chesterfield business news

Destination Chesterfield welcomes eight new board members

Destination Chesterfield has announced the recruitment of eight new board members to strengthen the promotion of Derbyshire’s largest town.

The Destination Chesterfield Board is made up of local businesspeople who volunteer their time to influence the strategic direction of place-making and place marketing for Chesterfield.

Since being founded by Chesterfield Borough Council and local businesses in 2010, Destination Chesterfield has showcased the town as a contemporary destination to work, live, visit and invest.

The partnership works alongside a community of more than 230 businesses, known as Chesterfield Champions, to achieve this.  Board members are representatives from their Chesterfield Champion Companies.

Joining the Destination Chesterfield board are:

  • Ann Fomukong-Boden, Owner, Kakou CIC
  • Andrew Dabbs, Director, Whittam Cox Architects
  • Nick Hogan, Owner, Chesterfield Escape Rooms
  • Dominic Staniforth, Partner, BHP LLP
  • Ryan Wilkes, Director of Owner Managed Business, Shorts Chartered Accountants
  • James Borkoles, Head of Business Development, University of Derby
  • Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director, Devonshire Group
  • Nick Catt, Managing Director, Weightron Bilanciai

As the new board members begin their voluntary roles, the Chair of Destination Chesterfield, Peter Swallow has announced that he is stepping down from his position after 14 years of service.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Vice Chair and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, will lead the board while a new chair is elected.

Peter commented: “It is fantastic to be signing off my chairmanship by welcoming eight new board members, who will all be helping to guide the future marketing and economic growth of Chesterfield.

“One of Chesterfield’s great strengths is the collaborative nature of its business community, and this is reflected in the broad range of sectors represented on the board. The new members all have a vast amount of knowledge and expertise when it comes to the needs of our businesses and communities.”

“As I come to the end of my service as Chair of this successful partnership, I would like to wish Destination Chesterfield and all organisations across our town success in bringing further growth and regeneration, fulfilling Chesterfield’s ambition to be a fantastic location to live, work, visit and invest.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby said: “On behalf of the Destination Chesterfield Board, I would like to thank Peter Swallow for his years of dedicated service to the town. I am looking forward to working with all new and existing members of the Destination Chesterfield board to continue building on the progress made by the partnership over recent years. Not only does Destination Chesterfield raise the profile of our town, it also acts as a vital private sector voice for the area, ensuring that our businesses are heard.”

Meet the new board members

Andrew Dabbs, Director, Whittam Cox Architects

“I’ve lived locally my entire life, and being part of a thriving business in Chesterfield is something I’m very proud of. I’m excited to be part of the Destination Chesterfield board, with my role going hand-in-hand with my existing involvement in the town’s Property and Construction Group. Being part of the board gives me a great opportunity to represent our sector and the communities we ultimately serve through our work. There is so much talent and quality in our region and I’m delighted to be working with colleagues to showcase it.”

Nick Hogan, Owner, Chesterfield Escape Rooms

“I genuinely feel honoured and privileged to be able to join such an experienced team, all with the intention of making our hometown a better to live, work, invest and visit. Everyone on the board has got something a little different to offer and specialise in. During the selection process, I focussed on my expertise of recently opening a business in the town centre. I firmly believe Chesterfield can buck the national trend and would love to engage with anyone thinking about opening a business in town. It only takes a few great businesses to open to create a snowball effect.”

Ann Fomukong-Boden, Owner, Kakou CIC

“I am deeply honoured to join the Destination Chesterfield board and play a greater part in supporting Chesterfield’s vibrant community. This role presents an incredible opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of our Town.

“My main aims and aspirations for this role are centred around fostering strong collaborative connections and partnerships within the Town’s diverse corporate, third sector and community organisations; in addition to shining a light on the creativity, innovation and heritage that define our unique Town.”

Dominic Staniforth, Partner, BHP LLP

Dominic Staniforth BHP

“Chesterfield is a town full of driven and passionate people who share a common purpose to make it an excellent place to live, work, invest and study. I am honoured to be joining the Destination Chesterfield board, which brings together leaders from our business community and the public sector to guide the strategic promotion of the town.

“This position will sit alongside my other exciting new role as Chair of the new Chesterfield Town Board, which will oversee the spending of almost £20m from the government to bring more positive change to our town.”

Ryan Wilkes, Director of Owner Managed Business, Shorts Chartered Accountants

“I am very grateful and honoured to be selected to represent Chesterfield, where I have called home all my life. I am keen to build on my knowledge of the area, to help provide support and showcase both emerging and established businesses in Chesterfield, as well as the town as a whole.

“I have a unique insight into the thriving businesses around the area through my role at Shorts, which I would like to share and shout about to attract new business to Chesterfield and show what a great town it is. Talent attraction and retention are also big areas I would like to focus on. We have a great business community here, and we need to continue building talent to help grow our organisations. I want to help show the rest of the UK what Chesterfield has to offer, and to show the people and businesses of Chesterfield why they should stay!”

James Borkoles, Head of Business Development, University of Derby

“I’m very excited to be joining the Destination Chesterfield board at this critical time – the pace of change is relentless and there are significant opportunities to set our sights high in terms of developing Chesterfield as a first choice place for businesses to start, develop and thrive.

“My involvement, and that of the University of Derby, is to ensure that businesses are given the best support possible to establish themselves, grow and evolve to meet the challenges in the short and long term. This might be through skills provision, apprenticeships and securing talent to grow your business, or it might come through innovative, applied research and consultancy.”

Andrew Byrne, Property Development Director, Devonshire Group

“I’m delighted to be joining the Destination Chesterfield Board. The Devonshire Group has a long-standing relationship with Chesterfield and through our property development activity we are actively investing into the area.

“Working with the Council and Chesterfield College we have partnered in the delivery of the Construction Skills Hub on our housing scheme at Mastin Moor.  Having a skilled workforce is key to the area’s success and I hope to continue to help shape and deliver those skills, to ensure Chesterfield remains a great place in which to invest.”

Nick Catt, Managing Director, Weightron Bilanciai

Man smiling at camera wearing blue formal jacket

“I’m enthused and excited to become part of the Destination Chesterfield board. I love working in the town because of our central location with great access to the motorway network, businesses can find good employees who benefit from a great work/life balance.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the redevelopment of the town centre and market square. I would like to see our town further develop its nighttime culture, with more places for people to go and enjoy, encouraging more visitors to our area.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Hogg Norton picks up prestigious Great Taste Awards

A Chesterfield-based producer of alcoholic liqueurs has once again taken Great Taste Awards for two of its drinks.

Hogg Norton has been recognised with One Star for its Elderflower Liqueur and Two Stars for its Chocolate Liqueur.

Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food & drink accreditation scheme, with products across the world being put to the test by a panel of more than 500 experts.

Hogg Norton has now won a dozen Great Taste Awards in total, after also gaining recognition in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. 

Mike Norton, Co-Founder of Hogg Norton commented: “We are so pleased to have won Great Taste Awards for another two products this year!! Continually winning Great Taste Awards is a fantastic way of getting feedback from the very best in the industry that we are consistently making great tasting liqueurs.

Explaining what people can expect from sampling the award-winning products, Mike said:”Our Elderflower Liqueur has a delicate and floral taste which captures the essence of summer in a bottle. This liqueur offers a light, refreshing flavour that is perfect on its own, over ice, added to Champagne or Prosecco for an elegant summery spritz, with soda water for a refreshing long drink or add to Gin or Vodka and create your own delicious cocktail.

hogg norton

“Our Chocolate Liqueur is a delicious velvety liqueur that embodies the rich essence of chocolate, offering a decadent flavour profile that delights the senses. It is delicious enjoyed neat, over ice, add to milk for a grown up milkshake, add to coffee for a delightful mocha twist, partner with a cream liqueur for a rich blend, whipped cream for indulgent topping, vanilla ice cream for a luxurious float or you can have as a versatile ingredient in cocktails and desserts, our chocolate liqueur promises a sophisticated taste journey. In the winter add some to your hot chocolate or even just drink it warm.”

Mike also told us that he still gets a buzz everytime his products are given the honour of a Great Taste Award: “It really is so rewarding that we have won awards every year since 2019 and it gives us the motivation to keep coming up with new exciting flavours.

“Living in Chesterfield it is difficult not to be inspired when you are surrounded by so much natural beauty and produce. We love getting the local community involved with produce from their own gardens. Being able to attend local events and sell our liqueurs which were made from just down the road is such a lovely feeling.”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “A huge well done to Hogg Norton on achieving more Great Taste Awards.

The company shows off the best produce grown right here in North Derbyshire, and consistently picks up accolades for its unique and innovative products.

“A toast to many more awards in the future!”

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

Hogg Norton – Mike Norton displaying products at Chatsworth Country Fair

Mike Norton displaying Hogg Norton products at Chatsworth Country Fair 2023 – Image by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , , ,

Duo make their business dreams a reality as new French Toast Cafe opens on Whittington Moor

A brand-new cafe specialising in French Toast and sweet treats has opened it’s doors to customers on Whittington Moor, adjacent to the SMH Group Stadium.

Chapter Two is bringing a unique new culinary experience to our town, creating a one stop dessert and coffee shop under one roof.

The business has been launched by Kim Greaves and Steve Oxley. Kim explained how excited she is to be launching her business in an area she loves.

“I moved to Chesterfield when I was 13 years old (Kim) and I never left. I currently live in Hasland with my two children This is my home town and a town that I love.

“Chesterfield football club is very close to my heart. I took over my late husbands season ticket after he passed away in March 2021. I have found a new passion for football and Chesterfield FC. My 10 year old son and I love going to the games. My late husband (Andrew Greaves) also has a plaque in the memorial garden at the club and it’s nice to be so close to that.

“Sheffield Road, close to the football stadium has become a very busy and popular area. We’re very excited to be a part of that.”

Chapter Two aims to create a relaxed social space, where people can gather with family and friends to catch up over a cup of something warm and enjoy a delicious sweet or savoury dish.

While French Toast is their speciality, the cafe also serves freshly prepared waffles, crepes, American pancakes, Croque Madame, Croque Monsieur, cakes, sandwiches, sausage rolls and Afternoon Tea. These can be enjoyed at any time of day, from breakfast to lunch to dinner.

Kim explained how the idea came about: “Steve and I both love french toast but not many people know that french toast can be served with a range of sweet and savoury toppings.

“Occasionally you’ll see French toast make an appearance in some eateries as a special item on a menu. We wanted to spin this around and create a full menu based around fresh toast as our speciality.”

Alongside their investment in the new premises, which sits next to The Glassworks Pub and Elevation Hair Salon, Kim and Steve have put weeks of time and effort into making their dream a reality.

Kim explains: “We have carried out all the interior work ourselves. We took on the cafe as a blank canvas. It was originally a residential building with a change of usage. We have reclaimed and recycled most of the decor and we are particularly proud of the wood features around the counter area that we made using reclaimed pallets.

“We were both nervous and excited to open our doors on Monday. As all the work has been carried out by ourselves (including Steve’s cooking) we just hoped that it would be received well by the people of Chesterfield. So far the comments and feedback have been nothing but positive.

“Opening an independent business is a huge risk. We don’t have the branding or financial resources behind us to make the business an immediate success. We value all feedback good and bad, and word of mouth is a valuable tool so if people are visiting us and talking about us, then we can continue to offer our unique French toast cafe to Chesterfield!”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member welcomed Chapter Two to Chesterfield, commenting: “It is very pleasing to see another independent business opening its doors on Whittington Moor, bringing another unique offer to residents and visitors in our town.

“With Chesterfield FC on the doorstep and so many unique independent businesses based there, Whittington Moor continues to thrive as a destination for food, drink, and leisure.

“I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing the team at Chapter Two every success with their new venture”

Keep up with the latest updates from Chapter Two on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Planning a visit to Chesterfield? Take a look at the best shops, bars, restaurants and attractions to make the most of your trip by heading over to our visiting pages.

Two women stood in front of logo on wall wearing aprons and smiling

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield businesses urged to take up free green and digital skills support

Companies across Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire are being urged to take up the offer of free training.

North East Derbyshire District Council and Chesterfield Borough Council have joined forces to offer green skills and higher digital skills courses – made possible thanks to £200,000 worth of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The green skills courses will help construction companies access skills development that will help them comply with the Future Homes Standard (FHS) – which requires new homes built from 2025 to produce significantly less carbon emissions than under current building regulations – and will also contribute to the UK achieving its 2050 net zero target.

The higher level digital skills courses are open to businesses of any kind, interested in equipping their workforce with essential digital skills.

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We’re committed to ensuring that everyone can improve their skills and access new career opportunities. These programmes will allow people to upskill in their current roles, access promotions and ensure local businesses have access to the skills they need. The focus on green skills will also help ensure we can become a carbon neutral area and reduce the impact of climate change.”

Cllr Jayne Barry, North East Derbyshire District Council’s Cabinet member for Growth, said: “This is a great opportunity for businesses across our district to upskill their workforce as we move towards a greener and more sustainable future. Also, a future which is increasingly reliant on the use of technology, with all the rewards and threats that can bring.”

Chesterfield College will be delivering green skills courses, including the installation of wall insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. As well as hybrid vehicle awareness and a qualification in sustainability.

While Derby-based training provider Althaus Digital will deliver a suite of higher level digital skills training, including generative AI in digital marketing, cyber security and green digital training programmes.

Courses start from 22 August 2024 and run until Feb/March 2025. Some are short one day courses, while others take place over several days.

They will be delivered face-to-face and also online – and are all free.

To find out about all the courses available at Chesterfield College and to book on a session, visit www.chesterfield.ac.uk/greenskills/ or call 01246 500500 for more information.

For more information about the Althaus courses, contact Am Seabright, Director of Transformation am@althausdigital.co.uk 07913424467.

If you can’t make any of the courses, don’t worry as there is some flexibility with dates.  Just contact Economic.Development@NE-Derbyshire.gov.uk for more information.

Looking for more support for your business? Find out more about the latest schemes available at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

Two women wearing VR headsets and animation on big screen

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield business leaders share advice for young people ahead of results day

Millions of young people across the UK are eagerly awaiting their GCSE and A-Level results in the coming days, marking the culmination of years of hard work and exam preparation.

While this is a moment to celebrate their achievements, it’s also a time of important decisions about the future.

With numerous pathways to consider, the choices can feel overwhelming. Some may choose to continue their education by attending sixth form, college, or university, while others might opt to enter the workforce directly through full-time employment or apprenticeships.

At a recent business roundtable hosted by Destination Chesterfield in collaboration with the Derbyshire Times, leaders from various training providers and companies in Chesterfield shared valuable insights and advice, to help guide our young people in making informed decisions about their next steps.

Discover what our local businesses had to say below…

Jo Down – Assistant Principal for Student Experience and Wellbeing, Chesterfield College

Keep your options open and take advantage of opportunities to try new things. Everything will be a learning journey, and throughout that journey you’ll be developing skills which you can take anywhere.

I’d also recommend you look at the job market in the area as well. Find out more about the careers that are available, then once you find something that interests you, research the different routes and options available.

Lastly, it is OK to change your mind along the way and take a different path. We all do that through life, and it’s good to keep learning new skills!

Rebecca Erskine – Owner, Yellow Bird Marketing and Communications

Don’t rule out the option of self-employment and starting up your own business. You can make a good living out of working for yourself, whilst gaining valuable entrepreneurial skills… which perhaps you might not learn a lot about in school!

Also, the most vital skill you can learn is communication. Ask questions of your parents, your parents’ friends and everybody around you about how they got into their career.

Observe situations around you too, so if you’re in a shop and somebody’s not happy with something, how do the staff speak to customers? How do they reach a solution or come to a compromise? Having good communication and negotiation skills will stand you in good stead, no matter what career you choose.

Catherine Wenborn – Owner, Vines Legal Ltd.

Catherine Wenborn Vines Legal

You could have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship and and be paid for the work you’re doing, and also learn and develop as you’re going along.

Secondly, make good use of your school or college careers service and don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions!

I’d also recommend taking part in work experience and getting used to writing to employers. It shows that you can use your initiative, and its shows future employers that you’re interested in working for them, so it can open all sorts of doors!

Lewis Silcock – Business Development Manager, DBC Training

Lewis DBC Training

Go into things with an open mind and don’t be afraid to try new things. However, don’t expect to achieve things overnight – building a career can take time.

Don’t be afraid to pick up the brush or make those cups of tea – there are jobs in the workplace that you might not necessarily want to do, but everyone’s had to start somewhere and in the long-term it shows that you have a good work ethic.

Paul Stuart – Head of Business Support Services, East Midlands Chamber

Man speaking to woman at business expo

I’d advise young people to get a part-time job. It’s important to get those people skills so they’re informed on how to deal with difficult customers.

Simply applying for a job can give you experience on the types of questions employers ask you. You’ll then be set up to handle interviews calmly and use those listening skills.

Helen Bradshaw – Business Development Director, Learning Curve Group

Headshot of a woman with dark hair looking into camera

Keep your options open and ask lots of questions. Don’t be frightened to change career direction, but most importantly don’t do nothing.

Get out there, explore and do something you enjoy. You can make it happen, sometimes you just need to go that extra bit of distance to stand out and achieve your goals.

Jamie Wajs – Owner, Lime Living Estate Agents

Jamie Wajs Lime Living

Don’t worry about whether the choice you make doesn’t work out, because there are always options to go back into education and learn new skills.

You’ve got to find something you enjoy doing, and you don’t have to stay in the same career your whole life. Just go out there with a positive attitude and take opportunities.

The organisations featured in this article support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Find out how you can boost your talent pipeline by supporting our young people on their journey to the workplace. Sign up for the latest updates at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/skills/skills-and-employability-newsletter-signup/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

Chesterfield property and construction firms encouraged to apply for 2024 East Midlands Bricks Awards

Property and Construction businesses have just three weeks to submit their applications for a prestigious awards ceremony which celebrates the sector.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will shine a light on the industry across our region, while offering an opportunity to network with business leaders.

This year’s glittering ceremony will take place on Thursday 3 October at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham.

Hosted by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, the event is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate successes, boost businesses’ profiles, showcase teams, reward their efforts, and bolster morale.

To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of the awards, visit this page.

Award categories include:

  • Most active agent
  • Commercial development of the year
  • Responsible business of the year
  • Residential development of the year
  • Developer of the year
  • Deal of the year
  • Architects of the year
  • Excellence in design
  • Sustainable development of the year
  • Contractor of the year
  • Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated)

Nominations end Thursday 5th September.

Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.

Are you a Chesterfield business looking to gain recognition for your work and promotion of your company by entering awards? Our guide will enable you to find out more about the awards available in our region. Find out more at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/promote-your-business/

A digger and construction worker on a Stancliffe Homes development

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Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s staff wellbeing hub shortlisted for prestigious award

Chesterfield Royal Hospital’s Health and Wellbeing Hub has been shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards, recognising an outstanding contribution to healthcare and securing a place at the prestigious awards ceremony later this year.

Over 1,000 entries have been received for this year’s Awards, with 234 projects and individuals reaching the final shortlist. The high volume and exceptional quality of applications showcases the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed within the UK’s healthcare networks.

Following the thorough judging process, the Trust was shortlisted, ahead of the official awards ceremony to be held later this year, with the Health and Wellbeing Hub standing out as a real ‘success story’ worthy of a prized place on the panel’s shortlist.

The Trust’s vision is ‘exceptional care provided by exceptional people’, we have 5,000 colleagues and following the pandemic wanted to invest in their health and wellbeing – caring for the carers.

The Health and Wellbeing Hub opened in July 2023 – and is a free on-site facility supporting both physical and mental wellbeing. The facility boasts:

  • Counselling rooms
  • A fully equipped gym
  • Two studios to host groups and exercise classes
  • Areas for group or individual reflection after traumatic incidents
  • Changing room and shower facilities
  • Bike storage facilities
  • Foyer space for colleagues to take time out, eat lunch and network

Abbie Foster, Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Trust, said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards. It’s a great way to showcase all the incredible work the teams have been doing across the Trust to make improvements for our colleagues and their wellbeing. A huge thank you to everybody involved.”

Caroline Wade MBE, Executive Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, added: “The real value comes from how the Hub and support available makes our colleagues feel. We saw a 5% decrease across the burnout question on the 2023 NHS Staff Survey – with the Trust scoring 3.5% better than the national score.

“We hope that this will inspire other organisations to take further steps to support their colleagues’ wellbeing.”

Abbie Foster, Health and Wellbeing Lead at the Trust, added: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Award at the HSJ Awards. It’s a great way to showcase all the incredible work the teams have been doing across the Trust to make improvements for our colleagues and their wellbeing. A huge thank you to everybody involved.”

HSJ editor Alastair McLellan, adds; “It always gives me great pleasure to congratulate our finalists at this stage of the judging process and this year is no exception as we acknowledge Chesterfield Royal Hospital for being shortlisted in the category of Staff Wellbeing.

“However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

“We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector. Huge thanks also go to our headline partner, Vodafone Business, who share our mission of driving the standard of healthcare excellence and creating better patient experiences.”

The full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ awards can be found at www.awards.hsj.co.uk. The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21st November 2024.

Find out more about the benefits of working in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/working/

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

Exterior of wellbeing hub building with lawn in front

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A Real Balance Between Work and Play: Why Professionals Are Choosing Chesterfield

Business leaders in Chesterfield have shared their thoughts on why they’ve chosen the town as a destination to build their livelihoods. Speaking at the recent Destination Chesterfield roundtable, held in conjunction with the Derbyshire Times, business owners and employees praised the work-life balance offered in the town, alongside its central location and access to opportunities.

Situated near the Peak District National Park, Chesterfield residents enjoy unparalleled access to outdoor activities. The proximity to such natural beauty, coupled with a wealth of green space within the town, contributes to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Jamie Wajs, Owner of Lime Living Estate Agents, believes people are moving to Chesterfield from other areas due to the town’s unique offerings. He said, “We see a lot of people from industry moving into town or returning here because there’s a real balance between work and play.”

Catherine Wenborn, Owner of Vines Legal Ltd, emphasized this point, stating, “There is a very strong family focus here. I have been a relative newcomer to the area, but there are families that go back generations and there’s a very strong community. Chesterfield is very well accessed with transport links which also makes it a nice place to live.”

Catherine previously spent time working in London and compared it to the lifestyle she now enjoys in Chesterfield. She told delegates that the difference is stark: “The whole idea of ‘bright city lights’ in the capital really wasn’t the case at all. Here in Chesterfield, you feel like you’re part of the community. People are friendly and welcoming, even if they do tease me about my southern accent!”

Rebecca Erskine, Owner of Yellow Bird Marketing and Communications, added, “I think it’s the amount of space we have to live our lives as well. If you want to be part of something in the hustle and bustle, you can be, but if you want to be somewhere completely remote, you’re only 15 minutes away. It’s such an area of natural beauty that everything around us is really appealing.”

Chesterfield’s strong sense of community was highlighted by several people during the discussion. Helen Bradshaw, Business Development Director at Learning Curve Group commented, “I moved up here when I was 22, having lived in many towns and cities. I came here on a weekend to visit and then ended up moving up here permanently! I’ve always found Chesterfield to be a very green town, which has a friendly feel and community spirit to it.”

Work Live Round Table

“You feel like everyone is really in the same boat, supporting the same goals. I think people take pride in this town, and so a lot of businesses take pride in what they are bringing to the community.”

A significant draw for many is Chesterfield’s remarkable work-life balance. Its proximity to many other urban centres provides access to opportunities while allowing individuals to retreat to a quieter, more manageable lifestyle. Paul Stuart, Head of Business Support Services for East Midlands Chamber, added, “I think the space available for businesses is good. It’s also things we don’t necessarily think of which add to the quality of life, such as the commute. Our head office is based in Chesterfield, and where I live is just 15 minutes away, and that’s the thing that makes it comfortable for me. I’m not stuck on the motorway or relying on trains.”

Lewis Silcock Business Development Manager at DBC Training said, “There’s quite a lot of greenery, fields, and parks, and you don’t have to get in the car and drive somewhere to take the dog for a walk. We love to go out as a family to the park, and it’s nice to be able to just step out of your door after work. Chesterfield has the right balance between green spaces and business space.”

Jo Down, Assistant Principal for Student Experience and Wellbeing at Chesterfield College, shared her perspective: “I believe as someone born and raised in the town, we can often take things for granted. I love to walk and run down the canal, and we have lots of nice cafes and eateries to socialise. There’s a lot of regeneration happening in the town too, especially in the town centre, and I really think that will contribute to the offer further.”

Chesterfield’s central location in the UK makes it an ideal hub for connectivity and accessibility. With cities like Sheffield and Nottingham nearby, and Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds within easy reach by road and rail, there is plenty of opportunity to make connections and grow a business. Catherine Wenborn added, “Coming from Kent, most of the big work was in London because there weren’t any other cities. Here, you’ve got various cities dotted about, which has made such a difference.”

Rebecca Erskine elaborated on the community aspect, “I go to different events, and you often bump into people who you work together with. It’s a great place to make personal connections with people, which in turn helps to strengthen your business.”

Rated the 2nd best place in the UK to raise a family, and the happiest place to live in the East Midlands, Chesterfield is a location where people are able to thrive both personally and professionally. Find out more about living and working in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/

Mum, Dad and child in kitchen smiling

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Project provides career inspiration for Chesterfield young people

A new project has provided career insights and work experience for young people in Chesterfield.

The Careers Made in Chesterfield (CMiC) programme has had a successful first year, hosting eight workshops for 275 young people and providing work experience placements for almost 30 students.

It provides students with insights about local career opportunities and aims to create a pipeline of talent to support local businesses. In its first year, the programme has focussed on the property and construction sector but will expand to include the health and wellbeing sector and manufacturing sector over the next three years.

Industry experts have hosted interactive workshops at Ashgate Croft School, Parkside School, Springwell Community College, Netherthorpe School and the Chesterfield YES Youth Hub. As a result of these workshops, students have reported an increased interest in pursuing careers in the construction industry.

The project has been funded by Chesterfield Borough Council as part of its Skills Action Plan and delivered in schools by Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP).

On Tuesday 2 June Gateway 1 students from Ashgate Croft School were visited by G F Tomlinson where they played ‘guess my job’ with three volunteers – Gemma Thorpe, Senior Bid and Marketing Coordinator; Dave Miller, Site Manager; and Olivia Brindley, Assistant Quantity Surveyor – to learn about the varied roles within the construction sector.

In preparation for a site visit, students were also shown the refurbishment plans for Stephenson Memorial Hall, home to Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre, which is currently being refurbished by G F Tomlinson on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council.

The students then took on the challenge to come up with their own designs for a cafe, shop, or entire museum using K’Nex construction kits.

Stuart Rooker, Careers Lead at DEBP said: “Collaboration between businesses and schools is crucial to CMiC. It is a fantastic way for employers to engage directly with students and inform them about their business and industry. It also provides the young people involved with the opportunity to learn about the skills they need, which employers value, and the options available to them.”

On Thursday 18 June, the students were given a tour of the construction site. After a health and safety talk from Jack Harvey, Technical Apprentice and putting on the appropriate PPE, Jason Tromans, Site Manager for G F Tomlinson, led a fantastic tour of the building. This included how key parts of the building are being restored and the interesting things that have been found on-site such as old newspapers and messages on the walls. Students were able to see a variety of construction trades at work, including roofers, joiners, ground workers, and scaffolders.

Vicky Bridge, Gateway 1 Teacher from Ashgate Croft School said: “The students thought both the workshop and visit were really interesting. It was a great experience for them to learn all about the company and the trade, and then see it in person and in action. This fits well with our employability lesson where we look at different jobs and types of employment.”

In total 14 employers have supported the CMiC programme including, Stepnell, Fortem, Devonshire Group, Henry Boot, Elliot Mather LLP, Whittam Cox Architects, Turner and Townsend, Castle Owen, Clee Hill, Shelby Group, Frank Shaw Associates and Chesterfield College.

CMiC is a key part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Action Plan which aims to ensure that local people have the right skills to support career progression and benefit from future employment opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “CMiC has made a great impact in its first year, it’s helped provide young people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their future and by working with employers we can ensure that skills provision in the borough meets their future needs. I look forward to seeing how this programme progresses in future years and hearing from young people about how it has helped them.

If you’re a local business, I would encourage you to get involved in the scheme because it will help guide young people to work in industry and even your business.”

As well as construction and property, the programme will expand over the next four years to include health and social care, and engineering and manufacturing and businesses in these sectors are encouraged to get in touch to volunteer for the scheme.

If you are an employer and would like to get involved in CMiC please email enquiries@debp.org.

Looking for support to improve skills and recruitment in your business? Head over to our business support page to find out more.

DEBP and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Students wearing high viz clothing

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield Record Fair to launch new event at The Batch House

A new record fair event is set to take place in The Batch House, giving music lovers even more opportunity to browse their favourite artists.

The new event will run in addition to the regular monthly record fair in Chesterfield town centre, allowing people to attend on weeknights too.

The first Record Fair at the Batch House will take place later this month, on Friday 30th August, 12pm-6pm.

Organiser Adrian Wells, owner of AA Record Fairs said: “The event has always been very popular. Since it began 4 years ago, its reputation is one for a great selection of diverse genres of music and different vinyl dealers attending each month, and traveling from all over the country to stand.

Adrian says he loves to host the market in Chesterfield Town Centre, and looks forward to building on its popularity: “It’s outside which offers us flexibility, it also allows us to keep the rents cheap, and the stalls are bigger than normal tables rented out at other events (so traders get a great deal, which is one reason they turn up in force each month – they can also create a great display of their stock).

“To find a larger monthly record fair, and there are only a few in the whole country, you would have to go to a major city.  Chesterfield record fair punches well above its weight in terms of size of event per capita.  The event still has room to grow for both traders and for attendance; we are always trying to improve.”

The additional date taking place at The Batch House will allow traders and music fans to indulge in some of the unique food vendors based there, serving Greek, Indian, Italian and Peruvian food just to name a few.

Sign outside Modern venue advertising a record fair

Adrian explained why AA Record Fairs has added more dates in the town: “We are always being asked for a record fair in the week, to accommodate buyers who work weekends.  Plus, we run around 100 events a year at weekends, we always have something on every Saturday & Sunday.  So to expand, we are attempting to establish a few key weekday events, with Chesterfield being one of the first.

“We are hoping our large local following will come out to support this first weekday record fair in Chesterfield. We always look for venues with a difference, somewhere that can bring new people to our events and a venue that is interested in getting a boost from our crowd of vinyl hunters.

“The Batch House is perfect. It’s a newly built venue in a great location, with plenty of indoor space for our first mid-week, pop-up venture. Customers can browse records while also meeting friends for a drink or light lunch or have a break in a relaxing atmosphere while thinking over what records to buy.

“Places like Chesterfield marketplace (for large events) & The Batch House (for a smaller, pop-up fairs) are perfect for this approach, tying two different things together.”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member commented: “It’s fantastic to see the Chesterfield Record Fair expanding it’s schedule of events, helping to further establish our town as a fantastic and unique destination for music lovers. I’d encourage people to continue supporting these events, which add to the vibrancy of our town and help to provide footfall to our independent shops and food & drink venues.”

Find out more about Chesterfield Record Fair at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/chesterfield-record-fair-chesterfield-market/

People browsing market stalls at Chesterfield Record Fair

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Staveley Waterside Development gets underway

A transformation is about to begin at Staveley town’s canal basin as part of the Staveley Town Deal, a £25 million government-funded regeneration programme for the area.

A new, 2-storey building is to be constructed adjacent to Staveley Canal, creating an attractive mixed use facility that will support 11 business units for office, retail and workshop use alongside opportunities for food and drink. In short, creating a whole new destination in Staveley for both commerce and visitors.

The project is being managed and funded by a partnership between Derbyshire County Council and the Staveley Town Deal, which is overseen by Chesterfield Borough Council. The Town Deal is providing £3.5 million of the £4.5 million cost of the project with the balance being met by the County Council.

The canal basin will be greatly enhanced by the new development and, hopefully, will encourage more visitors to make recreational use of the canal for walking, cycling and boating. Access to the site will be improved with a new road and footpath and there will be indoor and outdoor dining space. Contractors started work on phase 1 of the project at the end of July. This initial phase is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2025.

This Staveley Waterside project forms part of the wider Markham Vale programme of works, a flagship 85-hectare business park based on the site of the old Markham Colliery.

The programme is a joint venture being delivered jointly with HBD focused on attracting and assisting businesses to support net zero ambitions and helping make Derbyshire a greener and lower carbon place to live, work and visit.

staveley waterside

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “It’s great to see this highly anticipated new development get underway at Staveley.

“Not only will it bring more life and jobs to the area, it will also draw more visitors to this attractive canal-side environment and encourage greater use of the infrastructure that’s already there.

“We have drawn on our many years of experience from work at Markham Vale and brought it to the Staveley Waterside project to help regenerate the area. It will provide both high-quality business accommodation and a visitor destination that people from near and far can enjoy.”

Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “I am thrilled to see this prominent project right by the canal, start on site. This landmark development is a key part of the Town Deal programme as it will help create new jobs and encourage people to explore the historic canal, contributing to our overall goal of ensuring that Staveley is a place where everyone can start, stay, and grow.”

Staveley Waterside is one of 3 projects the county council is leading as part of the Staveley Town Deal which includes 10 projects in total.

Wheels to Work is a project we are leading to help people in Staveley access job and training opportunities by providing bicycles and e-scooters for those with limited transport options. And we are also working with partners on a project to reinstate a railway station in Barrow Hill and create better public transport connections between Staveley, Chesterfield and Sheffield for jobs and training opportunities.

Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal Projects here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/staveley/

group of representatives holding banner wearing hard hats

 

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