Love Chesterfield

Chesterfield FC’s inspiring community awards ceremony to return in 2023

Chesterfield FC is urging people in the town to contact them, if they know of someone in the local community who has gone above and beyond to help others.

The club is once again organising its community awards, which aims to showcase the inspirational people in our town and surrounding area.

Bridget Ball, Chesterfield FC’s Marketing Manager, said: “We are delighted to once again provide an opportunity to recognise those in the community whose valued efforts may otherwise go unrewarded.

“I would like to thank the companies who are supporting the awards through sponsorship. We look forward to another memorable gala awards event!”

Karen Mosley, a director of KranLee Logistics, explained why they are sponsoring the event.

She said: “It’s all about recognising the amount of amazing people we have in our community and rewarding them, which fits in well with the ethos and the culture of our business.

“We’re really excited to be involved and we’re looking forward to the night.”

Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards:

  • Community Award, sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
  • Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by KranLee Logistics Limited.
  • Above & Beyond, sponsored by Ideal Flooring.
  • Act of Kindness, sponsored by Elite Contract Clean.
  • Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Bridge Inn Travel.
  • Green Champion of the Year, sponsored by Penny Hydraulics.
  • Local Hero, sponsored by Kimberley Caravans.
  • Fundraiser of the Year, sponsored by Netcoms IT.
  • Sporting Achievement, sponsored by Leengate Valves.
  • Carer of the Year, sponsored by WS Sherburns LGV.
  • Adult Bravery, sponsored by FabworX.
  • Young Person of Courage, sponsored by Graysons Solicitors.

To make a nomination, visit www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk. The winners will be announced at the event being held in the SBK Spires Restaurant on Saturday, May 20.

Technique Stadium

Spireites involved in pioneering sign language initiative

Elsewhere, the club has also lead the way on a new accessibility initiative, which used children from a local school to communicate with supporters using British Sign Language on the big screen at the Technique Stadium.

Level Playing Field, a registered charity campaigning for an inclusive matchday experience and equal access for all disabled sports fans in England and Wales, praised the initiative.

A reporter from ITV Calendar was at the game to interview some of the children involved from New Whittington Primary School, along with head teacher Miss Tooley, who organised the initiative with the Chesterfield FC Community Trust inclusion officer, Alyss Jackson.

Miss Tooley was delighted with the outcome. She said: “The quality of the signing on the big screen was fantastic. The children were beyond excited when they saw the big screen.

“They were pointing at the screen and patting their mate on the back when it was their turn to be on the screen. It was just what you’d want it to be and just what you want to see from your young people.”

Club photographer Tina Jenner worked on putting the videos together and she was praised by Miss Tooley, who said: “She came into the school and put the children at ease. She was incredibly patient with the children and I dread to think how many hours she spent editing the work to make it just perfect!

“Tina also made the t-shirts for the children to wear. I’d like to thank Tina and Alyss for their valued efforts.”

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

New Whitt Schoo

Image by Tina Jenner Photography

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Unique shop opens in Chesterfield selling comics, retro games and trading cards

An independent shop which sells comic books, trading cards and retro games has opened it’s doors on West Bars in Chesterfield, after proving a big success in nearby Sheffield.

The Vault is an independent store founded originally in late 2020, and opened in the city on the first day after the last Covid lockdown ended.

After more than two years of continued success, the business has expanded with a second store, choosing Chesterfield as it’s new location.

The shop stocks a wide range of comics, trading card games, retro games and much more. It’s most popular items are individual cards which are on sale in-store, with Pokémon cards being a sought after item for collectors.

Owner of The Vault, Samir Jaouane told us that the shop has somewhere in the range of 90,000 cards on sale – making it one of the only shops in the country to stock that amount of individual cards.

Samir said: “Our Sheffield shop proved to be very popular and gained a lot of local return customers, so we decided we should try and open a second shop in Chesterfield as we noticed there was a gap in the market for our shop in the area.

“Chesterfield is a great town with a bustling market on market days. The local area is full of friendly people and is really well maintained. We hope all our customers feel welcome when greeted by our friendly staff.”

Samir also had a message on the importance of supporting local businesses and keeping the town’s high street thriving: ” As a small independent business, we rely on the trade of the local residents to stay open. The best description for supporting an independent local business is ‘if you don’t use it you will lose it.’

Find out more about Chesterfield’s fantastic range of local independent shops and market traders at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/shopping/

the vault pokemon cards

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Opportunity to meet employers at Chesterfield market recruitment event

People looking to take the next steps in their career are being invited to meet employers and find out about local job vacancies at a recruitment event in Chesterfield Town Centre.

The recruitment day – which is the latest in a series of other successful events run by Chesterfield Borough Council and partners – takes place on Wednesday 22 March between 10am and 12pm, in Chesterfield market place.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I’m proud that as a council we have continued to host these events with our partners, and they have to date led to more than 200 job offers with around 100 people securing new careers in our area.

“It helps job seekers and employers to meet informally and discuss available roles before an application. If you’re looking for a new job in Chesterfield, then please do head along to this event and speak to some of the great businesses based in our area.”

Paul Munday, Employer Adviser at DWP Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire, said: “Having first run one of these events in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council back in 2021 it’s a testament to their success and positive feedback that on Wednesday 22 March that we are running our fifth event.

“As with our last event held in October 2022, we will be focusing on sustainable employment opportunities and health and wellbeing support for Chesterfield residents, as well as offering support and information around the latest Government initiatives of supporting the over 50s into work and In Work Progression for those already in part time employment.”

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

There will be lots of opportunities available on the day from a range of sectors including hospitality, social care, engineering, logistics, transport and many more.

As well as job opportunities there will also be several apprenticeship providers who are currently recruiting for new apprentices. An apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to earn while you learn and can help people at any stage in life. Search for apprenticeships in Chesterfield by visiting: www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield

The event is free for local businesses to attend and advertise vacancies, if you wish to have a stall at the event please email: chimene.cutler@dwp.gov.uk

Cllr Serjeant with employees from Chesterfield Borough Council

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Chesterfield reveals ambition to increase visitor economy by £32 million

Ahead of English Tourism Week 2023 (17 – 23 March), Chesterfield has announced its bold ambition to increase the value of its visitor economy by 20% by 2030.

A 20% increase in tourism will bring an additional £32 million into the economy annually helping create jobs for local people and opportunities for existing and new businesses.

The town will build on its heritage, retail and leisure offering as well as its proximity to the Peak District National Park, to increase the number of overnight stays in the town.

As part of its drive to attract people to visit and stay in the town, the town’s inward investment marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield has appealed to businesses and residents to ‘talk up the town’ within their networks and help attract visitors.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Chesterfield has an excellent offer for visitors, as well as the town’s close proximity to one of the most visited National Parks in the world. There is an opportunity for us to attract more people to visit and stay overnight in Chesterfield using the town as a base rather than just passing through on their way to the Peak District.”

The Peak District currently welcomes more than 13 million visitors annually with 83% of these arriving by car. Attracting some of these visitors to stay in Chesterfield and using its bus and rail links to visit surrounding areas, including major attractions like Chatsworth House, will not only benefit the borough’s economy but also support the Park Authority’s Sustainable Transport Action Plan.

Additionally, there are cycle paths into the Peak District, the border of which is just five miles from the town centre.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire praised Chesterfield’s ambitions, saying: “Tourism already plays a vital role in making the area such a brilliant place to live, work and visit, and we strongly support Chesterfield’s ambition to grow the value of its visitor economy even further.

“The tourism sector generates billions of pounds for the local economy each year, supporting thousands of local jobs and displaying huge potential for future growth, particularly in areas such as sustainable and active travel, which Chesterfield can really capitalise on.

“Growing and developing the town’s tourism offer will not only benefit local businesses, it will also have a positive and lasting effect on local residents and communities. We look forward to working with partners in Chesterfield to support them in achieving this goal and ensuring the visitor economy’s long-term success.”

Mark Thurman, Managing Director of Casa Hotels which owns and operates two four-star hotels in the borough, urged people to ‘celebrate what we’ve already got,’ saying: “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We have wonderful accommodation, great restaurants and fantastic transport links to bring people to Chesterfield to then go and explore the surrounding area. We don’t need to do anything other than celebrate what we’ve already got.”

The town’s proximity to the Peak District has already attracted major investment to the borough including the £300 million PEAK, an all-year-round round leisure education, wellness and entertainment destination. PEAK’s masterplan has been developed around a transport and mobility system connected to the National Park. Phase one of the development, Gateway at PEAK, which is being developed by Milligan is expected to be completed in 2025.

celebrate 2023 visitor economy panel

Experts discuss Chesterfield’s visitor economy at Celebrate Chesterfield 2023. (Left to right: Jo Dilley – Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, Phil Bramley – Derbyshire Times, Mark Thurman – Casa Hotels, Jimmy Drew – Derbyshire County Cricket Club)

The town is already home to the award-winning Casa Hotel and further hotel accommodation is planned within the £320 million Chesterfield Waterside scheme located close to the close to town’s mainline train station. The developer, Bolsterstone Group Plc, is in talks with major hotel brands to operate the proposed 120-bed hotel within Phase 1 of the scheme. The new hotel will be a further addition to the popular 92-bed Premier Inn Hotel which was opened within the Elder Way development in the town centre in 2019.

Increasing the visitor economy of the town is one of the key targets in the 2023-27 Chesterfield Growth Strategy which was launched by Chesterfield Borough Council on 23 February. In addition to growing the visitor economy, key headline targets, include:

  • Increasing the number of employee jobs in the borough by 4% (2,000 jobs)
  • Increasing the number of businesses by 12% (400 businesses)
  • Increasing the number of higher value businesses by 15% (100 businesses)
  • Increasing the share of Chesterfield residents in knowledge-based occupations by 15% (baseline Census 21 – 18,000)
  • Increasing the value of the visitor economy by 20% (baseline £163m)

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are already a fantastic visitor destination but growing our visitor economy strengthens growth across the borough, it leads to more people supporting our local businesses and town centre. This will in turn create new jobs and opportunities for our residents. To do this we need to work closely with our partners to promote our town, we have excellent transport connections, fantastic accommodation choices and our proximity to the Peak District puts us in a very strong position to bring more people to our town.”

Peter added: “The lasting and far reaching change we are striving for in Chesterfield cannot be done by one organisation alone; it must be a collaborative effort. By doing this, there is a real opportunity to build a thriving visitor economy in the town.”

Chatsworth Country Fair

Chatsworth Country Fair – Image by Chatsworth House Trust

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield borough’s parks, green spaces and play areas set for £1.32m boost

£1.32 million is set to be invested in Chesterfield’s parks, green spaces and play spaces as part of new five-year plan to further improve facilities for local people.

The Parks, Open Spaces and Play Delivery Plan (2023 to 2028) sets out Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to making sure local communities continue to have access to modern and well-maintained spaces for leisure and play, and to support people’s health and wellbeing.

Approved by the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 14 March, the plan builds on the significant investment in parks and green spaces over the last five years – and also sets out measures to help achieve the council’s target to create a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Over the course of the five-year programme, communities will benefit from 18 enhanced youth and play spaces, and the council also aims to double the number of its sites that are acknowledged by the prestigious Green Flag Award – an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Projects to be delivered over the coming year include:

  • Improvements to play areas at Stand Road Park, Highfield Park, Ringwood Park, Cottage Close, Devonshire Avenue North, Thirlmere Road and Tapton Park.
  • The full renovation of the circular footpath at Poolsbrook Country Park which, at 165 acres, is Chesterfield’s largest park with miles of trails, extensive woodland plantations, meadows, lakes, children’s play areas and wildlife habits.

As the delivery plan progresses over the next five years communities will also see improvements to youth and place spaces at Pennine Way, Hartington Recreational Ground, Wickins Place, Stanford Way, Barnes Road, Heathervale Road, Manor Road (youth), Somersall Park (youth), West Crescent, Damon Drive and Canal Wharf.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield boasts a range of fantastic parks, play areas and green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy and we recognise just how important and valued they are for everyone in our communities.

“We also understand that having an opportunity to play and explore the outdoors is hugely important for developing both physical and social skills, so we want to provide as many opportunities for residents to do this as we can.

“It’s our aim to create a variety of sustainable spaces that provide people of all ages and abilities with accessible, quality, and fun opportunities for play.

“We are really proud to provide good quality parks and play spaces in our community, and this investment will help us to continue to achieve this. Last year was a record-breaking year for us, with five of our parks being recognised with the prestigious Green Flag Award – and we’re hoping to double this over the next five years so more of our spaces can be formally acknowledged.

“Last year also saw our beautiful green spaces, colourful floral displays and innovative community projects earn the borough a top accolade in the prestigious East Midlands In Bloom competition. We were officially crowned the winner of the ‘Small City’ category in September, the first time we have scooped the sought-after award and we can’t wait to build on this success over the next five years.

“Our parks and green spaces were a lifeline during Covid-19 and have continued to offer opportunities for people to walk, play and chat. As loneliness is reported to be on the increase, our green spaces are a vital resource in the drive to combat loneliness and isolation.”

The views of local people have helped shape the council’s plan for investment, following a public consultation on two new strategies – the parks and open spaces, and play strategies – last year. The aim is to make sure local facilities meet the needs of local communities now and in the future.

The Parks, Open Spaces and Play Delivery Plan is being part-funded by £158,500 from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

It will also draw on funding from a range of sources including the Community Infrastructure Levy, section 106 agreements and Landfill Tax grants.

More information about plans for specific sites – and what improvements local people will benefit from – will be shared as the projects progress.

Queen's Park

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‘Substantial’ public support for regional devolution plans

There is substantial support for regional devolution plans in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, according to the results of a recent consultation on the proposals.

Local leaders are backing devolution to promote economic growth, secure more investment in our area, for more and better jobs, and for better transport, skills training, housing, and an enhanced greener environment. It would also mean more power in local hands.

Thousands of people took part in the consultation, which took place from November 2022 to January 2023. It was open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other employers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.

There were 4,869 responses to the consultation overall, from members of the public and people answering on behalf of an organisation. The number of responses was higher than similar consultations on devolution in other areas.

The majority backed the proposals:

  • 53% agreed with the proposals for transport, compared to 35% disagreeing.
  • 52% agreed with the proposals for skills, compared to 32% disagreeing.
  • 51% agreed with the proposals for reducing carbon and improving the environment, compared to 33% disagreeing.
  • 51% agreed with the proposals for public health, compared to 33% disagreeing
  • 46% agreed with the proposals for homes, compared to 39% disagreeing

The only area which was more balanced was in terms of the proposals for governance, with 42% agreeing and 45% disagreeing. Comments tended to centre around the need for a regional mayor. Having a regional mayor is a condition set by the government for a level 3 deal, which offers the most powers and highest funding.

The government has offered new powers to Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, along with at least £1.14 billion of funding, through the proposed creation of an East Midlands Combined County Authority. A formal proposal was developed, outlining how devolution would work in the area, which was the focus of the consultation.

Historically, the East Midlands has often been an area of low government funding, compared to many other areas of the UK. If the proposals for devolution go ahead, a guaranteed funding stream of £38 million a year for 30 years could help to reverse this trend.

Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “It’s very encouraging to see the broad support for these plans to bring in £38 million a year and move major decision-making to the people who best know our communities, rather than Westminster.

“I’m pleased that so many residents and organisations came forward to give their views about the East Midlands devolution proposal, and I’d like to thank everyone who took part.

“Clearly there was less support for an elected mayor which I fully acknowledge. The reality is, to obtain the greatest powers and highest levels of funding from the government to benefit local people, an elected mayor is a condition of that deal.

“I firmly believe that by working together across traditional boundaries – and an elected mayor would play a key part in that – this devolution deal will help us attract more investment to our region, better support businesses, upskill our workforce, develop our infrastructure and improve public health.

“The councils involved are now working together on a final devolution proposal. I can assure everyone who took the time to take part in the consultation that their views will be central to shaping our thoughts to the government.

“At the heart of this devolution deal is a desire to seize every opportunity to improve people’s lives across our region by making sure we get a fair share of government funding.”

The leaders of Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council, and Nottingham City Council all signed up to work on a devolution deal in August 2022 at Rolls-Royce in Derby, following an announcement from the Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the 2 counties and 2 cities.

The 4 councils then worked on a more detailed proposal, including more information about how devolution would work in our area, which was the focus of the consultation.

Many local organisations support devolution for the area. Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “Our region is home to a wide range of fantastic businesses, from industrial powerhouses with household names to university spin-outs that boast vast potential, and everything in between.

“What they now need is the political apparatus that removes any obstacles to national and local decision-making, enhances our ability to attract investment and ultimately creates a more business-friendly environment.

“This would help them to take strides forward in productivity and innovation, enabling firms to drive the economic growth that creates jobs and wealth locally.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “We are delighted that the authorities within the East Midlands are working to secure a deal for a combined authority. This should provide an opportunity to present a compelling case to central government for more levelling up funding that can be spent strategically to improve productivity and the number of highly skilled jobs across the region.

”It will also enable universities, and other providers of skills, innovation, and business support, to work collaboratively with a single group ensuring spend on regional development delivers the best value for money.”

If all 4 councils vote to accept the results of the consultation, and move forward with the process, a final version of the devolution proposal could then be sent to the government.

Legislation to make the new form of Combined County Authority legal could go through Parliament later this year, which would then need to be approved and receive Royal Assent. This could happen in early 2024.

A new East Midlands Combined County Authority could then officially come into existence in spring 2024, with the first ever election for a regional mayor,  covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham, taking place in May 2024.

A future mayor would be held to account by elected representatives from county and city councils in the East Midlands, as well as a scrutiny committee. The mayor would be directly elected by residents in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.

 

Chesterfield town centre views outdoors

 

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Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre welcomes digital transformation company as new tenant

Chesterfield’s Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre has welcomed another new tenant, with Konektio relocating to the town from nearby Clay Cross.

The company, which specialises in digital transformation solutions for the industrial and manufacturing industries has chosen the centre due to it’s ideal location and connectivity.

Commenting on the move, Peter Stephens, CEO at Konektio said: “We are delighted to announce the relocation of Konektio’s global headquarters to the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre.

“As a leading provider of Industrial IoT and Energy Monitoring applications, we are enabling the digital transformation for the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Konektio creates significant value for our clients across the UK, Europe, and the US with turn-key solutions for asset condition-based monitoring and energy usage solutions. We help our customers tangibly reduce their operating and energy costs, improving their profitability whilst reducing their impact on the environment.

“The decision to select the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre was a strategic one, as the Centre offers an outstanding business environment and top-notch facilities that align with Konektio’s vision and support our customers and rapid organisational growth.”

Since opening in Summer 2022, the Enterprise Centre has gone from strength-to-strength, with more than 60% of the space already occupied, and less than a dozen of the 32 office spaces now remaining.

The Grade ‘A’ Office space is offered on easy in and out letting terms and tenants also benefit from access to a range of other council services and venues, including business support and corporate rates for leisure passes, parking permits and conferencing facilities.

With its town centre location, the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre is easily accessible by car, train, bus and cycle users. It’s situated opposite the new Saltergate multi-story car park and close to all major bus routes and Chesterfield Railway station.

Th centre is also an exemplar of sustainable development, having 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.

Find out more about locating your business at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/developments/northern-gateway/

Konektio

 

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Superior Wellness products achieve impressive sustainability standard

Chesterfield hot tub manufacturer, Superior Wellness has revealed its new range of products has received an impressive sustainability certification.

The firm’s Platinum Spas Deluxe hot tubs, which were launched in Janaury, have been CEC tested, showing the company’s commitment to being more energy efficient.

The CEC – or California Energy Commission is the only third-party accreditation organisation recognised by the spa and hot tub industry.

With five models in the range all now boasting premium features and upgrades – introducing the Tahiti, Refresh, Happy, Palma and the brand new all seater Seville.

Gareth Ward, Sales Director said: “We are delighted that the new range is CEC certified. The Deluxe range now includes the award-winning energy efficient insulation Platinum Premium Shield. This is designed by the Superior Heatlock Insulation Process which provides a considerable difference in the heat retained in the hot tub as well as a reduction in energy costs.

“With a focus on innovation, the latest technology and an abundance of features, the new range includes a number of improvements.”

The hot tub cover is now fabric instead of vinyl. The overall thickness of the cover has been increased providing greater insulation and creating energy savings. The circulation pump has also been upgraded to a much quieter and more energy efficient version, which again shows the company’s commitment to improving the overall efficiency for customers.

Gareth Ward added: “We are very excited about the launch of the new Deluxe range. We always listen to feedback from our customers and partner network to help inform our decisions on innovation.”

Chesterfield Borough Council recently approved it’s new Climate Strategy for the town, which reaffirms its ambitions to become a net-zero borough by 2050. The new strategy will direct how the council works with industry in the future, ensuring sustainability and climate change a central theme of everything it does.

Read more about the strategy here. 

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

Superior Wellness

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Property & construction firms shout louder about investment opportunities in Chesterfield

There’s so much to be shouting about across our town. A range of investment opportunities in Chesterfield are now available, with a pipeline of regeneration worth approximately £2 billion on the way.

That message was conveyed to Chesterfield’s business community at the recent Celebrate Chesterfield business conference at the Winding Wheel Theatre.

At the event, business leaders encouraged delegates to help shout about the success of Chesterfield as a collective.

Find out more in the video below, which includes Chesterfield Property and Construction Group member, Andrew Byrne – Property Development Director at The Devonshire Group.

To that end, we’ve been taking a look at how businesses in Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group are working in collaboration to promote our area externally.

The group has already created strong links between private and public sector organisations in the town. This collaboration encourages further growth and collaboration in areas such as skills, sustainability and investment opportunities.

Find out from our group members how they have been flying the flag for Chesterfield across their sector and beyond:

Lomas and Mitchell Architects

KI yard from above lomas and mitchell

Chesterfield’s Lomas & Mitchell Architects co-founded the successful Property and Construction Group. Additionally, the company is a champion of sustainable development in the town.

Jillian Mitchell, co-owner of Lomas & Mitchell commented:

“Being involved with the Construction and Property Forum enables me to keep in touch with our industry at a local level.

“By working closely with the steering group, I keep up with local developments and find out about companies in our region who, like us, are passionate about sustainability and quality.

“The airing of one of our projects on Channel 4’s Grand Designs gave us an opportunity to market our practice. As part of this, we were able to include Chesterfield and the Forum in our promotions.”

Whittam Cox Architects

Andrew Dabbs

Whittam Cox Architects plays a crucial role in promoting Chesterfield externally and putting the town on the map as a great place to invest.

The company has helped to showcase investment opportunities in Chesterfield by supporting the establishment of the Property and Construction Group.

By encouraging a collective understanding of the significant opportunities in Chesterfield, Whittam Cox raises awareness within the group through social media and in-person events.

Andrew Dabbs chairs the Property and Construction Group in addition to his role as board director at Whittam Cox. Working alongside colleagues, he invests a significant amount of personal time in coordinating group activities.

As a result, there is an increasing interest from companies within and outside the town. The group’s efforts have led to the establishment of some well-received  events. Examples of this include local netWalking and Women in Property events, which provide a platform for networking and collaboration.

Whittam Cox Architects also uses its investment in events such as MIPIM and UKREiiF to promote the town externally. By participating in these industry events, the company can showcase the value of Chesterfield’s location to a broader audience.

Andrew commented:

“As a nationally recognised practice, the company’s HQ in the town draws the spotlight to this great location.

“Whittam Cox Architects believes that promoting the town is a collective responsibility for all companies where possible. By doing so, the company is helping to put Chesterfield on the map as a great place to invest.”

BSP Consulting

elder way public realm bsp

BSP joined Chesterfield Champions to support the town a key public realm project in the town alongside partners.

The project involved improvement works to the whole length of Elder Way. Enhancements to the junctions with Saltergate and Knifesmithgate have also been made, as part of the Northern Gateway regeneration scheme.

BSP worked alongside Danaher & Walsh, which was appointed by Chesterfield Borough Council to carry out the works.

BSP’s business development manager Carrie Booth said:

“Having attended an event in Chesterfield recently and learnt more about the exciting developments and opportunities in the town, we are delighted to be joining Chesterfield Champions.

“It will give BSP the chance to support developments in Chesterfield and the surrounding area and be a part of the future of the town.”

FI Real Estate Management

The HQ Chesterfield

FI Real Estate Management has invested significantly in Chesterfield since 2019. The company has upgraded Rowland Hill House (The HQ) to Grade A office space with a £2m refurbishment programme.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“The HQ presents businesses with an opportunity to benefit from bespoke office facilities for their teams, suited to their specific needs and requirements.

“It reflects the work we are doing to progress Chesterfield’s business offering in line with nearby cities, without compromising on the down-to-earth business style the market town is known for.

“Opportunities like The HQ attract more businesses and further investment to the area. This enriches the working lives of the local community.”

Bolsterstone Group PLC

Chesterfield Waterside office development

Bolsterstone Group is working hard with Chesterfield Borough Council to bring forward the Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme, which is a 40-acre scheme that will deliver £350m of investment to the town.

The current phases include 174 new houses, nearing completion. At Basin Square, the firm has just completed the 36,000 sq. ft Grade A office building. This development has already seen major success, with two of the floors already let.

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group, commented:

“The aim of this high-quality building is to provide larger floor plates to attract inward investment. Additionally, it will take advantage of the proximity of both Chesterfield Train Station and Chesterfield town centre.

“The next phase will see a hotel, multi-storey car park and urban housing in the form of build-to-rent apartments.

“All of these seek to provide a quality offer which puts Chesterfield on the map. This draws new residents and businesses into the town and will create a new, sustainable high-quality community”

To find out more about the range of investment opportunities in Chesterfield, along with the benefits of locating your business in the town, view our investment map here.

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Chesterfield Football Club kicks off mental health partnership

Chesterfield Football Club is working closely with Derbyshire County Council to promote mental health and wellbeing.

The club is working with the council’s mental health team to share a wide variety of support to fans and visitors.

This includes information across the stadium around suicide prevention, mental health and a wide variety of other health and wellbeing support.

Staff from Derbyshire County Council’s public health team have also been on hand to provide healthy lifestyles advice and support to fans.

Mike Goodwin, Chairman of Chesterfield Football Club, said: “It is vital that people in the community who need help with their mental health are provided with the necessary support.

“We are proud of our excellent relationship with Derbyshire County Council, and we will do everything we can to support their efforts to help those in the community who are struggling with their mental health.”

Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Carol Hart said: “Mental health is vital to us all and getting the right support and help early can make a big difference.

“Sadly, long term statistics show that men are more likely to take their own lives, and it is most common between the ages of 30 and 59. That’s why we are taking mental health support out to the places that they are likely to be.

“As well as working with Chesterfield Football Club we also offer free mental health training to barbers and other personal care professionals, offering support in environments where people feel safe and comfortable enough to share their thoughts.”

The council’s Live Life Better Derbyshire team is also offering support to fans during match days.

They’re carrying out body MOTs and talking about the free healthy lifestyles service that the council offers, including help around stop smoking, weight management and how to get more active.

Find mental health and wellbeing support.

cfc technique stadium

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Recognition for JP Fire Safety Solutions with prestigious safety certification

JP Fire Safety Solutions Ltd. has been awarded highly sought-after certification for the firm’s Life Fire Risk Assessment services.

To achieve BAFE SP205 certification, BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) certified companies must demonstrate high quality standards and best working practice in the fire safety industry.

For the building owner, or the responsible person for fire safety within a building, there is a significant amount of legislation to be aware of and associated responsibilities to meet.

These safeguards are in place to protect the users and occupants of buildings. By choosing a BAFE certified company, the responsible person can satisfy themselves that they are choosing a quality assured service in terms of industry knowledge, skills and expertise, and help stop them from falling foul of fire safety laws, which can lead to large fines and even imprisonment.

The BAFE Register provides reassurance to businesses and property owners when selecting a competent fire protection company to assist them with their fire risk assessment needs.

John Priest, Director said: “We have been working towards this certification for the past 12 months and are delighted that we have been recognised by BAFE as the only provider in Chesterfield, and one of just 178 nationally, to meet their standards for Fire Risk Assessment services. We have always strived to provide the best service we can for our customers, and this recognition is the icing on the cake”.

Under the BAFE scheme, JP Fire Safety will be regularly audited by the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board) who are the leading certification body for organisations to ensure they maintain their high-quality fire risk assessment services.

For more information on Fire Risk Assessments contact JP Fire Safety at info@jpfiresafety.co.uk or on 01246 556699.

JP Fire Safety Solutions Ltd. supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

JP Fire Safety

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