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Get a Free Personal Caricature at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, Chesterfield is excited to announce plans to offer customers the chance to receive a FREE personal caricature at the centre this spring bank holiday weekend.

They are inviting customers to come and take a seat for one of two professional caricature artists, who will be waiting with pens poised from 11am – 4pm on Saturday 25th May, to create a portrait of their cartoon likeness, completely FREE.

It’s the ideal occasion for visitors receive a unique piece of art for the wall or a memento of a day out with friends or family.

The artists will be located at St. James Square on the grass area throughout the day and Caricatures will be offered on a strictly first come, first served basis. These take just approximately 15 minutes to create, so customers are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We know how customers are expecting more and more from their shopping trip these days so we wanted to host a small-scale event to brighten their day. A free caricature is sure to make a unique and quirky addition to any home, so we’re sure customers of all ages will appreciate them.”

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

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

Chesterfield Named as One of the UK’s Most Instagrammed Towns

Chesterfield has been named the 32nd most instagrammed town in the UK according to research by Cheaphotels4uk.

The travel website used Instagram to analyse where can you find the most picturesque towns in all of the UK.

It researched the photo sharing platform to find out which towns are the most Instagrammed, by examining how many times a post of every UK town had been shared on the site.

You can read the full results at https://cheaphotels4uk.com/travel-guide/best-towns-uk

Find out what is happening in Chesterfield on Instagram – Give us a follow here.

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

30 retailers make the shortlist for the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards

30 Chesterfield retailers are set to go head-to-head in the sixth annual Chesterfield Retail Awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, the awards will see shops, stores, barbers, clinics, market stalls and events battling it out to claim at least one of 15 titles.

In a record year for nominations, 17 businesses have been shortlisted for the first time in the prestigious Chesterfield Retail Awards, while three businesses – Geeks Headquarters Ltd, Specsavers and Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield – hope to defend their 2018 titles.

This year also sees the introduction of a brand new category – Best Town Centre Event, sponsored by Spire Radio – which is designed to recognise the contribution events make to both increased footfall and the vibrancy of Chesterfield.

The awards shortlist follows a lengthy nomination and judging process. All the shortlisted businesses will also battle it out for the coveted overall title of Retailer of the Year 2019, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire).

The winners of the awards will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony held at Casa Hotel on Wednesday 19 June.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “We were blown away by the amount of nominations in the awards this year; there were more than ever before, mirroring the year-on-year success of these popular awards. We now have a strong shortlist for the 2019 awards, which represents the town’s high-quality, varied retail scene. It promises to be an exciting evening at Casa Hotel next month.”

The businesses across the 13 categories shortlisted so far in this year’s Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

 

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year

  • Belle Vie
  • Less than Zero Barbers
  • TAG Aesthetics

 

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year

  • DHC Countrywear
  • Dotique
  • Something Special Bridal

 

Home & Gifts Retailer of the Year

  • Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
  • Astra Designs
  • Etienne Curtains & Blinds

 

Food & Drink Retailer of the Year

  • Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce
  • Rate Good Brownie Boxes
  • R P Davidson Cheese Factor

 

Leisure Retailer of the Year

  • Geeks Headquarters Ltd
  • Quinney’s Pet Supplies
  • StraightCurves

 

Market Hall Business of the Year

  • Fairplay Gift Emporium
  • R P Davidson Cheese Factor
  • Thanks A Bunch

 

Best New Store 2018/2019

  • Astra Designs
  • Ingman’s
  • The Little White Dress

 

Market Trader of the Year

  • Roper’s Honey
  • Spire Vintage
  • Top Cards

 

Independent Retailer of the Year

  • H&F
  • Something Special Bridal
  • Tech CPR

 

National/Multiple Retailer of the Year

  • The Body Shop
  • RSPCA
  • Specsavers

 

Excellence in Customer Service

  • Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield
  • Dotique
  • Something Special Bridal

 

Best Town Centre Event

  • Chesterfield Artisan Market
  • Chesterfield Food and Drink Festival
  • Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon

 

Supporters of the 2019 Chesterfield Retail Awards include: Apprentice Town (led by Chesterfield Borough Council), Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), eBusiness Works, Elite Private Education, Hoods Florist, In The Works PR, Jumble Creative Design, JP Fire Safety, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Pavements Shopping Centre, Peak FM, Spire Radio, Temple Safety and University of Derby.

For more information about the awards, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards

Chesterfield Retail Awards 2018, held at the Winding Wheel, Chesterfield, organised by Destination Chesterfield. 13 June 2018

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

Northern Tea Merchants Celebrates 60 Years in Business

Chesterfield’s iconic Northern Tea Merchants on Chatsworth Road is celebrating 60 years of business.

With 60 years of coffee roasting and tea blending under their belt, the family-owned business has worked out that more than 21,000 tonnes of tea and coffee beans has been blended and roasted by the company since 1959.

Now, to mark the diamond anniversary of the business, Northern Tea Merchants has created a very special limited edition blend for its legion of coffee fans.

A Costa Rican Las Palomas Honey Preparation has been carefully chosen by the business’ owners, David and James Pogson, to epitomise the quality of the teas and coffees the business has delivered since 1 May 1959.

From small beginnings selling door to door from a van, Northern Tea Merchants now supplies to major supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. Through its website the business is also selling to customers throughout Europe, the US, Australia and even China.

David Pogson who founded the business and now runs it with his son James, commented: “From leaving school at sixteen,  joining my fathers’ business before setting up my own Northern Tea Merchants four years later, to where we are today, employing 26 people, and being trusted suppliers to literally thousands of businesses, I am incredibly proud to be celebrating 60 years in business.”

James Pogson added: “Many people locally associate Northern Tea Merchants with our shop on Chatsworth Road but we are known nationally and internationally for our tea and coffee which is all produced at our Chatsworth Road premises.

“Chesterfield is and remains incredibly important to us – so important in fact, that we are proud to have the crooked spire on all our packaging.”

The business, which has been based on Chatsworth Road since 1978, now employs 26 local people and roasts and packs nearly 12,000kg of coffee and cocoa a week as well as producing hundreds of thousands of teabags. Northern Tea Merchants was one of the first companies in the UK to manufacture teabags.

Over the last 60 years the business has gone from strength to strength. It is a member of the United Kingdom Tea & Infusion Association, assisting at board room level with their activities. They are licensed Fairtrade importers and packers, members of the Rainforest Alliance and hold the Soil Association Organic license for tea, coffee and cocoa.

The new limited edition Costa Rican Las Palomas Honey Preparation blend is available to buy in the shop or online at www.northern-tea.com

Northern Tea Merchants Celebrates 60 Years in Business

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Visiting

Another New Retailer Opens at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Brand new store, Inside Out, opened at Vicar Lane Shopping on Saturday 27th April 2019.

Customers can expect to find a range of home and garden décor, including retro furniture, cushions, novelty signs, pictures and other quirky decorations. The independent retailer has only a handful of stores based locally around the region, each offering a wide range of unique home furnishings.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re really excited to welcome Inside Out to our line-up. It’s a great store to have at Vicar Lane, offering customers somewhere different to find distinctive homeware, alongside the appeal of our high street fashion and ‘pleasure shopping’ offer.”

The shop is in a prime location in the heart of the town’s shopping district, situated next to O2 and opposite Holland & Barrett on Vicar Lane, and offers shoppers a place to find unique furnishings to decorate their home and garden with.

The new store will be open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sundays.

Find out more about shopping in Chesterfield

Inside Out Vicar Lane

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

Line up announced for Chesterfield Pride

Chesterfield Pride returns this Summer and they have announced their line up of performers.

Organisers have said the 2019 event which takes place on the 21st July at Stand Road is set to be even bigger with some new added features.  Last years event was attended by around 6000 people.

The line up on the Main Stage at Chesterfield Pride has an eclectic mix of performers. Headlining is 80’s star and TV personality SONIA, who will be performing her greatest hits including her number one single “You’ll Never Stop Me from Loving You”.  Dance legend SHENA who is the powerhouse vocalist behind the dance hits “The Weekend”, “Watch Out” and “Son Of  Gun” will also appear. There will also be stars of “The Voice”, “Britain’s Got Talent” and “The X Factor” keeping people entertained throughout the day.

New for 2019 is the cabaret tent. This will be bringing you the best in local performers and International Drag Queens. This includes the star of BBC ONE’S “All Together Now” Divina De Campo and the hilarious Ky Kelly as well as well known local performers including Jayrar, Rachael Webster and The Shambles.

“We are really proud how far the event has come and how well it has been received. The event has a real buzz about it and it continues to grow. Everyone is welcome.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Pride 

Chesterfield Pride

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nominate now in the 2019 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

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

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

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

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

The categories include:

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

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

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

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

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

Food & drink 2018 winners

Food & drink 2018 winners

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

Revolution House to open for the summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Revolution House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Premier Inn get the keys to new hotel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Premier Inn Chesterfield

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