Chesterfield Borough Council has approved an ambitious plan to grow the local economy by improving access to higher-level skills, enhancing the town centre offer, and attracting more investment.
The new four-year growth strategy (2026-30) sets out a clear and confident vision for Chesterfield to ensure that it remains a thriving, resilient and forward looking borough.
Building on the success of previous growth strategies the new strategy will help ensure Chesterfield continues to be a focus for regional growth by continuing successful business and skills support programmes, harnessing the benefits from key regeneration projects and working in partnership with businesses, education providers and other authorities.
The strategy – which was approved at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 15 July, also includes a strong commitment to creating inclusive growth which will help all residents to benefit from the borough’s growing economy.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “This strategy will help ensure that our borough remains a thriving place to live and work but it also sets out our commitment to delivering inclusive growth so that everyone in our community can share in the benefits of a growing economy. Whether it is working with our partners to enhance skills provision for local people or attracting new businesses and investment to our borough, we want our economy to provide everyone with the chance to build a fantastic life in Chesterfield.
“Through this strategy we are building on our success – we have seen thousands of jobs created, new businesses move into the borough and record of levels of investment by both the private and public sector. We want this trend to continue, and we will work with our partners to ensure we can achieve even more for our communities.
“We are an ambitious borough and that is reflected throughout this strategy, but our key aim is to unlock our potential to assert Chesterfield’s role as a regional driver of economic growth.”
The strategy provides a detailed analysis of Chesterfield’s economy, it’s potential and includes five key objectives, which are:
- Help businesses to grow and secure new investment in the borough
- Build a competitive place infrastructure that accelerates employment and housing growth
- Strengthen the distinctive character and vibrancy of town centres
- Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and base for exploring the surrounding area
- Ensure local people have the right skills to support progression in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities
Within each of these objectives a range of key activities have been identified which will help ensure that the ambitious aims of the strategy can be achieved.
For example, it commits the council to working in partnership with businesses and skills providers to ensure that local people can access support programmes which will help them advance their career and continuing initiatives like local labour clauses on major planning applications which ensures that communities can benefit from development.
The strategy aims to build on major regeneration projects like Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield with organising more events to attract visitors, continuing investment in the town centre and working with Chesterfield Town Board, part of the Government’s Pride in Place programme, and East Midlands Combined County Authority to identify and realise new opportunities like the East Midlands Investment Zone.
It also includes a commitment to key projects like the Staveley Growth Corridor, reopening of the Barrow Hill Line, Staveley Vision Masterplan and Chesterfield Station Masterplan.
Find out more and read the full strategy by visiting our growth strategy page.
