News from producers around Derbyshire

Pep & Co will open their expanded store in Albion Street, St Peters Quarter, at 9am on Friday 25th March. The expansion of family fashion retailer Pep & Co in Derby’s St Peters Quarter is earmarked to be featured on a new ITV television series which is due to be screened this Spring.

Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service and Junction Arts, supported by Arts Council England, Chesterfield Borough Council and local businesses, have hosted successful weekends of activities at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre on the Chesterfield Canal, over the last 3 years.

A Leicester based radio station is to offer practical training for a Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Radio) at Derby College.

Takeover Radio 103.2fm will be offering an HND course starting in September, working with Derby College to offer students a more hands on approach to learning. The students will gain valuable experience in how to work at and operate a radio station as well as the academic education needed to achieve a higher education qualification which ultimately could lead to a degree.  

Students at Derby College’s Ilkeston campus have presented a cheque for £86 to Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough.

The students, who are all on the Pathway to Working Life programme at the College, organised a pool tournament for staff and students. Three learners – Jazmine Bosworth (19), Sophie White (17) and Stephen Holmes (16) also completed the Ice Bucket Challenge and they presented the cheque to Rainbows Ambassador Mick Coe who visited the Ilkeston campus to learn more about the students’ efforts.

Former Derby College Electrical student Mitchell Shore has been named Apprentice of the Year for 2016 by national training provider JTL.

Mitchell, who is 22 and from Chaddesden, fought off competition from more than 6000 apprentices  across the UK to take the title at an awards ceremony at London’s Drapers’ Hall, attended by 150 people. He and his fellow finalists were judged on their practical electrical installation abilities as well as their knowledge of industry regulations during a technical theory test.

Derby College has finalised plans to sell the final phase of its former Mackworth Campus at Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth.

Funeral directors G Wathall & Son Ltd has launched its annual Easter egg appeal to support the foodbank, which is one of the services offered at Derby’s Hope Centre.

The family-owned firm will be collecting chocolate eggs donated by members of the public, local businesses, staff, family and friends. Donations can be collected at the firm’s offices in Macklin Street in Derby’s St Peters Quarter and at Union Street in Ashbourne and then delivered to the Hope Centre in Curzon Street.

As part of the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the plague, the people of Eyam Church have created a permanent new pilgrimage route for walkers through the Peak District National Park – the 35 mile Peak Pilgrimage route from Ilam to Eyam ‐ opened in July 2015. This initiative is supported by the Diocese of Derby and the Peak District National Park.

Two Derby businesses have pledged their support for Derby’s major cycling sportive events this year. 

Geldards and Radleigh Homes, both based on Pride Park, will be the main sponsors for the Spring Classic Sportive on Sunday May 1 and then the North Derbyshire Challenge on Sunday September 18. Both companies will be working with organisers Cycle Derby and HUUB Events to stage the events. Staff from both companies will also be competing in the event – joining hundreds of cyclists of all ages and abilities who will be taking to the roads around the county.

Derby City Council has officially launched its plans for attracting the development of 2,200 new homes in the city centre by 2028.