Destination Chesterfield

Final finalists announced for Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards

Nine more finalists have been announced across three categories in Destination Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards. They now join a line-up of 17 businesses and organisations who are competing for a total of 11 titles.

The announcement of the finalists across the Local food producer / grower/ manufacturer and Chef and Young Chef of the Year categories completes the line up ahead of the sell-out awards ceremony on 30th October, hosted by TV chef Ainsley Harriott at Chesterfield College’s Heartspace Building.

On the night nine contenders will battle it out across the following categories:

Local food producer / grower/ manufacturer within 10 miles of Chesterfield – Sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce

  • The Gingerbread Boy
  • Teresa Lambarelli’s
  • Vintage Rose Catering

Young Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Banner Jones

  • Ryan Lee – Peak Edge Hotel
  • Adam Warwick – Blu Bistro
  • Abbie Canning –Chesterfield College

Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Redbrik

  • Tracey Goostry – The Market Pub
  • Raju Murad – Indian Blues
  • Nicholas McNerney –Calabria

As part of the competition the shortlisted chefs had to take part in a Master Chef style cook-off, which was held at Coughlans Cookery School on the 21st October. Each chef was tasked with creating and cooking two dishes, which were sampled and scored by a panel of judges.

As part of the challenge the chefs had to use ingredients from Chesterfield based MSK Ingredients’ molecular range in each of their dishes.  MSK Ingredients supplies its specialist ingredients, molecular gastronomy tools and training to hotels and restaurants throughout theUK, including Heston Blumenthal’s three-Michelin starred restaurant The Fat Duck in Bray,West Berkshire.

Ryan Lee (18), Chef du Partie at Peak Edge Hotel in Stanedge and a former pupil of Dronfield Henry Fanshaw School, was nominated for the award by his Head Chef. He said: “I was a bit surprised to hear I’d been shortlisted. I love cooking and being creative with food. It’s a great way to express myself.”

Tracey Goostry from Clay Cross, who has been Head Chef at The Market Pub in Chesterfield for 10 years, said: “I love my job. It’s everything.  Above all, I want to enjoy the competition. Winning would be a bonus.”

To follow Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards on Twitter use the hashtag #CFDA13.

For more information about Destination Chesterfield’s inaugural Food and Drink awards visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards/

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield

New report shows Chesterfield bucks north south divide on shop vacancy rates

Destination Chesterfield has welcomed news that the town has maintained its top 10 position in The Local Data Company’s latest report on shop vacancy rates. It is one of only three towns north of the ‘Watford Gap’ that are listed in the report’s top 25 best performing centres with the least vacant shops.

The report, which analyses over 1,900 town centres, shopping centres and retail parks visited in the first half of 2013, ranks Chesterfield 8th in the large centres category.

Figures also show that Chesterfield’s shop vacancy rate has fallen from 8.7% in 2012 to 7.7% in 2013, placing it above the large affluent tourist town of Windsor (9.1%) in the south. The average vacancy rate of towns in the large centres category currently stands at 13.5%. Further welcome news includes the fact that the East Midlands has shown the greatest improvement at -0.4%.

Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company commented: “Chesterfield is performing well as a town with the vacancy rate nearly halving to 7.7% since its peak in 2010.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield,said: “The report is hugely encouraging, confirming our belief that Chesterfield’s retail sector is expanding rapidly. In the last two years many major high street names, including Debenhams and TK Maxx, have chosen to invest in Chesterfield further strengthening our retail offer.  The town’s mix of independent and high street retailers and excellent location, coupled with good transport links and the growing property market, ensure footfall from local shoppers and those outside the area, helping make the town a go-to destination.”

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “Chesterfield has got it right in terms of its overall retail mix, which means it can offer something to every type of shopper. It has a popular market and some interesting and unique independent shops and boutique stores, as well as some big name national retail brands which help drive footfall into the town centre.

“Further developments due to come on stream later this year and beyond will help Chesterfield to continue to buck the national trend and attract even more investment into the local retail sector.”

In recent years Chesterfield has invested heavily in the town’s retail offering, helping it attract inward investment from large high street names as well as fledgling businesses. Its historic Market Hall is undergoing a £4 million redevelopment. Opening in October, the market hall will provide 45 internal and external retail units, 22 offices, a central café/coffee shop and conference facilities. In November 2013 the town will welcome Hobbycraft and Asda Living. In October 2011 Debenhams opened a full range department store in the town with Rob Hadfield, Head of Property at Debenhams commenting: “We have long felt Chesterfield is an exciting destination for a potential Debenhams store.”

Since launching the town’s marketing campaign in September 2010, against the backdrop of a cool financial climate, Chesterfield has shown growth across the board and bucked the national trend for declining high streets with unemployment decreasing by 0.5% during this time.

Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “We could have chosen to bunker down and ride out the recession, but we didn’t. We chose to forge ahead with our marketing plans and this shows in the recent retail figures.

“The results also demonstrate that the pro-active work we are doing with the town’s businesses is paying dividends. I’m pleased with the progress we have made but I believe there is more to come if we continue to work hard on delivering the right climate for business growth.”

The investment in Chesterfield as well as its buoyant housing market is a key attraction to retailers choosing to invest in the town, as it has increased local footfall as well as providing a ready pool of employees.

Funding for Destination Chesterfield has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Chesterfield Borough Council and the local business community until December 2015, ensuring the marketing campaign’s on-going success.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Nominations open: Help uncover Chesterfield’s best in food and drink

‘You have to be in it to win it;’ that’s the message from Destination Chesterfield, organiser of the town’s inaugural Food and Drink Awards.

Arranged in association with Chesterfield College, with support from the town’s business community, the awards are designed to discover the very best Chesterfield has to offer. Nominations are now open across 11 categories to find Chesterfield’s best places to eat and drink. Categories include:

  • Restaurant of the Year – Sponsored by Mr Sparkles
  • Gastro Pub of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design
  • Café/Tea Room of the Year – Sponsored by NatWest
  • Customer Service – Sponsored by Franke
  • Chesterfield producer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce
  • Pub of the Year (sponsor to be confirmed)
  • Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council
  • Best out of Town – Sponsored by Northern Tea Merchants
  • Young Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors
  • Chef of the Year – Sponsored by Redbrik Estate Agents
  • Chesterfield Food Hero – Presented by Chesterfield College

Whether it’s the food, chef, customer service, drinks, or something you can’t quite put your finger on, Destination Chesterfield wants to know why your favourite eatery or pub gets your business.

Nominations close at midnight on Wednesday 11th September, after which the Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards’ panel of secret judges will shortlist three finalists in each category and visit these establishments to rate them against set criteria.

As well as established chefs, the awards are also looking to uncover Chesterfield’s aspiring talent with a Young Chef of the Year award, culminating in a cook off to decide the winner.

With hundreds of restaurants, bars, cafes, take-aways, food producers and pubs in the town, Destination Chesterfield is anticipating a barrage of entries. The winners will be announced at a glittering awards evening at Chesterfield College on 30th October.

People can find nomination forms in eating and drinking establishments throughout the town, or fill in the form online athttp://www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Destination Chesterfield

25 new Ambassadors all set for summer in Chesterfield

Chesterfield has recruited 25 more willing volunteers to sing the praises of the town, bringing the total of ‘ambassadors’ to 125. The volunteers joined the town’s Ambassador Scheme ahead of the influx of tourists over the summer.

The new ambassadors include frontline staff from the town’s businesses, including restaurants, museums, banks and Chesterfield Borough council employees. They join local residents, traffic wardens and sales assistants to name but a few, who have previously signed up to the voluntary, unpaid scheme.

Chesterfield Ambassadors is the brainchild of the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, and is designed to ensure that all visitors to the town have a great time here and leave with a positive impression.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager explained: “We have marketed Chesterfielda as place to live, work and invest in during the last two years. Many businesses and people have chosen to locate here and this, coupled with an 11% increase in tourism, ensures that our Ambassadors play a vital role in helping market the town positively. The Ambassadors Scheme is about ensuring all visitors – whether tourists or here on business – leave with a positive opinion ofChesterfield and are excited, like we are, of our plans for the future.”

The latest ambassadors recently underwent training to ensure they were all equipped with the latest news, facts and figures about the town – from how many tiles are on the iconic church spire to information about the town’s regeneration plans alongside the importance of good customer service.  Ambassadors then receive regular updates about the town on events, developments and local news.

The two-hour training workshop took place at the Town Hall and was developed with Chesterfield Champion, Evolution Training. If you’re interested in becoming an ambassador, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk to find out more.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

First look at Chesterfield Market Hall for Chesterfield Champions

Today (Thursday 13th June) Chesterfield Champions received a sneak preview behind the scenes tour of Chesterfield Market Hall as part of Destination Chesterfield’s Inspired Investment Event.

Local businesses heard about the progress of the £1.5 million Community Stand being developed by Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust. The scheme will open in September 2013 and includes community facilities including soft play, gym, café and offices for community and charity organisations.

Mike Hayden from Chesterfield Borough Council updated on the major regeneration schemes in the town. Negotiations are still ongoing with potential anchor tenants for the Northern Gateway development. There is strong interest for Chesterfield Waterside on both the housing and commercial elements of the scheme and it is hoped work will start towards the end of the year.  Markham Vale continues attracting investment with Ready Egg building a new factory which will create 50 Jobs, over 200 jobs have been created on sit ein the past couple of years.

Matt Sorby from Kier updated on the progress of the market hall development which will open this October. He then led a behind the scenes tour of building for the Champions and the local media.

For behind the scenes images of the market hall visithttp://www.flickr.com/photos/destinationchesterfield/sets/72157634098097073/

For the latest on regeneration schemes in Chesterfield visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk/developments

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Skills on the agenda at Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Engineering firms met this morning (5th June) to discuss skills and training at Destination Chesterfield’s latest Manufacturing forum.

The event at Calabria in Chesterfield included presentations from Alison Bettac the new training director for the AMRC Training Centre which opens this October.  They offer a full service for manufacturing businessess to recruit and train apprentices to meet the needs of their business.

Paul Stuart from Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project highlighted the business support that they can offer to local businesses to grow and their free seminar programme including an Operational Excellence Workshop on the 28th June.

Laura Hayfield from Sheffield City Council introduced Skills Made Easy part of the Sheffield City Region City Deal and the opportunities available for employers.

This forum was organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by United Cast Bars Ltd and NatWest.

View the image gallery from the event

If you are a manufacturing and engineering firm in North Derbyshire and would like to be involved in future events email Dom Stevens atdom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s manufacturing and engineering companies invited to exclusive event at AMRC

Destination Chesterfield, the town’s marketing campaign, is offering Chesterfield and North Derbyshire’s manufacturing and engineering businesses the opportunity to become involved with The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, a world-class centre for advanced machining and materials research for high-value manufacturing sectors.

Information on how to get involved, as well the latest funding and training opportunities across the region, will be presented by the campaign’s Manufacturing and Engineering Forum, which is holding its next event at the AMRC with Boeing in Catcliffe,Rotherham.

Only 15 places are available at the free event, which is being held on Thursday 2nd May at 9.30am and includes a tour of the world-class facility.

James Brand, Chair of the Manufacturing and Engineering Forum and also managing director of Chesterfieldmanufacturing company United Cast Bar, said: “The region’s manufacturing and engineering sector is an important part of Chesterfield’s heritage. Like any industry, we cannot afford to be complacent and we must be at the forefront of developments within it. The Forum gives companies a platform to share best practice as well as develop partnerships with industry-leading organisations, like AMRC, which will help ensure our presence remains inChesterfield for many more years to come.”

The Forum was established in 2011, to represent the views of the manufacturing and engineering sector inChesterfieldto ensure it is being represented withinChesterfield, SCR and D2n2LEP.

The AMRC was established in 2001 as a £15 million collaboration between theUniversityofSheffieldand aerospace giant Boeing, with support from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund.

The AMRC now forms the core of the University of Sheffield AMRC group, along with the Nuclear AMRC, which is applying the same collaborative research model to the civil nuclear manufacturing supply chain; Namtec, which provides training and consultancy to the UK metals manufacturing supply chain; the Knowledge Transfer Centre, which opened in early 2012 to help us engage businesses along the manufacturing supply chain; and the new AMRC Training Centre, which will provide advanced apprenticeship and higher training from autumn 2013.

To reserve a place email dom.stevens@chesterfield.co.uk

For further information about Destination Chesterfield, or to become a Chesterfield Champion, visit www.chesterfield.co.uk.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Businesses called on to support Town’s marketing campaign beyond 2015

Destination Chesterfield has called on businesses to take a more active role in supporting the Town’s marketing campaign as well as have a greater say in how it is promoted.

The appeal was made at the Celebrate Chesterfield event held at the Proact Stadium on Thursday 28th March, where more than 200 members of Chesterfield’s business community gathered to celebrate the success of the marketing campaign. At the event, Destination Chesterfield announced a number of future marketing initiatives showcasing the town’s retail, food and drink and manufacturing sectors as well as support for new businesses.

Chesterfield Champion Vittorio Risorto, owner of Calabria restaurant on Glumangate, welcomed the marketing initiatives for the town’s food and drink sector. He said: “Chesterfield’s restaurant culture is steadily growing, with an increasing range of places to eat as well as some excellent local breweries and bars. They play a critical role in the local economy. I welcome any marketing initiatives that will promote our food and drink sector, both within the town and further afield.”

Since Destination Chesterfield launched in September 2010 against the backdrop of a cool financial climate, the town has shown growth across the board and bucked the national trend for declining high streets.

Cllr John Burrows, Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, praised the town’s go-getting attitude to marketing itself in a tough financial climate, saying: “We could have chosen to bunker down and ride out the recession, but we didn’t. We chose to be proactive and forge ahead with our marketing plans and this shows in the recent employment, tourism and retail figures.”

Headline facts and figures about the town at the Celebrate Chesterfield event included:

·         Unemployment decreased by 0.5%

·         11% increase in jobs in the tourism sector

·         1000 jobs to be created on the town centre’s extension, the Northern Gateway site

·         £3.1m funding secured to start the first phases of residential and commercial development at Waterside

·         11% increase in tourism spend in the local economy

·         An additional £1/2 million spent in local economy as a direct result of the Christmas marketing campaign

·         100 new Ambassadors on board to ensure visitors to the town receive a warm welcome

·         More than 120 business have joined the Chesterfield Champions scheme

Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, welcomed the news commenting: “We’re still a challenged town and Borough; however the figures show that we are moving in the right direction. That is why Destination Chesterfield is so critical in actively communicating everything we have to offer to potential inward investors, whether it’s excellent transport links, a good choice of commercial property or a burgeoning local economy. By marketing what the town has to offer and supporting the businesses already here we can create stable, fulfilling employment opportunities.”

At the event Mr Bowen called on businesses to actively support the marketing campaign by becoming Chesterfield Champions. He said: “Our Chesterfield Champions scheme enables us to harness the confidence in our business sector and promote the positive news within it to a wider audience.”

With funding secured from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) until December 2015, Destination Chesterfield is keen to get as many businesses on board with its Champions scheme to ensure the marketing campaign’s on-going success.

The Chesterfield Champions scheme is open to all businesses and offers a number of benefits, including PR and marketing support and networking support. Companies interested in joining Destination Chesterfield’s Champions scheme should visit www.chesterfield.co.uk/champions or contact Dominic Stevens on 01246 207207 or email info@chesterfield.co.uk

 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Talk up our town on Twitter for national ‘Retweet for Towns Day’

Chesterfield’s very own marketing organisation, Destination Chesterfield, is asking local residents and businesses to talk-up their town on Twitter and tell the world what’s great about it on Thursday 21st March as part of national Retweet for Towns Day.

Last year 130 towns and cities across the UK took part in the inaugural Retweet for Towns Day. This year, Destination Chesterfield wants to get the town trending on Twitter and is calling on people to tweet what they love about Chesterfield, whether it’s living, working or shopping here, the town’s nightlife, football team or even our iconic crooked spire.

To get involved on the day simply tweet why you like Chesterfield, making sure you include the hashtags #rt4towns and #chesterfield in your tweets.

During the day there will be spot prizes given away, donated by Chesterfield Champions, celebrating the top Tweets.  Prizes include tickets to a Chesterfield FC game, a signed football, a meal at Calabria, a beautiful Patchwork cup from ceramicist Clare Gage, a hamper from Northern Tea Merchants, and Cricket Festival and theatre tickets.

Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said: “Chesterfield has quite a Twitter following – there are more than 14,000 followers alone between Chesterfield FC, Chesterfield College and Destination Chesterfield.  Retweet for Towns Day is a great opportunity to bring everybody together to promote all that is great about where we live and work.

“Together we can put Chesterfield on the map for all the right reasons and encourage companies from outside the area to invest here and bring jobs with them.”

The Association of Town Centre Management (ATCM) is also supporting Retweet for Towns Day and is recommending that all members take advantage of the no cost, feel good day of promotion for towns and cities.

Shanaaz Carroll of ATCM said “We are pleased to be involved in #rt4townsagain this year as not enough is said about what is good about our towns and cities. Supporting the initiative via social media is an excellent way to bring some positivity back.”

During the day, and afterwards, all positive tweets, using the #rt4towns and#chesterfield hashtags will be hosted on Destination Chesterfield’s website as a permanent reminder of everything that is good about the town.

Visit http://www.chesterfield.co.uk/rt4towns to find out more about Retweet for Towns Day and the prizes which will be given away on the day.

Follow Destination Chesterfield on Twitter @chesterfieldUK

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield

Businesses invited to celebrate town’s success at a special event

Local businesses are invited to celebrate the success of the town’s marketing organisation, Destination Chesterfield, and hear the exciting plans for the next three years at a special breakfast event being held at the Proact Stadium on Thursday 28th March from 8am – 10.30am.

‘Celebrate Chesterfield’ will outline the achievements of Destination Chesterfield since it was launched at the same venue back in October 2010.

Representatives from two of the area’s more recent success stories, Avoca Systems and Shorts Accountants, will be speaking at the Celebrate Chesterfield event.

Avoca Systems has recently secured a share of the regional growth fund for Sheffield City Region. At Celebrate Chesterfield, Avoca will be outlining its plans to create and safeguard jobs in the local area following the expansion of the company’s provision of exported products and services to theMiddle Easthealthcare market.

The Destination Chesterfield project recently secured further funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to enable it to continue until at least December 2015.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: I am very much looking forward to the event. The town has achieved so much since Destination Chesterfield was launched, not least on-going investment, and the jobs it has brought with it. We have more than 100 Chesterfield Champions who are businesses committed to making the area a great place to live, work and invest now and beyond 2015.”

Celebrate Chesterfieldis free to attend however spaces are limited and places should be confirmed online by Friday 22nd March atwww.chesterfield.co.uk/celebrate

 

 

 

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield

Destination Chesterfield holds first Manufacturing and Engineering Forum

Today (Thursday 10th January) Chesterfield businesses attended the first Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum organised by Destination Chesterfield.

The event was hosted and chaired by James Brand, Managing Director of United Cast Bar Ltd and member of the Destination Chesterfield Board.  Attendees discussed the latest from their sector and how they can work collaboratively to grow their businesses.

There was also an update on the Regional Growth Fund, which is available to Chesterfield businesses from both Sheffield City Region and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnerships to support businesses to grow and create new jobs.

James Brand said, “Since I have become involved with Destination Chesterfield I have been championing the importance of our sector to the town.  Through this forum I wanted to bring together the businesses to discuss their industry but to also provide information that can support their growth.   It was excellent that there was such a good turn out and discussion at the first event and I look forward to future forums.”

The next Chesterfield Manufacturing and Engineering Forum will take place in April.  if you are a Chesterfieldor North Derbyshire manufacturing or engineering business and would like to attend contact Dominic Stevens at Destination Chesterfield on 01246 207207 or email dominic.stevens@dncc.co.uk to find out more.

Source:Destination Chesterfield

Posted in Destination Chesterfield