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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, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, 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, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, 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, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, 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

Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List Launched for English Tourism Week

Visitors to the Peak District and Derbyshire are encouraged to indulge in an eclectic range of experiences this summer, ranging from climbing, caving, hiking and biking to sleeping under the stars and sampling local delicacies, following the launch of the ‘Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List: 101 Great Things to Do’.

Compiled by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, the release of the Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List coincides with English Tourism Week (30 March – 9 April), which celebrates the quality and breadth of tourism in England.

From ordering a pint in the real ale capital of the world to climbing the Crooked Spire, exploring the UK’s first National Park and discovering Britain’s oldest Ice Age cave art, the list provides a showcase for 101 of the best things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire.

Food and drink experiences – such as sampling Hartington Stilton, learning how to make a Bakewell Pudding and dining at the area’s only Michelin-star restaurant – are also vital ingredients on the list, complementing Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire’s ‘Eat, Drink, Explore’ campaign, which celebrates local food and drink.

Run by VisitEngland, English Tourism Week marks the start of the tourist season and offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the value and contribution that tourism makes to the UK economy. The tourism industry in the Peak District and Derbyshire generated £2.15 billion in 2017 – attracting 40.45 million visitors annually and supporting 28,630 jobs.*

Throughout English Tourism Week, Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire is encouraging visitors and locals to share their own favourite ‘bucket list experiences’ using #UniqueDistrict and #EnglishTourismWeek19 on social media. There will also be the opportunity to win a selection of prizes at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/competitions.

“English Tourism Week is about celebrating the quality and value of England’s tourism offer, shining the spotlight on our amazing attractions and heritage, raising the profile of our tourism businesses and encouraging more visitors to discover and explore the Peak District and Derbyshire,” said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“We hope our Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List will inspire more people to book a break in this wonderful area to enjoy the vibrant range of experiences on offer. We also hope it will encourage locals to explore what’s on their doorstep – and hopefully find some hidden gems too!”

View The Ultimate Peak District and Derbyshire Bucket List: 101 Great Things to Do

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Blachford UK sponsors 2019 Redbrik Half Marathon Fun Run

Local manufacturer and employer, Blachford UK has confirmed its sponsorship of the 1km Fun Run at the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon for the second year running.

The family-friendly Blachford Fun Run will form part of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon events on 20 October 2019, along with the Peak FM Five Mile Run and Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge. The Fun Run will be open to people of all ages – and dogs!

Starting at 9.40am, the Fun Run will start and end in Queen’s Park, with entry priced at £5.

Based in Holmewood, Blachford UK is one of Europe’s leading designers and manufacturers of noise reducing trim and insulation for industrial vehicles.

In addition to its sponsorship of the Fun Run, the firm will enter its own team into the event, as well as the Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge, Peak FM Five Mile Run and Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, to help raise money for local good causes.

Around 1,500 people signed up to Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon events in 2018, almost double the sign-up total from the previous year.

The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon has raised around £100,000 for good causes since its inaugural event in 2017, including for the event’s charity partners Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK, said: “It’s a great honour to be part of the fundraising efforts to support local charities. Many of our staff live in Chesterfield so this is a great way for us to contribute to and get involved with the wider community.”

“Many of the Blachford team are, once again, looking forward to pulling on their running shoes and taking part in all of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon’s events, and to help raise more money for charity.”

Martin Ross, who took part in the 2018 Blachford UK Fun Run with his five-year-old grandson, said: “The 1km event last year was great fun and a good addition to the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon events.

“I’m looking forward to taking part again in 2019 and seeing the Fun Run help the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon continue to grow into one of the region’s biggest mass-participation events. I’m sure my grandson will beat me again!”

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re delighted to have Blachford UK on board for 2019 after the success of the 2018 Blachford UK Fun Run.”

“Partnerships with local businesses such as Blachford are crucial to us as one of the region’s fastest-expanding mass-participation events. The firm has good community roots and we’re excited to see this partnership continue to develop.”

Entries close to the Blachford Fun Run close online on Sunday 6 October, however entries will also be taken on race day before 9am. For more information or to sign-up, click here.

Blachford UK Chesterfield Half Marathon 1km fun run

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Work progressing on multi-storey car park

Work is progressing well on Chesterfield Borough Council’s new Saltergate multi-storey car park, ahead of its opening this summer.

Work is now being carried out to pour the concrete that creates the decks of the new car park.

With 526 spaces, the new car park will be open 24 hours, have wider spaces and more disabled spaces than the previous car park it replaces and will also have six electric vehicle charging points with the option to add a further ten according to the demand.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “It’s exciting to see the new car park nearing completion. The work has been carried out to programme and to budget.

“People using the car park will notice a real difference with 24 hour secure parking and better facilities. The car park will be open to the public as well as serving the new Premier Inn hotel on Elder Way.”

The new car park is built as part of the Northern Gateway development which includes the privately-led Premier Inn hotel and street improvements to Elder Way and Knifesmithgate.

Work is also due to begin in the coming months on Chesterfield Borough Council’s enterprise centre on part of Holywell Cross (Donut) car park. The main works are scheduled to begin after the the Saltergate multi-storey car park is complete.

For more information, click here.

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

Left luggage service now available in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Craft – the town centre’s craft beer shop – has partnered with Stasher, to provide the first left luggage service in Chesterfield.

A common problem to visitors to any town, is what to do with their bags and cases. Not all accommodation providers allow guests to leave their luggage at the accommodation prior to check-in or after check-out and not all transportation hubs have left luggage services. Spotting this gap in the market, Stasher was created to match up people requiring luggage storage, with shops and businesses that have space with which to provide luggage storage.

Chesterfield Craft is the town’s first Stasher Stashpoint. Luggage can be left at Chesterfield Craft’s shop, leaving visitors to enjoy their time in the town, without their bags. Prices are set by Stasher, at £6 per item for 24 hours of storage. All luggage must be pre-booked at www.stasher.com and this provides users of the service with £750 insurance for their stored belongings. Bookings are valid immediately.

Richard Young, Owner of Chesterfield Craft, said “As someone who loves travelling myself, I’ve made extensive use of luggage lockers in train stations overseas. I know first-hand the convenience that left luggage services provide to travellers. By joining Stasher’s network of Stashpoints, Chesterfield Craft can provide visitors to the town with the same convenience.”

Chesterfield Craft is active now on Stasher, and ready to take bookings!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Spireites stage successful Women at the Game event

Chesterfield’s Women at the Game event, staged last weekend when the Spireites faced Eastleigh at the Proact, has been hailed as a great success.

Held as part of a nationwide initiative to encourage more females to attend football matches, the event was attended by around 60 women. They mixed with VIP guests in the HUB, including the Chesterfield mayoress, Anne Brittain and former Miss World Europe Stephanie Hill, before taking their seats in the stand.

Associate Director Alison Richardson, who organised the event, was delighted with the response. She received some very positive feedback from those in attendance, some of whom were attending a football match for the very first time, such as the comments below:

‘I really enjoyed the match and the atmosphere. It brought back happy memories of going to football with my dad when I was a child and I’ll definitely be coming back to watch the Spireites again.’

‘This was my first football match and I have planned to go back and watch another with my family.’

‘Was a great first introduction to football. Felt very comfortable, met some lovely people, really enjoyed the game and the cupcakes were awesome!!’

Alison added: “I would like to thank the Community Trust for their help in putting the event on and thanks also to everyone who took part.”

Women at the Game was introduced by the late Jacqui Forster. Her widower, Pete Baker, who attended the match, praised the club’s efforts. He said: “Jacqui loved her football, going to games since she was five. She wanted to reach out to women who liked football but had never attended a live game, to remove the fear factor of what’s beyond the turnstiles.”

“It was great to see Chesterfield putting a lot of effort in on Saturday and get a large number of ladies to attend the match in a welcoming environment – exactly what Jacqui wanted.”

“She would have been so happy with what was achieved. I loved the themed cakes, too. Top job, Chesterfield!”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Council supports local businesses through business rates relief scheme

Chesterfield businesses are saving more than £1 million in business rates in a scheme administered by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The Government announced in the budget last October it will provide a business rates retail discount scheme for occupied retail premises with a rateable value of less than £51,000 in each of the financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21.

The value of discount should be one third of the bill, and must be applied after mandatory reliefs and other discretionary reliefs have been applied.

The council administers the business rates relief as part of the discretionary rate scheme, offering the relief to around 362 businesses in the borough, saving them a total of around £1,088,520.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Creating a thriving borough is one of the council’s key priorities, which is why we have contacted all eligible local businesses to make sure they have taken advantage of the business rates reliefs they are entitled to.“

“This is one of a number of measures including the Local Labour clause that we take to support businesses in the borough.”

The council has adopted a Local Labour clause in every major planning application it accepts, which requires developers to provide a strategy that uses materials supplied by local companies. This has meant that local suppliers have benefitted from potentially more than £2.3 million worth of business.

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