Business

Crafter’s Companion recruitment drive strengthens Chesterfield team

Global craft supplier, Crafter’s Companion, has added 11 new recruits to its team in the run up to the opening of its store in Chesterfield.

The outlet, at Dobbies Garden Centre in Chesterfield, will be the company’s second store launch in 2016 and officially opens to the public on Friday 23rd September.

As part of the store’s launch, the company held a special recruitment day to find the right candidates to form the retail team.

The day was attended by over 50 people and saw potential candidates take part in a number of tasks designed to help show off their skills.

Now, the company is on the lookout for a further four candidates, which will take the total number of recruits to 15.

Sara Davies, founder of Crafter’s Companion said:-

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening our next store in Chesterfield and to be able to bring new jobs to the area.

“Our new team members will be the heart of our new store, so we’ve spent a lot of time making sure we’ve chosen candidates who really understand our brand and our values.

“We’ve really enjoyed welcoming the guys to the Crafter’s Companion family and we’re looking forward to welcoming more team members in the coming months.”

Gurvinder Barn, the new store manager, who brings more than 20 years of retail experience to the team, said:-

“The team are already working really hard to get the store ready for the launch weekend. The new store will bring something unique to the area and we can’t wait for our visitors to see what’s on offer.”

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Plans approved to transform former Chesterfield Post Office

Plans to breathe new life in to former Post Office in the heart of Chesterfield’s historic market place have been given approval by Chesterfield Borough Council under delegated powers.

Designed by WCEC Architects on behalf of national developers Telereal Trillium, the grade II listed building will be transformed into seven luxury apartments across the first and second floors, whilst the ground floor will be converted into 3,557 sq.ft. of retail/leisure space with 653 sq.ft. of ancillary service space at basement level and a rear communal courtyard.

Mark Kelly, Director of Disposals & Development at Telereal Trillium said: “We are thrilled there has been such a positive local response from the community and likewise the council to move this scheme forward, in restoring such a historic landmark building in the Town centre.”

Nick Fenton, Associate Director at WCEC commented: “Working closely with the planning department and the conservation officer we have maintained the buildings original character and fabric with the addition of a modern complimentary rear extension. The overall proposition successfully enables the change of use whilst accentuating the existing structure and detailing.

We are keen, as are the developers to progress works on such a fantastic local scheme that will contribute positively to the town centre.”

An occupier for the ground floor retail and leisure space is currently being sought. It is anticipated that works to the site can begin as early as the end of this year.

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Posted in Business, Development

University campus to open this October

A new University of Derby campus due to open in Chesterfield on October 17 will help transform the region’s health care sector and boost the town’s growing advanced manufacturing industries.

Building work at the former St Helena’s Grammar School for Girls is on target for the official opening, which will unveil some of the best teaching facilities for nursing in the UK – including an NHS-standard mock hospital ward.

Degrees in Engineering, Business and IT across the new campus and at Derby will support Chesterfield’s growing advanced manufacturing industry and allow businesses to upskill their workforce and better equip employees for their careers.

After lying disused for many years, the Grade II listed building in Sheffield Road has been sympathetically restored in keeping with its origins as a pioneering educational establishment designed by internationally acclaimed Victorian architect George Widdows.

“The University of Derby has a strong tradition of giving old buildings new life, and the completion of the renovation of St Helena comes in the year we also celebrate a decade in the beautiful Devonshire Dome in Buxton,” said Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, Professor Margaret Bruce.

“Although we have long had a presence in Chesterfield, we are very excited about this development and have been warmly welcomed by the town. We hope that our expansion will contribute greatly towards Chesterfield’s economy and enrich the lives of its people.”

The building will include a new Innovation Centre which will provide access to facilities and support services for small to medium-sized enterprises and business start-ups, including product development, testing equipment and incubation units.

Research commissioned by the University into the economic impact of its Buxton Campus ­ showed that it supported 500 jobs annually through a total spend of £32 million, a result which it is hoped will be replicated in Chesterfield.

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Inspire Resourcing Ltd celebrate new Saltergate office

Inspire Resourcing Ltd celebrated the purchase of their Saltergate Grade II listed building in July, inviting clients new and old to enjoy prosecco and canapes.

Inspire Resourcing are a recruitment agency that first opened their doors in 2009, having been based in Chesterfield for the past 7 years.

Owned by Directors Kirsty Gascoigne and Suzanne Lucas, Inspire is an independent agency, offering a transparent, customer focused recruitment solution. As an ISO 9001:2015 accredited business, committed to quality and continuous improvement. the business has grown from strength to strength over the last couple of years encouraging them to move to a bigger premises.

Inspire opened the doors to their newly refurbished office in June. The Inspire offices now boast a welcoming reception area for candidates and clients, a candidate interview suite and a private client conference room for customers wishing to interview off site.

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Survey to reveal impact of Brexit vote on business

Businesses are being invited to take part in research that will help to identify the impact of Britain’s vote to leave the EU.

In the first real ‘acid test’, East Midlands Chamber has added Brexit-specific questions to its Q3 Quarterly Economic Survey.

The survey, which includes vital set questions through which the Chamber monitors the state of the economy in the East Midlands, is also asking firms:

  • What impact has the outcome of the EU referendum on 23 June had on your intentions to do business in overseas markets?
  • To what extent, if any, has the EU referendum result on 23 June influenced your business’s recruitment decisions?
  • To what extent, if any, has the EU referendum result on 23 June influenced your business’s investment intentions

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

“Since the EU exit vote on 23 June, we have seen many reports and surveys based on national data but nothing meaningful yet that is specific to the East Midlands, or which has the breadth and depth of responses to be truly representative.

“This region is key to the UK economy. We make things in the East Midlands and we send them around the world. We have one of the strongest economies in the country when it comes to job and wealth creation.

“We have the power to influence policy at the highest level, but to do that, to truly represent our members and the wider business community, we have to know what local businesses are doing and how confident they feel about the short- and long-term future.

“Now, more than ever, we need as many businesses as possible to take part in our Quarterly Economic Survey, so that we can build the most accurate picture possible and use that data to ensure the wants and needs of regional businesses are heard and heeded.”

The Chamber’s Q3 post-Brexit Quarterly Economic Survey went live on 23 August. It will close on 12 September.

To take part, click here.

East Midlands Chamber logo

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Chesterfield business give drinks brand new identity

Global Brands is the UK’s leading independent drinks brand development business based in Chesterfield. It owns, markets and distributes a collection of products across the RTD, premium soft drinks, spirits and beer categories internationally. Global Brands’ line up now includes fantastic brands, such as VK, Hooch, Franklin & Sons premium soft drinks and tonics, Hoopers and Amigos Tequila Beer.

Global Brands have recently announced that Amigos Tequila Beer is launching a vibrant new identity alongside plenty of exciting activity planned for the upcoming year.

Amigos Tequila Beer is a golden, easy-drinking beer with the zing of South American limes and the flavour punch of Mexican tequila. Inspired by Mexico’s sense of vibrancy, passion and colour, Amigos have updated their visual identity. The new identity relishes in its Mexican character, by developing the wording on the logo from ‘tequila flavoured beer’ to the Spanish translation ‘con sabor a tequila’. This deepens the association with Amigos’ Tequila flavourings, which derives from the Mexican agave plant.

Alongside the next generation logo, all packaging and brand assets are undergoing an overhaul. By utilising pattern and colour as well as stylised typography, the vibrancy of the brand is really brought to life. The new visual identity will be softly rolled out across the brand from August, with all touch points expected to have made the transition to the new identity by September.

Christian Sarginson, Senior Brand Manager, said:-

‘The new visual identity is a chance for Amigos to really connect with its audience. The change is designed to articulate the vibrant zing of limes and the Mexican taste of Tequila which make Amigos so delicious. With a bright colour palate, and nods to street art and Latin culture, the identity update is a real statement of intent for where we plan to take the brand in 2017 with our #StreetCerveza campaign.”

Throughout the summer, Amigos has been supporting street culture by sponsoring the fantastic Urban Food Fest on Shoreditch High Street; gaining plaudits from publications such as Harper’s Bazaar who said they “loved” Amigos. Beyond this, Amigos has continued involvement with the street art scene in the UK, with plans for bigger and better activations in 2017 as part of the #StreetCerveza campaign.

Amigos is currently planning their biggest event of the year; Dia de los Muertos, a national Mexican holiday which falls on Halloween. A series of late-night parties will be held at the end of October, as well as a limited edition 4-pack in the off-trade, competitions across social media and activations in the on-trade.

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Greek restaurant ‘Odyssey’ to open in September

Odyssey restaurant opens its doors to the public on 20th September. The Greek restaurant, centrally located on Knifesmithsgate in the old The Queens Head Pub building, hopes to combine traditional English architecture with Greek hospitality, culture, taste and cuisine.

Owned by a Greek family, now based in Chesterfield, the restaurant hopes to fill a gap in the market for Greek restaurants in the town. Aptly named “Odyssey”, the restaurant promises a journey into Greek flavours and traditions.

Konstantinos Diamantidis, a representative from the restaurant, says:-

“Our intention is to make you feel that you are somehow back in Greece, or if you have never been, maybe to give you a taste of your next holiday.

“My Grandmother (yiayia) used to say that there is nothing better than homemade food and taught us to eat and cook only the best. Now years later, we as a family will try to give you a taste of what Greek families believe good quality Greek food tastes like.”

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

Chesterfield business to supply rig equipment in Middle East

Chesterfield based firm Cathelco, will be providing a marine growth prevention system (MGPS) for the latest, in a series of jack-up drilling rigs, to be built by Lamprell – the United Arab Emirates based leading provider of fabrication, engineering and contracting services to the offshore and onshore oil & gas and renewable energy industries.

The order was won by Cathelco Middle East FZC based in Sharjah, which was set up in 2015 to provide sales and engineering support for customers throughout the region.

Cathelco marine growth prevention systems are designed to eliminate blockages caused by barnacles and mussels in seawater lines. The systems consist of copper and aluminium anodes which are wired to a control panel. In operation, the copper anodes produce ions which create an environment where barnacle and mussel larvae do not settle and grow. At the same time the aluminium anode produces ions which suppress corrosion on the internal surfaces of pipes.

Carlo Soddu, who has been closely involved in the project at Cathelco, says:-

“In our experience jack-up rigs benefit from installations where the MGPS anodes are installed in pipe upstands, when a seachest is not available. By using this method the copper ions are drawn directly in the flow of seawater which maximises their effectiveness. The ease of access is another important advantage enabling maintenance time to be reduced to a matter of minutes each year.”

Cathelco are world leading manufacturers of MGPS based in Chesterfield, with a record of more than 50,000 installations on commercial vessels and offshore structures over a period of 50 years.

Lamprell rig under constructionl

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

York House set to open Bank Holiday weekend

Another new business is set to open in Chesterfield this August Bank Holiday weekend.

York House Bar and Brasserie is an exciting new all-day food and drink venture on St. Mary’s Gate, which will be serving hand-pulled real ales and craft beers alongside a fine selection of wines and proseccos (some of which are extracted from their very own vineyard in the Puglia region of south eastern Italy). The kitchen will be producing fresh, seasonal Mediterranean dishes including authentic tapas and sharing boards.

Their first floor mezzanine hopes to offer a perfect spot for eating, socialising and watching the various live acts performing at ‘York House Live’, which will run twice per week. The venue’s boutique delicatessen, will also be selling luxury artisan food and drink products along with one-of-a-kind gifts.

Director, Dan Power, said:-

“We are proud to be moving into this prestigious area and extremely excited about working with other local businesses; helping to give Chesterfield and its visitors a greater eating and drinking experience.

“There’s been an influx of excellent new food and drink offerings in the town in the past year or so, and we’re really looking forward to becoming part of the thriving new scene.”

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Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Leisure

UKATA’s asbestos campaign vital to trade person safety

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) which is based in Chesterfield says its Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe campaign is vital to the safety of tradespeople throughout the Health and Safety industry, following its launch at this year’s Safety and Health Expo (SHE) on 21-23 June. The campaign promotes general asbestos awareness and safety advice, as well as explaining in detail the importance of correct handling of asbestos.

The campaign forms part of the ongoing commitment of UKATA and its members to emphasise the importance of sourcing a competent training provider  and the Health and safety Executive (HSE) advice that workers and supervisors must be trained to recognise Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) and be able to know what to do should they encounter them.

UKATA members have been taking part in Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe over the last two years by offering free asbestos training courses during September and October. Last year, members of the Association involved in the campaign offered over 3,500 hours of free asbestos training, in an attempt to further raise the profile of the importance of the correct handling of asbestos. Now back for 2016, UKATA’s General Manager, Craig Evans, says the campaign is crucial for all tradespeople.

“Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe is a campaign we’ve put a lot of backing into since its inception two years ago,” said Craig. “Given the dangers asbestos presents us all with, the campaign is extremely useful and informative for anyone in the trade industry.”

“Ignorance isn’t an excuse when it comes to asbestos,” said Craig. “People must be informed and aware of the dangers asbestos presents so as not to harm either themselves or others. There must be a change in attitudes when it comes to asbestos, and Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe can do that,” he concluded.

UKATA Chesterfield Champion

Posted in Business

Great Taste Award for Northern Tea Merchants

Chesterfield-based Northern Tea Merchants has been announced as a recipient of a prestigious Great Taste star.

The world’s most coveted blind test-tasted food awards, has awarded a star to Northern Tea Merchants for its Heritage Range Hot Chocolate which is blended especially for Harrods.

The Heritage Range Hot Chocolate was one of 10,000 products to be judged by the panel of big ‘foodie’ names in the blind taste testing in the awards. The panel of over 400 judges tasted all of the food, completely stripped down from any packaging to ensure all judging was based on taste.

The hot chocolate blend was described by judges: “A really great rich look to this cup of hot chocolate; Smooth and velvety with a good body in the mouth; Creamy, slightly drying in the mouth, deeply chocolaty with a very rich finish.”

Being awarded a Great Taste Award is recognised as one of the biggest accomplishments in the field of specialty food. Great Taste has been described as the ‘Oscars of the food world’ and is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for specialty food producers.

It is the first time that Northern Tea Merchants has entered the Great Taste Awards and James Pogson, director of Northern Tea Merchants, enthused: “We are incredibly proud to gain recognition for our hot chocolate blend for Harrods Heritage range. This is the first year we’ve entered the Great Taste Awards and we’re thrilled to have achieved such a prestigious award for our hot chocolate. Next year we will be aiming for the hallowed 3-star status!”

The Great Taste 2016 awards will culminate in a grand finale on Monday 5 September at the Royal Garden Hotel in London, where the overall winners for each region will be announced along with the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2016.

Northern Tea Merchants

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