chesterfield high street

“We now have a chance to get back to our high streets and show our support upon their re-opening”

In his latest blog, Destination Chesterfield Chairman Peter Swallow has shared his thoughts about the reopening of non-essential retail in Chesterfield, along with providing an update on several regeneration projects taking place across the town.

With the gentle easing out of lockdown and the continuing success of the vaccination programme, the future is definitely looking brighter for everyone.

The re-opening of non-essential business is another positive step forward for the town. We have all been deprived of the things we enjoy doing whilst lockdown measures have been in place, such as shopping, attending events and eating out.

With Chesterfield’s wealth of independent shops and eateries, we now have a chance to get back to our high streets and show our support upon their re-opening. Just a few pounds spent in local shops will make a huge difference to these businesses and I personally feel it is a far more enjoyable experience to visit these outlets as opposed to clicking on a website.

The re-opening of the high street also coincides with the launch of the brand new Love Chesterfield Awards. They celebrate the town’s favourite food and drink and retail businesses, local entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, community contributions and sustainability. Nominations for the awards open in May, If you know of someone or something in Chesterfield that deserves recognition, please do put them forward for an award.

We also got the chance to recognise success across the borough at this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield event- and it was indeed a celebration. We celebrated our resilience as a town during the pandemic, we celebrated our community that continuously pulls together and we celebrated the positive future ahead for the town we love.

Part of Chesterfield’s success is its ability to join forces for the good of the town, and the launch of the town’s new Construction and Property Group at the event demonstrated this perfectly. The Group represents the coming together of public and private individuals and organisations in our town who, together, are committed to driving forward collaboration, investment, sustainability and skills within Chesterfield.

In spite of the pandemic, developments in Chesterfield have continued at pace and there are many more on the horizon. Most recently construction has begun on a McDonalds restaurant and drive-thru on the site of a long-derelict former multi-storey car park at West Bars. Staveley has also received £25.2 million from the Government’s Town Deal programme, which will help deliver inclusive growth opportunities over the next five years.

It is schemes like these as well as Chesterfield Waterside, PEAK and Northern Gateway that are creating immediate and future opportunities for our young people ensuring they are able to acquire skills that will help them achieve their future ambitions.

The past year has shown just how strong we are when we pull together and I know that is this strength and determination that will continue to drive us forward into our bright future and beyond.

Posted in Blog, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield businesses get Shop Appy

Chesterfield businesses can now sign up to the Shop Appy web platform for free.

Shop Appy is a one stop, local, online support platform which enables customers to see what local shops and services have to offer, all in one place. 

Many independent businesses in Chesterfield have been looking at new ways to adapt and innovate during the Covid lockdowns. Chesterfield Borough Council has partnered with Derbyshire County Council to help businesses take advantage of the fast growing Shopappy.com.

The Derbyshire Economic Partnership, which is made up of Chesterfield Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council and other district councils, has paid for the membership fee to the ShopAppy.com platform for local businesses. This free membership will last until November 2021.

As part of the Supporting Our High Street campaign from Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield, is a new push to get more Chesterfield businesses to sign up for free to Shop Appy.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Shop Appy is another helping hand for our businesses. Many have already adapted, and offer click & collect or delivery services, but the option to have Shop Appy free until November 2021 is a great addition to their business offer.

“As part of our campaign – Supporting Our High Street – we are promoting the benefits of taking advantage of this offer for businesses to use Shop Appy for free. Our businesses need our support now more than ever. Shopping online, but making the local choice, and using our favourite local businesses is what we must do.”

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with businesses to encourage sign up to the Shop Appy platform. Any business needing support with Shop Appy can contact the council’s town centre engagement officer, Rebecca Bland, by emailing Rebecca.bland@chesterfield.gov.uk

Businesses can register for Shop Appy at www.shopappy.com/vendor

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , ,

Supporting Our High Streets – make the local choice

Stay at home and shop local online is the message from Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield during this lockdown.

Supporting Our High Streets is the theme of our new campaign this winter. The campaign aims to highlight that many local businesses have an online shop that is open during lockdown and a lot offer delivery as well as click and collect options.

To help residents find the best local buys online, local businesses with an online option have been listed on one convenient webpage at www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/shopping/shopping-during-lockdown/

The Supporting Our High Streets campaign also includes direct communication with businesses offering training on, Writing for Online and Social Media, as well as signposting training, advice and guidance from other organisations who work with and support businesses.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is so important, especially during this lockdown that we stay at home but that doesn’t mean we can’t shop with many of our favourite local shops. Many are open online and a lot offer delivery.

“We have some fantastic shops and businesses here in Chesterfield and now more than ever they need our support. So, when you think about your shopping don’t forget to make the local choice.

“We have throughout the pandemic provided businesses with advice and guidance; and over the next few months we will continue to signpost businesses to training, advice and guidance that could help them.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “Now, more than ever, we must support local. Lockdown has given us a taste of a deserted high street and it is a scenario no-one likes. We can ensure the survival of all local shops, stores and market traders by continuing to buy from them in lockdown and beyond. Together we can make a real difference to Chesterfield’s high street and the many individuals and families it supports.”

You can also find a Dine at Home list on the Destination Chesterfield website at www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/eating-out/dine-at-home/

Supporting our high street

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , ,