Property and Construction

Innovative Construction Skills Hub marks official opening

An innovative new training facility which will provide skills and training to thousands of young learners has officially opened its doors in Staveley.

On Thursday 7 November Lord Burlington officially opened the Construction Skills Hub – an innovative approach to learning which aims to provide students with the skills they need to access careers in the construction industry whilst also providing them with experience to help secure their first job.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Devonshire Group, Chesterfield College, the University of Derby, Chesterfield Borough Council, and Toby Perkins MP, along with students who have been studying at the Hub.

Funded through the Staveley Town Deal, the project is led by Chesterfield Borough Council, with Devonshire Group providing the land where the Hub is located and Chesterfield College and the University of Derby delivering the education programme.

Lord Burlington said: “During every project we undertake, we always look for opportunities to add value and create a lasting legacy for the communities that we serve. We are therefore delighted to have been able to partner on the Construction Skills Hub on site at our Mastin Moor project. The hub provides ongoing opportunities for education and skills development that we hope will have a positive impact on the local economy for many years to come. We take our role in contributing to the long-term prosperity of our region incredibly seriously and are looking forward to seeing more local people supported through this programme in the months ahead and learning about the projects that they will be involved with in the future.”

The Hub has been operational for the last year with students initially studying at Chesterfield College before moving onto the site in Mastin Moor to gain experience of construction through helping to complete the groundworks and construction of the cabins which will be used as classroom facilities.

In year one 12 students studied at the Hub and another 29 have been recruited to study in year two.

The Hub provides training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, groundworks and electrical installation but in time will offer opportunities in retrofit and green technologies.

Over ten years, the Hub aims to provide careers insights, training and work experience for over 5,000 learners.

Chesterfield College Principal, Julie Richards OBE, said: “Projects such as this are at the core of how we operate. Working directly with key employers, the Skills Hub will support the students to develop the skilled workers required to meet the ever-increasing demand from within the construction industry. Sitting on the Staveley Town Deal Board I know the real impact this project will bring to the local area for years to come. I’m delighted to see our students so enthused, gaining the skills and knowledge on a working site which they need for a successful future career.”

The Construction Skills Hub is a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Action Plan and a key project within the Staveley Town Deal programme.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to officially open the Construction Skills Hub as it will help the skills people need to access great careers in our borough. This will not only help improve the local economy it will also have a positive impact on people’s lives as they will have more secure employment with higher wages.

“From talking to learners already at the Hub it was great to hear how this facility is helping them achieve their ambitions and I look forward to welcoming many more students over the coming years.”

The Construction Skills Hub is one of several projects that is being funded through the Staveley Town Deal. After developing a Town Investment Plan, Staveley was awarded £25.2 million to deliver this plan with a funding deadline of March 2026.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “It is fantastic to see this project in action – providing the opportunity for young people in Staveley to gain the skills they need to access careers is a key part of ensuring our objective that Staveley is a place where everyone can start, stay and grow is achieved. I look forward to hearing how the students get on and seeing them get experience on some of the other key construction projects within the Staveley Town Deal programme.”

To find out more about the Staveley Town Deal and the ten projects being funded visit:  www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/regeneration-and-economic-growth/staveley-town-deal/

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Summit celebrates collaborative approach to turbocharge Chesterfield’s business growth

Business leaders have outlined details on how Chesterfield’s collaborative approach towards regeneration is creating a perfect environment for business growth.

The Chesterfield Investment Summit took place on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at Casa Hotel, providing an extensive update on various projects that will dramatically increase jobs and prosperity across the borough’s communities.

Destination Chesterfield organised the event, which was supported by Markham Vale, We Are Spaces, and East Midlands Chamber. The summit showcased a range of transformative projects taking place across the Borough, many of which have been made possible thanks to collaborative partnerships created across the public and private sectors.

Delegates heard an update from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) on the East Midlands Investment Zone, which is set to bring hundreds of high-quality jobs in advanced manufacturing and green industries to the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site.

Speaking at the summit, Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, commented: “The East Midlands Investment Zone is a gamechanger for our region. Under the leadership of Mayor Claire Ward, EMCCA will help create 4,300 jobs and leverage £383m of private investment.

“Investing in the right places at the right times is going to be crucial to deliver the change needed to make this region the best place in the country to live, work and learn.”

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council provided delegates with an extensive update on the town’s wide range of current and future regeneration projects.

These include the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme, in which contractors are currently on-site carrying out transformations of the town’s famous marketplace and the historic Stephenson Memorial Hall Building.

Dr Huw Bowen Speaking at the 2024 Chesterfield Investment Summit

A further £20m is also expected to be made available to the Chesterfield Town Board as part of the government’s long-term plan for towns, with details of further development in the town centre to be revealed in the future.

In addition, the summit was updated on the progress being made on development in Staveley. Chair of the Staveley Town Deal project, Ivan Fomin said: “Developments are now underway with a £6 million project to improve Staveley Marketplace, ensuring it is a great facility for people living, visiting and working in the area. On top of that, the £4.41 million Staveley Waterside building is being constructed at the canal basin, complementing the wider restoration of the Chesterfield Canal.”

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Project

Other speakers included Ojay McDonald, CEO of Association of Town and City Management, Amy Revell, Director at We Are Spaces, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, Peter Storey Head of Markham Employment Growth Zone at Derbyshire County Council and David Wells, Director of HBD. Collectively, they called on delegates to continue building on recent momentum, by continuing to work in partnership across sectors to maximise the town’s potential.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Bringing forward investment is a collaborative approach and Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield have a successful track record of working with partners to achieve our economic plans.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council

“We look forward to both starting and continuing relationships to bring future growth. Whatever we achieve together, one thing is absolutely clear, all of our communities must share in the benefits of Chesterfield’s regeneration.”

To find out more about why Chesterfield is an ideal location to base your business, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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Chancellor gives the go-ahead for East Midlands Investment Zone

Chesterfield’s economy is set to receive a major boost, following confirmation by the Chancellor of a new Investment Zone in the East Midlands.

Rachel Reeves used her first budget speech to confirm the £160m East Midlands Investment Zone scheme, which will support advanced manufacturing and green industries.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority now hopes the funding will soon be made available to spread over ten years at three sites in the region.

One of the proposed sites is the Hartington site in Staveley, a site close to the already successful Markham Vale business park, just off J29a of the M1. The land set to be developed includes the former Staveley Chemical Works site and former Hartington Colliery site.

The investment zone sites have been designated to support growth in green industries and advanced manufacturing, with developments to provide a boost in jobs and economic activity for the area. The designated sites will provide a series of tax benefits to companies which occupy them, and the Hartington scheme will also benefit from Business Rate Retention mechanisms.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, welcomed the news. She said: “This is great news and I’m delighted the government has recognised the potential for our region to lead the country in green industry growth.

“The East Midlands Investment Zone will help us turbocharge our economy, attracting major investment and creating opportunities for businesses and residents and thousands of high- quality new jobs and apprenticeships for local people.

“As a combined authority we can work at a regional level to deliver opportunities like this across the East Midlands and make this the best region in the country to live, work and learn.”

East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward stood looking at camera with crooked spire in background

 

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield also welcomed Government’s confirmation of the East Midlands Investment Zone, adding: “Government’s confirmation of support for the new East Midlands Investment Zone is fantastic news for Chesterfield – paving the way for us to work with partners and landowners to incentivise and accelerate delivery on these key sites, to create more jobs, more business start-ups and more houses.

“The Investment Zone will bolster the council’s existing £2billion growth programme, and through the incentives on offer will create major opportunities to attract new green technology and advanced manufacturing businesses to these former industrial sites and hundreds of new high-quality jobs for local people.”

Find out more about the current investment opportunities available in Chesterfield, and why our town creates an ideal environment for business growth: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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Chesterfield Champions shine at Derbyshire Business Awards

Several Chesterfield businesses have been announced as winners at East Midlands Chamber’s annual Derbyshire Business Awards ceremony.

The wins showcase the importance of companies across our town, and the vital role they play in supporting the local economy.

Hosted by ITV presenter Emma Jesson, the Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards took place on 25th October in Derby. Awards were presented across 13 categories, in a ceremony accompanied by a three-course dinner and followed by live entertainment.

Kranlee Logistics, based at Markham Vale was a big winner on the night, taking two prestigious awards, including Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year.

Business of the Year is a special award, selected from any one of the category winners during the ceremony. The recipient then goes through to the regional and national British Chambers of Commerce Awards taking place in 2025.

Lee Wells (pictured), Co-Owner of Kranlee commented: “Winning this will elevate us so much within the industry and within the community. We’ve got loyal customers that support us so much, but this might expose us to a lot more customers.

“We’re all about service, all about personality. There’s the staff we’ve got working for us that that work so hard day-to-day, providing the personal feel that we give to people.”

The success for Chesterfield Champions didn’t end there… Chesterfield’s Global Brands were winners of the Business Improvement Through Technology award.

In addition, Laura Holland, founder and Managing Director of Dunston-based Ecotech Engineers, was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles added: “Derbyshire is fortunate to boast a wealth of businesses of all sizes that continually excel, further underlining the East Midlands as a Centre of Trading Excellence. Whether through innovation, approach to sustainability or superb customer service, the finalists and award winners this year were simply exceptional.

“The Chamber’s Derbyshire Business Awards bring together organisations from all over the county, across a wide range of sectors. To be able to network and build valuable connections over a three-course dinner, and at the iconic location of Pride Park Stadium made for an unmissable evening.

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients whose resilience, creativity and sheer hard work gave them this well-deserved recognition. I thank all those who entered, sponsored or supported the Derbyshire Business Awards and played a part in creating such a memorable evening.”

Do you want to find out more about entering your business into local and regional awards? Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/promote-your-business/

East Midlands Chamber, Kranlee Logistics, Global Brands and Ecotech Engineers 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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New canal bridge installed at Staveley

Staveley has gained a new impressive landmark, following the installation of the new Trans Pennine Bridge over the Chesterfield Canal.

The structure was lowered into place on Monday, October 21st. It spans 38 meters in length and weighs around 40 tons.

It replaces a brick bridge on what was originally the Great Central Railway. The old bridge was knocked down about thirty years ago and since then users of the Trail have had to go on a ‘zig-zag up and down’ route. They will now be able to go straight over the new bridge.

The project has been managed by the Chesterfield Canal Trust. It is the first phase of a £6 million canal restoration scheme. Most of the money will come from the Staveley Town Deal, a £25.2 million investment in Staveley through the Government’s Towns Fund, covering ten projects in all.

O’Brien Contractors readied the site and installed the massive bearing structures. CTS Bridges delivered the two halves of the bridge on 8th October. These were welded together and painted before the final lift took place. The rest of the earthworks and finishing works will now be completed ready for the bridge to be opened to the public before the end of October.

Trans pennine bridge chesterfield canal

O’Brien Contractors Director, Tony Mitchell commented: “The installation of the bridge marks the continuing works towards the reinstatement of the Chesterfield Canal and O’Brien Contractors are proud that we have been able to contribute to this.”

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal, said: “This is not only a huge milestone for the Chesterfield Canal Trust but also for the Staveley Town Deal. Work to restore the Canal is one of our key projects and will help attract more visitors and improve outdoor facilities for residents. There has a been a lot of hard work to get to this point and I want to thank all the staff and volunteers at the Trust for their efforts.”

Next year, a length of canal will be reinstated under the bridge along with a new lock and another accommodation bridge at the bottom of Bellhouse Lane. There will also be a pumping system and Bellhouse Basin will be restored. The towpath will be upgraded to a multi-user trail, stretching over two kilometres all the way across the Doe Lea Valley to Renishaw.

Finally, the whole area will be planted with wildlife friendly vegetation and a seating area will be installed for people to enjoy the tranquillity of the newly restored canal. You will be able to follow the progress of the works as they happen by going to the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s website.

Rod Auton, Publicity Officer for the Chesterfield Canal Trust, said: “This is an incredibly important achievement for the Trust. It proves to our supporters and to potential funders that we can take on huge engineering challenges and bring them to fruition. We owe a great debt of thanks to our Development Manager, George Rogers, who has been working on the whole project for four years, and to Jon Lindley of Beyond consultants who has managed the bridge project with O’Brien’s.”

Chesterfield Canal Trust supports 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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Further award success for Dalton Roofing

Chesterfield’s Dalton Roofing continues its year of successful award wins, picking up the Family Business of the Year accolade at the 2024 East Midlands Business Masters Awards.

The ceremony was hosted by regional business news website The Business Desk and held at Nottingham’s Crowne Plaza Hotel. It saw business leaders and executives from across the region celebrating some of the biggest success stories across the East Midlands.

The latest win for Dalton Roofing is the latest in a long list off successes in 2024, with several nominations across various national and regional awards.

Philip Dalton, the owner of Dalton Roofing commented: “I have a phenomenal family, who mean everything to me, and I have an amazing work force who are our extended family and we wouldn’t be where we are today without the hard work and dedication from everyone.”

“Some of our core values are teamwork, professionalism, development, and training, being passionate about giving our customers the best possible customer service experience.”

TheBusinessDesk.com’s East Midlands editor, Sam Metcalf, said: “Tonight’s shortlisted and winning companies were part of another huge show of support for our Business Masters Awards.

“One thing the judges remarked upon during the judging session was the sheer strength in depth of the entries and I think this is the reason why the East Midlands continues to be one of the most economically dynamic regions outside of the south-east and the businesses in the room tonight play a huge part in making it that way.”

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

Glass award trophy placed on desk

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Work set to begin on regeneration of Staveley market

A multi-million pound regeneration project is set to begin in Staveley in November.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Staveley 21 project, funded through the Staveley Town Deal, includes the construction of a new landmark building in the town centre, improvements to the market square and rejuvenation of the high street. Together the works will help support local businesses by creating a more attractive, welcoming and safe town centre for everyone to enjoy.

A drop-in session will be held in Staveley market square from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday 23 October where local residents and business owners can come and find out more about the plans and the programme for construction.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This project will transform Staveley town centre and encourage more people to visit to support both existing retailers and market traders. The project will help expand the town centre offer, creating new opportunities for events and social spaces we want to boost visitor numbers and provide the space for local businesses to thrive.

“We’ve been speaking with local businesses and hosting drop-in sessions throughout the design process to ensure the plans are right and at this next drop-in session you’ll be able to speak with the contractor who is delivering the project and find out more about the programme.

“We’re trying to minimise the disruption caused in the town centre to ensure that businesses can continue to trade and will be ready to benefit from the improvements once work is complete.

“This is a really exciting project for Staveley and will help ensure that the town can thrive for generations to come.”

Stepnell who have been working to complete the town centre designs have been appointed to lead construction on the Staveley 21 project.

Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Staveley 21 will be incredibly transformative for the town centre and as a complete construction partner with vast experience enhancing public spaces, we recognise the importance of close collaboration with local authorities, partners and future users to exceed on these expectations.

“Early engagement with the local community is vital to ensuring the landmark building, market and high street can maximise their impact and we have made great progress since our appointment. Social value can be just as transformative to the community as the build itself, and the Staveley Town Deal will encompass this approach as we look to commence works.”

Works in November will begin with the removal of the disused toilet block on the market square.

In its place a new landmark building will be built that will form a new focal point for the town centre. Once completed the building will house Derbyshire County Council’s Staveley Library on the ground floor and the upstairs will provide space for new businesses.

Staveley 21 also includes the transformation of the marketplace to create an enlarged public space to support existing uses such as Staveley Town Council’s regular markets but also as a setting that can be used to host a wide range of new events to encourage more people to visit the town centre.

Proposals include new tiered outdoor seating to support outdoor theatre and performances, and natural play equipment to help make the marketplace more attractive to families.

Designs for the play equipment have been developed in collaboration with pupils from Staveley Junior School, who visited the site with Stepnell and took part in a workshop to discuss what kind of equipment they would like to see installed.

New paving, lighting, street furniture and planting will help create an enhanced atmosphere and visitor experience at any time of day or night whilst new signage will help connect the town centre with Staveley’s other visitor attractions including the Chesterfield Canal and Staveley Hall.

There is also a shop front improvement grant scheme for businesses based in the town centre. Up to 80% of the costs of shop front improvements like new signage, windows, canopies, and much more can be funded through the scheme.

Through the Animate Chesterfield public art project, Coralie Turpin has been appointed to work with the community and develop a new piece of artwork that will celebrate Staveley’s heritage and develop designs that can be incorporated into the new paving.

Coralie said: “I am looking forward to working with the people of Staveley, we’re planning some fun activities reflecting the local canal heritage and nature to generate ideas for the design. I’m excited to create a great piece of public art for the new marketplace that is friendly and interactive.”

Around £5 million of funding has been provided through the Staveley Town Deal, a £25.2 million programme that aims to ensure Staveley is a place to start, stay and grow.

Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “I’m pleased that work will be starting soon on Staveley 21, this is a key project in the Town Deal programme and will make a real impact on the ability of the town centre to attract additional visitors to support local businesses and explore the Staveley area. I look forward to seeing the plans come to life over the next year.”

To find out more about regeneration in Staveley and the developments currently taking place across Chesterfield, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/

 

Staveley pavillion building artist impression

 

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Progress continues on multi-million-pound refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall

The multi-million pound refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall – which will create a state-of-the-art cultural venue in the heart of Chesterfield town centre – is progressing at pace.

Representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council were provided with a behind-the-scenes tour to review progress and see how work to transform the building has been progressing.

Leading Midlands construction firm, G F Tomlinson, took control of the site last year and has been working to achieve the ambitious plans which include creating a single entrance to both facilities, an expanded theatre, a reconfigured museum, community spaces and a new café bar.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The building has changed dramatically since December 2023 and the work so far is starting to show how this building will feel when it is completed. I’m excited to welcome residents and visitors back to this venue once it is completed and think it will be a truly spectacular experience that we can all be proud of.

“This is an ambitious project for our borough and there is a lot of hard work still to do, but it will create a truly unique building where residents and visitors can experience culture and learn about the history of our borough.”

Group of people wearing hard hats and high visibility clothing outside building with scaffolding on exterior

Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased with how works are progressing for the delivery of the multi-million-pound sensitive refurbishment of the Grade II Listed Stephenson Memorial Hall and you can really see the pivotal stages taking place to breathe new life into the Corporation Street site.

“Once complete, the landmark state-of-the-art facility in the town centre will be revitalised with its expanded theatre, reconfigured museum and improved community spaces, bringing many new opportunities to the local vicinity for arts and entertainment.”

In the auditorium the changes are significant – the circle has been stripped back, with the decorative panelling being safely stored ready to be reinstalled once the project is complete. and new steelwork brought into the building ready to build an enlarged seating area.

Cut outs have also been made in the walls to create a new access point to the circle from the upper floor of the new café bar. New entrances to the auditorium on the ground floor have been created and a new concrete slab has been laid on the auditorium floor which will allow for the installation of a new air conditioning system that provides heating and cooling for theatre guests.

A new accessible lift shaft has been built that will ensure all guests can access every floor of the building including the circle which will include new accessible seating and the basement where a Changing Places toilet will be created.

On the Corporation Street side, part of the roof has been removed ready for a new Link Gallery to be installed. This will house rooms that can be used for events, school trips, and community activities, and as extra space during performance intervals.

As well as upgrading the facilities, much of the work is also about improving the fabric of the historic building to protect it for generations to come, and ensure it is more energy efficient. This has included improvements to the roof, where the existing roof tiles have been lifted, and upgrades to the structure, lining and insulation have been installed to help improve the thermal efficiency of the building and ensure the roof is watertight for many years to come.

Works have also included the cleaning of external brickwork and some re-pointing to restore the building its original splendour.

On Station Back Lane a new extension is being built which will house dressing rooms and a new backstage area to provide performers with modern accessible facilities. A new foundation has been laid and the blockwork in this area is progressing well.

In Autumn 2021 Chesterfield Borough Council received almost £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up fund.

A portion is being used to improve connections across the town centre and create attractive public spaces to support a range of events and markets. Work began on the Market Place earlier this year.

Around £11 million of the Levelling Up Fund grant funding will be used to fund the renovation and remodelling of Stephenson Memorial Hall.

The project received a further funding boost with £695,000 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme which will be used to install a ventilation system in the auditorium and create a new Changing Places toilet.

Find out more about the project and sign up for updates about the project by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revitalise

Auditorium being refurbished with machinery and building materials

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Summit to spotlight ‘once-in-a-generation’ transformations of Chesterfield high streets

Business owners are invited to explore how Chesterfield’s ongoing regeneration is set to unlock significant investment opportunities in the coming years. 

The Chesterfield Investment Summit will take place on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, at Casa Hotel, offering an extensive update on various projects that will dramatically modernise and revitalise the town’s high streets. 

East Midlands Combined County Authority, will address the summit, sharing their vision and priorities for driving investment in Chesterfield and the broader region. 

Mayor Claire commented: “The regeneration of Chesterfield’s high streets is a key milestone in the broader strategy to breathe new life into our towns across the East Midlands. By modernising and enhancing these vital spaces, we are not only improving the everyday experience for residents and businesses, but also attracting significant investment that will create new jobs and opportunities.” 

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and supported by We Are Spaces, East Midlands Chamber and Markham Vale, the event will showcase transformative works in Chesterfield Town Centre. Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive Officer at Chesterfield Borough Council, will provide updates on several key initiatives, including Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield. The project promises over £10 million in enhancements aimed at improving the town centre’s appearance, functionality, and flow. 

New layout for Chesterfield Market with contemporary stalls, heritage colours, Market Hall in the background, town pump a feature

Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, will discuss the evolving role of high streets and the need for adaptation to future demands. 

Attendees will also hear from Amy Revell, Co-Founder of We Are Spaces. Amy’s company is currently carrying out the extensive refurbishment of a Grade II listed building in Chesterfield’s retail core.  

She will be joined by Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, who will provide insights into the £6 million regeneration and revitalisation efforts underway in Staveley’s town centre. 

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield, added: “The Investment Summit is a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about all the incredible things happening in Chesterfield. With the multi-million pound regeneration projects currently underway in Chesterfield and about to begin in Staveley, this is the time to look ahead to the future of high streets and talk about how the interventions we are making will help ensure they can continue to thrive and provide a full range of leisure, retail and cultural experiences.  

“I look forward to welcoming local businesses and investors to the summit and discussing with them how they can play a key role in Chesterfield’s future.”  

To see the full event details and secure a place at the Chesterfield Investment Summit, please book online at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/investment-summit/

Dr Huw Bowen speaking at 2024 Chesterfield Investment Summit

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Calls made for government funding to unlock regeneration in Staveley

Politicians and businesses are calling for government funding to help bring forward the Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route (CSRR), to ensure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revitalise several former north Derbyshire mining communities is not missed.

The proposed 6km road would unlock the development of the former Staveley Works site for new housing, commercial units and community spaces, and also the former Staveley Chemical Works site for employment uses. Investment in the new road would also align with many of the projects currently being delivered through the £25.2 million Staveley Town Deal.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, Councillor Tricia Gilby, was joined by local MPs Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) and Louise Jones (North East Derbyshire), plus officer representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, and landowners Harworth Group and The Devonshire Group, on a recent site visit to discuss the enormous potential of the Staveley Growth Corridor in terms of new homes, new jobs, a new primary school and new leisure opportunities centred on the Chesterfield Canal.

Harworth Group and The Devonshire Group have both submitted planning applications to Chesterfield Borough Council to develop their respective parts of the former Staveley Works site, which if fulfilled could generate an additional £205 million of spend per annum into the local economy. In addition, The Devonshire Group is exploring how it can redevelop the adjacent former Staveley Chemical Works site for employment uses.

These proposals are dependent on the delivery of the Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route, which if constructed will also unlock other regeneration and development opportunities in the Staveley area, relieve road congestion and improve air quality.

The former Staveley Chemical Works site together with the former Hartington Colliery site are also earmarked for inclusion in the proposed East Midlands Investment Zone – where the priority will be to attract new green technology and advance manufacturing businesses and create new high-quality jobs for local people.

Funding for the road project is currently being considered by the Department for Transport.

Many of the region’s political leaders have signalled their support for the new route and the regeneration that would be unlocked by it, including East Midlands Combined County Authority Mayor Claire Ward, who visited the site in July.

Toby Perkins MP said: “The Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route is vitally important to the regeneration of Staveley and alongside improving traffic flows for everyone, it is likely to lead to thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new homes. It is important that money is found to complete the detailed land investigation work which is needed to provide certainty on the costs of the clean-up and construction. And after that we need confirmed approval that the funding for the road will be made available. I will be stressing the importance of this to the new Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, alongside our new Mayor Claire Ward and other local politicians and business leaders.”

Louise Jones MP said: “There is huge potential for the Regeneration Route to unlock the homes and jobs that our community needs. I’m determined that we grab this opportunity with both hands – I’ll be working with Toby Perkins, Claire Ward and our local councils to secure the funding we need to get the project up and running.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We couldn’t be better placed to realise the enormous potential of the Staveley Growth Corridor. The public and private sector are fully aligned in terms of their shared commitment to delivering 1,300 new homes and separately building a commercial estate that will support the creation of 6,400 new jobs over a five to ten-year horizon.

“Our collective ability to do this is however reliant on government support for the Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route and trying to secure this is a priority action. It is therefore very encouraging to have the full support of our local MPs and East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward.

“We want Chesterfield to be a thriving borough and working together as partners we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver long-lasting change and future prosperity for communities that are still recovering from the decline of mining and other traditional industries.”

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “The Chesterfield Staveley Regeneration Route is one of the most significant economic growth opportunities in the East Midlands. It has the capacity to deliver the government’s growth agenda by reclaiming brownfield land and facilitating forward jobs, homes and environmental benefits at scale, ensuring an old industrial site is brought back to life.

“With our partners, Chesterfield Borough Council, Harworth Estates and The Devonshire Group, we want to work with government to deliver this transformational investment that will bring widespread benefits to communities along the Staveley Corridor and join the dots with other strategic investments in Chesterfield and across Derbyshire’s northern growth zone.”

Jo Neville, Harworth Group’s regional head of planning, said: “The walkaround the site and the previous visits from the East Midlands Mayor earlier in the summer show real commitment from the region’s leaders to addressing local housing need and creating opportunities for communities.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work with our partners in Chesterfield to deliver at Staveley Works and hope the government recognises the strategic case for investing in this part of the country as part of its national growth agenda.”

Andy Byrne, Group Property Development Director at The Devonshire Group, said: “We are committed to helping bring the successful regeneration of this once thriving industrial heartland to fruition, so it is reassuring to see and hear the continued support of local politicians. With plans submitted and the support from local stakeholders, we’re raring to get started, so all that’s left is commitment from the Department for Transport to help deliver the new route and unlock this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Staveley regeneration route campaign - politicians viewing plans for new road

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Business community called to inspire future talent in Chesterfield

Businesses are being invited to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Chesterfield by getting involved with local schools.

This is an opportunity not just to give back to the community but to help cultivate future talent to drive Chesterfield’s economy forward.

Local businesspeople are encouraged to engage with students by attending careers fairs, conducting mock interviews, and participating in employer question-and-answer sessions.

Beyond these events, some schools are also seeking work experiences for students in years 10 and 11., providing them with invaluable insights into the world of work.

The schools reaching out include Brookfield Community School, Outwood Academy Hasland Hall, Outwood Academy Newbold, Parkside School, Springwell Community School, St Mary’s Catholic High School, Whittington Green School and Netherthorpe School.

It is hoped that links with businesses will provide real-world experience and guidance to shape the career paths of young people.

Keith Hirst, Headteacher at Brookfield Community School, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “There is no better way to inspire our young people and give them insights into the world of work than by connecting them with local businesses. Engaging in activities like mock interviews, careers fairs, and Q&A sessions allows our students to understand how businesses operate and what it takes to build a successful career.”

Mr. Hirst added: “We aim to support our local businesses in developing strong workforces. These sessions offer mutual benefits—for our schools, our young people, and Chesterfield’s broader economy.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the council’s Skills and Employment Partnership, echoed these sentiments, urging businesses to get involved: “It is vital that we bridge the gap between education and business to ensure our young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their chosen careers.

“Businesses have a crucial role to play in inspiring future talent, showcasing the diverse career opportunities available in Chesterfield, and preparing local students for their future steps. This is not just a chance to contribute to the community but an opportunity to connect with potential future employees, understand the emerging workforce’s expectations, and ensure that the skills they are nurturing align with industry needs.”

For more information on how your business can support local schools, including a list of schools and event dates, please visit the Chesterfield website.

Looking to upskill your workforce and boost your business? Explore available resources and support at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

Businessperson speaks to room full of school pupils

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