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Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market returns

Festive food and drink, quality arts and crafts and exciting experience days are amongst the great gifts available at the Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market, launched today by the area’s official destination management organisation.

The free online market at visitpeakdistrict.com/christmas-market celebrates the range of quality products made and sold in the area, from photography, jewellery and homeware to gift vouchers for overnight stays, dining and days out – urging people to get behind local businesses rather than turning to global online retailers this festive season.

The Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market was first launched in 2020 to enable a wide range of independent retailers, hotels, restaurants, attractions, artisans and producers to sell online during Covid-19 restrictions. In its inaugural year, the market reached over 33,000 page views and offered visitors the chance to browse and buy festive gifts with ease.

Now, in a bid to support even more Derbyshire businesses as the visitor economy embarks on the road to recovery, the market has been relaunched for 2021 with almost 100 independent exhibitors showcasing the best of the county.

Virtual stalls are arranged in eight categories including Accessories and Jewellery; Art, Ceramics and Glass; Experiences and Annual Passes; Local Food and Drink; Homeware and Books; Landscape Calendars and Prints; Short Breaks and Afternoon Tea; and Pet-friendly Gifts.

The market is part funded by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project and aims to support the recovery of local businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “From locally-made products to unique experiences, the Peak District and Derbyshire is bursting with great gifts and we’re delighted to re-launch our virtual Christmas Market for 2021 thanks to support from our ERDF project.

“Now more than ever, shopping locally and supporting small businesses is of upmost importance and the Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market offers a great chance for visitors and residents alike to make a real difference by ordering gifts for friends, families, colleagues and customers that reflect the very best of what the area has to offer.”

Sir Richard FitzHerbert, Chair of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “The Peak District and Derbyshire is home to a great many small and medium-sized enterprises who make some wonderful products. After 18 months of lockdowns and various restrictions, I am delighted to commend the return of this virtual Christmas Market.

“In addition to marvellous accommodation and attraction packages, why not buy some Derbyshire products for your stocking-fillers? From bespoke candles to extensive craft products, there’s something for everyone – so buy British, buy Peak District & Derbyshire this Christmas!”

The Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market will run until January 2022 at visitpeakdistrict.com/christmas-market. Show your support and join the conversation on social media using #PDDChristmasMarket.

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

Chesterfield employers encouraged to start conversations in the workplace ahead of International Stress Awareness Day

Employers are being encouraged to start conservations about mental health in their workplaces by a region-wide mental health initiative, ahead of International Stress Awareness Day.

The day falls on Wednesday 3 November, and the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot (MHPP) has highlighted how its ‘Bridge the Gap, Start a Chat’ campaign gives advice to employers on how to help staff feel more confident to start conversations around stress and other common mental health conditions.

MHPP’s research shows that since the pandemic, employees in the Midlands feel less able to talk about mental health and that managers are finding it harder to spot the warning signs when staff need support.

Employers can access a range of free tools and resources to help run campaigns in their workplace to encourage talking about mental health at work including downloadable leaflets and guidance for developing a mental health strategy.

Dr Talar Moukhtarian, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Warwick, said: “Stress, especially in the short term, is a perfectly normal part of working life, even if we love what we do. Big projects or deadlines can cause it, and some people thrive in these conditions. “But stress can also be triggered by other factors which may not be situational, such as excessive workload, lack of support, poor work-life balance and working relationships.

“If employees are regularly feeling stressed, that can indicate a more serious problem and can manifest physically, such as a headache or chest pain, or psychologically. It is crucial that employees encourage staff going through this to speak out and get the support they need. “If staff are discouraged from sharing their worries or seeking help for whatever reason, it can lead to burnout, which can result in staff being off work for a significant length of time.

“An organisation being proactive on mental health by regularly asking how staff are feeling, encouraging honest conversations, and signposting staff to places that can help should they need it, can all enable staff to deal with stress in a healthy way. “This International Stress Awareness Day, we are encouraging Midlands employers to make a commitment to improving staff mental health and support them to have conversations.

“A great first step would be to download our free employer resource pack, which has all the tools employers need to get started. “It gives tips and advice on how employers can help their staff to talk openly about mental health, such as how to strike the right tone with your staff, using activities like ‘temperature checks’ to assess staff wellbeing, and how to direct staff to support should they need it.”

Find out more about the Mental Health Productivity Pilot in Derbyshire at: https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/midlands-engine-mental-health-and-productivity-pilot/

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Traders invited to book their stalls for the festive shopping rush

Makers, crafters, and independent retailers are being invited to book a stall on Chesterfield Market in the build up to Christmas.

Market stalls are available on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays between 22 November and 24 December. Casual traders and local creatives are being invited to sign up now to reserve their place.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’ve got lots planned for Christmas in Chesterfield that will help bring more shoppers into the town centre, it’s really important that traders get in early and book their stalls. We’re really trying to spread that shop local message and encourage people to come and support our local businesses and traders.”

There will be lots of activities and events in Chesterfield this Christmas to encourage visitors into the town centre.

The Amazing Magical Santa House and Elf Trail will be making a return after being positively received last year.

The Crooked Spire Church will be hosting its Festival of Christmas Trees. There will be a Lantern Parade in the town centre.

There will be regular walkabout entertainment throughout the festive period, including stilt walkers, carol singers and tap-dancing turkeys.

A Christmas Lights Switch On event and Market will be held on Sunday 21 November to mark the start of Christmas in Chesterfield.

More details on all these events will be released over the next month.

A market stall is £20 in December but traders can benefit by booking all three market days in a week for £50.

Market stalls comprise of either an 8-foot or 12-foot stall, with four boards, enabling trading on either side.

Prospective traders can find out more about trading on Chesterfield Market and book a stall by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/markettrading

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield FC supports businesses and residents with latest initiatives

Chesterfield Football Club is continuing to work in the community by looking to contribute to the success of local residents and businesses alike.

The club is launching a brand new initiative this week called ‘Winning Goals,’ aimed at helping local people manage their weight.

Starting on Thursday, November 4, the Winning Goals programme will run for 12 weeks. After that, there will be monthly one-to-one sessions.

Those attending will receive free gym membership, a free t-shirt and hoodie and free tickets to watch the Spireites.

The sessions will be held in the HUB at the Technique Stadium on Thursdays, with a choice of either 12pm to 2pm or 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Supported by Derbyshire County Council, Winning Goals is a concept where the biggest losers are the winners!

Mike Goodwin, chairman of Chesterfield FC Community Trust, said: “This new programme is another example of how the Community Trust is having a positive impact on the lives of people in the community.

“We have an excellent relationship with Derbyshire County Council and I would like to thank them for their continued support.”

Meanwhile, the club is also offering businesses the chance to win a year’s free advertising on the online radio station, 1866 Sport.

1866 Sport provides exclusive commentary on every Chesterfield match and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bridget Ball, marketing manager of Chesterfield FC, who run the station, said: “We provide local businesses with the opportunity to promote what they have to offer in an affordable way.

“One lucky listener will receive a *free 12-month radio advertising campaign by simply liking the 1866 Sport Facebook page, liking and sharing a post about the competition and commenting with their business name or tagging another Derbyshire business.”

The competition will run until November 12 with the winner announced on 1866 Sport Breakfast on November 15.

To find out how you can promote your business on 1866 Sport, email alisonollerenshaw@chesterfield-fc.co.uk

*Terms & conditions apply.

Chesterfield Football Club supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Mike Goodwin, Chesterfield FC Chairman

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Shorts hires Lynne Gill as senior VAT manager

Chesterfield Champion, Shorts Chartered Accountants, are delighted to announce the appointment of Lynne Gill as Senior VAT Manager.

An indirect tax specialist with over 35 years’ experience, Lynne joined the Shorts Tax Planning Team at the start of October 2021.

Lynne’s previous roles have included 27 years at HMRC, where she worked as a VAT inspector dealing primarily with small and medium enterprises, before later moving on to large national businesses.

Following her time at HMRC, Lynne worked for a large, independent regional accountancy firm, before working for a company providing specialist VAT advice and VAT compliance services to the healthcare sector.

Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner at Shorts, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a highly experienced specialist such as Lynne on board. VAT is a tax that pops up everywhere, often without people realising, so bolstering our VAT advisory capacity is very important to enable us to continue to offer our clients high quality, comprehensive tax advice.”

Speaking about her appointment, Lynne said: “I am delighted to be joining one of the most reputable and ambitious Chartered Accountancy firms in the region, and very excited to be working with such a talented and dedicated team. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and knowledge of VAT to a tax team which has proved to be highly effective in helping regional businesses reach their goals.”

Shorts is recognised as an award-winning, leading regional firm, using deep knowledge, technology, and expertise to find new ways to make clients’ business better and their personal finances stronger.

This appointment will further strengthen Shorts’ reputation for excellence in tax planning and advice, and will solidify the firm’s position as a regional leader in all things VAT.

Shorts Chartered Accountants supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Dawson Radford Solicitors continues impressive growth with new appointment

North Derbyshire-based Dawson Radford Solicitors has continued its growth plans with the appointment of Liam Kenealy as Head of Employment law.

As the practice celebrates its 5th anniversary, DR continues to provide high quality legal services to businesses in the local area (and beyond) and sees this as a key appointment to further expand the range of services it offers.

“Athough the last 18 months have certainly brought about some challenges, it was really important to me that we stuck to the plans we had in place” says managing director, Jo Dawson. “Providing employment law services to our clients, to me, is a key area we can support with, and it really does go hand in hand with the existing corporate, commercial and property work we undertake”.

Liam is well known in the Chesterfield area having worked at law firms in both Sheffield, and most recently Chesterfield. The task of establishing a new department is not unknown to him, which was exactly the track record Dawson Radford were searching for. “It has taken some time to find the right person to join our team. Obviously it had to be someone with the technical ability and drive, but it also had to be someone who fitted with our culture and values, and the working environment we’ve created – for me that was absolutely key” said Jo.

Speaking of the importance of employment law, Liam comments: “Anyone who has employed a team, large or small over the past 18 months will have had to make some employment law decisions at some point, whether that be choices about flexible working, furlough payments, maybe even restructures and redundancies. It’s such an important part of running a business, and it is vital to get this area of law correct – I’m really looking forward to supporting Dawson Radford’s clients, existing and new, with their employment law decisions”.

Dawson Radford can now offer employment law support to business, both on an ad-hoc and retainer basis. Their services range from the preparation of key employment documents through to representation at The Employment Tribunal. To find out how the firm can assist your business you can visit www.dawsonradford.co.uk or call 01246 932100 for a no obligation chat.

Dawson Radford supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Recruitment Event returns to Chesterfield Market

People searching for work in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being invited to a recruitment event where they can meet local employers and find out more about training schemes.

Following the success of the last Recruitment Event, Chesterfield Borough Council has once again teamed up with DWP Jobcentre Plus to organise an event designed to give job seekers a helping hand to find their next role and support local businesses to recruit.

It will run between 10am and 1pm on Wednesday 10 November at Chesterfield Market, with employers from sectors hospitality, leisure, construction, and health care attending on the day.

The last Recruitment Event held in September helped more than sixty people find employment with more securing places on specialist training schemes.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The last event we held worked really well, it allowed job seekers to directly meet employers and find out more about the opportunities available in the area. We got great feedback from both employers and job seekers at the event and felt it was important to host another one before the new year.

“If you’re looking for work, then this event is here for you. You will be able to find out more about current opportunities and may even find your next job on the day.”

Angela Stansfield, Derbyshire Partnership Manager – Department for Work and Pensions, said: “Jobcentre Plus are delighted to be involved in a second Recruitment Event with Chesterfield Borough Council following the successful event in September. These events are a great way to bring jobseekers and recruiting employers together creating the opportunity for interviews to take place on the day & jobs to be filled quickly. Especially on the run up to Christmas this event will ensure people looking for work find the right job for them and their families”.

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be a special focus on the Kickstart scheme, which provides 16–24-year-olds with a six-month paid work placement, that could lead to a full-time role. There will be the opportunity to find out more about current placements by speaking to the employers directly.

There will also be a selection of local training providers and other organisations who will be able to offer help and support with your job search. They will be able to offer advice on apprenticeships and the training available.

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£20m boost for Chesterfield set to enhance cultural offer

Chesterfield Borough Council has secured £19.98m of Government funding through a successful bid to the national Levelling Up Fund. The funding was confirmed as part of yesterday’s Autumn Budget and Spending Review.

£11.4m will be allocated towards the costs of a £15.6m project to remodel and refurbish Chesterfield’s ‘striking’ Stephenson Memorial Hall extending the Pomegranate Theatre, reconfiguring and modernising Chesterfield museum, and introducing new gallery space, a café bar, education, and community facilities.

The remaining £8.5m of funding will be used to further regenerate Chesterfield’s historic town centre, with investment centred on four key public spaces and the connections between them – Corporation Street, Rykneld Square, Market Square and New Square.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Chesterfield. The funding that we have secured from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will complement the significant investments the council and its partners are already making in Chesterfield town centre and will ensure that we can continue to create a better future for our market traders, retailers, residents, and businesses.

“These investments coupled with the council’s business support activities, which include our Digital High Street Project, new business start-up programme, and Love Chesterfield campaign, also complement the ground-breaking Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project, which aims to sustain the future vitality and viability of Chesterfield town centre.

“We want Chesterfield to be a go-to place for visitors. The projects that will be enabled through the Levelling Up funding will go a long way to helping us achieve this ambition by enhancing our cultural offer and creating new experiences in and around the town’s most iconic building – the Crooked Spire (Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints) – and our historic market grounds.

“We are an ambitious council, committed to making Chesterfield a thriving borough and improving the quality of life of local people. We have achieved part one, which is to secure Government funding, the next part is to deliver these Levelling Up projects at pace and with the desired impact for the future prosperity of our town and borough.”

Under the council’s plans, the four key public spaces that make up Chesterfield town centre will be re-imagined to accommodate a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings. This will be achieved through enhancements to the current public realm, comprising new seating to encourage people to dwell and socialise, new landscaping, new lighting, and digital connectivity for all.

At the Stephenson Memorial Hall, the council will be looking to create a unique facility, using the very latest technology to fuse all forms of performing and visual arts whilst also showcasing and celebrating Chesterfield’s heritage. The aim is to ensure that all our residents can experience the arts and culture in much improved facilities, which we hope will also attract many new visitors to Chesterfield’s economy.

Chesterfield Borough Council made its funding submission to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund in June 2021, but it has not stood still with a planning application submitted last week for the works of refurbishment planned for Stephenson Memorial Hall.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Local doggy day care and doggy hotel wins prestigious industry award

Chesterfield-based Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care and Luxury Doggy Hotel have won one of their industry’s most prestigious awards – the Pet Industry Federation Awards (PIF), Kennel of the Year.

The Pet Industry Federation provides a quality assurance of businesses in the pet care sector with all members agreeing to adhere to their charters, representing best practice for the different sectors of the pet trade on joining the relevant association.

The PIF Awards celebrate success across a wide range of products, services, companies and individuals and provide the perfect platform to recognise excellence and innovation in the industry.

Dawn Brown founded Rose Cottage in December 2017 and has grown it to where it can now look after over 200 clients at their 5 ½ acre site.

Speaking on the achievement Dawn said, “The PIF Awards represent the very highest accolade in our industry and to have been acknowledged as a finalist was amazing, but to win – well that was phenomenal. Kennel of the Year is always an extremely well contested category and winning it really does reflect the lengths we go to ensure our canine companions are happy and extremely well looked after every time they come to stay with us.

“I want to say thank you to my whole team for helping to make this happen. After the last 18 months winning this award is an incredible pick-up and we’re all so very grateful.”

Rose Cottage is also finalist in three categories in the prestigious regional awards the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards.

Dawn added: “Yes, in the same week as winning the PIF Award, Kennel of the Year we also heard that we’re finalists in all three categories we entered in the Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards including Customer Service Award, Small Business of the Year and Team of the Year.

“Honestly the news couldn’t get any better! Congratulations to all the other finalists and good luck for the finals! We’re up against some stiff competition but to have been recognised in the finals and to be included with these other amazing companies and individuals is fantastic and, again, testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone here at Rose Cottage.”

The Derbyshire Times Business Excellence Awards take place on Thursday 25th November 2021 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park.

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s Pinewood Property Estates wins at prestigious awards

The Chesterfield based agency Pinewood Property Estates received the Gold Grand Prix Award for Best Letting Agent in the UK, along with Silver and Gold for Best Estate and Letting Agent in the East Midlands at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2021 sponsored by Coadjute, the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

Pinewood Property Estates finally finished with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers at the awards. The winners were announced at the largest event in the property industry in 2 years held at the Grosvenor House in London and hosted by the country’s favourite TV property presenter Phil Spencer in front of 1,100 guests.

Now in their 18th year the awards, which are powered by ESTAS own customer review platform, recognise the best estate and letting agents for customer service based on ratings from clients who have been through the whole moving experience with an agent. This year’s results were calculated from over 200,000 customer review ratings.

Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 addressed the live audience: “You’ve had to work incredibly hard, you’ve had to adapt your businesses, you’ve had to absorb considerable costs to follow the protocols and to enable things to happen safely. Quite simply delivering great service has never been more challenging so The ESTAS Awards for 2021 are the most well deserved ever in their entire 18 year history!”

Estate and letting agents were recognised in counties and regions around the UK. National Grand Prix Awards were also announced for the Best Single Agent Office in sales and lettings.

Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS said “When we started we wanted to create a set of property awards which were completely pure, where winners were selected solely on customer service ratings from actual transactions. Eighteen years on ESTAS is now the customer review platform of choice for property professionals and the most prestigious award an agent, a conveyancer or mortgage broker can win in the property industry.”

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director of Pinewood Property Estates said “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS and walk away with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers is absolutely amazing. It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice.

“We have always been very proud of the personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise. We are just an independent Estate Agent from Chesterfield fighting against some of the largest Agents in the country so to win Gold at the ESTAS is even more humbling”

Pinewood Properties supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

New enterprise and training centre opens in Loundsley Green

A new centre has opened in Loundsley Green providing start-up businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire with work spaces, meeting rooms, expert coaching and advice.

‘The Green’ is run by Loundsley Green Community Trust (LGCT) who have been operating the adjacent community centre (previously a church) for over 10 years.

One of the free services being delivered during that time has been an Enterprise Coaching programme, helping people to get back into work through self-employment.

Over the years that has helped over 60 people to start new businesses. Around 3 years ago the Trust looked at the Old Vicarage which was unoccupied for most of the time, and saw in it the potential to grow its support for people looking to get back into work.

The team behind the new business support centre overcame several hurdles before its opening, however the space now includes a large training room, a smaller meeting room, and five individual workspaces for use by new businesses.

Office rents are inclusive of all costs including broadband and two of them are already let: one to a husband and wife business, and the other to local community radio station, Peak Radio.

The downstairs meeting and training spaces have been used to provide employability training to young people, health and safety training for people looking to work in construction, first aid training and a variety of meetings of local organisations.

An important feature of The Green is the continued support that will be provided for people looking to start new businesses, and additional funding has been received from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to deliver a programme of training and coaching through 2021-22.

Volunteer enterprise coach Paul Davies explains: “Even though there are reports of over 1 million vacancies being available, many of the people with whom we work have caring responsibilities, disabilities, illnesses and other constraints which mean that working nights for Amazon or Wetherspoons are simply not options. For them, working for themselves, is a practical and realistic alternative”.

Another benefit of taking on the new building is that it has provided the Trust with an enclosed garden which will be a facility used by other centre users. Parent and toddlers, scouts, cubs, beavers, brownies and wide range of other groups will be able to use it for play, environmental projects or simply a healthy outdoor space in which to meet.

LGCT Chair, Ian Birchmore sees this as a really important new asset for the Trust: “The Green has opened up huge new opportunities for the Trust to support and serve its local community. It will provide support to local people who are looking to improve their skills, and look for new work opportunities. It will also provide a further facility to enable people to get together – something they have been missing for the last year and a half”.

Chesterfield Community Hubs support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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