New growth strategy to drive investment, skills and growth in Chesterfield
Chesterfield Borough Council has approved a new four-year growth strategy that will help attract investment, strengthen skills, enhance our town centre and create new opportunities for businesses and residents.
The Growth Strategy 2026-2030 sets out a long-term vision to ensure Chesterfield remains a thriving, resilient and forward-looking borough, building on the success of previous economic growth programmes.
Approved at a meeting of full council on Wednesday, 15th July, 2026 the strategy outlines how the council will work alongside businesses, education providers and regional partners to support economic growth while ensuring local people benefit from new opportunities.
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 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.”
Five priorities for future growth
The strategy identifies five priorities that will guide economic growth over the next four years:
- Help businesses grow and attract new investment.
- Build infrastructure that supports employment and housing growth.
- Strengthen the character and vibrancy of Chesterfield’s town centres.
- Develop Chesterfield’s role as a visitor destination and gateway to the surrounding area.
- Ensure local people have the skills needed to progress in the labour market and benefit from future employment opportunities.
To deliver these ambitions, the council will continue working with businesses and skills providers to improve access to training and employment support. It also commits to initiatives such as local labour clauses on major planning applications, helping local communities benefit directly from new developments.
The strategy also builds on major regeneration projects, including Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield, by supporting more events in the town centre, continuing investment in public spaces and working with Chesterfield Town Board, part of the Government’s Pride in Place programme, and the East Midlands Combined County Authority to unlock new opportunities such as the East Midlands Investment Zone.
Other major projects highlighted within the strategy include the Staveley Growth Corridor, the reopening of the Barrow Hill Line, the Staveley Vision Masterplan and the Chesterfield Station Masterplan.
To discover more on what makes Chesterfield a great place to live, visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/living
For more information and to read the full Growth Strategy 2026–2030, visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/regeneration-and-economic-growth/chesterfields-growth-strategy
