Chesterfield Borough Council has revealed its ambitious four-year growth strategy which will see more investors like Bolsterstone Group and Devonshire Group attracted to the borough.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Bringing together the public, private and community sectors to champion our borough is key to achieving our ambitions and strengthening the local economy.”
The new four-year Growth strategy aims to make Chesterfield a thriving borough by strengthening local skills provision, supporting businesses and further cementing the borough’s role as a visitor destination.
Key headline targets of the Chesterfield Growth Strategy which was approved on 22 February, include:
- Increasing the number of employee jobs in the borough by 4% (2,000 jobs).
- Increasing the number of businesses by 12% (400 businesses).
- Increasing the number of higher value businesses by 15% (100 businesses).
- Increasing the share of Chesterfield residents in knowledge-based occupations by 15% (baseline Census 21 – 18,000).
- Increasing the value of the visitor economy by 20% (baseline £163m).
The Council has made a long term commitment to deliver an on-going programme of investment. Most recently this investment has included the new offices at Chesterfield Waterside.
The high quality seven storey, 35,000sq. ft office building which provides the first Grade A office accommodation to be constructed in Chesterfield for many years. One Waterside Place is already home to two substantial tenants – regional accountants BHP, and luxury clothing brand Varleys.
The Chesterfield Waterside scheme represents a public/private partnership between Bolsterstone, Chesterfield Borough Council and Arnold Laver.
One Waterside Place represents the first step in the delivery of the commercial element of the £340million Chesterfield Waterside scheme, Basin Square. The £75 million Basin Square neighbourhood will also comprise 320 built-to-rent apartments, a 400-space multi-storey car park, a 140-bed hotel as well as retail and leisure units.
Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group which is bringing forward the Chesterfield Waterside scheme, said: “I am delighted with the excellent progress being made at Chesterfield Waterside. Demand for what we have created so far is strong as developers see the massive potential of Chesterfield Waterside and the town as a whole.”
Like Bolsterstone, the Devonshire Group is also partnering with Chesterfield Borough Council to regenerate key areas of Chesterfield. It is behind the regeneration of 150 hectares of former industrial land in Staveley and is also partnering with Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College and the University of Derby in delivering the Construction Skills Hub. This is funded through the Staveley Town Deal and will provide training, careers insights, and work experience for more than 5,000 learners on a live construction site over 10 years.
In addition to site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation the Hub will also provide training in green technologies.
Andy Byrne, Property Development Director for The Devonshire Group, also spoke at the conference, saying: “Although we have land in the area, the Devonshire Group is investing in Chesterfield because we have opportunities with great partners – Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Harworth Group and HBD. The geography of Chesterfield is one of its many advantages. It has good motorway and rail links and also a skilled workforce already present in the area.”
Councillor Gilby added: “Despite the ongoing economic challenges which are facing towns and cities across the country, Chesterfield is not standing still – we are an ambitious borough and this strategy reflects that. It focusses on higher value growth while balancing our commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.”
To find out more about the remaining high-quality office space available at One Waterside Place, please contact Harry Orwin-Allen at Knight Frank on 0114 272 9750 or Tim Richardson at FHP Property Consultants 01332 343 222.