The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in Chesterfield continues to fall according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics.   In October, there were 922 JSA claimants , 60 fewer than in September (980) and 505 fewer than in October 2014 (1485).  The current percentage of people claiming the benefit remains below the national average for a third month (1.4% for Chesterfield compared with 1.6% for the UK and 1.5% for the East Midlands).

The figures across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire continues also to fall,   In October, there were 31,550 JSA claimants across the three counties, 1,490 fewer than in September (33,040) and 9,680 fewer than in October 2014 (41,230).

The number of unemployed people in the East Midlands fell by 7,980 to 103,109 over the three months to the end of September, meaning that the region’s unemployment rate now stands at 4.5%. Over the same period, the number of people in work decreased slightly, by 747, to 2,168,138.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber said: “The employment figures released today are positive and, while taking into account the usual spike in seasonal employment we normally see at this time of year, once again show that the region continues to lead when it comes to creating jobs.

“Although the figures remain robust, there are underlying issues in the economy which still need to be addressed. Chamber members continue to report problems recruiting people with the skills they need, while the region still lags behind the UK average when it comes to productivity.

“It’s important that the jobs being created by East Midlands businesses are sustainable, which means they must be created alongside improvements in productivity.

“To keep the momentum going, we need to continue to invest in the skills and experience of our workforce and focus on attracting and retaining the best talent.”

Construction of the 480,000 sq. ft. building will commence on 9^th November after planning permission had been secured for the Great Bear development on Plot 1 at Markham Vale.

Following the completion of all legal agreements, Derbyshire County Council’s development partner Henry Boot Developments Ltd has appointed a building contractor.

At 480,000 sq. ft. the building will be the largest to date on Markham Vale.  When fully operational, the facility will employ 400 people across a variety of roles and disciplines within the logistics sector.

Markham Vale is an 80 hectare business park offering direct access to the M1 Motorway via a dedicated new junction, J29A. This prime development site offers industrial, warehouse and office accommodation in a range of unit sizes from 3,000 sq ft (279 sq m) up to one million sq ft (92,900 sq m). Markham Vale occupies a high profile location in the M1 Corridor and is available for immediate development.

There has been fantastic progress at Markham Vale over the past six years with more than 732 jobs created on site so far and 700 more in the pipeline.

Key recent investment includes:

• National distribution and warehousing company Great Bear signing a deal to move on site in 2016 creating 400 new jobs;
• The build new premises for gas, water and electric meter supplier Meter Provida, creating 40 jobs on site in January next year;
• Packaging firm Inspirepac moving on-site with a view to creating up to 100 jobs as the company grows over the next two years;
• Around 50 jobs created at Gould Alloys which moved on site in June;
• Beginning of work to expand the site and turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs in the area

Find out more about Markham Vale

A planning application is to be submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council seeking permission to convert the town’s landmark former Co-op store for a mixed leisure and restaurant use.

Find out more about the scheme and download the opportunities brochure

The large site in Elder Way has been empty since the town’s Co-op department store shut its doors to customers for the final time in July 2013.

Now, Central England Cooperative, which still owns the site, is working in partnership with Jomast Developments Ltd, who will shortly submit a planning application for a scheme.  It is anticipated that this application will include:

• An 89 bedroom hotel on the upper floor
• Six family restaurants, of between 2,929 sq ft and 3,796 sq ft in size, on the ground floor
• A 16,000 sq ft health and fitness area in the basement

The developers plan to refurbish the existing building and keep most of its original features.

Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The former Co-op store is a really important site because it occupies such a large and prominent part of the town centre.

“Our economic development and planning teams have done a huge amount of work behind the scenes with Jomast and Central England Co-operative to enable us to get to a day where a planning application can be submitted that proposes a new future for this important site within the town.

“However, as with all planning applications, the council’s planning committee will have to consider the application with an open mind, balancing all aspects of the scheme, and taking into account the opinions of the public, businesses and other bodies, before coming to a decision.”

It is expected that a planning application will be formally submitted in the week beginning 12 October. It is anticipated that a decision will be made within eight weeks. During this period there will be a 21 day consultation with the public, businesses and other interested parties.

Adam Hearld, development director for Jomast, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to revitalise a significant landmark building and create a vibrant leisure destination comprising restaurants, hotel and health and fitness accommodation in the heart of Chesterfield town centre.

“We are in the process of talking to a number of established national operators who are keen to locate in the town and benefit from a market which is currently lacking in real choice for leisure consumers.

“We will hopefully be successful in securing planning consent and able to commence works on the scheme in the New Year.”

Henry Boot Developments has recently completed the sale of two distribution and industrial investments at Markham Vale in Derbyshire, to Aviva Insurance, for a price reflecting a net initial yield of 5.3%.

The newly constructed properties comprise a 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility let to Smurfit Kappa, which is currently occupied by inspirepac, a national corrugated packaging company acquired from the Logson Group in 2014.

The sales also include the 52,000 sq ft distribution warehouse at Markham Vale West which is let to Gould Alloys, one of the fastest growing specialist metals stockholders in the country. The sale to Aviva follows the successful £36million forward funding deal of Great Bear’s 480,000 sq ft new distribution facility by M&G Real Estate earlier this year.

Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said “The demand for these fully let investments demonstrates the confidence in Markham Vale as a location of choice for both occupiers and investors.

We are extremely pleased with the recent deals announced this year, and with our next phase of development currently underway, we are offering a wealth of opportunities for investors and occupiers at Markham Vale.”

Markham Vale’s strategic location adjacent to Junction 29a of the M1 alongside its Enterprise Zone status has seen excellent levels of take up over the last couple of years. The next phase of development, Markham Vale North, is currently being prepared for development and there is already a strong interest from a number of parties for large scale distribution buildings.”

Burbage Realty and JLL represented Henry Boot Developments in the latest Aviva investment deal.