Derbyshire Times news bulletin 27th August

Derbyshire Times news bulletin with editor Phil Bramley

Transcript

00:00Here's today's Derbyshire Times video bulletin.

00:03A 70-unit apart hotel offering accommodation for tourists and key workers

00:08is being proposed for Chesterfield Town Centre.

00:11The plan, by JBSL Holdings Ltd for the former Wilco premises at Vicker Lane,

00:16includes building a two-storey roof extension on top of the existing building

00:19and creating two new retail units on part of the ground floor.

00:24A planning statement to Chesterfield Borough Council said,

00:26The proposed apart hotel will bring a significant number of accommodation units

00:31to Chesterfield's town centre, offering a convenient and premium option

00:35for both tourists wishing to stay in a central location near the Peak District National Park

00:39and key workers requiring quality accommodation for extended periods.

00:44It adds,

00:45The apart hotel model is particularly well suited to serve both models,

00:50offering the flexibility and amenities required by tourists for short-term stays,

00:54while prioritising the comfort, functionality and cost-effectiveness

00:58that key workers need for longer-term accommodation contracts in the locality.

01:03Wilco's closed in October 2023,

01:06after the national DIY chain went into administration.

01:09Opportunities for short-term tenants to occupy the site have been explored,

01:13but have so far not worked out.

01:15Some of the strongest men and women headed to Derbyshire

01:19to compete in the annual Peak District Highland Games,

01:23which was held at Matlock Farm Park.

01:25Competitors held spectators rapt as they took on daunting feats

01:29like the 8-ton tractor pool,

01:31the Peak District Dinny Stone Challenge,

01:33Tossing the Caber,

01:34the Giant Stone Throw,

01:35and the Stone of Destiny Carry.

01:37A mix of more than 2,000 local residents,

01:40holiday makers and day-trippers

01:42turned out to watch the games,

01:44accompanied by entertainment from a bagpipe band,

01:46a troupe of Scottish dancers

01:47and a chance for children to test themselves

01:49in their own tug-of-war contest.