Chesterfield bids to be a Portas Pilot

Destination Chesterfield in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council is submitting a bid for Chesterfield to become a Portas’ Pilot town

Up to £100,000 of government cash is on offer for 12 towns to pilot the scheme, which was set up after Mary Portas led a review on revitalising town centres. Local government minister Grant Shapps has described this as a “golden ticket” for town centres.

Against the national backdrop Chesterfield is performing well with high retail occupancy rates and developer interest in the town.

Chesterfield’s Portas Pilot bid is about the future of the town, ensuring that this success and interest continues. The key themes in the bid are the development and growth of new and existing town centre businesses, the historic market and creating a balanced evening economy.

Cllr John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The Portas Report highlighted the importance of markets for towns. Chesterfield Market is at the heart of our bid alongside our independent and high street traders.”

As part of the bid a short video will be submitted, the Chesterfield film entitled ‘Actions Speak Louder Than Words’ includes local residents and businesses supporting the application in a black and white silent movie.

If successful a Town Team will be carefully selected from the Chesterfield Champions and other town centre businesses to manage the delivery of the project and the future of the Town Centre.

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “This bid will allow us to use the public and private sector expertise from the Chesterfield Champions to ensure our town centre remains vibrant and adapts to compliment the future developments in the town.”

Chesterfield will find out if it has been successful in its bid in May.

Source:Destination Chesterfield