Property and Construction

Business park in Chesterfield with ‘great location’ goes up for auction

An investment opportunity has been made available in Chesterfield, with a business park which is already home to a number of tenants set to go under the hammer in early April.

The First Stage Business Park in Chesterfield, which is home to multiple light industrial businesses, has been put up for auction with a guide price of £1.1m. The business park will be included in the next online property auction held by Sheffield firm Mark Jenkinson, now part of Eddisons, on 4 April.

Comprising 17 light industrial units, the multi-let 3.3 acre site produces an annual rental income of over £109,000 and is home to a number of local companies. Metal finisher First Stage Machining; garage and repair shop Autofit; and MR Emergency Medical Services, which provides an independent ambulance service, medical cover for events and first aid training courses, are among current tenants.

Adrian Little, director at Mark Jenkinson, said: “This is a well known business park that’s in a great location on the outskirts of Chesterfield and close to junctions 29a and 30 of the M1. Occupancy levels remain consistently high and all 17 units are currently fully occupied, making this a fantastic investment opportunity.”

Bidding on the First Stage Business Park, and the other lots in Mark Jenkinson’s online property auction, opens at 9am on 4 April and closes from 12pm the same day. To view the full catalogue, go to www.markjenkinson.co.uk  

Mark Jenkinson is now part of property group Eddisons after it was acquired by the Leeds-based firm, which has 25 offices across the UK, earlier this month.

Find out more about the range of benefits associated with investing in Chesterfield, including the town’s ideal location, collaborative business community and quality workforce: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

Mark Jenkinson & Son supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

First stage business park

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Chesterfield reveals ambition to increase visitor economy by £32 million

Ahead of English Tourism Week 2023 (17 – 23 March), Chesterfield has announced its bold ambition to increase the value of its visitor economy by 20% by 2030.

A 20% increase in tourism will bring an additional £32 million into the economy annually helping create jobs for local people and opportunities for existing and new businesses.

The town will build on its heritage, retail and leisure offering as well as its proximity to the Peak District National Park, to increase the number of overnight stays in the town.

As part of its drive to attract people to visit and stay in the town, the town’s inward investment marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield has appealed to businesses and residents to ‘talk up the town’ within their networks and help attract visitors.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Chesterfield has an excellent offer for visitors, as well as the town’s close proximity to one of the most visited National Parks in the world. There is an opportunity for us to attract more people to visit and stay overnight in Chesterfield using the town as a base rather than just passing through on their way to the Peak District.”

The Peak District currently welcomes more than 13 million visitors annually with 83% of these arriving by car. Attracting some of these visitors to stay in Chesterfield and using its bus and rail links to visit surrounding areas, including major attractions like Chatsworth House, will not only benefit the borough’s economy but also support the Park Authority’s Sustainable Transport Action Plan.

Additionally, there are cycle paths into the Peak District, the border of which is just five miles from the town centre.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire praised Chesterfield’s ambitions, saying: “Tourism already plays a vital role in making the area such a brilliant place to live, work and visit, and we strongly support Chesterfield’s ambition to grow the value of its visitor economy even further.

“The tourism sector generates billions of pounds for the local economy each year, supporting thousands of local jobs and displaying huge potential for future growth, particularly in areas such as sustainable and active travel, which Chesterfield can really capitalise on.

“Growing and developing the town’s tourism offer will not only benefit local businesses, it will also have a positive and lasting effect on local residents and communities. We look forward to working with partners in Chesterfield to support them in achieving this goal and ensuring the visitor economy’s long-term success.”

Mark Thurman, Managing Director of Casa Hotels which owns and operates two four-star hotels in the borough, urged people to ‘celebrate what we’ve already got,’ saying: “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We have wonderful accommodation, great restaurants and fantastic transport links to bring people to Chesterfield to then go and explore the surrounding area. We don’t need to do anything other than celebrate what we’ve already got.”

The town’s proximity to the Peak District has already attracted major investment to the borough including the £300 million PEAK, an all-year-round round leisure education, wellness and entertainment destination. PEAK’s masterplan has been developed around a transport and mobility system connected to the National Park. Phase one of the development, Gateway at PEAK, which is being developed by Milligan is expected to be completed in 2025.

celebrate 2023 visitor economy panel

Experts discuss Chesterfield’s visitor economy at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023. (Left to right: Jo Dilley – Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, Phil Bramley – Derbyshire Times, Mark Thurman – Casa Hotels, Jimmy Drew – Derbyshire County Cricket Club)

The town is already home to the award-winning Casa Hotel and further hotel accommodation is planned within the £320 million Chesterfield Waterside scheme located close to the close to town’s mainline train station. The developer, Bolsterstone Group Plc, is in talks with major hotel brands to operate the proposed 120-bed hotel within Phase 1 of the scheme. The new hotel will be a further addition to the popular 92-bed Premier Inn Hotel which was opened within the Elder Way development in the town centre in 2019.

Increasing the visitor economy of the town is one of the key targets in the 2023-27 Chesterfield Growth Strategy which was launched by Chesterfield Borough Council on 23 February. In addition to growing the visitor economy, key headline targets, include:

  • Increasing the number of employee jobs in the borough by 4% (2,000 jobs)
  • Increasing the number of businesses by 12% (400 businesses)
  • Increasing the number of higher value businesses by 15% (100 businesses)
  • Increasing the share of Chesterfield residents in knowledge-based occupations by 15% (baseline Census 21 – 18,000)
  • Increasing the value of the visitor economy by 20% (baseline £163m)

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are already a fantastic visitor destination but growing our visitor economy strengthens growth across the borough, it leads to more people supporting our local businesses and town centre. This will in turn create new jobs and opportunities for our residents. To do this we need to work closely with our partners to promote our town, we have excellent transport connections, fantastic accommodation choices and our proximity to the Peak District puts us in a very strong position to bring more people to our town.”

Peter added: “The lasting and far reaching change we are striving for in Chesterfield cannot be done by one organisation alone; it must be a collaborative effort. By doing this, there is a real opportunity to build a thriving visitor economy in the town.”

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair – Image by Chatsworth House Trust

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Chesterfield borough’s parks, green spaces and play areas set for £1.32m boost

£1.32 million is set to be invested in Chesterfield’s parks, green spaces and play spaces as part of new five-year plan to further improve facilities for local people.

The Parks, Open Spaces and Play Delivery Plan (2023 to 2028) sets out Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to making sure local communities continue to have access to modern and well-maintained spaces for leisure and play, and to support people’s health and wellbeing.

Approved by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 14 March, the plan builds on the significant investment in parks and green spaces over the last five years – and also sets out measures to help achieve the council’s target to create a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Over the course of the five-year programme, communities will benefit from 18 enhanced youth and play spaces, and the council also aims to double the number of its sites that are acknowledged by the prestigious Green Flag Award – an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Projects to be delivered over the coming year include:

  • Improvements to play areas at Stand Road Park, Highfield Park, Ringwood Park, Cottage Close, Devonshire Avenue North, Thirlmere Road and Tapton Park.
  • The full renovation of the circular footpath at Poolsbrook Country Park which, at 165 acres, is Chesterfield’s largest park with miles of trails, extensive woodland plantations, meadows, lakes, children’s play areas and wildlife habits.

As the delivery plan progresses over the next five years communities will also see improvements to youth and place spaces at Pennine Way, Hartington Recreational Ground, Wickins Place, Stanford Way, Barnes Road, Heathervale Road, Manor Road (youth), Somersall Park (youth), West Crescent, Damon Drive and Canal Wharf.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield boasts a range of fantastic parks, play areas and green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy and we recognise just how important and valued they are for everyone in our communities.

“We also understand that having an opportunity to play and explore the outdoors is hugely important for developing both physical and social skills, so we want to provide as many opportunities for residents to do this as we can.

“It’s our aim to create a variety of sustainable spaces that provide people of all ages and abilities with accessible, quality, and fun opportunities for play.

“We are really proud to provide good quality parks and play spaces in our community, and this investment will help us to continue to achieve this. Last year was a record-breaking year for us, with five of our parks being recognised with the prestigious Green Flag Award – and we’re hoping to double this over the next five years so more of our spaces can be formally acknowledged.

“Last year also saw our beautiful green spaces, colourful floral displays and innovative community projects earn the borough a top accolade in the prestigious East Midlands In Bloom competition. We were officially crowned the winner of the ‘Small City’ category in September, the first time we have scooped the sought-after award and we can’t wait to build on this success over the next five years.

“Our parks and green spaces were a lifeline during Covid-19 and have continued to offer opportunities for people to walk, play and chat. As loneliness is reported to be on the increase, our green spaces are a vital resource in the drive to combat loneliness and isolation.”

The views of local people have helped shape the council’s plan for investment, following a public consultation on two new strategies – the parks and open spaces, and play strategies – last year. The aim is to make sure local facilities meet the needs of local communities now and in the future.

The Parks, Open Spaces and Play Delivery Plan is being part-funded by £158,500 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

It will also draw on funding from a range of sources including the Community Infrastructure Levy, section 106 agreements and Landfill Tax grants.

More information about plans for specific sites – and what improvements local people will benefit from – will be shared as the projects progress.

Queen's Park

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Work begins on new leisure centre in Clay Cross

Work to build a new leisure centre at Sharley Park in Clay Cross has begun, as the £24m transformation into North East Derbyshire District Council’s new Clay Cross Active leisure hub gets underway.

The new low carbon, low energy leisure centre, Clay Cross Active, will be a community hub, supported by Sport England, combining Clay Cross Clinic and Citizens Advice with leisure facilities. These facilities include a large gym, swimming pools, TAG Active, café, studio space and other activities.

Works have started on site and the first major change is the cordoning off some of the car park to the rear of the facility to enable site cabins and demolition works to be undertaken.

Construction is due to last approximately 24 months and during most of this period, Sharley Park Leisure Centre will remain partially open with visitors still being able to use its fitness suite and pools, however the squash courts and sports hall are now closed for the new build.

Fitness classes can still be attended by residents, and are now split between Sharley Park Leisure Centre, The Bret Club, Holmgate Community Centre, Pilsley Village Hall and Coney Green Business Centre.

“We’re thrilled to start works on the ground of the new Clay Cross Active Leisure Centre,” said North East Derbyshire District Cabinet Member for Leisure, Cllr Alan Powell.

“This is just what Clay Cross needs, after lots of consultation with our residents who said the old centre needed updating we are proud that works are now starting on site, building a facility that is state of the art and will be enjoyed for many years to come, delivering excellent facilities for all to enjoy in a safe environment.

Vice-Chair of Clay Cross Town Board, Charlotte Cupit, said: “We have worked extremely hard to deliver this amazing new facility for the residents of Clay Cross and the surrounding area and we’re delighted to see it start to come to fruition. As the shovel is now in the ground, delivery of the excellent ‘Clay Cross Active’ is getting closer.

It will be a fantastic facility for all to enjoy and is just one of many exciting new projects coming to the town as part of the £24 million Clay Cross Town Deal.”

clay-cross-active

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‘Substantial’ public support for regional devolution plans

There is substantial support for regional devolution plans in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, according to the results of a recent consultation on the proposals.

Local leaders are backing devolution to promote economic growth, secure more investment in our area, for more and better jobs, and for better transport, skills training, housing, and an enhanced greener environment. It would also mean more power in local hands.

Thousands of people took part in the consultation, which took place from November 2022 to January 2023. It was open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other employers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.

There were 4,869 responses to the consultation overall, from members of the public and people answering on behalf of an organisation. The number of responses was higher than similar consultations on devolution in other areas.

The majority backed the proposals:

  • 53% agreed with the proposals for transport, compared to 35% disagreeing.
  • 52% agreed with the proposals for skills, compared to 32% disagreeing.
  • 51% agreed with the proposals for reducing carbon and improving the environment, compared to 33% disagreeing.
  • 51% agreed with the proposals for public health, compared to 33% disagreeing
  • 46% agreed with the proposals for homes, compared to 39% disagreeing

The only area which was more balanced was in terms of the proposals for governance, with 42% agreeing and 45% disagreeing. Comments tended to centre around the need for a regional mayor. Having a regional mayor is a condition set by the government for a level 3 deal, which offers the most powers and highest funding.

The government has offered new powers to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, along with at least £1.14 billion of funding, through the proposed creation of an East Midlands Combined County Authority. A formal proposal was developed, outlining how devolution would work in the area, which was the focus of the consultation.

Historically, the East Midlands has often been an area of low government funding, compared to many other areas of the UK. If the proposals for devolution go ahead, a guaranteed funding stream of £38 million a year for 30 years could help to reverse this trend.

Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “It’s very encouraging to see the broad support for these plans to bring in £38 million a year and move major decision-making to the people who best know our communities, rather than Westminster.

“I’m pleased that so many residents and organisations came forward to give their views about the East Midlands devolution proposal, and I’d like to thank everyone who took part.

“Clearly there was less support for an elected mayor which I fully acknowledge. The reality is, to obtain the greatest powers and highest levels of funding from the government to benefit local people, an elected mayor is a condition of that deal.

“I firmly believe that by working together across traditional boundaries – and an elected mayor would play a key part in that – this devolution deal will help us attract more investment to our region, better support businesses, upskill our workforce, develop our infrastructure and improve public health.

“The councils involved are now working together on a final devolution proposal. I can assure everyone who took the time to take part in the consultation that their views will be central to shaping our thoughts to the government.

“At the heart of this devolution deal is a desire to seize every opportunity to improve people’s lives across our region by making sure we get a fair share of government funding.”

The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal in August 2022 at Rolls-Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the 2 counties and 2 cities.

The 4 councils then worked on a more detailed proposal, including more information about how devolution would work in our area, which was the focus of the consultation.

Many local organisations support devolution for the area. Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Our region is home to a wide range of fantastic businesses, from industrial powerhouses with household names to university spin-outs that boast vast potential, and everything in between.

“What they now need is the political apparatus that removes any obstacles to national and local decision-making, enhances our ability to attract investment and ultimately creates a more business-friendly environment.

“This would help them to take strides forward in productivity and innovation, enabling firms to drive the economic growth that creates jobs and wealth locally.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted that the authorities within the East Midlands are working to secure a deal for a combined authority. This should provide an opportunity to present a compelling case to central government for more levelling up funding that can be spent strategically to improve productivity and the number of highly skilled jobs across the region.

”It will also enable universities, and other providers of skills, innovation, and business support, to work collaboratively with a single group ensuring spend on regional development delivers the best value for money.”

If all 4 councils vote to accept the results of the consultation, and move forward with the process, a final version of the devolution proposal could then be sent to the government.

Legislation to make the new form of Combined County Authority legal could go through Parliament later this year, which would then need to be approved and receive Royal Assent. This could happen in early 2024.

A new East Midlands Combined County Authority could then officially come into existence in spring 2024, with the first ever election for a regional mayor,  covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, taking place in May 2024.

A future mayor would be held to account by elected representatives from county and city councils in the East Midlands, as well as a scrutiny committee. The mayor would be directly elected by residents in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.

 

Chesterfield town centre views outdoors

 

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Property & construction firms shout louder about investment opportunities in Chesterfield

There’s so much to be shouting about across our town. A range of investment opportunities in Chesterfield are now available, with a pipeline of regeneration worth approximately £2 billion on the way.

That message was conveyed to Chesterfield’s business community at the recent Celebrate Chesterfield business conference at the Winding Wheel Theatre.

At the event, business leaders encouraged delegates to help shout about the success of Chesterfield as a collective.

Find out more in the video below, which includes Chesterfield Property and Construction Group member, Andrew Byrne – Property Development Director at The Devonshire Group.

To that end, we’ve been taking a look at how businesses in Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group are working in collaboration to promote our area externally.

The group has already created strong links between private and public sector organisations in the town. This collaboration encourages further growth and collaboration in areas such as skills, sustainability and investment opportunities.

Find out from our group members how they have been flying the flag for Chesterfield across their sector and beyond:

Lomas and Mitchell Architects

KI yard from above lomas and mitchell

Chesterfield’s Lomas & Mitchell Architects co-founded the successful Property and Construction Group. Additionally, the company is a champion of sustainable development in the town.

Jillian Mitchell, co-owner of Lomas & Mitchell commented:

“Being involved with the Construction and Property Forum enables me to keep in touch with our industry at a local level.

“By working closely with the steering group, I keep up with local developments and find out about companies in our region who, like us, are passionate about sustainability and quality.

“The airing of one of our projects on Channel 4’s Grand Designs gave us an opportunity to market our practice. As part of this, we were able to include Chesterfield and the Forum in our promotions.”

Whittam Cox Architects

Andrew Dabbs

Whittam Cox Architects plays a crucial role in promoting Chesterfield externally and putting the town on the map as a great place to invest.

The company has helped to showcase investment opportunities in Chesterfield by supporting the establishment of the Property and Construction Group.

By encouraging a collective understanding of the significant opportunities in Chesterfield, Whittam Cox raises awareness within the group through social media and in-person events.

Andrew Dabbs chairs the Property and Construction Group in addition to his role as board director at Whittam Cox. Working alongside colleagues, he invests a significant amount of personal time in coordinating group activities.

As a result, there is an increasing interest from companies within and outside the town. The group’s efforts have led to the establishment of some well-received  events. Examples of this include local netWalking and Women in Property events, which provide a platform for networking and collaboration.

Whittam Cox Architects also uses its investment in events such as MIPIM and UKREiiF to promote the town externally. By participating in these industry events, the company can showcase the value of Chesterfield’s location to a broader audience.

Andrew commented:

“As a nationally recognised practice, the company’s HQ in the town draws the spotlight to this great location.

“Whittam Cox Architects believes that promoting the town is a collective responsibility for all companies where possible. By doing so, the company is helping to put Chesterfield on the map as a great place to invest.”

BSP Consulting

elder way public realm bsp

BSP joined Chesterfield Champions to support the town a key public realm project in the town alongside partners.

The project involved improvement works to the whole length of Elder Way. Enhancements to the junctions with Saltergate and Knifesmithgate have also been made, as part of the Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

BSP worked alongside Danaher & Walsh, which was appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to carry out the works.

BSP’s business development manager Carrie Booth said:

“Having attended an event in Chesterfield recently and learnt more about the exciting developments and opportunities in the town, we are delighted to be joining Chesterfield Champions.

“It will give BSP the chance to support developments in Chesterfield and the surrounding area and be a part of the future of the town.”

FI Real Estate Management

The HQ Chesterfield

FI Real Estate Management has invested significantly in Chesterfield since 2019. The company has upgraded Rowland Hill House (The HQ) to Grade A office space with a £2m refurbishment programme.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“The HQ presents businesses with an opportunity to benefit from bespoke office facilities for their teams, suited to their specific needs and requirements.

“It reflects the work we are doing to progress Chesterfield’s business offering in line with nearby cities, without compromising on the down-to-earth business style the market town is known for.

“Opportunities like The HQ attract more businesses and further investment to the area. This enriches the working lives of the local community.”

Bolsterstone Group PLC

Chesterfield Waterside office development

Bolsterstone Group is working hard with Chesterfield Borough Council to bring forward the Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme, which is a 40-acre scheme that will deliver £350m of investment to the town.

The current phases include 174 new houses, nearing completion. At Basin Square, the firm has just completed the 36,000 sq. ft Grade A office building. This development has already seen major success, with two of the floors already let.

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group, commented:

“The aim of this high-quality building is to provide larger floor plates to attract inward investment. Additionally, it will take advantage of the proximity of both Chesterfield Train Station and Chesterfield town centre.

“The next phase will see a hotel, multi-storey car park and urban housing in the form of build-to-rent apartments.

“All of these seek to provide a quality offer which puts Chesterfield on the map. This draws new residents and businesses into the town and will create a new, sustainable high-quality community”

To find out more about the range of investment opportunities in Chesterfield, along with the benefits of locating your business in the town, view our investment map here.

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Town Deal funding aims to support businesses in Staveley town centre

A new scheme to support businesses in Staveley Town Centre has been launched by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Businesses and charities are being invited to apply for funds to help improve their premises, as part of plans to support the wider regeneration of Staveley town centre.

The Staveley 21 Shop Front Improvement Grant scheme can provide funding for business owners or landlords who want to make improvements such as new signage, window replacements, repairs to brickwork, improving lighting or the addition of new security measures. The scheme is funded through the Staveley Town Deal and managed by Chesterfield Borough Council.

It is one element of the nearly £5 million investment that will be made in Staveley town centre over the next three years. This package of works also includes the refurbishment of the Market Place, rejuvenation of the High Street and improving connections across the town centre including with the historic Chesterfield Canal.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This grant scheme is a key element of our plans to improve Staveley town centre and make it a more inviting place to visit, to shop and to socialise. We want to work with local businesses to provide the support they need to increase footfall and make their businesses thrive.

“We’ve made sure that this grant scheme is one of the most generous in the country and I’d encourage any business owner or landlord in Staveley to speak with our team to find out how this initiative could help them.”

A small business or charity can claim 80% of the costs of improvements made through the scheme. The grants will be provided on a first come first served basis and applications must be made before April 2025.

The appropriate works will be unique for each eligible business and prior to any application the project team are able to discuss your needs and eligibility but also advise on works that would be covered under the grant scheme and any permissions (e.g. planning consent) that are required.

A set of principles to guide improvements and support the design process have also been developed.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “This scheme is just one element of the improvements planned for Staveley town centre using Town Deal funding. Together these ambitious proposals will help provide a boost for local businesses and create a more attractive place to visit which will help ensure Staveley is the place to start, stay and grow.”

Staveley 21 includes the renovation of Market Square with new paving, seating, lighting and planting. There is also an ambition to create a new landmark building for use by either businesses or public sector services where the currently disused toilet block stands.

Rejuvenation of the High Street will enhance improvements made through the Shop Front Improvement Grant scheme and complement the heritage conservation area.

Improving connections and wayfinding signage across the town centre will help visitors to explore the canal and other local points of interest. A new lighting strategy will help ensure visibility across the area is improved whilst also supporting the night time economy by making the centre a more attractive place to visit at all hours.

For more details about the Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme, including guidance notes and the application form, please visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-shop-front-grants

You can also find out more about the planned improvements for Staveley town centre by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-21

Cllr Gilby and Cllr Sarvent Staveley Town Centre

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ChargedEV announces move to The HQ in Chesterfield

An award-winning EV charging infrastructure specialist has moved into a grade A office development in Chesterfield, as it strives to become the UK’s largest EV charging service provider.

ChargedEV works with a range of market-leading key partners in the lease, fleet, and property sectors to support them with the rollout of charging infrastructure.

The firm has installed over 35,000 domestic and 2000 commercial EV charge points nationwide and continues to win new flagship partnerships that drive the business forward.

Mark Pymm, Founder and Managing Director at ChargedEV commented: “We have been trading in Chesterfield for 9 years but have seen significant growth over the last 18 months and the new office space at The HQ will give us a solid foundation to continue our growth, recruit and develop local people, and ultimately take our business to the next level allowing us the space to create over 100 positions across a range of roles over the next two years.

“Chesterfield has been a great location for ChargedEV as a central hub for our Nationwide operations, with great connectivity and transport links.

“I personally look forward to becoming more integrated into Chesterfield’s business community which appears to be thriving and lend my support and experience to ensure Chesterfield can be a pioneering town in the electric revolution.”

Last year, The HQ underwent a £1.25 million refurbishment to modernise the office space and create an inspiring place for local businesses to thrive.

Rowland Hill House, formerly the Royal Mail offices on Boythorpe Road is now a vibrant, efficient and high-quality facility used and enjoyed by a number of businesses. FI Real Estate Management upgraded the existing building to Grade A office space, with the option to split the space to accommodate tenants’ requirements and the demand for new ways of working.

The HQ has been specifically designed as a solution to modern ways of working, offering flexible spaces from 400 sq ft up to 60,331 sq ft across four floors.

A spokesperson for FI Real Estate Management commented: “We’re looking forward to welcoming ChargedEV and introducing them to the diverse range of businesses working at The HQ.

“We provide bespoke packages so local and regional businesses can benefit from first-class office environments tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements, without compromising on efficiency.

“Offering tenants the opportunity to network with other businesses in the building creates a sense of community that we are extremely proud of and this is only growing with further demand for The HQ.”

“Chesterfield is an up-and-coming Northern business hub with many fantastic local businesses thriving in the area. It is a privilege to sit amongst other investments such as Waterside, Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre and the Glass Yard, bringing a new standard of living and working to the town.

“We enjoy working and doing business in Chesterfield as we can appreciate first-hand the benefit it provides to the local community.”

Further details, images and a downloadable brochure of the HQ can be found here.

Looking to grow your business? There are now several modern, flexible and affordable office options available across Chesterfield. Find your perfect office at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

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

The HQ Chesterfield

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Winding Wheel Theatre kicks off centenary year with blue plaque award

Chesterfield’s iconic Winding Wheel Theatre has kicked off its centenary year celebrations in style, by unveiling a blue plaque from Chesterfield Civic Society.

Councillor Tony Rogers and Sharon Rogers, the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, officially unveiled the plaque at a small ceremony on Wednesday 1 March with representatives from the Civic Society and Chesterfield Borough Council in attendance.

Originally opening in 1923 as the Picture House, the Winding Wheel Theatre has been an important cultural venue for the last one hundred years. In the late 1930s it was bought by the Odeon Cinema chain but it also housed a ballroom and a restaurant.

It closed in 1981 but was bought by Chesterfield Borough Council, restored and refurbished, opening again in the late 1980s as a conference and entertainment venue and later gained Grade II listed building status.

The Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Tony Rogers, said: “It was an honour to unveil this plaque and officially mark the start of the centenary year of the Winding Wheel Theatre.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The Winding Wheel Theatre has a long and varied history in our town – a historic building that is a popular cultural venue. Thank you to Chesterfield Civic Society for recognising this building with the award of a blue plaque.”

Philip Riden, chairman of the Civic Society, added: “This is one of three plaques funded by a generous grant we received from the Borough Council in 2021. One of the others commemorates Chesterfield Girls High School and the third will be installed at the Stephenson Memorial Hall when the current refurbishment there is complete. We have recently received funding from East Midland Railway for two more plaques to mark the site of two of Chesterfield’s Victorian railway stations.”

More centenary celebrations will take place at the Winding Wheel Theatre later in 2023.

In September there will be an exhibition about the history of the building together with cinema screenings and other events. More details about these events will be released later this year.

Blue plaque winding wheel

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Major new development set to build on the success story of Markham Vale

A major extension to the Markham Vale North development, granted by Chesterfield Borough Council in December last year, has now been approved by Bolsover District Council.

The decision is a significant milestone for the project and follows three years of extensive discussions with both councils and the local community. It will enable the creation of a high-quality addition to the commercial offer at Markham Vale, further strengthening the local economy.

HBD, the developer behind Markham Vale, will work with Devonshire Property Group to bring the new scheme forward, with the potential to create up to 800 new jobs.

The extension to the Markham Vale North development will boast strong sustainability credentials, with an extensive landscaping plan that protects and improves the existing river corridor.

Significant planting will include around 5,700 new trees (including 2.15ha of new woodland planting), 3.7ha of new grassland habitat and 2km of new native hedgerow to screen the development and create areas of new habitat.

Markham Vale, a joint venture partnership between HBD and Derbyshire County Council which began in 2006, has created more than 2,700 jobs across a wide range of sectors, including advanced manufacturing and logistics. It is home to a range of businesses, including Bilstein Group, which manufactures and distributes automotive parts, Granger International manufacturers of waterproof outdoor products and shoe care products, and Sterigenics, makers of sterile healthcare products.

Markham Vale North Extension site plan

David Wells, Director at HBD, said: “It’s great to be able to move forward with this project – it will allow us to meet established demand for superior sustainable and well-located industrial stock, while continuing to attract vital inward investment into the region. We look forward to working alongside Devonshire Property Group to bring the scheme forward.”

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director at Devonshire Property Group spoke about the exciting plans at the Celebrate Chesterfield business conference, which called on businesses to ‘get involved,’ ‘collaborate’ and ‘make change happen’ to ensure the town achieves its transformational growth strategy by 2030.

Read more about what was discussed at the annual event here.

Andrew commented: “We are delighted that both planning committees have approved this exciting project. This is a high-quality extension to an already successful employment location, and will make a real contribution to the strength of the local economy and the environment. It is a further demonstration of how the Devonshire Property business is actively investing into both Chesterfield and Bolsover, delivering on our stated ambitions of creating jobs and opportunities for local communities. We look forward to being part of this regeneration, working alongside our Joint Venture partner HBD.”

Devonshire Property Group and HBD support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

 

Andrew Byrne speaking at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023

Andrew Byrne speaking at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023

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Proposals submitted for new Staveley Waterside Development

Proposals for the first phase of a new waterside development in Staveley have been submitted for planning approval by Derbyshire County Council.

Plans for the Staveley Waterside Development at Staveley Basin have been drawn-up as part of the Staveley Town Deal – a £25m Government-funded regeneration programme for the area.

Planning permission is being sought from Chesterfield Borough Council to construct a two-storey building, offering flexible space for new and existing small businesses, some retail use, and a food and beverage opportunity, with indoor and outdoor dining space, along with an access road, and mooring space.

£2.664m has been earmarked from the Staveley Town Deal fund, subject to planning approval, for the first phase of the development on the Staveley Basin site, which forms part of the Markham Vale estate – the county council’s flagship regeneration site with HBD (formerly Henry Boot Developments) off M1 junction 29a.

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, spoke about the development taking place across Staveley as part of a panel discussion at the Celebrate Chesterfield 2023 business conference.

The event encouraged organisations across the area to support Destination Chesterfield to market the town as a destination to invest, work, live and visit. Read more about the conference here.

Ivan said: “Staveley Waterside represents a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into the area around the canal basin by creating facilities for businesses, residents and visitors.

“Enhancing the visitor experience around the canal with make it even more attractive to walkers and cyclists. The regeneration of this area will leave a lasting legacy for future generations and ensure that Staveley is a place where people can start, stay and grow.”

Ivan Fomin speaking at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023

Ivan Fomin speaking at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, said: “We’ve put together proposals for an exciting new development which will help to bring jobs to the area and boost the visitor economy.

“Derbyshire County Council has been working alongside partners over a number of years to improve the Staveley Basin area and the Staveley Town Deal has given us a great opportunity to turn our ideas into reality, using our expertise from Markham Vale to create high-quality business accommodation as well as a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”

Staveley Waterside is one of three projects the county council is leading as part of the Staveley Town Deal which includes 11 projects in total.

Wheels to Work is a project the county council is leading to help people in Staveley access job and training opportunities by providing bicycles and e-scooters for those with limited transport options. And the county council is also heading up a project to reinstate a railway station in Barrow Hill and create better public transport connections between Staveley, Chesterfield and Sheffield for jobs and training opportunities.

For more information about the Staveley Town Deal projects visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-town-deal

Staveley waterside 2023

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