chesterfield business news

West Studios marks landmark anniversary for tenant Junction Arts with Christmas giving tree

This year, to celebrate West Studios tenant and charity, Junction Arts 45th Anniversary, West Studios are hosting their first Christmas Giving Tree celebrating the work they have done across North East Derbyshire, Bolsover district and Chesterfield.

Junction Arts is a community arts charity embedded within communities facing social barriers such as poverty, poor mental health and isolation. They work across the community in care homes, schools, youth clubs and directly with families offering opportunities to be creative, learn new skills and create lasting and supportive friendships. Best known for their events Tapton Lock Festival and Bolsover Lantern Parade, the charity is also hosting Chesterfield’s first lantern parade on the 19th December.

West Studios is supporting Junction Arts campaign to raise £3000 this Christmas to go towards new projects and events to celebrate what matters most to communities across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Joby Parsons, Events & Sales Coordinator, West Studios said: “Junction Arts are a fantastic organisation that uses the arts to bring communities together and help our most isolated and vulnerable. Their values align closely with those of West Studios which is why our community believes it’s so important to give them support, especially at Christmas when those isolated and vulnerable individuals are at more risk.”

Hannah Bowdler, Relationship Fundraiser at Junction Arts commented: “Through the generous support of individuals, local businesses and our incredible volunteers, Junction Arts has been able to carry our aim of bringing our communities back together safely and confidently in 2021! The support of the West Studios Giving Tree signifies our plans to continue vital creative activities which empower lives and create strong and supportive friendships within our communities.”

To support Junction Arts, West Studios is welcoming people to visit the Gallery Shop reception to see the tree, donate and find out more about the charity.  You can also donate directly through Junction Arts online giving page:  https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/18702#!/DonationDetails

Donations will support local creative workshops giving isolated and vulnerable older people the chance to reconnect with their community; help the charity to create events that give young families the space and time to make magical memories together; and offer opportunities for young people to learn new skills, building their confidence to reach new heights.

West Studios and Junction Arts support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Print Digital Media invests in huge new printer

Chesterfield-based printing company, Print Digital Media has made a significant investment, with the firm investing in equipment which will enable it to print 400,000 sheets per day.

The new printing machine has several impressive features, including an innovative UV curing system which provides instant dry product and delivers shorter turnaround times. The new printer is also better for the environment and safer to use; it does not discharge ozone, does not use powder, is virtually odourless and uses 30% less electricity.

For over 40 years Print Digital Media has used knowledge and expertise, providing a bespoke range of products. The company specialises in brochures, catalogues, corporate stationery, packaging and event programmes. It prints roughly 20,000 football programmes every week for clubs across the UK, and closer to home it provides the pre-match programmes for Chesterfield FC & Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

Check out a video of the new printer in action on the company’s Linkedin page:

Company Director, Richard Musgrove said: “Machines with this capacity don’t come cheap and it was a scary moment placing the order but there are so many benefits and as we recently extended our range into small box packaging, it gives us the capacity to double current volumes.

“With a commitment to total customer satisfaction, we are able to offer clients a wide variety of sustainable products, quickly and economically, through our comprehensive range of printing equipment and finishing options, partnered with a skilled and dedicated team.

“Unlike the online retail printers, we hold your hand through projects, complicated or not, delivering the perfect print project, from design concept right through to the finished item. We assist, so you portray the right image and help make the desired outcome a reality. Providing print samples and mock-ups, so you can touch and feel the finished article, before committing to print.”

To find out more about how Print Digital Media can help you with professional printing services, contact the team on 01246 454525 or email hello@printdigitalmedia.co.uk. More information is also available on the company’s website.

Print Digital Media supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Heathcotes opens new supported living in Chesterfield

Care provider, Heathcotes Group, has opened a new provision of independent supported living properties in Chesterfield for adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

The company’s Brendon House service features four self-contained apartments for individuals who are stepping down from a hospital or full-time residential care setting to improve their independent living skills.

Each property offers spacious accommodation with its own lounge, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The two-storey building includes two apartments and communal space on each floor as well as separate space for an on-site team of around 10 support workers providing 24-hour care support when needed.

Heathcotes’ Director of Business Development, Natalia Lysiuk, said: “The opening of Brendon House is another step in the expansion of our enhanced supported living services, which we have developed to complement our full-time residential care provision. We have worked closely with Derbyshire County Council on this development, which has been a real success.

“For the people we support, the type of accommodation we offer at Brendon House represents the next stage in the care pathway towards full independence. It is also suitable for individuals who require a single-person service due to their complexity and inability to live with others.

“Brendon House follows our successful model for independent supported living, providing a homely environment which encourages and facilitates the development of daily living skills. The setting also naturally fosters a sense of community and social inclusion amongst residents, progressing hand-in-hand with their increasing independence.

“Our on-site team is available to assist whenever required and each resident has a designated support worker for ongoing support. Having established a range of supported living provision in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, we are now looking to significantly increase this type of service and accommodation in the East Midlands.”

With a head office in Chesterfield, Heathcotes Group has over 74 residential and supported living services nationwide. The company provides a range of specialist services supporting individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, Personality Disorder, physical disabilities, Prader-Willi Syndrome, sensory impairments, speech difficulties and severe epilepsy.

Heathcotes Group supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

D2N2 LEP launches new Low Carbon Growth Fund

Small and medium-sized businesses, public sector organisations, and community groups developing low carbon projects across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire are being urged to apply for investment through the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s new Low Carbon Growth Fund.

The ground-breaking fund will invest £6.5 million in low carbon capital projects. They will create a pipeline of investable propositions that can be match funded to help our region meet high carbon dioxide output challenges and unclean industrial practices.

Through the funding, the D2N2 LEP aims to support a wide range of innovative low carbon projects from across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Successful projects must identify new and innovative ideas, and must be able to clearly demonstrate current or future carbon reduction, including carbon sequestration.

Projects awarded funding will be encouraged to support local supply chains, helping to create new jobs and must be able to start delivery in the 2022/23 financial year. Funding will be capped at £1.5 million of D2N2 funding per project to enable the pot to invest in numerous key strategic investments.

The fund will support national and regional policy, including HM Government’s “Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener” and the “The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.” Both set out ambitious targets for carbon reduction and incentivise investment in the public and private sector into green and carbon saving projects.

Elizabeth Fagan CBE, Chair of the D2N2 LEP, said: “The recent COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow highlighted the urgent need to take action now. The launch of our Low Carbon Growth Fund signals our region’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and support the growth of our green economy.

“Investing in low carbon capital projects will support the delivery of our Recovery and Growth Strategy and our strategic aim of delivering the UK’s largest carbon turnaround.”

Timelines

  • Expression of interest documentation publicised, and consultation process opened – 1st December 2021
  • Consultation for project sponsors to be closed – 12th January 2022
  • Submission deadline for all bids – 28th January 2022
  • Scoring process finalised – 11th February 2022
  • Projects informed of outcomes – 14th February 2022

An overview of the funding can be found here: Low Carbon Growth Fund | D2N2 (d2n2lep.org)

Should any potential project sponsor have a query about the call or any details relevant to this funding round then please contact Tom Goshawk at Tom.goshawk@d2n2lep.org or 07528398317. All questions and queries regarding this funding round must be made before the 12th of January 2022.

Posted in Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , , ,

Brand new virtual reality games centre opens in Chesterfield

Chesterfield’s visitor offer has received another boost just in time for Christmas, with the opening of a new virtual reality gaming centre.

The fully immersive attraction, Chesterfield VR is the latest addition to the Chesterfield Games Quarter, which is building on the success of the recently-opened Chesterfield Escape Rooms and long-standing favourite, Geeks HQ.

The new Chesterfield VR attraction will be situated alongside the existing Games Quarter businesses in Soresby Street, and will include:

  • 4 state-of-the-art VR gaming stations, utilising HTC Vive Pro headsets and controllers
  • Wide selection of titles available to play each month (approximately 20) , such as Job Simulator, Pistol Whip, Richie’s Plank Experience, Superhot VR, Blade & Sorcery, and many more.
  • Multiplayer gaming available on selected titles: Rhythmatic, Loco Dojo, Synth Riders, Cloudlands VR Minigolf, and many more…
  • Two VR escape rooms, playable with upto 4 players: Racket: NX and FailSpace
  • Shootout and Race nights hosted on Wednesday and Friday nights respectively
  • Private hire available for birthday and Christmas parties, corporate events, socials, etc.

Players will not be restricted to playing one title per visit, they are able to play as many as they wish, in 30 or 60 minute timeslots. Games will also be changed around each month, refreshing the lesser-used titles. The centre will keep followers updated on the regular changes on its social media and email updates.

Manager of Chesterfield VR and Chesterfield Escape Rooms, Nick Hogan commented: “With having over 5000 players through our doors in the first 6 months of business, it gave the management team and I the confidence to invest further in the local economy.

“The vision was always to create a gaming quarter for all different types of gaming needs young and old. We are so excited to open the doors and welcome in the public and who knows, if the public continue to invest their time in the Games Quarter, there might me one or two further things in the pipeline!

“We focused on two things when creating the escape rooms, the playability of the game and customer service. Feedback has been so positive that we have gone into the top 10 UK Escape Rooms as ranked by Trip Advisor and are the only newly established Escape Room in the top 10.”

Bookings are available via the website (www.chesterfieldvr.co.uk), in-store or over the phone: 01246 60 70 02

Chesterfield Escape Rooms supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Energy Summit finds huge opportunity for East Midlands to develop new supply chains in low-carbon economy

The Midlands should seek to become a hotbed for emerging supply chains in the low-carbon economy, while end users must be front and centre of our new energy systems.

These were two of the key findings at the Midlands Energy Summit, held by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with the University of Nottingham earlier this week.

Reflecting on the outcomes of COP26 and wider trends in the energy industry, including continuing price increases, it featured keynote speeches and discussions involving companies such as Siemens Energy, Cavendish Nuclear and Consultus International Group.

Chris Hobson, director of policy and external affairs at East Midlands Chamber, said: “What is becoming increasingly apparent is the huge scale of the challenge we face globally, and how a shift in mindset is required now to address this because we need to travel further, faster.

“Rather than this being a daunting prospect though, there are equally significant opportunities at a localised level, particularly in supply chains. The East Midlands, with our energy-intensive manufacturing heritage and world-leading universities, is already at the cutting edge of many future technologies that will guide the energy transition. We now want SMEs to understand that they have a key role to play in the emerging supply chains being built in our region.

“Beyond supply chains, new industries will grow in the space between existing ones. We need to be ready to take advantage of this, while also recognising that taking a user-centric approach is key to bringing people along with us on this journey – viewing our energy consumers as part of the solution, rather than a barrier to change.”

The Midlands Energy Summit, held online on Tuesday (30 November), featured a keynote speech from University of Nottingham vice-chancellor Professor Shearer West. She explained how its Energy Institute is addressing three key societal challenges – energy generation and management, transport and mobility, and communities and the built environment – via a series of sustainable energy research projects.

She said: “Energy is absolutely vital for our survival but our existing energy systems present an existential threat.

“In COP26, we saw a lot about the interconnections between energy and climate change. The transition to net zero relies on a deep thinking for our energy system – not just the technologies we use but our expectations and behaviours.”

There were also presentations about the Midlands Engine’s Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine and its work in developing hydrogen technologies, as well as a talk by Cavendish Nuclear’s Michael Dunnett on the growing importance of small modular reactors in making nuclear energy supplies more flexible for industry.

Steve Atkins, head of global trades at Leicester-based energy consultancy Consultus International Group, explained about how a cold winter could cause another spike in gas prices due to relatively low resources, while more investment in zero-carbon energy infrastructure was key to unlocking subsidy-free renewables in the future.

Stephen Scrimshaw, vice-president of Siemens Energy UK & Ireland, focused on how Britain should adopt a “twin track approach” to developing blue and green hydrogen – and, just as importantly, the infrastructure behind it – as part of its net zero strategy.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,

Brampton Manor to support local traders and craftspeople at German Christmas Market

Brampton Manor is set to fully open its Christmas Igloo Village this Sunday, 5th December alongside a German Christmas Market being hosted at the venue.

Local traders and craftspeople have been given free stalls at Brampton Manor to sell their wares to the public, and the heated igloos are being provided free-of-charge on a pre-booked or first-come first-served basis. Bookings for the igloos can be made on the Brampton Manor website.

German specialities such as Bratwurst, Stollen, Weissbier, Mulled Wine and Cinnamon Hot Chocolate are being served along with other hot food and drinks.

Live music is provided by local Bluebird Ami Evans, and she will be joined by Santa at 4pm to officially open the Village for this season.

Markets are being held every Thursday evening from 6pm and Sunday from 2pm up until Christmas, and there are still a few places for stallholders available. Anyone interested in taking up a stall at the market can email info@bramptonmanor.co.uk for information.

There are live local music artists at every Christmas Market taking place at the Manor between now and Christmas, with Santa set to visit the venue every Sunday. He returns to Brampton Manor for his much-loved Supper & Storytime on 15th & 22nd December, and annual Christmas Eve singalong with Andy Booth’s Choir.

Craig Lynch of Brampton Manor said: “After last year’s cancellation and the recent news surrounding covid, we are delighted we are able to provide a covid-secure experience and support local traders who, like us have had a thin couple of years.

“The support we have received from the local council during Covid means we are able to offer the heated igloos free of charge to our visitors.”

There are plenty of events and activities taking place across Chesterfield this festive season. To find out more about what’s on in the town, along with local festive shopping guides and more, go to: www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas

Brampton Manor supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Derbyshire Festival of Business launched

The University of Derby, in partnership with Vision Derbyshire, has launched the Derbyshire Festival of Business, a new initiative which aims to celebrate the resilience of our business community over the past two years and help businesses capitalise on opportunities as the county recovers from the pandemic.

The festival will help to connect and support local organisations, whilst showcasing Derbyshire’s extensive business capability to future clients, customers, and investors.

The University is working in collaboration with Destination Chesterfield to promote the wide range of free workshops, masterclasses and networking activities that are available to its members. There will also be an opportunity for businesses to host their own events as part of the festival, as well as participate in a business exposition which will be hosted within Chesterfield.

Professor Kamil Omoteso, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean of the College of Business, Law and Social Sciences said: “We are delighted to have launched the Derbyshire Festival of Business to businesses and community leaders alongside our partners, Vision Derbyshire and the East Midlands Chamber.

“This festival is an opportunity to showcase what our county has to offer, to identify current and future talent, and to create opportunities for collaboration between businesses, the University, policy makers and advisory organisations, which will help us build a strong, resilient and inclusive economy as we recover from the impact and challenges of the pandemic.”

Vision Derbyshire is a joint initiative involving the county council and district and borough councils in Derbyshire to improve outcomes for all its communities.

The festival’s programme of activities has been designed to give businesses the support and opportunities needed to revitalise the local economy following the pandemic and build-back-better by unleashing the talent that is available across the region and showcasing the best practice and innovation that has been fostered over the last two years.

Community focused open days and Expo events will promote Derbyshire’s businesses to its residents, and visits between the University, local schools, colleges, and employers are planned to provide careers related advice and showcase local businesses to the next generation of employees.

Online and face to face master classes from leading professionals and academics in Derbyshire are planned to raise the profile of the county as a thought leader within the UK business community, and as a place to do business.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Economic lead for Vision Derbyshire and Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, commented: “The Derbyshire Festival of Business is a great way of bringing the business community together because we need to cooperate in order to recover from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The event is really broad and aims to support the entire business community from new graduates to established leaders. I hope lots of residents will take part in the many events on offer.”

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, added: “We are proud to be part of a fantastic new event that will showcase the best of business across Derbyshire, a county that is home to some incredible examples of entrepreneurship and enterprise.

“The Chamber is a conduit for local companies to work closer together, share advice and seek new opportunities – something that has never been more important than right now as the economy recovers.

“Working alongside our strategic partner the University of Derby, we look forward to welcoming businesses to events over the autumn.”

If your organisation is interested in delivering a community day, an educational engagement activity or a masterclass please email DFoB@derby.ac.uk.

Find out more about the Derbyshire Festival of business here.

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

New marketing manager for Sutton McGrath Hartley

With impressive growth credentials including 4 mergers and the expansion into 8 offices since 2017, SMH has appointed marketing professional Laura Cutress to head up their firm-wide marketing strategy across the group of Chartered Accountants, Tax Advisers, Trust & Estate Practitioners and Financial Planners.

Having accrued over 10 years commercial operations and marketing experience with local and international businesses, Laura brings with her a wealth of experience in all aspects of Marketing, PR and brand development.

Laura Cutress, Marketing Manager for SMH says: “I’m thrilled to be joining SMH as their marketing manager, and am looking forward to getting to know the teams across all the offices in Sheffield, Rotherham, Knaresborough, Wakefield, Buxton and Chesterfield.

To be leading the marketing strategy for such an ambitious firm is incredibly exciting and I am thrilled at the opportunity to support their growth plans across the region, and beyond.

With such a varied offering and client base, this role is a welcome challenge and I can’t wait to start delivering results to the firm, just as they do for their clients.”

Jonathan Dickens, Partner comments: “We are very pleased to be welcoming Laura in this new role, and adding a full time marketing manager to steer our marketing campaigns and brand development will ensure that the entirety of the firm continues to grow whilst delivering vital support and advice to our clients.

With her marketing and commercial experience across a variety of industries, she brings a range of skills and ideas which will no doubt drive forwards the growth of SMH, and elevate our presence within the Yorkshire, Derbyshire and High Peak regions, and further afield.”

It is part of our long term strategy to expand into new markets whilst continuing to offer exceptional service and products to our existing clients, and so it is essential that we have someone like Laura overseeing our marketing strategy and communications.

After an exciting few years’ expansion, we are excited to promote the comprehensive SMH group. Laura’s passion will provide the energy we need to advance our growth and reach a wider audience, whilst expanding the brand to offer new service areas. ”

Established in 1995, SMH provides in-depth expertise and insight into complex financial, legal and tax matters whilst delivering comprehensive advice for all business, family and personal financial needs. Their steadily expanding portfolio includes offices in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Rotherham, Knaresborough, Buxton and Wakefield.

A leading group of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers, Chartered Financial Planners, and Chartered Legal Executives, SMH cater for a variety of businesses and personal clients across many market sectors and diverse portfolios across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and the High Peak region.

Please get in touch with one of our experts to arrange a free consultation to discuss any of your requirements on 0114 266 4432 or email us at info@smhca.co.uk.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , , , ,

Numerous Chesterfield Champions recognised at prestigious Derbyshire Times Business Awards

The cream of the county’s business community has been celebrated at the 2021 Derbyshire Times business awards.

Honours were presented in 15 different categories at a glittering awards ceremony held on Thursday night.

The coveted 2021 Business of The Year award, sponsored by City Fibre, was won by Chesterfield Champion, CBE+.

Judges praised the impact the precision engineering and laboratory service business has had in response to the pandemic, as part of the national effort to combat the covid virus and how they are also adapting their systems to help the environment.

They said: “They have built a sustainable business and managed not only to maintain employees jobs, but to expand. Their leader has true entrepreneurial spirit and they have shown real innovation.”

Stan Mowatt was awarded the lifetime achievement award, after dedicating 50 years to business entrepreneurship and to the development of healthcare products used across the globe.

Other winners were:

Retail Hero – Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield

Apprentice of the Year – Aaron Corbet of O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Excellence in Manufacturing & Engineering – CBE+

Professional Services Award – Shorts Chartered Accountants

Customer Service Award – Morley Hayes Leisure Ltd

Innovation Award – Timeless Life Casting & Memorial Jewellery

Covid Response – Galaxy Travel & Cars Ltd

Community Initiative – Safe and Sound

Team of the Year – Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care

New Business of the Year – Great2

Small Business of the Year – Moss Valley Fine Meats

Employee of the Year – Damion Davies of O’Connor & Co Removals Ltd

Business Leader – Nick Holland from SDL Minorfern

Derbyshire Times editor, Phil Bramley, said: “Local businesses are the lifeblood of our community and it has been wonderful to celebrate the incredible dedication, imagination and entrepreneurial spirit they have shown over the last year.

“The pandemic has thrown up immense challenges for businesses, but the way they have adapted, evolved and fought their way through, is truly inspirational.”

For more from the awards visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/business

The Derbyshire Times, CBE+, Adorn Jewellers, Shorts, Galaxy Travel, Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care, Great2, and SDL Minorfern support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Derbyshire Times Business Excellence 2021 award winners pictured.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Summit hears how Chesterfield’s ambitions have not been derailed

Speakers at this week’s Chesterfield Investment Summit, have revealed that the borough is on course for a faster recovery from the pandemic than many other towns and cities.

The town’s high rate of public sector employment combined with its strong retail, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, have been attributed to Chesterfield’s significantly lower increase in unemployment during the pandemic compared to the national average.

At the Summit, which was attended by more than 130 members of the business community, it was revealed that the borough’s level of unemployment increased by 46% during the pandemic compared to the national average of 77%.

The annual Summit, which was held in-person for the first time in two years, was organised by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Speaking at the Summit, Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council revealed the town’s plans for its recovery and growth, include plans to make the case for the re-opening of a rail line and a new £125 million road in the north east of the borough.

He said: “The town has shown a great degree of resilience and done really well during the pandemic. We are now looking towards recovery and growth. Chesterfield’s myriad of competitive advantages, including location, history, transport links, university, skills base, affordability and current construction projects have come together to make it an attractive opportunity for investors.”

Despite the ‘bitterly disappointing news’ to axe the eastern leg of HS2, Dr Bowen, said: “This won’t stop us in bringing forward our ambitious plans to redevelop the former Staveley Works Corridor. We look forward to working with the landowners to bring forward a mixed-use scheme comprising housing, leisure, retail, and light industrial units anchored around a new road and Chesterfield Canal.”

At the summit it was announced that the council remains hopeful that the Government will commit to supporting the reopening of the former Barrow Hill line which will connect Staveley, Barrow Hill, and Whittington to Chesterfield and Sheffield. Proposals for the re-opening of the rail line will, all being well, be submitted early next year.

A total of £1bn of investment is expected to be made in Staveley over the next 15 years, creating 3,500 new homes and 2,200 new jobs. Dr Bowen added: “We have two priorities – to make Chesterfield a thriving borough and improve the quality of life for local people.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is also pressing ahead with its plans to transform the area around Chesterfield train station. The multi-million-pound Station Masterplan, which includes demolition of the former Chesterfield Hotel, will ‘create a sense of arrival’ with modern landscaping and ‘land hungry carparks’ being converted into multi-storey carparks to free up land for residential, commercial, and light industrial development.

Demolition of the Chesterfield Hotel will begin in spring next year with detailed plans for redevelopment of the site still to be confirmed.

2022 looks set to be a formative year for the town, with a number of high-quality office developments – One Waterside Place, The Glass Yard and the Enterprise Centre set to be completed. Construction is also expected to begin on Summit @PEAK, phase one of the low carbon / net zero all year leisure, education, wellness, and entertainment gateway resort.

Speaking at the Summit, Peter Swallow Chair of Destination Chesterfield and managing director of Bolsterstone Group which is developing the 60-acre Chesterfield Waterside scheme, said: “The pandemic has brought about changes in the requirements for office space. Businesses want good quality, sustainable office space with environmental and social governance being a key consideration. Once again, Chesterfield is ahead of the curve with the modern, quality office developments already under construction which will enable the town to attract investors, create jobs and new opportunities for local people.”

In addition to Dr Huw Bowen and Peter Swallow, the Summit also heard from representatives from the town’s public / private partnership – Blue Deer Developments, Lomas Mitchell Architects, Whittam Cox Architects, Devonshire Property Group Limited and Derbyshire County Council – which are working together to ensure Chesterfield meets its ambitions.

Jillian Mitchell of Lomas Mitchell Architects, and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group, commented: “Nationally, we are on the precipice of a time of seismic change in property design and Chesterfield is ahead of the game on this. The town’s commitment to sustainable construction through private/public collaboration is an opportunity for Chesterfield to lead on nationally.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “I am very pleased at the wide range of construction projects going ahead across the borough right now. All these developments represent new jobs and opportunities for local people, especially those looking to start their careers.

“Making sure that Chesterfield residents benefit from local economic growth is a key priority for us and our partners. A great example of this is the mentoring support provided by Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, which helps ensure that local people get the jobs that are coming to Chesterfield – including those created during the construction phase of projects, as well as opportunities within the businesses that relocate and grow here.

“It is a very exciting time for Chesterfield, which has been made possible by the hard work and commitment that the council and its partners have put in over many years.”

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Love Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , ,