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Levelling Up funding plans revealed for Chesterfield town centre
Start-ups, consolidation and inward investment has resulted in 310 more businesses being established in Chesterfield post pandemic than prior to March 2020.
“We’ve come through the pandemic in pretty good shape and demand for commercial space has gone through the roof,” said Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, who was speaking at the town’s annual Celebrate Chesterfield event on 23 March.
“However, the Levelling Up funding is important to getting our high street back to where we want it to be. We need to work together like never before post pandemic,” he added.
Chesterfield has received nearly £20 million of Levelling Up funding to transform Chesterfield Town Centre. The funding, which is being matched by £6 million of investment from Chesterfield Borough Council will underpin the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield improvement plan.
The delivery of the improvement plan is expected to increase land value in the town centre by 16% and shop occupancy levels to more than 90%, resulting in increased spending which will support the creation of around 100 new jobs in the town centre.
“We’re immensely grateful for the Levelling Up funding. It will make a big difference to the town centre to support our growth ambitions,” said Dr Bowen.
The Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield programme will see key spaces in the town centre regenerated and reimagined, including Market Place, New Square, Burlington Street and Packers Row, Corporation Street and the George Stephenson Memorial Hall.
The refurbishment and remodelling of the George Stephenson Memorial Hall will bring together a theatre, cinema, bar, café and exhibition space in one asset to allow greater cultural inclusion and participation.
In addition to the creation of new outdoor dwelling and entertainment space, the town centre will have a new lighting strategy and greater data connectivity to enable digital way finding, smart street lighting, predictive maintenance, environmental monitoring.
Dr Bowen added: “We want to celebrate the town’s identity and spaces and seating for people and events in the public realm that will encourage people to stay and dwell longer and spend more in the town.”
Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield complements Chesterfield Borough Council’s Masterplan for Chesterfield Train Station. At the event it was revealed that construction on a new southern link road into Chesterfield Train Station will begin later this year as part of the council’s commitment to create ‘a sense of arrival’ in the town.
Construction of the new road follows the relocation of Jewson builders’ merchants to a new purpose-built site on Sheffield Road from its current position on Spa Lane next to Chesterfield Train Station. Demolition of the Chesterfield Hotel will also commence later this year.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “2022 is already proving to be a landmark year for Chesterfield with the construction of the Enterprise Centre and One Waterside Place, both symbols throughout the pandemic that Chesterfield is always open and ready to do business.
“Alongside regeneration projects and new developments, Chesterfield Borough Council is invested in supporting the future of young people and local residents. We want better jobs and more jobs for local people. Our local labour clauses in contracts have created more than 800 local jobs in the last year alone with many of them being apprenticeships.
“We are fortunate to have both Chesterfield College and a University of Derby campus in the town centre which, together, are supporting more than 10,000 students and apprentices helping us have a skilled work force to attract further businesses to invest in the borough of Chesterfield.”
Now in its twelfth year, Celebrate Chesterfield is organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby and sponsored by Central Technology and Markham Vale. This year the event welcomed around 250 delegates to the Winding Wheel.
Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield manager, who led the event, said: “Once again Celebrate was truly that – a celebration of all that is happening right now in Chesterfield and in the future. We continue to prove that we are a town punching above our weight and that reflects in the levels of funding we are attracting as well as the many new businesses that are choosing to make the town their home.”
As well as Dr Huw Bowen, speakers at the event included Professor Warren Manning – Provost Innovation and Research at the University of Derby, Stephen Wenlock – Joint Growth Unit Manager, Chesterfield Borough Council and representatives from two town centre businesses, Emma Stevenson from M’s Gallery and Andy Jupp from Paperstarlights, who have benefitted from the Digital High Street initiative.
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£21m full fibre rollout sparks Lincoln jobs boost as contractor appointed
CityFibre, the independent full fibre platform, has awarded a £21m contract to Trust Utility Management Ltd. to deliver its network rollout in Lincoln, a project which has sparked the creation of more than 80 local jobs.
Lincoln has been chosen as one of the latest cities to benefit from CityFibre’s £4bn Gigabit City Investment Programme, which will bring next generation, gigabit-speed broadband to nearly every home and business in the city, and to up to 8 million premises nationwide.
The latest milestone has incited a recruitment drive with new workers needed to support throughout the build process.
Works commenced in Lincoln in March and real progress is already being made. The rollout is progressing into new areas with construction underway in Abbey Ward while work in areas such as Glebe Ward is set to start in the near future. Once the city-wide rollout reaches completion in 2024, almost every home and business locally will have access to full fibre services from a choice of internet service providers.
Neal Wright, city manager for Lincoln, said: “CityFibre is investing £21m in a full fibre roll out which will benefit residents and businesses across the city with broadband of up to 900mb. In Trust Utility Management Ltd, we have found a partner that recognises the importance of this project, knows what is needed to deliver for the people of Lincoln and can grow with us as we move into new areas of the city.
“In addition to future-proofing Lincoln’s digital capabilities, this project is providing a welcome boost to the jobs market. It has sparked the creation of 83 new roles, with local talent needed to help us carry out this important project.”
Liam Coyne, commercial director, Trust Utility Management Ltd., said: “We are pleased to have been appointed by CityFibre to construct full fibre networks in Lincoln and support its wider plans of transforming the digital infrastructure of cities and towns across the UK.
“We are certain that with our vast utility contract management experience and the high calibre team that we are building, this project will prove to be a success for Trust Utility Management Ltd. and our client, CityFibre.”
In Lincoln, the team is using a range of construction methods while working in close partnership with Lincoln City and the County Council and local communities to deliver a fast rollout while managing potential disruption.
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Chesterfield chosen as new home for manufacturer
A manufacturer of timber holiday lodges and buildings, Pinelog Ltd, is set to relocate its production facility from Bakewell to Chesterfield and create 30 new jobs.
Nick Grayson, chairman of Pinelog Group, a family-owned business which also owns Landal Darwin Forest and Landal Sandybrook Holiday Parks and employs approximately 240 people, made the announcement at the annual Celebrate Chesterfield event held on Wednesday 23 March at the Winding Wheel.
The move to Chesterfield marks the end of Pinelog’s 10-year ambition to modernise their premises. The company will make the move from Bakewell, where it has been based since 1974, to its new premises on Sheepbridge Works in May later this year.
The new 36,000 sq ft industrial unit, formerly occupied by Vesuvius, will enable the company to bring its production process under one roof. The site also offers a central location, excellent road links and access to a skilled local labour force and supply chain network.
In addition to complete holiday lodges, components for the construction of timber Glulam framed commercial buildings designed and built by Pinelog, will also be manufactured at the new site.
Mr Grayson said: “Our refusal to compromise on our requirements for a new facility has meant it has been a long process, but it has paid off. All our requirements have been met at Chesterfield.
“The move to our new facility in Sheepbridge marks a new chapter in Pinelog’s story; one where we can modernise, invest in new technology and further improve the business to capitalise on the staycation boom and growth in sustainable construction.”
As part of the company’s growth plans, Pinelog will develop partnerships with local skills providers, including Chesterfield College.
He added: “A number of our staff live in Chesterfield, as do I, so I know there is a good local labour pool we can draw on immediately to increase production capacity in the business. We have also got to look to our future workforce, so we will be investing in apprenticeships and skills and training through Chesterfield College.”
Mr Grayson’s announcement was welcomed by delegates at the business event, which was organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with The University of Derby and sponsored by CT and Markham Vale.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, welcomed Pinelog Ltd to Chesterfield saying: “The investment by Pinelog in the town is testament to Chesterfield’s strong offering for manufacturing businesses. We not only have excellent road and transport links, but we also have the premises, people and skills and good local supplier network.
“Our economic development team have worked closely with Pinelog to help support their move into the town. I am delighted that Chesterfield has been selected by Pinelog as the location to take the business to the next level and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them as they settle into their new business base here in Chesterfield.”
Dominic Stevens, manager of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Despite the challenges the pandemic has thrown at the town, Chesterfield has kept moving and the announcement by Pinelog Group at the conference was testament to that. We’re delighted that Pinelog chose Celebrate Chesterfield as the event to share its relocation news.”
PR agency teams up with charity to promote UK’s first live mental health event of its kind
Nottingham-based digital PR company, Jennie Holland PR, is working with Birmingham-based charitable organisation Be;Live, in the build up to its first-of-its-kind, live mental health event, taking place in Birmingham next weekend (2 April).
Jennie Holland PR, which has a wealth of experience in the not-for-profit sector, has been appointed to provide digital PR services on a pro-bono basis for Be;Live, to build awareness and maximise ticket sales for the upcoming event.
Be;Live was founded by James Crystal, who began the organisation after suffering abuse as a teenager which manifested into several years of substance misuse and criminal activity, eventually leading to a prison sentence and a diagnosis of PTSD and depression.
Now aged 28 and five years sober, James’ and the event’s aims are simple; to educate, inspire and empower people around the topic of mental health and ultimately contribute to reducing the UK’s stark mental health statistics.
Be;Live brings together not only professionals and specialists but also those with lived experiences, who have survived serious adversity, to share their stories, support and advice in order to change the way we all see mental health, providing tools for attendees to take the first steps in creating positive mental health.
Taking place at Gas Street Central in Birmingham on Saturday 2 April 2022, the event – which can be attended in person or virtually – will feature a range of guest speakers, including former Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas and ex-premier league footballer Clarke Carlilse among many others, who will be sharing their own personal stories around mental health.
Jennie Holland PR is providing publicity services to Be;Live by securing print, online and broadcast media coverage for the event as well as influencer marketing services.
Georgina Mackintosh, senior PR manager at Jennie Holland PR, said: “We are honoured to be working with Be;Live – James is a hugely inspiring and humble individual who, after going through traumatic events and facing mental health struggles of his own, is now striving to help others and let them know that no one has to go through hardship alone.
“As a Midlands-based digital PR team, we are proud to be able to offer our expertise to help promote this unique and important event – which is open to everyone and free for students.
“Be;Live is an event unlike anything the UK has seen before and it will make a real impact on people’s lives, both those who want to improve their own mental wellbeing but also those who simply want to have a better understanding of mental health to support friends and family. We look forward to attending this year and for years to come.”
James Crystal, founder and Managing Director of Be;Live, said: “We’re overwhelmed with the amount of support we’ve had from businesses who are extending the work from our small team here at Be;Live.
“The team at Jennie Holland PR have delivered so much more than we could have hoped including an interview with Global and several PR pieces in press to help drive awareness of our event. It goes without saying, it’s the people behind these supportive brands who have understood how important an event like Be;Live is and we honestly felt Jennie and her team were just as passionate about our cause as we are. We’re eternally grateful for all of their support.”
Ticket sales and brand sponsorship of the event will raise funds for independent mental health charities who provide free mental health services on the front line. In person event tickets start from less than £23, and virtual event tickets costs just over £10. Further information about the event can be found at www.belive.org.uk.