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Students create new logo for the Chesterfield Town Board

Students from Parkside School were challenged to create a new logo to be used by the Chesterfield Town Board, which is driving forward almost £20 million of investment over the next ten years.

More than 80 designs were submitted by students from the school, and from these Cindy Lin’s design was chosen as the winner by a panel of Town Board members. Cindy Lin, aged 15, said: “I can’t wait to see my design attached to some really exciting projects!”

The logo will be used to help promote initiatives being spearheaded by the Town Board over the next ten years.

Chesterfield Town Board is made up of local business and community representatives, together with public sector organisations, and is responsible for deciding how to spend almost £20 million of funding announced as part of the Government’s Long Term Plan for Towns.

Dominic Staniforth, a Partner at BHP LLP Chartered Accountants and Chair of the Chesterfield Town Board, said: “I want to thank all the students who submitted their designs for the Town Board logo, there were some fantastic entries, and it was a difficult job to select one winner. Cindy’s design reflects our town and will help identify the projects led by the Town Board.

“Chesterfield is already a great town full of wonderful people and organisations that share a common purpose to make it even better – a place to live, work, invest and study – and this funding will further bolster our ability to deliver on that collective ambition.”

The winning design includes the town’s most iconic landmark, the Crooked Spire, and will now be turned into a digital logo that can be used throughout the programme.

Andy Kelly, Headteacher at Parkside Community School, said: “We are delighted that Cindy’s design for the Chesterfield Town Board logo was chosen as the winner. She is an incredibly talented artist who has done a fantastic job in capturing an iconic image that shows our town moving from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing Cindy’s design across Chesterfield over the next 10 years!”

The Board is overseeing the development of a long-term vision statement and three-year investment plan, based around the priorities identified through a public consultation which took place earlier this summer.

More information about the Chesterfield Town Board can be found by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/chesterfield-town-board/

Group of school pupils with teacher holding up logo designs

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Leaders call for improved rail services across the East Midlands

Leaders across the East Midlands region have come together to call for a long-term plan for improving regional rail services.

It follows a report from Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) that shines a spotlight on the opportunity to improve rail travel across the area.

The report, titled “A Platform for Growth”, highlights the need to develop a more competitive rail offer in the East Midlands, improve performance standards, and for an East Midlands voice within the new Great British Railways.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Chesterfield Railway Station is one of the busiest in the East Midlands and of vital importance to unlocking the economic potential of our borough and the wider economies of north Derbyshire and the Peak District.

“We need our train services to be catalysts for growth bringing more and better jobs to our economies, stimulating inward investment, enabling social mobility and introducing new audiences to the area’s visitor attractions.

“To achieve this, there needs to be investment in our stations, better quality trains, more frequent and reliable services, and fare structures that encourage people to leave their cars at home.”

Sir Peter Soulsby, Chair of TfEM, said: “Our evidence suggests that regional rail services in the East Midlands are directly worth around £356 million per year to our regional economy. We have major population growth forecast and exciting local plans for many more new jobs and homes.

“Due to years of underinvestment, the East Midlands rail network is sparse and infrequent compared to other regions. This inevitably impacts on punctuality and the ability to run the level of services the region requires.

“Around 75% of stations in the East Midlands are served by just one train per hour or fewer, with even lower levels of service levels on Sundays and increasingly overcrowded trains on Saturdays.

“But it doesn’t have to be this way.

“We need to see a new clear plan for growth for this region in terms of both services and performance. The rail industry cannot ‘cut itself’ to financial sustainability – it must grow patronage to survive, and the East Midlands is a great place to start!”

Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “Rail is proudly embedded in the culture of our region, yet there is so much more room for improvement when it comes to infrastructure and regional services in the East Midlands.

“Our regional rail network doesn’t yet match the ambition of our towns and cities. Commuters, local communities and business can see what rail investment has done elsewhere and rightly expect the same standards here.

“If we’re going to reduce the number of car journeys and meet our climate goals, we need to boost sustainable travel by investing in our rail network and making sure commuters are getting a fair deal. If we get this right, we could unlock tens of millions of pounds of direct economic benefits.”

Will Rogers, Managing Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Although our regional fleet is undergoing a major £28.2 million refurbishment, the East Midlands transport spend per head has been significantly below the UK average level for all of the last 25 years.

“We are keen to work in partnership with Transport for the East Midlands, our mayors and other stakeholders to improve this situation. Rail is a key enabler of economic and social value and for our region to compete, grow and meet the ambitions of its citizens, greater investment in rail infrastructure and services is vital.”

Transport for East Midlands leaders call for investment in rail services

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Chesterfield Italian restaurant fulfils dream to cook for their football heroes

An award-winning Italian restaurant in Chesterfield has achieved a dream by cooking some of its signature dishes for their hometown football club.

The team at Sicily Restaurant are originally from Palermo, and have been avid supporters of the city’s football team for many years.

Last week, the Palermo team came to Chesterfield to play a friendly match against Leicester City at the SMH Group Stadium, enabling the team at Sicily Restaurant to provide a post-match meal for the players.

Monica Sardisco, owner of Sicily Restaurant commented: “We couldn’t believe it when we got the call a couple of days before the match, asking us to make pizza for the whole squad!”

“Most of our staff are from Palermo, so it’s fair to say this order was pretty special to us. We always keep an eye on how Palermo are doing, and to cook for them was a huge honour.”

The restaurant was still open for customers on the day, meaning a busy evening service for chef Alex del Vecchio, but he explained how he was more than happy to step up to the plate.

Alex said: “It was the best experience I have ever had as a chef. Making pizza and pasta for such a big team from my country was truly special.

“We were able to meet the players when we delivered the food. It was such an amazing experience for us, and we hope they enjoyed those familiar flavours of home, right here in Chesterfield.”

The Sicily Restaurant team have also received plenty of publicity in their home town after the football club thanked them for providing the food for the players.

Monica added: “We’ve had plenty of messages from people back home saying they saw us on Palermo’s social media channels. It’s fantastic to be based in Chesterfield, a town we love, while still having a strong connection to our roots back home.”

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

Man and woman stood outside Italian restaurant smiling for camera

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Chesterfield Hospital receives top award for cancer care

Chesterfield Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has scooped a national award for its commitment to patients living with incurable blood cancer – known as myeloma.

The hospital’s haematology team was presented with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award in recognition of its outstanding care and dedication to patients with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer which claims the lives of 3,000 people in the UK each year.

The accolade, awarded by charity Myeloma UK, recognises the hospital’s commitment to raising the bar for treatment and providing compassionate and personalised care to patients.

Myeloma is especially hard to spot as its symptoms are often vague and dismissed as ageing or other minor conditions. By the time many patients are diagnosed their cancer has often advanced and they require urgent treatment. This can significantly impact their chances of survival and quality of life.

Gillian Bingham has been a haematology patient for 12 years and is part of the Haematology Support Group that presented the award. She said: “It has been a good journey with Chesterfield Hospital. When I first started it was a small clinic room but since moving to the NGS Macmillan Unit – wow what a difference in the location. The staff are so good, they always do go the extra mile. You can call them if you have a problem, or you are unsure about something. Nothing is too much trouble!”
Staff at the Trust were praised by Myeloma UK for their efforts to improve patients’ quality of life and eagerness to adapt and truly listen to their needs.

Richard Went, Haematology Consultant at CRH said: “We were originally accredited in 2019 – we submitted this year and went through eight areas such as patient experience, patient information, the holistic care we offer and clinical trials, and we were found to be excellent in all eight areas. This is testament to the work that has been put into the service over the last five years to keep it improving. This accreditation is especially impressive because of the additional pressure generated by Covid – it is humbling to know that we have been able to provide an excellent service during challenging times.

He added: “In Myeloma, team work is essential, and it is really important that we have good relationships with others areas such as imaging, renal, pharmacy, palliative care. It is a disease that involves many teams and we are really lucky to have strong partnerships with other services at the Trust and across the region, to help us provide people with an excellent service.

Angela Gascoigne, Haematology Specialist Nurse said: “As a team we are very proud to have achieved Myeloma UK reaccreditation particularly as several domains focus on holistic care. We are one of only seven District General Hospitals that have this award in the UK and also been reaccredited. I do advocate Myeloma UK to our patients because I think it is excellent organisation for information and support.”

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

Royal Hospital cancer award

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Exhibitions to connect Chesterfield communities with history and culture

A new programme of events and exhibitions will celebrate history and culture in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield Borough Council has received funding from Arts Council England to host a variety of museum exhibitions being held at partner venues across the borough and a series of plays at the Winding Wheel Theatre. The programme will run until August 2025.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Whilst Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre are closed for refurbishment this is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that our residents can still connect with our history and culture.

“There is lots planned as part of this programme, but we’ve ensured all the exhibitions are family friendly with interactive activities to try. We’ve also put together a great schedule of plays with some classics as well as a selection of contemporary tales. We want lots of people to come along and support these events – keep an eye on our website and social media for more details about everything taking place over the next year.”

Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to award Chesterfield Borough Council £98,750 to provide a programme of creative and cultural activities for the community to enjoy while the town’s museum and Pomegranate Theatre are closed for a major renovation project.

“This National Lottery funding will support exhibitions, theatre, activities and events at venues across the borough, ensuring local people can continue to be inspired by museum collections, delve into local history and take part in enriching creative and cultural activities on their doorstep.”

The programme will kick off in September with the Chesterfield Menagerie exhibition being held in the Assembly Rooms. At this free exhibition, members of the public will be able to see some of the many animal-themed works within the museum collection and take part in some great family-friendly activities.

Chesterfield Town Hall in the evening, with a lit lampost

In October the museum team will set up an interactive Romans exhibition in Hasland Village Hall before a final exhibition for 2024 in Old Whittington which will focus on the Victorians. The exhibitions will showcase Chesterfield’s history during these periods, and there will also be interactive activities like dressing up and handling objects.

In 2025 exhibitions will include the Tudors, Vikings, Medieval and a look at the ‘Extraordinary Women’ who put our town on the map.

At the Winding Wheel Theatre, Rumpus Theatre Company will be bringing the classic George Bernard Shaw comedy, Arms and the Man, to audiences on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 October.

Winding Wheel

Then on Wednesday 23 October, the Red Ladder Theatre Company will be presenting ‘We’re Not Going Back’, a funny yet moving musical tale of three sisters set in the 1984/85 miners’ strike. In 2025 the theatre will be hosting three more plays as part of this programme.

Chesterfield Museum and the Pomegranate Theatre is being transformed as part of a multi-million pound renovation project to create a modern visitor experience in the heart of the town centre.

The refurbished hall will bring together an extended Theatre, a reconfigured and modern museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities.

Funding for the project has been provided through the Government’s Levelling Up Fund with additional funding from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme to install a ventilation system in the theatre auditorium and create a new Changing Places toilet.

To find out more about the transformation of Stephenson Memorial Hall visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/stephenson-memorial-hall

All the museum exhibitions happening around the borough over the next year will be listed on: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/museum

To find out more about performances at the Winding Wheel Theatre and to book tickets visit: www.chesterfieldtheatres.com

painting by local artist depicts an old ploughing method using horses

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Chesterfield barbers named in the UK’s best apprentice employers for 3rd consecutive year

A barber shop in Chesterfield town centre has been recognised nationally as one of the best apprentice employers, for the 3rd year in a row.

Less Than Zero Barbers, established in Chesterfield in 2017 has been named in the Institute For Apprenticeships Top 50 SME employer list for the company’s commitment to its team.

The list, which was announced on 25th July 2024, celebrates England’s outstanding small & medium-sized apprenticeship employers, recognising their commitment to creating new apprenticeships, the diversity of their apprentices, and the number of apprentices who successfully achieve their apprenticeships.

The rankings are produced annually by the Department for Education, in partnership with High Fliers Research, who independently assess and rank the nation’s top apprenticeship employers

Martin Wallis-Keyworth the owner of Less Than Zero said: “We have always taken the formal training of new and existing staff extremely important and have always ensured people not only grow in the barbering skills but also in other skills such as training, assessing and teaching and have all those skills in the business to NVQ L5.”

Investing in people is obviously having a positive effect on the business as it’s grown year on year since its formation and is consistently scored on social media at a 4.9/5 which is always a good sign especially when you consider the amount of reviews the business has.

Martin went on to say: “Moving forward we have formulated a strategy and business plan to expand the business further and this will be achieved by leveraging the amazing team we have and their new skill set and also will help us grow a larger talent pool to help in that expansion. We would be unable to this if it hadn’t been for the training and development of the team.”

Caroline Larissey, Chief Executive National Hair and Beauty Federation added: “It’s fantastic to see one of our NHBF members being recognised in the Top 50 SME Employer list for the third consecutive year. Having previously worked alongside Martin Wallis-Keyworth in the trailblazer groups for the Barbering apprenticeship, I have firsthand experience of his commitment to excellence and professional development.

“Less Than Zero Barbers’ consistent appearance on this prestigious list is a testament to their unwavering dedication to team growth and the barbering profession as a whole. Their approach to investing in their staff’s skills, not just in barbering but also in training, assessing, and teaching, sets a remarkable example for our industry.

“Martin’s strategy of leveraging his team’s expanded skill set for business growth is exactly the kind of forward-thinking approach we champion at NHBF. It’s clear that their investment in people is paying dividends, as evidenced by their year-on-year growth and outstanding customer satisfaction ratings.

“We’re proud to have businesses like Less Than Zero Barbers as part of our membership. They exemplify the values of continuous improvement and staff development that are crucial for the future of our industry. We look forward to seeing their continued success and the positive impact they’ll undoubtedly have on the barbering profession as they expand.”

Nick Hogan, Destination Chesterfield Board Member said: “A big congratulations to Less Than Zero for gaining this recognition once again. We know that businesses across our town are playing a key role in supporting our young people to gain key skills which set them up for a rewarding career. Ensuring we have high level skills in our workforce is vital to the economy, so it is pleasing that the work being done by a local business has been highlighted at a national level.”

Looking for support to upskill your workforce, or to take on and develop an apprentice? Find out more on our business support pages here.

LessThanZero1

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Chesterfield celebrates skills partnership

An innovative partnership which is helping local people access workplace skills and training has marked its one-year milestone.

The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership brings together representatives from the business community, education providers and public sector, to develop programmes and initiatives that aim to help local residents improve their skills to access new opportunities, which will help the local economy to grow.

The partnership has had a busy first year – launching five new skills programmes, established a skills brokerage service, hosted almost 20 events, and created a new initiative that has helped more than 200 young people to make more informed decisions about their future.

Michael Timmins, a director at AECOM and chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “It has been an incredibly busy first year and we’ve launched lots of new initiatives and programmes that will help ensure everyone can develop the skills that local businesses need to grow. By working in partnership with the public sector, it has helped ensure that support can be provided to solve the challenges faced by businesses and I look forward to seeing how this partnership develops, and to launching more programmes that will help local people access skills training.”

The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership is a key element of Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Action Plan. Launched in 2023, it sets out a variety of partnership initiatives – working with local agencies and businesses – to help bridge the skills gap.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “We want to ensure that everyone can benefit from a growing local economy and through working in partnership with businesses and the community sector we can help local people develop the skills to progress in their careers or access new opportunities as they become available.

“Over the last year we have launched lots of new programmes with the business, education, and voluntary sector, I would like to encourage local residents to look into these opportunities and take full advantage of them because they can help progress their career and build a better life in our borough.”

The Skills Action Plan runs until 2027. It is just one of a range of projects and initiatives which is being funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives, until 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

More information about the Skills Action Plan and how people can access the support available can be found by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/jobs-training-skills-and-apprenticeships/

Chesterfield skills partnership

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Chesterfield’s Specialised Canvas Group acquires Protec Covers

Specialised Canvas Group, a manufacturer based in Chesterfield, has successfully acquired Protec Covers.

Protec Covers is the UK’s leading manufacturer and retailer of motorhome and caravan covers. This latest acquisition further strengthens Specialised Canvas’ growth within the UK leisure market.

The company, based on Staveley’s Ireland Industrial Estate, says the takeover aligns perfectly with its campervan and motorhome windscreen cover brand, Custom Camping.

Founded in 1997, Protec Covers has earned a sterling reputation within the UK leisure vehicle market for providing durable, custom-fit covers specifically designed for the transportation and storage of caravans, campervans, and motorhomes.

Protec Covers caravan cover

Paul Noble, Managing Director of Specialised Canvas, shared his excitement: “We are delighted to welcome Protec Covers to the growing Specialised Canvas family.

“With our extensive fabric and sewing capacity and expertise, along with our years of experience within the leisure vehicle industry, we are perfectly positioned to build on Protec’s success and continue providing customers with market-leading products and services.”

“Our team has been hard at work to ensure a seamless transition in production and resolve any fabric supply challenges. We are pleased to announce that we are currently fulfilling past orders and accepting new ones for caravan towing jackets and caravan covers.

“Looking ahead, we expect to restart production of motorhome and campervan covers by late 2024, once we have addressed our current backlog.”

Nick Catt, Destination Chesterfield Board Member said: “I would like to congratulate Specialised Canvas on this latest acquisition. It is positive to see manufacturers across our town thriving and growing, helping to boost jobs and prosperity in our town’s economy.”

Specialised Canvas warehouse from above

Invest in Chesterfield

Invest in Chesterfield and become part of a thriving business community that includes world-leading manufacturers and multinational communication companies. Businesses of all kinds already enjoy the advantages of our proactive approach, supportive community, excellent travel connections, and prime strategic location.

With the M1 motorway nearby, regular direct train services from our station, and four major airports within a sixty-minute travel time, Chesterfield offers exceptional accessibility.

Find out more about locating your company in Chesterfield at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/

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Town centre regeneration work starts on site

Work on the next phase of the multi-million pound regeneration of Chesterfield town centre has officially started on site.

Councillors Tricia Gilby and Kate Sarvent met with Louise Bruynseels a regular market trader and John Allen the Construction Director at contractor Thomas Bow, to see how works had been progressing to the upper section of Market Place during the first week of construction.

The works will see the creation of a new market layout with new stalls and enhancements to paving, seating and lighting. Work will then move on to New Square – to create an attractive and flexible space that will complement the main market and speciality markets, but can also be used to host festivals, events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings.

New layout for Chesterfield Market with contemporary stalls, heritage colours, Market Hall in the background, town pump a feature

Market Square Chesterfield – artist’s impression

The town’s historic cobbles will be lifted, and re-laid and some new paving will also be installed – together this will maintain the historic look but will provide a more level surface throughout the Market Place, making it easier for people with accessibility issues such as wheelchair and mobility scooter users or parents with pushchairs to navigate the market.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’re all immensely proud of our town centre and historic market, and we’re investing in its future to help it thrive for generations to come.

“It’s fantastic to see work begin on site, and we all look forward to seeing the improvements take shape over the summer. The town centre is very much open for business, although inevitably there will be some short-term disruption and we thank people for their patience.

“We’re working closely to support our market traders and town centre businesses and will keep people up to date as the project progresses – please sign up to our regular monthly email newsletter and also keep an eye on the council’s social media channels.”

View 01 - New Square (Ground) copy

Artists impression of New Square development in Chesterfield

All town centre businesses and market stalls will be open as usual during the regeneration work. Some market traders have temporarily re-located to either the lower half of Market Place, New Square, or other areas of the town centre nearby – but the market will run as usual on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (and speciality markets as usual on Sundays).

Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield is an 18-month scheme to improve the look, feel and flow of key public spaces, and revitalise the historic market.

Further phases of works include Rykneld Square which will be transformed to create a green and welcoming space from which to enjoy our much-loved Crooked Spire.

Separately, G F Tomlinson will carry out improvements to Corporation Street to create a new gateway to the refurbished Stephenson Memorial Hall, which houses the Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum.

Questions about Revitalisng the Heart of Chesterfield can be submitted to the project team by emailing: RHOCEnquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk

For more information or to sign up for project updates by email, please visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revitalise

Group of people stood beside construction site at Chesterfield Market

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Seven Chesterfield parks and green spaces receive Green Flags

Chesterfield has once again been recognised for its excellent parks and green spaces with a magnificent seven green flag awards.

Monkey Park (Chester Street Recreation Ground), Brampton has been awarded the flag for the first-time following improvements carried out over the last few years.

A further six spaces including Queen’s Park, Holmebrook Valley Park, Poolsbrook Country Park, King George V Park (Staveley), Eastwood Park (Hasland) and the gardens of Chesterfield and District Crematorium have all retained Green Flag status. The award is an internationally recognised mark of quality for parks and green spaces.

In addition, Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Hollingwood Hub was recently awarded an impressive eighth Green Flag.

Councillor Steve Lismore, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “It’s magnificent that we have held our Green Flag Awards once again in these parks as well as gaining another for the work undertaken at the Monkey Park. Our teams do a fantastic job to maintain these spaces for all to enjoy.

“To achieve these awards during the second year of our Parks and Play Strategy demonstrates our commitment to the health and well-being of our residents. It is one of our key aims is to continue this valuable work for the good of our communities.”

Over the last couple of years, Monkey Park has received a new footpath network, rustic furniture and a table tennis table, and with help from Brampton Primary School and local children’s charity, Fairplay, a new orchard has been planted as well as daffodil bulbs. This year also sees the colourful addition of a wildflower explosion planted at the main entrance to the park to welcome visitors in.

The Parks, Open Spaces and Play Delivery Plan (2023 to 2028), which was approved by Cabinet in February 2023, 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.

It will lead to more than one million pounds being invested in parks and green spaces over the course of the five-year programme. Communities will benefit from 18 enhanced youth and play spaces, and also aims to double the number of its sites that are acknowledged by the Green Flag Award.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for their management across the United Kingdom and around the world.

With plenty of access to green space and a good mix of picturesque urban and rural landscapes, Chesterfield can offer a fantastic quality of life for you and your family. Find out more about living in Chesterfield.

Man, woman and girl watching a boy go down a slide

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Office occupancy success continues across Chesterfield

Chesterfield is fast emerging as a prime destination for office space. With its strategic location and proactive community, combined with modern commercial developments, our town is becoming a beacon for businesses looking to establish a strong presence in the region.

The success story of office developments in Chesterfield is a reflection of the town’s adaptability and forward-thinking approach, as businesses adapt to hybrid working models.

In recent years, Chesterfield has seen a remarkable transformation. Its skyline has evolved with state-of-the-art office spaces that blend modern amenities with the town’s historic charm.

One Waterside Place, The Glass Yard and the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre have all opened in the last couple of years, whilst quality refurbishments such as The HQ and The Quad have added to the availability of highly-demanded grade A space.

Interest in Chesterfield is fueled by a combination of factors: excellent transport links, competitive prices, and a council committed to supporting business innovation and development.

Chesterfield’s strategic position, offering easy access to major cities like Sheffield and Nottingham, makes it an ideal location for businesses seeking connectivity without the hefty price tags of larger urban centers. Moreover, the town’s investment in infrastructure and sustainable development is attracting a diverse range of companies.

PIB, Nuzest and Varley are just some of the companies opening new offices in Chesterfield recently, whilst businesses such as BHP, Rosewood Wealth Management, We Are Spaces and Vines Legal have thrived in the town, culminating in moves to larger offices.

We’ve spoken to the people involved in these transformational office projects, which are setting Chesterfield apart as a leading hub for enterprise and innovation.

With new stock continuing to come to the market, including the recently completed York House, there are plenty of opportunities to invest in Chesterfield.

Join hundreds of businesses benefitting from Chesterfield’s ideal location, affordability and work-life balance. Find out more about office spaces available in our town at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

Chesterfield Innovation Centres

2 female business people at white desks talking at Chesterfield Enterprise Centre, Crooked Spire visible through window

Northern Gateway Chesterfield Enterprise Centre

Chesterfield’s three innovations centres continue to report impressive occupancy rates. The recently-developed Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre in the heart of the town has an occupancy of 85% currently. Occupancy at Dunston Innovation Centre sits at a whopping 95%, and Tapton is currently 83% full.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Our Enterprise and Innovation Centres provide businesses with the space and support they need to grow and thrive in our borough and there has been lots of demand for space in all three of our centres over the last year.

“Our investment in these centres has been a key element of our plan to grow the local economy and create new employment opportunities and we’ve seen the success of this investment through businesses growing and expanding their presence in our borough.  New businesses receive a warm welcome into our centres, and our dedicated team are always happy to help businesses find the right space for them. If you’re looking for new office space in Chesterfield, please get in touch with our team who will be pleased to help you in your search.”

One Waterside Place

Group of business people at table listening to young male presenting in front of a screen with PowerPoint at BHP, 1 Waterside Place, Chesterfield

BHP, 1 Waterside Place, Chesterfield

All floors of the flagship One Waterside Place building, situated just a few yards from Chesterfield Railway Station have now been taken.

The seven-storey development is home to BHP Chartered Accountants, Rosewood Wealth Management and Wesco Anixter. Meanwhile one of the first businesses to move into the building, Varley, has taken a second floor of space to take the occupancy to 100%.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group and Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “We’re delighted that Varley has expanded their office space within One Waterside Place. Together with BHP, Rosewood Wealth Management and Wesco Anixter, the building is now fully occupied.

“One Waterside Place has been a huge success for both Bolsterstone and Chesterfield Borough Council; it has been instrumental in setting new headline rents for office space in the town.  Whether it’s a private or public partnership, our aim is to create places people want to live, work and invest throughout the UK. It’s certainly been the case with Chesterfield Waterside. The success of One Waterside Place and Waterside Quarter is helping us attract substantial interest in the next delivery phase of the regeneration scheme.”

“We are now progressing well with our plans to bring forward the next stages of Basin Square. There has been significant interest shown and we envisage being able to take some elements to the next stage later this year.”

The Quad and The HQ

The HQ 873

Two recently-refurbished buildings, situated near Queen’s Park and Chesterfield town Centre, have both seen huge demand.

The Quad and The HQ underwent major improvements, carried out by FI Real Estate Management.

With 56,000 sq ft of floor space, The Quad is now at full occupancy with DHU Healthcare moving into the building. Investment at the HQ has created over 100,000 sq ft of modern open-plan office space, with the majority now snapped up.

Dom Knowles, Head of Offices FI Real Estate Management, commented: “The way businesses use office space is fundamentally different to just a few years ago. As developers, it’s our responsibility to provide workspaces that respond not only to the needs of the current market but to set the trends for future ways of working.

“Our space at The HQ and The Quad is flexible and customisable, allowing our tenants to maximise their workspace without compromising on convenience. Elevating spaces with the highest standard of amenities creates spaces where people love to come to work and will ultimately thrive, which benefits the business. We’ve had a large volume of interest in this development throughout the refurbishment and I expect we will be fully let in the coming months.”

An Agents View

Destination Chesterfield team working in the office

The first half of 2024 has pleasingly been a busy period for FHP Property Consultants.  The company was involved in the letting of space at One Waterside Place, as well as several other sites across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Darran Severn, Director at FHP Property Consultants commented: “It’s been hard work but pleasing we are seeing some of the deals we agreed earlier in the year completing.  We are finding that enquiry levels are consistent and in some of these locations and it’s a matter of unearthing the right occupier for the building.

“Quality is key, and many of the businesses we are speaking with are looking for refurbished space that is immediately available for occupation.  Both capital and rental values remain at existing levels, with typical lease lengths being between 5 and 10 years with breaks in year 3.  Whilst there is an element of uncertainty in the air due to political and world events, we do require more stock across Chesterfield and Derbyshire to satisfy ongoing requirements.”

Join hundreds of businesses benefitting from Chesterfield’s ideal location, affordability and work-life balance. Find out more about office spaces available in our town at: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/invest-in-chesterfield/office/

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