News from producers around Derbyshire

East Midlands Contempoary Visual Arts Network: In Memoriam Tribute Sculpture commission

A Derbyshire businessman has created a unique outdoor dining shelter to help save the hospitality industry during Covid-19.

Richard Sleigh, 50, from Stanley Village, believes his Freedom Pod – modelled on the Second World War Anderson air raid shelter – will solve the dilemma facing bars and
restaurants of keeping customers socially distanced.

It should equally appeal to diners, especially given the news that you are 19 times more likely to contract the virus indoors, than outside.

The University of Derby is DRIVEN to support local SMES-Claim free recruitment and training support plus £1,000 funding:

We understand that this can be an uncertain time to recruit, and so to ease those concerns, the University of Derby can support Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire SMEs with £1000 support funding if they recruit any individual that has graduated within the last 3 years. This includes graduates from any university, so do get in touch if you have recruited recently or are planning to.

Due to the ongoing Covid restrictions this year’s Luminate cannot go ahead as a lantern parade around

Autumn Is Here! Why not book yourself or a loved one to a creative treat:

Following the Government’s announcement of new national restrictions due to COVID-19, Derby Arena, Queen’s Leisure Centre and Springwood Leisure Centre will close their doors to the public on Wed 4 Nov, at their normal closure time.

As the new national restrictions around COVID-19 come into effect, the team at Derby Parks hope the public will continue to enjoy the city’s parks and open spaces for exercise and mental wellbeing, just as they did during the spring lockdown.

New national Government restrictions due to COVID-19 means temporary changes to services at Derby Libraries.

Some services are continuing, including those which offer support to members of our community at this uncertain time.

Businesses in Derby’s St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) have presented a giant cheque for £550 to Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity to support the work of the Royal Derby Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

The money has been collected by businesses across the BID area and online over the summer including through the innovative MonsterHero Safari Trail which was a high street story-trail experience organised by the BID.

The cheque was presented by SPQ BID board member Chris Memmott who is a local director for Nationwide Building Society.

Bennetts: The World’s Oldest Department Store has returned to the virtual high street with the official launch of an new retail website https://www.bennettsofderby.co.uk/

Derby businessman Paul Hurst – best known for restoring and reopening The Old Bell Hotel in nearby Sadler Gate – bought the fixed assets and goodwill of Bennetts in October 2019.