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More events coming to town after success of Chesterfield Wheel

Further high-profile events are being planned by Chesterfield Borough Council following the success of the Chesterfield Wheel.

The popular 60-metre ride, which will be open until Mother’s Day on Sunday March 11, has attracted thousands of people to the town and a number of businesses have reported a welcomed increase in footfall and trade.

Chesterfield Observation WheelCouncillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of the council said:

“The Chesterfield Wheel is a recent example of where we have been able to deliver something special for the town at no cost to taxpayers while providing a real boost to the town’s shops and market traders. This is in addition to the successful artisan market and big town centre events, such as the Medieval Fun Day, which attract large crowds throughout the year. We are always looking to add to the town centre events calendar and would welcome any business or company with ideas to come and talk to us.”

“One big new event will see us work with an external company to deliver the first Street Food and Grooves Festival in the town centre, between May 11 and 13. This will see a wide mix of hot and cold food stalls from around the world, alongside live stage music. This will be another significant draw for both residents and visitors alike.”

“Another example is the series of events being held in November to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, where we are working with a range of community and voluntary groups. The wide-ranging events will include a ‘poppy fall’ being created down both sides of the town hall entrance.”

Dom Stevens, manager of the town’s marketing campaign, Destination Chesterfield, added:

“The big wheel has proved a great draw for the town centre, bringing in both new visitors and encouraging people to return to the town who may not have been in recent months.  We know that events bring people into the town and the wheel is no exception.”

“There are further events planned for the town throughout the year which, I hope, people will embrace in the same way they have the wheel and show their support through increased footfall into the town which will benefit the many great businesses based there.

The Chesterfield Observation Wheel has been brought to the town centre by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with operator Mellors Group Events and will operate daily until Sunday 11 March.  For ticket prices including online discounts and booking information please click here.

The Street Food and Grooves Festival is organised by Chesterfield-based Edge Events and takes place in New Square from Friday May 11 until Sunday May 13.

A range of events are planned between October 11 and November 11 to mark the anniversary of the First World War.

The Chesterfield Artisan Market takes place on the last Sunday of each month.

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

Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Wellbeing Challenge up and running

An inaugural challenge which will give businesses and families the chance to get involved with the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon has been officially launched.

Details for the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s ‘Wellbeing Challenge’ were revealed at a special Champions Breakfast held by new event partner, Destination Chesterfield – a leading regional place marketing partnership which has pledged its support for the Half Marathon.

Entry into the challenge, which is the best-value way of entering the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon Events at £80 in total, includes two entries into each of the event’s three individual elements – the 13.1-mile Half Marathon, the 5-Mile Run and the one-kilometre Fun Run. It is aimed at encouraging local businesses and families to get involved with what is set to become the region’s biggest mass participation event.

Destination Chesterfield kicked off its partnership with the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon by launching a competition to win free entry into one of the 2018 Half Marathon events – with more prizes and competitions in the pipeline.

John Timms, events director at MLS Contracts Ltd, organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We are delighted to have Destination Chesterfield on board as sponsor for this year’s Chesterfield Half Marathon.

“As a Chesterfield business, they share countless values with ourselves, headline sponsor Redbrik Estate Agency and of course our charity partners Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

“After the success of last year’s event, we cannot wait for this year’s Half Marathon, and we’re excited about what this new partnership will bring to the 2018 event.”

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield manager, said: “We’re delighted to support the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon. It has become an important event in the town’s calendar, helping raise the profile of Chesterfield, bringing people into the town to discover our offering and, crucially, spend money with our retailers and food and drink businesses here.

“It’s also a great example of Chesterfield Champions – Redbrik, Chesterfield Borough Council, Peak FM, Crush Design & Creative and Ashgate Hospicecare – working together for the benefit of not only the town’s profile but for the people who will benefit from the charitable proceeds raised from the event.

“The addition of the Fun Run and Wellbeing Challenge is an excellent opportunity to get even more people involved in this fantastic event. I speak from experience, having competed every year since the event was launched, and this year will be no different. I am very much looking forward to it.”

This year’s Half Marathon, which is backed by Chesterfield Borough Council, will take place on Sunday 21 October 2018, starting at 9:30am in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. Leading estate agency Redbrik will return as headline sponsor for the second year of its five-year sponsorship deal.

New for 2018 is a 5-Mile Run and a Wellbeing Challenge for businesses, community groups and family groups to get involved in. The event schedule will also be bolstered by the return of the one-kilometre Fun Run, which is open to all ages and abilities and takes place within Queen’s Park. Entry is £5.

Entries for the marathon is open, it is simple and easy to sign up. For more information visit www.redbrikchesterfieldhalf.com.

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

Nominate your favourite store in the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards

The search is on to find Chesterfield’s top shops and traders in the annual 2018 Retail Awards.

Shoppers are invited to vote for their favourite retailers and market stall holders in Chesterfield town centre, on Whittington Moor, Chatsworth Road, Staveley and across the borough until midnight on Sunday 25 March 2018.

Everyone who nominates will be entered into a draw to win two tickets to the black-tie Chesterfield Retail Awards in the heart of Chesterfield on 13 June.

Now in its fifth year, the Chesterfield Retail Awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield, celebrate the town’s flourishing retail scene.

Chesterfield has a fantastic selection of both independent and major high street stores and its historic market attracts thousands of visitors every year.

In 2016 Chesterfield was identified as one of the UK’s top retail hotspots, highlighting it as an area of potential for investors. Hot on the heels of the report, in 2017 the town welcomed several new businesses including TJ Hughes, Patisserie Valerie and Trespass.

With so many developments underway, including the transformation of the former Co-op store and the creation of Northern Gateway, there’s no better time to recognise and honour the retailers who make the town so special.

Shoppers can nominate across 12 categories in the awards and a panel of professionals will select the winners with the ultimate accolade Retailer of the Year, being selected from the winners of the categories.

Nominations can be for any kind of retailer. It might be a shop, a bakers, a butchers, a market stall, beauty salon or crafter, as long as they trade within the borough of Chesterfield.

Members of the public can place their votes online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards/nominate until midnight on Sunday 25 March 2018.

The categories open for nominations in the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards include:

  • Hair and Beauty Business of the Year
  • Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year
  • Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year
  • Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year
  • Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
  • Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)
  • Market Trader of the Year
  • Independent Retailer of the Year
  • National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year
  • Market Hall Business of the Year
  • Excellence in Customer Service

New to this year’s ceremony will be the chance to commend the work of apprentice retail workers and employers of apprentices in the Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year categories.  Applications for these two new awards will open over the next few weeks. The winners of the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards will be announced at the black-tie awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 13 June.

In 2018 The Pavements Shopping Centre will also present a trophy to recognise the Best Retailer in the Pavements Shopping Centre voted by shoppers.  All eligible businesses nominated for the Chesterfield Retail Awards will automatically be put forward for this accolade.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager, said: “The Chesterfield Retail Awards is an excellent opportunity for people to recognise outstanding retailers based in and around Chesterfield; both big and small as well as people and businesses within the sector that are going the extra mile in the realms of customer service and innovation.”

Supporters of the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards include: Apprentice Town, Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire Times, eBusiness Works, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Jumble Creative Design, Learning Unlimited (The Chesterfield College Group), Peak FM, Temple Safety, The Pavements Shopping Centre and the University of Derby.

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

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

New format for the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards

The 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards has stepped up a gear.

For the first time, the popular awards will be hosted as a glittering black-tie ceremony at the Winding Wheel.  In previous years the awards have been presented at an afternoon tea.

Up to 200 store owners, retail workers and key figures from the business community are expected to attend the ceremony which is now in its fifth year.

Businesses can also take part in the prestigious event by sponsoring one of the 15 categories. New to this year’s ceremony will be the chance to commend the work of apprentice retail workers and employers of apprentices in the Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice Employer of the Year categories.

Commenting on the change of format, Dom Stevens Manager of Destination Chesterfield said: “Becoming a sponsor is an excellent opportunity to get involved with the town’s developing retail scene.

“The awards have grown more popular year on year and the clear message is that local businesses are keen for Destination Chesterfield to further promote the quality and diversity of retailers across the town to attract further inward investment.

“With so many developments underway and so many new retailers arriving in Chesterfield, now is an excellent time to raise the profile of the Chesterfield Retail Awards further and we are pleased to be able to host the fifth event as a black tie ceremony.”

Supporters of the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards so far include: Apprentice Town, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College Group, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Jumble Creative Design, Peak FM, Temple Safety and The Pavements Shopping Centre.

Information about the various sponsorship packages are available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator, by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207207.

Northern Tea - Winner of Chesterfield Retail Awards 2017

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

Well dressing tradition celebrated at RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2018

From 6-10 June, the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) newest Show, RHS Chatsworth Flower Show partnered by Wedgwood will return to the magnificent 1,000 acre Chatsworth Estate with exciting new content including a river of 12,000 Cosmos and over 100 varieties of orchid, to satisfy inquisitive minds and fulfil the senses. Moving on from last year’s success, Well Dressing will once again be a main feature in the Community area at the show.

Last year’s entrant Elaine Chapman of Tideswell Welldressers said: ‘The Show was a splendid showcase for the tradition of Welldressing in Derbyshire allowing its artistry to be brought to a wider audience.’

The RHS are calling out to all Well Dressing groups to apply to be part of this exciting new show and asking  groups to theme their entries around their own town/village or group they’re representing. This can be in the form of an iconic building, a famous person of note, a slice of social history, folklore or tradition, the choice is yours. Well dressings will be on display for the whole of show week.  During which time visitors to the show will be able to vote for their favourite. The winning well dressing will receive an RHS engraved trophy.

Deadline for submissions is Monday 26th February.  Please follow the link: https://rhsforms.formstack.com/forms/cha18_well_dressing_application to apply.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Bookings open for Chesterfield Observation Wheel

Online bookings are now being taken for rides on the Chesterfield Observation Wheel ahead of its opening at the weekend.

The 60 metre high observation wheel has 40 gondolas which will give visitors stunning views of Chesterfield and the countryside of surrounding areas.  Each ride lasts for 13 minutes and involves two cycles of the wheel.

The wheel has been brought to the town centre by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with operator Mellors Group Events and will operate daily from Saturday 10 February until Sunday 11 March.

For ticket prices including online discounts and booking information please click here.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Since the construction of the wheel began this week it has created a real stir in the town. It is already a landmark you can see for miles around.

“It is a real coup to get this ride in Chesterfield because it normally operates from big city sites.

“We are already getting really positive comments from the businesses and traders in the area who say that even during the construction they have had more customers who have been drawn in by the sight of it being built. Once the ride opens we are sure it will prove a real boost to the economy and a welcome attraction for visitors.”

James Mellors Junior, director of the Mellors Group, said: “This is our first time in Chesterfield and we are really excited to bring this wheel here.  We are sure that residents and visitors will come out in large numbers to enjoy the experience.

“The 360 degree views that you can see from the top of the wheel are something special that have to be seen to be believed.

“We are even planning a special treat on Valentine’s Day when the wheel will be lit up with a red heart and lights.”

The company has installed the wheel to meet all safety standards.

James added: “This is a £5 million ride that we have been operating in some of the biggest tourist attractions in the UK and abroad since 2009, including Hyde Park for the royal wedding celebrations and the annual winter wonderland. It has been in Liverpool for the Liverpool One shopping centre opening, in London for the Olympic Games celebrations, in Leeds and in Zurich. In addition to rides like this we operate Fantasy Island at Skegness and in Dubai.

“At every site we go to our safety record is impeccable and the same team has been involved in installing the wheel in Chesterfield as has done it at all those sites.

“The wheel sits on heavy duty sleepers because that is the most suitable material to support the weight of the wheel for a cobbled area like in Chesterfield.

“Before the ride opens it has to undergo stringent safety checks and we also carry out a full range of safety checks every day before any passengers get on.”

Councillor Steve Brunt added: “Mellors Group is the biggest name in the UK outdoor attractions industry and as you would expect for a company of their stature they have carried out all the required health and safety checks, completed all the paperwork and put everything in place to ensure public safety so that everyone can just enjoy the experience.”

Chesterfield Observation Wheel

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Lionel Richie Announces Chesterfield Show

International superstar Lionel Richie will return to the UK in 2018, with a show at Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium on Thursday, June 21. The date is part of a summer tour which will be visiting iconic venues across the country. Tickets go on sale on February 2, from 10am.

Performing hits from his extensive and much loved repertoire spanning decades, all the way from the Commodores to the present day, Richie’s shows are world renowned for their party atmosphere. Fans will be able to enjoy timeless mega-hits and sing along to classics such as ‘Lady’, ‘Truly, ‘Dancing on the Ceiling’, ‘Say You Say Me’, ‘Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’.

Lionel says of his return:-

“I’ve been missing the UK and can’t wait to make my long awaited return and to see parts of the country I’ve never made it out to before. The fans are always incredible and they make the atmosphere at every show electric, so I look forward to singing along with them soon.”

Michael Dunford, Chief Executive of Chesterfield FC, added:-

“We are absolutely thrilled and excited that a superstar like Lionel has incorporated the Proact Stadium within his European tour dates.

“Lionel is assured of the warmest welcome possible from the Chesterfield public. This shows once again that the Proact is recognised as being one of the leading event venues in the country.”

These will be Lionel’s first UK shows since receiving glittering reviews for the‘All The Hits’  tour which included three nights at London’s O2. The dates followed a phenomenal Glastonbury performance which drew the biggest crowd of the weekend as over 200,000 people flocked to the Pyramid Stage. Lionel’s incredible success continued as his album ‘The Definitive Collection’ topped the charts and provided his first UK Number 1 in 23 years.

Lionel went on to receive British GQ’s Icon Award adding to a celebrated career which includes the O2 Silver Clef Award, four GRAMMYs, a Golden Globe and even an Oscar as well as the prestigious Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Award. In 2016, Lionel launched his on-going Las Vegas headline residency show, ‘Lionel Richie—All the Hits’, at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, where he takes his fans on a spectacular musical journey, performing a variety of his seminal hits. Having sold over 100 million albums worldwide he recently joined the judging panel on ABC’s American Idol.

Lional Richie Chesterfield

 

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

Chesterfield welcomes first ever visit of giant observation wheel

Residents and visitors can see Chesterfield from a new perspective as a giant observation wheel takes pride of place in the market place.

The 60 metre observation wheel with 40 gondolas affords stunning views of Chesterfield even higher than the Crooked Spire.

The wheel has been brought to the town centre by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with operator Mellors Group events and will operate daily from Saturday 10 February until Sunday 11 March.

The wheel has previously featured in such high profile locations as Hyde Park, the London Olympic celebrations, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:-

“One of the council’s key commitments is to provide a thriving borough and it is very exciting that we are able to welcome this Observation wheel to Chesterfield town centre.”

A two cycle trip on the wheel takes 13 minutes allowing people plenty of time to take in the sights of the town centre and wider borough.

There is also a specially adapted disabled access gondola meaning everyone can enjoy this stunning ride. For those wanting to impress a loved one or even propose, there is also a VIP gondola with champagne.

The wheel will be open from 10am to 8pm each Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 10pm each Friday and Saturday.

Ticket prices are:

  • Adults £6
  • Concessions £5
  • Children (under 1.4 metres) £4

Councillor Brunt added:-

“The wheel will be open for Valentine’s Day and the last day of operation will be Mothering Sunday – and a trip to see the sights of Chesterfield will be a great way to celebrate these occasions.”

John Lowery from the Mellors Group added:-

“As the UK’s leading operator of mobile tourist attractions we are looking forward to our first visit to Chesterfield with the UK’s largest transportable wheel.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Schools ticket initiative launched for European Under-17s Championship in May

England will host the UEFA European Under-17 Championship for the first time this summer with Chesterfield being one of the host towns.

UEFA tournament ambassador Nathaniel Chalobah visited Outwoods Primary School in Burton-upon-Trent on Wednesday.

The event was held to launch the ticketing campaign aimed at attracting local school children to the matches and mark 100 days to go before the competition begins.

The tournament will be played between Friday 4 May and Sunday 20 May, across 10 match days at six venues: Rotherham United, Chesterfield, Burton Albion, Walsall, St. George’s Park and Loughborough University.  Chesterfield will host the opening game, 2 groups games, a quarter final and a semi final match.

School friendly early kick-off times at 1pm will be played at each stadium to give children a unique opportunity to watch the stars of the future on their doorstep.

Tickets for children are only £2 and accompanying teachers/adults go for free.

Watford star Chalobah, who made 97 youth appearances for England and won the U17s European Championship in 2010 said: “It’s great for England to host a European Championship on home soil.

“There are lots of opportunities for schools to get involved and as we saw today, there’s a real enthusiasm for football among young people.

“Throughout my youth career, I always enjoyed competing in these tournaments and the 2010 win is a real career highlight to date.

“It’s an honour to be named as a tournament ambassador and I’m really looking forward to the big kick-off in May.”

Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard, Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo are some of the famous names to have appeared at this level in the past, with the competition acting as the perfect platform for young players to showcase their talents.

England who won the European Under-17 title in 2010 and 2014, and also finished runners-up to Spain in 2017, have qualified automatically for the tournament as hosts.

After the unprecedented success of England’s development teams in 2017 and interest in youth football at an all time high, the 16 nation tournament will showcase Europe’s leading young talent.

Purchase School Tickets

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chatsworth House Trust commissions new installation

Chatsworth House Trust have commissioned Natasha Daintry to create a new installation, Sowing Colour, featuring 235 porcelain pots.

Sitting alongside artworks acquired by the Dukes of Devonshire over the last four centuries, Natasha’s installation of 235 porcelain pots introduces colour and light to the Dome Room.

Inspiration for Sowing Colour came from the garden and landscape of Chatsworth, and the house’s relationship to the word ‘culture’, in the sense of human culture, as well as the cultivation of earth and plants.  Natasha was struck by the vigour of swirling plant roots in the vegetable garden and envisaged a work pulsing with energy using colour and dramatic shifts in scale.  The Fibonacci sequence gave Natasha a dynamic structure to express movement through fired static pots.

Starting at the top of the installation, a mass of tiny coloured pots grow near to 1m in height at the base of the piece embodying the vigorous progression of Fibonacci’s mathematical sequence. This sequence of growth (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and 13) is expressed in both the dimensions of the pots as well as the height of the space they inhabit in each layer.

Natasha has developed over fifty glazes to create a riot of finely balanced coloured pots, which cascade down eight layers of shelving to radiate colour.

Natasha said of the commission:-

‘This project is my most ambitious to date and has taken almost two years to complete, involving many technical challenges of working in porcelain on this scale and collaboration with technicians and engineers.  It has been a joy to make and is wonderful to see it finally installed.’

Sowing Colour by Natasha Daintry will be on public view at Chatsworth from 25 March 2018.

new installation

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Go Outdoors confirms March opening for Chesterfield store

Outdoor company Go Outdoors have confirmed that their new Chesterfield store will officially open in March.

Go Outdoors follows a number of retailers to invest in the town recently including Deichmann Shoes , Trespass and Patisserie Valarie as well as a number of new independent stores.

The new store will be on Spire Walk Business Park in Chesterfield.
Spire Walk Chesterfield

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