Chesterfield business awards

Independent businesses dominate at the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards

First-time finalists and brand new independent high street businesses have dominated the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards.

Of the 15 award categories,10 of the winners were first-time finalists and five of the winning businesses have only opened in the past two years.

A total of 34 businesses, individuals and developments were shortlisted across the 15 categories in the annual awards, but it was Master Debonair, Sicily Restaurant and Great2Grow – part of Great2, that took the headline awards this year – Retailer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year respectively.

All three businesses were established in Chesterfield less than 30 months ago.

Last year Sicily Restaurant scooped the title of Best New Hospitality Business with owner Giuseppe Barone stealing the show when he proposed on stage to his partner Monica Sardisco.

Founded in 2019, Sicily Restaurant, which is based on Sheffield Road, is rated as the number one restaurant in Chesterfield on TripAdvisor. Commenting on this year’s award win co-owner ­­Monica Sardisco said: “We’re a family business and we try to do the best we can, always working hard. Last year we won Best New Hospitality Business at the Love Chesterfield Awards, and this award proves that we have improved further. We are very happy to win the award.”

Winner of the Retailer of the Year Award, menswear store Master Debonair opened its Chatsworth Road branch in 2019. Although the third store for the company, it is the first outside the North East where it also has stores in Sunderland and East Boldon.

Delighted to win the award Simon Whittaker, CEO, Master Debonair, said: “We’re always looking for new locations that have other independents around and Chesterfield fitted the bill for us when we decided to invest here. There were some fantastic independent businesses shortlisted in our category so we’re very humbled to win.”

Brand new business Great2Grow – part of the Great2 Group, a provider of co-working space and business support services, secured this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year title. The award recognises the achievement, leadership, vision and success of new sole traders and limited companies in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

In addition to the prestigious title, Great2Grow also received 10 hours free mentoring with the award’s sponsor, Banner Jones Solicitors. Great2Grow will receive a year of marketing support through Chesterfield Champions with Destination Chesterfield covering the contribution cost for a financial year.

Andy Ball, founder of Great2Grow, said­­: “We’re excited, surprised and shocked to win such a great accolade; it rubber stamps what we’re doing. As a growth consultancy it shows we’re leading the charge with what we do. The next stage is to open an additional office in another great location in the East Midlands.”

EastEnders icon and household name Shaun Williamson hosted the sell-out black-tie event at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

Speaking at the awards Cllr Amanda Serjeant, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield said:

“The finalists and winners of this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards are testament that our hard work is paying off. The awards were a true celebration of independent businesses.

“Since 2013, Destination Chesterfield has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of businesses in our town. Between April 2021 and May 2022, more than 35 independent businesses invested in the town centre. Their confidence in Chesterfield, together with ongoing investment, is helping to ensure that we have a town centre that meets the needs of a new generation of shopper and visitor. It is wonderful to see so many small businesses thriving in Chesterfield.”

More than 250 people attended the celebration which was organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management.

Winners of the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards categories include:

Best New High Street Business – Sponsored by SMH Group

MD Hair

Michelle Dalman, owner, MD Hair: “It feels absolutely amazing to win the award. I am so proud of my team and myself. The team have been key to winning the award. They make sure everyone has an amazing experience when they come into the salon.”

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Peak Pharmacy

Il Mondo Travel

Jo Bunting, owner of Il Mondo Travel, said: “It’s been a tough few years for us and the travel industry, so this is a great award for us to win.”

Independent High Street Business

Blanc and Blanc Occasions

Anne-Marie White, owner, Blanc and Blanc Occasions, said: “It feels absolutely amazing to be voted for by our customers for the Independent High Street Business award. Being an independent means we can source the best brands from around the world and offer a very personal service.”

Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Master Debonair

Simon Whittaker, CEO, Master Debonair, said: “We’re always looking for new locations that have other independents around and Chesterfield fitted the bill for us when we decided to invest here. There were some fantastic independent businesses shortlisted in our category so we’re very humbled to win.”

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce

Cllr Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy, who presented the award said: “The market is the beating heart of our town. Ibbotson’s is a second-generation market trader, so it is wonderful they have won this award for the second year running. There are so many good traders on the market so to win this award is testament to Nick Ibbotson and his team for their customer service.”

Best New Hospitality Business

Host Coffee

Christian O’Connell, owner, Host Coffee said: “We had a vision for the business in Clay Cross when we established it, so to pull it off and win this award is a great feeling. The team, our customer service and consistency of product brings people back to us. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.”

Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management

Sicily Restaurant

Monica Sardisco, owner, Sicily Restaurant, said: “We’re a family business and we try to do the best we can, always working hard. Last year we won Best New Hospitality Business at the Love Chesterfield Awards and this award proves that we have improved further. We are very happy to win the award.”

Café of the Year

Koo

Gemma Taylor-Murdoch, owner, Koo, said: “I feel on top of the world to win Café of the Year. The team put blood, sweat and tears into delivering the best service to our customers and making sure they all have a lovely experience with us.”

Pub/Bar of the Year – Sponsored by Shorts Accountants

Junction Bar

Michael Walker, owner, Junction Bar, said: “We’re absolutely buzzing to win the award. We’ve been in Chesterfield for six years and we’ve absolutely smashed it – this award proves it. We have an amazing team and they keep customers coming back.”

Accessibility Award – Sponsored by Spirecross Ltd

The Café at Northern Tea Merchants

Kim Lamin, Owner, The Café at Northern Tea Merchants, said: “I’m really proud to win the award. We are very keen to make the café as accessible as possible to all our customers to ensure they have the best experience and a warm welcome when they visit us.”

Food Producer of the Year – Sponsored by MSE Hiller

Resting Devil Brewery

Josh Clarke, owner and brewer, Resting Devil Brewery, said: “To win the award feels fantastic as we’ve only been going seven months. Quality and consistency are at the heart of everything we do. We now want to slowly expand and get our beer into shops and stores.”

Regeneration Award – Sponsored by BHP Accountants

Badger Croft (Led by Henry Boot Construction)

Graham Johnson, Site Manager, Badger Croft, said: “Henry Boot does a lot of projects around the borough, but Badger Croft has been something special. We have given people new sustainable and energy efficient homes to live in for many years to come.”

Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by DBC Training

Will Brooks (Superior Wellness)

Will Brooks, Apprentice at Superior Wellness, said: “I’m very proud to win the award. One of the things that made me choose an apprenticeship was the experience and freedom you get compared to university. It’s the best choice I made.”

Sarah Elphick, Head of Marketing, Superior Wellness, added: “Will really impressed us when he covered the role of two marketing executives who left the company. Senior managers and colleagues all noticed how he stepped up to the role and took it in his stride. Because of Will’s success in the business, we’ve recruited two further apprentices. It’s a great way for young people to start their career.”

Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

Great2Grow – part of Great 2 Group

Andy Ball, founder of Great2Grow said: “We’re excited, surprised and shocked to win such a great accolade; it rubber stamps what we’re doing. As a growth consultancy it shows we’re leading the charge with what we do. The next stage is to open an additional office in another great location in the East Midlands.”

Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Northern Tea Merchants

James Pogson, Director, Northern Tea Merchants, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to win the award. We have put so much effort into our journey to becoming sustainable, so to be recognised for it is wonderful. Since committing to becoming more sustainable we have already offset over 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide created just from the cultivation of the tea, coffee and cocoa that we sell. This award is the first step of our ongoing sustainability journey.”

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards were supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Business Wise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBCP, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and SMH Group.

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Eastenders icon set to host the sell-out 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards

Former Eastenders actor and household name Shaun Williamson will host the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards.

Held on Wednesday 12 October at the Winding Wheel Theatre, the popular awards return to the town for the second year.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Shaun will announce the winners of 15 categories at the black-tie awards ceremony.

Best known and loved for his Eastenders character Barry Evans, Shaun was in the show for 10 years from 1994 to 2004. Since leaving the soap, he has appeared regularly on stage and TV in a number of hit shows and productions, including Extras and Plebs. He is also a self-proclaimed quizzer, having competed on The Celebrity Chase and written a quizzing memoir A Matter Of Facts.

Looking forward to hosting the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, Shaun Williamson commented: “I’m really excited to be a part of the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. Never having been to the town before, I am looking forward to learning a lot about it and the people who live and work here. You never know when it may come up in a quiz!”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Shaun to Chesterfield to host the second sell-out Love Chesterfield Awards. He’s a much-loved and well-known personality with so many people. He will certainly help us make it a night to remember.”

Peter Currey, Managing Director at Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management added: “The awards are going to be fantastic, and I’m delighted Entire FM is part of the celebration for another year.”

See the full list of 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Business Wise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBCP, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire),  Elder Way, Great2, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and SMH Group.

For all the information on the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/

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Shortlist announced for 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards

First-time finalists have dominated the shortlist in this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards.

Twenty businesses have made the shortlist in the 2022 awards for the first time with 11 of them being brand new businesses.

Following almost 1500 public nominations, the shortlist for the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards features a total of 34 businesses across 11 categories.

Amongst the shortlisted businesses, Chesters and Adorn Jewellers are hoping to retain their 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards titles.

Last year, Chesters was named as Restaurant of the Year while Adorn took the title of Retailer of the Year in the annual awards which are organised by Destination Chesterfield.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “While the town and the retail sector are facing their challenges, the number of nominations we received for such a huge variety of businesses in this year’s Love Chesterfield Awards paints a very positive picture for the town.”

A mystery panel of judges will now evaluate the shortlist and the winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony which is being held at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October 2022.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, the popular awards return for their second year. There are a total of 15 categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards with more shortlisted businesses, projects and individuals to be announced later in the year.

Peter Currey, Chief Executive Officer of Entire FM added: “It’s great to be a part of the prestigious Love Chesterfield Awards again and it’s even better to see the support for the range of great businesses we have in Chesterfield. There’s been some tough competition this year with so many great names. On behalf of all the team at EntireFM, we wish all the finalists good luck.”

The businesses shortlisted so far in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards include:

Best New Hospitality Business

The Batch House

Boba Shack

Host Coffee

Best New High Street Business – sponsored by Sutton McGrath Hartley

Barkworthy Dog Emporium

The Lucky Magpie Salvage

MD Hair

Restaurant of the Year – presented by headline sponsor EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management

Chesters

Devonshire Arms, Middle Handley

Sicily Restaurant

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Adorn Jewellers

Dotique

Hasland Pet Supplies

Master Debonair

Excellence in Customer Service

Chesterfield Escape Rooms

Il Mondo Travel

Nora Eve

Independent High Street Business

Aurora Beauty Studio

Blanc & Blanc Occasions

Dava Boutique

Less than Zero Barbers

Café of the Year

Figaro

Graze

Koo

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants

Junction Bar

The Rectory

The Three Horseshoes, Clay Cross

Food Producer of the Year (within 10 miles) – sponsored by MSE Hiller

All Things Brownie Beautiful

Little Morton Farm Shop

Resting Devil

Market Trader of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Grandad’s Sweets

Flower Girl Plants at Chesterfield Market

Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce

Accessibility Award – sponsored by Spirecross Ltd

The Batch House

Cocina at Casa Hotel

Northern Tea Merchants

Other categories in the Love Chesterfield Awards 2022 include the Regeneration Award – sponsored by BHP Chartered Accountants, Sustainability Award – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council, Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by DBC Training and Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors.

The 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by several sponsors and partners, including: Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Chesterfield Borough Council, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, Elder Way, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, Minuteman Press Chesterfield, MSE Hiller, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd, and Sutton McGrath Hartley.

Peter Swallow added: “We’re expecting the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards ceremony to be our best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors. We’re encouraging those who would like to show their appreciation for the town’s business community to make an enquiry about the four remaining sponsorship packages.”

If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards or ceremony, information about the remaining sponsorship packages is available at:

https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/

Or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

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Business community called on to shout about its success

Businesses both new and well-established are being urged to celebrate their successes by entering one of five categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards.  

The annual awards, which are organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire Facilities Management, recognise the resilience and progress of the town’s businesses.

The five categories, now open for applications, are designed to raise the profile of organisations that have made a meaningful impact to the built environment of Chesterfield; new sole traders and limited companies; firms benefitting from forward-thinking apprentices; companies demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability; and accessible hospitality businesses. The deadline to enter is Thursday 30 June.

This year, the Regeneration Award is open to both individual businesses and collectives that have supported or delivered high quality spaces within six miles of Chesterfield town centre.

Once again, the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award will get a further boost, receiving 10 hours of free mentoring from Banner Jones Solicitors’ and also a year of marketing support through Chesterfield Champions.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “We originally launched the Love Chesterfield Awards to recognise the hard work of the wider business community. The challenges of the last two years have made these awards all the more important and I hope members of the business community will put themselves or their apprentices forward for an award and get the recognition they so deserve.”

Businesses can enter the following categories in the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards:

The deadline for applications is Thursday 30 June. Apply today here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/apply-for-the-love-chesterfield-awards/.

The five business categories are in addition to the 10 public nomination categories for Chesterfield’s high street food, drink and retail businesses. Public nominations closed on 31 May with nominated businesses now set to be evaluated by a panel of mystery judges.

The winners of all the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards categories will be announced at a glittering black tie ceremony at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

Peter Currey, CEO at Entire Facilities Management commented: “As well as the many great food and drink businesses and retailers in Chesterfield, it’s great to be able to recognise the wider business community in the Awards. Apprenticeships, sustainability, accessibility, regeneration and entrepreneurship are helping drive the town’s growth, and I am delighted that this is being recognised at the Love Chesterfield Awards.”

As well as the above sponsors, the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are also supported and made possible by Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Elder Way, JP Fire Safety Solutions, MSE Hiller, Shorts Chartered Accountants and Sutton McGrath Hartley.

Peter Swallow added: “After the turmoil and uncertainty of the last two years, the Destination Chesterfield team is working to ensure the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards is the best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors.”

If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards, information about the remaining sponsorship packages is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

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Chesterfield event technology firm shortlisted for two prestigious awards

Chesterfield-based engagement specialist Noonah has been announced as a finalist in two upcoming awards ceremonies.

The company is shortlisted at both this year’s Campaign Tech Awards 2022 ‘Tech as part of a Campaign: Retail’ and Conference & Events Awards 2022 ‘Best Event Technology’ for its work with Hasbro.

The entry highlights the work Noonah carried out in giving two of Hasbro’s most famous names, Cluedo and Monopoly, relevance in an ever-competitive retail landscape.

To maximise reach and accessibility, the firm staged a two-part campaign, taking the ‘Cluedo Family Edition‘ on a tour visiting Smyths Toys’ most popular Superstores, and basing the ‘Monopoly by You‘ pop-up in London’s prestigious Selfridges department store.

Central to both activations was Noonah’s powerful Personalize product personalisation technology, combining market-leading customisation software with state-of-the-art live-printing tech, all housed in eye-catching installations to maximise visibility and brand engagement.

Alice Morton, Account Manager at Noonah commented: “We are incredibly proud of our work with Hasbro and the team involved with this project. A huge congrats and good luck to all others nominated!”

The campaign incentivised customers, old and new, to engage with these classic titles, and strengthened the emotional connections with their brands, achieving immense reach and significant brand exposure on the run-up to Christmas.

With retail suffering from the impact of COVID-19 and losing ever more sales to e-commerce, this campaign was a powerful reminder of what the high street can be if it embraces the latest and best experiential tech.

The Campaign Tech Awards celebrates the companies that represent the industry’s trailblazing thinkers, imaginative clients, and cutting-edge technology. Championing the collaboration between agencies, brands, and the technology communities, recognising the outstanding work produced together to drive the creative industries forward. Noonah’s entry has been shortlisted in the highly competitive category and will go up against agencies from the likes of MediaCom’s campaign with Ellesse and UNIT9’s work with Southampton F.C.

The awards ceremony will take place on 8th June 2022 in London. The lunch will showcase some of the most outstanding achievements of the industry over the past 18 months and truly display how the industry stood resilient and pushed through during a very difficult time.

The good news continues as Noonah’s work has also been shortlisted for Conference & Events Awards 2022. This awards ceremony is GCN Events’ longest-standing and flagship event and is the pinnacle of event industry recognition. After an outstanding virtual event in 2020, Conference & Events Awards 2022 sees an eagerly awaited return on 1st July, attracting an audience of over 600 conference and venue professionals.

To find out more about Noonah, go to: https://noonah.com/

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

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Nominate now! People urged to nominate their business heroes for Love Chesterfield Awards 2022

Chesterfield’s annual Love Chesterfield Awards are returning in 2022 to recognise the heroes of the town’s high street and wider business community.

The awards will celebrate the town’s food and drink and retail businesses, entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, apprenticeships and sustainability.

From now until the 31 May, people can nominate their favourite pub, restaurant, café, tearoom, food producer, independent and chain retailer, hospitality business, market trader and high street business across 10 categories in the annual awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, nominations for the prestigious awards can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/.

Nominated businesses will be evaluated by a mystery panel of judges before the winners are announced at a glittering black tie awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 12 October.

With 310 new businesses opening in Chesterfield since the start of the pandemic, there should be no shortage of choice for nominations.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “The town’s businesses have, once again, proved that they don’t stand still in the face of adversity, adapting and, in some cases, expanding, during the pandemic.

“Nominating a business for a Love Chesterfield Award is an excellent opportunity for people to show their appreciation and gain public recognition for the town’s businesses that go the extra mile.”

Peter Currey, CEO of EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, the headline sponsor of the awards, commented: “We are delighted to be the headline sponsor, once again, for the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards. The awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the many fantastic businesses, organisations and individuals that are working so hard to keep Chesterfield thriving.”

There are 15 categories in total in the Love Chesterfield Awards 2022, however people can nominate across 10 categories:

  • Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by headline sponsor EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management
  • Retailer of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)
  • Independent High Street Business of the Year
  • Best New Hospitality Business
  • Food Producer of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
  • Best New High Street Business – sponsored by Sutton McGrath Hartley
  • Market Trader of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year
  • Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants
  • Excellence in Customer Service

Other categories in the Love Chesterfield Awards 2022 include the Regeneration Award – sponsored by BHP Chartered Accountants, Accessibility Award – sponsored by Spirecross Ltd, Sustainability Award – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council, Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by DBC Training and Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors. Businesses can put themselves forward for one of these prestigious awards with entries opening for these categories from 12 May until 30 June.

As well as the individual award sponsors, the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards are also supported and made possible by Derbyshire Times, Elder Way and JP Fire Safety Solutions.

Nominate online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/ until midnight on 31 May 2022.

Peter Swallow added: “After the turmoil and uncertainty of the last two years, we expect the 2022 Love Chesterfield Awards to be our biggest and best yet, which is only possible through the generosity of our sponsors. We’re encouraging those who would like to show appreciation for the town’s business community to make an enquiry about the packages available.”

If you’re interested in sponsoring the awards, information about the remaining sponsorship packages is available at www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or by contacting Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

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Numerous Chesterfield Champions recognised at prestigious Derbyshire Times Business Awards

The cream of the county’s business community has been celebrated at the 2021 Derbyshire Times business awards.

Honours were presented in 15 different categories at a glittering awards ceremony held on Thursday night.

The coveted 2021 Business of The Year award, sponsored by City Fibre, was won by Chesterfield Champion, CBE+.

Judges praised the impact the precision engineering and laboratory service business has had in response to the pandemic, as part of the national effort to combat the covid virus and how they are also adapting their systems to help the environment.

They said: “They have built a sustainable business and managed not only to maintain employees jobs, but to expand. Their leader has true entrepreneurial spirit and they have shown real innovation.”

Stan Mowatt was awarded the lifetime achievement award, after dedicating 50 years to business entrepreneurship and to the development of healthcare products used across the globe.

Other winners were:

Retail Hero – Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield

Apprentice of the Year – Aaron Corbet of O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Excellence in Manufacturing & Engineering – CBE+

Professional Services Award – Shorts Chartered Accountants

Customer Service Award – Morley Hayes Leisure Ltd

Innovation Award – Timeless Life Casting & Memorial Jewellery

Covid Response – Galaxy Travel & Cars Ltd

Community Initiative – Safe and Sound

Team of the Year – Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care

New Business of the Year – Great2

Small Business of the Year – Moss Valley Fine Meats

Employee of the Year – Damion Davies of O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Business Leader – Nick Holland from SDL Minorfern

Derbyshire Times editor, Phil Bramley, said: “Local businesses are the lifeblood of our community and it has been wonderful to celebrate the incredible dedication, imagination and entrepreneurial spirit they have shown over the last year.

“The pandemic has thrown up immense challenges for businesses, but the way they have adapted, evolved and fought their way through, is truly inspirational.”

For more from the awards visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/business

The Derbyshire Times, CBE+, Adorn Jewellers, Shorts, Galaxy Travel, Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care, Great2, and SDL Minorfern support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Times Business Excellence 2021 award winners pictured.

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Chesterfield’s Pinewood Property Estates wins at prestigious awards

The Chesterfield based agency Pinewood Property Estates received the Gold Grand Prix Award for Best Letting Agent in the UK, along with Silver and Gold for Best Estate and Letting Agent in the East Midlands at the prestigious ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2021 sponsored by Coadjute, the biggest awards in the UK property industry.

Pinewood Property Estates finally finished with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers at the awards. The winners were announced at the largest event in the property industry in 2 years held at the Grosvenor House in London and hosted by the country’s favourite TV property presenter Phil Spencer in front of 1,100 guests.

Now in their 18th year the awards, which are powered by ESTAS own customer review platform, recognise the best estate and letting agents for customer service based on ratings from clients who have been through the whole moving experience with an agent. This year’s results were calculated from over 200,000 customer review ratings.

Phil Spencer, who has hosted The ESTAS every year since their inception in 2003 addressed the live audience: “You’ve had to work incredibly hard, you’ve had to adapt your businesses, you’ve had to absorb considerable costs to follow the protocols and to enable things to happen safely. Quite simply delivering great service has never been more challenging so The ESTAS Awards for 2021 are the most well deserved ever in their entire 18 year history!”

Estate and letting agents were recognised in counties and regions around the UK. National Grand Prix Awards were also announced for the Best Single Agent Office in sales and lettings.

Simon Brown Founder of The ESTAS said “When we started we wanted to create a set of property awards which were completely pure, where winners were selected solely on customer service ratings from actual transactions. Eighteen years on ESTAS is now the customer review platform of choice for property professionals and the most prestigious award an agent, a conveyancer or mortgage broker can win in the property industry.”

Stacey Davies-Bowler, Managing Director of Pinewood Property Estates said “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised in this year’s ESTAS and walk away with 4 Golds and 2 Silvers is absolutely amazing. It means so much to us as we know it’s our customers who have judged our performance. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice.

“We have always been very proud of the personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise. We are just an independent Estate Agent from Chesterfield fighting against some of the largest Agents in the country so to win Gold at the ESTAS is even more humbling”

Pinewood Properties supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Chesterfield’s CBE+ recognised for outstanding international contribution

Chesterfield-based manufacturer CBE+ have been awarded the ‘Outstanding International Contribution Award’ by the Surface Engineering Association (SEA) at the Surface Engineering Awards and Gala Dinner which took place at the Regis Hotel, Birmingham recently.

CBE+ electroless nickel plating (NiTEC) is one of few businesses in the UK, who deliver the specialised service. CBE+ stands out from its competitors due to housing the largest nickel-plating tanks in Europe, paired with the businesses reputation for working in partnership with its customers to develop tailored solutions.

The business showcased a variety of the outstanding examples of the electroless nickel plated components which are used in number of market sectors worldwide, achieving the top spot in this category.

A few of these examples included the surface treatment of:

  • End fittings destined for new flexible piping connecting offshore oil rigs worldwide, and over 25% of all flexibles deployed to South America.
  • Topside and subsea drilling equipment that is flown to our facilities from across the globe, from destinations such as the Middle East and USA
  • High precision rollers up to 13 metres in length to cut huge coils of product into standard size, for example domestic rolls of cling film for our customer based in Germany.
  • 6 metre copper crucibles used in vacuum arc re-melting furnaces
  • Mission-critical subsea equipment used world, such as a hook 12ft in height, capable of lifting 3000 tons.
  • Electroless nickel plating (ENP) uses reactions in aquatic solutions to create a perfectly uniform, anti-rust protective nickel coating on the surface of a metal.

Once applied, ferrous substrates including steel, stainless steel, copper, and aluminium, can withstand extreme temperatures and environments, including attacks by chemicals, salt water and abrasive substances, meaning it is widely used in subsea applications.

“CBE+ are extremely pleased to have won the Outstanding International Contribution category in the Surface Engineering Awards 2021. It is a great recognition of the hard work contributed by the team and we look forward to working together with internal and external partners to achieve more. Together we do more.”

CBE+ supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 190 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Surprise marriage proposal takes centre stage at 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards

Love really was in the air at last night’s 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards. Taking centre stage at the sell-out award ceremony was a marriage proposal by Giuseppe Barone, co-owner of Sicily Restaurant which won Best New Hospitality Business.

Walking up on stage to collect the award, Giuseppe dropped to one knee and proposed to his business partner Monica Sardisco in front of a shocked and delighted crowd.

Giuseppe explained: “The proposal was all planned for if we won but if we didn’t win it wasn’t going to happen. I am very happy – for the award and for Monica saying ‘yes’.”

Sicily Restaurant was just one of 16 businesses and individuals celebrated at the Love Chesterfield Awards – the first in-person event held in 19 months by Destination Chesterfield.

Almost 50 businesses, individuals and projects were shortlisted across 16 categories, but it was Adorn Jewellers, Chesters Restaurant & Takeaway and CarMats.co.uk that clinched the three headline awards – Retailer of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year respectively.

Recent Strictly star and breakfast TV presenter Mike Bushell announced the winners of the awards at a sell-out black tie event held at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 20 October.

More than 250 people attended the celebration. Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “This year the awards were a celebration on so many levels – recognising entrepreneurial and community spirit, achievement, survival and a marriage proposal – the first in our awards history. I am delighted that the business community was once again able to come together in person, connect with each other and share in each other’s success. It was a brilliant event.”

New business CarMats.co.uk, owned by Ash Young, is the first ever recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year award. The Chesterfield-based ecommerce business, which sells car mats, was founded during the first lockdown in 2020 and achieved £1 million in revenue in just nine months. Capitalising on his success, he has since established a second digital business selling car seat covers this year.

Delighted to win the award, Ash said: “During lockdown I wanted to set up a business to support local jobs. Car mats is a bit of a strange business, but everyone uses car mats and they wear out. We are now looking to expand across Europe going into Ireland first and then onto France and all from Chesterfield.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve done with Carmats.co.uk and it’s really nice to get the recognition locally.”

CarMats.co.uk was just one of 761 new businesses registered in Chesterfield during 2020 – an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.

Long established businesses, town centre-based Adorn Jewellers, and Chesters based on Sheffield Road are previous multiple award winners in the Chesterfield High Street and Food and Drink awards.

Chesters is investing £1 million opening a second restaurant at Markham Vale. Chris Ioanides, Owner of Chesters, which next year celebrates its 10th anniversary, said: “It means so much to us to be recognised locally. Even though we’ve been in the top 10 in the UK this award means more to us because it’s Chesterfield people that have got us where we are today. It fills our hearts to know that we are up there with the top restaurants in the town.”

Capitalising on the success of Adorn, which opened in The Shambles in 2010, owners Laura-Jo and Adam Owen opened a second shop, Acorn Jewellers, in Bakewell in 2017. An emotional Laura Jo said: “We’re thrilled to win this award. Our success is our customers – 100%. We have a wonderful community of customers and this award is for them.”

The Love Chesterfield Awards replace and combine the town’s popular Food and Drink and High Street Awards. Three new categories have also been added to the Love Chesterfield awards line-up – Sustainability, Community Contribution and Entrepreneur of the Year.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by EntireFM, categories in the new Love Chesterfield Awards reflect the challenges which local businesses, people and projects have faced over the last 18 months as well as the business landscape post pandemic.

Speaking at the awards, Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “The last 19 months have been a turbulent time for all of us. But our local businesses have shown such resilience; adapting and supporting each other to keep moving forward. They have all achieved so much and inspired others to follow in their footsteps. It is an honour to be able to recognise so many at the Love Chesterfield Awards.”

Love Chesterfield Awards

Winners of the 16 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards categories include:

Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Entire FM

Chesters

“It means so much to us to be recognised locally. Even though we’ve been in the top 10 in the UK this award means more to us because it’s Chesterfield people that have got us where we are today. It fills our hearts to know that we are up there with the top restaurants in the town.” Chris Ioanides, owner, Chesters

Café of the Year – sponsored by CMP Legal

The Café at Libby’s

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bits to win. We make what people want to eat and our customers keep coming back. It’s a pleasure to come to work and keep serving them.” Ann Truscott and Julie Legdon, The Café at Libbys

Pub/Bar of the Year – sponsored by Addooco IT

The Tickled Trout

“It’s been a really difficult 18 months at The Tickled Trout and the team have been brilliant. Pulling together throughout the pandemic and adapting the business and supporting the community.” Rachel Cutting, The Tickled Trout

Best New Hospitality Business – sponsored by Shorts Chartered Accountants

Sicily Restaurant

“Sicily Restaurant is a family business and when people visit us, we want them to feel welcome and like they are in our home. We are not standing still; there is still room for improvement. We now plan to do fresh pasta to add to all our home made, authentic Sicilian menu.” Giuseppe Barone, Sicily Restaurant

Accessibility Award – sponsored by Spirecross Ltd

Monkey Park Café

“It feels amazing to win the award. It’s important to us to ensure people are connected and that involved delivering new services during the pandemic, like providing take away services from the café and supplying tablets and mobile phones to members of the community to help them get online and develop new skills. It means such a lot to us that Monkey Park and our services are accessible to everybody and this award is recognition of that.” Sarah Clarke, Monkey Park Community Hub

Retailer of the Year – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield

“We’re thrilled to win this award. Our success is our customers – 100%. We have a wonderful community of customers and this award is for them.” – Laura Jo Owen, owner of Adorn Jewellers

Best New High Street Business – sponsored by Chesterfield College Group

Lottie’s Sandwich Bar

“We weren’t expecting to win the award. We came to the Love Chesterfield Awards thinking that it would be an amazing experience so to win is absolutely amazing. Without our customers and community, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We work so hard for them so to get something back is just amazing. We’ll keep listening to our customers and do our best for them.”

Independent High Street Business – sponsored by Evoluted

Fred’s Haberdashery

“It feels fantastic to win the award. Fred’s is an institution in Chesterfield and we feel proud to have developed the business further using technology.  We have really enjoyed being on Twitter during The Great British Sewing Bee. It’s really made a difference to the business as more people are getting into dressmaking and coming into the shop for fabric and patterns.” Emily Lord, Fred’s Haberdashery

Sustainability Award – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Superior Wellness

“We are absolutely delighted to have won this inaugural award. Sustainability is high on the agenda at Superior Wellness and it became even more important when we moved into our new 130,000 square foot warehouse and office in March.

“Within the last few months, we have reviewed our waste strategy, purchased electric forklift trucks, installed solar panels and have electric charging points.

“This is just the start as we seek to become more sustainable as a business.  Our ten-year vision is to become carbon neutral.” Mark Needham, Head of Operations, Superior Wellness

Community Contribution – sponsored by Van Dyk by Wildes

Peak Pharmacy

“It’s really exciting to win the award. It’s been great to help Chesterfield get back to normal by delivering 30,000 vaccinations. It’s been a real team and family effort and we’re all so proud.” Tara Brown, Peak Pharmacy

Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

CarMats.co.uk

“During lockdown I wanted to set up a business to support local jobs. Car mats is a bit of a strange business, but everyone uses car mats and they wear out. We are now looking to expand across Europe going into Ireland first and then onto France, and all from Chesterfield.

“We’re really proud of what we’ve done with Carmats.co.uk and it’s really nice to get the recognition locally.” Ash Young, CarMats.co.uk

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by DBC Training

Ellie Gibson – Heathcotes Group

“I am so shocked to win the award. I love working at Heathcotes and loved doing my apprenticeship. I would say to anyone who wants to do an apprenticeship just do it. I’ve really enjoyed it.” Ellie Gibson

Food Producer of the Year (within 10 miles) – sponsored by MSE Hiller

Crooked Pickle Co

Excellence in Customer Service – sponsored by Peak Pharmacy

The Therapy Lounge

Market Trader of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce

Regeneration Award – sponsored by BHP Accountants

The Glass Yard

The 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards were supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Addooco IT, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, CMP Legal, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Digital High Street, The Chesterfield College Group, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management, Evoluted, Greatest Hits Radio South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, JP Fire Safety Solutions, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Van Dyk by Wildes.

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Local apprentices set to be honoured at brand-new awards

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are set to name its top apprentice next month. The winner of the Apprentice of the year accolade will be named at the brand-new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management.

Sally Grattage (35) from Chesterfield Borough Council, Chris Guard (25) of Guard Business Solutions and Ellie Gibson (21) who is employed by Heathcotes Group, have all been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year award.

Sponsored by DBC Training, the award recognises apprentices that have made a significant contribution to the success of a local organisation. The winner of the prestigious accolade will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Wednesday 20 October.

The Love Chesterfield Awards combine the long-running Chesterfield High Street and Food and Drink Awards, both of which have honoured apprentices in the town each year in recognition of the valuable contribution apprentices and apprenticeships make to the local economy.

Proud to be shortlisted Sally Grattage, who is undertaking a Level 3 Digital Marketing apprenticeship with Chesterfield Borough Council commented: “After working in the sports and leisure industry for 18 years, never did I think I would be undertaking an apprenticeship at the age of 35. To be shortlisted for this award has been a real surprise as to me; I am one to always go the extra mile to ensure my work is done to the highest of standards but, to me, that is what you do. It makes me so proud of my achievements so far.”

Through her apprenticeship Sally hopes to be able to help sports centres reach their fullest potential using digital marketing.

Sally’s boss Chris Wright, Operations Manager at Queen’s Park Sports Centre added: “The development of our marketing since Sally has been engaged in the apprenticeship has definitely improved. Sally has also been able to audit our marketing activity so we can continue to progress. The projects that she does for her apprenticeship are chosen as they have a direct impact upon the centres. They are real challenges to our service that, once completed, benefit our customers and our bottom line.”

Chris Guard, who has recently completed his Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship was delighted to be shortlisted for the award. He said: “I typically tend to just keep my head down and crack on. Being shortlisted for the Love Chesterfield Awards was a surprise but it showed me that even though I keep focused on my work, it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Following the completion of his apprenticeship, Chris, who is IT Systems Manager at Guard Business Solutions, is now undertaking a finance course in order to qualify as a bookkeeper.

Steven Guard, CEO of Guard Business Solutions commented: “Chris is a very driven individual and took on the apprenticeship with real gusto. As he progressed, he has taken on other duties within his role expanding his skills and knowledge further than the bounds of his apprenticeship. He has proved to be an invaluable member of the team and continues to learn, utilising newer technologies.”

After heading to university to do tourism and events management, Ellie Gibson (21) decided that earning and learning in a different environment would be more suited to her.

The former Bolsover School student, who has completed her Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship is delighted to be shortlisted for the award: “Heathcotes was offering something completely different to what I was doing before, which made a nice change, and there is a high success rate with apprentices here too. I was very surprised to be shortlisted for this award but it’s nice to know that others have noticed my hard work.”

Brendan Kelly, Managing Director at Heathcotes Group added: “We took on an apprentice to ensure that we are accessing enterprising young people who can grow into roles within the business. It’s been brilliant having Ellie at the business, she has matured into a genuine asset.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield added: “Apprentices are incredibly important to the town and creating opportunities for young people is right at the forefront of our plans. Required skills are constantly changing in the modern, fast-pace working world and having that pool of young talent is crucial to allow our businesses to thrive.”

The Apprentice of the Year is one of 16 categories in the new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards. In addition to apprentices, the new awards also recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, sustainability and community activities to the town’s economy over the last two years.

See the full list of 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/

The 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Addooco IT, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Digital High Street, The Chesterfield College Group, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Evoluted, Greatest Hits Radio South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Reflections Magazine, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Van Dyk by Wildes.

Peter Swallow added: “It’s never been more important to show our appreciation of the business community, so we’d love for the awards ceremony to be our biggest and best yet. This can only be made possible with sponsorship.”

Destination Chesterfield has one sponsorship opportunity remaining for the Café/Tea Room of the Year category. If you would like to support the town, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.

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