midlands Connect.

Each local authority has been allocated an individual amount from the funding pot.

Analysis by Midlands Connect found the Midlands needs 17,461 new public EV charging points by the end of 2025 to meet the needs of the growing EV market and it’s hoped this latest good news around the Government funding will spur on more region-wide installation of charging points.

Estimates suggest the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points will also create an influx of jobs in the region, with over 42,000 related roles set to be created in the Midlands by the end of 2032.

In 2022, Midlands Connect together with five councils secured £1million of funding through the LEVI Fund Pilot and that cash is expected to attract an additional £2.8m of private sector investment to roll out 322 standard and 27 rapid EV charging points across the Midlands. Charge points are expected to be installed for this project in summer 2024.

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: “We are delighted the Government has allocated funding over £39.3m for 13 councils across the Midlands. This will really help the region to charge ahead of the pack.”

“This is a vital next step in our efforts to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the region ahead of the phase out of sales of new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030. This funding will improve the lives of those living in the Midlands, particularly for those who do not have access to off-street parking and may struggle to charge their vehicle otherwise.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Borough Council’s climate strategy, which outlines the council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, and achieving net zero for the borough by 2050.

electric car charging

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Support available to assist Chesterfield manufacturers in utilising digital technology

Businesses in Chesterfield’s manufacturing sector are being encouraged to find out more about a scheme aimed at helping them boost their organisations with digital technology.

Made Smarter East Midlands is a support programme which aims to help firms in the sector grow by utilising digital technologies, increasing efficiency, reducing downtime and getting products to market faster.

The project is supporting manufacturers which employ ten or more staff and are based in the D2N2 region (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire), along with Leicestershire or Lincolnshire.

The Made Smarter Programme offers ‘Digital Transformation Road Mapping’ to help companies set out their 3-5 year transformation and cultural change journey. The scheme can provide technical expertise, consultancy and grant funding to help implement the changes detailed in the road map.

Made Smarter East Midlands will support firms in their development, adoption and implementation of emerging technologies, making a real, everyday difference to people across the business, from the boardroom to the factory floor.

World-renowned businesses and the UK government back this programme, and a team of specialist technology experts can provide businesses with personalised advice, identify the right digital tools, and help companies make strategic and everyday improvements to their manufacturing business.

In addition, business leaders can advance their own skills with the Made Smarter Leading Digital Transformation Programme. Developed with Loughborough University, this programme enhances leadership capabilities and makes the transition to digital technology easier.

D2N2 LEP’s Sector Engagement Manager, Lucie Andrews, said: “I encourage local businesses to apply for the Made Smarter East Midlands support programme. You’ll get a real boost for your manufacturing, help in driving up your productivity and efficiency savings and receive support for your business to work leaner and smarter.”

Applications for the Made Smarter programme are proving very popular, so be sure to express your interest now to avoid disappointment. To find out more and take the first step towards digitising your manufacturing business, register your interest today.

Find out more about the benefits of locating your manufacturing business here in Chesterfield.

Manufacturing at Weightron. Two men working on industrial weighbridge with sparks flying

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Luxury holiday lettings provider becomes latest patron of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

A Peak District-based property management company specialising in luxury holiday lets and venues is the latest business to become an official patron of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

Coverland UK has joined a dedicated network of tourism-related businesses who share Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s core aims to grow the visitor economy and promote the area as a world-class tourism destination.

As a patron, Coverland UK will support Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s ongoing mission to increase visitor spend, extend the tourism season and boost overnight stays, whilst helping to grow the tourism sector in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way.

Coverland UK has expertise in purchasing, developing and managing properties within the Peak District and Derbyshire. Last year, the company expanded its portfolio to include Beyond Venues, a luxury holiday lettings and venues provider.

The Beyond Venues portfolio currently includes the impressive Bleaklow Farm at Hassop, a 15-bedroom venue with panoramic views of the Peak District National Park, meticulously designed interiors and a Grand Barn ideal for special events, celebrations, business meetings and training days.

Beyond Venues also operates several smaller properties, sleeping six to eight guests, including The Carriage House at Ashford-in-the-Water, a picturesque cottage ideal for family holidays and weekends away with friends.

Delivering top-class service throughout the customer journey is at the heart of their business, and many guests return numerous times for both business and pleasure.

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, together with Visit Derby, forms the Visit Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). Developed and administered by national tourism body VisitEngland, the national portfolio of accredited LVEPs work locally and nationally on shared priorities and targets to grow the local visitor economy.

John Jarman, Property Director at Coverland UK, says: “Beyond Venues loves the Peak District so supporting Visit Peak District & Derbyshire as a patron is a no brainer for us. We think everyone should want to visit the area and we want to ensure the Peak District delivers beyond our guests’ expectations.

“Our beautiful homes are only a small part of what we offer; our local knowledge, amazing team and stunning settings all add together to create a truly unforgettable experience for those that stay with us.

“We are so excited by the growth of the Peak District and Derbyshire’s tourism and hospitality sector in recent years and can’t wait to share Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s knowledge further with our guests.”

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “It’s excellent to welcome Coverland UK on board as our latest patrons, especially following the exciting addition of the Beyond Venues portfolio last year. Our beautiful landscapes, unique accommodation and warm welcome are what set the Peak District and Derbyshire apart as a destination, and Coverland UK are knowledgeable and experienced advocates for the tourism industry.

“Our patrons are a core network of organisations who want to see the visitor economy grow and prosper for the benefit of everyone. As well as maintaining our strong visitor offer, identifying new opportunities for growth – such as the meetings and incentives market – is fundamentally important to the sector’s future success.

“We look forward to working with Coverland UK and drawing on their expertise to help strengthen the Peak District and Derbyshire’s offer even further.”

Coverland UK joins existing patrons who are also part of Destination Chesterfield’s network of Chesterfield Champions:

Businesses interested in becoming a patron of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire should contact Lisa Woolhouse, Membership & Sales Manager, at lisa.woolhouse@visitpeakdistrict.com.

More information on Coverland UK can be found at www.coverlanduk.com. More information on Beyond Venues can be found at www.beyondvenues.co.uk.

Coverland UK and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

John Jarman, Property Director at Coverland UK, pictured with Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire

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Research shows how town centre hotel boosts visitor spending

Research has found that guests staying at Premier Inn Chesterfield Town Centre, which is located in the former Co-op department store on Elder Way, are each spending, on average, £79 a night in the local area.

Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hospitality business and owner of Premier Inn, carried out the research. It found that Premier Inn guests typically spend £137 externally on items such as entertainment, with £79/night (56% of the total spending) being spent in the local area within which their chosen Premier Inn is located.

The comprehensive study by Whitbread involved surveying more than 12,600 Premier Inn guests staying in 357 Premier Inn hotels across the UK within 24-hours of check-out.

Alex Flach, UK Development Director in the UK & Ireland for Whitbread, said: “From shopping to sight-seeing, local dining to local drinks, this analysis shows the positive economic impact of Premier Inn hotels on local economies across nations and regions of the UK.

“As a business, we are committed to using our scale and national footprint to make a positive difference to people’s lives and to create long-term value. We are delighted that, for the first time, we can demonstrate clear evidence of the economic impact our hotels have on the communities they serve.”

The Premier Inn Chesterfield Town Centre, which is located on the upper two floors of the former Co-op department store on Elder Way, has proved popular since opening, with nearly 90% of guests rating it as either excellent or very good on TripAdvisor.

The 92-bedroom hotel was opened in 2019 following the transformation of the upper floors of the iconic building by regeneration specialist Jomast. The hotel also benefits from the proximity of a secure car park, Saltergate Multi-Storey, which opened the same year.

Jomast subsequently went on to transform the ground floor of the building into eight large street-level units with contemporary glazed frontages.

There are currently a number of leasing opportunities available at the 21,761 sq ft scheme, from smaller E Class and Sui Generis Bar units of 1,420 sq ft upwards to larger units of up to 4,704 sq ft.

Joint agents for Elder Way, WSB Property Consultants and FHP are now marketing the units at food, drink, entertainment, retail and clinical operators.

Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director of Jomast said: “We have worked with Premier Inn to bring the hotel chain to a number of Jomast’s developments throughout the country. We recognise that having Premier Inn as an anchor tenant is very attractive to tenants of our schemes, and Whitbread’s research into guest spend in the local area supports this.”

Food and drink and entertainment were the top categories of spending for Premier Inn guests followed by non-food shopping and travel.

Whitbread calculates that spending by its guests on food, drinks, entertainment, shopping, and local transportation could be contributing £1.6 billion annually to those catchments that have a Premier Inn. This is equivalent to an average annual benefit of £3.3 million in visitor expenditure for local businesses in each Premier Inn hotel location.

Chesterfield’s businesses are set to benefit from further hotel investment in the town after the Holywell Hotel by Voebeg received the green light from planning officers recently.

Located next to the town’s well-known Holywell Cross or ‘Donut’ roundabout in the heart of Chesterfield, developer of Holywell Hotel, Voeberg, is set to undertake a £1 million refurbishment of the Grade II listed building.

The building will be converted into one two-bedroom and eight one-bedroom apartments for use as short-stay accommodation.

Emily Smith, Property Investor and Mentor at Voeberg commented on the ‘imminent’ Holywell Hotel saying: “It’ll complement other hospitality and retail businesses’ offerings in the town and we’re looking forward to partnering with many local businesses through the development and then the running of the hotel.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are aiming to attract more tourists and visitors over the next four years and there are a number of new hotel developments planned to support this growth. It is useful to understand how guests at hotels support our wider town centre economy and provide a boost for local businesses.”

If you’re a business looking to benefit from the opportunities on offer at Elder Way, contact Alan Pearson at FHP on 07587 133540 or Adam Mobley at WSB Property Consultant on 0113 234 1444, or visit www.elderway.co.uk.

Find out more about the wide range of benefits associated with locating your business in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Elder Way, Holywell Hotel by Voeberg and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Chesterfield Elder Way

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New community wellbeing space opens in Hasland

A new community interest company has opened in Hasland, aimed at improving access to heath and wellbeing for people in the area.

Kula is seeking to make yoga and mindfulness within reach to more people in Chesterfield. Co-founders and local couple, Bronwyn and Kevin both found benefit in yoga and mindfulness and are excited to share it with more people. The pair want the rewards of yoga to be available to all, regardless of experience, background or income.

Bronwyn explains: “We moved to Chesterfield in 2019, just before lockdown. Those two years were hard not knowing anyone, and as we’ve gotten to know more people, we’ve heard the same story repeating itself. People saying they want to meet others and saying they want to look after themselves better.”

Bronwyn and Kevin have a track record of delivering for the community. Kula is a for-impact organisation, acting in the interests of the people it serves. Profits are reinvested into the community, helping to subsidise classes for those who need it. Every class you pay for at Kula does two things. It helps fund subsidised passes, and it helps teachers hold regular ‘pay-what-you-can’ classes for all.

“We have tiered pricing” Kevin explains, “not everyone is in the economic position to pay for classes. Our Oak passes are the true price of classes at Kula, but we also have Elm passes. Elm passes are our effort to make access to classes within reach.”

Depending on your financial situation, you choose the right pricing for you. And if you can’t commit to a membership, you can drop in to classes or attend their ‘Karma Classes’ that are pay-what-you-can, between £2 – £10. As Kula establishes, they’re hoping to be able to offer more Karma classes on their timetable.

Kula’s mission has clearly resonated. They received an overwhelming level of support from the people of Chesterfield in their recent Crowdfunder. In just 5 weeks, Kula’s fundraiser surpassed their initial target of £1,500 and has raised £1,740 to date.

The financial support from residents has made the space even more warm and welcoming, and has funded the tools necessary to start helping the people of Chesterfield. The space is now stocked with yoga chairs and other specialist equipment that will enable even more people to take advantage of all Kula has to offer. Even though the official Crowdfunder is finished, they’re still accepting donations.

Kula are hosting an open weekend 22–24 September, where you can try a class for £5. These taster classes will be shorter than usual, at 45-minutes, allowing time to meet and chat to the team. Or, for those not sure about yoga, people are able to pop in to meet the team and ask any questions. There’ll be herbal teas, freshly brewed coffee and homemade cake to share. As space is limited, advance booking is required for these classes onto classes.

The venue will also be hosting plenty more opportunities to get involved, with a variety of classes and workshops coming up. If you’re new (or returning) to yoga, their 6-week Introduction to Yoga course is a great place to start. You’ll get an overview of the core poses and how to get the most from them. This will be running on Tuesday evenings at 8pm, starting October 3rd.

And it’s not just yoga & mindfulness, Kula is planning various events, like film nights, food nights, wellbeing workshops and more to help in bringing the community together. Find out more about Kula on their website.

Looking for a great location and quality of life for you and your family? look no further than Chesterfield! Find out more about the benefits of living in the area here.

Bronwyn Kula main photo

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Residents invited to share memories of Chesterfield pop culture for museum project

Chesterfield residents are being invited to take part in a new project that aims to involve local people in a celebration of pop culture and community memory.

Project REVERB aims to collect images, ephemera and oral history recordings which can then be used to inspire works of art which will form the basis of a future exhibition. Chesterfield Museum is currently working on the exciting project with oral history recordist and artist, John Hall from Artspace.

On Sunday 8 October from 11am to 3pm, Chesterfield Museum and REVERB will be in the Pavements Shopping Centre, hosting the first event which coincides with the Chesterfield Record Fair. As well as a place to reminisce and chat to the team, there will also be interactive activities designed to spark musical memories, including a large memory map and a fun badge-making activity.

Record Fair 2

Chesterfield Record Fair

John Hall said: “As well as the big names, Chesterfield has produced loads of its own bands, promoters, fanzines, and DJs. It has had- and still has- great independent record shops, and atmospheric venues that have supported the endless cycle of scenes and trends over the decades, all important to the vitality and changing flavour of the town’s pop culture and identity.

“We are looking for the evidence of all these years of local creativity – the stuff in the back of the drawer, in the scrapbook, or maybe framed on the wall. The stuff you just can’t throw away because of the magic it contains and the memories it can summon.

“Let’s see what you’ve got, and if there’s a story, let’s hear that too.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’re really excited to be working with John Hall on this project. Our town has a rich cultural history with a host of huge names performing over the years. I hope lots of you will take part in this project and help ensure that your memories can live on for years to come.”

Eventually the project aims to present an exhibition which draws on memories of the local pop scene using images, ephemera (collectable items that were expected to have a short-term usefulness), and oral history recordings to inspire works of art, photography, sound, and film.

The project team are interested in collecting digital scans and photographs of items including posters, leaflets, autographs, photos, tickets, record / music shop bags, fliers, locally produced records, live tapes, badges and more.

Booking is not required for the event on Sunday 8 October.

Hudson's Records Bag

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Santa’s Grotto to return to Chesterfield for the festive period

Chesterfield Borough Council has announced that Santa Claus will be back in town this Christmas wishing everyone good tidings for the festive season, and tickets are now on sale to meet him in the Grotto.

Taking place in the Market Hall’s Assembly Rooms, the Christmas Grotto will be open from Sunday 19 November to 24 December 2023 welcoming families from across the local area.

Tickets for the grotto need to be booked in advance by visiting chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/santas-grotto.aspx, by calling the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) on 01246 345777 (10am to 3.30pm) or by visiting the VIC in person.

Tickets are on sale now and families are encouraged to book their preferred time slots early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are priced at £7.50 per child. A maximum of two adults can attend with each paying child, so any extra adults will need to buy a ticket also.

Every child that visits Santa will receive a wrapped present and they will be able to talk to him about what their Christmas wishes are this year. Each time slot to see Santa will admit up to 10 people, over a 30-minute timeframe.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, portfolio holder for the town centre and visitor economy, said: “Meeting Santa Claus is the highlight of many families’ festive calendars, so we are pleased to be welcoming people back into our brilliant Market Hall grotto for 2023.

“Each child will receive an age-appropriate gift that will be gift-wrapped, making the decision yours if you’d like to take it home and put it under your tree.”

Don’t forget to bring your phones or cameras to capture some photographs of you and your family meeting Santa.

Find out the exact dates and times Santa’s Grotto is open in the Market Hall this year.

Three relaxed sessions will also take place for children with learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders. Santa’s elves will turn down the music, switch off the flashing lights, increase the background lighting and allow a little longer to meet with Santa.

Santa's Grotto 873x466

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, Visiting

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