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Chesterfield business to feature on TV’s Dogs Behaving Badly

10th January 2024

A Chesterfield Doggy Daycare business is set to feature on Channel 5 show, Dogs Behaving Badly this year.

The show’s host, Graeme Hall visited Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare to hire the centre’s ‘field of freedom’ to train two dogs.

The space was used to teach the dogs to walk better whilst on a lead, with Rose Cottage providing a secure location with large fencing, in case the pets were playing up! The epsiode is expected to be aired in the summer of 2024.

Dawn Brown, Owner of Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare commented: “Graeme was a very chatty, great guy. He spent time with me and my team before and after the filming. He also signed books for us and we have lots of pictures with him”

“To be picked out of the whole of Derbyshire to use our field was amazing, and will definitely help us to stand out. He said they searched for a field to hire and ours came up when they researched our services. They were highly impressed with our site, our branding, and our whole different take on dog care in general. We were happy to oblige and would of course welcome further filming if required whilst in our region.”

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care can offer dog owners a full day of enrichment for their beloved pets, covering basic physical emotional and social needs, which ultimately results in a happy dog at the end of the day.

The centre also offers a luxury doggy hotel with TV, air conditioning, and sofas. However, the dogs only enjoy this luxury at night time, because in the day they are far too busy making the most of Rose Cottage’s 5.5 acre site. All walks are done on-site too, with safety always being the top priority.

Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Conference to showcase skills support on offer to Chesterfield firms

9th January 2024

Businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being urged to capitalise on the support available to assist with improving the skills of their employees.

The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference will highlight the support available for businesses to upskill their workforce, further enabling local organisations to grow organically. The event is being hosted at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel Theatre, on Thursday, 8^th February 2024 (8am-11am).

Book your free place at the event here.

Research conducted by East Midlands Chamber found that 72% of local businesses have difficulties in recruiting suitable staff. Meanwhile, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (2022), found that nearly two-fifths of organisations (38%) are increasing efforts to meet their needs by developing more talent in-house. Upskilling existing employees is the most common response to solving recruitment issues.

Attendees will hear how local businesses have benefited from investing in upskilling existing employees, including through apprenticeships. BHP Chartered Accountants will share how they have promoted more than 70 of their own staff into more senior roles within the last year, alongside taking on more than 40 new trainees.

Chesterfield Borough Council will also reveal more details about its new skills brokerage service for businesses. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the service aims to give firms a single point of contact for impartial advice and support on how to fill vacancies and reduce skills gaps within their organisations.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council commented: “We’re proud to support the annual Skills and Employability Conference because we believe it helps businesses to share best practice and encourages them to work together to develop the skills of our residents, creating a resilient workforce who are able to capitalise on new opportunities and help local businesses to grow. This year the conference will be heavily focused on the support that local businesses can access and I’d encourage any business owner to come along and find out more about the help available to them.”

Michael Timmins, Chair of the town’s Skills and Employment Partnership and Director at AECOM, said: “The annual Skills and Employability Conference continues to prove popular with firms across the town, enabling them to gain the latest information on the initiatives taking place to ensure we keep producing a strong and talented workforce for our organisations to thrive. As a collective, our town must continue to play its part in unlocking the potential of our people, so I would urge any business owner in the area to attend the conference and see how we can support you to grow.”

The Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills Conference is delivered by the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership in association with Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in business news, chesterfield borough council, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield employability, chesterfield news, Chesterfield Skills, Chesterfield skills and employability conference, Employability Conference, Love Chesterfield

Win food and drink vouchers for Peddler Chesterfield by taking part in our survey

8th January 2024

Chesterfield residents and visitors are being invited to share their views on the town through the latest Love Chesterfield surveys.

The Love Chesterfield Surveys include a consumer and business survey, which are published on a quarterly basis to provide feedback on what has been happening in and around Chesterfield.

Love Chesterfield is a campaign organised by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to promote and support high streets and town centres across the borough of Chesterfield.

The short surveys will ask you two different sets of questions, depending on if you are a consumer or a business owner.

The consumer survey will ask you to update us on what events or venues you have attended and services you have used recently in our communities.

The business survey will ask about your performance and any changes you have noticed in the last three months.

Please spend a few minutes to complete the relevant questionnaire. The results will allow us to monitor the performance of the town, the success of marketing campaigns and business support and will help to shape future activity to support high street businesses across the borough.

The survey will close on 19 February 2024.

At the end of the consumer questionnaire, there is an opportunity to win food and drink vouchers for two people at the next Peddler Chesterfield event on Friday 22nd March or Saturday 23rd March.

Businesses who complete the survey, will have the chance to enter a prize draw to win advertising for your business in the Destination Chesterfield business or leisure e-shot (worth £100).

The Leisure E-shot which is sent to nearly 8,000 contacts on a weekly basis or
The Business E-shot which is sent to almost 5,000 contacts on a weekly basis.

A winner will be drawn in Spring 2024. To qualify for the prize draw, you must have filled out the previous surveys in May, July and October 2023 as well as this survey.

The email the banner ad will feature in will depend on the type of services and products the winning business delivers – the most relevant email will be selected by matching the business end consumer with the email’s audience.

Complete the surveys here:

Business: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/blpp4h

Consumer: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/weg9pr

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield borough council, chesterfield news, Destination Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield, Love Chesterfield Survey

Chesterfield firms continue to play their part in the local community

5th January 2024

Businesses which support Chesterfield through the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are continuing to show their support for good causes in the local area.

See how the business community is helping to support various charities and good causes in our latest roundup.

Central Technology and Hopkinson Waste Management help to combat loneliness in North Derbyshire

Two Chesterfield businesses have recently shown their support for Brightlife, a charity which helps to prevent loneliness and isolation across our area.

Central Technology has launched an initiative, where for the upcoming months, any customer satisfaction survey completed will contribute to supporting the charity.

The firm aims to aid BrightLife in expanding its telephone befriending service, a lifeline for many.

Mark Cass, BrightLife’s Business Development and Marketing Manager, expresses his thanks: “We are thrilled that CT is backing our cause, making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by loneliness. The ongoing cost of living crisis, recent heavy flooding and bad weather has proven to be a constant reminder to us of how important it is that we support older people who are vulnerable and isolated.

“We know from our own research that these individuals are often overlooked and represent a generation that is the last to complain. Our goal is to raise £50,000 to extend support in the area. It costs £6 to make one call, and a donation of £300 sustains weekly contact for an older person over 50 weeks of the year. We welcome the support from CT and their customers.”

Elsewhere, Chesterfield’s Hopkinson Waste Management recently partnered with Liverpool-based PIN IoT in support of Brightlife, raising over £1,000.

Jules Gaylor, Managing Director for Hopkinson Waste commented. “By working together to raise funds for BrightLife we’re able to extend our partnership with PIN IoT beyond our normal skip hire operations. Our joint effort means we’re able to raise more funds and do more good to support the local communities in which we operate.”

College Santa Dash raises funds for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Just before Christmas. Chesterfield College’s annual Santa Dash took place at Queens Park in Chesterfield. Over 100 students and staff members joined in the fun, dressed up in festive attire and with their fundraising donations.

Courtney Beddingham, a regional fundraiser for Bluebell Wood commented on the charity’s partnership with the college: “I got in touch with the health and social care department initially to see if any of their students wanted to volunteer at the hospice. They came for a tour in the summer and really enjoyed their visit. From there, the college chose us as their Principal Charity of the Year.

“It’s really nice to see the younger generation learning about charities and the things we do. I think a worry for me is that the older generation is typically the giving generation. It’s a pleasure to raise the awareness of Bluebell Wood. We are currently supporting children the same age as the students, so it’s important for them to see how we are helping those children.”

After the race, awards were presented for the fastest three males and females, the best-dressed individual, the best-dressed team and also the most money raised.

Regional law firm raises £14,475 for Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust

Chesterfield and Sheffield law firm BRM has raised an impressive £14,475 during its annual Wills month for North Derbyshire-based Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust.

The partnership, now in its fifth year, sees BRM clients make a voluntary donation to Blythe House and Helen’s Trust in exchange for a free Will writing service.

This year’s Wills month marked BRM’s most successful yet, and thanks to the generosity of the firm’s clients, BRM has raised over £54,000 for the charity since 2017.

The money raised will go towards providing highly specialised end-of-life care and support for patients and their families.

The charity provides hospice care in the comfort of patients’ homes across North Derbyshire – including Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, and the outskirts of South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Becca Gregory, Fundraising Manager at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the whole team at BRM for supporting the hospice once again this year.

“Not only have we been working with the firm for our Wills month for many years, BRM has been a long-term supporter of ours since 2017.

“We are so grateful for all of their support and generosity. The money raised will go towards providing patients with care in their own homes and helping to make them and their families as comfortable as possible.”

Rob Woodhead, Executive Director of Wills and Probate at BRM Solicitors, said: “It is a great pleasure to have hosted yet another successful Wills Month in support of Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.

“We’re delighted that we’ve successfully raised almost £55,000 for the charity. These funds will play a crucial role in supporting the organisation as it continues to deliver essential services to the people of our communities.

“Creating a Will not only grants peace of mind but also ensures that your financial legacy is entrusted to those you care about.”

BRM Solicitors, Hopkinson Waste Management, Central Technology, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Chesterfield College support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield business news, Chesterfield charity support, Chesterfield community news, Love Chesterfield

Chesterfield Champions kickstart 2024 with new hires and promotions

4th January 2024

Several businesses in Chesterfield, part of the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions, have started the year with positivity, by announcing new hires and promotions.

Find out which firms have been announcing growth in the town by reading our roundup below:

Banner Jones welcomes six colleagues onto trainee scheme

With 3 of its current trainee Solicitors due to qualify this month, regional law firm Banner Jones has welcomed six more colleagues from across its Chesterfield, Sheffield and Mansfield offices onto its Trainee Scheme.

Reflective of the firm’s ongoing commitment to investing in its staff, all of the candidates have completed their LPC and are now undertaking their Period of Recognised Training, following which they will be fully qualified solicitors.

Over the period of their training they will gain an understanding of several areas of law, spending a period of time in a contentious area of law, a non-contentious area of law and the Company’s compliance department.

Banner Jones’ Trainee Scheme, which is fully funded by the firm, aims to provide an opportunity for those with a desire and interest to learn new skills to further their careers, whilst also training to achieve a recognised legal qualification.

In addition to providing support to this cohort of trainees, the firm is also supporting Tim Barley in his Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship, Claudia Risorto, who joined Banner Jones in September, and is undertaking her Law Degree Apprenticeship, and various other members of staff to undertake CILEx and Licensed Conveyancing qualifications.

Commenting on the announcement Banner Jones’ CEO, Simon Wright, said: “We’re delighted to be training such a large number of colleagues to qualify as Solicitors, in addition to providing support to those undergoing various other qualifications.

“It is important to us that all of our staff enjoy working for Banner Jones, and that they have every possible opportunity to further their careers during their time with us.

“Our trainees and apprentices are an integral part of our future, and we wish them every success moving forward with their studies.”

Training Principal, Katie Ash, added: “With recruitment so difficult at the moment, and having always sought to support our employees’ development and ambitions, the decision to extend our training programme to nurture even more of our own talent was a natural one.”

Banner Jones is an award-winning regional law firm which boasts specialist departments across the full spectrum of legal services, including family law, employment law, conveyancing, dispute resolution, company formation, business sales and purchases, commercial agreements, commercial property, debt recovery and personal injury claims.

BRM bolsters dispute resolution team with four key appointments

Chesterfield and Sheffield-based law firm, BRM is delighted to announce the appointment of Director Simon Lockley, alongside Kirsty Coggin as Senior Associate, Annabel Denby Hollis as Senior Solicitor and Adam Mayer as Chartered Legal Executive, to the firm’s Dispute Resolution team.

The appointments will position BRM with the largest Dispute Resolution team in the region.

Simon joins BRM with more than 30 years litigation experience with his most recent role being Head of the Sheffield Office at Lupton Fawcett.

Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam are joining Simon in the move after a combined 15 years with Lupton Fawcett and have started at the firm this week. Annabel will join BRM on 15 January 2024.

Simon is regularly instructed by both corporate and individual clients in high-value litigation and specialises in company and shareholder disputes, complex contractual claims and professional negligence.

Simon also has extensive experience in claims against employees and directors for breach of contract/duty, civil fraud and insolvency litigation.

Listed as a key individual in his field in the Legal 500 UK, Simon is regarded as ‘highly rated by clients’ and ‘technically superb’.

Simon said: “BRM is an ambitious, modern and forward-thinking firm and I am delighted to be joining its Dispute Resolution team as a Director.

“The firm is business-focussed and has a fantastic reputation in Sheffield and Chesterfield as well as the wider city region”.

“BRM is making a real statement and both my team, and I are looking forward to being part of the firm’s growth in Sheffield and its ambitions for the future.”

Rob Cooke, Head of Dispute Resolution and Executive Director at BRM, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Simon, Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam to the Dispute Resolution team here at BRM.

“As we have previously worked together, I know first-hand the fantastic reputation Simon has both in the city and the profession and the positive difference he will make to our team.

“Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam will bring their collective experience to the team and will position us as the largest Dispute Resolution team in the region.”

Kirsty joins the firm as Senior Associate and was recently rated as a ‘Key Lawyer’ in the Legal 500.

She said: “BRM is dynamic and forward looking. I am thrilled to bring my experience to the firm and be part of its growth and exciting vision for the future.”

New Director joins UKATA

UKATA has announced the appointment of Ali Rees (Evans) to the Board of Directors from 1st November 2023.

The Board of Directors comprises of elected individuals from the membership of the association, and whose function is to provide strategic direction and governance.

UKATA Directors have a responsibility to understand the environment in which the association is operating and to lead the association in fulfilling its purpose as effectively as possible with the resources available.

Ali’s role as a learning and development professional for the last 22 years has given her significant insight and experience in ensuring all learning interventions are effective and provide valuable return on investment. Since working in local authority, Ali has been delivering asbestos training and creating a pool of resources to assist with duty holder responsibilities for a portfolio of 600 premises and 100 housing stock.

As director, Ali will use her skills in business, HR, organisational development, and performance management to support UKATA to move forward and maintain its status as a leading trade association.

Speaking of the new appointment, UKATA Chief Operating Officer, Craig Evans said “Following our board meeting in October 2023, the board of directors have unanimously agreed to co-opt Ali Rees (Evans) from Caerphilly County Borough Council as a non-licensed director of UKATA. Ali has always been very supportive of UKATA, and we very much look forward to working with her more closely”.

Ali commented “I’d like to thank UKATA for giving me this opportunity. I am very much looking forward to working with them in our collective aim of ensuring effective management of asbestos in the UK through positive training solutions”.

BHP strengthens its Charities team with two senior promotions

BHP, one of the largest independent accountancy firms in the North of England, has announced two key promotions within its Charities team.

Neil Baldwin, from the firm’s Cleckheaton office, and Nicola Adams, who is based within its Chesterfield office, have both been promoted to Director RI (Responsible Individual), meaning they are able to sign off client audits on behalf of the firm.

Nicola joined the firm straight out of school in 2007, and became a Chartered Accountant in 2012, having completed her AAT qualification. Nicola was previously on the audit committee of Chesterfield College and has been a trustee of Derwent Rural Counselling Service for over 10 years, including being Chair from 2016 to 2018.

Jane Marshall DL, BHP Partner and Head of Charities and Not for Profit, said: “At BHP, we’re committed to supporting and developing the skills of our people for the long term. To see Neil and Nicola, who both joined the business at the start of their careers, take the next step on their journey is fantastic and a testament to their hard work on behalf of our charity clients.

“I look forward to continuing to work with them to support our clients as we navigate the continuing challenging economic environment.”

Nicola said: “I am extremely proud to have achieved this promotion at BHP. A Responsible Individual role was always something I personally wanted to achieve in my career. BHP has given me the support and opportunity to do this, and I am looking forward to taking on new responsibilities and putting pen to paper on audit reports.”

Six new board members appointed by East Midlands Chamber

Stuart Dawkins will remain as president of East Midlands Chamber for another year after the business representation group held its annual general meeting (AGM) in December.

The former FTSE 100 bank communications director continues in the honorary role after Dawn Whitemore, who was due to succeed him for 2024, chose to defer her year as president until it is compatible with her position as chief executive of SMB College Group.

Craig Brothers, owner of Nottinghamshire-based digital transformation consultancy Six Degrees Associates, was inaugurated as vice-president, with Dawn now set to succeed him as president at the AGM in 2025.

Six individuals were also elected to the Board of Directors, a group of 17 experienced business leaders representing different fields and sectors who provide strategic direction to the senior leadership team in driving forward the chamber of commerce for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

The new board members are:

Martin Barnett, chair of TTK Confectionery (trading as The Treat Kitchen)
George Oliver, owner of 1284
Maz Patel, managing director of Scope Construction
Amit Sonpal, director of commercial banking at Barclays Bank
Anjuu Trevedi MBE, head of knowledge exchange and innovation at De Montfort University and senior partnerships development manager at Twycross Zoo
Sandra Wiggins, manufacturing mentor and leadership coach at Authentically Balanced.

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, Chesterfield business promotions, chesterfield news, Love Chesterfield

Workpays outlines steps to become a leading training provider in sustainability

4th January 2024

Chesterfield training provider, Workpays has outlined the steps it has taken to be a leading training provider for sustainability.

The company has achieved Bronze Level accreditation as a Carbon Literate Organisation with its Managing Director and Director of Excellence, who have led the drive, receiving CLO accreditation. Throughout 2024, the company will roll this out to all staff through its internal Workpays Academy.

Managing Director, Alex Glasner commented: “We want to train a generation of people into careers focussed on sustainability. Therefore, we’re delighted to become the nation’s first training provider not only to offer several specialised green-focused courses, but also to embed green skills into each one of our courses. All Workpays’ courses consist of units such as Environmental Awareness, Domestic Energy Efficiency, and Sustainability.”

The organisation has made sector-specific modules to ensure learners can better understand the importance of sustainability within their area of study and interest, ranging from vocational awards and certificates to green-themed sessions for English, ESOL, and Digital Skills, giving a better understanding of how the sector can be improved and where changing legislation may affect learners’ future careers.

All of Workpays’ courses include a wide range of fusion skills (12 skills identified to be fundamental to the future world of work from research and studies done by NESTA and presented within the Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit supported by the Education and Training Foundation). Every course provides important future-proof skills such as problem-solving, higher-level analysis, and evaluation.

These awards and certificates are fully funded and Workpays has formed a newly-created green progression pathway that learners and apprentices can move through to gain the qualifications they need to find a green career or to gain a better understanding of how to be a sustainable leader.

The Sustainable Leader apprenticeship pathway has been designed to relate sustainability to standards such as Team Leader, Operations Manager, and Improvement Technician to help apprentices understand how to improve their workplace and meet the SDGs, giving real-life examples and experience.

Full green courses include:

Entry Level 3, Level 1, and Level 2 Awards in Progression
Entry Level 3 Certificate in Progression
Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award in Mental Wellbeing
Level 1 and Level 2 Awards in Personal Wellbeing

Alex added: “Workpays is committed to being a specialist in green courses, sustainability, and leading the way in providing high-quality inclusive education for all. We have been asked to join and represent training providers within the FE sector in several forums and groups such as #SustainFE helping other institutions and organisations map and create relatable curriculum content for sustainability. Workpays will continue to build on this in the new year.”

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

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield apprenticeships, chesterfield business news, Chesterfield careers, chesterfield news, Chesterfield Skills, Love Chesterfield, Workpays

5 ways to beat the winter blues and support your wellbeing in Chesterfield

3rd January 2024

January is a month often associated with resolutions and fresh starts, making it a great time to beat those winter blues and focus on supporting our wellbeing goals.

Chesterfield offers a unique blend of award-winning parks, rejuvenating spas, vibrant businesses, and community facilities, not to mention easy access to the stunning Peak District. This creates a perfect environment for self-care.

Here are our five ways you can focus on your health, fitness and overall wellbeing.

Get outdoors and explore our glorious green spaces

Family enjoying nature and supporting their wellbeing in queens park

Queen’s Park, Chesterfield

It has been proven time and again that getting out in nature and taking part in gentle exercise can hugely boost our mental and physical health. Luckily, Chesterfield boasts an abundance of picturesque parks and trails to discover.

Queen’s Park, with its beautiful lake and gardens, offers a tranquil space for gentle exercise. In addition, Holmebrook Valley Park provides scenic walking trails surrounded by lush greenery, encouraging visitors to reconnect with nature. Chesterfield Canal is also home to some wonderful scenery, with the towpath being popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists.

What’s more, seven parks and open spaces in Chesterfield hold internationally recognised Green Flag status. This provides the ideal backdrop for a refreshing start to 2024. If you’re unsure where to start, Active Derbyshire has some great advice on their website, makingourmove.org.uk.

Burn off those Christmas calories

Queen Park Sport Centre gym exercise wellbeing class

Queen’s Park Sports Centre

Do you have a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or even just get a bit fitter? Maybe you’ve signed up for the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k and want to get in shape? Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield and Staveley’s Healthy Living Centre can help you on your fitness journey. More information on timetables, booking and memberships can be found on the Chesterfield Borough Council website.

Furthermore, if you like getting out on your bike, Chesterfield is a great place to be. With plenty of cycling trails and routes on offer and the iconic Peak District just a stone’s throw away, Chesterfield has plenty of opportunities for cyclists of all abilities.

Find out more about cycling in and around Chesterfield including some of the best routes, and support on how to keep your bike in top condition.

Indulge in a relaxing spa day

Couple enjoying the spa at ringwood hall

Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa

If you’re looking to escape the winter chill or wind down after a busy Christmas period, maybe it is worth indulging in one Chesterfield’s spa experiences.

Local hotels such as Ringwood Hall or DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park provide a range of wellness treatments, allowing you to unwind and pamper yourself. Also, Casa and the Peak Edge Hotel are sure to provide you with a night or two of luxury.

Head to our hotels page for more details and get ideas for your perfect wellness retreat.

Chesterfield’s business community is ready and waiting to support you

Sian Spencer-Bray, Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic Chesterfield

Looking for some expert advice to boost your mental and physical health?

Our area is home to businesses such as The Body Health Centre, Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic, and 360 Wellbeing Centre, all of which provide services to support the health and wellbeing of our residents.

Check out our directory of Chesterfield Champions, a network of more than 200 businesses which help to promote the town as a great place to live, work and visit!

Make memories with family and friends

Getting out and socialising certainly helps to boost our sense of belonging. So, why not get some dates in your diary for Chesterfield’s diverse range of events coming up in 2024?

This Spring will see the return of the popular Peddler Market. In addition, Chesterfield Pride, Eat in the Park and the BRM Solicitors Festival of Cricket are all confirmed for the Summer. Head over to our Events page to see what’s on across our town.

Lastly, don’t forget to give @ChesterfieldUK a follow on social media to keep up-to-date on events happening throughout the year!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in Chesterfield, Chesterfield blog, Chesterfield fitness, chesterfield health, Chesterfield sports, Chesterfield wellbeing, Love Chesterfield

Chesterfield businesses encouraged to grow with University of Derby support

3rd January 2024

Business leaders in Chesterfield are being encouraged to explore how they can realise the potential of their organisations, with support to grow from the University of Derby.

Help to Grow: Management is a practical training course delivered by world-class business schools, accredited by the Small Business Charter focusing on building and strengthening people’s capabilities to lead a business, delivered by the University of Derby across Derbyshire.

This course incorporates hybrid learning, peer group networks and mentoring and will support managers and leaders of small and medium-sized businesses to boost business performance, resilience, and long-term growth. The 12-week course is 90% funded and the fee payable by participants is £750. The course has been designed to allow participants to complete it alongside full-time work.

A new cohort is now available to join this January. Benefits from taking part in the course include:

Enhance your management and strategic capabilities
Produce a growth plan for your business
Build resilience to future shocks
Learn how to innovate in your business
Adopt digital technologies to boost productivity and operational agility
Develop your value proposition and reach into growth markets
Improve employee engagement and responsible business practices

One of the course tutors, Dr. Elnerine Greeff, Lecturer in Marketing at Derby Business School, commented: “I’m especially excited to form part of this Help to Grow initiative. The beauty of this programme is that we have businesses which are just starting out now, and we have people with a wealth of experience.

“It is everything that you wanted to learn in your three-year business course at university, condensed and tailor-made to your business, with face-to-face time, mentorship, and absolutely everything that you need to make successful what you are already passionate about.”

Get more information on the Help to Grow: Management programme here. To explore the range of business support available to organisations in Chesterfield, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

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

Branded stone wall in front of red brick building - University of Derby Chesterfield campus

University of Derby, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in business support, chesterfield business news, chesterfield business support, chesterfield news, Help to Grow, university of derby

New pottery painting shop enables Chesterfield residents to unleash their creativity

19th December 2023

A new pottery shop, which enables customers to paint their own pots has opened in Chesterfield.

Peel Pottery is now up and running in the Old Mill building of H&F on New Beetwell Street in the town centre.

The store offers a pot ceramic studio suitable for all ages and abilities, whether for the lone painter, a group of friends, work colleagues or special occasions. The shop also specialises in children’s birthday parties, hen parties and team building sessions.

Owner, Louise Peel explains where the idea for the new store came from:

“I have been learning the art of pottery for a few years now, and feel that Chesterfield deserves a lovely space for any individual to come and unleash their creativity. So I have spent some time creating an area at our shop, ready for ‘paint a pot’ and we are also in the process of setting up evening classes in pottery and other arts. I have friends willing to come down and teach jewellery making, Painting tutorials and more.

“The ceramic studio is located on the first floor of H&F and can accommodate up to 24 people, and it has a kitchen area providing light refreshments whilst you create your ceramic masterpiece.

“As a local person I feel that we need a hub that offers several independent services. The building of H&F in January will offer a café and restaurant area at the rear (Devil’s Depot), our handcrafted furniture and accessories at H&F in the main building, and our ceramic studio and workshop on the first floor. This should offer a little something for everyone all under one roof. So please pop down and visit us”

Find out more about the new centre at: www.peelpottery.co.uk or www.handf.co.uk

Visit Chesterfield for a great day out or to stay. Our town is brilliantly located in the centre of the UK, with a great range of entertainment for all ages and interests. For more information, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, chesterfield town centre, Love Chesterfield, Peel Pottery, things to do in Chesterfield, visiting chesterfield

General Election must not get in way of businesses, says Chamber

19th December 2023

The uncertainty surrounding when a General Election takes place must not get in the way of businesses’ ability to drive forward the growth that will bring down inflation and boost wages.

This was the view of business leaders speaking at East Midlands Chamber’s Annual State of the Economy Conference.

On the day the Bank of England kept the base rate at 5.25%, the highest point in 15 years, and 24 hours after the latest economic data showed the UK’s GDP shrank more than expected by 0.3% in October, speakers made the case for cross-party consensus on key economic issues such as skills, productivity, and research and development – which they said are crucial to raising business investment from its current low bar.

Among the business leaders and economists were Institute of Directors director-general Jonathan Geldart, Barclays global head of transactional FX sales Sat Khuntia, PwC East Midlands partner Alex Hudson, Freeths Leicester managing partner Lisa Gilligan, Future Life Wealth Management founder and divisional director Jillian Thomas, and Mukesh Bulsara, partner at business advisory services firm Coadax and vice-chair of Leicestershire Business Voice.

Data from the Chamber’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey, run in partnership with the University of Leicester School of Business, was presented to give a snapshot of the past year. It showed how after a general improvement in activity and sentiment throughout the first half of 2023 there has been an overall slowdown towards the end of this year.

Historical trends show activity often slows ahead of a General Election

East Midlands Chamber director of policy and insight Chris Hobson said: “Our Quarterly Economic Survey results for 2023 can be viewed as a game of two halves, with the recent slowdown underpinned by a decrease in advanced orders – both at home and overseas – along with a weakening labour market, flat investment intentions and a decline in cashflow performance.

“Driving this has been, firstly, fiscal pressures from 14 consecutive increases in the base rate by the Bank of England. It may be the lag time between rate hikes and subdued consumer demand has now passed and we are experiencing the full impact of that prolonged, proverbial belt-tightening.

“Away from this, we’re also experiencing an unpredictable political environment, with multiple ‘resets’ as the country gears up for a General Election. This has meant an increase in policy announcements, arguably with more of an eye on positioning as opposed to meaningful growth strategies for UK plc.

“Looking at historical trends via our State of the Economy Index, it’s not unusual to see things slow down ahead of an election, but the concern is that continued uncertainty about when this might take place could act to lengthen the duration of this for businesses.

“Sentiment is an incredibly powerful – and often underestimated – factor in economic activity. As businesses seek surety over the environment into which they’ll be investing over the coming 12 months, it’s incumbent on all parties to ensure we don’t allow the nature of our political cycles to mean we are found wanting.

“But one note of confidence – this time 12 months ago, many were predicting a recession in 2023 that never materialised. And when talking to individual businesses, the big picture trends we see are hiding many, many positive stories of growth and success.”

East Midlands Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey Q4 2023 findings

Key findings from the Quarterly Economic Survey Q4 2023 for the East Midlands, which was completed by 370 organisations between 6 and 30 November 2023, included:

UK and overseas sales have each remained steady throughout the year, increasing by a net 2% between the third and fourth quarters, but there were declines in advanced orders for a net 9% and 10% for UK and overseas respectively
Recruitment has slowed with a net 8% drop in businesses that added to their headcount in the prior three months compared to the previous quarter, although there was a net 1% rise in firms expecting to increase their workforce in the next three months
Many employers continue to face challenges with filling job vacancies – 55% of organisations attempted to recruit and, of those, more than seven in 10 (72%) experienced problems in finding suitable staff. Skilled manual and technical, and professional and managerial roles were the most difficult to fill.
After easing throughout the year, price rises are back on the agenda. In Q1, 54% of businesses had expected to increase their prices due to cost pressures from energy, raw materials, people and fuel. This fell to 30% in Q3 before rising again to 40% in the final quarter of the year, with increased labour costs the main driver
A net 7% of firms reported cashflow was down in Q4, a 6% rise from the previous quarter
There was no difference in intentions to invest in plant and equipment between the third and fourth quarters, but investment intentions for training increased by 5%. Both indicators have remained very low throughout 2023, with the total proportion of firms intending to increase their investment never climbing above 20%
Business confidence shows a mixed picture, with confidence in profitability prospects down by 2% compared to the previous quarter but up by 4% for turnover expectations.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, UncategorisedTagged in chesterfield business news, chesterfield news, east midlands chamber, Love Chesterfield

It’s time to reflect on another year at Destination Chesterfield

18th December 2023

Do you reflect enough on what you have achieved and take time to celebrate your successes?

We discussed this question at our Destination Chesterfield Strategy Day.

As a place marketing partnership, we focus on promoting Chesterfield and telling the place story with our Chesterfield Champions and other partners.

This blog celebrates some of Destination Chesterfield’s achievements in 2023.

Working together to shape our direction

In January, we held our annual consultation session with our Chesterfield Champions. They wanted us to continue our activity to attract investment to the town and promote Chesterfield as a place to visit and spend leisure time.

In my view, the strength of the Destination Chesterfield Partnership comes from collaboration and a shared approach to promoting and developing our town. We give partners a chance to have a say on what we deliver, get involved if they want to, and influence policy for the borough.

Skills for the future

In February, we organised, for Chesterfield Borough Council, the Employability and Skills Conference at the Winding Wheel, focusing on businesses working with schools to develop talent for the future.

Future talent has been a focus for Destination Chesterfield’s Manufacturing and Property and Construction Groups this year. Local businesses committed to supporting initiatives such as Made in Chesterfield and the successfully piloted Careers Made in Chesterfield programme with Chesterfield Borough Council and Parkside School.

A vision for Chesterfield

The Celebrate Chesterfield Business event, attended by 300 delegates, relaunched the Chesterfield Story and showcased the new Chesterfield Borough Council Growth Strategy.

We asked partners to commit to their vision for Chesterfield in 2030 and collectively support the promotion of the town.

Team Chesterfield hit the road

A delegation from Destination Chesterfield, Chesterfield Borough Council and Chesterfield Champions attended UKReiif in Leeds in May.

The event is the largest Property and Infrastructure event in the country.

Destination Chesterfield coordinated activities which included showcasing major sites and opportunities at panel discussions, launching the new investment prospectus, a media campaign to support activity and arranging meetings with potential investors, developers and funders.

Bringing the town centre to life

June saw the launch of Peddler Market Chesterfield by Peddler Events and Chesterfield Borough Council. The Destination Chesterfield team supported the marketing and organised the launch event.

The first event was a success for the traders and attracted footfall to the town centre.

Following the success of the launch event, Destination Chesterfield has teamed up with Peddler Events to create Peddler Connect, an informal business networking event open to all businesses and will take place at future Peddler Market Chesterfield events.

As requested by some of our Chesterfield Champions in January, the event offers networking opportunities but supports our objectives of attracting people to the town centre.

An eventful summer

In January, Champions asked for more events and festivals in Chesterfield. Over the summer, it was great to see Eat in the Park and the Chesterfield Children’s Festival alongside the return of existing favourites such as the BRM Solicitors Chesterfield Festival of Cricket, Chesterfield Pride and the Chesterfield Medieval Fun Day.

Throughout the summer months, Destination Chesterfield managed the Summer in Chesterfield Campaign. The campaign was seen over 1.6 million times by target audiences. The Love Chesterfield Survey identified that 38% of people who saw the campaign said it influenced them to support local retailers.

The office is dead, long live the office!

In August, the Chesterfield Office Campaign ended. Launched in 2022, it showcased office space available in Chesterfield for businesses looking to start up and grow.

It has been great to see the success of One Waterside Place, which is now fully let, and the range of businesses that have chosen the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

A place to visit

Destination Chesterfield secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop and deliver a Short-break campaign for Chesterfield.

Research has been commissioned and is currently being carried out with both former visitors and non-visitors to shape a marketing campaign which will launch in 2024.

Why Chesterfield Why Now?

We delivered the Chesterfield Investment Summit in October. The event showcased Why Chesterfield Why Now. We heard from investors, developers and businesses who highlighted our strategic location, affordability and supportive local authority and business community as to why they chose Chesterfield.

The feedback on this event was positive regarding the content, the people attending the event and the business conversations that took place at or because of the event.

Christmas in Chesterfield

The Christmas in Chesterfield Campaign promotes the town over the festive period, encouraging residents to support local and attracting people within an hour of Chesterfield to enjoy our town.

The business community is leading the way

Destination Chesterfield is led by an independent board of directors from the private and public sectors. The Destination Chesterfield Review by Thinking Places recommended an update of the governance and a refresh of board membership.

Expressions of interest from employees at Chesterfield Champion businesses who would be interested in joining the board are now open.

Championing Chesterfield

Did you know we work with over 220 businesses and organisations that are Chesterfield Champions?

Throughout 2023, the number of businesses committing to work collectively to promote Chesterfield has grown again.

Every month, the team update partners through events and marketing activity.

They are also working with Champions to gather content for campaigns and celebrate the success of Chesterfield businesses through our news content.

Teamwork makes the dream work

I am immensely proud of what Destination Chesterfield delivers and the hard work the team put in to bring together a range of campaigns and activities to meet the objectives of our strategy and ultimately support Chesterfield’s growth ambitions.

Thank you to our board members, Chesterfield Champions and delivery partners for supporting us in raising the profile of and changing perceptions of the borough of Chesterfield.

Next year I am looking forward to launching the new Destination Chesterfield Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Join us at the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Event on the 20th March to discover more and get involved in delivering it!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in Championing Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield 2023, Dom Stevens