Author: Tara Underhill

New road to bring more jobs to Markham Vale

3rd February 2016

Work has started on a new link road to the M1 motorway paving the way to potentially create more than 2,500 new jobs at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship regeneration site, Markham Vale.

The new Seymour Link Road will join up plots of land on the north side of the Markham Vale Enterprise Zone through Erin Road to Junction 29a of the M1 motorway and will open up more space for businesses to move to the site.

The jobs figures are an estimate based on the size of the development plots available and the county council has already received a number of enquiries from a range of businesses interested in the site.

Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:

“This is a great start to the New Year for Markham Vale.

“Seymour Link Road will open up opportunities for more businesses to move to the site and has the potential to create more than 2,500 new jobs for local people and boost the Derbyshire economy.

“We’re also currently negotiating with Government on a devolution deal with the hope that this will give us more money to invest in major projects such as Markham Vale, develop skills and boost employment.

“We look forward to welcoming even more new businesses to the site this year including Great Bear Distribution which is set to open in October and create up to 400 new jobs.”

Derbyshire County Council is providing £1.26m towards the new £7.56m link road in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) − promoting economic growth in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire − investing £2.52m, and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, £3.78m.

D2N2 LEP’s Chief Executive, David Ralph, said:

“Developing Enterprise Zone sites is key to our economic ambitions and at the heart of D2N2’s Strategic Economic Plan, with its overarching ambition to create 55,000 new private sector jobs in key industries, over ten years.

“To that end we are not only investing in Markham Vale, which will benefit hugely from the Seymour Link Road to the M1, but also the Nottingham and Derby Enterprise Zone sites.”

Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, Councillor John Burrows, said:

“The Enterprise Zone at Markham Vale is going from strength-to-strength − anyone travelling on the M1 can see that this is a hotbed of investment activity that gets busier every month.

“This new link road will open up more land to the growing numbers of businesses that want to be part of our successful Enterprise Zone.”

The link road at Markham Vale is due to be completed in October this year.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield Take Me Out star to judge Mr Heart Throb Event

22nd January 2016

Victoria Elliott from Chesterfield has joined the judging panel to help find Mr Heart Throb 2016 whilst raising vital funds for Ashgate Hospicecare.

She certainly made an impression with Paddy McGuinness, the host of ITV’s Take Me Out, when she proved she could plank continuously for seven minutes.

Victoria is now set to bring her chatty personality to this annual, fun-filled charity event, taking place at the Proact in Chesterfield on Friday 19th February.

Charlotte Gratton, Events Fundraiser at Ashgate Hospicecare says, ‘Events like this really put the fun in fundraising. It’s great to see the community coming together and helping local people by raising funds for Ashgate Hospicecare.’

Victoria is joined on the judging panel by Annette Gibson, Ward Sister at Ashgate Hospicecare, reigning champion Scott Timbrell and Chesterfield Netball Club’s Amy Revell.

Each contestant will be sponsored to take part and the money raised will make a big difference Ashgate Hospicecare. Last year this event raised over £5,000.

The contestant line up includes, Paul Mahmood, Production Director at TM Steels, Chris Maloney, Director of North South Training. Dave Trickett Landscape Gardener who is taking part in memory of his daughter Kimberley who was cared for by Ashgate Hospicecare. Logan Clark and Bus Driver, Rob Hall.

Mr Heart Throb is organised by TM Steels and North South Training with all proceeds going to local charity Ashgate Hospicecare. For more information click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Chesterfield sports stars share over £1000 of funding

21st January 2016

IAAF World Youth Championships finalist Alicia Barrett is among seven talented sports stars from across the borough of Chesterfield who have shared £1,375 in funding support, thanks to Derbyshire Sport’s business network ICON.

The athletes – including Newbold’s Barrett, who set a UK under-18s 100m record en route to that final in Colombia last July – have received a grant of up to £250 each in their bid to reach the top.

They can use their bursary to help meet travel, equipment, coaching or competition costs and received their cheques at a celebration event held this week at the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield.

Each were also handed a leisure pass by the Chesterfield Borough Council, which will further help with their training.

All of the athletes are tipped for further success in their respective sports and have either been selected to compete for Great Britain or a home nation, have won a national championship medal, are part of a recognised national development squad or club academy structure or are a member of the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS).

Others to receive ICON backing include Alicia’s twin sister and fellow athlete Ella Barrett (Newbold), Taekwondo player Aaron Cobley (Chesterfield) and tennis player Bradley Buckland (Brampton).

Also supported through the programme are table tennis player Isobel Ashley (Barrow Hill), squash player Ashley Davies (Chesterfield) and equestrian rider Emily Hedger (a member of Dunston Park Equestrian Club, Chesterfield).

Hayley Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport ,and Cllr Chris Ludlow, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, met athletes to hand over their bursaries and leisure passes.

“We’re delighted to once again be backing ICON – and that athletes from our borough continue to benefit,” said Cllr Ludlow.

“Chesterfield Borough Council is proud to be giving dedicated local athletes a deserved helping hand in their bid to achieve at the highest level. We hope the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre facility that has just been built will help in those aims.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is among 10 local authorities across the county who are members of business network ICON, which was set up by Derbyshire Sport as part of the work to create a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympics in Derbyshire.

It is also backed by a number of businesses in the private sector, who contribute an annual membership fee, and this money goes directly to athletes through the bursary scheme.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Plan launched to get more bums on bikes in Derbyshire!

20th January 2016

An ambition for Derbyshire to be the most-connected cycling county has been outlined in the newly-launched ‘Derbyshire Cycling Plan 2016 – 2030’.

Developed by the Derbyshire Cycling Plan strategic group, the aim is to develop a world-class cycling destination with double the number of people cycling regularly by 2030.

It seeks to double the percentage of commuters travelling by bicycle as their main mode of transport, and double the number of children who regularly cycle to school.

It is hoped that greater participation across Derbyshire will result in healthier communities, more visitors, a stronger and more productive economy and a better environment.

Following a consultation process with partners and the wider public, the plan has been developed by the Derbyshire Cycling Plan Strategic Group which is made up of representatives from Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire’s district and borough councils, Derbyshire Sport, the University of Derby, British Cycling, Sustrans, Peak District National Park Authority, and the National Forest Company.

Hayley Lever, Director of Derbyshire Sport, said: “This Cycling Plan demonstrates the commitment to cycling development shared between all partner organisations, from those strategically involved, to the hundreds of individuals and community level groups who have helped to shape it. We are working together to get more people cycling more often, and the future is very exciting.

“We will work together to bring inward investment for identified priorities, through funding and sponsorship, ensuring that we align our work to the government Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.”

The ‘Derbyshire Cycling Plan 2016 – 2030’ is available to download at www.derbyshiresport.co.uk/derbyshirecyclingplan

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Unemployment falls again in East Midlands

20th January 2016

The number of people out of work in the East Midlands fell by a further 8,000 in the three months to November 2015, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.

They showed that between September and November last year, there were 100,000 people registered as unemployed across the region, compared to 108,000 in the three months to August, meaning the region’s unemployment rate has fallen from 4.7% to 4.4%.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, fell by 615 to 29,375 in December, meaning that there were 7,845 fewer JSA claimants in December 2015 than there were a year previously.

In Chesterfield the number of people claiming the benefit in December 2015 fell to 882, which is 503 lower than the figure reported in the same month in 2014 and remains below the national average (1.3% compared to 1.5%).

East Midlands Chamber has welcomed the figures, but warned that the economy faces several challenges in the year ahead which could affect the pace of job creation across the region.

Its Chief Executive, Scott Knowles, said: “Another set of positive employment figures for December shows once again that throughout 2015 the East Midlands was at the front of the pack when it came to creating jobs.

“However, while the strength of the labour market remains an important driver of economic growth, and the economy is continuing to expand, there are several challenges ahead which could impact employment prospects in 2016.

“Several underlying issues will play out in the months ahead, such as the wider impact of interest rate rises in the United States, the developing arguments – and potential vote – on the In/Out EU referendum and the deterioration of recovery in the health of some of the world’s largest economies.

“We also have uncertainties around things like changes to apprenticeships funding, the introduction of a new national living wage and the continued roll out of auto enrolment and we can’t yet fully appreciate what impact these might have on business.

“Overall, today’s figures demonstrate that our flexible and vibrant labour market remains a source of strength for the economy, but more must be done to support the businesses that fuel the Midlands Engine and, in turn, UK plc.

“Business policy needs to reduce barriers to growth and provide the right support and environment to facilitate job creation, particularly in the production sectors, which is where the East Midlands’ real strength lies.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Local employer offers extra holiday for Challenge Derbyshire

19th January 2016

As 2016 is a leap year, employers are set to benefit from an extra day of work from employees on Monday 29^th February at no extra cost. In light of this, businesses are being challenged to offer an extra day of holiday in exchange for employees making a donation to three local charities.

Part of the new #ChallengeDerbyshire campaign, run by Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust, it is hoped this latest challenge will raise much needed funds to support patients with life-limiting illnesses across North Derbyshire.

Markovitz on Whittington Moor in Chesterfield is the first business to sign up to offer staff an extra day of holiday in return for them making a donation to the three charities. Chief Executive, Rob Turner said:-

“Our staff work hard every year so when #ChallengeDerbyshire asked us to offer them a days holiday in exchange for a donation, I couldn’t say no. Our staff are paid monthly so we won’t be paying them any more in February with it being a leap year so it doesn’t actually cost us anything.

“We have asked staff to donate 50% of a day’s salary and they can take their extra day’s holiday at any time throughout the year. We hope this will raise a lot of money for these three local charities who really need our support.”

One employee, Gemma Wray, was quick to take part. She said: “When I heard from my manager that Markovitz were offering this I thought ‘What an absolutely brilliant idea!’

“The extra day will benefit me and three truly amazing charities. Company employees pay half of what they would normally earn in a day to Challenge Derbyshire and receive an extra days holiday from the company in return. The company get their extra day of trading and everyone’s a winner, especially the charities!

“From personal experience I know Blythe House, one of the three charities that make up Challenge Derbyshire, offer amazing and well needed support to not only the people affected by a terminal illness but their family members too. I don’t know where we would be without them!”

Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hospice and Helen’s Trust have collaboratively met the needs of local patients through their variety of services for many years. Mary Atkinson, who was diagnosed with Corticobasal Syndrome 5 years ago, is just one of the many patients that receive care and support from all three charities. Her husband and full time carer, Bob, shares his story on the help they’ve both received from the local charities.

Bob says, “For a while I felt like everything was closing in on me. I was finding it really difficult to cope and there were concerns about my health in terms of depression. But the support I received from all three charities really helped me deal with everything – they’ve really helped both of us. It’s much better that I can look after Mary in our own home because that’s what we would both prefer, her here with me. I wouldn’t have been able to look after Mary without the support of these organisations. Because of them, we can continue living our normal lives.”

Ashgate Hospicecare, Blythe House Hopsice and Helen’s Trust joined together last December to form #ChallengeDerbyshire. Supporters can also join in by choosing their own challenge by videoing themselves pledging to complete a challenge to raise money for three local charities and using the hashtag #ChallengeDerbyshire when posting to Facebook and Twitter.

If you are an employer and would like to get involved in the leap year challenge please email challengederbyshire@gmail.com or visit www.challengederbyshire.org.uk for more information.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Cricket Derbyshire seeks charity partners

19th January 2016

Local charities can now apply to be one of Cricket Derbyshire’s official charity partners for 2016.

Three partners will be selected to work closely with the club as well as with the Derbyshire Cricket Board and the Cricket Derbyshire Foundation throughout the year to support the charity’s fundraising efforts and to increase recognition for its cause.

Derbyshire will also promote all three charities through their channels of communication, as well as donating signed cricket memorabilia for fundraising events.

The selection process will focus on association with Derbyshire, project delivery within the county, previous partnership work and the opportunity for Cricket Derbyshire to make a real difference.

Commercial Director, Ryan Duckett said: “We have worked with chosen charities for the past three years and we hope to develop similar successful partnerships in 2016.

“This is a great opportunity for us to use our profile and network to enhance the incredible charity work that is already being done across the county.

“As well as providing exclusive support for our three charity partners – in terms of player appearances, hosting events and fundraising activities – we have also donated almost £20,000 worth of tickets and merchandise to support good causes across the county.”

Charities can be local or national but must be active in the county of Derbyshire. Applications should aim to demonstrate a relevance to cricket in Derbyshire and a positive impact on the local community.

Any registered charity interested in becoming an official partner should email with an expression of interest to info@derbyshireccc.com or write to the Official Charity Partner panel at

Cricket Derbyshire
The 3aaa County Ground
Nottingham Road
Derby
DE21 6DA

The deadline for applications is Friday 19^th February 2016.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure

Franke Sissons donates to Nenna Kind

13th January 2016

Chesterfield firm Franke Sissons has once again shown its generosity by making a £500 donation to local cancer charity, Nenna Kind. The charity is close to the company’s heart having received regular donations from Franke over the last few years.

Located in the heart of the town on the 3^rd floor of Dents Chambers, Nenna Kind offers support and provides services for cancer sufferers and their families which other statutory bodies in the area don’t make available. Last year, with the support from local organisations, the charity were able to fund a minibus which operates twice daily service to Weston Park hospital, enabling patients and their families to attend appointments which they may have previously found too stressful to attend.

Barbara Wallace from Nenna Kind commented: “The donations we receive from local companies are essential for continuing the work we do here and we can’t thank Franke Sissons enough for continuing to support us over the last few years.”

Image: Barbara Wallace and Ann Smith from Nenna Kind receiving cheque from Dale Hardy (Franke Sissons)

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Top local leaders make final call for devolution deal feedback

13th January 2016

Sheffield City Region’s top political and business figures are calling on residents and businesses to have their say on a proposed deal which will mean greater power and funding for the local area.

There are now only a few days left to take part in the Sheffield City Region proposed devolution deal consultation which closes on Friday 15th January.

The proposed deal, which will mean £900m of additional funding and more power to make important economic decisions locally, has been welcomed by a number of local business leaders from across the Sheffield City Region. In October 2015, local politicians and business leaders secured the in-principle deal with the Chancellor George Osborne to transfer national powers and control over funding from national Government departments to the Sheffield City Region – as well as securing a massive £900 million additional cash boost over the next thirty years to deliver major regeneration, infrastructure and business growth schemes.

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s business marketing campaign, said: “I would urge all local businesses to take part in the consultation.

“Chesterfield’s position within the Sheffield City Region means we do a lot of business with neighbouring towns and cities in the region. Devolution will give the town a seat at a more influential ‘local’ table not to mention more control over our own financial affairs.

“It could also help bring potential funding to the area further boosting our ambitious plans for growth and development in the area over the next 10 years.”

Sir Nigel Knowles, Chairman of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said:

“I believe that it is important that local businesses and residents take part in this consultation and help make our proposed deal a reality. The proposed deal has the potential to accelerate local business growth and create more and higher paid jobs in the area. By transferring powers and funding from Government, this deal will give local leaders, who better understand what is needed to grow our economy, the powers needed to maximise local business growth.”

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority said:-

“Our in-principle deal with Government is focused on being able to grow businesses faster and create more and better jobs opportunities for local people. These are issues that people really care about and so I encourage residents and businesses to make time to respond to the consultation before it closes at the end of the week.”

Local Leaders will be negotiating details of the proposed deal over the coming months but they are now consulting on the proposed deal so that they have the views of the people in the City Region before they finalise any deal. Local Leaders recognise that further work needs to continue to clarify issues in relation to the Mayor in any majority vote (to ensure the right checks and balances are in place) and potential amendments to achieving their preferred geography for the region (to seek maximum flexibility for all types of authorities to be part of combined authorities).

The deal needs to be formally approved by each of the local councils within the Sheffield City Region and is also dependent upon the Government delivering on the promises it has made in this and previous deals, and the city region agreeing to the creation of a directly-elected Mayor.

The deal covers a range of themes including transport, skills, creating new jobs, inward investment and support to help local businesses export as well as committing to working with Government on new ways to incentivise local growth.

For more information and to take part in the consultation visit www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk. Residents and businesses can have their say by taking part in the online consultation before Friday 15 January.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Up to £2m available for business growth

11th January 2016

Up to £2million in funding could be loaned to businesses looking to grow and create more jobs, as part of an opportunity launched today by the local enterprise partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, D2N2.

D2N2 – a private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, community organisations and others which promotes economic growth locally – is now inviting applications to its Growing Places Fund (GPF).

GPF enables businesses and public sector organisations (for example, local authorities) to apply for loans to kick-start stalled capital developments or expansion plans, which will directly grow the economy.

The next round of loans to individual companies or organisations will be between £200,000 and a maximum of £2 million, and must be to finance capital (building) to help further businesses.

Funded projects must be located within D2N2’s area; covered by the administrative boundaries of Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils.

Funding is limited and preference will be given to projects which deliver on D2N2’s priorities and key areas of economic focus.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 LEP, said: “We have already seen a great deal of success with the Growing Places Fund, providing more than £16m to help small and larger businesses access the missing finance they need to grow and create additional jobs.

“Factors we will be looking at when making a decision on the GPF applications we receive will be the economic impact of the project and how quickly investments can be repaid, so we can support other schemes.”

Applications must be submitted by 12pm on Friday February 26.

More information on the Growing Places Fund and guidance on how to apply for this funding can be found on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership website now at www.d2n2lep.org/GPF

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Digital autopsy technology wows Chesterfield College students

7th January 2016

A former student of Chesterfield College has returned to demonstrate an incredible piece of technology designed to carry out a digital autopsy. The equipment avoids the need for an invasive post mortem and helps to gather vital evidence to help seal convictions in criminal investigations.

Roger Stevenson-Revill, now the IT and Systems Manager at Malaysian based iGene, the company behind the cutting edge technology, grew up in Matlock and studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Computer Studies at Chesterfield College more than 20 years ago. He went on to earn a BTEC HND and BSc in Computer Science at Derby University before starting his working life in ICT in the education, commerce and healthcare sectors.

A packed lecture hall, full of digital experts of the future, was fascinated to hear about Roger’s role in developing the technology that had been used to create a system which uses advanced X-ray hardware coupled with the latest 3D imaging to create an intricate exterior and interior image to investigate a range of issues, from cause of death to bullet trajectories.

Sheffield is home to one of only three facilities in the UK offering the digital autopsy service at the moment, but to satisfy growing demand there are 12 more facilities planned by the end of 2017.

Roger told students about his career path and what skills he feels they will need to make their mark in the industry. He said:

“It was a pleasure meeting the current cohort of digital technologies students who clearly have a passion for the subject. It’s great to show them where a career in ICT can take them. Although I went to university I actually had a really bad time at school so Chesterfield College was a welcome alternative and I never looked back from there.

“Coming back here, I’ve seen an incredible difference in the place. It has fantastic facilities for anyone looking to get the vital technical skills that the industry needs. Chesterfield College seems to be keen to develop the other skills that students will need to make them employable too such as compassion, professionalism, customer service skills and excellent time management.”

James Thomson, Digital Technologies Career Pathway Leader said:

“It’s our job to give people the skills they need but we also need to inspire them to use what they have learnt. When ex-students come and share their experiences of life after college it leaves the students with something to aim for. Roger has really made our students think about where they might be in 20 years. What a fantastic opportunity to show people where their skills can take them and what an impact on society digital technologies can make.”

Photo: Roger Stevenson-Revill returns to Chesterfield College to demonstrate Digital Autopsy technology to students.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield