About Chesterfield

Free Brexit helpline launched for East Midlands businesses

13th September 2016

Responding to continued uncertainty in the business community, East Midlands Chamber has partnered with law firm Eversheds to offer a free legal helpline to businesses that have queries on how different aspects of Brexit might impact their activity.

Areas that will be covered by the helpline include:

Employment issues
Commercial contracts
Intellectual Property
Funding arrangements
Business structures
Real estate
Other operating issues

Chamber members calling the lo-call rate number (0333 456 0480) will be offered one hour’s free over-the-phone advice by an expert from the Eversheds legal team.

The hotline will be managed by the Chamber, which will arrange for an expert from the Eversheds legal team to speak to callers.

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

“It is now 12 weeks since the landmark referendum result for the UK to leave the European Union, and companies remain confused about what will happen as we go through the Brexit process.

“While the full implications will only become clear once formal negotiations begin, there is work that businesses can start doing now in terms of the considerations they should be making with regards to those areas that we know are likely to be affected in some way, or where uncertainty is already having an impact.

“With over half of our members employing someone from a country in the wider EU, the main issue at the moment seems to be managing questions over what the status of these workers will be post-Brexit.

“But our members have also expressed concerns over intellectual property rights, continued funding for projects currently funded by EU money and the possibility of levies being laid against imports and exports.

“Working with Eversheds, we have set up the hotline so that our members can talk to legal experts to ensure that, even if they can’t at this stage have all the answers, they can at least ensure they’re asking the right questions to put themselves in the best possible position to overcome the uncertainty and realise the opportunities that Brexit will bring.”

James Fry, Partner at Eversheds said:-

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Chamber to help its members navigate through the uncertainty of Brexit.

“At Eversheds we are committed to giving clear, straightforward and objective advice on what exit from the EU may mean for businesses in the East Midlands. The issues are not the same for every business and we will ensure that our legal advice is tailored to specific needs.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield business begins shipboard testing for USCG Approval

13th September 2016

Chesterfield based business Cathelco have announced that their Evolution ballast water treatment (BWT) system has begun shipboard testing for U.S. Coast Guard Type Approval.

The system has been installed on the Svendborg Strait a 1085 TEU container ship owned by Carsten Rehder of Hamburg.

Julian Glogowski, Technical Director at Carsten Rehder, said:-

“From the start of this project to the final completion we appreciate the care and attention to detail from Cathelco, leading to a smooth, trouble free installation.

“We are very pleased with the outcome and look forward to continuing our relationship with Cathelco”

Peter Smith, Sales Director of Cathelco, said:-

“The system on the Svendborg Strait was installed a day ahead of schedule within a very confined area, demonstrating the flexibility of the equipment.”

The installation of the Evolution system was undertaken within 8 days at the Norderwerft yard in Hamburg. Commissioning and crew training was carried out on the ship’s first voyage.

Stewart Richard Ayre, Senior Project Manager at MPC Münchmeyer Petersen who oversaw the smooth running of the installation, said:-

“We are proud to be partners with Cathelco as the demand for BWT systems accelerates”

The Evolution system will supersede the original Cathelco BWT system which was launched in 2014 and already has IMO Approval and AMS certification. Prior installations include systems for ships ranging from ro-ro carriers to offshore supply vessels.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Consultation on future use of old sports centre site

12th September 2016

Councillors recently granted planning permission to demolish the old building, in Boythorpe Road, which closed when the new £11.25 million Queen’s Park Sports Centre opened in January.

A range of different possible future uses for the site have been considered and tested against four criteria. From these, the council’s preferred option is to have 3G all-weather multi-sport pitches on the site with a surface that can be used for football, hockey, rugby and athletics training and recreational use.

Chesterfield Borough Council is asking residents and businesses for their views on the preferred option – but also seeking alternative suggestions that meet the criteria the council is using to decide what the future use of the site should be.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The former sports centre sits next to the grade two star listed Queen’s Park so it is important that what goes there is in keeping with that heritage site and the strict planning rules that come with it.

“In an era of council budget cuts whatever goes on the site also needs to generate an income rather than cost tax payers more money.”

The borough currently has fewer 3G all-weather sports pitches than is recommended for a population of its size and the use would be in keeping with the sport and leisure heritage of the site.

Councillor Serjeant added: “While this is our preferred option at this stage no decisions have been taken. So as well as getting views on that option we also want to hear from anyone who has other great ideas and can show us how they would meet the criteria we are working to.”

The consultation runs from today (Monday 12 September) to Friday 21 October and can be found online, along with further information and a map of the site, at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/qpscsurvey

Paper copies are also available from the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Boythorpe Road; the Healthy Living Centre in Barlow Road, Staveley; and our customer service centre in New Square.

Drop-in consultation sessions will also be held on:

Monday 26 September in Morrisons, Chatsworth Road from 10am to 7pm
Thursday 6 October at Chesterfield Market Place from 10am to 3pm

There will also be a session held at Chesterfield College freshers’ fair to get the views of students.

All options have been tested against four principles that the site use should:

Generate income and not cost council taxpayers any extra money
Support Council Plan objectives to improve the quality of life for local people, support a thriving borough, and deliver value for money
Complement Queen’s Park, with its grade two star heritage listing, and other facilities in the town centre and borough
Be well-used throughout the year and provide added value for the community

The council has considered various options against these criteria and has provisionally ruled them out for the following reasons:

Indoor leisure provision e.g. ice rink/roller skating/soft play – operators of these facilities usually want ‘shed’ buildings and they would not be appropriate from a planning perspective. The council also doesn’t believe these uses would be financially viable without the council subsidising running costs.
Cultural use e.g. for exhibitions, artist studios, events – this use could complement the park but usually requires significant subsidies to operate.
Outdoor leisure provision eg high ropes, climbing, water features – while this type of use would add to the facilities offered at Queen’s Park, it is not felt financially viable without the council subsidising running costs.
To add an extension to the existing park – this would add to the cost of maintaining and improving the park and put pressure on already tight budgets.
Shopping – given planning policies this is not felt a suitable location.
Housing – while there is a need to increase town centre housing the council does not feel this is an appropriate use for the site.
Car parking – as there are car parks either side of the site, and spare capacity in other car parks, there is not felt to be demand for more in this location.
Restaurant/pub use – the council does not feel this use would complement the park and there are other locations that would be more appropriate
Selling the land – the council would have would have far less control on ensuring the use is appropriate to the park’s heritage setting.

Although these options have been provisional ruled out the council is happy to hear alternative views from individuals, businesses or sports groups who can show how they would be viable.

A decision on a future use is expected to be made by early 2017, once the consultation responses have been analysed and considered.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Sheffield City Region takes next step towards historic devolution deal

12th September 2016

This week the Sheffield City Region will submit the results of its consultation to the Secretary of State following a decision from the Combined Authority on Monday 12th September 2016.

This marks the next step in the Sheffield City Region’s devolution journey. Following the submission of the consultation summary it is now for the Secretary of State to progress with statutory Orders.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “The Sheffield City Region is committed to the substantial devolution of powers and funding including £1.3bn of investment through the Devolution Agreement. Today we have agreed to submit our consultation responses to the Secretary of State, which marks the next step on our devolution journey.

“The elected mayor is not yet a done deal. We are seeking clarity from Government on whether this is still needed as there are still significant concerns around the mayoral model amongst a number of city region authorities. We won’t make the final decision to go ahead unless we are absolutely sure that this is best possible outcome for our residents and that there are no other options open to us. Any decision on the mayor and any election timetable is therefore subject to these considerations.

“Our consultation results show that local residents and businesses are supportive of devolving additional powers to the Sheffield City Region and formalising Bassetlaw and Chesterfield as constituent members. This is another step on our devolution journey which puts Sheffield City Region in the driving seat.”

The Sheffield City Region expects to enter into dialogue with officials from Government about the content of the draft Orders which set out additional powers and functions which the Combined Authority is seeking and the governance changes needed to operate a Mayoral Combined Authority. This will include extending the boundaries of the Authority and to amend the Mayoral Election Order so that the election on 4 May 2017 includes residents from Bassetlaw and Chesterfield.

The consultation results show the following:

• The majority of residents, businesses and civic institutions who responded to the consultation supported the general principle of devolution and the proposals set out in the Scheme document
• In general, those who supported the proposals believed that the proposals would facilitate growth and improve the exercise of statutory functions
• However, support was not universal or unanimous and the consultation did raise issues and matters that the Secretary of State should have regard to when considering the nature and extent of future orders
• The consultation raised a number of alternatives and/or variations to the proposals in the Scheme.

Posted in About Chesterfield

New partnership heralds a new age for accounting and independent financial advice

12th September 2016

Two Chesterfield businesses, Start Financial Planning and Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, have joined forces to bring a fresh approach to financial planning for owner managed businesses in north east Derbyshire.

The collaborative working arrangement between the two businesses follows an increase in SMEs in the area now looking to grow following the pre-referendum uncertainty at the beginning of the year.

The low interest rates and grants now available has prompted businesses to turn to Mitchells for practical advice and help on accessing grants and finance, while Start Financial Planning is assisting business owners in protecting the future of the company and their personal finance ahead of potential Brexit uncertainty.

Michael Heath, director of Start Financial Planning, explained:-

“Historically financial advisers and accountants have worked independently of each other which is not necessarily in the best interests of business owners, particularly in the current economic climate.

“It made absolute sense to agree a collaborative working arrangement with Mitchells. By doing so we have created a one-stop-shop for owner managed businesses, offering practical advice in tax, accounting and investments, helping protect the financial future of the business for both the owner and employees.”

Richard Trueman, Managing Partner at Mitchells, added:-

“We’re delighted to have Start Financial Planning on board. Mitchells’ prides itself on both our practical accounting and business advice services, and the agreement with Start is a practical extension of this in response to client demand.

“Start shares our passion for helping SMEs achieve their growth potential and through our working partnership with Start, we are now able to offer our clients a better, seamless service when managing their business turnover and personal wealth.”

Later in the year, Start hopes to agree a further collaborative working agreement with a leading legal services firm in the area in order to deliver a fully comprehensive cradle to grave financial planning service for individuals and businesses in the area.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New head of Academy recruitment for Spireites

12th September 2016

Kevan Wildes has been named as the new head of recruitment for the Chesterfield academy.

Wildes has a wealth of experience in youth football. The 52-year-old was Derby County’s Yorkshire regional scout last season and prior to that he spent four-and-a-half-years overseeing Newcastle United’s recruitment in Yorkshire. He also had a spell as Sheffield United’s Under-12 coach.

Wildes, who is the head of lower school and teaches PE at Newfield School in Sheffield, is delighted to have been handed a key role with the Spireites. He said:-

“I’ve been looking to get into this sort of role for a while and I want to help take the academy forward.

“My remit is to feed players into the youth team who will hopefully get into the first team. We need more home-grown players.”

Academy manager, Mark Smith, said:-

“I am pleased to have been able to appoint Kevan, who I think will prove to be a valuable addition to the academy staff. I have known him for a number of years and he has recommended players to me in the past.”

Posted in About Chesterfield

New Station Link Opens in Chesterfield

7th September 2016

A week of events kicks off on 14 September, to celebrate the official opening of a new walking and cycling link to Chesterfield station.

School children, adults with disabilities, representatives from Chesterfield College, East Midlands Trains, local employers, Derbyshire County Council members and officers, national charity Sustrans and local walking and cycling groups will all join a ribbon cutting ceremony at the station on Friday 16th September.

The route, built by Derbyshire County Council with a government grant administered by Sustrans, provides an important missing link in the local cycle network. Residents and visitors can now walk or cycle safely off-road to the station all the way from Somersall via Queens Park.

Representatives from Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Cycle Campain (CCC) can be found at the railway station on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th September, promoting the route, handing out free Chesterfield Cycle maps and promoting the County Rider adult cycle training initiative.

The launch coincides with Cycle to Work Day, an annual national event which encourages everyone to cycle to work. Other events to celebrate the launch include an official ribbon cutting by Cllr Dean Collins, lead member for transport at Derbyshire County Council, to formally open the route on Friday 16th September and a Chesterfield Cycle in Style ride on Saturday 17th September. The Cycle in Style event, organised by Chesterfield Cycle Campaign, leaves Nonnas on Chatsworth Road at 10.30am for a short ride along the new station link and back through town to finish at the Vintage Tea Rooms. A prize will also be awarded to the best dressed rider

Matt Easter, Regional Director for Sustrans who administered a 1 million government grant to build the route said:-

“This is a fantastic project which will be a great asset to Chesterfield, providing a safe, healthy and pleasant alternative route to the station for residents and visitors and helping to relieve traffic congestion. Sustrans are delighted to have been involved in the project which was catalysed by a local Chesterfield volunteer.”

Chris Allen, Chair of the Chesterfield Cycle Campaign, who have produced 5,000 colour cycle maps to coincide with the opening of the route said:-

“We welcome the opening of the new link and hope it encourages more train commuters to think about walking or cycling to the station. There are many local employers along the route that can take advantage of a fast, free transport alternative that benefits their health.

“Studies have shown that each additional hour spent in a car per day is associated with an increase in the likelihood of obesity. Public health experts have suggested the NHS could save up to 6 billion a year by 2025 through increased levels of spending on cycle provision.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Leisure

Derbyshire’s biggest careers event is heading to Chesterfield

6th September 2016

There is just over a week to go until Chesterfield hosts this year’s Derbyshire Skills Festival − the county’s largest careers event.

Organised by Derbyshire County Council, the festival is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.

This year it is being held on Thursday 15 September 2016 at Queen’s Park Sports Centre. The event is free and will run between 3.30pm and 8pm.

More than 60 employers, colleges, training providers and voluntary organisations will be at the event offering the support and guidance needed to help make future career choices − all under one roof. There will also be ‘have-a-go’ activities allowing young people to test their skills and get first-hand experience of forensic science, 3D printing and the use of technology in manufacturing.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:-

“If you know someone aged 15 to 19 please encourage them to pop along to the Derbyshire Skills Festival.

“It’s Derbyshire’s biggest careers event and is the perfect opportunity for young people to find out about the options available to them when they leave Year 11 and to have a go at a few fun things too. Last year there were more than 11,000 visitors over three fantastic days.

“The festival is a great place for employers, education and training providers and voluntary organisations to show young people thinking about their future what they have to offer.”

There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Posted in About Chesterfield

Chesterfield community invited to nominate ‘super’ hospice heroes

6th September 2016

Ashgate Hospicecare is inviting the Chesterfield community to give their nominations for the hospice’s recently launched staff recognition awards, which highlight staff members’ outstanding contributions to hospice care, services and supporting activities.

The awards will focus on seven award categories, which are based on the goals of Ashgate Hospicecare: care, innovation and influence. The hospice believes special recognition should be given to those who really have gone above and beyond in the work they do.

Matt Corbishley, Director of HR and Workforce Development at Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the Hospice and to be able to launch our new Hospice Heroes Awards. The outstanding care we provide to patients and their families is not down to luck, it’s down to the compassion, commitment, and innovation that our staff display on a daily basis; whether they are directly delivering care, working in one of our many shops, or providing an essential support function.”

“The new Hospice Heroes Awards are a great way of recognising and thanking our staff, and of sharing more widely some of the truly impressive and often humbling work that goes on at the Hospice, in our shops and in the community.

“We would like to invite the public as well as colleagues to share their experiences of exceptional examples of Care, Innovation or Influence shown by our staff, whether by an individual or a team, by taking part in the Hospice Heroes nominations process.”

Anybody who has been affected by the service provided by Ashgate Hospicecare can submit their nominations. Forms, along with ballot boxes to post them in, are available at the hospice and in all of its retail outlets. Alternatively, nominations can be submitted online: ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/hospice heroes

Posted in About Chesterfield

Golden Year for Chatsworth Country Fair

6th September 2016

Baking superstars Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry joined Olympic Medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill to ensure a golden year for the Chatsworth Country Fair in front of tens of thousands of visitors.

As honorary Country Fair President, Jessica Ennis-Hill opened the annual event on Friday alongside the Duke of Devonshire. The Grand Ring delivered an action-packed schedule on all three days, with show-stopping entertainment coming from The Imps Motorcycle Display Team, the hugely popular Household Cavalry Musical Ride; and a parachute display from Jump4Heroes.

The crowds were also be treated to an awe-inspiring aerobatic display by the Red Arrows. The Royal Air Force team famous for their trademark combinations of close formation flying, dynamic loops and rolls, appeared on Friday and Sunday.

Over in the Aga Rangemaster Cookery Theatre, a star-studded line-up of top TV food celebrities shared their top culinary tips, led by Great British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood on Friday; queen of baking and show favourite Mary Berry on Saturday.

After opening the show Jessica Ennis-Hill travelled around the showground meeting visitors, exhibitors and performers. “I have always loved visiting Chatsworth – it is such a beautiful venue with the most amazing grounds. It is not far from home and when I get a day off I often visit for a walk and relax. Now I have a little boy I enjoy visiting the adventure play area with him and we always pop into the farm shop on the way home for a few bits of local produce.”

The Duke of Devonshire: “We’ve seen some wonderful performances including the Household Cavalry and, of course, the Red Arrows, and we’ve been delighted to have Jessica Ennis-Hill as Country Fair President. They’re all great ambassadors for our country and I’m sure the thousands of visitors who have been here for the past few days have enjoyed seeing them as much as we have.”

Jessica Ennis-Hill joins an illustrious list of fair presidents from BBC gardening favourite Alan Titchmarsh, England cricketer Michael Vaughan and IAAF President Sebastian Coe to Countryfile presenter Adam Henson and the Olympic rower and former Red Sock Matthew Pinsent CBE.

Dates for next year’s Chatsworth Country Fair have been confirmed as 1-3 September 2017.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Gardens & Gourmet poised to boost visitors to Peak and Derbyshire

5th September 2016

Key overseas markets in Europe and the USA are set to be targeted as the Peak District and Derbyshire celebrates news that it is one of several tourist boards to win a share in a £40 million push to promote England to the world.

Tourism bosses at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire are delighted to be among five leading destinations to successfully bid for £240,000 from a first-year pot of £6.5 million in national tourist board VisitEngland’s Discover England Fund (DEF).

The tourist board will work in close collaboration with colleagues at Visit Kent, Marketing Cheshire, Visit Essex and Visit Herts to develop a Gardens & Gourmet project showcasing each area’s outstanding gardens and first class culinary offer.

The first-year DEF funding will be complemented by a total of £85,000 in in-kind contributions and match funding from the five destination teams.

It will focus on both established markets such as Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands and the USA, as well as potential staying visitors from the UK, as part of VisitEngland’s strategy to ensure that England stays at the cutting edge of the competitive global tourism industry.

The main aim will be to create bookable packages for international tourists that will not only admit them to attractions, but will also feature insider tips, local recommendations and interactive media to give them a compelling and high-quality experience of the English countryside.

As well as playing a prominent role in the national offer, Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire will develop its own cluster of gardens and gourmet experiences, building on existing partnerships to involve leading attractions, places to stay and eat and personal recommendations and fresh perspectives from local ambassadors.

Research will be carried out from now until the end of March 2017, with a view to launching the packages next spring, in advance of the new RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2017, which will be staged from June 7 to 11.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said:-

“This is great news for the area during VisitEngland’s Year of the English Garden, and also as we look forward to the launch of the first-ever RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, which will be the focal point for much of our activity,

“Like the other destinations involved, the Peak District and Derbyshire has an extremely strong gardens and food and drink offer, and this will give us the opportunity to develop strategies to market it more effectively and bring in more staying visitors from both the UK and around the world.

“We’ll also be incorporating one of our unique selling points – the ancient custom of Well Dressing, exclusive to the area – as an added bonus, and look forward to working with a range of partners to capitalise on both our individual and shared assets in an increasingly competitive global industry.”

The project is one of seven unveiled at the start of the three-year DEF campaign by VisitEngland to capitalise on England’s wide ranging assets – everything from golf and long distance walks to seafood and a self-guided activity app.

Competition for cash was fierce. Sally Balcombe, Chief Executive of VisitEngland said:-

“We had an exceptionally high number of submissions, far outweighing the allocated funding available. Following a rigorous applications process we are delighted to work closely with those excellent winners on building world-class bookable tourism products showcasing the best of England to international and domestic visitors.

“The destinations in this successful project feature outstanding gardens and local food and drink offers, which will give visitors a new, high-quality sensory experience of rural England.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development