ORGANISERS of the first Derby Telegraph Business Awards have reported an "overwhelming" response to a call for entries after receiving more than 200 applications.

Since the deadline for nominations passed a week ago, Champions (UK) plc, which is organising the awards in conjunction with the paper, has been counting up the entries for the 13 categories.

The aim of the Derby Telegraph Business Awards is to recognise, reward and celebrate the achievements of companies across Derbyshire.

Prizes will be awarded in categories as diverse as Contribution to the Community, International Trade, Not-for-Profit and New Business.

Perhaps the most coveted title is Derby Company of the Year.

As well as attracting a high number of entries, the awards have also attracted an enviable line-up of big-name sponsors.

Now the deadline for entries has passed, the sponsors face the task of sifting through every application and settling upon a shortlist of three for each of their respective categories.

Once those finalists have been decided, they will meet their category sponsor at a champagne and canape evening at the Finesse Collection's Cathedral Quarter Hotel on May 22. The awards ceremony itself takes place on June 18 at Derby College's Roundhouse, at Pride Park.

Matthew Hayes, managing director of Champions (UK) plc, said: "Following the difficulties local businesses have experienced in recent years, it is very encouraging to know that so many Derbyshire firms are viewed in such a positive light.

"Given this is the first year the awards will have been staged, we had no way of predicting the number of nominations.

"Looking at the final figures, we were all absolutely astonished. The ceremony itself now looks set to be a roaring success."

The judging period covers the three weeks preceding the champagne and canape evening, giving sponsors time to get to know the entrants and find out as much as possible about their operations before making their final decisions between then and the big night.

Mr Hayes said: "With the economy having now turned a corner, we can be confident local employers and the local workforce will move forward together as one to build mutual prosperity anew.

"The Derby Telegraph Business Awards will be a fitting occasion for us to celebrate that dynamic."

Neil White, editor of the Derby Telegraph, said: "I'm delighted by the breadth and quality of entries. I'm looking forward to the awards ceremony being a truly memorable evening."

DERBY train-maker Bombardier has officially started work on a contract that will sustain its city factory for at least the next five years.

Yesterday, workers at the Litchurch Lane site began work on the £1 billion Crossrail contract.

The start of the contract marks not only the beginning of a busy time for Bombardier but also the culmination of years of campaigning by the city of Derby to persuade the Government to support the train manufacturer.

The Derby factory had previously been overlooked for other massive rolling stock contracts in favour of foreign rivals.

But the campaign, led by the Derby Telegraph, persuaded the Government to review its procurement rules, which gave the train-maker a fairer shot at UK train deals.

Now, with the contract in the bag, the real hard work starts as Bombardier's 1,600 staff knuckle down and focus on delivering the 65 Crossrail trains on time and to budget.

The train that Bombardier will be supplying is known as the Aventra – a design it first put forward for Thameslink, a £1.6 billion contract it lost out on to German firm Siemens.

Production staff will not start making the Crossrail trains straight away. According to Bombardier, the first work involves the firm's design team, which is also based at the Litchurch Lane.

Crossrail will be operated by Transport for London, which is now working with the train-maker on the final design for the trains.

Dr Francis Paonessa, Bombardier's UK managing director, said: "We are delighted to have commenced work on the Crossrail project and look forward to delivering these iconic new trains."

Once TfL has approved a final design, Bombardier will be able to start the process that will eventually lead to manufacture and assembly of the trains, the first of which is due to be delivered in May, 2017. The final deliveries should take place in 2019. The contract also includes an option to purchase 18 additional trains.

Each Crossrail train will be just over 200 metres long, made up of nine carriages and able to carry up to 1,500 passengers.

In a statement, TFL said: "Key features of the Crossrail trains include air conditioning and inter-connecting walk-through carriages. On-train passenger information systems will also deliver real-time travel information to allow passengers to plan their onward journeys.

"The new lightweight Crossrail trains will be built with an emphasis on energy-efficiency and use of intelligent on-train energy management systems."

Mike Brown, managing director of London Underground and London Rail, said: "We look forward to working closely with Bombardier on the delivery of all these new trains, as we continue to invest in larger, more frequent and reliable trains for our customers."

Bombardier's UK supply chain will also be readying themselves with a busy few years ahead. That's because an estimated 74% of the contract spend will remain in the UK economy.

Speaking last week at the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum's annual conference, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "The benefits of this contract will be felt across the rail sector – and across Derby."

INSPIRED by controversy over the future of the Assembly Rooms, a Derby architect has sketched a novel solution to improve the building without bulldozing it.

Ian Goodwin, of Pick Everard, believes that knocking down the venue would be ruinously expensive, time-consuming and disruptive.

Keen to defend the building following the catastrophic fire on the roof of the car park, he has come up with a scheme to help give the building a new lease of life.

It involves adding a new gallery overlooking the Market Place, making the exterior more attractive and increasing space inside.

Mr Goodwin said: "The city council cannot afford to demolish and replace the building and it would tear the heart and soul out of the Cathedral Quarter.

"Derby City Council has recently spent a considerable amount of money refurbishing it and it would be a pity to waste all that time and effort."

Mr Goodwin would like to introduce a second glazed gallery level above the existing space facing the Market Place.

He said: "It could be stepped back to allow theatre goers to step outside and enjoy south facing views over the Market Place.

"Potentially, it would create more revenue, generating public space and hopefully reduce those enormous queues during the interval.

"It's a good building and the public areas are well lit and the internal courtyard works well."

Before qualifying as an architect, Mr Goodwin worked for George Grey and Partners and contributed to its submission to the Assembly Rooms design competition.

Although from a visual point of view, the Assembly Rooms divides opinion as to its merits, the building is well regarded in architectural circles.

The Royal Institute of British Architects included the Assembly Rooms in a book entitled Fifty Buildings 50 Years – Modern Architecture in the East Midlands.

TWO plans to knock down blocks of domestic garages to make way for homes have been given the go-ahead, despite strong opposition over parking.

The applications for Alvaston and New Zealand were the second and third controversial applications from Derby Homes to get the go-ahead from the city's planning committee recently.

In March, a plan to build homes on a small field in Thanet Drive, Alvaston, was given the go-ahead despite 10 objections and an 82-name petition.

It was argued that the open space was used by residents for recreation away from busy roads with the application described as "land-grabbing".

Last night, applications for four homes on the site of 29 garages in Seymour Close, New Zealand, and four bungalows on the site of 15 in Alum Close, Alvaston, won the go-ahead.

Derby Homes says the homes are "much-needed" because of a general need as well as the Government's so-called bedroom tax.

Bill Lynch, 82, of Seymour Close, told last night's planning committee meeting that he believed the proposal in his street would lead to between 12 and 14 extra vehicles looking for parking.

Mr Lynch said: "Emergency services and refuse collection vehicles have had problems negotiating parked vehicles in the close."

He said the exit from Seymour Close into Raleigh Street was "an accident waiting to happen" and more traffic and parked cars around the junction would "exacerbate the problem".

A 42-name petition and two letters of objection had been sent to the council over the proposal but it was voted through last night, with eight councillors for, one against, and one abstaining.

Derby Homes says that only three of the garages are used by local residents with all other users living more than seven miles away.

Paul Chamberlain, a council highways development manager, said he "understood why people might have concerns about dispersion (of vehicles)."

But he said: "Derby Homes tell us there are only three local residents who use the garages and I have to take them at their word."

Councillor Frank Harwood said the parking argument "defeats itself" as, if there were a problem, the garages would be used by residents.

The application for Alum Close was unanimously granted, despite a 40-name petition and three objections.

These concerned loss of garage space, residents being driven to on-street parking and an increase in traffic.

There was one supporting comment saying there was a need for more housing for older people.

Mr Harwood asked Andrew McNeil, Derby Homes head of development, what the usage of the garages was.

Mr McNeil said: "Off the top of my head I can't say. As in general with a lot of our garages, they are not massively used by the people living around them."

Pensioner John Bain, of Alum Close, had previously said if Derby Homes advertised the garages "properly" they could make thousands of pounds a year from them.

PLANS are due to be submitted for what is believed to be between 350 and 400 homes on a 48-acre site off Kedleston Road and Memorial Road.

The Catesby Property Group, based in Warwick, is likely to put in a planning application to Amber Valley Borough Council in July or August but a public consultation is expected to take place ahead of the submission.

The development, which formed part of a public inquiry into the council's future house planning strategy, would use land belonging to the Kedleston estate on the edge of the city.

DERBYSHIRE has the best young accountant in the world.

Craig Bosworth scored the highest marks out of 5,000 students from across the globe in his exams.

He achieved 88% in his final Chartered Institute of Management Accountants exams, beating the next best by 2%.

The 25-year-old said he was amazed after coming top in the financial strategy exam.

Craig is a former pupil of Mill Hill School in Ripley and completed a business and accounting degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

He said: "I'm delighted to have done so well. The exams were really tough but I had a lot of support from my employer, DHL.

"The qualification has not only provided me with essential accounting skills but has given me a broader understanding of the wider business environment."

Craig, who now lives in Mansfield, is on the finance graduate scheme at logistics firm DHL.

He studied with BPP in Nottingham and, as well as the financial strategy exam, also sat two other professional papers.

To become a chartered management accountant, students need to complete ten professional qualification exams over four years.

Andrew McGunnigle, chairman in the East Midlands and East Anglia area for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), said: "Craig has shown fantastic dedication to come top in these professional business exams.

"The CIMA qualification produces versatile professionals who are assessed in a practical business setting, enabling us to apply our knowledge in many different areas and roles."

Craig also received praise nationally from Noel Tagoe, executive director of education at CIMA. Mr Tagoe said: "It is extremely pleasing to see some excellent student performances from around the world.

"This highlights CIMA's ethic that dedication and hard work can produce exemplary results."

CIMA runs a series of events for students, members and guests throughout the related area on a regular basis across the year.

For further information, visit www.cimaglobal.com/localevents.

A DERBY tram project that has spent years in the sidings is being resurrected with more than a million pounds of fresh investment.

Stored Engine Technology in Litchurch Lane will be using about £1.5 million of funding to develop a lighter, more efficient and cheaper means to power trams.

The motors and a guidance system would be incorporated into the wheels, a radical departure from conventional trams whose wheels are driven through the axle and transmission, thus making the trams much lighter.

The company has won an investment of £919,000 through the Radical Train Competition – designed to accelerate research and development and run by the rail industry's Enabling Innovation Team.

The firm has also received a £114,000 grant from the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund and £344,700 worth of loan support.

An early version of the technology, designed and developed in Derby, was incorporated into a tram that underwent successful trials in Blackpool, running smoothly for 2,000 km in 2009.

But, since then, the prototype has been hidden away at the premises of GGS Engineering, sister company of Stored Engine Technology.

The funding will allow the business to take the two-year wheelmotor demonstrator project forward and enable it to recruit four more engineers who will work in partnership with the Institute of Railway Research, based at Huddersfield University.

Stored Engine Technology project manager Neil Cooney said: "The tram project was put on hold because, at that time, there was not the confidence in the business to carry it forward.

"The funding from the Radical Train competition and the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund mean that it has been reinvigorated. After many years of planning, we now have the funding in place to forge ahead to build a working prototype."

The prototype has the potential to attract the interest of major manufacturers of trams, such as Bombardier, Siemens and Alstom, should the technology prove economically viable for large-scale production.

"Our steering group of rail industry experts are very excited about the technology and the potential for the rail sector across the world," said Mr Cooney.

"We are committed to keeping manufacturing for the new system here in Derby."

City council director of regeneration Richard Williams said: "This is an exciting project which could provide revolutionary applications in the light rail sector – improving safety and efficiency."

THE transformation of a former Derby "community pub" into shops and homes will begin in four to six weeks and lead to the creation of up to 30 jobs.

Derby City Council has granted planning permission for the conversion of the derelict Blue Boy, in Wiltshire Road, Chaddesden, by developer 1(NA) Mansfield Ltd.

Now Ben Taylor, head of retail agency for Innes England – the property consultants for the developer – has revealed that most of the retail space will be taken up by Heron Foods.

The majority of the East Yorkshire firm's stock is frozen food but it also sells other supermarket goods.

Mr Taylor said Heron Foods would take up 3,500 square feet of the retail space but that there would be between 900 and 2,500 square feet of space left for retail which has not yet been let.

He said Heron Foods should be operating by September.

The development will also see four flats created above the shops as well as up to eight houses at the back of the building.

People and businesses in the area have welcomed the news.

The Blue Boy is a locally listed building, built in 1936 in an art deco style with architecture that "clearly references ocean liners of the day", according to the planning application.

Bupinder Buctkuar, owner of Buk-Tar clothes and shoe shop, next door, said the conversion would be good for footfall in the area. He said: "The area could do with revamping and this is a step towards that. It's been a long time coming, so the sooner the better.

"I remember when Kwik Save used to be around the corner and that used to bring a lot of business."

Peter Alliss, 49, of Roe Farm Lane, which runs along one side of the building, said it was time a new use was found for the building as teenagers had been getting on to the derelict site "once or twice a week". He said: "It's good that they've put housing with it because there's a massive shortage at the moment."

In 2004, £400,000 of Government money was spent on refurbishing the Blue Boy as a community pub. That cash came through the New Deal for Communities Scheme, launched by the previous Labour Government to tackle issues in deprived areas.

In October 2008, Derwent Delivers, which took on the lease of the pub, announced it was losing money and the pub had to close. But, shortly afterwards, Inn Recovery took on the lease.

Since then, the building's previous owner, Enterprise Inns, has confirmed that the Blue Boy changed hands several times, before its sale to 1(NA) in September last year.

A DERBYSHIRE school provided the setting for a different type of police interrogation when the county's Police and Crime Commissioner was grilled by a group of students.

Alan Charles answered a series of questions set by pupils at The Pingle School in Swadlincote.

It was part of his campaign to canvass the views of young people.

Mr Charles said he was happy to discuss a diverse range of topics on subjects including drugs, domestic violence, cyber bullying and immigration.

Olivia Shreeve, a Year 10 pupil, said: "It was fascinating to see the work that the commissioner does.

"I was interested in the example Mr Charles gave us illustrating how new technology has changed the way people commit crime."

Deb Holland is the assistant head teacher at the school.

She said: "The event was an ideal opportunity to ask questions about some of the issues that have an impact on society every day.

"We are really grateful that Mr Charles could come to the school and that it was so beneficial to the youngsters."

The commissioner said that he was impressed by the interest shown in his work by the students and valued the insight he gained from his discussions.

He said: "We are working hard to get a true sense of young people's views about crime and anti-social behaviour, how we can support them to stay safe and provide early intervention to divert them from activities that might lead to them talking to the police in a different setting.

"I'm grateful to The Pingle School for inviting me. They were an interesting and friendly group who put forward some very sensible questions."

CANNABIS was found in a woman's handbag after police smelt the drug when they stopped a car.

Passenger Laura Spencer handed over nine small bags of cannabis, worth a total of £95, to the officers, who stopped the blue Lexus in Merrill Way, Allenton, last June.

Police seized four mobile phones from her – three from her house – and, on two of them, was evidence of supplying drugs.

Police also recovered £425 from the 29-year-old's home.

Spencer, of Glengarry Way, Sinfin, admitted possessing cannabis with the intent to supply to others.

Spencer was handed a six-month jail sentence, suspended for a year, ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work and told to pay a £80 victim surcharge.

Judge Jonathan Gosling said this was the second time she had been in court for drugs. In November 2012, she was convicted of possessing cannabis. He added: "You have a good work record and, since September 2013, you have been working six days a week and you say you have started an accounting course."