Chesterfield development

Chesterfield has a key role to play in the region’s economic growth aspirations

I have spent the past few days at UKREiiF – the largest real estate and investment event in the UK, attracting over 12,000 delegates from the public and private sectors.

It has been a busy week of meetings and events, discussing the opportunities in Chesterfield and raising awareness of the Borough as a place to invest.

The success will be known in the coming months and years, as we develop relationships alongside the progression of £2 billion worth of regeneration projects.

Delegates at UKREiiF

One of the strands of the Chesterfield Place Story is creating connections. People think of this as being about our excellent transport links, supply chain, and location next to the Peak District National Park. It is much more than just that!

Throughout history, Chesterfield has built relationships to bring forward growth and investment. We have a clear growth strategy, and projects to deliver those ambitions and want to continue collaboration to achieve these ambitious plans.

Following the launch of the East Midlands Combined County Authority and the election of the first Mayor it was positive to hear a collective voice for the region at UKREiiF.  As Derbyshire’s largest town, Chesterfield is important to the region’s economic growth ambitions.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward showcased the region’s investment potential at two events.  These were organised by D2N2 LEP, The upper-tier local authorities, Marketing Derby, Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, and Destination Chesterfield.

Destination Chesterfield hosted a table at a VIP lunch with the Mayor. A group of Chesterfield Champions, from across the property sector, alongside Chesterfield Borough Council presented our key asks to the Mayor to support the delivery of the Borough’s Growth Strategy.   Discussions included bringing forward transport infrastructure, facilitating investment and developing skills and talent through our regeneration schemes.

Lunch Meeting at UKREiiF

The second event showcased the region to delegates interested in investing in the East Midlands.  The Panel discussed why the ‘Time is Now’ to consider the East Midlands and launched a new online investment portfolio for the region.

Forum at UKREiiF

Chesterfield Property and Construction Group also came together to discuss all things property over drinks and we launched our new Investment Map. You can view the map here.

Chesterfield was highlighted in the Midlands Engine Investment Portfolio. The updated website was launched at a drinks reception and includes transformational opportunities for our historic town centre, the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, and the forward-thinking master plan for Chesterfield station.

Stephenson Memorial Hall

Chesterfield has a strong heritage of being inventive and delivering innovative approaches. From the first disposable nappies and the drills that made the Channel Tunnel to being the proud home of railway innovator, George Stephenson!

Once again, In a noisy marketplace, Team Chesterfield and Team East Midlands have collaborated and articulated why our area and region is a wonderful place to invest, live and work.

Chesterfield Investment Summit returns this November. The event promises to provide exciting updates on Chesterfield’s regeneration opportunities and I hope to see you all there.

Bookings will open in the Summer and if you would like to find out more about partnering on the event please do contact us at info@chesterfield.co.uk

Casa hotel conference room

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Construction begins on new electric forecourt at Markham Vale

Construction has officially started on a new electric forecourt at Markham Vale.

Gridserve has begun construction on the project, which will serve visitors, local businesses and communities around Markham Vale and the wider Derbyshire area.

Located on Enterprise Way and conveniently placed for passing motorway traffic, the new Electric Forecourt is scheduled to open this winter. It’s a significant milestone for the area and clean energy.

Once completed, Markham Vale Electric Forecourt will enable 30 electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously, with High Power chargers that can deliver up to 360kW, capable of adding 100 miles of range in less than 5 minutes. Multiple charging connectors will cater for all types of electric vehicles with contactless payment accepted, making it easier than ever to charge.

The site will be powered by net zero carbon energy as Gridserve continues to make vital changes to the UK EV infrastructure to support the decarbonisation of transport and move the needle on climate change.

While charging, visitors can enjoy a coffee in the comfortable waiting lounge with free superfast WiFi, plus convenience retail, a children’s play area and a dedicated EV educational space to increase understanding and awareness around electric vehicles. The Electric Forecourt will include disabled parking, access ramps, accessible washrooms and lifts to all areas, making easy charging accessible to all.

Gridserve Markham Vale

Rebecca Trebble, Chief Customer Experience Officer, said: “We are happy to keep the momentum going with our award-winning Electric Forecourts following the success opening of London Gatwick Electric Forecourt. We have found with our Electric Forecourt sites that they serve as an excellent hub for the local community and can help with the uptake of electric vehicles. Electric Forecourts offer the best charging and retail experience available and we can’t wait to welcome new and returning customers to the Markham Vale Electric Forecourt.”

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, said: “Gridserve’s new Electric Forecourt will be a great addition to Markham Vale right next to the M1 motorway. It will help to give motorists the confidence to make the switch to an electric vehicle and move us closer to our target of getting hundreds more public facing electric vehicle charge points in place throughout the county.

“Decarbonising transport is one of our top priorities as part of our climate change strategy which aims to reduce emissions generated by the county council to net zero by 2032 or sooner and help the rest of Derbyshire reduce carbon emissions generated within the county to net zero by 2050 or sooner.”

David Wells, Director at HBD, said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome Gridserve to Markham Vale as work starts on site. The project will enhance the scheme’s amenity offer, while also strengthening Derbyshire’s sustainability ambitions. We look forward to working alongside Gridserve as the new Electric Forecourt takes shape.”

Gridserve’s Electric Highway now has over 175 locations with more than 1,200 charging bays, with 11 new locations with 90 charging bays opened in the first three months of 2024.

Find out more about the Markham Vale development here.

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New town square in Clay Cross to be named Baileys Square

The Clay Cross Town Board has officially revealed the name of the new town square, which is to be built as part of the town’s redevelopment.

Baileys Square is set to provide residents, businesses and visitors with a vibrant day and night-time economy.

The new name is based on an old map of Clay Cross, featuring ‘Bailey’s Square’ in the same location as the new development, brought by the Town Centre Regeneration project.

The square will feature an open space, well-suited for future activities and markets.

Baileys Square will be a place to meet with family and friends, hosting a unique selection of places to wine and dine, a place for families to take part in experiences and crafts; and enjoy vibrant events.

The Clay Cross Town Deal project will enhance Clay Cross’ evening economy with a wider food and leisure offer thanks to the flexible business units coming as part of Baileys Square.

Chair of the Clay Cross Town Board and Managing Director of Inspire Design and Development, Lee Barnes, says: “I am extremely eager to unveil Baileys Square to the public. It will be a place to host some amazing events, make some fantastic memories for those attending and will become a household name to residents and visitors of Clay Cross, as a substantial leisure space at the heart of Clay Cross.”

Find out more about the Clay Cross Town Deal. 

Clay Cross is one of several towns across the region to receive Town Deal funding from the government to carry out regeneration projects. Locally, Staveley has also received £25m in Town Deal funding, to be used on several projects. Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal here. 

Find out more about the range of development projects currently taking place across Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/

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

Clay Cross

Birds’ eye view of Clay Cross Town Centre

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Planning application approved for new homes at Chesterfield Waterside

A planning application for more than 100 houses, along with more than 40 apartments at Chesterfield Waterside has been approved.

Following the submission of a detailed planning application in summer 2022, Woodall Homes has secured permission for a residential development and two commercial units as part of the regeneration scheme.

The residential development features 103 contemporary homes and 41 apartments, comprising a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, to suit a range of lifestyles and buyer needs.

Darren Abbott, Planning Director at Woodall Homes said: “We are thrilled that our Chesterfield Waterside application has now been approved.

“Sitting alongside the River Rother corridor, this development will transform the local area with modern, bespoke and energy-efficient properties plus comprehensive landscaping proposals, which include a linear riverside park with trim trail and a natural habitat edge that will provide a significant net gain in biodiversity.

“We can’t wait to reveal more details about the development over the coming months and see the exciting work getting underway as we look to further enrich the community.”

Pedestrian and cycle links are to be provided throughout the site to encourage residents to take advantage of the excellent local commuter facilities and nearby amenities of Chesterfield town centre, including the railway station, Chesterfield College and Tapton Golf Course.

Development at Chesterfield Waterside is rapidly continuing, following the completion of  One Waterside Place, a seven-storey office building which has already been fully-let to new tenants. Companies now operating from One Waterside Place include two financial firms, BHP and Rosewood Wealth Management, along with Fashion brand, Varley.

To find out more about Woodall Homes and their work within Derbyshire, visit: https://woodallhomes.co.uk/

If you’re looking for a perfect location and quality of life for you and your family, look no further than Chesterfield. Find out more about the perks of living in our town.

Woodall Homes and Chesterfield Waterside support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Woodall Homes Waterside artist impression of houses

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Revamp for popular stretch of Chesterfield Canal towpath

A 3-mile stretch of Chesterfield Canal towpath is set to undergo key maintenance work, providing a revamp for the popular route.

Resurfacing work will take place between Brimington Road, near Tapton and Works Road, Hollingwood, along with work to widen the path in places.

The work, which is expected to take 2-3 months, is to keep the towpath fit for purpose for cyclists, walkers and other canal visitors.

The public footpath along the route will be closed on occasion but only when necessary to maintain the safety of the public and of the workforce.

Derbyshire County Council says all efforts will be made to keep the towpath accessible and any closures should last no more than a few days. There will be signs on the route to indicate when it is closed and announcements on the Chesterfield Canal page of Derbyshire County Council’s website and the Tapton Lock Facebook page

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, Councillor Carolyn Renwick said: “This towpath is a well-used route for off-road commuting and leisure and that it’s important to keep the path well-maintained to encourage more walking and cycling as well as to retain the area’s appeal for visitors.

“We will carry out the work with the least disruption possible to users and keep people informed as it progresses.”

Sustrans’ National Cycle Network route 67 and the Trans Pennine Trail are both routed along the towpath which is an important part of our cycle network.

The work has been part funded by £108,000 from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy. This levy is paid by developers towards infrastructure. A further £145,000 for the work has been allocated from central government to our Highways Capital Maintenance Programme for Cycleways.

Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “The Chesterfield Canal is a key attraction in our borough and it is fantastic that we have secured funding for these improvements through our Community Infrastructure Levy.

“This levy is charged on certain new developments in Chesterfield and is used to improve infrastructure including roads, parks and primary schools for the benefit of the local community.

“I look forward to the towpath works being completed to help our residents and visitors explore our historic canal.”

canal walking festival 873

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Major investment projects in Clay Cross Town Centre approved by Government

Proposals for four key town centre projects in Clay Cross have been approved, supported by the £24 million Town Fund investment.

The Clay Cross Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council’s proposals have been given the green light by the government this week.

Final details are still to be agreed, but the projects are now progressing and the Council and Town Board are keen to hear the views of businesses and residents of Clay Cross on these transformations.

The four proposed projects of the newly-produced masterplan for the town centre consist of:

  • Transport and connections improvements (subject to an upcoming consultation) – proposals include providing enhanced parking and access from the A61, improving traffic flow through the town, re-opening Bridge Street from Harris Way and the possibility of converting the one way section of Market Street from Bridge Street to High Street into a pedestrian zone.
  • Skills and Enterprise zone – renovating the clock tower building (Adult Education Centre) into a hub for learning and business engagement, which also includes a proposal to bring the library into the town centre.
  • Clay Cross Community/Social area – preserving, restoring and enhancing heritage buildings in the centre of the town, focused on restoring the annex building of the clock tower building and creating a new leisure space fronting onto the proposed new town square area.
  • Broadleys site – forming a new town square as the heart between other elements of the Town Deal, providing flexible accommodation for start-up businesses in pop-up enterprise units and providing a space for community activities.

Proposed masterplan for clay cross project

Clay Cross Town Board Deputy Chair and North East Derbyshire District Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Charlotte Cupit said: “The £24 million Town Deal is a great opportunity to bring a boost to Clay Cross town centre.

“Through our business forums we’ve been speaking to local shops and businesses to focus on the key spaces and transport improvements needed.

“The aim of these proposed projects is to promote a more effective, cohesive town centre regeneration whilst also preserving some of the fantastic historic buildings we have in the town to create a really good mix of old and new features for our residents and businesses to enjoy.

“We’re really keen to hear the views of residents and businesses on these plans and we’ll be holding various consultations and events over the coming months – please do get in involved and let us know your thoughts.”

North East Derbyshire District Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Transformation and Climate Change, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon said: “It’s fantastic to get the green light from Government and really get things moving with a more focused plan for Clay Cross.

“We have got some great projects here which will really transform the town, bring investment, jobs and opportunities to the area.”

Behind the scenes, progress has been made in procuring buildings and land, and a more specific design plan is being developed which will reflect the approved refocus.

In addition to the above, the Town Board and North East Derbyshire District Council continue to progress the redevelopment of Sharley Park (with works now starting on site!), reviewing the feasibility of a new Clay Cross train station and developing further projects around decarbonisation of the town.

Clay Cross

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Mining memorial at Markham Vale reaches completion

A moving tribute to miners who died in 3 disasters at a Derbyshire colliery has been completed 10 years after it was commissioned.

The final 13 life-size steel figures have been unveiled as part of the Walking Together Mining Memorial, taking the total number of statues to commemorate those tragically killed at Markham Colliery to 106 – one for each man who died in the disasters.

Originally commissioned in 2012, the figures form a trail which stretches between the village of Duckmanton, near Chesterfield, to Markham Vale, close to where the former pithead of Markham Colliery once stood.

Markham Vale is the council’s flagship regeneration site reclaimed and developed in partnership with HBD (formally known as Henry Boot Developments) to create new jobs and attract investment into the area.

The trail symbolises a miner’s journey to the pit and back home again and each figure carries a tag with the name of one of the miners, along with their age and job role.

Cheshire-based Artist Stephen Broadbent designed the memorial supported by Markham Vale Heritage Group which researched the lives of the miners who were commemorated.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration, Councillor Tony King, said: “I feel honoured to have been part of this fantastic project and it’s great to see it finally completed.

“It’s incredibly important that we don’t forget the site’s mining history, the challenging jobs the pit workers had and the sacrifices they made.

“This permanent memorial is a place where the miner’s community spirit can be remembered and where families, friends and future generations can come together to pay tribute.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the project including the local community, the families and friends of the miners who tragically lost their lives and the sponsors who have helped make this project possible.

“I would also like to thank the artist Stephen Broadbent, fabricator at CB Arts, the team at Beam and the Markham Vale Heritage Group for all their fantastic work.”

 

The first disaster commemorated by the memorial was an underground explosion on 21 January 1937 which claimed the lives of 9 men. This was followed by a second explosion a year later in 1938 when 79 miners lost their lives and 40 were seriously injured.

The final disaster occurred 35 years later when the mechanical brake on a lift carrying miners to the coalface failed, killing 18 miners and seriously injuring 11 others on 30 July, 1973.

The final 13 figures have been dedicated to:

  1. David Bann, 54, Contractor
  2. Alfred Garland, 52, Timber Drawer
  3. Robert Gregson, 36, Contractor
  4. John William Hadley, 31, Contractor
  5. Joseph Hibbard, 51, Timber Drawer
  6. Joseph Lilley, 30, Road Repairer
  7. Felix Linathan, 48, Contractor
  8. Mark Richards, 31, Ripper
  9. Samuel Edward Salt, 41, Deputy
  10. Clarence Silcock, 42, Ripper
  11. Fred Taylor, 53, Contractor
  12. Redvers Baden Whitehead, 37, Shot-firer
  13. Matthew Williams, 36, Contractor

A grant of £17,830 has been awarded by Valencia Communities Fund through the Landfill Communities Fund to support and install 8 out of the 13 remaining figures.

Great Bear Distribution Limited sponsored three figures, while a further grant of £38,950 was awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which distributes funding raised by National Lottery players. The further grant will cover the cost of 1 figure and fund several activities, including engagement workshops with the local community, a commemorative publication, heritage walking tours of the site and more.

For more information about the memorial visit The Markham Story Mine website. The Story Mine project is supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund and ourselves to unearth and share stories from Markham Colliery.

Anyone interested in joining the volunteers at Markham Vale Heritage Group can email contact@beam.uk.net

Markham miners memorial unveiling marks halfway point

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Cash injection to explore upgrades to the A61 South of Chesterfield

£50,000 has been awarded to Derbyshire County Council, to assist in making a business case to the government for work on the A61 corridor, to the south of Chesterfield.

The council is contributing by matching the funding to he proposed work, which takes the pot up to £100,000.

Midlands Connect will provide the funding to research and develop a business case to submit to government and will also supply support to the local authority. This allows the council to explore all options available to improve the corridor, which may include improved access for pedestrians and cyclists or enhanced public transport provision along the route.

Swati Mittal, Strategic Roads Manager at Midlands Connect, said: “We are so pleased to be able to give Derbyshire County Council this funding and to help them make their case to government.

“This scheme is exactly in line with Midlands Connect’s values and objectives for the region, and could benefit from a great variety of improvements, which we look forward to exploring with the council.”

Lee Rowley, MP for North East Derbyshire, commented: “I hugely welcome this additional funding that has been announced today.

“We remain at a pretty early stage in terms of how to mitigate the long-term challenges on the A61 but the work that we have done locally in recent years is now starting to be recognised more broadly – including through grants such as this – and I hope it will allow us to make progress in the years ahead. Thank you to Midlands Connect for being willing to support this important work.”

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “We are grateful for the funding from Midlands Connect which will help us to develop future plans for the A61.

“This busy road is important for so many people living between Chesterfield and Clay Cross, and for commuters. The road is likely to get busier as new housing developments and business growth brings more people to the area, so it’s vital we look at what we can do to manage congestion and reduce emissions. This money will enable us to further develop our plans.”

The A61 corridor is a crucial part of the major road network in Derbyshire, connecting the county to Chesterfield and beyond into South Yorkshire. The area for improvement spans from the Horns Bridge roundabout in Chesterfield to the A6175 junction in the centre of Clay Cross.

The road is one of the most congested in the county, with several “pinch points” at key junctions as well as Horns Bridge roundabout. During peak hours, average delays of up to twelve minutes affect travellers along the route in either direction.

New housing developments are being built along the corridor and once completed, their residents will benefit from the improvements. Two key construction sites in the vicinity will deliver up to 2,100 new dwellings.

Improvements to the corridor would support better air quality in the surrounding residential area, which includes housing estates and schools. There are also plans to improve pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, by looking into drop-kerbs, crossing points, and cycle parking.

The business case will build on the outcome of a public consultation undertaken by the council. The consultation runs from 25 July to 16 October 2022.

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“When it comes to investment opportunities, the town has everything covered”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield has given his views on regeneration and investment across the town, following the successful Chesterfield Investment Summit 2022.

The content of the ‘Invest In Chesterfield’ event never fails to impress and this year was no exception. Once again, to a packed room, we heard how Chesterfield continues to punch above its weight.

This is a much-used term when it comes to describing our town, but it is accurate. The level of regeneration and new developments happening in Chesterfield right now surpasses most towns and even some cities.

More than £1billion is being invested in projects across Chesterfield, from social and private residential developments and office accommodation to industrial and leisure developments and retail. When it comes to investment opportunities, the town has everything covered, making it in attractive proposition.

However, there is no denying that tough times are upon us. The UK-wide energy crisis and rise in the cost of living has severely impacted families and businesses.

There is talk of recession but let’s not forget, it was during the last recession that the successful Destination Chesterfield campaign was launched in 2010 to market the borough and attract investment, and this has proved very successful.

As the former leader of Chesterfield Borough Council John Burrows said in 2012: “We could have chosen to bunker down and ride out the recession, but we didn’t. We chose to be proactive and forge ahead with our marketing plans.”

Destination Chesterfield has been instrumental in putting the town on the national and international investment map, ensuring that Chesterfield emerged from the recession stronger, with new employers, businesses and projects.

This forward-thinking approach to creating jobs, homes and opportunity for the people who live in Chesterfield very much remains at the heart of council policy today.

Consider more recent history. During the pandemic the Council invested in office accommodation at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place, placing the town in an excellent position to benefit from the demand for high quality, modern workspace post Covid.

In addition to numerous private residential developments, during the pandemic work also got underway on ‘the biggest council housing development in the Chesterfield borough since the 1980s.’ The 21 brand new properties at Badger Croft in Loundsley Green represent a fine example of Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable and accessible homes across the town.

When you consider that nearly 90% of local authorities failed to complete a single new-build council home by Q3 of 2021, this is a remarkable feat.

We have seen significant opportunities created by regeneration projects in and around the town centre and at Markham Vale. But there is more to come, a lot more.

Investment in Staveley is set to redevelop and regenerate former industrial areas, bringing with it new homes, jobs, leisure amenities and opportunity.

Recession or no recession, Chesterfield is a borough that won’t stand still. Watch this space.

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Avant Homes announces plans for 141-home development in Holmewood

Leading housebuilder Avant Homes has purchased a nine-acre parcel of land in Holmewood, Chesterfield where it will deliver a £30m development of 141 design-led homes.

Located on Chesterfield Road southeast of the town centre, Avant Homes secured planning approval for the site from North Derbyshire District Council in December 2021.

Initial groundworks are due to commence in January with the first homes set to be launched for sale in early 2022 and the showhomes following shortly after in May 2022. The first residents are expected to move into their new homes in summer 2022 and, in total, the approximate build length of the development will be three and a half years creating up to 120 jobs in sales and constriction.

Named Alma Place, the development is set to include a mixture of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom properties across 14 of Avant Homes’ contemporary apartment and house designs. The homes will range from a one-bedroom apartment to a five-bedroom detached house.

Of the 141 homes, 10 apartments will be designated to affordable housing. In addition to providing high-quality new-build homes, Avant Homes will commit a community contribution of £306,000 to local education.

Avant Homes Central is part of the Avant Homes group, one of the leading private developers of residential property in the UK. The regional operation currently has 11 developments under construction stretching from Worksop to Wollaton and has its head office in Holmewood just a short distance from the new site.

Avant Homes Central managing director, Stuart Rowlands, said: “As a Holmewood-based business, we are very pleased to be playing a role in providing much-needed housing for local buyers close to our headquarters.

“We’re always searching for excellent opportunities to build new homes that will benefit from an attractive location, and not only will Alma Place help to deliver our strategic growth plans for the region, but also appeal to a wide range of buyers.”

Alma Place is situated just four miles from Chesterfield town centre, while on the doorstep of the Williamthorpe Nature Reseerve, Alma Place is also well connected to major towns and cities around Chesterfield including Mansfield and Sheffield.

For more information on Avant Homes Central, visit www.avanthomes.co.uk

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

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Chesterfield school pupils create artwork for highly anticipated Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre

Pupils at a Chesterfield school have created an artwork for display in the new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre that celebrates the history of the site.

The year five and six pupils from Abercrombie Primary School visited the site on Monday (5 July) where they presented their artwork to representatives from Chesterfield Borough Council, Robert Woodhead Ltd and Whittam Cox Architects.

Whilst visiting the site the pupils also got to learn more about how the building has been constructed and the different types of jobs involved in the process.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It was fantastic to receive this artwork for our new enterprise centre and it will be proudly displayed in one of the meeting rooms. I want to thank all the children for their incredible effort in creating this piece of art.

“This project has also been a positive opportunity for the young people to learn more about construction industry and introduce them to the possibility of a future career in this sector. I hope they all had an enjoyable visit and learned more about the building.”

As part of the council’s planning permission the development is subject to a Local Labour Clause which has created 135 local jobs, three apprenticeships and generated over £1.7m of contracts across the local supply chain. It also commits the contractor to supporting skills development and both Robert Woodhead Group and Whittam Cox Architects have engaged in this through initiatives such as My Future, Women in Construction Mentoring Programme, virtual workplace tours and this project.

Matt Bust, of contractors Robert Woodhead Ltd said: “We are so pleased to have been able to work with Abercrombie Primary School. I would like to thank the students for their creative efforts to produce such a great piece of artwork. I am looking forward to seeing it in the new Enterprise Centre.”

Andy Dabbs, Board Director at Whittam Cox Architects and Chair of Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Forum commented: “It is wonderful to be engaged on such projects where corporate and social responsibility goes beyond words and is evidenced through our actions. Now more than ever our industry needs to work harder together to support developing an accessible platform for the next generation and when you see the quality of work produced by Abercrombie Primary School why would you not want to capture that talent!

“The Chesterfield Construction and Property Group was established with a clear purpose to support our local community, through collaboration and engagement, and if anyone from the sector would like to get involved, please do get in touch.”

The pupils were asked to create the artwork by Chesterfield Borough Council, Robert Woodhead Ltd and Whittam Cox Architects earlier this year. They were given some information about the history of the site to help inspire them to create this work. It will be displayed in one of the meeting rooms in the new centre.

The new Enterprise Centre will include 32 high quality office suites in a range of sizes (26 to 120 square metres) and state of the art meeting facilities. It will have 24/7 access, an IT fibre connection which offers maximum speed multi bandwidth capability, Wi-Fi and air conditioning throughout. With its town centre location, the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is easily accessible by car, train, bus and cycle users.

Together these features will ensure it appeals to any company looking to become established in Chesterfield.

The project builds on the success of the council’s Dunston and Tapton Innovation Centres which for many years have offered excellent support and accommodation to innovative and growing businesses.

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 on the Enterprise Centre webpage, by emailing economic.development@chesterfield.gov.uk, or by calling 01246 345255.

For property and construction professionals who wish to find out more about getting involved with the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, please email PropertyGroup@chesterfield.co.uk or visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/propertygroup/

 

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