New Market for Chesterfield and Retail Awards Host Announced

The weather has finally turned warmer and the lighter nights are here. Chesterfield is beginning to blossom once again and in more ways than one.

While the floral displays in and round the town have come to life so too has tourism. There’s nothing like warm weather and sunshine to put us in the holiday mood. This is a great opportunity for Chesterfield to capitalise on its proximity to the Peak District as well as spectacular visitor attractions like Chatsworth House, Hardwick Hall and Bolsover Castle.

However, it’s important Chesterfield doesn’t become a place that people pass through in order to reach their tourist destinations. The town, in its own right, has so much to offer tourists not least the crooked spire, museum, Queen’s Park and one of the UK’s top five hotels – Casa.

Chesterfield Visitor Information Centre is doing a great job welcoming visitors to the town. So much so that it is a finalist in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence2015.  Soon the town will have yet another reason for people to visit us - a monthly artisan market which will take place on the last Sunday of every month.

The market will give people, both locals and those from outside the area, more reason to visit Chesterfield on Sunday. The increased footfall will benefit other retailers in the town. The popularity of online shopping and out of town shopping centres means it is more important than ever to support our town centre retailers. And the level of support for Chesterfield’s retailers is incredibly pleasing, if the nominations for the 2015 Chesterfield Retail Awards are anything to go by.

You nominated in your droves, giving us an incredibly strong field of contenders for the 15 awards. The awards have now become a fixture in Chesterfield’s calendar. I’m delighted that Peak FM breakfast show presenters James Summers and BeckyMeasures have agreed to host the awards at the Winding Wheel on Wednesday 24June. I am sure their big personalities will make the 2015 awards an event to remember and one I am personally looking forward to, very much like summer.