A vehicle accident repair centre has opened up its new state-of-the-art bodyshop at a Chesterfield regeneration site bringing 14 new jobs.
AW Repair Group, which provides a range of crash repair services, opened its fourth bodyshop at Markham Vale this month in a £450,000 expansion.
The firm’s new premises just off junction 29A of the M1, adds to their existing sites in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.
Managing Director of AW Repair Group, Andrew Walsh said:
“Markham Vale fitted perfectly with the group’s expansion plans being located just off the M1. We are excited to be opening up job opportunities in the surrounding areas and looking forward to working with the local community.”
AW Repair Group work in partnership with prestige manufacturers such as Land Rover, Jaguar and the Volkswagen Group, and currently employs 85 people across three sites.
A further 14 jobs have been created at the Markham site, 12 of which have been filled and two will be advertised shortly.
Peter Storey, Head of Markham Employment Growth Zone at Markham Vale said:
“AW Repair Group is the latest in a line of companies signing up to move in at Markham, bringing more jobs to the area.”Markham Vale continues to thrive and plays a key role in achieving the council’s long-term vision of building a strong economy in Derbyshire that creates jobs and provides a bright future for our young people.”
The firm’s 15,000 sq. ft. bodyshop was designed by our private sector developer, Henry Boot Ltd as part of the Waterloo Court building.
Ben Ward from Henry Boot Developments commented:
“We are delighted to welcome AW Repair Group to Markham Vale. The recent flurry of successful deals makes Markham Vale one of the most active enterprise zones in the UK.”We recently welcomed Ready Egg and Euro Garages, delivered additional space for Holdsworth Foods and are currently underway with significant new buildings for Gould Alloys and inspirepac for occupation this summer.”
Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.
The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone developments and this latest development is being funded using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.
Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, has described the £1 billion of developments currently happening in the town as a ‘real game changer’.
His comments came at the recent annual Celebrate Chesterfield event, organised by the town’s inward investment campaign Destination Chesterfield. Held at the Winding Wheel (25 March) the packed event saw more than 220 business leaders gather to learn about plans for the town.
Peak Resorts was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to the US in January. Mr Bowen added: “We have a lot to look forward to with over £1 billion of investment coming into the town thanks to big projects like Chesterfield Waterside and Peak Resorts.
“Peak Resorts will be one of the UK’s flagship tourist attractions that will put Chesterfield on the map. Not only will it provide more than 1,000 jobs, but its hub and spoke model will encourage thousands of guests to disperse into the town centre economy every week and bring real value to our restaurant, retail and leisure businesses.”
Markham Vale – part of which sits within Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s Enterprise Zone – has also secured a further £7.6 million of funding, enabling additional areas to be opened up for development.
The funding follows £14 million of Government money last year which enabled Markham Vale to expand its business park plans by 81 acres, widen Erin Road, put in place utility infrastructure and construct 100,000 square feet of new industrial buildings. When complete the site will have capacity to bring an estimated 2,100 jobs to the town by 2022.
Further investment will also be seen within the town in 2015 as £8.6 million of funding has been secured from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership for Northern Gateway.
There are also plans to demolish and develop the former Royal Mail multi-storey car park on West Bars roundabout and work will also begin on the University of Derby’s Chesterfield campus later in July with the site set to open in summer 2016.
At the event Mr Bowen also highlighted the concept of town centre living as being central to Chesterfield’s Masterplan to drive footfall and create a thriving day and night time economy.
Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Chesterfield used to be a heavy industry town but we are now having our modern awakening. We punch well above our weight here in Chesterfield and the news that over the next few years the town will benefit from £1 billion of investment is very exciting. We are now a modern town thanks to a lot of hard work from our partnerships with Destination Chesterfield, and local businesses and also through our ability to access funding from the Sheffield City Region and D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnerships.
“As council leader I am very proud of the work we have done in regenerating the area. Over the coming years we want to work towards getting life back into the town after 6pm by investing in town centre residential and leisure facilities so that we can compete with the offerings of neighbouring cities.”
At the event, guests also welcomed news that the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, which has been running since 2011, will continue until 2017.
Four areas of activity in the 2015 Destination Chesterfield plan include the launch of a new chesterfield.co.uk website, the Retail Awards, Food and Drink Awards and a month-long repeat of last year’s week-long festival of manufacturing, Made in Chesterfield, in November.
Dominic Stevens, Destination Chesterfield Manager commented: “The project is very much business-led. The plans and campaigns we develop are driven by the business community. A recent audit recognised the many strengths of the Destination Chesterfield projects, but specifically noted the success of the Chesterfield Champions network in disseminating information, lobbying and working together to trade locally. The Chesterfield Champions Scheme has gone from strength-to-strength and now has more than 160 local organisations contributing to the promotion of the town.”
The Celebrate Chesterfield event was held in association with headline sponsors Henry Boots Developments at Markham Vale and Corrugated Case Company.
Chesterfield manufacturer Krantech Holdings Ltd has been awarded a Regional Growth Fund (RGF) grant of £300K for a £1.5 million investment in a 10,000 square foot new factory based at Colliery Close in Staveley, Chesterfield. The state-of-the-art facility’s target completion date is March 2016.
The funding will see Krantech grow from 50 employees with the creation of 15 new jobs and the new manufacturing unit will compliment the company’s existing medium/heavy fabrication workshop.
The new building will meet additional requirements for precision CNC machining and large machining capacities in the Subsea oil and gas market sector and also new services, such as pressure testing and alloy steel exotic welding.
Mel Myronko, CEO at Krantech Holding Ltd said:-
“The RGF grant has enabled us to take the company to the next phase of development. It will enable us employ a number of local people and continue with our commitment to apprenticeships”.
“The new manufacturing unit will be state of the art and set up with the “paramount safety first” attitude pre-requisite, a necessity when working in the Oil/Gas sector. Meaning, Krantech Holdings Ltd will be well equipped in both H&S and technical ability to deliver on any specification from MoD, Marine, Aerospace and Track/Rail sectors, as well as general machining.”
“All this has been achieved with the assistance of Chesterfield Borough Council.”
Due to the expansion Krantech Holdings Ltd will also be expanding into new market sectors away from the oil and gas market sector, with a vision to provide services to local companies.
A £4.5m improvement programme has been agreed for the London Boroughs estate at Barrow Hill.
The work, which was approved by Chesterfield Borough Council last week, will include new roads for better access, improved car parking and green spaces and new footpaths and shared courtyards.
The changes follow extensive consultations held in July and November last year to find out would make life better for residents and visitors.
Councillor Jim McManus, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said: “If you were designing the London Boroughs estate from scratch today there is no way you would build it as it is now.
“At the time the architects would not have foreseen the huge growth of car usage and the issues this creates for parking.
“You would also want to plan the links between roads, including the network of footpaths across the estate, in a much more logical way. At the moment it is a common site to see delivery drivers unable to find the address they are looking for.
“While we cannot change everything we believe that the proposals suggested meet the needs that residents identified in the public consultation process and will improve life in many ways for everyone living on the estate.”
A tender process will take place later this year to appoint a contractor to carry out the work.
The improvement programme is set to begin in January 2016 and should be completed by March 2017.
The council’s cabinet has also approved plans to start a public consultation later this year to find out what improvements people living on the Holme Hall estate would like to see.
These schemes are the start of a planned programme of improvements for estates across the borough over the coming years.
A piece of public artwork recognising Saltergate’s football heritage has been unveiled by Chesterfield Borough Council next to Barratt Homes’ new housing development.
Designed in consultation with Chesterfield FC supporters, the commemorative piece celebrates the football ground which occupied the site for almost 140 years – featuring the inscription ‘Saltergate 1871 – 2010’ as well as Chesterfield FC supporters celebrating a goal.
Known as ‘The Spirit of Saltergate,” the metal sculpture was designed by local artist Melanie Jackson, who also worked on ‘Growth,’ which is now on display at Horns Bridge Roundabout. Its stone base was supplied by locally-based Realstone Ltd in Wingerworth.
A series of 11 bronze plaques have also been produced with images associated with Chesterfield FC. Each has a QR code allowing people to scan them and watch short videos about the history of the club on their smartphones, with content having been supplied by Chesterfield FC Community Trust from its archives.
Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Planning said:
“Like many other Chesterfield FC supporters, I have many happy memories of matches at Saltergate and so it is good that this has been reflected in this artwork by Melanie Jackson and the plaques with details of the club’s history.
“I’m pleased current supporters were involved in developing the design for the artwork, which will allow future generations to see where Saltergate football ground stood.”
Peter Whiteley Director at Chesterfield FC Community Trust added: “It was a great idea to include the fans when thinking about commemorating the Club’s former home. I am proud of what the final artwork represents.
“It is also very exciting that there is a multimedia aspect to the piece and it can be a focus for the ongoing heritage work undertaken by the Community Trust.”
The Saltergate artwork is the second in a series of public art funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Barratt Homes following the Growth sculpture at Hornsbridge Island, also designed by Melanie Jackson.
The scheme also saw improvements made to the approach to Chesterfield Railway Station with funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
Preliminary plans have been revealed for a new shopping and leisure development to be built in Chesterfield.
If given the go ahead, residents and visitors could soon see The Trumpter on Harehill Road in Grangewood transformed into a new pub or café, a convenience store and 3-4 independent retail units, which may include a hairdresser, launderette and takeaway.
Its hoped the scheme would create 30 jobs for the town.
A consultation has already taken place with local residents and groups in Grangewood and designs are now being finalised ready to submit a planning application to Chesterfield Borough Council over the next few weeks.
Commenting on the project, Martin Rix, of MAD architects LLP, said:-
”We are trying to create a new retail centre for the community, providing facilities and services which are much needed in the area, and hopefully this development can act as a catalyst for further improvements locally.
“Over the last couple of months we have been canvassing opinions from local residents & groups to ensure we are providing the right mix of shops and services on the site to ensure long term viability.”
Developer, Terry Caton added:-
“Caton Enterprises Ltd is a local business operating in Chesterfield for some 23 years. As such we didn’t just want to take away the facilities from the community. We wanted to look at this site in a different way.”
If planning permission is granted, it is hoped the centre would open to the public next year.
Further details about the proposed development, including a feedback questionnaire can be found on the architects website at www.madarchitects.co.uk and enquiries about the project can be made to the developer via email at development@thetrumpeter.co.uk.
Work to bring more businesses and jobs to Markham Vale will reach another milestone with the re-opening of Erin Road on Monday 16 March.
The road closed to motorists in August last year as part of plans to turn an area of land – where the former Seymour Colliery once stood – into commercial space for businesses, with the potential to bring an additional 2,000 jobs to Derbyshire.
Closure allowed for the removal of the ‘Bailey’ bridge over Erin Road, and for groundwork to begin for gas, water and electricity supplies.
Erin Road will now serve the next section of land to be developed at Markham Vale North and Derbyshire County Council has already received a number of enquiries from businesses looking to relocate to the new site.
Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure Councillor Dean Collins said:
“We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and support while this important work took place.
“This is an exciting development for Markham Vale which takes us a step closer to achieving our long-term vision of creating 5,000 jobs for local people within the area as well as boosting the local economy.”
A total of £1.2m has been invested in the road refurbishment which has been funded as part of a £14.2m cash injection from the government.
Construction work will continue to join Erin Road to the Markham Vale North site and temporary traffic lights will be in operation during this time.
The former Magistrates’ Court in Chesterfield has been given planning consent for office, retail and leisure use.
The Grade II listed Knightsbridge Court, is centrally situated in the town on landscaped grounds and comprises space in excess of 24,000 sq ft spanning over three floors –with suites available to let from 1,000sq ft upwards.
The building will offer businesses a distinctive space, appropriate for a range of uses such as dining, leisure, retail, education or offices.
Stuart Waite, associate director at Innes England’s Derby office, is handling the lettings on behalf of a private client. He said: “Since we were appointed on Knightsbridge Court, we have been in serious discussions with a number of occupiers regarding this building for a variety of uses.
“Occupier confidence is growing and with the economic forecast for 2015 looking positive – we are confident that the timing of this re-launch, along with the successful approval of planning for alternative uses, will see early interest converted into deals.
“We are working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council on this project, who have identified the Rose Hill and West Bars area of Chesterfield as a key strategic location for growth in its masterplan for the town.”
The property also benefits from 70+ parking spaces within its grounds.
Work has begun at Chesterfield College to create a new home for students studying plumbing, joinery and other building services courses.
The new structure, which is taking shape next to the A61 opposite the college’s existing campus on Infirmary Road, has been part funded by the Skills Funding Agency. Completion is expected by September 2015.
Principal at Chesterfield College, Stuart Cutforth explains, “This will be a fantastic new facility for our students studying a range of building services. We aim to bring the very best learning environment to every single one of our students, vitally this new building will have the latest facilities that prepare them for working out in today’s construction industry.”
The college is also updating parts of its tower building, a familiar sight on Chesterfield’s skyline. First of all the neon ‘Chesterfield College’ signage is being updated to an LED lighting system which is substantially more cost effective to run.
The oldest parts of the tower are also being updated with new double glazing and cladding that will not only update the look of the building but also improve its thermal efficiency, saving a considerable amount in heating costs.
West Studios has opened its doors to showcase the new facilities it has available for creative businesses in Chesterfield.
The former boy’s grammar school on Sheffield Road has been completely renovated thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.
Part of Chesterfield College, the centre now offers workshop and office space, as well as access to business support that can help turn creative skills into successful enterprises.
Guests enjoyed an exhibition and auction at the event on Thursday 22nd January which featured a diverse range of work from current tenants – from silversmithing to sculpture, knitwear design to performing arts and much more.
Sharlaine Fincham, Manager of West Studios said:-
“It is wonderful to be able play a role in nurturing local creative talent in a way that will give creative industries in our region a real competitive edge.
“It’s evident that a facility like West Studios is needed as we are already working with so many fantastic businesses. We are helping our tenants with things like market research, using social media and other general business support that can really make a difference.”
Photographs from the launch event are on the Chesterfield Facebook page here.
Developers are celebrating following an unprecedented year of activity at one of Chesterfield’s most prominent development sites.
Henry Boot Developments appointed six different contractors to build at the Markham Vale business park in 2014 as well as announcing speculative building proposals and five major deals.
The site has now commissioned a total of £30 million in construction projects on the 200 acre business park.
Edward Hutchinson from Henry Boot Developments said:-
“Markham Vale is an attractive location for a variety of occupiers which includes specialist distributors and manufacturers and supporting retail and offices requirements.
“The design and specification requirements for each plot vary greatly and it has proved successful for us to appoint contractors able to deliver the most competitive solution for specific occupier requirements.
In the last year Henry Boot has secured deals with Ready Egg Products for a new 34,700 sq. ft food processing plant, Holdsworth Foods 17,900 sq. ft cold store and Euro Garages complete with Shell petrol station with HGV facilities, a SPAR convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks drive-through. It also completed work on site to deliver a new Marstons public house. In the autumn it secured Gould Alloys for a 50,000 sq. ft design and build requirement and agreed terms with inspirepac to build a significant new 100,250 sq ft production facility
Further deals are in negotiations which could see the East site at full occupation and allow Henry Boot Developments to bring forward plans for development of 80 acres on Markham Vale North.
