Our multi-million pound Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project is a significant investment in the future of our town centre.
What’s happening?
The way people shop and use town centres is changing. We must adapt to make sure Chesterfield can thrive for generations to come.
Our vision is to create an attractive, contemporary market town, celebrating our proud heritage and becoming a go-to destination where people shop and spend their leisure time.
We want to create a flexible town centre that can host a wide range of attractions like markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations and community gatherings throughout the year. Whilst also introducing playful elements and a livelier atmosphere to help encourage more regular visitors.
In November 2021, we secured almost £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. This is being used to bolster our existing ‘Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield' project, creating even more opportunities to rejuvenate our town centre:
- £11 million is part-funding will go towards the remodelling and refurbishment of Chesterfield’s Stephenson Memorial Hall – due for completion in 2026
- The remaining £8.9 million will be used to extend the planned regeneration of our town centre, with investment centred on key public spaces and the connections between them – including Corporation Street, Rykneld Square, Spire Walk, Market Square, New Square and Packers Row
It will complement work on other regeneration projects around the town centre and will connect with plans to transform the area around Chesterfield Station.
What difference will the regeneration work make?
Our aim is that by improving the look, flow and feel of our town centre, and better connecting our key public buildings and spaces, we will create a more attractive town centre that welcomes visitors and residents.
Prominent public areas will be re-imagined – creating attractive spaces that can host markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations, and community gatherings. We hope that a wider range of events will help draw new customers to the town to support existing businesses and encourage new businesses to open.
New paving, seating, lighting, planting, and street furniture will combine to create better-looking, better-connected and safer spaces that people can enjoy and socialise in.
The plans were finalised following consultation with local residents, businesses and market traders.
How long will the improvements take?
The work is being carried out in phases – due to complete in 2026.
Improvements have already been carried out on Packers Row and the Market Place, work is currently focussed on New Square, Ryklneld Square, and the refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall – home to the Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum – which is well underway.
Future phases include work to Corporation Street.
How will the town centre be affected during the work?
This is a significant regeneration project, which will inevitably cause some short-term disruption in the town centre.
We are working closely with our local partners to try and keep disruption to a minimum – and keeping local businesses and residents up to date with what’s happening.