Summer

Businesses urged to nominate their food and drink apprentices for top award

The search has begun to find Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Apprentice of the Year in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Sponsored by Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), the award was introduced last year to recognise the significant contribution young people are making to the town’s thriving food and drink sector.

Awards organiser Destination Chesterfield is urging businesses to now publicly recognise the hard work and dedication of their apprentices by nominating them for the prestigious award. Nominations must be made by midnight on Wednesday 5 June.

Last year the title was won by Corey Elliot (below), an apprentice at The Lilypad Café & Restaurant who plans one day to have his own restaurant.

As well as putting forward their apprentices, businesses can also nominate themselves for the Apprentice Employer of the Year award, which is sponsored by Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group). Last year the award was won by Stephenson’s Tea & Coffee House.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “Chesterfield’s hospitality sector is growing steadily bringing jobs as well as new tastes and experiences to the town. It’s an exciting time for the sector. This award recognises the importance of apprenticeships in the sector to ensure the town has the skilled workforce to meet the demands of investors.”

“A new Premier Inn recently opened in the former Co-op on Elder Way creating 60 new jobs and more jobs and opportunities in the sector will be coming on board at Elder Way, Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resort. These developments all need ambitious young people who are keen to build a career, not only in hospitality but also in Chesterfield.”

Neil Johnson, Assistant Director for Economic Growth at Chesterfield Borough Council, which leads the ground-breaking Apprentice Town initiative commented: “Apprentice Town is committed to raising the participation of young people in apprenticeships in Chesterfield.”

“The Award category sponsorship is an important part of the initiative’s drive to raise awareness of the many apprenticeships within the food and drink sector. Equally important, is recognising and celebrating the achievement of the young people who are currently undertaking their apprenticeship, and this award does just that.”

Other supporters of the awards include Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire. Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To nominate an apprentice, or put your business forward for an award, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/apprentices-and-apprentice-employers/

Posted in Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Foodie families wanted to help find Chesterfield’s best family friendly restaurant

Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Awards is looking for a foodie family to help find the town’s best family friendly eatery.

Last year the popular Family Friendly award, which is sponsored by Jumble Creative Design, was won by Chesters Restaurant & Takeaway on Sheffield Road.

Now, the search is on to find 2019’s family friendly favourite and Destination Chesterfield needs you to help!

One young family with children aged under 12 is wanted to judge the shortlisted family-friendly establishments. They will help decide who takes the Family-Friendly title in the 2019 Awards which is held in association with the Chesterfield College Group.

The lucky family will win an all-expenses-paid meal for four at three local establishments.  They will also receive two tickets to attend the glittering 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards ceremony on Wednesday 23 October at the Winding Wheel in the heart of Chesterfield.

To enter the competition applicants simply have to tell Destination Chesterfield why their family should be chosen to mystery shop for the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Entries to the competition close at midnight on Tuesday 4 June and can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/family-judge-competition or, they can be made by post to:

Food and Drink Awards Competition,
Destination Chesterfield
Commerce House
Millennium Way
Dunston Road
S41 8ND

Now in its sixth year, the Family-Friendly award aims to find the town’s ultimate eatery that offers great food, excellent facilities for young children, special menus and goes the extra mile to make sure families enjoy their dining experience. As well as enjoying a meal, the winning family will be required to mark the establishments on food, ease of access, cleanliness and the quality and variety of children’s food.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, commented: “Who better to decide the winner of the Family Friendly Award 2019 than families themselves? This competition is a great chance for families in the area to voice their opinion and get to enjoy a meal out too.”

The awards ceremony, which will be held in autumn, promises to be a glittering affair hosted by a celebrity chef (to be announced soon). In addition to the Family Friendly award, there will also be 14 other winners announced at the ceremony.

Other supporters of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Edge Events Management Ltd, Elder Way by Jomast Developments, FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd) and Shorts Chartered Accountants.

To keep up-to-date on developments with the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, please visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Nominate now in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Nominations are now open for Chesterfield’s premier food and drink awards.

The seventh annual Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, returns on Wednesday 23 October.

Ahead of the glittering awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel, Destination Chesterfield is calling on people to nominate their favourite restaurants, bars, cafés, pubs, food producers and tearooms in the 2019 awards.

Nominations across 10 award categories can be made online until midnight on Sunday 12 May at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards .

The categories include:

The shortlisted businesses will be revealed in July, including the shortlist for the coveted Restaurant of the Year title, which was won by Bottle & Thyme in 2018.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, urged people to get nominating. He commented: “It’s important that we recognise the contribution the town’s growing food and drink sector is making to the local economy. Many of the businesses within it are also helping put Chesterfield on the map nationally. The awards are designed to ensure that we recognise and celebrate businesses in the sector. If you have a favourite, make sure you nominate them.”

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of Chesterfield College Group, which is the headline sponsor of the awards, said: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards for 2019. The event is one of the highlights of the year and a mutually-beneficial partnership between Destination Chesterfield and the college.”

Other supporters of the awards include Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Casa Hotel, Derbyshire Times, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), FEAST – Food and Drink Forum, Hoods Florist, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Magnifica, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM and Reflections Magazine (Bannister Publications Ltd).

To find out more about the awards, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Food & drink 2018 winners

Food & drink 2018 winners

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Derbyshire Extend Partnership with the University of Derby

The University of Derby, a Top 30 UK University in the Guardian University Guide 2019, has agreed a deal to extend its partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

The relationship will see the University sponsor both the club’s training kit and the reverse of the Vitality Blast shirt, which will be worn throughout this summer’s biggest competition.

A longstanding Official Partner of the club, the University of Derby will also continue its partnership with the Cricket Derbyshire Academy.

The Academy has produced some of the club’s long-standing first-team players, including 2017 Player of the Year, Alex Hughes, as well as Matt Critchley and more recently Hamidullah Qadri.

Derbyshire continues to offer opportunities to Media and Marketing interns from the University, while members of the Derbyshire squad will also support events at the University.

University of Derby students will have the opportunity to play a competitive inter-university fixture at The Pattonair County Ground, and will have continued access to training facilities in the Air IT Elite Performance Centre.

Rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2017, the University of Derby provides industry-relevant, expert teaching, and their partnership is one of a number of initiatives aimed at engaging the local community.

Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett said: “This is a growing partnership and I’m delighted to continue working with the University of Derby to provide opportunities through sport and education.

“The Cricket Derbyshire Academy in partnership with the University of Derby is an integral part of our development pathway and through the University’s support, we saw eight graduates go on to play first-class matches for the county last summer.

Ollie Shearer, Director of Sport and Derbyshire Student Residences Limited at the University of Derby, said:

“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club, which will provide opportunities for our students to train and compete at the club, as well as undertake internships in roles off the pitch.

“Sport plays a major part in University of Derby life; our students have the opportunity to study a number of sports related degrees, and we encourage them, and the wider community, to make use our state-of-the-art facilities. This partnership reinforces our commitment to supporting the local community, helping to develop talent, and to strengthening our links to sport in the region.”

The Chesterfield Festival of Cricket returns to Queens Park this Summer.

 

Rainbow at Chesterfield Festival of Cricket

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Summer

Revolution House to open for the summer

Visitors to Revolution House can find out about the house’s history including its part in a plot to overthrow a king as it opens for the summer.

The popular visitor attraction at Old Whittington opens this Saturday for the summer season.

The house, then the Cock and Pynot Inn, was the meeting place of the 4th Earl of Devonshire, Lord Delamere, John D’Arcy, and the Earl of Danby as they plotted to overthrow King James II in 1688.

Alyson Barnes, Chesterfield Borough Council’s tourism, museums and events manager, said: “Revolution House is a popular attraction. Each year we have visitors asking about the house’s history and, this year, they will be able to find out more in this exhibition.”

This Sunday, 7 April, will also see the house host an event led by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust where youngsters can learn more about nature by leaf bashing – crushing and bashing leaves, using mallets, to make imprints onto a piece of material which can then be made into a flag.

If you are planning to visit the Revolution House, Admission is free but donations towards the upkeep of the house will be welcome.  It is open each Saturday, Sunday and bank Holiday Monday until Sunday 28 September from 11am to 4pm.

Find out more ideas of things to do over the Easter Holidays in Chesterfield

Revolution House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Premier Inn get the keys to new hotel

The multi-million-pound transformation of the former Co-op department store on Elder Way in Chesterfield has been completed by Jomast Developments.

The fully accessible 92-bed hotel, which is located in the building’s upper two floors, has now been handed over to Premier Inn ahead of its opening by the hotel chain on 11 April 2019.

Occupying a pivotal site in the town centre, Elder Way is a landmark mixed-use leisure scheme, which is breathing life into the town’s famous 1930s, Mock-Tudor former Co-op.

The building was acquired by Jomast Developments in 2016 with work on the new hotel beginning last year. As part of the transformation, the building’s exterior has been restored to its former glory.

Premier Inn is the first occupier of the building and paves the way for Jomast to now transform the basement and ground floor into leisure and hospitality space.

Jomast is one of the UK’s leading property development, investment and regeneration specialists. The Chesterfield site is the company’s first development in Derbyshire.

Commenting on the handover to Premier Inn, Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast Developments said: “I am delighted that we have been able to preserve such an iconic building in Chesterfield. The position and location of the site at times has been challenging but our ongoing collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council has enabled us to bring this much-loved building back into use. I am confident that Premier Inn will be a welcome addition to the town centre and the Northern Gateway Scheme.”

Marie Dukes-Brown, New Openings Project Manager for Premier Inn, said: “We have been seeking a presence in Chesterfield town centre for many years.  Being a few days away from opening our doors is a really exciting moment for us, and we can’t wait to welcome the first guests to our latest format Premier Inn in the heart of town.

“Premier Inn hotels in market towns like Chesterfield trade really well.  They appeal to a broad mix of business and leisure travellers throughout the year and as our style of accommodation is so flexible, we find that many of our guests eat and drink out when they stay with us, helping to support established businesses.

“Playing a positive role locally, including creating new jobs, and helping to bring the former Co-op store back to life is a win-win for us and we look forward to playing our part in the future success of the town centre.”

Thirty-eight jobs have been created at the new hotel, however jobs will be delivered by the Elder Way development as a whole once completed by Jomast.

Work will now begin on the transformation of the 16,000 sq ft basement and 21,000 sq ft ground floor area into leisure space which Jomast is targeting at independent operators. The ground floor units will all benefit from their own shop fronts/entrances. Additionally, Jomast will be creating a new courtyard area for outside eating/drinking. Chesterfield Borough Council will also shortly begin work to refurbish the public realm to the Elder Way frontage and widen public footpaths.

Mark added: “We are now in a position to move forward with phase 2 of Elder Way and the transformation of the basement and ground floor into self-contained units. We anticipate high interest from lifestyle and hospitality operators based in Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.”

The development is part of the Chesterfield Borough Council-led Northern Gateway scheme which will also see a new multi-storey car park completed later this year and work will begin on a new enterprise centre for small to medium sized businesses on part of the site of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park.

Find out more about the development at Elder Way and the other commercial opportunities available.

Premier Inn Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List Launched for English Tourism Week

Visitors to the Peak District and Derbyshire are encouraged to indulge in an eclectic range of experiences this summer, ranging from climbing, caving, hiking and biking to sleeping under the stars and sampling local delicacies, following the launch of the ‘Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List: 101 Great Things to Do’.

Compiled by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, the release of the Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List coincides with English Tourism Week (30 March – 9 April), which celebrates the quality and breadth of tourism in England.

From ordering a pint in the real ale capital of the world to climbing the Crooked Spire, exploring the UK’s first National Park and discovering Britain’s oldest Ice Age cave art, the list provides a showcase for 101 of the best things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Food and drink experiences – such as sampling Hartington Stilton, learning how to make a Bakewell Pudding and dining at the area’s only Michelin-star restaurant – are also vital ingredients on the list, complementing Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire’s ‘Eat, Drink, Explore’ campaign, which celebrates local food and drink.

Run by VisitEngland, English Tourism Week marks the start of the tourist season and offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the value and contribution that tourism makes to the UK economy. The tourism industry in the Peak District and Derbyshire generated £2.15 billion in 2017 – attracting 40.45 million visitors annually and supporting 28,630 jobs.*

Throughout English Tourism Week, Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire is encouraging visitors and locals to share their own favourite ‘bucket list experiences’ using #UniqueDistrict and #EnglishTourismWeek19 on social media. There will also be the opportunity to win a selection of prizes at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/competitions.

“English Tourism Week is about celebrating the quality and value of England’s tourism offer, shining the spotlight on our amazing attractions and heritage, raising the profile of our tourism businesses and encouraging more visitors to discover and explore the Peak District and Derbyshire,” said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“We hope our Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List will inspire more people to book a break in this wonderful area to enjoy the vibrant range of experiences on offer. We also hope it will encourage locals to explore what’s on their doorstep – and hopefully find some hidden gems too!”

View The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List: 101 Great Things to Do

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Top restaurant revealed at Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Less than two years after opening, Bottle and Thyme has been named as Chesterfield’s Restaurant of the Year, taking the top honour in the town’s 2018 Food and Drink Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Chesterfield College.

Based on Knifesmithgate in Chesterfield town centre, Bottle and Thyme was one of 13 bars, restaurants, food producers, cafés and individuals to scoop an accolade across 15 categories.

Now in its sixth year, the awards ceremony recognises the very best in the town’s growing food and drink sector. Once again held at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building, the awards ceremony was hosted by celebrity chef, Lesley Waters, who explained: “I was delighted to host the 2018 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

“There is a real passion amongst food and drink businesses in the area for using locally sourced produce. As well as supporting local business, it’s about using fresh ingredients and creating great food. I firmly believe the best food is made with passion and there is plenty of that in Chesterfield.”

Since opening in December 2016, Bottle and Thyme has made a big impression on the town’s food and drink scene. Last year, it took home the titles of Best Newcomer and Best Customer Service, in the 2017 Food and Drink Awards.

Hannah Grainger, Owner of Bottle and Thyme said: “It feels incredible to win Chesterfield’s Restaurant of the Year. We were so happy to win the two awards last year and, this year, we are ecstatic to win this – it means so much. We try to use as many local suppliers as we can and always try and make our menu seasonal to change it up; keeping things exciting.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Once again the awards have been a tremendous success and reflection of a thriving sector in Chesterfield. The awards – in terms of nominations, businesses and guests, increase year on year, and 2018 was no exception. They epitomise everything that is great about the Chesterfield hospitality scene – great food, drink and partnerships between both the business community and education sector.”

This year, the awards saw the introduction of two new categories – Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year, recognising the contribution that apprenticeships make to the hospitality industry.

Corey Elliott, an apprentice chef at The Lilypad Café & Restaurant was named as the Apprentice of the Year, while Stephenson’s Tea and Coffee House was named as the Apprentice Employer of the Year. Stephenson’s’ owners, Claire and Sam Wood had cause for double celebration on the night after being named as the Café/Tea Room of the Year.

Chatsworth Road-based Junction Bar was also a double winner on the night scooping the awards for Pub/Bar of the Year and Best Customer Service.

More than 250 people attended what has become the biggest night of the year for Chesterfield’s food and drink community. Held in association with The Chesterfield College Group, the awards are also a hands-on learning experience for the College’s hospitality students, who prepared and served a two-course menu at the event.

Julie Richards, Principal and Chief Executive of The Chesterfield College Group said: “I am delighted that the role of apprenticeships in the industry was celebrated for the first time this year, alongside the achievements of the Young Chef of the Year finalists.

“We are training the next generation of catering and hospitality experts both in our classrooms and working with employers through apprenticeships, so it is fantastic to be able to inspire them by helping to showcase successful businesses in the sector.

“I am very proud of our catering and hospitality staff and students who have worked hard to prepare and serve an amazing meal for guests, which highlights the quality of their work and their professional approach.”

Lesley Waters added: “Having worked in education myself as a former Head Tutor of Leith’s School of Food & Wine and now owning my own cookery school, it is very exciting to see Chesterfield College and its budding chefs of the future so actively involved with the town’s foremost food and drink event.”

To see all of the winners of the 2018 Chesterfield Food and Drink awards, visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/.

Supporters of the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include Apprentice Town, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Chartered Accountants, Casa Hotel, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership, Derbyshire Times, Elder Way (Jomast Developments), East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire), FEAST (The Food and Drink Forum) Hoods Florist, Jumble Creative Design, Juxta-Post Media, Kier Group, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), MSE Hiller, Owen Taylor & Sons, Peak FM, Reflections, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Reflections, Steve Faulkner and Winster Foods.

bottle and thyme

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield in Bloom winners announced

Alongside East Midlands in Bloom awards, where Chesterfield received the Overall Gold Award in the small city category for the third year running and received 6 awards in total, gardeners across the borough have also been celebrating after the winners of the Chesterfield in Bloom awards were announced at a separate ceremony at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa.

John Ramsey, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Principal Greenspaces Officer, said: “We would like to congratulate all the entrants to Chesterfield in Bloom, but particularly the winners.”

“The standard of entries was incredibly high and the efforts of everyone involved brought a real sense of colour to the area and of pride in the borough of Chesterfield.”

“A particular highlight this year was having the new categories for council house tenants. We were really pleased with the number of entries and the interest there was among tenants. It brought the awards to a new audience and increased awareness of the wider Chesterfield in Bloom project.”

The Chesterfield in Bloom committee is looking for new members to help build on this year’s success and deliver even more community projects during the next year.

Please see below for a list of winners, or click here for a detailed list of all winners and runners-up.

Chesterfield in Bloom Winners 2018

General competition

Best overall winner: Richard and Sharon Smithson, Newbold

Best front garden: Barry Lomas, Staveley

Best small back garden: Richard and Sharon Smithson, Newbold

Best large back garden: Lynne Gilbert, Tapton

Best container / hanging basket: Margaret and Stephen Wright, Rother

Best pub / restaurant: Britannia Pub, Brampton – John and Jody Wray

Allotment competition

Best small allotment plot: Nigel Masters, Rufford Close Allotments

Best large allotment plot: Colin Bloom, Hunloke Avenue Allotments

Best allotment site: Hunloke Avenue Allotments

Best market stall – section winners:

Simon Harding – Fruit and Veg

Mark Brookes – Plant

Shirley Carmedy – General trader

Lorraine Jukes – Freds Haberdashery

Best overall: Mark Brookes – Plant

Council tenant garden competition

Best front/back and side garden: Shirley Bradbury, Boythorpe

Best hanging basket/container garden: Evelina Lowe, New Whittington

Estate champion: Tony Hedley, Holmehall

Schools gardening competition

Fabulous flowers: 

Staveley Junior School

Speedwell Infant School

Duckmanton Primary School

Calow C of E Primary School

Spire Infant School

Wonderful wildlife:

Speedwell Infant School

Calow C of E Primary School

Spire Infant School

Brimington Junior School

Radical recycling: Staveley Junior School

Wheelbarrow competition: Hasland Hall Community School

Painting competition:                           

Reception to Year 2 category – Seth Grass Smith, Hasland Infants School

Year 3 to year 6 category – Eve Anderson – Old Hall Junior School

Click here for a detailed list of all winners and runners-up

Chesterfield in Bloom

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Blooming fantastic Chesterfield achieves golden treble

Gardeners in Chesterfield have proved they are not so much green fingered as gold fingered after the borough scooped six East Midlands in Bloom awards.

Chesterfield received the Overall Gold Award in the small city category for the third year running, with a score of 179 out of 200, compared to 173 points 12 months ago.

Residents, businesses and community projects in the borough picked up five further awards from the judges. The winners are:

  • Holme Hall Unite, who received a special award as the most inspirational project out of 105 projects in the East Midlands region, as well as a ‘thriving’ level 4 award in the It’s Your Neighbourhood programme. The scheme saw the community group work with Chesterfield Borough Council’s housing service and staff from Marks & Spencer to transform a piece of land within their community.
  • The Britannia Pub in Brampton, which got a gold award in the best pub/hotel category.
  • Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa in Brimington, which picked up a gold award in the Best Commercial Premises category.
  • Inspire Community Garden, off Ashgate Road, who received a judges’ award for their work to create a community gardening space.
  • Jane Land, from Walton, who received a gold award in the Frank Constable category for the quality of the front garden at her house.

The borough’s entry is coordinated by the Chesterfield in Bloom committee, which is managed by Chesterfield Borough Council but involves volunteers and community groups who give up their time to work on projects to keep the area’s streets and open spaces attractive places to live, work and visit.

In their overall remarks the judges – Richard Stephen, Caroline Pollard and Martha Woorsching – said: “There was evidence of the campaign going from strength to strength. We were given a real sense of the passion and dedication of all those involved. Well done Chesterfield.”

John Ramsey, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Principal Greenspaces Officer, said: “To achieve the gold East Midlands in Bloom award standard for the third year in a row is a real achievement for the borough.”

“A huge amount of hard work goes in to keeping the borough’s streets, parks and open spaces attractive places to be and this award recognises the efforts of Chesterfield Borough Council staff and the many community volunteers who work throughout the year to improve the quality of life for Chesterfield residents.”

“It is a real team effort as has been shown by the fact that so many projects in the borough have received gold awards in addition to the main one.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Record visitor numbers boost Chesterfield economy

New figures showing a record number of visitors to Chesterfield are providing a £175 million boost to the borough’s economy were announced this morning at the Chesterfield Investment Summit.

The industry figures show that in 2017, Chesterfield received 3.7 million visitors, an increase of 5.1 per cent on 2016. This compares with an average 1.3 per cent increase across the rest of Derbyshire.

The year also saw tourism contribute £175.21 million to the Chesterfield economy, a 6.9 per cent increase on 2016.

As a result, the visitor economy sector also supported 2,165 full-time equivalent jobs in Chesterfield, an increase of 4.8 per cent on 2016. This compares with a 2.5 per cent increase across Derbyshire.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “With the Peak District National Park on our doorstep, Chesterfield has long been a convenient place to visit but the fact we see so many people returning to visit us, shows we have a lot to offer in our own right.

“With attractions such as the world-famous Crooked Spire, the traditional open-air market, two theatres offering major shows and plays, Chesterfield Museum, Revolution House and Barrow Hill Roundhouse, it’s no wonder people choose to visit Chesterfield.

“This is great news for our local economy and we will continue to organise regular events to encourage people to visit the borough and, while they are here, take advantage of the many shops, cafés, restaurants and bars we have on offer here.

“I think it is easy to take what you have on your doorstep for granted but when I talk to visitors they are always very complimentary about Chesterfield and what it has to offer. These latest figures back that up and show how important tourism is to our economy.”

Chesterfield Borough Council organises regular events to attract visitors to the borough, such as the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket which brings in cricket fans from across the country. The next event is the 1940s market which takes place in the traditional open-air market place on Thursday 1 November.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield and events

Crooked Spire in Spring - Visit Chesterfield

Crooked Spire in Spring

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

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