chesterfield business news

Chesterfield welcomes Windowcharm into new office space in the heart of town

Windowcharm, a third generation family-owned company has revealed exciting details of its expansion into new office space on Whittington Way in Chesterfield.

Having served South Yorkshire and beyond for over 45 years, the team felt that reaching out into Derbyshire would be hugely beneficial to both them and to the area as they spread their expertise in window dressings further throughout the UK.

In 1975 Leonard Warrilow, father of James, the current CEO, began Windowcharm, seeing the need for quality window furnishings in the Rotherham and Sheffield region. Shortly after the company was started, it occupied small premises in Wellgate, Rotherham, and from there the company has evolved.

The company tagline, which has now evolved into a hashtag, dates back nearly as far as the company itself, as Leonard said “every window needs a blind and there is a Windowcharm blind for every window”.

Now in its third generation, Windowcharm Blinds & Curtains has seen excellent growth over the years and 2020 has been no exception! Already well-established partners with the NHS, the company’s products were converted to meet the demands of the pandemic and the team worked with the NHS to provide additional bed spaces and to increase infection control on the frontline.

Sales Director, Arné Warrilow, grandson of founder, Leonard, and actually a resident of Chesterfield, says “As a group, we are excited to be strengthening our position in Chesterfield and the new office will certainly give us further focus and direction to support the town and the development in the area. Our passion and keen interest for the town dates back many years.”

Windowcharm’s impressive timeline of progression through 2020 alone, can be seen on their website, highlighting their innovative support of the healthcare sector. That too, expanded into the other sectors that they work with, including education, construction, residential-developments, leisure, hospitality, retail…

Two excellent achievements of 2020 were the opening of a franchise serving the West Midlands, and partnering with an excellent company who hold distributorship in the South West – carrying window furnishing excellence to other regions of the UK.

Pleased to offer the full ‘concept to completion’ service, the company’s manufacturing plant, based in Sheffield is currently undergoing works that will nearly double its size, resulting in increased efficiencies and improved turnaround for all products. Being basically on the doorstep from Derbyshire will mean delivery times into the area will be excellent.

Find out more about Windowcharm at https://www.windowcharm.co.uk/ or by calling 01246 586 056

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, HomeTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield College gives graduates an insight into a teaching career in further education

Keen to play a role in developing the next generation of talent into further education, Chesterfield College has welcomed a new cohort of eager graduates and undergraduates into the organisation to give them a unique insight into a teaching career as part of the Education and Training Foundation’s programme, Talent to Teach. This is the second year the college has been part of the programme and they are already seeing many positive benefits.

The Talent to Teach programme was mentioned in the recent Skills for Jobs white paper, published by the government, as one important initiative which will be developed to help tackle the growing recruitment problem in the further education sector. The document highlights that half of principals in the UK say recruitment is difficult, so the need to act now is vitally important.

Becoming a provider of Talent to Teach programme was an opportunity for Chesterfield College to nurture talent and build a workforce for the sector. Equally, the team were keen to share their passion for role they play in their community, and the difference they make to their students and apprentices.

Jo Kershaw, Director of Business Professional and Service Industries, who manages the Talent to Teach programme at Chesterfield College said:

“Like many other colleges up and down the country, Chesterfield College wants to attract the very best talent to pass on their knowledge and expertise to students and apprentices. The Talent to Teach programme gives us the chance to highlight the benefits of a career in further education. It also helps graduates to understand that their knowledge and skills are in demand in the sector.

“For too long further education has been overlooked by many who might have a desire to teach. It has been fascinating to see the participants on this programme discover the possibilities open to them in colleges and we have seen our staff develop their mentoring skills too.”

During the programme the participants work alongside, and are mentored by, college staff as they take part in a range of activities to give them an insight into the breadth and scope of teaching in further education. They also experience day to day life helping students to succeed.

After mandatory safeguarding training, the participants observe and take part in lessons as well as carry out a micro teach. They also attend ask the expert sessions to learn about a range of other topics from Ofsted to supporting students with special educational needs.

The first intake of students on the programme, who took part before the pandemic, worked in the classroom with groups of students. The new intake has been experiencing teaching online and working with college staff virtually.

The fact that the programme is now being delivered virtually has had hidden benefits, allowing participants from a larger geographical area to access it. This was important because the pandemic meant only a quarter of the colleges who normally take part in the programme were able to offer places this year. Chesterfield College were keen to continue and demonstrate how they had adapted teaching and learning over lockdown.

Feedback from the previous intake of students highlights that 100% of those who took part have a higher level of interest in a teaching career in further education following the programme. The value of taking a hands on approach during the scheme was a huge benefit to the participants who may have been witnessing the world of further education for the first time.

One politics and history graduate on the current Talent to Teach programme, Tyler Yves, commented: “I left school with a handful of GCSEs but studied in FE as a mature student on an access to HE course. I understand the motivations of adult learners who study in FE colleges. There has always been this preconception that you were born to teach but I think so much has changed and I think we need to see how we can transfer skills into teaching as a viable career option. I can see the day to day difference I could make in a young person’s life by being part of FE. After a few sessions on the programme, I already find myself googling PGCE information!”

Sanaa Khalifa, a second year economics student said: “There are so many jobs and careers out there and you don’t know what to do unless you experience it first-hand which is why I wanted to take part in Talent to Teach. Now I am doing it, I do see myself in a teaching career in FE as opposed to working in business. It really has changed my outlook.”

Raina Roberts, Project manager for Talent to Teach at Cognition Education, the organisation running the programme on behalf of the Education and Training Foundation, said:

“It has been an absolute delight having Chesterfield College as a provider with the Talent to Teach in FE programme. Jo Kershaw and the team at the college have been incredible to work with and have put a great deal of passion into delivering the programme. Our partner providers, including Chesterfield College, are passionate about helping us raise the profile of further education and support us in establishing a high-quality pipeline of entrants for the sector.”

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

Posted in Business, Development, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Conference hears how Chesterfield’s resilience has set the town on a path of swift pandemic recovery

Chesterfield’s resilience in the face of adversity has been borne out by figures shared at today’s (31 March) Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Addooco IT.

At the virtual conference it was revealed that SMEs are reporting growth in turnover and staff numbers during the pandemic, while estate agents in the borough are achieving up to 103 per cent on asking price with up to eight buyers per property.

Despite the pandemic, more than £1bn of regeneration projects are currently underway in the borough, including the multi-million pound Chesterfield Waterside, Glass Yard, Northern Gateway and PEAK schemes.

Speaking at the conference Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council praised the sector’s can-do attitude during the pandemic.

He said: “There is a fantastic landscape of development happening in the town in the middle of the pandemic. I think it says everything about Chesterfield in terms of the ambition of the place and the fact we are not going to just bunker down but actually get on and invest in quality developments right across the town and borough.”

Work has also begun on a McDonalds restaurant and drive-thru on the site of a long-derelict former multi-storey car park at West Bars. Sixty-five jobs will be created when the fast-food giant opens at the location later this year.

Most recently, Staveley received £25.2million from the Government’s Town Deal programme. It is being billed as one of the largest economic programmes in the borough in recent history.

Speaking at the conference Ivan Fomin, Chair of Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “We want Staveley to become a place to start, to stay and grow to deliver inclusive growth opportunities for the people of Staveley over the next five years.”

While 1,100 Chesterfield businesses temporarily closed during the latest lockdown, Dr Bowen is optimistic they will re-open and access the support and grants the Council has put in place to enable them to re-start. Nearly £60million in business rates relief and grants has been distributed by Chesterfield Borough Council to businesses during the pandemic.

“Our first priority is to support existing businesses to survive and restart,” added Dr Bowen.

Marketing the town, he said, was critical to the council’s Economic Recovery Plan post pandemic and praised the work of Destination Chesterfield in its work to attract inward investment.

He added: “We want people to relocate and start up in business here, so we are working closely with other Derbyshire councils and the East Midlands Chamber to make available start-up funding to encourage entrepreneurs to the town and borough.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield welcomed Dr Bowen’s comments saying: “Chesterfield has proved time and time again that it is a resilient and strong town which consistently performs well in the face of adversity.

“During the pandemic we have seen major projects start to come out of the ground which is testimony to our forward-thinking council and a key reason why investors from outside the area are keen to do business with us on major projects like PEAK, Waterside and HS2.

“Twelve months ago our annual Celebrate Chesterfield event looked to be anything but a celebration. However, we have attracted investment, jobs have been created and a plan is in place to ensure not only that we recover quickly from the pandemic but that we are stronger because of it. There is much to celebrate now and for the future of Chesterfield.”

In addition to Dr Bowen, speakers at the annual free event also included Andy Dabbs and Jillian Mitchell the Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the newly formed Property and Construction Group, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield and was launched at Celebrate Chesterfield 21

The group brings together leaders from the area’s property and construction sectors to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

Celebrate Chesterfield 2021 was sponsored by University of Derby, Whittam Cox Architects and Markham Vale – Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme, who joined headline sponsor Addooco IT.

Richard Walters, owner of Chesterfield technology specialist Addooco IT Ltd, commented: “The concept of ‘Celebrating Chesterfield’ really resonates with me as there is such a rich history of innovation here. Having identified early in 2020 how challenging the next 12 months and beyond would likely become we accelerated our investment plans to help minimise the impact of the situation, whilst creating four new job roles to help cope with demand. This ensured ample capacity and performance for our existing clients and those who we’ve welcomed to Addooco over the last year.”

If you were unable to attend the live Celebrate Chesterfield 2021 event, the presentations are available to watch via the online platform until 14 April. For free access to the platform please contact mollie.brown@chesterfield.co.uk.

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

Chesterfield’s first Property and Construction Group launched

A pioneering Chesterfield Property and Construction Group has been launched at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event held on 31 March 2021.

The new group, which is organised by Destination Chesterfield, brings together leaders from the area’s property and construction sectors to shape and drive forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

It is chaired by Andy Dabbs, Architect and Board Director at Chesterfield-based Whittam Cox Architects which is behind the town’s £19.9 million Northern Gateway Development project.

He explained: “Within the new group there’s a diverse range of talent- architects, construction specialists, landowners and developers; a true collective who have joined forces for the good of the town and to benefit everyone living here.

“We’re all passionate about Chesterfield and what it has to offer everyone living and working here. It’s full of potential, it’s perfectly located, and offers a plethora of independent shops and hotels and collectively we shall be flying the flag for the town not only locally but regionally and nationally through our individual networks.”

The new Chesterfield Property and Construction Group is one of a number of sector-specific Destination Chesterfield groups, including the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Manufacturing Forum, which share a vision to make the town an attractive place to live, work and invest in.

The action-focused Chesterfield Property and Construction Group meets quarterly. The next meeting, which is free to attend, will be held virtually on Wednesday 16 June.

The group has already identified four key themes that will be led by members of the group, specifically the skills agenda, business support, promote investment in Chesterfield and sustainability and wellbeing.

Vice chair, architect and founding director of Markham Vale-based Lomas and Mitchell Architects, Jillian Mitchell will lead the sustainability and wellbeing theme within the group.

She explained “Sustainability is at the heart of our practice. We specialise in designing low energy, healthy and beautiful buildings so I was keen to lead this theme. In doing so it enables me to engage directly with bigger businesses and gain a wider perspective. It also gives me the opportunity to find out what’s happening within other areas and to learn from each other.”

Andy, who has lived in Dronfield all of his life and feels strongly about Chesterfield’s potential, added: “Chesterfield has held its own during the pandemic, with continuous investment and development taking place. The Glass Yard, Chesterfield Waterside and

Peak Resort developments are perfect examples of investors believing in our town and we want to keep driving this forward.”

“The group aims to provide a platform for professionals in the property and construction sector that can be used to help market Chesterfield as an area of interest to a wide range of investors.”

Appealing for the sector to come together and join the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, Jillian added: “It is very much a case of together we are stronger so we hope more organisations and individuals from both the public and private sector will join the group.

“It is an opportunity for us all to pool our varied and extensive expertise, using the collective to support others in helping shape the built environment of Chesterfield both now and for future generations.”

To find out more about become a member of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group contact Propertygroup@chesterfield.co.uk or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/chesterfield-property-and-construction-group

 

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Robinson’s 2020 Annual report highlights another strong year – strategically, financially and sustainably

Robinson – the Chesterfield-based manufacturer specialising in value added custom packaging – has published its 2020 Annual report showcasing a successful year with a revitalised business strategy, increased sales, a radical re-brand and millions of pounds worth of investment in an acquisition and the latest low-carbon equipment.

Robinson’s Above & Beyond report articulates their strategy with purpose to create a sustainable future for people and planet with focus on three priorities: to put the customer first; help people thrive; and drive sustainable growth, all underpinned by their sustainability pledge. The report is a cohesive consolidation of financial and operational performance, demonstrating how the business is focused on creating sustained mutual shared value for all stakeholders.

Highlights include a 6% sales increase to £37.2 million, gross margin increase from 21% to 23%, a 3.0p final dividend announced for shareholders and £4.6 million invested in net capital expenditure. In addition, Robinson rebranded, defined a new company purpose and launched their sustainability pledge with 15 ambitious goals. The company also recently acquired Danish company Schela Plast adding geographical reach into Northern Europe.

Alan Raleigh, Chairman, says: “2020 was a year that tested us all but I am very proud of how the team has responded, maintaining a safe working environment for all while minimising disruption to our customers and their consumers. Our flexibility, responsiveness, technical capabilities and most importantly our people provide the basis for Robinson to go ‘above and beyond’ in 2021.”

Dr Helene Roberts, CEO says: “While 2020 was a year of unprecedented challenges, it was also a year when our purpose came to life bringing achievement and strong performance. During 2020 we introduced a significant amount of change to the business. Our focus in 2021 will be on consolidation, extracting full value while taking the opportunity to refine our business processes. I am excited about the opportunities for our people to thrive, strengthening our customer partnerships while achieving sustainable growth.”

The Annual report is issued on the day Robinson also announce the launch of their new company website, bringing their new brand identity to life, visually and verbally, while presenting their custom solutions and technical capabilities. It has been built with unified purpose to drive business growth and deliver customer needs while integrating Robinson’s business and digital strategy to thrive online, designed completely around the user for accessibility and enhanced experience.

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

Robinson CEO, Dr Helene Roberts

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Leading Chesterfield engineering firm Weightron launches innovative industrial waste system

Weightron Bilanciai Ltd has launched a brand-new waste management system for businesses, which will help firms in cutting down on costs and administration workload.

Itemised Waste Management (IWM) Enables companies to input the exact weight and type of waste they produce into a digital log, taking away the headache of having to keep tack of multiple waste sources.

The product provides a life-cycle cost saving by cutting out any disputes, the need for administration and invoicing accurately. Data from the weighing of materials can be displayed as a simple Excel spreadsheet which can then be imported into existing management software systems.

How it Works:

  • Each bin can be tagged, or the user has electronic ID
  • The bin is weighed on a low level platform with a clear visual display.
  • The software is configured to automate invoices, accurately reflecting the waste each tenant produces.
  • Users not recycling correctly can be quickly identified and educated accordingly to further reduce waste costs

The system can be used in a number of industrial settings, including office blocks, schools and universities, tenement buildings, hospitals and airports, hotels and restaurants, factories and manufacturing premises and shopping centres.

It can also handle various types of waste, including paper and cardboard, metals, plastics and glass, food, general mixed waste, contaminated waste, along with medicinal and hazardous waste.

Nick Catt, Managing Director at Weightron Bilanciai Ltd. said: “Following the first release of Weightron Waste management solutions some 5 years ago Weightron listened to the market and enhanced the product features, new Web based cloud portals and Apps to give clients full access to their real time live data 24/7.

“The latest IWM solution has the capability to run standalone, connected to the client network for Internet access or connected to the GSM network for Internet access. The real time data can be viewed by the Facility Management company and by the tenants, who have a limited view of their own data and recycling performance. The launching of this new IWM system with the Cloud Portal interface was also complimented by a range of new mobile Apps that allows the user to scan and track the waste bins across sites and easily reallocate bins once they have been processed.

“The benefits to multi-occupancy building, shopping centres, hospitals and manufacturing facilities is the charges for waste generation can be attributed to individual tenants or departments, whilst encouraging the need to improve the localised recycling with the publishing of internal League tables or providing rebates to lease charges for tenants that recycle efficiently.

“Facilities Management companies in a large city such as London present data to their tenants in terms of “Trees Planted” and the “number of London buses removed from roads”. Collection vehicles are no longer arriving to collect half empty compactors or partially full bins as the operators know exactly how much waste has been been generated and into what compactor it has been loaded (Cardboard – General Waste – Plastics).

“The return on investment in within months of installation thanks to the reduction of waste and more importantly the reduction of commingled waste that cannot be recycled easily, this system also provides companies with ISO14001 evidence of the constant effort to improve their environmental impact.”

Weightron Bilanciai 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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Derbyshire tourism businesses invited to apply for international travel trade showcase

Tourism businesses across the Peak District and Derbyshire are invited to apply for a place at a virtual event aimed at showcasing the best of the destination to travel trade buyers from around the world.

The Peak District & Derbyshire International Travel Trade Showcase, from 26-28 April 2021, will provide the unique opportunity for local attractions, accommodation, activity and experience providers to meet online with national and international tour operators, event organisers and travel buyers.

Businesses are urged to apply for a limited number of fully-funded places at the event, which is being organised by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire in partnership with Tapir Ltd, with support from the tourist board’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Project.

Businesses can apply for a place at: https://mpdd-virtual-travel-trade-register-your-interest.eventbrite.co.uk

Applications close at 12 noon on 6 April 2021. Successful businesses will be notified on 9 April 2021.

Each successful business will be provided with their own ‘virtual stand’ at the showcase, displaying photographs, information and contact details as well as downloadable leaflets to promote their business to buyers from around the world.

Prior to the event, travel trade representatives will be invited to register their interest and make virtual ‘face-to-face’ appointments with local businesses to discuss working together.

The event is the first of its kind in the area and follows Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s recent attendance at ExploreGB, VisitBritain’s flagship travel trade event, as part of the tourist board’s plans to welcome international visitors back from 2022.

Inbound tourism was worth more than £28 billion to the UK economy in 2019.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “As the travel industry gradually works towards recovery, our International Travel Trade Showcase will provide a great platform for tourism businesses to promote their outstanding products and services to a global audience.

“As well as helping businesses form valuable connections with national and international buyers, the event will highlight the broad appeal of the Peak District and Derbyshire, ensuring the destination is front of mind for when travel can safely resume again.

“This is a fantastic, fully-funded opportunity thanks to support from our ERDF project and as places are limited, we urge businesses to register their interest as soon as possible.”

Paul Kleian of Tapir Ltd says: “We’re delighted to bring this virtual event to the Peak District and Derbyshire, providing the chance for local businesses and overseas travel trade companies to safely meet across borders and different time zones.

“A similar event held in the Lake District earlier this year attracted over 200 travel trade buyers, proving that the appetite for events like this is strong. Feedback has been extremely positive and many travel trade buyers commented that a destination-focused approach means they get a great feel for the area.

“We look forward to promoting the Peak District and Derbyshire on a global scale and encourage businesses to register their interest for a place today.”

Posted in Business, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Whittam Cox appointed on £107 million regeneration scheme in Gloucester

Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox Architects have been appointed by Reef Group as Executive Architects on The Forum, an innovative new campus project in Gloucester that is part of the £107 million Kings Quarter regeneration.

The scheme will be a catalyst for an emerging digital and cyber security sector in Gloucestershire.

The 600,000 sq. ft masterplan for The Forum includes more than 125,000 sq. ft of new office space, as well as a shared workspace club and an innovation hub for emerging cyber businesses and incubator businesses.

This will sit alongside a 135-bedroom four-star hotel, a 9,000 sq. ft gym, restaurants, shops, bars and apartments, a multi-storey car park, alongside over one acre of public realm and landscaping work.

Whittam Cox Architects will lead the technical implementation as Executive Architects working in collaboration with Architects Urban R who are leading the concept and planning stages of the project.

David Skelton, Director at Whittam Cox, commented: “We’re delighted to have been appointed by our client Reef Group on such an important scheme for Gloucester. The new digital campus will help transform the City Centre creating a modern sustainable destination for its residents to thrive.”

Esther Croft, Development Director at Reef Group added, “This is set to create one of the UK’s first truly integrated digital societies and will provide the space and the infrastructure to build a seamless link between city centre living and working, in a new social and digital hub.”

Works are due to start on site later this year.

This scheme is the latest in a series of projects Whittam Cox are involved in, including Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. You can find out more about the development here.

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

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

GCL Products launches revolutionary mobile shop

Chesterfield’s GCL Products, a leading supplier and manufacturer of products for groundworks, construction and landscaping have launched a revolutionary mobile shop.

Launched in March 2021, the PermaPave van will be servicing customers within a fifty-mile radius of Chesterfield, stretching out to cover much of the Midlands and Yorkshire.

The PermaPave van stocks a range of products for the booming resin bound gravel sector. Due to the time critical nature of resin bound gravel installations, where laying time can be interrupted by sudden changes to circumstance, contractors often have to abandon a working day in order to find replacement parts, tools or materials.

With the introduction of the PermaPave mobile shop, GCL Products will be able to offer contractors a solution to machine breakdowns, catalysts to affect curing times or tooling to replace breakages.

This whole-solution approach sets GCL Products aside from the competition, with the ability to supply materials, carry out on-site repairs and offer additional accessories, such as workwear (woolly hats and thick socks proving a popular choice during cold spells).

Sales service engineer, Darren Parton said: “The PermaPave van is a unique and innovative way to reach our customers and offer an unbeatable level of service, which can prove critical to the success or failure of
a resin bound installation.”

The PermaPave van is a highly modified Peugeot Boxer van which has been retrofitted by MoreVan of Chesterfield to include a powerful inverter and battery array, allowing forced action mixers to be powered on site for both demonstration and diagnostic purposes.

The internal area of the van has also been fitted with storage cabinetry, a till area and point of sale displays akin to those found in a conventional builders merchants.

The external aesthetics were completed by Signature Branding of Sheffield, who transformed the van from plain, unnoticeable white to a vibrant and conspicuous branded design.

GCL Products Limited Managing Director, Fergus Slack, said: “The PermaPave van is now the second vehicle in our fleet and offers a level of service which totally sets us apart from our competition. We’re able to reach our customers with the products they need, bringing the builders merchant to their working sites or offices”.

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

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

Work progresses at pace on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Work on the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is progressing at pace – on track to be ready for tenants in the summer.

In March the dry lining and external cladding will be completed, progress has been made on the brickwork and a local contractor has finished the plastering works.

Councillor Dean Collins, cabinet member for economic growth, said: “It’s fantastic to see this building progressing – it sends a clear message that Chesterfield is open for business and a thriving place to invest in.

“This is a key site which will provide new opportunities for local businesses to start, grow and thrive as we move forward from the impact of the pandemic. Supporting new and growing businesses to develop in the borough ultimately creates more jobs and opportunities for local people.

“As well as helping us build back stronger from the impact of Covid-19, the Enterprise Centre also marks a new standard in environmental sustainability in Chesterfield. The building has excellent environmental credentials which not only means reduced emissions, it also helps save on running costs.”

The Enterprise Centre has been designed to a BREEAM Excellent standard. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability rating scheme and focuses on building design, construction and use. It helps measure and reduce the environmental impacts of buildings.

Some of the features in the new development include:

  • Encouraging sustainable forms of transport with enough cycle storage space to cater for the number of occupants
  • A flexible building, allowing for future expansion, room subdivision and to allow further segregation and / or open-plan office spaces
  • Refuse areas have space for recycling containers, in compliance with the council’s recycling policy
  • Incorporating the latest water minimisation technologies where possible which will substantially reduce water use
  • Low energy lighting throughout
  • High performance double glazing
  • Bird boxes and mixed planting around the building to attract urban wildlife

Andy Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects, said: “It’s great to see the project progressing so well on site. The Enterprise Centre is such an important part of the Northern Gateway regeneration, providing a unique commercial offer which is designed to be a catalyst for further investment and development.”

“As well as providing high quality facilities for businesses wanting to locate in the town centre, the architecture provides a new contemporary landmark that sets a benchmark, not only in the aesthetic, but also in the environmental credentials it has been designed to achieve. The Enterprise Centre is further evidence that Chesterfield can deliver its ambition and realise a building fit for a long and sustainable future.”

Daniel Cove, Project Manager at Robert Woodhead Ltd, added: “Works are progressing extremely well and we are pressing ahead with the next stages of the internal work.

“Externally we are taking brickwork up to second-floor level, finishing final cladding works in preparation for removing the scaffold. We will then start the external hard landscaping and paving.”

The centre is well connected in a town centre location and is classed as ‘grade A’ office accommodation – a mark of the highest quality. Prospective tenants can find out more about the centre at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/enterprise, by email at economic.development@chesterfield.gov.uk, or call on 01246 345255.

Whittam Cox Architects and Woodhead Group support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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

The ‘Vintage Tearooms’ Joins Vicar Lane’s Exciting Indie Line-Up

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield is welcoming another new, local name to the high-street; adding to the vibrant retail and hospitality offering in Chesterfield Town Centre.

Formerly located on Beetwell Street, the Vintage Tearooms is Chesterfield’s quirkiest tearoom and is now situated on Steeplegate at Vicar Lane (next to CEX) and offers its customers somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.

Vintage Tearooms offers high quality products, with great cakes, scones and afternoon tea available, and locals can currently enjoy any takeaway drink and cake for just £5.

The owner of Vintage Tearooms, Sharon Hilton, previously worked as the chef for the former owners of the tearooms back in 2014. After working there for over three and a half years, she was presented with the opportunity to buy the business, and on 1st November 2017, Sharon become the new owner of the Vintage Tearooms.

Sharon and her employees have a flair for hospitality, and they understand the importance of good customer service and creating a warm, friendly atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy. They hope to ‘officially’ open their doors soon, when Government guidelines allow.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager, Vicar Lane said, “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Sharon and ‘Vintage Tearooms’ to Vicar Lane. Sharon is looking forward to welcoming both old and new customers soon, when the doors to the quirky tearooms are able to officially open for business!’’

Based in the heart of Chesterfield, Vicar Lane Shopping Centre benefits from a range of popular high-street retailers and its own multi-storey car park.

The centre features a mix of high street brands and independent retailers and offers a great shopping experience in a clean, safe and easily accessible area of the town centre.

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Find out more about shopping in Chesterfield here.

Posted in Business, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

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