About Chesterfield

Handelsbanken bolsters local team to meet growing demand

Handelsbanken Chesterfield has appointed a new Corporate Banking Manager in response to increasing demand for its local relationship banking services.

Steve Wicks joins the fast-growing relationship bank with over 25 years of banking experience. He will be involved in developing existing customer relationships as well as welcoming new customers to Handelsbanken’s bespoke approach to local banking.

A strong focus on long-term relationships and high levels of personal service has seen the bank rated top for customer satisfaction eight years running in an independent survey of British banks’ personal and business customers*. Branches are responsible for making all day-to-day banking decisions based solely on their customers’ requirements, free from product and lending targets or bonus incentives.

Steve commented:-

“What attracted me to Handelsbanken was its focus on serving the customer. As experienced local bankers we have the power to make all the decisions that matter to our customers, swiftly and sensibly here in the branch. The bank continues to grow locally through our reputation for providing our customers with extremely high levels of service.”

The branch, established in 2012 and located on Spire Walk Business Park, has developed a reputation for traditional banking, financial strength and high standards within the local business and professional services community.

Phil Walker, Branch Manager, added: –

“I am very pleased to welcome Steve and his substantial experience to our team. His appointment means that we can continue to meet the growing needs of both existing and new customers in our area, whilst maintaining the high levels of service for which we are renowned.”

Originally from Sweden, Handelsbanken now has over 800 branches in more than 20 countries and was named the world’s fourth safest commercial bank, by Global Finance magazine. At a time when strength and stability is of particular importance to customers, the bank enjoys the highest credit ratings of all the major UK-based banks. This reflects Handelsbanken’s strong financial position, long-term focus and prudent, consistent approach to banking through all economic conditions.

Handelsbanken

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Royal becomes the first in the region to provide safer sleep Baby Boxes

The Chesterfield Royal Hospital has become the first hospital in the region to offer new Mums ‘ Baby Boxes ’ for their newborn baby to aid safer sleep.

Baby Boxes are part of an educational package for new mums with the sole aim of encouraging safer sleeping. It provides the baby with a safe place to sleep, a secure mattress and comes with a waterproof mattress cover, a pack of baby grows and nappies to give babies a safe start in life. It is handed to new Mums as soon as they can show that they have completed the online training.

Margaret Dennett is a Midwife at the Royal and has been leading on bringing the scheme to the Royal, she said:-

“This initiative was introduced in Finland 75 years ago and the mortality rate amongst babies fell from 65 per thousand babies to less than three which is incredible. It’s such a simple concept aimed at teaching parents to provide a safe place for their baby to sleep.

“Once the parents leave the hospital with their new baby we can’t monitor them, we can only advise but with the Baby Box we can give each baby an equal start. We can’t know where a Moses Basket or mattress has come from, it could have been passed down from one child to another and not as clean as it should be. These boxes are easy to clean and disinfect, we know that the mattress is of a safe standard and we can be certain that we’re sending new parents and baby home with everything they need for a safe night’s sleep from the very first occasion.”

The Baby Boxes are a very recent addition to the UK and only a handful of Trusts in the country have so far taken up the concept. Cards explaining more about the boxes, what they are for and how to access the training will be handed out to ladies by midwives at 16 weeks. The training is straightforward and involves a number of educational videos followed by a short quiz; a certificate of completion can be printed off, handed to the Birth Centre and a Baby Box will be provided when they’re ready to go home with the new baby.

Margaret added:-

“I first saw this at a Royal College of Midwifery conference and was impressed by its simplicity and what it has achieved in Europe in terms of reducing mortality rates in young babies. I brought it back to show our Head of Midwifery and she agreed that we needed to look into it. We both love the idea and what it stands for and are delighted to be able to offer it to our new mums.

“It provides parents with a resource to look back on, the training pack can be accessed whenever they need it, and also peace of mind. We’re delighted to be a part of this and offer further support to parents to help keep their babies safe.”

Baby Boxes

Posted in About Chesterfield

Royal Hospital celebrates ‘Good’ rating from Quality Care Commission

More than 3,700 staff make up the team at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and they’re celebrating today (May 17 2017) – with the fantastic news that their hospital has been awarded a ‘GOOD’ rating from the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.

This means the Royal is one of 52 out of 174 acute NHS trusts nationally to have achieved ‘green’ in each of the five domains the Care Quality Commission (CQC) used to rate an NHS organisation.

The result follows a plan of improvement that staff across the hospital have worked on since the CQC’s initial visit in 2015, when it was given a ‘requires improvement’ rating for some aspects of its services.

Simon Morritt, Chief Executive of the Royal, explains:-

“There are thousands of individuals working here to provide high-quality patient care and services. Everyone one of them plays a vital role as part of a 3,700 strong team. This rating is their success and we are absolutely delighted for them.  Through their commitment and support they’ve taken positive action to make a difference – and have proved our hospital deserves to be ‘GOOD’. I congratulate and thank all of them for the contribution they have made to this result.”

Professor Sir Mike Richards, the Chief Inspector of Hospitals, said:-

“Overall, Chesterfield Royal Hospital provides good care to the population that it serves. Since our inspection in April 2015, the trust has made significant improvements to ensure there was a positive culture change and they’ve had a focus on wanting to improve the quality and safety of the care being delivered to patients.”

In its report about the hospital the CQC highlights the fact that staff teams and the Board of Directors invite patients in to the hospital to talk about their first-hand experiences (good and bad) – in order to help improve care and services and share good practice.  These stories have had a real impact – helping teams and directors to see care differently and from the patients’ perspective.  New ways of working, changes to clinical practice and better patient information are just some examples of how listening to patients in this way leads to positive improvements.

The report also commends the hospital for its leadership – and describes how people work together effectively, with a clear vision of what they want the hospital to achieve, as well as understanding what risks the organisation faces.

There was one particular area the Care Quality Commission wanted to see improve – and that was the response rate and results of the hospital’s national NHS Staff Survey.

Mr Morritt says:-

“We completely agree with this recommendation.

“We not only want to be known for providing great care to patients, but as a great place for our staff to work – and we are already working to make sure this happens.  Staff concerns about some parts of our leadership structure, about having the ability to act on ideas and about having the ability to speak our freely are being addressed. Over the next few months we’ll see a huge push on staff engagement so everyone has the opportunity to contribute their ideas to improved patient care.”

“We hope staff feel proud that they have been responsible for taking Chesterfield Royal Hospital from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘GOOD’.  It brings our Trust’s ambition to achieve the CQC’s ‘outstanding’ rating one step closer – and with their continued support we will get there.”

Royal Hospital

Posted in About Chesterfield

Exceptional year of fundraising from the mayor’s appeal

Kind-hearted Chesterfield residents have donated £29,000 to local causes in the past 12 months through the mayor’s appeal.

During their term of office from May 2016 to May 2017, Chesterfield’s mayor, Councillor Steve Brunt and his wife and mayoress, Mrs Jill Mannion-Brunt, supported by a dedicated team have organised more than 30 events to support building the new Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Accessible Derbyshire.

These events have included a charity beer festival at the Assembly Rooms in Chesterfield Market Hall, a ‘fish and fizz’ event, a Christmas jumper night and a sporting dinner with Matthew Hoggard MBE.

In addition, Councillor Brunt also entered a relay team into the Chesterfield Marathon last September where he was joined by Councillor John Dickinson, Councillor Amanda Serjeant and Chesterfield Borough Council’s chief executive, Huw Bowen.

They also organised the Whistle for the Somme event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme last summer.

Councillor Steve Brunt, mayor of Chesterfield 2016/17 said:-

“We have had a great year and our fundraising team have worked tirelessly throughout and the generosity of Chesterfield people helped us to realise such a fantastic sum of monies and much needed funds for our two charities”.

Councillor Brunt and Mrs Mannion-Brunt presented a cheque with money raised from the mayor’s appeal. to both charities in a ceremony held in the mayor’s parlour at Chesterfield Town Hall.

the mayor's appeal.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield’s Northern Tea Merchants host the South Korean Tea Masters

12 South Korean Tea Masters chose Northern Tea Merchants on Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, for a stop on their recent tea tour of the UK.

Northern Tea Merchants was just one of a number of stops on the tea tour for the students which was organised by the internationally renowned tea master, Professor JD Park, who is Director of the Beverage Masters Association, Founder of T-World and even a judge in the World Tea Competition. Other stops in the visit included Twinings’ London and Woburn Abbey for a special afternoon tea in The Duchess’ Tea Room.

As part of their visit to Chesterfield, Director of Northern Tea Merchants, James Pogson who is also President of the UK Tea & Infusions Association, gave a guided tour of the 58-year old company’s blending room and tea packing operation which is located behind the company’s shop and café on Chatsworth Road.

Northern Tea Merchants Ltd is an expanding third generation family business of Tea Bag Manufacturers, Coffee Roasters and Packers of Teas, Coffees and Gourmet Chocolate Products. They employ 27 local people, making approx 100 million tea bags per year and roasting some 300 tonnes of coffee per year including about 6% of the UK’s Fairtrade Organic Coffee.

Ensuring a true Derbyshire experience, as part of the visit, the Korean Tea Masters were treated to a cup of English Breakfast Tea and an internationally famous Bakewell Tart in The Pekoe Café at Northern Tea Merchants.

James said of the visit:-

‘I’ve known Professor JD Park professionally since 2013 when he looked after me on a couple of visits to South Korea and during the World Tea Competition, so it was an absolute delight to be able to return the favour and entertain him and his students’ during their visit to the UK.

“It was excellent to have so many tea professionals in one place. They were all so appreciative of the tour and talk and it was a pleasure to give everyone a sample of our teas to remind them of their visit to Chesterfield and our Crooked Spire!”

Northern Tea Merchants

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Vote now in the 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

People are being urged to vote for their favourite restaurants, food producers, bars, cafes, pubs and tearooms in the 2017 Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield, and sponsored by Chesterfield College, the prestigious awards recognise the very best food, drinks, service and venues in the town’s growing hospitality sector.

Nominations can be made online at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards across 10 categories in the popular awards which return for the fifth year running. Nominations close at midnight on 12th June 2017.

The winners will be announced at a celebrity-hosted awards ceremony at Chesterfield College’s Heart Space building in October later this year.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager is now urging people to get nominating. He said: “Each year we get more and more nominations proving that we’re a town that appreciates good food and customer service. I hope people will get behind us once again and vote and help make the 2017 Food and Drink awards the best yet.”

Julie Richards, Principal of Chesterfield College, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards again this year. It is wonderful to be able to play such an integral part in celebrating the best of the local food and drink industry. Our catering and hospitality students are the potential award winners of the future so the fact that they can play such an important part in the competition and the awards event in October really inspires them and helps to give them the skills they need.”

The 10 categories in which you can nominate in the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards include:

  • Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year – sponsored by Custom Solar
  • Gastro Pub of the Year – sponsored by Arvato
  • Pub / Bar of the Year – sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
  • Best Newcomer – sponsored by BHP Accountants
  • Best Customer Service – sponsored by East Midlands Chamber
  • Best Out of Town (within 10 miles of Chesterfield) – sponsored by Shorts Accountants
  • Chesterfield Food Producer – presented by Chesterfield College
  • International Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by MSE Hiller
  • Family Friendly Award – sponsored by Jumble Design

Other supporters of the awards include the Derbyshire Times, Peak FM, the Crooked Spire Church, Casa Hotel, Mitchells Accountants and Business Advisors, Owen Taylor & Sons, ra Information Systems, Black Eyed Susan, Franklin and Sons Ltd, Addooco, Steve Faulkner and Reflections.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Leisure, Visiting

Don’t miss deadline to register to vote in general election

Residents are being urged by Chesterfield Borough Council to ensure they register to vote in the general election taking place on Thursday 8 June.

The deadline for people who are not currently registered to do so is midnight on Monday 22 May. Anyone who has failed to register by this time will be unable to cast their vote in the general election.

Residents are also being reminded that being on the electoral register improves their credit rating which helps increase the chances of successfully applying for things like credit cards, mobile phone contracts, mortgages or loans.

To register, simply visit the website here.

Huw Bowen, Chesterfield Borough Council’s chief executive and electoral registration officer, said:-

“It only takes a few minutes to register to vote through the website. All you need to hand is your date of birth, address and National Insurance number.

“People often don’t realise that by being registered to vote you not only get the chance to have your say on the way the country is run but you also improve your credit rating instantly. This is used by companies when they are making decisions on whether to agree to loans or other credit arrangements.

“Anyone who is already registered doesn’t need to do so again. They will have already received poll cards enabling them to vote on 8 June.”

Residents living in the Chesterfield borough with any queries about electoral registration can contact the council’s elections team on 01246 345402 or email elections@chesterfield.gov.uk.

register to vote

Posted in About Chesterfield

Start-up business wins major rail contracts

Contracts totaling £100,000 within the rail industry have been won by start-up business The Sanitaryware Supplies Company.

The online business, which was established last year, is the brainchild of Andy Dukelow, the former Managing Director of Chesterfield-based Franke Sissons.

The company, which supplies a range of commercial sanitaryware and for healthcare, transport, stadiums, schools, sanitary bin service and public washrooms nationally, builds on Andy’s 35 years’ experience in market leading design, specification and knowledge across all commercial sanitaryware market sectors.

As part of the contract wins, The Sanitaryware Supplies Company is supplying grab poles, socket boxes and plates for power sockets as part of a major carriage refurbishment project for Trains Bits and More Limited. Additionally, the company is supplying parts for toilet systems as well as fascia panels for contracts with Bombardier and Arriva respectively.

Neil Smith, Trains Bits and More Limited Director, said:-

“We have extensive expertise and some great facilities at our Cheshire site, but working alongside a proven supplier of top-class washroom products is a real bonus for us.

“Moreover, Sanitaryware Supplies have some superb engineering workshops themselves, and they have already provided us with the necessary capacity to supply bespoke electrical backboxes and casings for our ongoing roll-out of three-pin and USB power sockets to several train companies.

“Looking forward, with increased skills and resources across two respected companies, we can provide a one-stop service to train operators looking to refurbish their fleet’s passenger toilet and washroom facilities.”

As well as having an online presence, The Sanitaryware Supplies Company also offers a traditional design and manufacturing service, with bespoke stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium projects, manufactured in Chesterfield.

Andy Dukelow, Managing Director of The Sanitaryware Supplies Company,  commented:-

“There is a gap in the market for a quality stainless steel sanitaryware supplier, especially in custom made fabrication which is supported by a technical and after sales service that you can only deliver by having 35 years’ industry experience. Because of this, the business has really hit the ground running and I am winning sizeable national contracts which are contributing to the future success of The Sanitaryware Supplies Company.”

Sanitaryware supplies

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield welcomes new mayor Councillor Maureen Davenport

Chesterfield welcomes its 377th mayor as Councillor Maureen Davenport takes on the role for the coming year.

The new mayor took up her new role at Chesterfield Borough Council’s annual council meeting held on Wednesday 10 May.

Councillor Davenport is a Liberal Democrat councillor and has served Brockwell ward since 2007.

During her time as a councillor, she has served on the appeals, planning, employment and general, and markets’ consultative committees and served as deputy leader of the council’s Liberal Democrat group.

She was born in Chesterfield and has lived in the borough all her life except for her student says which were spent in London. Her working life was spent as a teacher in Derbyshire.

She was married to Robert until his death in 2000 and has a daughter, Linda, a son, Andrew and four grandchildren.

Councillor Davenport said:-

“I feel very honoured to be mayor of Chesterfield and will carry out the role to the very best of my ability.

“I enjoy meeting people and look forward to interacting with as many residents as possible in their various activities during my mayoral year.”

The new mayor will be supported by her friend and mayoress, Liz Archer.

They take up their posts two weeks after Councillor Tricia Gilby and Councillor Amanda Serjeant took over as the council’s leader and deputy leader. It means that for the first time in the council’s history there is an all-woman executive and civic leadership.

Residents are invited to attend the civic service at St Mary and All Saints’ Church, the Crooked Spire, on Saturday 13 May from 11am.

The service will be led by the mayor’s chaplain, Revd Janet Quick, and the church’s incumbent, Revd Patrick Coleman.

There will be a civic procession from the Town Hall to the church.

Anyone attending the service is asked to be seated for 10.40am before the procession arrives at the church.

The service will be followed by a further procession from the church to the Town Hall. There is likely to be congestion in the town centre and the car parks around the Town Hall will also be closed until after the service.

The mayor and mayoress will support two charities during their year of office: The new Macmillan Cancer Centre at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and the Chesterfield Child Contact Centre.

Councillor Davenport and Mrs Archer replace Councillor Steve Brunt and his wife, Jill Mannion-Brunt who served as mayor and mayoress in 2016/17.

Councillor Maureen Davenport

Posted in About Chesterfield, Visiting

Mitchells senior partner retires after nearly 50 years

The senior partner of Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Richard Trueman, has retired after nearly 50 years’ service with the firm.

He joined Mitchells in 1970 as a fresh-faced 18-year old from Chesterfield Boys School, now Brookfield Community School, and was made partner of the firm in 1978. He leaves 12 months ahead of Mitchells celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Richard leaves after 46 years’ service during which he has worked with around 1,200 clients. He leaves the firm in the hands of senior partner Tim Leeman, who is supported by fellow partners Andrew McDaid and Tony Hornsby, who were promoted in 2015 as part of the firm’s succession planning strategy ahead of Richard’s retirement.

Under Richard’s leadership, Mitchells has grown to become one of the leading firms of Chartered Accountants in Chesterfield and north east Derbyshire. From handwriting all accounts in ledgers when he joined, the firm has progressed to become a leader in its field for the adoption of technology, winning awards for its CloudMitchells online service.

Richard explained:-

“When I started my career we were still writing everything in ledgers, an Apple was something you ate; a Dell was a secluded valley and a calculator was the person who could add up fastest in the office. Things have certainly changed, however what has remained constant is the fact that the people continue to be at the heart of the firm.

“I have loved my time at Mitchells – all 46 years of it, and that’s because of the people. They have not only made coming to work fun, but also given me great personal pride in seeing so many of them develop their careers at Mitchells.

“I leave the firm in the very capable hands of my fellow partners. Mitchells goes into its 150th year in strong shape which I am confident will continue under the leadership of Tim, Tony and Andrew.”

Tim Leeman, partner at Mitchells added:-

“Myself and all staff and clients wish Richard well in his retirement. He is officially the longest serving member of staff and will be missed, but his legacy in the firm lives on in the strong team he has helped build here as well as the processes and technology he has put in place to make us one of the leading and longest established firms of Chartered Accountants in the area.”

Richard’s retirement was marked with a celebration for all staff and clients at Casa Hotel.

Mitchells senior partner

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Three main parties to take part in business hustings

The three main political parties will be represented at a hustings style General Election business briefing in Chesterfield next week.

Chamber research reveals that regional businesses have conquered initial fears over Brexit, and have demonstrated adaptability and flexibility under challenging circumstances. However, it is important that the understandable preoccupation with Brexit does not come at the expense of a number of other domestic concerns that firms still have on a variety of topical issues.

Against a backdrop of prevailing uncertainty inhibiting investment intentions, the aim of this session is to enable each party to clearly articulate what it stands for on a broad range of operating issues affecting the day-to-day activities of firms across the region.

Candidates confirmed to attend so far are Toby Perkins (Labour) , Nigel Mills (Conservative) and Tom Snowdon (LibDem) have all confirmed they will take part in the East Midlands Chamber and Destination Chesterfield hosted event.

Many local businesses, covering a cross section in terms of sector and size, are expected to attend the event to question candidates about where they stand on Brexit, support for business growth, jobs creation and security and the wider regional economy.

Chris Hobson, the Chamber’s Director of Policy, said:-

“There are many domestic issues that risk being shunted into the sidings as negotiations for Brexit and trade agreements with the rest of the world grab centre stage in politics.

“But it’s important that momentum is not lost in these matters and businesses, quite rightly, will be seeking assurances from electoral candidates that they will not let them get sidelined.”

The free event will be held at East Midlands Chamber’s office at Commerce House, Millenium Way, Dunston Road, Chesterfield from 5pm to 6.30pm on Thursday 18 May. If you are a local business and would like to be involved click here to book.

hustings

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business