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UKATA announces temporary video conference asbestos training during Coronavirus crisis

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging workers in construction-related industries and trades to make use of the time to upskill or refresh training.

In line with this, UKATA has approved its 200-member companies and individuals to deliver a number of its approved courses by video conferencing software, including Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, UKATA members are approved to deliver the following courses by video conference:

  • Asbestos Awareness
  • Asbestos Awareness Refresher
  • Duty to Manage – Extension to Asbestos Awareness
  • Non-Licensable Refresher (Delegates must complete a Training Needs Analysis prior to the training)

The move to temporary video conference training was approved during a recent emergency UKATA board meeting.

A number of quality control measures have also been put in place with members to ensure the training delivered continues to be of a high quality. To support the delivery of courses UKATA is also developing a new, bespoke online examination system.

UKATA-approved training providers are audited regularly by UKATA to ensure the training they deliver is of a consistently high standard. They are also authorised to award industry-recognised and respected UKATA certificates following successful completion of training.

To ensure that training can continue to be delivered by members, UKATA has also agreed to grant an extension period to members whose membership process deadlines are approaching.

Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA, which is a highly respected, leading authority on asbestos training explained: “These are uncertain times and we have acted swiftly to ensure that workers can access vital asbestos training and that our members can continue to deliver it.

“It’s a distressing time for everyone concerned, particularly self-employed people, but we are urging people to use this enforced downtime to upskill and increase their knowledge and awareness of asbestos.”

He  added: “The industry is going to have some difficult times ahead, from projects being cancelled to shortage of supplies, inevitably meaning works cannot be carried out, but the country and the industry WILL recover and we must all be ready to hit the ground running when that happens.

“UKATA staff are all working remotely to ensure that, as much as possible, it’s business as usual and that we can continue to support our members and the industry during these unprecedented times.”

To find a UKATA member in your area delivering asbestos training visit www.UKATA.org.uk,call 01246 824437 or email info@ukata.org.uk.

Click here to view our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Made in Chesterfield

Coronavirus – Business support to launch from today

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme will provide government-backed loans of up to £5 million to small and medium businesses.

The Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility will provide a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for those large firms who need it.
A business information campaign has launched to ensure that businesses are aware of support available.

Businesses will be able to access government support from today (Monday 23 March) to keep operating in the face of the global economic emergency brought on by coronavirus. Details of two new loan schemes are being confirmed and an information campaign launched so that businesses know how to get help.

More than £330 billion of loans and guarantees to help firms continue operating will be available for applications from the two schemes launching today – as the government delivers on its commitment to do everything it can to support business and manage cashflows during this difficult time.

For small and medium sized businesses, the new Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is now available for applications. This scheme will help any viable business with a turnover of up to £45m to access government-backed finance of up to £5 million. Interest payments and any lender-levied fees for businesses will be covered by the Government for an initial period of up to twelve months.

The government will provide lenders with a guarantee of 80% on each facility to give lenders further confidence in continuing to provide finance to SMEs. The scheme is available through more than 40 accredited lenders, which are listed on the British Business Bank website.

The Bank of England’s new lending facility for larger firms – the Covid Corporate Financing Facility – will also be open for applications to participate from this morning. By purchasing short-term corporate debt – known as commercial paper – the scheme provides a quick and cost-effective way to raise working capital for companies who are fundamentally strong but are experiencing severe disruption to cashflows, helping businesses across a range of sectors to pay wages and suppliers. The scheme is open to firms that can demonstrate that they were in sound financial health prior to the impact of Coronavirus. Companies who wish to use the scheme do not need to have issued commercial paper before.

A government information campaign has also launched today to ensure businesses are aware of the support available to them and how to access it. In addition to a new central website, the campaign will use media channels including radio, social media and television to reach businesses eligible for help.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said: “We are working round the clock to do whatever it takes to protect our people and businesses. That means that we are not only taking unprecedented action but doing so at unprecedented speed, because we know that businesses and their employees need help now.”

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “We know that businesses are in urgent need of access to funding during these unprecedented times. The Business Interruption Scheme will make it easier for banks to lend and businesses to borrow. This will ensure that credit keeps flowing to where it is needed, when it is needed.”

Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, said: “The Bank of England has taken a number of steps in recent weeks to support the UK economy through the economic shock caused by covid-19. On Monday a new lending scheme, the Covid Corporate Financing Facility, will open to help businesses manage through this period of uncertainty. Combined with steps taken by the Government, this will help companies through this difficult time and support the needs of the people of this country.”

This builds on the Chancellor’s announcement on Friday of further support for firms and employees, meaning that businesses should have the access to the funds they need during this difficult period. Further measures will be announced to ensure larger and medium sized businesses will be able to access the credit they need.

Links to the information provided here and more can be found on the Destination Chesterfield Coronavirus Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Derbyshire Emergency Relief Fund for businesses now in place

UPDATE 25/03/20: Applications are currently closed on a temporary basis – “We are currently processing the applications received so far as quickly as possible and prioritising self-employed applicants to ensure they are the first to receive payments.” Read more here.

Following the announcement of an initial £1m allocation, complementing the Government’s coronavirus funding packages, the Derbyshire County Council Emergency Relief Fund for the county’s smallest businesses is now in place.

Businesses with nine or fewer employees and sole traders will now be able to apply online for up to £500 in emergency support to help to cover the initial hardships that companies might have as a result of the pandemic.Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Derbyshire’s smallest businesses, particularly in certain sectors, will already be feeling the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The support available from the Emergency Relief Fund won’t solve those problems but might help those who face an immediate issue as a result of lost income.””The Fund is easy to apply for and one-off payments will be made quickly for successful applicants. Alongside this direct financial help we are pulling together a wider package of support in place to help companies access the millions of pounds that the Government has made available for businesses and more details are available at  www.derbyshire.gov.uk/businessgrants.”

The Emergency Relief Fund criteria and application form are available online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/businessgrants . Businesses will need to be registered in Derbyshire, be able to evidence a loss of income as a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak and fulfil the other criteria laid out online in order to apply. The Fund will be open until the 17th April 2020 and has a limited number of grants available.

The Government has already announced a wide range of measures to support businesses across the country including a business rate holiday and a range of grants. Details of this support is awaited and the Emergency Relief Fund is intended to help businesses whilst the national support is put in to place.

Businesses and residents can find Derbyshire-specific support during the coronavirus outbreak.

Click here to view our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

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

National Trust closes parks and gardens

From midnight on 21 March the National Trust will close all of its gated gardens and parks to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

The move follows the closure of pubs, restaurants, cafes, gyms and leisure centres announced by the government on Friday, and tightening travel restrictions and public health advice.

At the start of this week the conservation charity announced that despite closing its houses, shops and cafes, it would work to keep gardens and parks open so people could access open space. However, the Trust warned that a fair weather forecast and Mothering Sunday could tempt people onto the roads over the weekend and National Trust sites would close if high demand meant social distancing could not be enforced.

Director-General Hilary McGrady said: “Despite our desire to keep our outdoor spaces open, the health and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and visitors has to be our top priority. Having observed the numbers visiting our properties today and I am no longer convinced we can maintain social distancing over Mother’s Day when numbers are likely to grow, and beyond.”

“We have now sadly taken the decision to close all of our parks and gardens, in addition to our houses, shops and cafes, to avoid crowding that puts social distancing at risk.”

“We know that people are likely to need space and fresh air in the coming weeks and months and we will do all we can to provide access wherever possible.”

“Our countryside and coastal locations remain open with parking charges waived, but we encourage people to stay local and observe social distancing measures.”

“Over the coming weeks our digital platforms – our website, social media feeds, podcasts and video – will become even more important, ensuring the places of nature, beauty and history that we care for on behalf of the nation can remain open for business virtually while we are temporarily closed.”

“We will also be ramping up our efforts to help people connect with nature wherever they are and to find moments of joy in the world around them. We will be providing rich content and staying in touch with our members and followers throughout this time.”

Information on which National Trust outdoor places are open can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure

Chatsworth to close garden with immediate effect

Chatsworth has taken the decision to close its garden to visitors with immediate effect today (22 March) until further notice in light of the most recent government guidance.

The toilets will remain open today 22 March, but all public toilets at Chatsworth will be closed from 23 March. Chatsworth House, Farmyard and Adventure Playground were not open, and will remain closed.

Chatsworth Chief Executive Stephen Vickers said: “This decision has not been taken lightly. The situation is enormously complex and fast moving, and we believe that taking decisive action to help implement effective social distancing is in the best interests of all of our visitors and staff, and is part of the collective national effort to help contain the coronavirus.

“On behalf of the Duke and Duchess, and everyone as at Chatsworth, I would like to thank our visitors for their continued support, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back soon.”

As a vital food service outlet, the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop remains open, and everyone is working hard to ensure staff and customers are protected with social distancing measures, and maintain stocks and replenish shelves, so it can best serve the community.  More products are being added to the online shop, and local delivery and click and collect services are being set up to support those who are self-isolating. The café at the farm shop remains closed.

Outdoor space and fresh air are imperative to everyone’s wellbeing, and the Chatsworth Park and Woodland will remain open. However, Chatsworth is asking people to observe all Government guidelines regarding social distancing and unnecessary travel.

Updates will be posted when available on the Chatsworth website and social media channels, so please look out for these.

For more information, visit www.chatsworth.org

Chatsworth House

Posted in About Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Barrow Hill Roundhouse and the Rail Ale Team issue joint statement

Barrow Hill Roundhouse and the Rail Ale Team have issued a joint statement regarding the upcoming event:

It is with the utmost sadness that we have made the decision to postpone this year’s celebration of 20 years of the Rail Ale Beer & Music Festival at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

This has not been a decision taken lightly in our 20th year but the welfare and safety of visitors to this hugely popular event as well as that of our staff, volunteers, traders and musicians is of the utmost importance.

As the country comes together to deal with the threat of coronavirus we must all do what we can to overcome it. Following discussions with all those involved in the organisation of the event – which was due to take place on 14th, 15th and 16th May 2020 – we have agreed that this year’s Festival will now take place on 13th, 14th and 15th August 2020, subject to the Government’s advice at that time.

We would like to offer our sincere apologies to all those who have already booked tickets for this year’s Festival. We are pleased to advise that you may use the tickets you have bought for May in August without any additional charges being payable. However, if you would prefer to be refunded, please contact the ticket seller. For online tickets this is www.seetickets.com who will be happy to help.

We also hope to reschedule the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club event that was due to take place on 14th May 2020 and are in contact with his management team about this. As soon as we are able to provide an update on this event, we will contact all those who have already bought tickets.

The postponement of this year’s Festival will no doubt be a great disappointment to many of you – our incredible team of staff and volunteers who work so hard to make this event happen are equally saddened.

We were really looking forward to welcoming you all to the Roundhouse in May but are hopeful that we will see you all in August. You can keep up-to-date with details of the revised dates and our plans at www.railalefestival.com or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Barrow Hill roundhouse will also be closed until further notice:

We have made the decision to temporarily close Barrow Hill Roundhouse to our weekend visitors.

This has not been a decision taken lightly in the year that the Roundhouse celebrates its 150th birthday but the welfare and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is of the utmost importance.

We do not know when we will be able to reopen and will follow the Government’s advice before we make that decision.

In the meantime you can still keep in touch with us through our website www.barrowhill.org and social media channels.

Stay safe and take care.

The Roundhouse Team

Click here to view our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Garden will open as Coronavirus hits new season at Chatsworth

UPDATE 22/3/2020: Chatsworth to close garden with immediate effect

Chatsworth has announced that the wide-open spaces of its world-famous garden and parkland will welcome visitors from Saturday 21 March but that the house, farmyard, adventure playground, gift shops and most of its restaurants will remain closed until further notice.

The estate farm shop at the nearby village of Pilsley will remain open and is looking at new ways of serving local communities, and particularly elderly and vulnerable people, by extending its home delivery service and increasing the number of products available from its online shop.

Home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Derbyshire estate took the decision to restrict entry in response to the rapid spread of the Coronavirus. While the garden and parkland will open for visitors wanting to take a walk and get some fresh air, ‘social distancing’ and additional hygiene measures have been put in place (Read more here – Visiting Chatsworth and the Coronavirus).

Chatsworth’s 105-acre garden is famous for its rich history, historic and modern waterworks and sculptures, its Victorian rock garden and maze while the spectacular 1,000-acre park on the banks of the River Derwent was chiefly designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 1760s. Parking charges have been waived at Chatsworth and nearby Calton Lees – entry to the garden is paid for but the parkland is free to all visitors.

The Duke of Devonshire: “The health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff is paramount and, in the end, that made it an easy decision to restrict entry. At the same time, with so much of the country in shutdown, we wanted to keep the garden and parkland open to visitors because they are big spaces and can still be enjoyed safely.”

“It’s a great shame that the treasures in the house will be closed and that children won’t be able to go to the farmyard or adventure playground but, under the circumstances, I’m sure they’ll understand. Everybody is still welcome to come and enjoy Chatsworth and we will open in full again as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

At present, the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials (15-17 May) and the Chatsworth Country Fair (4-6 September) are scheduled to go ahead but RHS Chatsworth (11-14 June) has been cancelled. All events, large or small, will remain under review and visitors are advised to check Chatsworth’s website and social media channels for updates before making any plans.

Chatsworth is currently undergoing the biggest transformation of its 105-acre garden since Joseph Paxton’s work finished more than 200 years ago. An undeveloped 15-acre area of the garden, now called Arcadia, is being replanted and reshaped by celebrated garden designer Tom Stuart Smith as part of a total 25-acre redevelopment area that also includes a remodelled Rockery, the Maze borders, the Ravine, and Dan Pearson’s work at the Trout Stream and the Jack Pond.

The project involves the clearance of previously inaccessible areas, large-scale structure installations, new sculpture commissions, the movement and addition of hundreds of tonnes of rock, hundreds of thousands of new plants and hundreds of new trees, as well as new pathways taking visitors into underexplored areas of the garden.

The garden is the product of nearly 500 years of careful cultivation. Although some points of interest have been replaced to make way for new fashions, the garden retains many early features, including the Canal Pond, Cascade and Duke’s Greenhouse. The famous waterworks include the 300-year-old Cascade, the Willow Tree Fountain and the impressive, gravity-fed Emperor Fountain, which reaches heights up to 90m.

Read our Supporting Local page here to help businesses across Chesterfield & North Derbyshire

Images credit: Chatsworth House Trust

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Chamber reacts to Bank of England interest rate cut

Reacting to the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to cut interest rates to a historic low of 0.1%, Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said:

“The decision to cut interest rates to their lowest ever levels leaves us in no doubt as to the immediate challenges we are facing as a business community here in the East Midlands and as a country.”

“While the measures announced this afternoon may offer a short-term boost to market confidence – indeed the value of the Pound immediately rose as a result – it is unlikely to have much long-term effect unless it translates to tangible support for businesses on the ground.”

“It is imperative that the Bank of England works with financial institutions without delay to ease cash flow challenges for firms in these unprecedented times.”

Click here to visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure

Coronavirus outbreak: Chesterfield Borough Council services update

Chesterfield Borough Council issued the below statement on 19/03/2020:

Following the latest Government guidance, we have taken further difficult, but responsible, decisions to change some of our service provision.

Leisure Centres

Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Staveley Healthy Living Centre will be closed to the public until further notice, from 10pm Friday 20 March.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have made the important decision to close these facilities to the public in line with Government guidance and with the aim of reducing the possible spread of the coronavirus.

“At this difficult time, it is vital that we all take our own health and wellbeing seriously, I would like to remind residents that our parks remain open in order to allow you to walk and exercise whilst maintaining social distancing.”

Anyone who is a member of our leisure centres will have their membership suspended. Direct debit payments will not be collected until our centres return to being fully operational.

For further information or advice on membership suspension please email your enquiry to (for Queen’s Park Sports Centre) qpscenquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk  / (for the Healthy Living Centre) hlcenquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk

Our staff have been working extremely hard to respond to our customer enquiries. If you do contact one of our centres, please bear with the team as they are responding to a significant number of enquiries at this time.

If you regularly pay Council Tax, rent or make any other payments at the Healthy Living Centre, these should now be made online by visiting www.chesterfield.gov.uk or calling 01246 345 345.

We have kept payment stations open at the Customer Service Centre in Chesterfield town centre. Please only use this facility if you are unable to pay online or over the phone. You can continue to make payments at PayPoint outlets and through the Post Office but please only do this if it is safe for you to do so.

If you are suffering from coronavirus symptoms and / or are required to self-isolate, please call us and we can discuss your situation to find a solution.

Chesterfield Area Walking Festival

Together with our partners, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival, which was scheduled to take place in mid-May.

This decision was taken in order to ensure that proper social distancing measures, as recommended by the Government, can be maintained and we can ensure the health and wellbeing of the volunteers who support the festival.

Our Visitor Information Centre team are working hard to ensure that anyone who has booked tickets for the festival is informed of the changes. We will refund any customers who have paid for tickets. Please be patient with the team and wait for them to contact you, they are receiving a high number of enquires and it is taking slightly longer than usual to reply to everyone.

The latest service related updates will be available on the council’s website www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Click here to view our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support Page

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Changes to council services in Chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council have issued the below statement:

The safety of our residents and staff has been considered carefully following the latest government guidance relating to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and as a result we have had to make a number of changes to service delivery.

Customer services arrangements

We would like to reassure residents and businesses that Chesterfield Borough Council remains open and people can continue to contact us through our website, by telephone or if absolutely necessary, can visit us in person at our Customer Service Centre.

Our preference is for people to make contact through our website (www.chesterfield.gov.uk) or by telephone (01246 345345), to enable us to reduce face to face contact as much as possible.

It is very likely that the council will move a number of services to essential response only, as more stringent social distancing measures are expected to be introduced in the coming days. More information will be published as any changes are made.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Tricia Gilby, said: “We understand this is a difficult time for everyone, but I want to reassure residents and those who have businesses and work in the borough, that public safety is our top priority. We are working closely with our partner agencies and monitoring the guidance provided by the government so that we can ensure that the council’s services continue to operate wherever possible.

“We will continue to coordinate our response to this unprecedented situation as it develops, and updates to services will be published on our website and social media channels. We are a resilient borough with a strong sense of community, and I am sure this will help us all tackle the serious challenges that lie ahead.”

Theatres, museums and Visitor Information Centre

We have made the decision to postpone or cancel all events at the Winding Wheel Theatre and Pomegranate Theatre up to and including Saturday 2 May.

This position will be regularly reviewed, and customers will be advised if the closure period is to be shortened or extended past this date.

If you have tickets booked for one of the shows at our theatres, a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible to provide more information.

Our Visitor Information Centre has also been closed. However, the services provided at the Centre can still be obtained by reference to the above customer services arrangements.

Chesterfield Museum and Revolution House will also be closed to the public until further notice.

Local events and other venues

Events due to take place at local parks have also been cancelled. Hasland Village Hall and the Assembly Rooms will also be closed until at least May.

Leisure

Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre have suspended, until further notice, the provision of group activities such as swimming lessons, fitness classes, climbing instruction and gymnastics classes. This is to remove the opportunity for larger groups to come together in the leisure centres in line with the Government guidance issued earlier this week.

Currently customers can still attend the leisure centres to undertake personal fitness activities, however, we are constantly reviewing the situation and more information will be published in due course.

Facilities are available at both centres for customers to wash their hands with soap and water, as well as there being a number of hand sanitiser points.

Extra cleaning regimes have also been implemented including to regular touchpoints such as gym equipment, door handles, lockers and water fountains.

Our leisure teams will contact customers where appropriate to advise of any further changes including through the use of social media and the council’s website.

If you are a member and unable to attend our facilities at this time, memberships can be suspended, and Direct Debit payments can be frozen. These can then be reactivated at a later date.

For further information or for advice on membership suspension and payments please email your enquiry to (for Queen’s Park Sports Centre) qpscenquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk / (for the Healthy Living Centre) hlcenquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk

The latest service related updates will be available on the council’s website www.chesterfield.gov.uk or on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Featured, Home

Chesterfield technology company release free educational platform to support teachers through the Coronavirus outbreak

Seymour & Lerhn, an eLearning company based in Chesterfield, have released their primary school education service for free until the 15th May, to help support primary school teachers across the UK during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Seymour & Lerhn offer a library interactive virtual tours, lesson plans and resource sheets for primary schools, to make learning immersive and educational. The virtual tours are accessible online, and aim to keep children immersed in education instead of being put off by potential home distractions.

The service has been released for free so teachers can begin to prepare for school closures, as the resources and virtual tours can assist teachers to set work for students to do from home. This is so education can continue, despite disruption of the Coronavirus.

All teachers have to do is make an account on www.seymourlerhn.com, and they will have access to every single teaching resource, lesson plan and virtual tour. From there, teachers can set tasks using the pre-made work sheets for students to complete by incorporating the activity as part of the virtual tours.

This work can be set using any home-school communication service, or by simply printing the worksheets to be sent home.

Seymour & Lerhn Head Honcho, Charlie Power (below), said: “We believe that releasing our platform for free could help primary school teachers to make life a little easier when it came to setting work for pupils to do at home. As the educational sector, we all need to band together to support schools during this challenging time, and we’ll pull through this like we always do.”

Primary school teacher, Sophie Maunders, said: “Seymour & Lerhn offer a fantastic platform to transport all children to a new world with the click of a finger. Their virtual reality programmes offer opportunities and experiences to children that they may not have otherwise had, all within the confines of their classroom or home. Definitely not one to miss.”

Charlie Power Oasis Studio web main

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