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Joe Pasquale & Sarah Earnshaw to star in John Godber’s April in Paris – Coming to Chesterfield in March

Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw will star as Al and Bet in John Godber’s classic comedy, April in Paris, which will tour the country, coming to Chesterfield Theatres in March 2021 and will be directed by Richard Lewis.  Audiences will be socially distanced.

In John Godber’s touching and hilarious classic, we go into the heart of one ordinary couple’s life as they go on both the journey of a lifetime and a journey into their relationship.  Al and Bet are in a rut.  Married for 26 years, their conversations are running dry and life has taken its toll. With his building work sparse and her shifts at the shoe shop getting few and far between there’s little to look forward to, apart from a possible ABBA tribute show in Wakefield and the odd trip to the pub.  But Bet has dreams.  She longs to walk with the Pharaohs in Egypt, sunbathe on golden beaches and climb Alpine mountains, all fuelled by her love of magazine competitions with holidays as prizes.  Finally, her luck changes; she wins a night away for two to Paris in April, via a luxury trip on P&O Ferries out of Hull.

John Godber says, “April in Paris is one of my favourite plays and I’m very excited about this new version with Joe and Sarah, directed by my long-time friend Richard Lewis. I hope that Al and Bet’s trip to the French capital helps to raise the spirits and even a laugh or two, as they rekindle their romance amidst the baguettes, Beaujolais and the steak tartare! The play’s message, that we need to be kind to each other, seems to me to be more relevant now than it ever was before!”

Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw had begun the second UK tour of Some Mother’s Do ‘Ave ‘Em when theatres were closed by the Government because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so they are delighted to be able to go out on the road again, as Joe explains:

“To say I’m excited about performing April in Paris would be an understatement, for lots of reasons.  One of the things that is so important is that we (Sarah Earnshaw, Richard Lewis and all at Limelight) will be on the front line with one of the first shows back into the theatre after such an horrendous year…. and we shall be flying the flag, so to speak, to the naysayers who say it can’t be done.  Well, Richard and his team have proved them wrong; if you think outside the box, anything can be achieved.”

Producer and director, Richard Lewis added, “As I’m sure most people are aware, it is an extremely challenging time for the theatre industry.  It has effectively been banned for over eight months now and has created great hardship – for artists, for theatres and for producers.  As we move into the New Year, it is already clear that only venues that can function with restricted capacity will be allowed to open.  It is hugely challenging for theatres to find the type of product that can operate with these limitations.  This is why I am particularly delighted and proud that Limelight Productions has been able to create a show that can help bring live performance back to its audience.

John Godber’s April in Paris starring Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw is a funny, touching comedy that lifts the spirits. It will bring a little sunshine into the life of everyone who sees it, and I hope audiences will be encouraged to help support this initiative to bring back live performances.”

Comedian Joe Pasquale has delighted audiences with his live stand-up tours for over 30 years. Along the way he’s voiced characters for Hollywood movies Garfield: A Tale of Two Kittens and Horton Hears a Who!, children’s television animation Frankenstein’s Cat and starred in The Muppets’ 25th Anniversary Show.  Joe made his theatrical debut in 1999 in Larry Shue’s The Nerd, followed by the touring productions of Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Mel Brooks’s The Producers. In addition, Joe took part recently in ITV1’s The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins, he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’ in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in 2004, appeared on five Royal Variety Performances, hosted his own ITV special An Audience with Joe Pasquale, at times hosted The Paul O’Grady Show for Channel 4 and hosted the long-running television series The Price is Right for ITV.  Other recent TV credits include a celebrity edition of Total Wipeout; Guinness World Records Smashed and Virgin One’s The Prisoner X.

Prior to playing Betty, Frank’s long-suffering wife in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Sarah Earnshaw most recently starred as Connie in The Nightingales (Theatre Royal Bath & UK Tour) and Jennifer Lore in the UK Tour of Nativity – The Musical.  Her other theatre credits include Travels With My Aunt (Chichester Festival), The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (West End and UK Tour) and the original London cast of Wicked.

The National Tour of April in Paris is produced by Limelight Productions.

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A Year at St. Helena- Update from Dr Paula Holt MBE, Destination Chesterfield Board Member

The following blog has been written by Destination Chesterfield board member, Dr Paula Holt MBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care at the University of Derby.

Dr Holt covers the progress made this year at Chesterfield’s  St. Helena University of Derby Campus, along with the challenges faced by the University throughout the Covid-19 pandemic…

2020 started like any other year at the University of Derby’s St Helena Campus in Chesterfield. Our September cohort of Nursing students had settled in, we were preparing to welcome a new cohort in March, our calendar of business events kicked off, and our business incubation tenants returned after the Christmas break. But life and study changed dramatically in March, when the government announced a UK-wide lockdown due to Coronavirus.

Staff and students adapted quickly to new ways of working as teaching moved to online delivery, and later to a blended approach with a mixture of on-campus and remote learning.

Around 500 of our nursing students from the University’s College of Health, Psychology and Social Care have supported frontline workers in local hospitals and other care settings. The University has provided a range of support to the NHS, local councils, organisations and communities, including the loan of a digital mobile x-ray machine to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, iPads to help patients keep in touch with their families while in hospital and extensive donations of PPE when supply was low.

As we approach the end of the year, we also move towards the completion of the D2N2 Local Growth Fund (LGF) project to develop the Chesterfield University Campus, which we started back in November 2015. The £3.48 million investment from the LGF, plus investment from the University, has allowed us to deliver higher level skills opportunities for school leavers and adult learners, many of which are the first in their family to go to university, and support the economic growth and resilience of businesses in Chesterfield.

I am delighted that, six months before the deadline, we have hit all LGF output targets set for project, including learner numbers, short courses completed, job creation, knowledge transfer partnerships, and refurbished learning space. This is testament to the hard work of our teaching staff, commercial team and strategic partners, including Destination Chesterfield, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, and Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

CommUNIty Chesterfield, a National Lottery funded project putting the ‘UNI’ into the community, has supported residents, the voluntary sector and students through this challenging period. We have missed not having face to face contact with the community on campus, however we have been reaching out in various ways, such as student placements, virtual shared learning sessions and community led initiatives.

As a University, we take our civic role seriously, and I am immensely proud of the work our staff and students have been doing during the pandemic. As we look ahead to 2021 we will embrace the new ‘normal’, learning from the creativity and innovation this strange period has manifested, and we will continue to support the Chesterfield community and businesses through, and beyond, these challenging times.

The University of Derby 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-based SDL Minorfern continues growth by adding new branch in Leeds

A Chesterfield company has continued its growth by opening a brand new branch in Leeds. SDL Minorfern has established itself as one of the UK’s leading distributors of replacement parts for cars and vans, having been a family-run business for more than 40 years.

Locally, the company already has its head office in Clay Cross along with branches in Chesterfield, Derby, Mansfield and Sheffield all part of a 12 branch network across the North Midlands and Yorkshire.

Now it has expanded again by moving into a Leeds facility in October 2020, making it the biggest standalone branch in the business. The company is also making full use of new technology to improve its output, with the Leeds branch being the first to fully integrate a barcode management system.

The move will also improve connectivity for SDL, with the branch having superb access to the M1 and M621 motorways and Leeds City Centre, enabling the business to expand its customer base further into the Yorkshire region.

SDL now stocks more than 60,000 products, including its own brands and completes around 885,000 deliveries per year. The company has more than 250 employees across 12 branches, with 19 people now working in the new Leeds store.

Darren Murray, SDL Minorfern Commercial Director said: “At SDL Minorfern we pride ourselves on excellent availability of quality parts, a fantastic logistics department for fast deliveries and superb sales teams with decades of quality experience. We then put this all together to provide a quality and reliable customer experience that is second to none, while still remaining highly competitive.

“Now the customers in Leeds and surrounding areas have the opportunity to experience our new site for themselves, and we very much look forward to welcoming them.”

SDL Minorfern Managing Director, Nick Holland said: “We are delighted to open our branch in Leeds. Leeds is a great strategic location to enable us to expand our customer base further into Yorkshire. The Leeds branch offers over 25,000 sq. ft of parts storage, and with state of the art technology we will offer industry leading levels of service to the automotive aftermarket in the Leeds area.”

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

Images by Ben Marriott

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Central Technology and BRM Solicitors gift Netflix to Hospice Patients this Christmas

Chesterfield’s Central Technology has generously gifted Ashgate Hospicecare two smart TV’s to help the charity to help upgrade it’s patient rooms and enable patients to view films and TV shows on Netflix.

The company has provided licenses to use the streaming platform on up to 16 TV’s at the Hospice, while leading private and commercial law firm BRM Solicitors has also joined in the charitable effort with a donation of a Smart TV, meaning three have been donated to the hospice in total.

Marketing Manager for Central Technology, Jo Snow said: “During the pandemic, so many charities have been affected and struggled to continue to offer patients the best possible experience due to lack of funding.

“Ashgate Hospicecare’s utmost priority is to always ensure their patients receive the most compassionate and comfortable end of life care.  Whilst their compassion remains as strong as ever, the blow to the funding this year has meant rooms and equipment still need upgrading.

“We wanted to make sure that patients who are sadly not getting as many visitors as normal have the access to what has kept many of us going during the lockdowns – Netflix!  The hospice’s In-Patient Unit has 21 beds, all patient bedrooms have TVs, however 13 of these TVs are not smart so cannot access Netflix and other streaming sites.

“Whilst Ashgate still need 10 more Smart TV’s, we hope this small gesture will provide a wider range of entertainment for the patients and make their stay more comfortable.”

“We would love other businesses in the area to consider gifting a Smart TV to Ashgate to help them upgrade the other 10 rooms.

“If you would like to help them, feel free to get in touch with Ian Snow ian.snow@ct.co.uk or Charlotte Gratton charlotte.gratton@ashgatehospicecare.org.uk. It could make a huge difference to a patients’ Christmas this year.”

Karen Walker, Ward Manager at Ashgate Hospicecare added: “Our patients will love this, especially at this time of year where they can watch Christmas movies with their loved ones.”

Central Technology, BRM Solicitors and Ashgate Hospicecare support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Find out more about how our Chesterfield Champions have been getting into the festive spirit this Christmas by clicking here

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

DBC Training continues growth with opening of new centre in Chesterfield

Midlands based award-winning Training Provider, DBC are delighted to announce the opening of their new centre in Chesterfield, adding to their existing centres in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Hinckley. The Chesterfield office is in a prime, central location on Holywell Street and has easy access to parking and all the amenities Chesterfield has to offer.

The new centre will provide the local community with enhanced opportunities to learn new skills and receive expert support, providing a pathway to a new career across a wide range of sectors. DBC also work in partnership with local employees to match people to opportunities, providing a vital role in both supporting the local economy and local people.

The centre was officially opened by Toby Perkins, the Shadow Minister for Apprenticeships and Lifelong Learning and Labour MP for Chesterfield and Staveley on 7th December.

Mr Perkins said: “This is an incredibly exciting development, I know how crucial apprenticeships are and how important the independent training sector is in enabling smaller employers to access apprenticeships. Apprenticeships also support young people into taking those first steps onto that career ladder or providing opportunities for more experienced people to retrain and learn new skills and begin a new career path”.

He continued “At a time when skills and training need to be at the top of the political agenda it is incredibly pleasing that DBC is opening a site in Chesterfield”.

Managing Director Kerry Bentley expressed her delight at being able to open a new centre and continue the Company’s next phase of growth: “We are proud to open our new centre as it signifies real opportunities for local people and local employers to grow and develop their careers and businesses. We work exceptionally hard to ensure the specialised work-related training we offer is able to be accessed by as many people as possible to provide opportunities that transform lives and fulfil aspirations.

“The new offices in Chesterfield will, without a doubt, help us to keep moving forward and allow us to offer our services to Employers and Apprentices in a new and exciting location”.

Founded in 2000, DBC Training is a leading provider of training and employment solutions.VFor more information visit http://www.dbc-training.co.uk

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

Toby Perkins MP

 

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Chesterfield Museum announces online activities this Christmas

Over Christmas the team at Chesterfield Museum have traditionally put on events for the whole family and opened Revolution House to the public with seasonal flower displays to help spread some festive cheer. This is sadly not possible this year, but the museum team have put together a series of online activities to help celebrate Christmas.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The museum team have worked really hard all year to create digital activities and events for the whole family, it’s fantastic that they can finish the year off with even more of these. I hope lots of people will take part and learn more about how we used to celebrate Christmas.”

Throughout the year Chesterfield Museum have teamed up with History’s Maid, who are regular visitors to the museum with their fantastic re-enactors, to create a range of videos. This Christmas they have created three brand new videos all about Christmas in different historical periods.

The first video profiles a Tudor Christmas celebration, where traditions included fasting for advent and feasting on plum porridge, pickled pigs’ feet and wassail. It also looks at the invention of the Kissing Bough, a special decoration made of mistletoe and explains the origins of Twelfth Night and the Feast of Epiphany. There is also information on how to create your very own Tudor Pomander, which are a fantastic little stocking filler.

Moving through the ages the next video will look at a Victorian Christmas and how many of our current traditions including carols, crackers, cards and decorations date back to this time. It will also reveal the true origins of Father Christmas as we know him today.

A slightly more sombre video looks at how Christmas was celebrated during World War One, with a reading of a poignant story inspired by the events of Christmas 1914 on the Western Front called ‘Waiting for a Candle’ by R J Barker.

As well as all the exciting videos there will also be some Christmas craft activities for children as well as a Christmas quiz. One of the Museum team will be doing a series of readings from ‘A Christmas Carol’.

Although Revolution House remains closed this year, there are some fantastic photos of previous Christmas’s at Revolution House and the amazing flower displays which staff and volunteers create. There is also a great guide on how to create a Christmas wreath. There will also be a sing along to carols by Holymoorside Brass Band.

The Mayor of Chesterfield, Councillor Glenys Falconer, will also be appearing in a special video this year where she will be reading ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’.

All of the activities and content will be available on the Chesterfield Museum Facebook page www.facebook.com/chesterfieldmuseum and website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/museum.

For more information about Christmas activities in Chesterfield, click here 

Weapons of a WW1 Infantryman

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Chesterfield Champions reflect on a challenging year and share messages of positivity for 2021

As we move towards Christmas and the new year, Chesterfield Champions have sent their messages to the local community as we look ahead to 2021.

If you’re interested about signing your business up to Chesterfield Champions, you can find out more by clicking here.

Destination Chesterfield has also been supporting local businesses throughout the festive period by promoting the Christmas In Chesterfield campaign. Click here to find out more about local Christmas shopping and events.

“The Chesterfield community has shown true compassion, resilience and innovation – pulling together to help one another in the exceptional times we’ve been living through in 2020. I’m truly proud and humbled by their spirit. We know that Christmas must feel a little different this year, but I wish people a very safe and happy festive period, and together we look forward to a brighter new year.” Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council

“2020 has been a tough year. I am immensely proud of the council’s staff who have gone well above and beyond their daily roles to put Chesterfield’s communities first. We have the beating of Covid-19 and with lots of new developments underway or planned, the priority for 2021 must be to make sure that local people benefit from the jobs that are created. We must be fully focused on addressing unemployment and improving people’s quality of life.” Huw Bowen, Chief Executive, Chesterfield Borough Council

Huw Bowen - Chesterfield Borough Council

“2020 has been a year of partnership, collaboration and innovation which has delivered remarkable results in challenging times. Working with Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield Champions, we have seen some truly innovative virtual projects emerge, like Made in Chesterfield and the Christmas campaign, to connect and inform the community. We go into 2021 in excellent shape with a strong story of resilience and innovation to tell potential investors in the town.” Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager

Dom Stevens Destination Chesterfield Manager

“2020 has been characterised by some bold decisions which will shape the future prosperity of Chesterfield. Once again, the town bucked the trend. When everyone else was battening down the hatches amidst the Covid storm, Chesterfield Borough Council forged ahead with supporting commercial developments at Northern Gateway and Chesterfield Waterside, which will deliver employment opportunities. Given the vaccination programme, we now can go into 2021 with hope, and an undercurrent of positivity and excitement.” Peter Swallow, Managing Director, Bolsterstone Group Plc

Peter Swallow Chair of Destination Chesterfield

“Being a care home operator, this year we focused on maintaining the safety and security of our existing business. Reminding myself that we have a serious and pressing duty of care to keep the most vulnerable members of society safe and well has given me focus and purpose in an uncertain time. My hope is that we emerge from this with a newfound respect and value for what is most important – the people in our lives.” Brendan Kelly, Group Managing Director, Heathcotes Group

 

“Covid meant that plans to open a new shop to had to be put as the promotion of one of our apprentices. Despite these disappointments, seeing how the community has pulled together has really impressed me. Looking to 2021 I want the town to prosper as a result of it having amazing businesses within it. I want more businesses to see the benefit of working together. The worlds our oyster so let’s all get involved!” Martin Wallis-Keyworth, Owner, Less than Zero Barbers

“Covid has had a big impact on the hospitality industry within the town centre. Iit has also given us time to reflect on what we do well and how we can make things even better in the future. With the continued support of our loyal customers, we look forward to opening again soon. Next year I want to see every single one of our customers walk back through our doors, fit and healthy!” Claire Wood, Owner, Stephensons Tea and Coffee House

“Home took on new meaning this year, and I’m confident we have adapted to better support our customers and community in finding that. I’m endlessly inspired by my colleagues and the people of Chesterfield in overcoming 2020’s challenges and finding the good in everything. As a town we’re stronger and more supportive than ever – I know we can get through anything! Jessica Risorto Area Manager, Redbrik Estate Agents

“Edwards Employment Solutions is on track to have its most successful year ever. At the start of Covid we feared the worst, however the business has become stronger as the job market has grown. There are many jobs available locally and this is hugely positive for the town and people whose jobs may have been a casualty of the pandemic. There are lots of positives to push both Edwards and Chesterfield forward in 2021.” Izabella Edwards, Managing Director, Edwards Employment Solutions

“The sense of community and resilience shown in Chesterfield throughout the crisis has been outstanding and makes me proud to both live, work and have a business based here. We refused to let Covid get in the way of our business plans, moving to a larger office and recruiting new team members during 2020. Bridge Help goes into 2021 excited for the year ahead and with a strong platform for further growth.” Chris Sellars, Chief Executive, Bridge Help

“While many towns and cities shelved plans for construction projects, it is testament to Chesterfield’s forward thinking and resilience that it has forged ahead with high quality commercial and residential developments during 2020. The ripple effect of ongoing investment in the town has certainly been felt at DBCP where we continue to develop the team and are recruiting further ensuring we go into 2021 in a strong position and ready to support developments across Derbyshire.” Neil Johnson, Managing Director, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership

 

“It is fair to say that 2020 has been a challenging year for the skills and training sector however, out of adversity has come innovation. The industry and NLT have developed new ways of working and delivering courses which I am confident will benefit us all going into 2021 as we look to grow the business.” Sarah Temperton, Chief Executive, NLT Training Services

“2020 has been a terrible year for most, but the festive season will give us the chance to see family and friends and bring us some joy for Christmas. My wish is that business picks up for those companies struggling and those that are still thriving continue to even greater things in 2021! Growing businesses bring jobs to the local residents building a better economy for our fantastic town.”  Lee Ashley, Director, Spire Recruitment

Champion of the Week

“As we leave one of the most challenging years the world has ever faced, we look forward to a new year and the possibility of getting some normality in the year ahead.  We know economically times will be tough, but we hope that the Business Crime Reduction Partnership will help keep our town a safer place to shop and do business and we can’t wait to get out and see everyone face to face once more!” Jackie Roberts, Business Crime Reduction Partnership Manager at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire).

chamber video export

“2020 was the year that Chesterfield’s big heart and amazing community spirit was needed more than any of us can remember.  Residents, community groups, businesses and statutory services rose to the challenge and worked together to make a difference. Social connections are so important. Let’s make the time and effort to connect with each other, and to reach out to those around us who are isolated at this time of year.” Jacqui Willis, Chief Executive, Derbyshire Voluntary Action

“We want to thank you all for your support through 2020, having pivoted our business from live events to supplying home events through our hampers via our website. Covid-19 has made us dig deep, stay focused and plan. We have worked with other local businesses and are really impressed with the camaraderie. We would love to see this spirit continue into next year and look forward for the vaccine rollout to all be together again.” Natalia and Daniela Marchetta, Owners, Salute

 

“Although 2020 has been an unprecedented and incredibly difficult year, it’s also been one of the most heart-warming. We’ve had some lovely messages, conversations and acts of kindness from our customers and suppliers, that proves thar relationships throughout every aspect of business, are of paramount importance. ‘Shop Local’ has also come to the fore and we’re ever-grateful for our customers’ continued support and long-term, this support will help our independents become stronger than ever.” James Pogson, Director, Northern Tea Merchants

“What a year 2020 has been?! It would be easy to list the negatives, however, we’ve experienced a year of growth and seen our undervalued industry recognised as a key way of connecting with and being able to distribute ever-changing messages. Online communications and social media have allowed businesses to innovate and keep the conversation going with customers that would have otherwise been impossible. It’s important to keep this momentum going in 2021 and beyond.” Emma Loughlin, Director, eBusiness Works

“Sicily Restaurant is a young business which opened in August 2019. Me and my partner in crime run the restaurant together, it is our little dream! Obviously, it’s a very hard time for the hospitality industry but it’s a very hard time for everybody else too. We’re very positive and are sure that very soon all of us will be able to get back to our normal lives. 2021 will be a Great Year, Sicily Restaurant is always here to help you enjoy your special days. We’re sure that together, we can do it! Merry Christmas and a happy new year.” Monica and Peppe, Owners, Siclily Restaurant

“It has been so uplifting to see businesses coming together to support each other and the local community.  So many have adapted their services or products, and they have worked closely with the team at Destination Chesterfield to promote the town’s achievements.  It’s been a real pleasure this year to raise the profile of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire alongside 190 Chesterfield Champions.  And we have seen more support than ever for the Chesterfield High Street Awards, in a time when it has never been more important to shop locally.  Thank you to all the businesses that enabled us to reimagine our awards ceremony to showcase high street businesses for the first time via a live virtual platform.” – Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator

 

“2020 has been a tough year for many, here at S40 & S41 Local magazines we closed for three editions but were lucky enough to restart successfully towards the end of the year. Chesterfield has always had a strong sense of community and I’m seeing that more and more as businesses come together to support and help each other. Great examples are the Chesterfield is OPEN Signs used towards the end of the first lockdown and the more recent Christmas Elf, Advent Town and Paperstar Light trails that have popped up over Christmas. I am excited for 2021 after witnessing many ways in which the independent business community are working closer together, it can only mean good things for the new year.” Paul Chapman, S40 Local

 

“This year has been tough for everyone, we have all adapted to the challenges of Covid-19 and new ways of life. The highlight of 2020 for me has been how local businesses and the community have worked together to keep going strong. This year has made me appreciate where I live even more and I truly believe shopping and supporting local will be a high importance to everyone going into 2021.” Mollie Brown, Destination Chesterfield Coordinator

“Whilst 2020 has been a challenging year for many local people and businesses, I am proud to have seen first-hand the collective strength of our local community throughout this pandemic. It has been truly inspiring to see the creativity and innovation on display across all sectors and industries in Chesterfield. This year has gone to show that if we stick together as a community, we’re able to achieve great things even in the most adverse conditions. I am excited to continue working alongside the wonderful team at Destination Chesterfield and our Chesterfield Champions, as part of efforts to help the town bounce back even stronger in 2021.” Joshua Marsh, Destination Chesterfield Coordinator

Posted in Blog, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Chesterfield building brought back into use by charity

A former supermarket building close to Chesterfield Town Centre has been brought back to life by the Chesterfield Salvation Army, who have moved premises for the first time in more than twenty years.

The Christian church and charity which has been in the town since 1881, has renovated the former Lidl store on Foljambe Road to provide a worship space as well as a large charity shop and donation centre.

Money raised from the sales of donations will go to help The Salvation Army’s work.

Salvation Army leader in Chesterfield, Captain Elizabeth Di-Palma said: “We are excited to move into our new building that we are sharing with our donation centre run by the Salvation Army Trading Company as together, we provide a great opportunity to meet people and support the local community.

“Opening at Christmas is especially poignant to us as this is a time of new beginnings. Our church and donation centre hopes to be a blessing to the people of Chesterfield and we warmly welcome people to come for support, to shop or join a meeting once our worship space has opened.

The donation centre, which offers a range of furniture, clothes and bicycles opened on 10th December, with the new worship space opening in January next year.

Lee Foster, the new manager at Chesterfield donation centre, said: “From day one, customers will be able to browse a fantastic range of quality second-hand items at affordable prices.

“The main difference between a charity shop and a donation centre is the range of goods available and volume of donations we are able to accept. People often walk into a charity shop carrying a bag of donations, but as you can drive to the donation centre, there is parking space at the front to help manoeuvre bigger items, such as furniture. It is easier to donate more items, such as clothes too.”

“We have introduced extra safety measures to help keep everyone safe and it’s a large store with plenty of space for customers.”

Other features at the centre include a community refrigerator and cupboard, providing free food for people who need it and a community space which will give visitors a chance to sit and enjoy a cup of tea, when COVID restrictions lift.

Visitors can also browse a range of second-hand bicycles, safety-checked by a qualified bike mechanic as part of the on-site ‘Recycles’ workshop.

Lee added: “We welcome donations which we can reuse and recycle, giving them a new lease of life for others.”

You can find out more about Chesterfield developments here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Ashgate Hospicecare receives funding commitment from the CCG to safeguard jobs and end of life care

After months of negotiations, Ashgate Hospicecare and NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have come to an agreement which will safeguard jobs and vital end-of-life care for the residents of North Derbyshire.

The charity, which employs over 300 paid staff, has secured a settlement to work in partnership with the CCG to help shape end-of-life care and plans for North Derbyshire. Staff have been informed that the hospice now will not have to make redundancies and cut services in the New Year as previously feared.

Barbara-Anne Walker, Chief Executive at Ashgate Hospicecare, said: “We are delighted that the CCG has confirmed its commitment to Ashgate Hospicecare and to working together to deliver the best possible end-of-life care in North Derbyshire.
“It is such a huge relief to know that we will be able to provide the care our community needs both now and into the future. It will also ensure that we will be able to continue to see as many patients as we do now, and we are able to continue to offer the same high-quality care that our patients deserve.

“It has been an incredibly worrying time for staff, and we couldn’t have achieved this outcome without the support of our local community and healthcare colleagues who have spoken up for us. Hundreds of people campaigned on our behalf, they shone a light on Ashgate’s situation, which meant that our plight could not be ignored. What they have achieved collectively is nothing short of incredible.”

Like many charities, Ashgate Hospicecare has seen its income dramatically hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in at least £2.4 million in lost revenue.

Barbara-Anne continues: “Of course, being a charity, our funding challenges never completely go away, and the 2021 outlook for fundraising and retail remains extremely challenging. However, we are more confident than ever that with the support of our community we will be able to weather this storm.”

Richard Chapman, Chief Finance Officer at NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Ashgate Hospice continues to be an important part of the health service provision in Derbyshire. We are pleased that the CCG, on behalf of the wider NHS system, has been able to work with the hospice over recent weeks to assure colleagues there of the value we place on the specialist services provided by their excellent staff.

“The agreement we have reached reflects the ongoing partnership we have with the hospice, and the role it plays working with us in shaping services that ensure excellent care is available to our population throughout their lives.”

Ashgate Hospicecare 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 Champions get into the festive spirit

A number of Chesterfield Champions have been getting into the Christmas spirit this season, whether it’s been through charitable donations, donning those festive jumpers or embellishing their businesses with dazzling decorations..

We’ve been so impressed to see the community spirit well and truly alive here in Chesterfield, despite the challenges posed by covid-19. So we’re showcasing some of our favourite festive stories and photos from our fabulous local businesses!

Wishing all our champions, businesses and residents a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Jumper Day 2020

A number of Chesterfield Champions sent us photos of their teams wearing some truly excellent knitwear on Christmas Jumper Day, which took place on Friday, 11th December in aid of Save the Children. Well done to all those who took part and donated!

Mortgage 1st

The team at Mortgage 1st raised a fabulous £140 for Save The Children by sporting their Christmas jumpers in the office and eating Christmas jumper day cakes!

Salute

Natalia and Daniela from Salute sent us this adorable photo of their little helper getting cosy in one of their jumpers… You can find out more about their Christmas hampers here.

 

Rosewood Wealth Management

Donna, Shannan and Abigail have at Rosewood have certainly been getting into the festive spirit this year! The team have been collecting toys for the Nightingale Ward at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, along with decorating the outside of their business with a fabulous reindeer model… Not forgetting those all-important Christmas jumpers!

Banner Jones Solicitors

We love this collage of Christmas jumpers put together by Banner Jones solicitors! A huge well done to all who got involved…

Charity Appeals and Donations

Many of our Champions have worked hard to ensure those who are less fortunate are able to enjoy Christmas this year. Whether it is collecting toys to help Santa deliver presents to Chesterfield children, or donating to local foodbanks so families are able to enjoy a proper Christmas dinner, Chesterfield’s businesses have shown true community spirit. Here’s a few examples:

Greatest Hits Radio’s toy appeal and festive jingle campaign

The team at Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire have been incredibly busy this year. Back in November they launched their Mission Christmas Toy appeal, which has provided gifts for underprivileged children across the region. But they certainly weren’t finished there! Now, the team have launched the Christmas Eve Jingle campaign to raise festive spirits, by asking people to gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve. Find out more here.

Chesterfield FC toy appeal

Chesterfield FC’s Community Trust have been keen to support local residents ever since they took over the ownership of the football club back in the summer. This Christmas has been no exception, with the Spireites collecting hundreds of toys for local children.

Bridge Help Foodbank Appeal

Chesterfield Champions and other local businesses have rallied around the Bridge Help appeal to support Chesterfield Foodbank this Christmas. The company matched all donations of luxury items with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods.

Specsavers foodbank donation

The team at Specsavers Chesterfield generously donated supplies to Chesterfield Food Hut this Christmas, along with paying for all of the charity’s costs until February 2021. The money will be put towards covering costs and providing 250 hot meals per week to the most vulnerable in our area.

Central Technology and BRM Solicitors gift Smart TV’s and Netflix licenses to Ashgate Hospicecare

Chesterfield’s Central Technology and BRM Solicitors have generously gifted Ashgate Hospicecare a total of three smart TV’s to help the charity to help upgrade it’s patient rooms and enable patients to view films and TV shows on Netflix.

 

Spreading festive cheer in Chesterfield 

A number of Chesterfield Champions have come up with new and creative ways of bringing people across the town together this year, and there’s still time for you to get involved with some of them!

Spire Radio Christmas Carol singalong

With many Christmas Carol Concerts cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Middlecroft Community Group have teamed up with Spire Radio to hold a one-off special on Spire Radio on Friday 18th December from 6pm.

Make sure you join the on-air team for some festive fun!

Team spire

Crooked Spire festival of lights

With their regular Christmas schedule disrupted due to the pandemic, the team behind Chesterfield’s most famous landmark have still managed to put together a range of festive features and events this Christmas.

Carol singing will be taking place outside the Church from 1.00pm for 20 minutes each day from the 17th until the 24th December, along with a dazzling display of light being projected onto the spire from the 16th December until the 31st December.

Festive Brass

Dazzling Decorations on Chesterfield’s high-street

Make sure you head into Chesterfield Town Centre to take a look at the wonderful decorations in our local independent shops. And while you’re at it, you could enter the S40 Local Advent Town competition by spotting the numbers of the advent calendar in the windows of some stores!

Here are some of our favourites:

Adorn Jewellers

Fred’s Haberdashery

Shop Indie

Don’t forget you can find out more about local festive events, activities, gift ideas and shopping times over on our Christmas In Chesterfield pages.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield business leaders urge government to deliver HS2 Eastern Leg in full

The chief executive of East Midlands Chamber says there are “No excuses for the HS2 Eastern Leg not to be built in full,” after the National Infrastructure Commission published recommendations earlier this week.

Responding to the National Infrastructure Commission’s (NIC) Rail Needs Assessment Plan in which it outlines recommendations on the future of HS2, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “HS2 is the single-biggest transport infrastructure project in a generation and represents a huge opportunity for businesses, with the potential to unlock economic benefits of more than £4bn for the East Midlands and part of Yorkshire.

“By connecting the region with a first-class UK and Europe-wide rail network, it will bring enormous opportunities to local firms and make the East Midlands a much more attractive location for inward investment.

“However, these benefits for both the region and country will only be realised once it is delivered in full. That means the Eastern Leg being built exactly as the Government has promised all along, rather than a diluted version of this, and at pace.

“We will have major capacity issues on the Midland Main Line within the next two decades unless something is done to upgrade the rail network, so this needs to be addressed urgently. HS2 would achieve this, while also offering much-needed improvements in connectivity between the region’s towns and cities.

“However, this is so much more than just a railway line. It’s been great to see many parts of the East Midlands come together to commit to a blueprint for the future of the region that will bring economic growth and jobs. We have been very clear on our vision, which is built on the idea that the Toton hub station becomes a destination in its own right – a magnet for inward investment and an industrial hub that unlocks further development opportunities.

“The NIC’s report is therefore very concerning as it doesn’t take any of the regional growth plans into account and we absolutely do not accept its findings.

“Any suggestion that involves stopping HS2 at East Midlands Parkway would not work for the region, and has already been considered and dismissed from a feasibility perspective years ago.

“When the Government makes its decision about which option to include in its Integrated Rail Plan, it will have a clear choice between an exciting vision created by a region that’s focused on long-term growth and prosperity – one that will shape how we want our country to look as we leave the UK-EU transition period – and another that applies rough methodology, offers short-term logic and ultimately doesn’t deliver the same benefits.

“We have a plan that’s ready to go and it’s time the Government delivered on promises it has made so many times over the past 12 months since it firmly committed to the scheme – and in the years that preceded it.

“The East Midlands currently has the lowest transport spend per capita – £245 per head – of any region in the UK, receiving just 51% of the £483 UK average. The region is in desperate need of investment and finally putting any questions to bed on the HS2 Eastern Leg would go some way to proving the Government is serious about delivering on the ‘levelling-up’ agenda – a point on which it has repeatedly banged the drum without any serious proof of what this actually means.

“To do anything else would be a huge mistake, critically undermining the entire project and blowing a huge hole in Government rhetoric.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council has responded to the NIC publication. She said: “We are hugely disappointed that of the options presented the National Infrastructure Commission does not recommend delivery of the eastern leg of HS2 in full. This directly conflicts with the Government’s pledge to levelling up in areas like ours. It also seriously undermines local plans for growth in the north and the midlands.

“After decades of underinvestment in strategic rail infrastructure, delivering HS2 is a once in a generation chance to transform connectivity, attract investment, create new jobs, build new homes, boost skills and opportunity and level-up communities across the North, Midlands and beyond. This is even more crucial to our economic future in optimising recovery from the pandemic, which has hit the North and Midlands hard.

“We have been working with our partners across the north and midlands for a number of years, making it clear that the full eastern leg is a critical requirement for Northern Powerhouse Rail as well as investing huge amounts of money in developing growth plans that will help our communities make the most of HS2.

“For Chesterfield, the failure to deliver the eastern leg in full means facing the prospect of reduced connectivity for our communities, as well as damaging the momentum we have built up around our ambitious comprehensive plans for both Staveley and the area around Chesterfield Station.

“In the Staveley area alone, planned growth worth at least £1bn has been catalysed by the planned HS2 maintenance depot. Taking this away would be a huge blow for an area that has had its hopes raised on the back of HS2’s plans and would leave a huge question mark over how we can deliver the ambitious growth plans our communities need and deserve.

“It is vital that the Eastern Leg of HS2 is delivered in full and that delivery starts as soon as possible. This is about more than just rail and trains – it’s about new jobs, new homes and new starts for communities that have been denied these opportunities over many years.

“This is a critical issue for Chesterfield and Staveley. I will not rest in working with council and business leaders along the planned Eastern Leg to hold Government to account and to ensure that the Prime Minister honours his commitment to deliver HS2 East in full. Time is of the essence to re-assert the strength of Chesterfield’s social and economic case ahead of Government’s planned publication of its Integrated Rail Plan.”

 

Dom Stevens, manager of Destination Chesterfield commented: “Chesterfield is already moving forward with significant plans and developments so that the town can maximise the wide range of economic benefits HS2 has to offer.

“The originally proposed spur of the line arriving at Chesterfield Station will improve connectivity, journey times and capacity on our rail network locally and nationally, bringing with it vital investment opportunities.

“We would urge the NIC to rethink its recommendations and take into the account the huge strides our town has already made to regenerate its economy, with HS2 playing a huge role in attracting new people into the area to invest, live and work.”

 

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

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