£1 billion of investment for Chesterfield over the next 10 years

£1 billion of investment for Chesterfield over the next 10 years

We regularly hear about new investment in Chesterfield; whether this is Markham Vale, Peak Resorts, Chesterfield Waterside or by one of our expanding local  businesses. But recently, at the Celebrate Chesterfield event it was calculated that the total amount of money being invested in the town over the next 10 years is actually £1 billion. There was an audible intake of breath in the room, when that level of investment was announced, proving once again that Chesterfield is punching well and truly above its weight.

This investment will bring lots of homes, leisure facilities, restaurants and businesses, etc to Chesterfield which,  importantly, will create jobs, 1000s of them in fact. With jobs comes more spending power in our local economy- Everyone in our town will benefit. The future for Chesterfield is very exciting, however we must not lose sight of what we have now. It is important to support the businesses that are already within the town and help them continue to thrive so they will be around to reap the benefits of the £1 billion of future investment.

The annual Chesterfield Retail Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield, are a great example of how we strive to celebrate and support businesses in Chesterfield. I am delighted to see that so many people have got behind the awards once again and nominated their favourite retailers. We’ll be announcing the winners of the Chesterfield Retail Awards in June.

However, it is my view that every one of Chesterfield’s retailers should be commended.   By way of example we heard at the Celebrate event that plans for the former Co-op building are in the pipeline and I, like everyone else, look forward to seeing an important  building brought back into use.

Whether or not you nominated a business for the Retail Awards my plea to you, to keep Chesterfield thriving now, is for you to Shop Local. Independent retailers in the town centre, along Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor have everything you could ever need. You name it - fruit and vegetables from the market, gifts, clothing, furniture, jewellery, we really do have it all. Our town’s mix of retailers – independents alongside high street chains, are what sets us apart from other high streets. We have variety that others are lacking and this is the reason why people travel from the Peak District, Buxton, Dronfield, South Sheffield and even Leicestershire to shop here. But let’s make sure we support our independent retailers. Chesterfield can enjoy its modern awakening now, not in ten years’ time.

A bit of Chesterfield Christmas sparkle sent around the world

The nights may be long but Chesterfield has its usual sparkle thanks to the fabulous Christmas lights. 

They almost make Christmas shopping pleasurable for those of us that don’t like it.

For those of you that do then the town has so much to offer – from high street chains to independent retailers that offer something a little bit different and out of the ordinary. And thanks to the Internet some of Chesterfield’s home grown products will be appearing under trees and on tables this Christmas as well, all helping spread the word about what our town has to offer.

The high street is facing its toughest battle ever. However, the internet is integral to its survival. UK retailing delivers nearly 10% of all its sales online and an increasing proportion of this comes from mobile devices.  We  want to keep Chesterfield booming and top of the charts for least vacant shops, so earlier this year Destination Chesterfield ran a free Digital High Street course to give the town’s independent retailers a helping hand to get online and maximise their sales this Christmas.

Thanks to the internet, we are seeing Northern Tea Merchants’ tea and coffee travelling as far afield as Scandinavia and Russia, jewellery retailer Adorn has customers in Canada, Scotland and the Netherlands and our very own home grown ceramist Clare Gage is selling her products through the well-known online retailer Not on the High Street.com as well as locally at Created Gallery on Chatsworth Road.

Chesterfield’s contribution to your Christmas doesn’t stop at gifts, the town and its food and drink producers can even cater for your big nights out and in. As we saw recently at the Food and Drink Awards we have some fabulous eateries in the town which, quite literally, cater for every taste. Maybe you’ll be enjoying a bottle of Brampton Brewery’s finest with your Christmas meal or one of Global Brands’ myriad of products in a local bar with friends?

Whatever or wherever you choose to eat, drink and shop, I would like everyone to consider purchasing it locally this Christmas and helping our economy thrive in 2015 and beyond. Chesterfield has so much to offer and the proof, as they say, is very much in the eating (and drinking) this Christmas.