About Chesterfield

Sparkle Walk raises £168,371 for Chesterfield-based hospice

4th July 2016

Thousands of walkers geared up over the weekend to take part in the Blundells Sparkle Night Walk for Ashgate Hospicecare. The event, which is now recognised as Chesterfield’s largest, saw 2,000 people walk 10km around Chesterfield on Saturday night, raising a fantastic £168,371 for the local charity.

Organisers from Ashgate Hospicecare, alongside hundreds of volunteers, rallied together to ensure the annual walking event, which has become a significant fixture in the local calendar, ran smoothly and exceeded the thrill and sparkle it did the year before.

Leanne Collings from Clay Cross, Chesterfield who took part in the walk said:-

“The walk was absolutely brilliant. There was so much effort put in from both the organisers and participants. I was so proud to be part of something so fantastic for our community.”

Emma West from Holmewood, Chesterfield who was walking in memory of her uncle, John West, added:-

“I was near the front of the walkers and it was amazing to look back and see the sea of flashing bunny ears. The whole night was high-spirited and luckily, the weather held good and stayed dry.”

A number of local entertainment companies and local businesses all added to the event with an array of performances and giveaways, making the whole event a night to remember and one to go down in the history books.

Ian Appleyard, Director of Blundells Letting and Estate Agents, explained why the event was so important:-

“We are extremely proud to have been the main sponsor of the Sparkle Night Walk this year. Saturday night was just superb and it was great to see all the hard work put in really pay off for the hospice. The organisation of the event was first class, everyone seemed to have a brilliant time and we understand that participation and fundraising exceeded expectations.”

Events Fundraiser, Charlotte Gratton from Ashgate Hospicecare, said:-

“The event was absolutely amazing. To see everyone so excited and having such a great time whilst raising money for patients and their families in North Derbyshire made everything worthwhile.”

The money raised from the Sparkle Night Walk will go towards providing specialist palliative and end of life care across North Derbyshire and the High Peak and Dales. The Hospice provides its services free of charge to patients with any life limiting illness, and extended support to patients’ families.

Sparkle Night Walk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Funding to encourage businesses to cut vehicle emissions

4th July 2016

The Government has created a £19m fund to help the freight industry cut vehicle emissions, Transport Minister Andrew Jones announced this morning at the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership annual conference.

He also unveiled a low carbon HGV technology accreditation scheme, which will help to provide fleet operators in Chesterfield with independent validation of how much they could save by retrofitting ‘green’ technology to existing vehicles.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said:-

“Being environmentally aware isn’t just about reducing harmful emissions and saving the planet, it’s also about saving money and improving the bottom line for businesses.

“Offering independent validation of the potential savings to be made by adopting ‘greener’ technologies should encourage greater uptake by freight operators.

“£19m is a drop in the ocean, but it’s a step in the right direction and if it helps hauliers to better understand the technologies and the benefits to be gained from retrofitting them to older vehicles then it should be encouraged.

“Encouraging businesses to be more environmentally aware and to reduce their carbon footprint has been an important agenda for the Chamber in recent years and we fully support this initiative.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Residents urged to have their say on Chesterfield’s economic future

1st July 2016

Residents and businesses are encouraged to take part in a consultation on a devolution deal from the Government which aims to secure powers and funding to create new jobs and training opportunities for Chesterfield people.

The consultation runs from 1 July for six weeks, ending on 12 August and will give people the opportunity to have their say on one of the biggest decisions made by Chesterfield Borough Council in recent years.

Rather than decisions on issues which affect people day-to-day being made by ministers and civil servants in London, Sheffield City Region has negotiated a deal with the Government which will see £900 million in funding over 30 years and £484 million over the next five years handed to local decision makers.

In April this year, councillors from all three political parties represented on the council voted that Chesterfield Borough Council should become a full member of the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority

This would see the borough benefit in a share of this funding to:

Provide investment to bring former industrial sites back into use
Support start-up businesses and encourage existing businesses to grow
Provide skills and training for Chesterfield residents to ensure they have the skills they need for newly-created jobs
Invest in new housing
Provide better local transport links.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader, said:-

“It’s important that Chesterfield residents and businesses take part in the consultation and understand the issues at stake.

“In the next few years, we will create around 2,400 jobs for local people. This is thanks to funding from Sheffield City Region for projects including: the Northern Gateway, the Co-op redevelopment, Peak Resort, Markham Vale and Chesterfield Waterside.

“There is no plan B; we either accept the deal on offer and allow Chesterfield residents and businesses to share in the benefits or we miss out on the money and leave the powers with ministers and civil servants in London.”

Being a full member of the Sheffield City Region would not mean changes to services already offered by Chesterfield Borough Council including: refuse collection, street cleaning, leisure and park facilities, regeneration, housing, markets, theatres and tourism.

There are also no changes to the borough’s geographical boundaries. Chesterfield will remain part of Derbyshire. Derbyshire County Council will remain responsible for services including: education, children and young people’s services, adult care and libraries.

The only exception will be transport services. The mayor would have control over public transport to ensure services are more integrated to better serve the needs of local people. The County Council will continue to maintain roads in Chesterfield as at present.

Councillor Burrows added:

“I am proud to be from Derbyshire, I have said it time and again, I am Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred and in Derbyshire, I’ll lay my head.

“The deal is not about taking Chesterfield into Sheffield and giving away powers but about accessing powers and funding that will benefit local people and businesses.

“A share of £900 million over 30 years and £484 million over the next five years is a significant amount of funding and the proposed devolution deal would allow local people to have their say on how this is spent rather than being at the back of the queue when it comes to funding from the Government so it’s vital people engage in the process and have their say.”

There are two consultation events taking place for people to find out more.

The first is a public meeting at the Winding Wheel on Monday 11 July at 6.30pm. This is open to all residents and businesses in Chesterfield and will allow them to ask questions of the council’s leader, Councillor John Burrows and Chief Executive, Huw Bowen.

There will also be a drop-in session in Chesterfield’s Market Hall on Friday 15 July from 10am to 4pm.

People can take part in the consultation between 1 July and 12 August at: www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk. Paper copies of the consultation will also be available at the council’s Customer Service Centre in New Square.

The final decision on whether Chesterfield can be a member of the Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority and share in the benefits of the devolution deal will be made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the autumn ahead of mayoral elections in May 2017.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Uncategorised

Work starts to create 400 more new jobs at Markham Vale

29th June 2016

Automotive component specialists Ferdinand Bilstein UK are gearing up to move to Chesterfield’s flagship regeneration site now that work has started on the new distribution centre − creating up to 400 new jobs.

The firm will be moving its current distribution operations in Kent and Pontefract to a new purpose-built 225,000 square feet distribution centre to benefit from better transport links at Markham Vale located just off junction 29A of the M1.

Established in Germany in 1844, the company operates worldwide producing, marketing and distributing car parts for a range of vehicle makes and models including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover and Ford.

Paul Dodgson, Operations Director at Ferdinand Bilstein UK, said:-

“We are excited about being part of this high profile development. Building has now commenced at the Markham Vale site and we look forward to seeing the build completion at the end of the year.

“Markham Vale offers excellent transport links for our distribution requirements, and close proximity to some of our biggest customers. The new relocation will allow us to expand our company further, offering new opportunities on a local and national scale.”

The company’s new distribution centre will be the first business on the site’s third phase, Markham Vale North and is set to be completed by December this year creating around 150 jobs initially and a further 250 to follow.

Councillor Anne Western, Derbyshire County Council leader, said:-

“We’re delighted to see that work has now started on Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s new distribution centre at Markham, bringing up to 400 more new jobs to the area.

“The site’s convenient location just off junction 29A of the M1 continues to attract local and national businesses and as a result it’s providing work for existing local businesses in the construction industry.

“Markham Vale is central to our plans to boost the local economy and it’s good to know that it’s benefiting and contributing to the national economy as well by using British steel too.”

Ferdinand Bilstein UK’s new distribution centre will be built by our private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:-

“I am pleased to announce that work has now started on the 225,000 square feet distribution centre for Ferdinand Bilstein UK.

“The unit is the first to be developed on Markham Vale North and will benefit from the new Seymour Link access road, which will create easy access to M1 motorway networks.

“The company chose to part-relocate its operations due to the transport network and access that Markham Vale offers. We have had huge success with the Markham West and East sections of land, and are confident the North land will be no different, generating huge amounts of interest since its launch.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Escape Room arrives in Chesterfield

28th June 2016

Enter. Solve. Conquer [ESC] is Chesterfield’s new premier live action escape rooms. An alternative experience that differs from traditional Chesterfield nightlife; the live action escape rooms are an interesting and unique group activity where teams must work together to solve puzzles, crack codes and figure out how to escape the room before the time limit runs out.

The rooms not only let guests indulge in a variety of games and puzzles, but also provides a creative insight into the towns local history.

Gazz Hayes, speaking on behalf of Escape. Solve. Conquer, said:-

“I feel that Chesterfield was an obvious choice as the place to launch this business, as the vibrant nightlife and entertainment industry here will definitely welcome an escape room. We have plenty of choice for restaurants and drinks and now we can add something a little different.

“Being born in Chesterfield it felt very important for me to use the rich history of our area in the stories of the rooms, particularly in the first trio of rooms. The shadow of the Spire looms largely over the second room and the region as a whole is very much a character in the story.

“I don’t want to give too much away but this is a story that could not have been told anywhere else.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure

Chesterfield businesses urged to get on their bikes

28th June 2016

Chesterfield businesses are being urged to get on their bikes for the 2016 Derbyshire Workplace Cycling Challenge. The Workplace Challenge is a national workplace health programme coordinated locally by Derbyshire Sport; the initiative hopes to get more people cycling more often, whatever their ability or fitness level.

The month-long Cycling Challenge will run from July 1 to July 31, and is perfect for those who may have been inspired by the recent Aviva Women’s Tour which finished in the town centre in June.

Prizes will be on offer for workplace teams and individuals who take part by cycling to work, cycling on the road or along trails in their spare time, or by taking part in indoor cycling at the gym. Businesses that sign up can use a free online activity tracker and earn points to work their way up the leader board. Such prizes include:

A track session at Derby Arena
Free cycle hire for two people at Carsington Water
£25 Central Health voucher which can be used for any treatment at Central Physio, Central FootClinic or Central Osteopaths.

Rachael Dyer, Sport Development Officer at Derbyshire Sport, which runs the Workplace Challenge in Derbyshire, said:-

“The Derbyshire Workplace Challenge allows users to track how active they really are in a quick and informal way.

“The aim is to motivate workers to get more active and encourage their colleagues to do the same. We want to inspire people to make a few small changes to their working day which could help to make a real difference to their health and fitness. This could include cycling to work, hiring a bike and going cycling with friends or family at the weekend, or trying a spin class.

“More activity means more points, which will means users will not only soar up the leader board but they will see their fitness and energy levels rise too.”

New users can sign up for free at www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/derbyshire

Derbyshire Workplace Challenge

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Young Chef of the Year lands a job with top chef

28th June 2016

Since winning the accolade of Young Chef of the Year at the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards last October, Chesterfield College student, 19 year old, James Greatorex’s career has gone from strength to strength. His passion for food and expertise in the kitchen has just landed him his dream job with famous chef Heston Blumenthal.

The young chef is due to start working in Blumenthal’s famous restaurant, the Fat Duck in Berkshire, next month where he will work alongside other expert chefs in one of the many kitchens at the establishment, preparing food for customers who pay £255 for a unique dining experience.

James’ passion for cookery started at home at a young age where he would experiment with creating menus for his family. After leaving school he got a part time job in a kitchen of a local pub and came to college to enhance his skills. Following the his competition win last autumn, one of the judges, Chris Mapp from the Tickled Trout was so impressed with James that he gave him a job where he has been able to enhance the skills he was learning at college.

James said:

“Working in a professional kitchen, studying at college and taking part in the Young Chef of the Year competition has really helped me to get to this stage in my career. I have had a brilliant lecturer who has always allowed me to develop and experiment which meant I could practice new techniques. I learnt skills at college that I hadn’t seen before and then was able to put them into practice in a commercial environment at work. The competition taught me a lot about cooking under pressure and was good practice for when I did my trial at the Fat Duck.”

Ian Matthews, lecturer at Chesterfield College said:

“When James came for his interview before he started his course it was clear that he had massive potential. For someone of his age, the way he spoke about food, the recipes he’d worked on and his drive to work in the industry stood out. I am not surprised that he has been snapped up by such a high profile restaurant so early in his career and we know he’ll go on to achieve great things.”

James has also been a massive inspiration for the three finalists in this year’s Young Chef of the Year competition. The finalists found out about James’ new job just before they completed their cook off for the 2016 competition. Winners will be announced in October at Chesterfield’s Food and Drink Awards.

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

Linacre Road site to be sold for 300 new homes

28th June 2016

Land at Linacre Road is to be put up for sale by Chesterfield Borough Council.

A public consultation was held in October last year into a masterplan which will guide development on the 37-acre site. It proposes using the land for 300 new homes.

More than 200 people attended the consultation events, with around 80 making comments.

After taking into account the issues raised a revised masterplan has now been agreed and the council’s cabinet has approved plans to put the land up for sale in the autumn.

The original plans had proposed creating a landscaped wildlife buffer zone between any housing development and Ashgate Plantation. But following concerns raised during the consultation that a buffer zone could create anti-social behaviour or fly tipping problems it is now proposed to build homes with longer gardens that would back on to the plantation site instead.

Access to the site could either be off one of two sites in Linacre Road or through Leadhill Road, although the final decision on which to use would form part of the decision for councillors when a planning application is made. Members of the public would have the opportunity to comment on any future planning application.

All councils are required by the Government to have enough land available to meet the demand for new housing in the next five years. In Chesterfield, this equates to 380 new homes being built each year to meet the growing needs of the area.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “To meet the demand for housing in Chesterfield we need to bring forward sites like this for development, as not all the housing can be built on brownfield or previously used sites.

“The land will now go on the market to prospective buyers in the autumn. Once we have agreed a sale the housing developer would need to make a planning application to put forward detailed proposals of the type and exact number of houses they would want to build.”

If a buyer is found, and planning permission is given, it is expected that work could start on site in summer 2018.

Councillor Gilby added: “As with all developments of this type, we will be seeking for up to 30 per cent of the housing to be affordable homes.

“Developers would also have to make a Community Infrastructure Levy payment that will contribute to the cost of providing school places, playgrounds or green spaces or other community needs generated by a development like this.”

The Linacre Road land was originally bought by the council in the 1970s to meet future housing needs and is a site identified for in the council’s Local Plan Core Strategy, which was approved in 2013.

The revised masterplan for the site includes ground conditions, ecology and archaeological reports. All of these would need to be considered as part of the planning application process.

Further information about the development, including the masterplan and a frequently asked questions section that provides answers to questions raised during the public consultation, can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/linacre-road

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Museum looks for Chesterfield’s wedding stories

28th June 2016

Chesterfield Museum is asking residents for their stories of love and marriage ahead of a new exhibition this autumn.

The exhibition, Rites of Passage, will be held at the popular Chesterfield Borough Council run attraction from 8 October to 17 January.

It will explore customs relating to birth, marriage and death in the borough’s history as well as telling the stories of first school, first job, first house; the milestones that make us who we are.

As part of the exhibition, the museum is asking for Chesterfield residents to share stories from their own weddings.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre and Visitor Economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-

“We have a wonderful variety of objects relating to the rituals around births, marriages and deaths in the stores at Chesterfield Museum but we want to make this exhibition more personal by including the stories of Chesterfield people.

“From wedding stories to help us reminisce about our own special day, stories to bring a lump to the throat and marriages that represent different communities and cultures, we are asking for people to share their stories with us.”

Anyone who would like to take part can bring in a photograph from their wedding day along with their stories to the museum on St Mary’s Gate during normal opening times. Staff will also be on hand to help record memories. They can also email them to museum@chesterfield.gov.uk.

Chesterfield Museum is open each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Chesterfield Museum

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Hooper’s to sponsor Summer Nights Film Festival

28th June 2016

Hooper’s Alcoholic Fruit Brews are fast becoming a feature of the best British events throughout the summer months. The next event in the Hooper’s calendar is the spectacular Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival, a series of outdoor events screening popular films in beautiful heritage locations.

The Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival arrives at Hardwick Hall on Friday 19^th and Saturday 20^th August and promises a picture-perfect cinematic experience that consumers will never forget.

Whilst the audience enjoy screenings of Ghost (12A) and Spectre (12A), Hooper’s will be providing a relaxed bar and picnic seating area, where attendees can try each of the six flavours.Hooper’s Alcoholic Fruit Brews are a collection of premium drinks, with six flavours including Cloudy Lemonade, Strawberry & Elderflower, Raspberry & Nettle, Dandelion & Burdock, Ginger Brew and Plum & Sloe, all of which complement the flavours of traditional British dishes.

Simon Green, Marketing Director of Global Brands, said:-

“Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival is a chance to enjoy the British summertime with Hooper’s refreshing, nostalgic flavours at beautiful English heritage sites.

“The events embrace Hooper’s #GreatBritishPicnic campaign to support new ways to enjoy the British summertime. We are incredibly excited to be exclusive drinks vendor, especially as this is the first year hospitality options have featured onsite.”

For more information about the Summer Nights Outdoor Film Festival please see our event page.

To enter our competition to win two free tickets to the festival, please click here .

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised

Spireites announce new match-day programme deal

27th June 2016

Chesterfield Football Club and O Publishing Media are delighted to announce a new three-year partnership.

The agreement will see the UK’s leading sports publisher produce the Chesterfield match-day programme from the start of the 2016/17 season.

O Publishing Media’s clients include the EFL, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Scottish FA and over 40 football and rugby clubs.

Richard Herrick, Managing Director and Founder of OPM, said:-

“We are delighted to have Chesterfield on board – I was impressed by the club’s desire to work closely with ‘O’ in developing and producing their new, impressive match-day programme.

“I am confident the fans and club will see a huge improvement in quality and we are looking forward to a successful partnership.”

Kevin Fitzgerald, Head of Commercial & Marketing at Cheserfield Football Club, said:-

“I have known Richard and OPM for a number of years now and I know that their quality and professionalism is second to none.

“I’m already looking forward to the first home game of the new season to see the fresh, new match-day programme that we will have on offer. It will be a fantastic product for our supporters.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our previous programme publisher, Rubicon Print and wish them all the best for the future.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure