Development

Chesterfield business relaunches as a dedicated commercial training provider

Continuing its 50-year history in the Chesterfield business community, NLT Training Services has successfully relaunched as a dedicated commercial training provider.

Recognising the need to multi-skill people within the workplace to better enable companies to manage skill shortages, NLT has developed a range of commercial training courses.

Specialising in training for the manufacturing and engineering-related training, NLT now also offers bespoke packages, specifically created to match the training needs of businesses.

Supporting the refocus of the business, NLT has also launched a new, more user-friendly website which includes an online booking system for its range of health and safety course. A new, centralised telephone number has also been introduced to make getting in touch with NLT even easier.

The new training offering has been welcomed by businesses operating in the sector.

According to research from the Open University, three in five firms say that the skills shortage in the UK has worsened in the last year. More than half (53%) expect recruitment problems to deepen in the next year as we leave the EU.

91% of employers surveyed revealed that a lack of available talent was affecting their business. Upskilling and cross-training existing workforce has been identified as a solution to the immediate skills shortage.

The company’s re-focus follows the move to cease operating as an apprenticeship training provider. Keen to build on 50 years’ experience working with businesses throughout the region, the company refocused its efforts earlier this year to concentrate on its commercial training offering.

NLT continues to be led by Chief Executive Sarah Temperton, who said: “This is a time of transformation for NLT. Although early days we are have a strong team and are building our commercial training offering to reflect the ever-diversifying needs of businesses.”

“We also want to give something back to businesses, so we are looking at developing a bursary to help more people enter the industry in order to address the skills problem.”

Posted in Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield

Local businesses celebrated at Derbyshire Times Business Awards

Celebrating their 30th year of caring for north-Derbyshire patients with life-limiting illnesses, Ashgate Hospicecare were named Business of the Year at the Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2018.

The awards were held at Chesterfield College and hosted by Dronfield entrepreneur Jessica Cunningham, star of TV show The Apprentice.

It is the 10th year that the Derbyshire Times has held their Business Awards, recognising the very best of the area’s commerce, trade and industry. Outstanding firms and the businessmen and women that run them were honoured in 14 different categories.

Derbyshire Times Editor Phil Bramley said: “The awards night was a great celebration of some of the outstanding business we have in our local community.”

“It was especially moving to see the standing ovation which Jillian Thomas received as she collected her Lifetime Achievement award and as she spoke powerfully about how being caught up in the Boxing Day Tsunami while on holiday in Thailand changed her life forever.”

“The judges had no hesitation in naming Ashgate Hospicecare as our overall Business of the Year 2018 and there can surely be no more deserving recipient.”

“It was especially fitting that they received the award in the year they mark 30 years of providing vital end-of-life care to people across north Derbyshire.”

The winners were:

The Innovation Award 

Winner: Auto Windscreen

Highly commended: Chesterfield Royal Hospital Foundation Trust, MOTUS Women Entrepreneurs Network.

People Development Award

Winner: A-Rock Construction

Community Contribution Award

Winner: Less Than Zero Barbers

Highly commended: Chameleon School of Construction

Customer Service Award

Winner: S44 Travel

Highly commended: Less Than Zero Barbers, Pinewood Properties

Apprentice of the Year

Winner: Jenna- Leigh Bates of Recruit 2 You Ltd

Highly commended: Declan Pike of Palamatic, Deborah Downes of  Van Dyk by Wildes

Independent Retailer of the Year

Winner: Itsy Bitsy Boutique

Lifestyle and Leisure Award

Winner: Stephensons Tea and Coffee House

Highly commended: Morley Hayes

New Business of the Year

Winner: Revilo Images

Highly commended: Edwards Employment Solutions Ltd, White Peak Distillery

Professional Services

Winner: Shorts

Highly Commended: Pinewood Properties

Small Business of the Year

Winner: Emerald Accountancy Services Ltd

Highly commended: Inspire Design and Development, Paperclip, Sanitaryware Supplies Company Ltd.

The Excellence in Manufacturing Award

Winner: BG Engineering

Charity of the Year award

Winner: Ashgate Hospicecare

Mitchells Anniversary Award 

Winner: Sanitaryware Supplies Company Ltd

Business Person of the Year award

Winner: Rupert Armitage of Auto Windscreens

Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Jillian Thomas of Future Life Wealth Management

2018 Business of the Year 

Winner: Ashgate Hospicecare

Derbyshire Times Business Awards

Derbyshire Times Business Awards 2018: Winners and runners-up join together for a group photograph at the end of the awards ceremony.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Education and business sectors join forces to launch 12-month Made in Chesterfield campaign

A year-long campaign, which is sponsored by University of Derby, has been launched in Chesterfield to get more young people interested in careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).

Established in 2014, Made in Chesterfield has traditionally been a month-long festival held during November. To mark its fifth year, the campaign has now been aligned with the National Curriculum and will run throughout the next 12 months.

Organised by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Education Business Partnership, the Made in Chesterfield campaign brings together businesses and employers in the sector with schools and education providers.

This year, the campaign is supported by key employers in the local STEM sector, including Chesterfield Police, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar, Kingfield Electronics, Aztec Oils, Penny Hydraulics and Trans-Tronic, who are all opening their doors to teachers and pupils who are keen to know more about careers and jobs on offer.

Since establishing Made in Chesterfield, the campaign has resulted in over 2,500 young people from schools spending time in the area’s manufacturing and engineering businesses. School visits to businesses operating within the STEM sector are being organised by Derbyshire Education Business Partnership.

Chesterfield College has also credited the initiative with helping to make a difference to the awareness of careers linked to STEM subjects. The number of students studying STEM subjects at the College has increased from 265 last year to 440 in 2018.

Launched at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, the move to a 12-month campaign follows news that Spanish train manufacturer Talgo is considering investing in a £9 million innovation centre at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

Speaking at the launch Dr Peter Dewhurst, Commercial Director, University of Derby, said: “Since opening the University’s Campus at St Helena’s in October 2016, the University has worked hard to support the town with us enrolling over 400 new learners and engaging with 12 local businesses to deliver Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. However, we are keen to do more to support the community and local businesses in achieving their potential and one way we are looking to achieve this is through our support for the Made in Chesterfield campaign.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield commented: “Talgo’s recent interest in Chesterfield has further put the spotlight on the town’s engineering and manufacturing sector. Our central location, engineering heritage and knowledge base makes us particularly attractive to companies operating within the STEM sector.”

“It’s a very exciting time for Chesterfield. We have the core ingredients to make the area a national hub of excellence for manufacturing and engineering. Initiatives like Made in Chesterfield which bring together education and business are so important in helping the town attract further investment to increase both job numbers and opportunities for everyone.”

Clare Talati, Director of Derbyshire Education Business Partnership said: “We have seen this initiative grow each year and we actively encourage all schools to get involved; bringing the world of work to life for learners is at the core of what we aim to deliver and the commitment made by local businesses is fantastic and not to be missed.”

In addition to the University of Derby, Made in Chesterfield is also run in partnership with MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd, NatWest and Placing Futures.

To find out more about Made in Chesterfield and how you can get involved, please visit: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/made/.

launch Made in Chesterfield campaign

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Record occupancy for Chesterfield’s Innovation Centres

Occupancy figures at Chesterfield Borough Council’s innovation centres are at a record high despite the current economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

Both Tapton Park and Dunston Innovation Centres are more than 90 per cent let with only four offices still available to rent over both centres.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “The level of lettings within the two centres shows the healthy state of local businesses in the borough.

“We built these centres to provide a space for new and innovative businesses to operate on ‘easy in, easy out’ terms so that they can establish themselves, grow and then expand in to bigger business premises within the borough.

“It is a model that has proved very successful over the years but demand seems even higher over the past 12 months.

“It is for this reason that we have recently submitted a planning application to build an Enterprise Centre on part of the site of the Holywell Cross car park to provide hi-spec accommodation for up to 32 businesses.”

Chesterfield Borough Council opened Tapton Park Innovation Centre in 1997 and Dunston Innovation Centre in 2002 to provide modern, high specification work space with in-house support services.

Hundreds of companies have used the centres over the years to successfully grow their businesses.

Somerville Associates recently established at Dunston Innovation Centre. Owner Andrew Somerville said: “Our initial interaction with the centre staff gave us the distinct impression that professionalism and commitment to excellence are paramount here.

“We really like the flexibility for future growth offered by facilities such as rent-a-desk. We have everything we need and working here is a pleasure.”

Various office sizes are available and range from a virtual office, rent a desk suite, to offices from 202 sq ft to 1500 sq ft. Lettings are processed quickly and terms are flexible, ideal for new businesses.

Other key features include ultra-fast internet connectivity, telephone, admin, post and reception support, a free on-site business advisor offering access to specialist innovation support, and access at discounted rates to the conference and meeting rooms in both centres.

Both centres are also located close to Chesterfield town centre, have free car parking, and excellent road and rail links with Derby, Sheffield and London.

Anyone with enquiries about Tapton Innovation Centre, Dunston Innovation Centre or the council’s other commercial premises should contact Hannah Ramsdale, or Michelle Shaw on 01246 345255.

To search for commercial property across Chesterfield try our online property search

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New website to unearth mining history at Markham Vale

From dusty faces, holidays to Skegness and coalface training – lots of stories from Markham Colliery are being unearthed every day thanks to the launch of a new website.

The Story Mine website has been set up by a team of local volunteers, including local historian Sandra Struggles and has been funded by Derbsyhire County Council alongside a £35,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The new website gives details about the lives of the men who worked at the site, their jobs and the local mining community. Residents will also be able to use the website to send in their stories, memories or facts and hear about the project’s latest developments, events and discoveries.

Research into the lives of the thousands of local men who worked at the site between 1882 and 1993 has been carried out as part of the Story Mine project.

There are also real-life accounts of working down the pit from former miners and videos from relatives of the men who were tragically killed working at the site in the 3 major disasters in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

Shane Cooper talks about losing his father Gordon Richard Cooper in the 1973 disaster: “On the morning of the tragic accident my father kissed my mother goodbye and then me and my sisters, he grabbed his lunchbox and left the house whistling and singing away as he walked to the pit.”

“Miners innocently went to work and never came home to their families.”

Elaine Tidd, daughter of Markham miner Keith Bigg, said: “My father was a miner at Markham Colliery for the majority of his working life.”

“I remember living so close to the mine that our house would get dusty.”

“Each year we’d go on holiday to the miners’ camp at Skegness – we would see the same families that you would see all year round and it was fantastic. We’d have a cinema, ballroom, swimming and there was always a competition to enter.”

Markham Colliery has now been reclaimed by Derbyshire County Council and Henry Boot Developments and is home to the Markham Vale flagship regeneration scheme which is working to create 4,100 jobs for local people.

Councillor Tony King, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of the Story Mine website – it’s interactive, informative and an excellent place for people to share their stories of Markham Colliery.”

“These stories are very important and it’s vital that we don’t forget the site’s mining history, the challenging jobs the pit workers had and the sacrifices they and their families made.”

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in the Story Mine project – you should be very proud of what has been achieved.”

Councillor King added: “I’d also like to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and National Lottery players for making the project possible.”

All the stories included on the website have been researched by a group of local community volunteers and this work will continue with help from members of the public.

Great strides have already been made at Markham Vale by us to remember its mining history with the permanent ‘Walking Together’ memorial which will eventually feature 106 figures stretching between the village of Duckmanton in Chesterfield and the former pithead which symbolises a miner’s journey to and from work and represents the 106 men who lost their lives in 3 major disasters at the site in 1937, 1938 and 1973.

The Walking Together memorial has been designed by Cheshire-based Artist Stephen Broadbent, commissioned by arts organisation Beam, who also manage the Story Mine project on our behalf.

The website can be found here: markhamstorymine.org

Unearthing stories from Markham Colliery: (from right) Councillor Tony King – Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration with relative and volunteer Alison Bull and relative Shane Cooper.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Visiting

Shorts acquire Lilleker & King

Chesterfield Champion Shorts is pleased to confirm that with effect from November 2018, they have agreed to purchase Clay Cross based accountancy practice Lilleker & King, as sole practitioner Andrew King looks to retire.

Andrew King began his career over 40 years ago, working for (what was then known as) Samuel Edward Short & Co, articled to Jim Briar. He previously worked alongside Andrew Heelin and remained in touch with his former colleagues after leaving the firm before he joined the business of Lilleker & King in 1990.

Andrew Heelin, who is now Shorts’ Accounts Director, comments “We are all looking forward to meeting Lilleker & King’s clients and ensuring that they continue to receive the level of service that they have previously enjoyed.”

Andrew King added “Having trained in my early career myself at Shorts, it was a natural decision for me to look to transferring my business to them when I retired. I know that my clients will receive a great service and be in safe hands with the team at Shorts.”

Andrew King will be working alongside Andrew Heelin over the coming year in order to ensure a smooth transition of his clients. Members of the Lilleker & King team have also joined Shorts.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Development

Free conference to help Peak businesses tap the full potential of the ‘Purple Pound’

Time is fast running out for visitor economy businesses and services to book free places at a one-day conference featuring local and national experts in accessible tourism – now worth an annual £12 billion to the English economy.

The second Derbyshire Access Exchange will be held at the Proact Stadium, Chesterfield on Wednesday November 21 to help the area’s business people and service providers make the most of the so-called ‘purple pound’.

Co-ordinated by Access for All UK, the consultancy arm of Accessible Derbyshire and supported by official tourist board Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the main aim is to create an even more accessible destination by:

  • Sharing best practice and top tips from national experts
  • Learning about accessibility projects across the Peak District and Derbyshire
  • Browsing and sampling products to improve accessibility
  • Finding out how accessibility can boost profits
  • Promoting and sharing accessibility projects, plans and marketing techniques
  • Meeting Accessible Derbyshire, the local charity that can help with funding
  • Improving confidence in welcoming people with access needs
  • Collaborating, creating new partnerships and celebrating success
  • Planning future action to improve accessibility

Key speakers will include Ross Calladine, Head of Business Support at national tourist board VisitEngland; Trizia Wells, Inclusion Manager at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum; Dan Smith, Head of Creative Design at Motionspot, offering insights into dementia-friendly design and Felicity and David Brown, owners of Hoe Grange Holidays, Brassington, who will share their advice and expertise on how to create accessible holiday accommodation.

The event will be held from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and a complimentary two-course lunch and refreshments are included. During the afternoon, there will be a series of workshop sessions, during which delegates will have the chance to experience the wide range of accessible facilities and services that are on the market.

“National research by VisitBritain reveals that one in five people in the UK have an impairment that might affect where they choose to stay and visit, and that domestic and international visitors spend more than £3.5 billion on overnight tourism trips in England each year,” said Jo Dilley, Managing Director, Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire.

“It also reveals that visitors from this market are more likely to take longer trips, are generally very loyal to destinations that meet their needs, and also that an extra £117 million a year could be generated from additional business if accessibility were improved.”

“So not only is improving accessibility important to improve people’s overall experience, it’s obviously very good for business. We’re very pleased to support this event, which we hope will further enhance the Peak District and Derbyshire’s excellent reputation in this fast expanding field.”

Gillian Scotford, of Access for All UK and Accessible Derbyshire, added: “This is a brilliant opportunity for local businesses and services to learn more about how they can better appreciate and meet the needs of the 13 million people with disabilities in the UK – ranging from hearing, vision and mobility impairment to autism, learning difficulties and dementia.”

“Last year’s event got things off to a great start. We are delighted that Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is able to support it for a second time, and also to offer extra funding this year to enable us to offer four training days plus free audits, training and support to 30 small businesses in nine market towns. Their practical and financial commitment to helping to make life easier for people with disabilities is much appreciated.”

“We hope as many people as possible will sign up for what promises to be an enjoyable, interesting and very positive day, and will then take advantage of the follow-up training and support that will be available in the New Year.”

Tickets for Derbyshire Access Exchange can now be booked here.

Gillian Scotford (left) and Jane Cooper of Access for All UK and Accessible Derbyshire

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

Groups invited to apply now for Action Grants

Community groups, clubs and charities are being invited to apply now for the next round of Derbyshire County Council’s Action Grants.

Action Grants totalling more than £210,000 have been awarded to 112 groups across Derbyshire in the first round of our scheme which we launched in May 2018. A full list of those who have benefitted can be found here.

Applications from the second round, which closed in September 2018, are currently being considered and the third round is open now inviting applications up to 31 December 2018.

From the £1.5 million fund there are 2,000 small grants of up to £500, a number of grants worth up to £5,000, and for schemes which can be shown to offer long-term benefits for local people and promote two or more of the Action Grant themes, potential grants of £10,000.

Successful applicants so far were able to show they promoted one or more of the four Action Grant themes or a combination;

Youth activity – Including setting up youth clubs, organising activities for young people, projects to help young people gain new skills or schemes to help them deal with mental health issues.

Community activity – Such as setting up new community groups, organising a local event or starting a community project.

Physical activity and sport – Money for schemes to encourage residents of all ages to take part in physical activities, keep fit and stay healthy – or which encourage people to get active if they’re not already.

Community safety – Grants for projects to reduce crime and the fear of crime including raising awareness about scams and rogue trading, schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour and initiatives to help residents keep themselves safe.

Successful applicants in the first round of Action Grants included:

  • Friendship and social clubs
  • Brownie, Scout, Guide and Cadet groups
  • Sports clubs
  • Fitness classes
  • Youth activities and support for young people
  • Baby and toddler groups
  • Specialist support schemes
  • New community initiatives
  • Music and arts groups
  • Gardening and environmental projects

Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “If you’re involved with a community group, club or charity in Derbyshire and would benefit from a cash boost our next round of Action Grant applications is now open and I’d urge you to apply.”

“There are many groups which do amazing work to provide opportunities for residents in their communities and we’re keen to support them. An Action Grant could be just the helping hand they need to do even more to provide lasting benefits for residents across the county.”

“As the list of groups which successfully applied for one of our grants in the first round shows, we’re happy to consider any activity for Action Grant funding which can show a benefit for residents and their local community – anything from family fit sessions and school holiday clubs to schemes which tackle domestic abuse and support mental health.”

“We’ve made the process as simple as possible with a short form to fill in and a quick decision process. Dozens of groups are already benefiting from their Action Grants and we’re encouraging others to get their applications in before the next deadline.”

The deadline for the current round of Action Grant applications is 31 December 2018. Groups which apply should hear if they have been successful within 4 weeks of the deadline. More rounds will follow next year until the scheme ends in May 2020.

Click here to apply or for further information on applications.

Action Grants

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

New bridge approved for Chesterfield Waterside

The building of a new bridge at the Chesterfield Waterside development has been approved by Chesterfield Borough Council. Once built the bridge will allow access to the ‘ The Park’ area of the development.

The Park is Chesterfield Waterside’s main housing area and represents phase one of the project. Construction of up to 170 two, three and four-bedroom homes within The Park is expected to get underway in 2019.

The first 19 homes within The Park neighbourhood have already been completed and fully occupied since February 2015.  They offer contemporary, sustainable housing in a parkland setting along the canalside and Brimington Road.

Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc, the company leading the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside project. said: “I am delighted that Chesterfield Borough Council has granted permission to create a new access bridge and road to what will become The Park neighbourhood within the Chesterfield Waterside development. This represents yet another important milestone for the project, and we are now in a position to progress proposals to develop new homes in The Park area of the site next year.”

Chesterfield Waterside is an innovative and sustainable £320 million scheme and is currently the 47th largest regeneration project in the UK.  The development has risen from the remains of the old Trebor factory and is a major mixed-use regeneration programme to the immediate north of the town centre. The site straddling the River Rother and Chesterfield Canal and alongside the A61 will provide a thriving and successful new part of the town centre.

Find out more about the Chesterfield Waterside development

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New Grant Fund available for Chesterfield businesses

Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses can now apply for grants towards capital and revenue projects.

The Derbyshire Business Support Grant Scheme offers funding from between £2,000 and £50,000, which are available towards Capital or Revenue projects with the aim of supporting businesses to, expand, evolve or relocate, helping to create increased investment, growth and job creation.

Sole Traders, Partnerships, Limited companies and Social Enterprises who are liable or will be liable to pay business rates as part of the grant funded project are able to apply. A maximum of 50% of the total eligible project costs will be available and funding will awarded to support improved productivity, technology, systems, supply chain and skills development within businesses.

Chesterfield businesses wanting to find out more about the funding can attend a drop in session organised by Chesterfield Borough Council’s Innovation Support Project on the 15th November at The University of Derby’s Chesterfield Campus from 9.30 – 12.30. This drop in session will allow businesses to have an initial discussion about the possibilities of funding to help their enterprises achieve the step change they are seeking.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager said ” It is great to see this new support available for businesses across Derbyshire.  We encourage Chesterfield businesses to attend the drop in session to find out more about how they can use this funding to support the growth of their business.”

The fund opened for applications in September 2018 and will run until the 31st March 2020.

Find out about this and other funding opportunities for businesses

Find out more about the drop in event for businesses

Weightron

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development

New pub to open in Chesterfield

The newest addition to Chesterfield’s food and drink scene will open in November.

Formerly known as The White Swan, The Pig and Pump will be a traditional pub serving a large range of real ales, traditional ciders, a craft offering and home cooked locally sourced food. The venue also plans to showcase live bands from around the country every Saturday night.

Multi site owners Tom O’Neill and Kate Simpson secured the venue in October and are currently in the process of a full refurbishment. Once open the venue will create 20 new jobs.

General Managers Ash & Danielle Sheppard said “We are excited to push the venue to the next level and bring our experience and passion for real ale, quality food & live music to make the Pig & Pump a huge success!”

The grand opening takes place on the weekend of the 23rd and 24th November with live music from the Jake Henry Trio on the Friday and Andy Bennett, formally of Ocean Colour Scene on the Saturday.

This news follows the annual Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards being announced last week. The awards which were in their 6th year celebrate the flourishing food an drink scene in the town. Check out this years winners at www.chesterfield.co.uk/foodanddrinkawards.

Pig and Pump

Posted in Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Development, Leisure, Visiting