chesterfield business news

Budding Chesterfield artists invited to submit their creations for the Chesterfield Postcard Show

Chesterfield’s annual exhibition of mini masterpieces is back for 2024, and residents across the area are being invited to take part.

This year’s Chesterfield Postcard Show is entitled ‘Memories Are Made of This” and will take place between the 7th and 17th of May at West Studios. Artists of all abilities are invited to be part of the exciting exhibition. All you need to do is submit a postcard-size piece of art by the 24th of April 2024.

Organised by Junction Arts and local artist Dave Elsom, the event celebrates the importance of getting creative and its impact on people’s self-esteem and well-being. Last year 173 artists submitted their works with 329 pieces of original art on display, raising over £1,200.

Hannah Bowdler, Fundraising Coordinator at Junction Arts said: “We believe that everyone should have access to art. The Chesterfield Postcard Shows provides a free exhibition of marvellous miniature artworks for local people to enjoy, a space for new artists to exhibit and showcase their talent, plus people can buy an original piece of art for just £10.

“This is the third year of the show, and we’d like to see more people get involved. It’s open to people of all ages and abilities to take part, and every postcard that is sent to us will feature in the show. Your postcard can be whatever you want it to be, a painting, a photograph, digital artwork, you can use whatever material you like, as long as it’s A6 size and is based on the theme of Memories Are Made of This.”

The original pieces will be available to buy during the exhibition to raise money to support local arts charity Junction Arts and their work within the community. Local businesses are also being invited to support the event, businesses requiring more information can contact hannah@junctionarts.org.

Submissions should be created on A6 card, not paper, and sent to The Chesterfield Postcard Show, Junction Arts, West Studios Sheffield Road, Chesterfield S41 7LL by the 24th of April 2024. If participants need a card, they can send a message to Hannah@junctionarts.org to request a blank card to be sent to them.

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

Chesterfield Postcard show

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Quirky new Chesterfield town centre store to provide ‘a smile, a laugh and bit of mischief’ to customers

A quirky independent store has opened its doors in Chesterfield Town Centre, selling a wide range of gifts and other unique items.

Eclectic Delights of Serendipity is owned by mother and daughter duo, Cheryl Knowles and Saffy Kendal-Allan, and has been running in Derbyshire for several years. Now, the business has begun welcoming customers to a new shop, based at 12 High Street.

The pair told us their story of running the business, and how it led to them taking the step to open in Chesterfield: “Some may know us from our little shop in Matlock Bath or previously our Hope shop or even know us from the beginning of our journey, 9 years ago at Cheryl’s first tiny shop just off Newbold Road.

spice girls mats eclectic delights

“Cheryl started off in her small shop doing re-loved furniture and small gifts which then took on a life of its own and she had to move into a larger shop at Hope Valley where she began being known more as a Gift, Clothing and Re-loved furniture shop. After a few years there, Cheryl then set her eyes on the ‘sea-side-without-a-sea’ town of Matlock Bath where Saffy joined to manage the shop as Cheryl continued in Hope Valley.

“However, after lockdown we decided to shut the Hope Valley shop and focus our efforts on Matlock Bath. After five years we decided we wanted a shop closer to home and by luck 12 High Street became available and three weeks later we are now in and ready for business.”

Cheryl and Saffy also explained what customers can expect to find when visiting the new Chesterfield shop.

They added: “Our shop name is exactly the type of items we sell: a broad and diverse range of items that you weren’t looking for but they appeared when you needed them. We are proud stockists of local independent suppliers such as: Letterbox Love, WaggyDogz, Enchanted Love, and so many more.

ecelctic delights

“We truly believe in having something that is for everyone which is why we don’t just sell cards and gifts but leather handbags, a MyMoments machine (which creates personalised items) and currently in the process of making a Boutique on our first floor. We also have plans for workshops on our first and top floor for both adults and children – so watch this space!”

In addition, the duo emphasised the importance of looking after customers and explained how they want to build up their community around the shop and the town: “What sets us apart from others is our customer care. We might be a shop, but we focus and care for our customers and their mental well-being while they are in our shop.

“Not everyone needs to buy something, but sometimes they just need someone to talk to and that’s what we are there for. We truly believe that if you look after the community around you, the community will look after you. Also, being a Mother and Daughter team we are always ready with a smile, a laugh and bit of mischief for all our customers as you can usually find us laughing and causing havoc together.

Being able to share this dream of running a shop together and bringing things in that we love and adore as well as spending so much time together is amazing and has brought us so close!”

“We are so excited to be a part of Chesterfield’s wide range of quirky independents. We have lived in Chesterfield for over 15 years and love the character of the town and its people. Chesterfield has such a friendly and welcoming community of people which we feel is unlike most towns or cities. As shoppers and now a business in the town we agree that we all need to support our local independents – each one brings something different and unique to the town making it a fun, diverse and great place to live and shop!”

For more information about the store, head over to the Eclectic Delights of Serendipity Facebook page.

Looking for a great opportunity to kickstart your leisure or retail business? Find out more about locating it in Chesterfield.

heart & home eclectic delights

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Unique legal and financial services business moves into Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

A new, unique legal services business has announced a move into Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

Clearlines is a first for the UK Care market allowing care providers to help their clients as they transition into care by providing them with with an assessment of their legal and financial foundation and offering them an opportunity to mitigate any of the issues that may have arisen in the assessment.

The business was founded last year and is part of the W & P Legal Group. W & P Legal specialises in legal services for later life planning. As such, a lot of the firm’s work was helping clients prepare for entering care or helping them transition a loved one into care. From this experience came Clearlines.

Tom Ash, Director, Clearlines Solutions LTD commented: “Clearlines is still a new product but we are starting to forge partnerships with national care brands and launching the service with several care providers. As such we have already outgrown our home office. We feel that the move to Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is a statement of intent for our new company. We will grow into our new premises, we will contribute to our local community and we will create jobs within Chesterfield.

Clearlines Office

“The location of Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre was our main attraction. Its central location meant that it puts us in the heart of Chesterfield. The proximity to the train station is also a huge benefit, As we welcome colleagues from the rest of the W & P Legal group it means they are just a skip away from our new home.”

Chesterfield is home to a wide range of office space to suit all business needs, from start-up organisations to expanding businesses. The town is strategically located in the centre of England, with excellent connections to several major cities via road and rail. Find out more about investing in the town at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

enterprise centre

 

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Midlands Engine Investment Fund II launches providing businesses with the funds to grow

The British Business Bank has launched its £400 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, unlocking additional funding to help smaller businesses in Derbyshire prosper and thrive.

The fund will drive sustainable economic growth by supporting new and growing businesses across the whole of the Midlands, through investment strategies that best meet the needs of these firms. It includes a range of finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million to help small and medium-sized businesses start up, scale up, or stay ahead.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the inaugural Midlands Engine Investment Fund, a £300m fund which has already supported 739 smaller businesses since its launch in 2017. The new fund will help hundreds more businesses to achieve their potential and further increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance by providing options to firms that might otherwise be unable to secure investment. Funding is designed to help smaller businesses with activities including expansion, product or service innovation, new processes, skills development and capital equipment.

Five fund managers have been appointed to manage the fund. BCRS Business Loans and First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans will manage the smaller loans part of the fund (£25,000 to £100,000), Frontier Development Capital and Maven Capital Partners will be responsible for larger loans (£100,000 to £2 million) and Mercia Ventures will manage equity deals (up to £5 million).

Louis Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, British Business Bank said: Small businesses are at the heart of The Midlands’ economy. Since launching in 2017, the first Midlands Engine Investment Fund has so far created more than 4,000 jobs across the region by backing 739 smaller businesses, boosting the region’s productivity by 70%.

The first Midlands Engine Investment Fund provided a blueprint for how we can support entrepreneurs and founders, whoever they are and wherever they are in the region, to access the funds and support they need. This new fund will allow us to continue supporting business owners across the Midlands, whether they’re at the start of their journey or are already running an established firm.

Promoting growth by ensuring entrepreneurs can access the finance they need regardless of where and who they are is one of the Bank’s strategic objectives, and vital to unlocking the full potential of the UK’s smaller businesses.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Gareth Davies MP said: Small businesses are the engine of the economy, which is why having access to funding like this is vital to help them thrive and grow, creating jobs and spreading opportunity everywhere.

As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, the Midlands propelled the UK into a new era of technological and economic growth and now the next generation of entrepreneurs will have the support they need to continue this success.

Find out more about support available to businesses in Chesterfield.

Manufacturing at Weightron. Two men working on industrial weighbridge with sparks flying

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Chamber warns new government railway funding needs to do more to respond to East Midlands’ needs

Long-anticipated government funds of £123 million allocated to Midlands Rail Hub – a project to improve connectivity between train stations across the midlands – is to be welcomed, however, does little to meet the needs of those in the East Midlands, say East Midlands Chamber.

The initiative uses cash freed up by abandoned HS2 funds to upgrade stations and improve infrastructure across the overall midlands area.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Chris Hobson said:

“While any investment in midlands railway infrastructure is to be welcomed, we’re concerned that once again the primary focus is on towns and cities outside of the East Midlands. Our Manifesto for Growth 2024, which we’re taking to Westminster on 11th March, asks our policy makers to ensure we deliver fair funding for infrastructure in the East Midlands.

“This isn’t about receiving investment at the expense of our neighbours to the west, it’s about Government doing more to rectify the fact that we are the most under-funded region in the country when it comes to rail travel.

“We have desperately inadequate service between stations within the East Midlands and this hampers the tremendous growth potential of businesses. It’s all very well that a Birmingham-bound passenger might be able to jump on an extra train here and there at Nottingham but what we’re stating loud and clear in our manifesto is the huge need for transformational improvement within the East Midlands.

“We look forward to taking our manifesto to Westminster on 11th March and insisting politicians listen to what our businesses need to succeed.”

In Chesterfield, ambitious plans are set to transform the area between the town centre and Chesterfield Railway Station – creating a vibrant gateway to North Derbyshire and providing improved public transport access.

Read more about the Chesterfield Station Masterplan here.

Chesterfield rail train station

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Chesterfield legal firms celebrated at regional awards ceremony

Two Chesterfield legal firms, Banner Jones Solicitors and CMP Legal received accolades at the annual Sheffield & District Law Society Awards.

The team at Banner Jones are celebrating after winning Employment Team of the Year at the event, which took place on the 23rd of February at the historic Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Hotel, Sheffield.

The event saw the Employment Team take home the accolade for the third consecutive year.

Commenting on the news, Banner Jones’ Chief Executive, Simon Wright, said: “The Sheffield & District Law Society Awards provide an opportunity for the local legal community to come together to celebrate our many achievements and successes from across the year.

“It is therefore a real privilege and an honour to have been shortlisted in three categories, and to have taken home another of the awards. Our collective success is a real testament to the hard work and dedication that everyone at the firm has shown over the past 12 months.

“A huge congratulations in particular goes to our Employment Law team, who have now won for the third consecutive year!”

Katie and Sara Banner Jones Employment Team of the Year

Katie Ash, Head of Banner Jones’ Employment team, added: “We are delighted to have won Employment Law Team of the Year for the third time.

“It has been a pleasure to help guide our clients through the past year and we are very much looking forward to building on those relationships throughout 2024 and beyond.”

Meanwhile, fellow Chesterfield solicitors, CMP Legal were also successful at the event, taking home the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year award.

Stacey Pocock, Solicitor and Executive Director at CMP Legal commented: “Winning the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year award underlines the effort and hard work that has gone into the creation of CMP Legal since we opened our doors for business three years ago.

“We are all thrilled and delighted by the recognition we have received”.

Banner Jones Solicitors and CMP Legal support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

CMP Legal Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year

 

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DBC Training announces move to larger Chesterfield premises

Skills and employability training provider DBC Training is expanding into larger Chesterfield premises, following successful growth in the town.

The organisation will move into new offices at Markham House in the centre of the town, allowing more learning space for the business to deliver its courses.

Commenting on the expansion of the business, Luke Brailsford, Senior Performance Manager at DBC Training said: “As a business we are growing, and we see Chesterfield as a key part of our growth plans. The investment in our new premises support this, offering more learning space for us to deliver high-quality employment and skills training courses in Chesterfield.

“This supports our ultimate aim to support local residents back into employment and to help more employers upskill their workforce through our award-winning apprenticeship service.

“We are still in Chesterfield Town Centre, on the top floor of Markham House. There are many benefits to this move, however, key ones being more space and room for the courses we deliver, along with being centrally located and close to partners that we work with.”

DBC Training has been delivering employment and skills training since 2000. The business matches skills training to local job vacancies and offers a range of courses to help unemployed people transition into work.

This offer includes warehouse, digital/ICT skills, FLT, Customer Service, Confidence building, CV preparation and much more. DBC is also an award-winning apprenticeship training provider, with apprenticeships available in Business Administration, Customer Service, Leadership and Management, Sales and Marketing, and much more.

Luke continued: “For DBC, Chesterfield is a perfect location for the services we offer. Having great transport links, growing employment markets and a thriving town centre. These are all key to making sure local residents thrive in our town.”

To find out more about the courses on offer at DBC Training, go to: https://www.dbc-training.co.uk/ – or attend the open evening at the new centre in Markham House on 11th March at 4pm.

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

DBC new premises

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New Mayor and East Midlands Combined County Authority given final go ahead

The last legal step to establish the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has been signed and made into law.

Jacob Young MP, Levelling Up Minister, this week signed the regulations that allow for EMCCA to be created. It means that residents across the area will get to vote for the very-first East Midlands Mayor, with elections taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

The new combined county authority is all thanks to a devolution deal, which will see the region benefit from a £1.14bn investment package, spread over a 30-year period, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, economic development and net zero.

Cllr Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “The passing of this final piece of Government legislation is an historic milestone for Derbyshire and the wider region.

“It marks the moment when the East Midlands Combined County Authority comes into existence, bringing a £1.14bn devolution deal to our region to improve people’s lives through better housing, improved transport and new job opportunities.

“In many ways it’s only the beginning of this exciting journey and more benefits and funding are already starting to flow – such as the government’s announcement of £1.5 billion local transport funding for the new East Midlands Mayor.

“Year-on-year the new combined county authority will bring even more funding to our region through a strong, collective voice and a national platform.”

Plans for East Midlands devolution are similar to those already in place in other mayoral regions, like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, and it is estimated that the region will unlock around £4bn of funding over the coming years.

The East Midlands devolution deal, agreed with Government ministers in 2022, will see Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Nottingham benefit from a £1.14 billion investment fund. All four councils approved the creation of EMCCA in December.

In October 2023, the Government announced around £1.5 billion in transport funding for the East Midlands Mayor.

Thanks to devolution plans, the East Midlands has also been invited to establish an ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £160 million of support over ten years, with tax incentives for businesses that will help boost economic growth right across the region.

Government will continue to work with EMCCA and other partners to co-develop plans for the East Midlands Investment Zone – which will bring in hundreds of millions of pounds of private investment and create thousands of jobs – including priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, ahead of final confirmation of the plans.

£18 million has already been awarded to the area during devolution negotiations, which is being spent on improving local housing, transport and skills provision.

Further investment for the region would also be provided through annual Whitehall budgets and spending reviews.

The inaugural election for Mayor of the East Midlands will take place on Thursday 2 May 2024.

For more information on the elections, visit www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk

Businesses in Chesterfield can hear from mayoral candidates for the East Midlands Combined County Authority at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield conference, taking place on 20th March 2024.

Jacob Young Levelling Up Minister

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Smyths Toys set to open its doors in Chesterfield

Major national toy retailer, Smyths Toys Superstores is set to open its doors in Chesterfield next month.

The business will open a new store on the town’s Wheatbridge Retail Park on March 21st, bringing new investment and jobs to the town. The business will neighbour other national chains, Wickes and Carpetright at the development.

Smyths Toys is one of the world’s largest toy retailers and has well over 100 outlets spread across Europe and the UK as well as operating online.

It offers customers a wide range of toys, baby, outdoor and gaming products, and the business says it is dedicated to encouraging learning and developing creativity in children.

The company is set to host a special launch party on its opening weekend in the town from Thursday, 21st March until Sunday, 24th March.

Face painting will be available for children aged three and above, and free candy floss will be given to guests along with a number of free toy giveaways.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “It is great to see a well-known national retailer such as Smyths Toys making a major investment in Chesterfield.

“We know that our town has several strengths as a base for retailers, whether they be small independents starting on their business journey, or larger chains looking to expand their footprint.

“It is very encouraging that this national brand has seen the potential of Chesterfield, from its excellent location and transport links, and wide catchment area.

“As residents of Chesterfield, we must all continue to support our high streets wherever possible to ensure they remain vibrant.”

Experience shopping in Chesterfield, a town which boasts a mix of nationally recognised retailers and unique independent stores.

Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/shopping/

Smyths Toys opening soon banner outside store

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Chesterfield homes to get a new lease of life in major renovation

A section of houses in Chesterfield which have been unoccupied for many years are now being brought back to life, following an exciting collaboration between two property businesses.

The buildings at 18-20 Highfield Road date back over 150 years, and are now being restored into high-end and co-living homes.

Once complete, the properties will be managed by Dovedale Property Lettings, who are working alongside Property Projects Group on the revamp.

The works will also greatly improve the energy efficiency of the properties, with plenty of insulation being installed ready for the arrival of new occupants.

Rick Cusimano, Co-Owner of Dovedale Property Lettings explained the story behind the exciting project: “Overgrown with trees and weeds, the houses were barely visible from the road for many years.

“I first became aware of them around 5 years ago, when I tried to make some enquiries to locate the owners, to no avail. Eventually, I saw them go up for auction and immediately knew I had to try and restore them if I could.

“Mark-Jonathan Wilkinson from Property Projects Group shared my vision for bringing these properties back into use and after a few visits he decided to take it on! His team is doing a great job over there.”

“With super-fast broadband and modern decor, these will be stunning places to live. I’m incredibly excited to be able to restore these houses to high-end homes, it’ll be an incredible transformation. Work is progressing well and we’re hoping to be able to officially launch in August this year!”

In addition, Rick also explained the many strengths Chesterfield has for people looking to locate themselves or their families: “I’m a huge advocate for Chesterfield, it has so much potential, with excellent transport links north and south, and the Peak District on the doorstep, it has an enviable location and a huge charm and character with its iconic crooked spire and mock tudor buildings.

“We’re so excited to see the regeneration and development happening within the town, and we’re delighted to be helping, one property at a time!”

Keep up-to-date with the project on the Property Projects Group Linkedin page and the Dovedale Property Lettings website.

progress_garden_clearout Highfield Road

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Chesterfield apprentice employers encouraged to enter prestigious top 100 list

Firms in Chesterfield are being encouraged to enter themselves into the running for the England Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers celebrates England’s outstanding apprenticeship employers, recognising their commitment to creating new apprenticeships, the diversity of their apprentices, and the number of apprentices who successfully achieve their apprenticeships.

And the Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers features the country’s leading small and medium-sized employers who offer apprenticeship programmes.

First compiled in 2020, the prestigious annual employer rankings have been developed by the Department of Education, in partnership with High Fliers Research, who independently assess and rank the nation’s top apprenticeship employers.

Over the past three years, more than 1,000 apprenticeship employers from a wide range of industries and business sectors have entered for the rankings.

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers are back in 2024 to showcase the apprenticeship employers that have done the most to provide apprenticeship opportunities over the past 12 months.

Entries are now open and the results will be announced during a special TV programme in the summer – and apprenticeship employers featured in the new 2024 rankings will be invited to attend a celebration lunch at the House of Commons in the autumn.

Previous Chesterfield winners for the top 50 SME list include Less Than Zero barbers and Clee Hill Plant. Find out more about their nominations here.

Together, the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers will reveal which employers – large and small – are this year’s most successful apprenticeship employers.

Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education commented: “Since 2020, we’ve been highlighting the top apprenticeship employers in England, to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering amazing apprenticeships.

“Last year we received a record number of entries from more than 800 different employers, and this year we want to break that record. We’ve revolutionised technical education in this country, with almost 70% of occupations now available as apprenticeships. We couldn’t do that without you, the fantastic employers who deliver them.

“We look forward to seeing another fantastic range of entries for the 2024 rankings. Thank you and good luck!”

Find out more about the list and nominate your business at: https://topapprenticeshipemployers.co.uk/

Apprentice welder and mentor at a local manufacturing business in Chesterfield

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