It is the
shortest month of the year and it may be horribly grey outside, but don’t be
deceived – Chesterfield’s future is bright. This month, the spotlight is on the
town’s retail sector. Nominations for the 2018 Chesterfield Retail Awards open later this month.
Now in their
fifth year, the Chesterfield Retail Awards are the perfect way to celebrate our
town’s booming retail scene, and it’s up to you as shoppers to nominate
retailers that deserve the recognition that a nomination and potential win
these coveted awards can bring.
All too often
we hear how the UK’s high streets are struggling. It’s tempting to look at
empty shops in our town centre and think that it’s the same story in
Chesterfield, but it’s not.
Our abundance
of both independent retailers and big high street names, alongside the historic
market, means that retail in Chesterfield is unlike most towns in the UK. Last
year we attracted new retailers to the town centre
The independent
sector is thriving and there are many success stories. Adorn Jewellers for
instance, opened in the Shambles five years ago and in 2017 opened a second
store in Bakewell. Geeks Headquarters tells a similar story. It started off on
the market before moving to shop premises on Rose Hill.
This year we
will see the regeneration of the upper end of the town centre where work has
begun on transforming the former Co-op into a hotel and restaurants. More
development will happen here with the creation of Northern Gateway which will
all serve to feed crucial footfall into the town centre and ensure it not only
survives but thrives.
The
Chesterfield Retail Awards aren’t just about town centre businesses, they’re
about every single retailer – whether they are a shop, salon, bakery, market
stall or crafter – that operates within S40 and 41.
There is a huge
retail offering outside the town centre. Areas like Chatsworth Road and
Whittington Moor are lined with shops and stores, but I urge you to look behind
these and down the side streets to uncover the unsung heroes of retail.
