New owners unveil fresh vision for historic Chesterfield café
A popular café in the heart of Chesterfield town centre has officially relaunched as Prego following new ownership and a major refurbishment of one of the town’s oldest buildings.
Located on Low Pavement, the café officially rebranded on Saturday, 9th May, welcoming customers into a refreshed space which combines modern touches with the restoration of the building’s historic character.
The new owners, originally from Doe Lea, returned to Chesterfield after several years away and immediately saw the potential in the venue when it became available in September 2025.
Deborah Stoddart, co-owner of Prego, said:
“We saw the business and knew straight away we wanted to buy it. It was such a great space, a beautiful building and, as we now know, it has a remarkable history.
“We officially relaunched as Prego. The response from customers has been fantastic. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved so far and excited about what’s still to come.”
Since taking ownership, extensive restoration work has been carried out throughout the property, including uncovering and restoring original oak flooring hidden beneath industrial carpet in the first-floor Tudor room.
“We have worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks to help the building shine once again and show its true beauty. The oak floor was crying out to be seen again, and we’ve restored it by hand.
“The previous owner had painted the Tudor room green, and we are now returning it back to how a Tudor room should look, with whitewashed walls amongst the oak beams.”
Alongside the restoration work, Prego has introduced a refreshed café experience, with new furnishings, an upgraded courtyard area and plans to reopen the upstairs bistro later this summer.
Customers visiting the café can expect freshly made food, home baked favourites and speciality coffee supplied locally by Heavenly Coffee.
Popular menu items already include homemade cheese scones, sausage rolls, brownies, quiches and Bakewell tarts, with many customers already returning regularly for their favourites.
Deborah said:
“We want Prego to be somewhere people choose to visit every day, whether that’s for coffee, lunch, celebrations or simply spending time with friends and family.
“We want it to become a thriving social space in Chesterfield town centre once again, somewhere everybody feels welcome.”
Future plans for the business include evening openings several nights each week, sharing boards, wine offerings, guest chef evenings and private hire opportunities for celebrations and intimate wedding receptions.
The upstairs function space is also being transformed to host events, complete with a small bar installation.
The business has already achieved a five-star food hygiene rating shortly after reopening, reflecting the owners’ commitment to quality and customer experience.
As passionate dog lovers, the owners have also created a dog-friendly environment complete with treats, water bowls and a “Prego Pawsome Pals” gallery celebrating four-legged visitors.
The café’s location on Low Pavement has also proven popular following the completion of improvements around Chesterfield’s new market area, with the owners praising the support they have received from fellow independent businesses in the town centre.
Deborah added:
“Independent businesses bring personality and community spirit to towns like Chesterfield. Local businesses support local people, and that creates a much more welcoming and vibrant experience for visitors.”
To discover more places to eat and drink, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/2026/02/50-food-and-drink-businesses-to-try-in-chesterfield/
