About Chesterfield

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre scoops bronze

30th March 2016

The team at Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is celebrating after bringing home a bronze award from the prestigious England for Excellence Awards 2016 held in Blackpool earlier this month.

Run by Chesterfield Borough Council, it is the second time in two years that the centre has been shortlisted in the Visitor Information Provider of the Year category.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre provides an efficient and friendly service to the thousands of people who visit the town centre each year and for our residents.

“Whether it’s giving information about attractions and events in the borough or the wider area of Derbyshire and the Peak District or selling tickets to our theatres, our staff go the extra mile.

“We have lots of positive feedback from people who use the service and I’m proud that we have received bronze in the England for Excellence Awards this year.”

Commenting on the Award, Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland said “We received hundreds of applications this year of an extremely high standard.

“Winning a Bronze Award is a considerable achievement, especially against such tough competition.

“Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is now ranked as one of the top three businesses in their category for excellence in England and I warmly congratulate them on this achievement”.

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm.

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

Rare 17th century tapestries on display at Chatsworth

29th March 2016

Two extremely rare and important 17th century English tapestries have gone back on display at Chatsworth following an intensive two-year conservation programme.

The important Mortlake Tapestries from the 1630s represent the birth of the English tapestry industry and are based on Renaissance painter Raphael’s cartoons of Acts of the Apostles.

It is believed that Chatsworth’s tapestries were acquired from the Mortlake workshops by the 3rd Earl of Devonshire (1617-1684) and moved into the State Drawing Room by the 5th Duke (1748-1811).

As well as the panel depicting ‘Healing of the Lame Man’, another section was found folded back behind the seam of the tapestry when the lining was removed. The rehang will see the ‘Sacrifice at Lystra’ reunited with ‘Healing of the Lame Man’ covering more than 50 sq metres of the back wall in the State Drawing Room.

The further missing half of ‘Healing of the Lame Man’ will also be brought out of storage. This had been conserved previously and hasn’t been seen for a number of years. It will provide a wonderful opportunity to see the tapestries in full. After this season, this third piece will go back into storage for its long-term preservation.

Susie Stoke, Head of textiles, Chatsworth, said: “It’s extremely exciting to be able to reunite these hugely important and beautiful tapestries and put them back on display. For the first time, visitors will have the opportunity to see the tapestries up closely to fully appreciate these beautiful works of art.”

The tapestries were both in urgent need of conservation due to exposure to atmospheric pollution in the 19th and 20th centuries. They were given extensive treatment by Shephard Travis conservation, which included washing to remove acidic pollutants, repairing the fabric, and adding a support cloth for extra strength.

The rehanging of the tapestries is a challenging manual process that takes several hours, and is carried out by Chatsworth’s in-house Textile team who have conservation training or experience.

The rare 17th century English tapestries will remain on display at Chatsworth until January 3rd 2017.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Major funding boost for historic railway site Barrow Hill Roundhouse

29th March 2016

Britain’s only surviving operational railway roundhouse is set to receive a £1.17m cash boost to help safeguard its future as one of Chesterfield’s top attractions.

The funding, confirmed by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), will be used to repair and refurbish Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and transform it into a nationally-important museum.

High quality visitor facilities, a dedicated learning and meeting space and a conservation workshop will all be created at the site, which will also enjoy a new entrance, shop and café. A wide range of learning, training and skills activities will accompany these developments, ensuring that the roundhouse can attract a much wider and more diverse audience.

Mike Kennedy, chair of Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, said: “We are delighted by the news of our success. The project will enable us to safeguard the roundhouse for future generations, and provide the improved facilities that we need to attract a new audience, while retaining our existing audience of rail enthusiasts.

“It will also provide us with the expertise and equipment to tell the story of the roundhouse and its workforce to a wide range of people, particularly local people including families and schoolchildren.”

Barrow Hill Roundhouse was built in 1870 for the Midland Railway and houses an operational turntable serving 24 radiating roads or tracks. It was used to repair and maintain engines and rolling stock for the Staveley Iron and Coal Company.

As one of the few roundhouses to survive the transition from steam to diesel engines, it operated until the industry went into decline during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1991 it was saved from demolition by local campaigners with just 48 hours to spare and has since become a popular place to visit, primarily for railway enthusiasts. Visitors can currently see a host of rare locomotives and over 4,500 items including tools, lamps, uniforms and photographs.

Now the Engine Shed Society wants to attract local people as well, many of whom are unaware of what is on their doorstep and its history.

The main building also requires urgent attention to make it watertight and prevent the collections from getting damaged. There is also a pressing need to record the memories of people who worked at the site, many of whom are now elderly.

Jonathan Platt, Head of HLF East Midlands, said: “As the last surviving operational roundhouse, Barrow Hill has a unique role in telling the story of the UK’s evocative transport heritage.

“There’s no better way to learn about this history than getting up close to the buildings that survive from that time, so we’re delighted that thanks to National Lottery players we can support this much-needed project to repair the building and enhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the site.”

HLF previously provided a £96,400 development grant in 2014 to work up plans for the project. Now, following a further application, the full grant has been awarded allowing the major works to commence.

It is hoped that work will start at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in June this year and be complete by mid 2019.

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

Successful Opening for new Designer Menswear Store

24th March 2016

Local lads from Chesterfield have secured a place in UK fashion history this month when they opened their new designer store doors last weekend on Chesterfields high street, becoming the only stockist outside of London to sell famous fashion designer Joshua Kane tailoring.

The Chesterfield-born brothers, George and Joe Ward, have been rubbing shoulders with some of the most famous fashion brands to secure this exclusive contract, as well as several other fashion designers including Hackett, 7 for all Mankind and local clothing manufacturers Smedley’s, who will be providing their excellent range of casual t-shirts, cardigans and jumpers – all made just down the road.

“Our little medieval town has a lot going for it, from our famous spire attracting tourists to our booming nightlife and shopping – being ‘born and bred’ here, there was no better location for our new store than the town centre. We named the store ‘Weekend Menswear’, after all it has everything a guy needs, ready for the weekend or night on the town” says George.

“Our opening last weekend was a fantastic success, we met hundreds of local people and some even travelling from further afield to come celebrate with us and take a look at our ranges; we were surprised how much we sold just on opening weekend – this clearly shows a desire for men of Chesterfield and surrounding areas to look good, which reiterates we’ve pitched the business at the right point and market”

London is well renowned as the most fashionable city in the world – yet, with the launch of Weekend Menswear in Chesterfield, that title could be up for the taking…

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Leisure, Visiting

Chatsworth opens for exciting new season

23rd March 2016

Chatsworth House, Garden and Farmyard has opened for Easter ready for another great year of events with plenty of entertainment for all the family to enjoy from The Dodson & Horrell International Horse Trials to the Chatsworth Country Fair.

Exhibitions this season include the ‘bringing home’ of Dan Pearson’s award winning Chelsea Flower Show garden and a fascinating glimpse into the glittering social circle of Deborah, Duchess of Devonshire through a rare collection of photos by Cecil Beaton.

Chatsworth will celebrate the Grand Tour through the eyes and collection of the Devonshire Family with an exhibition including an evocative collection of drawings by Sebastian Vrancx, previously unseen at Chatsworth, as well as the final phase of Chatsworth’s momentous £32.7million Masterplan restoration project.

The Duke of Devonshire said: “2016 is set to be another remarkable year at Chatsworth, with exciting developments across the house and garden to enjoy. We’re delighted to present the rejuvenated Trout stream where features from the award winning RHS Chelsea Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth garden have been installed and planted under the direction of Dan Pearson.

“Whether it’s to admire the splendour of the house, explore the garden, meet the animals in the farmyard, enjoy afternoon tea and shopping in the stables, we always look forward to welcoming visitors for the new season.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Welcome Jeff Stelling to the Proact

22nd March 2016

The latest international to be staged at the Proact Stadium takes place when England U17s face their Turkish counterparts on Thursday evening.

Fans are encouraged to welcome Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, who will be arriving at the Proact at around 5pm as part of his charity walk. Jeff, who hosts Soccer Saturday, is walking from Hartlepool United to Wembley Stadium in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.

Spireites representatives Chris Turner, Kevin Fitzgerald, Bob Newton and Nick Johnson will join Jeff on the walk from Rotherham United’s New York Stadium to the Proact via Hillsborough and Bramall Lane. Jeff will be interviewed by Nick at pitch-side before kick-off.

Admission to the game, which kicks off at 7pm, costs just £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions. Tickets can be purchased by phoning 01246 269300, emailing tickets@chesterfield-fc.co.uk, or calling in at the ticket office at the Proact. They will also be available on the night.

More information about the England U17s v Turkey U17s match can be found here.

To make a donation to the fundraising effort, please visit www.justgiving.com/Chesterfield-FC

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Meeting to consider devolution options for Chesterfield

22nd March 2016

A second meeting has been called by Chesterfield Borough Council to consider Chesterfield’s devolution options.

The decision to hold a new meeting at 5pm on Wednesday 6 April has been made after Derbyshire County Council announced it was considering bringing a legal challenge against Chesterfield Borough Council’s decision to apply to become a full member of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal and a non-constituent member of a potential North Midlands devolution deal.

Devolution sees powers and funding on issues like skills and training, housing and transport transferred from national Government decision makers to a local level. It doesn’t have any impact on the day-to-day services provided by Chesterfield Borough Council.
The county council is threatening a judicial review unless the decision is reconsidered as it believes the report which councillors originally considered should have included what is known as an Equality Impact Assessment, which looks at the impacts of certain decisions on groups protected by anti-discrimination legislation.

Despite Chesterfield Borough Council’s report following a similar format as every other district and borough council in Derbyshire who took devolution deal decisions Derbyshire County Council has only issued the legal challenge against Chesterfield Borough Council.
No other Derbyshire council has published a full Equality Impact Assessment, including Derbyshire County Council itself – which didn’t hold a meeting in public for its councillors to recommend the combined authority it intends to apply for membership of.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The only people who benefit from judicial reviews are the barristers presenting the cases.

“We could have opposed this legal challenge but that would have cost Derbyshire’s tax payers a lot of money and wasted a huge amount of time and effort.

“So we have decided to look afresh at our 3 March decision but this time taking into account the full Equality Impact Assessment that we have now developed and other developments that have happened since the original decision was taken, including the decisions taken by other councils across Derbyshire.

“The council will then make a fresh decision on what delivers the best outcomes for both Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s residents and businesses. This will then go to public consultation before the Government makes a final decision.”

Chesterfield is being asked to choose between:

• a devolution deal already agreed with the Government for the Sheffield City Region, which would include an additional £900 million of funding to the city region over 30 years or

• a potential North Midlands deal, yet to be agreed with the Government, seeking similar powers. This would involve Nottingham City Council; Nottinghamshire County Council; six of the seven Nottinghamshire district councils; Derby City Council; Derbyshire County Council and three of the eight Derbyshire district councils (as High Peak and Amber Valley borough councils and South Derbyshire and Erewash district councils have all decided not to be part of the potential North Midlands devolution deal).

The deals will be given to, and managed by combined authorities, which are groups of local councils in each local area. Under Government proposals these authorities would be led by an elected mayor but would only cover issues such as housing, skills and training, business support and transport.
Under the plans:

• Chesterfield will definitely remain part of Derbyshire, while getting the benefits of a devolution deal to help boost Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s economies

• All existing Chesterfield Borough Council services would not be affected in any way and no other council would have a say over the way they are run.

• Derbyshire County Council services for Chesterfield residents, including education, social care and libraries, would also be unchanged, with the exception of transport.

It is anticipated that under either option the county council’s transport powers would be put under the remit of an elected mayor and combined authority with a remit well beyond the administrative geographical boundaries of Derbyshire.

As required under the Government process, local councils are asked to make a decision on where to apply before the issue goes out to public consultation, with the Government making a final decision in the autumn.

A revised report by council officers will be published publicly five working days before the meeting giving officer recommendations for councillors to consider, taking into account any comments made on the Equality Impact Assessment or other matters that have changed since the original decision was made.

Further information about the devolution options available to the council can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/devolution, www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk and www.northmidlands.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield

DIY SOS star opens Chesterfield College Construction Centre with gold medal winning joinery apprentice

18th March 2016

Celebrity carpenter Mark Millar from DIY SOS helped to celebrate the opening of the new construction workshops on Infirmary Road today, along with Chesterfield College’s Worldskills UK gold medal winning apprentice, Jack Chambers.

The duo gave expert advice on how to carve a career in construction as well as judging a ‘We Built That’ competition for Year 8 & 9 school pupils from across Derbyshire.

School teams were given a brief to build the best rocket before spending the day working in the joinery, plumbing and painting and decorating workshops of the new construction workshops under the watchful eye of Chesterfield College students and tutors.

The competition finished with a rocket launch for VIP guests, prize giving ceremony for the winning team from Chapel-en-le-Frith High School and the official opening of the new building by Mark Millar, Jack Chambers and the Chair of the College Corporation Frank Smith.

Mark Millar said:

“It is a fantastic honour to be part of the opening of the new workshops and to be able to spend time with the next generation of construction experts. I can see already that the college is training people with the ability to shine. Who knows, they might be the construction stars of the future.

“When I started my career as a carpentry apprentice, learning at work and in a college, I never thought that I would be doing what I do. Not many carpenters end up on TV, but it is amazing where construction skills can lead to. It‘s fantastic to see young people being inspired and learning important construction skills in modern facilities like this because I know skilled employees are in demand.”

The new building was part funded by the Skills Funding Agency and houses several workshops and classrooms designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in a range of construction disciplines from plumbing and joinery to painting and decorating. The facility provides internal and external space for students to gain practical experience in areas that replicate real construction sites.

Joinery apprentice, 18 year old, Jack Chambers is one of the students benefitting from the facilities at Chesterfield College. He recently beat the best of the best to bring home the gold medal in joinery from the Worldskills UK competition. He says that mixing college study and his apprenticeship at Pennine Woodworking in Bradwell gave him the skills he needed to succeed and could help him compete internationally in Abu Dhabi in 2017.

Jack spent some time explaining to the school teams where apprenticeships and studying at college can lead to. He said:

“When I left school I knew I would end up doing a hands-on job but I had no idea that learning a trade through studying at college and doing an apprenticeship would give me the chance to compete at an international level. It has given me a brilliant opportunity to prove what I can do and it has helped me to be better at the job I do every day too.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development

New parking rate to attract shoppers to Chesterfield

18th March 2016

Shoppers will be able to park at a reduced rate of £3 for three hours – equivalent to £1 an hour – in all Chesterfield Borough Council-run car parks from 1 April.

The rate is part of a move to standardise charges across different car parks with the aim of attracting drivers to stay in the town for longer to go shopping or do business.

It previously cost between £3.30 and £3.90 to park for three hours, depending on the car park used. Most car parks will also see reductions in the cost of parking for four hours with a new standard rate of £4.30 replacing charges that varied between £4.30 and £5.20.

Parking for up to two hours will remain the same in the most popular car parks – Soresby Street, Rose Hill and Holywell Cross – but increase in others to a consistent rate across the town.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said:

“Shoppers have told us that they want to spend longer in town at a reasonable rate and the introduction of the new £3 for three hours rate in all council run car parks enables us to deliver that.

“In addition we offer a range of permits that enable commuters or daily shoppers to park for less. Depending on the permit chosen these can work out at an average of £2.30 for a whole day’s parking.

“In the past we had different charges for car parks depending on how far away from the town centre they were. To simplify things for customers we have now designated car parks as either short stay or long stay and standardised charges across them.

“This is on top of the residents’ free parking scheme that lets people who live in the borough of Chesterfield to park without charge before 10am or after 3pm Mondays to Saturdays and all day on Sundays and bank holidays at the car parks named on the back of their free parking permit.”

From 1 April all Chesterfield Borough Council-run car parks will charge:

• 70p – for up to 30 minutes
• £1.30 – for up to an hour
• £2.60 – for up to two hours
• £3 – for up to three hours
• £4.30 – for up to four hours

Above four hours it will cost a flat rate of £5 in long stay car parks and an extra £1.30 per hour in short stay car parks.
The following car parks will be short stay car parks: Holywell Cross, Rose Hill, Soresby Street, and St Mary’s Gate.

Long stay car parks will be: Albion Road, Derbyshire Times, Devonshire Street, Durrant Road, Hollis Lane, New Beetwell Street multi-storey car park, Saltergate multi-storey car park, Spa Lane, Station Road, Queen’s Park Annexe, Queen’s Park North, Queen’s Park South, Theatre Lane and West Street.

The price of parking permits have also been standardised across council long stay car parks, except for multi-storey car parks.

They are now:
• £60 a month – which works out at approximately £2.50 a day if used 25 times in a month or
• £600 a year – which works out at approximately £2.30 a day if used on weekdays throughout the year.

Scratch card prices have also been standardised. They can be bought in blocks of five and cost a flat rate of £3.50 a day in all long stay car parks, except for multi-storey car parks, which require a separate pass.

Anyone wanting to buy a parking permit or scratch card can ring 01246 345593 or email parking.services@chesterfield.gov.uk Scratch cards are also available from the Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square.

Chesterfield Borough Council is not responsible for running all car park areas in the town. Some car parks are privately owned, while on-street car parking charges are set by Derbyshire County Council. These organisations set the charges for these parking areas.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Leisure, Visiting

Post Office to grow operations in Chesterfield

17th March 2016

Business leaders in Chesterfield have welcomed news from the Post Office that it is to grow operations at its town centre base. A total of 160 jobs are to be brought to the Future Walk offices on West Bars in Chesterfield.

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event organised by Destination Chesterfield, in association with The University of Derby.

The jobs have arisen following the centralisation of the majority of the Post Office’s internal contact centre/helpline work for employees and agents (franchisees) which will complement its Finance Service Centre which is already based at Future Walk. So far 45 roles of the 160 have been centralised with additional jobs expected in the near future.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “Since opening at Future Walk in the 1960s, the Post Office has been a major employer in Chesterfield and these moves which will bring up to 160 jobs to the town underlines that.
“The centralisation will bring more people into the town centre, using our shops and businesses and will help grow our town centre economy.”

250 of the town’s business leaders gathered at the town’s sell-out Celebrate event on 17 March at The Winding Wheel. Organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby, the event update the business community on the progress made with developments, including the £320million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, at the event which was sponsored by Central Technology and Markham Vale, also included representatives from University of Derby, Meter Provida and Central Technology.

The breakfast event also looked back on the success of Destination Chesterfield, the town’s inward investment campaign, during the last 12 months.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Chesterfield Waterside scheme moves into planning phase following £2.7m grant

16th March 2016

Chesterfield’s £320million Waterside scheme is set to take a major step forward following the award of a £2.7million Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) grant.

The grant, which was secured by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with developers Chesterfield Waterside Limited, has enabled the first phase of the development’s £75 million Basin Square scheme to be brought forward by the site’s developers.

A Planning Application for the Basin Square Site Enabling and Infrastructure Works, and Phase 1 Layout, has been submitted, comprising:

Clearance of the former Trebor factory site, preparation of building platforms and delivery of site infrastructure.
Relocation of the existing temporary carpark to the north of the site
Creation of an acoustic noise bund along the A61 on the former Arnold Laver site
Illustrative proposals indicating the proposed height and massing for the buildings to be constructed in Phase 1.

If approved, the planning applications will facilitate delivery of the development of Phase 1 at Basin Square, on the site of the former Trebor factory. The exciting mixed-use first phase of Basin Square is of a scale and quality not previously seen before in Chesterfield and will elevate the town’s profile, delivering office accommodation, apartments, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

The applications are the result of months of planning and design work, which has included a full review of the proposals by Opun, the regional design panel.

Work on site infrastructure and preparation is expected to commence this summer and be completed by the end of 2016. Delivery of the works will pave the way for the development of the first phase of Basin Square in 2017, which is expected to create more than 300 new jobs.

Material excavated from the site as part of the site clearance will be used to construct the acoustic noise bund ahead of The Park residential development on the site of the former Arnold Laver Timber Yard, which also forms part of the Chesterfield Waterside development.

Chesterfield Waterside is recognised as being one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, and is being developed by Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone Plc working in conjunction with Arnold Laver Group and Chesterfield Borough Council.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Plc said: “The submission of planning applications for the first phase of Basin Square is a significant step forward for the Chesterfield Waterside development. Once preparation works are complete and the infrastructure is in place, it will facilitate delivery of development on both Basin Square and The Park, enabling us to progress with the second phase of detailed planning applications for the buildings themselves shortly afterwards.”

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration said: “By getting this funding from the Sheffield City Region we can kick-start development on this important and high profile site in the town.

“We will continue to seek grant and loan funding from every possible source to help grow businesses, build homes and secure and create jobs for Chesterfield people.”

Additional progress with the Chesterfield Waterside scheme includes the recent granting of planning permission to replace the road bridge over the river Rother on the former Laver timber yard site which will serve The Park residential development. The completion of the bridge and the acoustic bund will pave the way for approximately 300 family homes to be delivered in The Park area.

The first phase of residential housing at Chesterfield Waterside, comprising 19 new homes on part of the former Arnold Laver DIY site on Brimington Road, was completed in 2015 on behalf of Great Places Housing Association, and the properties are now fully occupied.

Read about all the regeneration sites in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development