Visiting

Working together to achieve world-class results for Peak District & Derbyshire

12th October 2018

The overarching message to delegates at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s Annual Tourism Conference on Tuesday was that working together is vital to secure the future success and prosperity of the Peak District and Derbyshire together to continue to create a world-class destination and five-star visitor experience.

Keynote speaker, Television Presenter and Peak District and Derbyshire champion Julia Bradbury, tourist board Managing Director Jo Dilley and Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council all reinforced the rallying call as the visitor economy gears up for further success in the future.

Julia, the first-ever female President of The Camping and Caravanning Club told around 150 delegates that Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire was listening to what businesses feel they need and responding to it.

“The key is communication, and working together in a collaborative effort is much more successful. When we lived in Sheffield and my family ran a fashion couture shop, we shared clients with local businesses – a win-win for all and very happy customers. Helping and working with and for each other is important. We shouldn’t always think of neighbours as competition.”

“Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire needs businesses to support it through membership. This doesn’t just allow it to bid for funding to deliver workshops and support. The more members it has, the more marketing campaigns it can deliver, both nationally and internationally, to raise the profile of the area and drive visitors here. As co-founders of The Outdoor Guide, my sister Gina and I are proud to be part of this.”

Jo Dilley emphasized the continuing need for close teamwork between the public and private sectors, the tourist board and its Patrons and members, the University of Derby, D2N2, Visit England and VisitBritain.

“By coming together, we are far more powerful,” she said. “Our mission is to make the Peak District and Derbyshire the destination of choice – regionally, nationally and globally.”

“We want to offer a world class experience, encouraging visitors to share and recommend the area as a great place to take a holiday. The visitor economy is currently in very robust shape, and we are confident that next year will be equally, if not more, successful.”

“The income we receive from our public and private partners through grants, patronage and membership is extremely important in our ongoing quest to secure other funding from sources such as the Discover England Fund and the European Development Fund. Since 2016, we have attracted an extra £2.5 million to help us achieve our ambitions.”

Councillor Barry Lewis underlined the key role that the visitor economy plays in Derbyshire County Council’s plans to drive economic growth for both residents and businesses.

“We recognise the fundamental role the tourist board plays in marketing tourism both domestically and internationally – but it is more than this. It is the focal point for business support to the visitor economy sector, and we are delighted to work alongside the team, always striving to help our businesses grow and offer even more excellent services and products to our visitors.”

Councillor Lewis welcomed the formation of the new Derbyshire Culture, Heritage and Tourism Board, chaired by former VisitEngland Chief Executive and Derbyshire-born James Berresford.

The Board has been created to maximise the economic potential of Derbyshire’s unique and distinctive cultural and environmental assets to create an exceptional and thriving destination where people can live, work, visit and invest.

Councillor Lewis also underscored the importance of strategic regional initiatives such as the Midlands Engine and a new East Midlands Strategic Alliance to keep the visitor economy at the heart of Government policy and investment.

The tourist board team also looked forward to its forthcoming Food & Drink Campaign, set to be launched next spring to promote the Peak District and Derbyshire’s diverse and delicious culinary offer, plus a new initiative to develop business tourism, also scheduled to launch in 2019.

This will focus on bringing in new business at traditionally quiet times of year and also midweek, tapping into the potential of the wellbeing and health market and capitalising on the area’s assets as an accessible place where people can work, rest and invest.

Pictured (left to right) are: Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s Deputy Director Lindsay Rae; its Managing Director Jo Dilley; Councillor Barry Lewis, Television Presenter Julia Bradbury, tourist board Chairman Paul Jones and Paul Ince of LikeMind Media Ltd.

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

Plans drawn up to roll out vehicle charging points in Derbyshire

12th October 2018

Derbyshire County Council are drawing up plans to install electric vehicle charging points across the county over the next 10 years. They are engaging with a range of partner organisations, across the private and public sector, to support the uptake of low emission vehicles across the county as part of their commitment to cutting carbon emissions and improving air quality in Derbyshire.

Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King said: “Protecting and enhancing our environment is one of our top priorities and we need to act now to cut carbon emissions in the future.”

“Electric vehicles are now entering the second hand market and if we want to encourage more motorists to make the switch then we need to make it as easy and attractive as possible.”

“That means making sure there are plenty of public charging points conveniently located for people to use across the county.”

“This is a golden opportunity for us to help encourage use of low carbon vehicles to cut the amount of pollution generated on Derbyshire’s roads and I’m pleased that we’re working jointly with partner organisations to plan ahead now to prevent it becoming an issue in the future. It demonstrates that the council is leading the way in supporting, not just the public, but industry as well, as we head towards a cleaner, greener economy.”

The low emission vehicle infrastructure policy is expected to be finalised and considered by Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet members early next year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Visiting

Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures and Parking Restrictions announced

11th October 2018

This year’s Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 21 October 2018, starting at 9.30am in Queen’s Park, Chesterfield. All the Chesterfield Half Marathon road closures and parking restrictions have now been announced.

In accordance with traffic authority regulations for Derbyshire County Council, an order has been made prohibiting and restricting the use of certain roads and road junctions by vehicles in order to facilitate the safe holding of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

The event will require the closure of roads and road junctions, car parking restrictions as well as the suspension of a number of Traffic Regulation Orders between 04:00 until 16:00 on Sunday 21st October 2018.

Download a full list of Chesterfield Half Marathon Road Closures 2018 .

See the road traffic order for the event.

The organisers would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused and thank everyone for their support of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon.

Chesterfield-based charity Ashgate Hospicecare and North Anston-based Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice will be charity partners of the 2018 race following a hugely successful inaugural event in 2017, which raised more than £50,000 for good causes.

The 2018 event is bolstered by an additional five-mile challenge, which will take place in tandem with the Half Marathon along with a Fun Run in the park. There will also be a ‘Wellbeing Challenge’, a team entry event that will promote healthy living – details for which will be released in due course.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We were extremely pleased with the success of the inaugural Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon in 2018 and were only too happy to give our backing to the event again in 2018.

“The Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will help to put Chesterfield firmly on the UK running map – as well as support some fantastic charities.

“Events like this one help bring communities together and we’re really looking forward to seeing how the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon will develop in 2018.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesters shortlisted for ‘UK’s Best Fish and Chip Restaurant’ award

5th October 2018

Chesters, based on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield, is among the 20 finalists shortlisted for the coveted Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award, as part of the 2019 National Fish & Chip Awards.

The 20 shortlisted restaurants will now compete for a place in the final and the chance to take home the enviable title of the ‘UK’s Best Fish and Chip Restaurant’. Judges will now make visits to each of the restaurants for mystery dining assessments, which will whittle down the shortlist to decide the placing of the Top 5 and the overall national winner.

Chrisoulla from Chesters told Destination Chesterfield: “It means everything to us. Here at Chesters, we all try so hard as a team to have an establishment to be proud of. It’s equally as important to win local awards, and we have been shortlisted in the Family Friendly Award at Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards later this month.”

“This means so much to us because it makes us feel proud to be a part of Chesterfield and thank it’s great people. We will use this as an initial step, and with the backing of our town, we can try to win awards nationally and put Chesterfield on the map.”

Award sponsor Alan Pearce, Field Sales Manager at Goldensheaf, added: “This category rewards businesses committed to providing the highest standard of fish and chip dining experience, coupled what a drive to constantly improve standards and diversify their offering. We congratulate the 20 restaurants in reaching the semi-final and wish them the best of luck in the rest of the competition.”

The winner of the Fish and Chip Restaurant of the Year Award will be announced at The National Fish & Chip Awards’ 31st anniversary ceremony in London on 24 January 2019.

The winners of the Chesterfield Food & Drink Awards will be announced in a glittering awards ceremony Chesterfield College on the 31st October 2018. To see all finalists click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield in Bloom winners announced

28th September 2018

Alongside East Midlands in Bloom awards, where Chesterfield received the Overall Gold Award in the small city category for the third year running and received 6 awards in total, gardeners across the borough have also been celebrating after the winners of the Chesterfield in Bloom awards were announced at a separate ceremony at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa.

John Ramsey, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Principal Greenspaces Officer, said: “We would like to congratulate all the entrants to Chesterfield in Bloom, but particularly the winners.”

“The standard of entries was incredibly high and the efforts of everyone involved brought a real sense of colour to the area and of pride in the borough of Chesterfield.”

“A particular highlight this year was having the new categories for council house tenants. We were really pleased with the number of entries and the interest there was among tenants. It brought the awards to a new audience and increased awareness of the wider Chesterfield in Bloom project.”

The Chesterfield in Bloom committee is looking for new members to help build on this year’s success and deliver even more community projects during the next year.

Please see below for a list of winners, or click here for a detailed list of all winners and runners-up.

Chesterfield in Bloom Winners 2018

General competition

Best overall winner: Richard and Sharon Smithson, Newbold

Best front garden: Barry Lomas, Staveley

Best small back garden: Richard and Sharon Smithson, Newbold

Best large back garden: Lynne Gilbert, Tapton

Best container / hanging basket: Margaret and Stephen Wright, Rother

Best pub / restaurant: Britannia Pub, Brampton – John and Jody Wray

Allotment competition

Best small allotment plot: Nigel Masters, Rufford Close Allotments

Best large allotment plot: Colin Bloom, Hunloke Avenue Allotments

Best allotment site: Hunloke Avenue Allotments

Best market stall – section winners:

Simon Harding – Fruit and Veg

Mark Brookes – Plant

Shirley Carmedy – General trader

Lorraine Jukes – Freds Haberdashery

Best overall: Mark Brookes – Plant

Council tenant garden competition

Best front/back and side garden: Shirley Bradbury, Boythorpe

Best hanging basket/container garden: Evelina Lowe, New Whittington

Estate champion: Tony Hedley, Holmehall

Schools gardening competition

Fabulous flowers:

Staveley Junior School

Speedwell Infant School

Duckmanton Primary School

Calow C of E Primary School

Spire Infant School

Wonderful wildlife:

Speedwell Infant School

Calow C of E Primary School

Spire Infant School

Brimington Junior School

Radical recycling: Staveley Junior School

Wheelbarrow competition: Hasland Hall Community School

Painting competition:

Reception to Year 2 category – Seth Grass Smith, Hasland Infants School

Year 3 to year 6 category – Eve Anderson – Old Hall Junior School

Click here for a detailed list of all winners and runners-up

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Blooming fantastic Chesterfield achieves golden treble

27th September 2018

Gardeners in Chesterfield have proved they are not so much green fingered as gold fingered after the borough scooped six East Midlands in Bloom awards.

Chesterfield received the Overall Gold Award in the small city category for the third year running, with a score of 179 out of 200, compared to 173 points 12 months ago.

Residents, businesses and community projects in the borough picked up five further awards from the judges. The winners are:

Holme Hall Unite, who received a special award as the most inspirational project out of 105 projects in the East Midlands region, as well as a ‘thriving’ level 4 award in the It’s Your Neighbourhood programme. The scheme saw the community group work with Chesterfield Borough Council’s housing service and staff from Marks & Spencer to transform a piece of land within their community.
The Britannia Pub in Brampton, which got a gold award in the best pub/hotel category.
Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa in Brimington, which picked up a gold award in the Best Commercial Premises category.
Inspire Community Garden, off Ashgate Road, who received a judges’ award for their work to create a community gardening space.
Jane Land, from Walton, who received a gold award in the Frank Constable category for the quality of the front garden at her house.

The borough’s entry is coordinated by the Chesterfield in Bloom committee, which is managed by Chesterfield Borough Council but involves volunteers and community groups who give up their time to work on projects to keep the area’s streets and open spaces attractive places to live, work and visit.

In their overall remarks the judges – Richard Stephen, Caroline Pollard and Martha Woorsching – said: “There was evidence of the campaign going from strength to strength. We were given a real sense of the passion and dedication of all those involved. Well done Chesterfield.”

John Ramsey, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Principal Greenspaces Officer, said: “To achieve the gold East Midlands in Bloom award standard for the third year in a row is a real achievement for the borough.”

“A huge amount of hard work goes in to keeping the borough’s streets, parks and open spaces attractive places to be and this award recognises the efforts of Chesterfield Borough Council staff and the many community volunteers who work throughout the year to improve the quality of life for Chesterfield residents.”

“It is a real team effort as has been shown by the fact that so many projects in the borough have received gold awards in addition to the main one.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Record visitor numbers boost Chesterfield economy

19th September 2018

New figures showing a record number of visitors to Chesterfield are providing a £175 million boost to the borough’s economy were announced this morning at the Chesterfield Investment Summit.

The industry figures show that in 2017, Chesterfield received 3.7 million visitors, an increase of 5.1 per cent on 2016. This compares with an average 1.3 per cent increase across the rest of Derbyshire.

The year also saw tourism contribute £175.21 million to the Chesterfield economy, a 6.9 per cent increase on 2016.

As a result, the visitor economy sector also supported 2,165 full-time equivalent jobs in Chesterfield, an increase of 4.8 per cent on 2016. This compares with a 2.5 per cent increase across Derbyshire.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “With the Peak District National Park on our doorstep, Chesterfield has long been a convenient place to visit but the fact we see so many people returning to visit us, shows we have a lot to offer in our own right.

“With attractions such as the world-famous Crooked Spire, the traditional open-air market, two theatres offering major shows and plays, Chesterfield Museum, Revolution House and Barrow Hill Roundhouse, it’s no wonder people choose to visit Chesterfield.

“This is great news for our local economy and we will continue to organise regular events to encourage people to visit the borough and, while they are here, take advantage of the many shops, cafés, restaurants and bars we have on offer here.

“I think it is easy to take what you have on your doorstep for granted but when I talk to visitors they are always very complimentary about Chesterfield and what it has to offer. These latest figures back that up and show how important tourism is to our economy.”

Chesterfield Borough Council organises regular events to attract visitors to the borough, such as the Chesterfield Festival of Cricket which brings in cricket fans from across the country. The next event is the 1940s market which takes place in the traditional open-air market place on Thursday 1 November.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield and events

Crooked Spire in Spring

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

Experience life on the Western Front at Chesterfield Museum

13th September 2018

Visitors to Chesterfield Museum this autumn can experience what life was like for soldiers on the Western Front during the First World War.

Part of the art gallery at the museum, owned and run by Chesterfield Borough Council, will be transformed into a section of a trench like those on the Western Front in France and Belgium from 1914 to 1918.

The trench experience will run from Friday 12 October to Saturday 19 January and has been made possible thanks to £1,500 in funding from Museum Development East Midlands and Arts Council England.

Councillor Steve Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This autumn is a special moment in our history marking 100 years since the anniversary of the end of the First World War.

“We came up with the idea of The Trench Experience to give people an insight into what life in a trench would have been like.

“Sights and smells are included to give visitors a good idea of a soldier’s life during the conflict.

“The exhibition also has a local focus on Chesterfield soldiers and visitors will hear extracts from their letters.”

For more information click here.

Could you volunteer your time to help build the Chesterfield Community Poppy Cascade? Click here to find out more.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Children’s TV favourite cast as Chesterfield’s Cinderella

12th September 2018

Pomegranate Theatre and Paul Holman Associates have announced that popular Children’s TV Presenter Naomi Wilkinson will star in this year’s spectacular family pantomime in the title role of Cinderella from Saturday 1^st December 2018 to Sunday 6^th January 2019.

Starting her career as a Butlin’s Redcoat, Naomi soon made a splash as the effervescent host of Channel 5’s Milkshake! which she presented for 10 years. She has been a constant and well-loved face on UK TV screens ever since, notably as the presenter of Marrying Mum & Dad, Countryfile, Finger Tips and Live ’n’ Deadly with Steve Backshall among many others.

Naomi quickly established herself as a Children’s TV favourite, well-loved by children and parents alike for her bubbly, energetic persona and daredevil attitude. She found herself travelling the globe in her own show, Naomi’s Nightmares of Nature, now in its 4^th series, in which audiences see her conquer her fears and face extreme challenges including sky diving, swimming with sharks without a cage and coming nose to nose underwater with a 4.8m crocodile in Australia. She was nominated for a prestigious Children’s BAFTA as Best Presenter for her work on the hit show.

Pantomime Producer Paul Holman said: “I’m delighted to have secured Naomi to play Cinderella. Not only will she be adored by audiences of all ages but, as an experienced pantomime performer, she will bring magic to Chesterfield this Christmas’.

Cinderella, also starring Rhydian Roberts (X Factor) as Prince Charming, promises to be Chesterfield’s most enchanting pantomime yet with good old-fashioned family fun and plenty of audience interaction plus sensational special effects, breath-taking costumes and scenery and an exciting line-up of stars ready to whisk audiences off to the ball.

Cinderella runs at Pomegranate Theatre from Saturday 1^st December 2018 to Sunday 6^th January 2019.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Leisure, Visiting

Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon passes 1,000 sign-ups

7th September 2018

Event organisers, sponsors and charity partners are ‘overwhelmed’ by support for the 2018 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon – which is set to become one of the region’s biggest-ever mass participation events after more than 1,000 people signed up to take part.

Following a sign-up total of around 800 in its inaugural outing in 2017 and with more than six weeks still to go until race day, a four-figure turnout is expected across the event’s three main elements – the biggest entry seen in advance of a Chesterfield Half Marathon.

This year’s event will include three separate challenges – the 13.1-mile half marathon, the Peak FM Five Mile Run and Blachford Fun Run. Also open for entries is the team-focused Pronto Paints Wellbeing Challenge, with its £80 entry fee including two entries into each challenge on event day.

Online entries into all elements will remain open until two weeks before the race, with entries into the 1km Blachford Fun Run to be accepted on the day.

The event will be held in aid of multiple good causes, including charity partners Ashgate Hospicecare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. Last year’s Half Marathon raised more than £50,000 for charity, with event organisers hopeful of beating that figure in 2018.

Charity partners are also on the lookout for marshals to get involved on race day, to contribute to an enjoyable, efficient and safe event for runners.

Marshals will be stationed around the course at various points to assist and support participants, as well as local residents and spectators when needed.

John Timms, Event Director at Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved a four-figure sign-up total for the Half Marathon event day already, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support for this year’s event.

“With around a month still to go until registrations for the Half Marathon come to an end, we’re optimistic of that figure growing even further in the build-up.

“It’ll also be great to see volunteers turn out in large numbers to support the event and our fantastic charity partners. Event marshals played a huge part in the success of the 2017 Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon and will no doubt provide more crucial support this year.”

For more information on the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon click here.

Ashleigh and Charlie were the fastest male and female runners in the 2017 event.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Visit Peak District website in Top 10 for UK Destinations

30th August 2018

New data released by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire reveals for the past six months, the tourist board’s website www.visitpeakdistrict.com has consistently ranked in the top ten most visited sites for around 150 UK destinations, alongside such places as Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton, Bristol, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

More than a million user sessions were logged between 20 February and 19 August, a rise of more than 37 per cent on the same period in 2017.

The site now also outranks Trip Advisor when people enter the keywords Accommodation in the Peak District and Things to Do in the Peak District on Google.

In addition, the tourist board’s social media following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has increased by 22 per cent in the past year from just under 75,000 in July 2017 to more than 92,000.

It was recently revealed that tourism’s value to the Peak District and Derbyshire economy rose to £2.15 billion in 2017 and annual visitor numbers rose to 40.45 million.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire said: “When we relaunched our consumer website our main aim was to put visitors right at the heart of our planning and offer them a much better, more streamlined experience”

“We’re delighted that, for the first time, we’re ranked in the top ten most visited UK sites out of about 150 UK destinations – previously the best position we’ve achieved has been 13^th.

“It’s also great to see that our social media following has grown substantially over the past year, thanks to our emphasis on posting engaging, image-led content – particularly on Instagram, where our following has increased by 46 per cent.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the team for their hard work and commitment to putting the Peak District and Derbyshire where it belongs – as the UK and overseas visitors’ destination of choice, regionally, nationally and globally.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting