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Visit Peak District & Derbyshire strengthen international tourism in Asia

30th December 2025

Visit Peak District and Derbyshire has highlighted the region’s world-class tourism offerings to leading travel buyers from China, Japan, and South Korea at an international travel trade mission in Chengdu, China.”

The mission, part of VisitBritain’s Destination Britain China and Northeast Asia (DBCNEA) programme, provided a significant opportunity to raise the international profile of the Peak District and Derbyshire. It supports Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’s wider objectives to attract high-spending global visitors, extend the tourism season beyond peak months, and deliver long-term benefits to the local visitor economy.

During the event, the team held over 50 one-to-one meetings with tour operators and travel buyers from China, Japan, and South Korea, highlighting the region’s tourism offerings to inspire future itineraries and drive new business.

Additionally, Visit Peak District and Derbyshire delivered educational seminars showcasing local attractions, accommodations, and activity providers. These closely align with emerging Asian travel trends, including high-end, small-group, and immersive experiences.

Derbyshire is attracting growing interest from Chinese visitors, drawn by the area’s rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. Chatsworth, internationally recognised for its role in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice film, remains a major attraction, while the wider Peak District offers ‘soft adventure’ experiences such as hiking and stargazing, appealing to a new generation of nature-inspired travellers.

Both ‘Peak District’ and ‘Chatsworth’ currently feature among the most popular trending searches on RedNote, one of China’s largest social platforms with over 300 million users, highlighting Derbyshire’s strong potential as a must-see UK destination.

Spending by visitors from China, Japan, and South Korea is forecast to reach £1.4 billion for the UK economy this year, with an average visitor spend from these markets of £1,528 per visit – more than double the all-market average of £818.

Attendance at DBCNEA strengthened Visit Peak District and Derbyshire’s ongoing engagement with the Chinese market, which includes a dedicated cultural tourism friendship between Derbyshire and Anhui Province, facilitated by Make It China. This established collaboration provided valuable momentum for trade discussions during the event.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District and Derbyshire, said:

“VisitBritain’s Destination Britain China and Northeast Asia mission offered us an invaluable platform to present Derbyshire’s unique blend of heritage, nature and immersive experiences to top buyers from China, Japan and South Korea.

By bringing our region directly into the spotlight at a global event, we build the relationships and confidence needed for tour operators to book the Peak District as an essential stop on future itineraries – making a powerful case for the region as a “must-see” destination beyond the typical London circuit.

Growing awareness among these influential buyers is key to unlocking the full potential of inbound tourism for our communities and economy.”

As part of its international tourism strategy, Visit Peak District and Derbyshire has been working extensively to ensure local tourism businesses are ‘travel trade ready’. Over the past year, the organisation has supported more than 40 businesses to become trade-ready through targeted development workshops and the launch of a new Travel Trade Brochure.

Businesses can find out more about Visit Peak District and Derbyshire’s business support activity at: www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Visiting

Two Chesterfield schools named in County’s top performers

29th December 2025

Two Chesterfield secondary schools have been recognised among the top performers in Derbyshire, following the release of the D epartment for Education’s revised 2024/25 Key Stage 4 performance data.

As the year draws to a close, new figures reveal how Derbyshire’s state-funded secondary schools performed throughout 2025, with Attainment 8 scores used as the key measure. This metric reflects pupils’ average achievement across eight qualifications, including double-weighted English and maths GCSEs, a selection of English Baccalaureate subjects such as sciences, languages, history or geography, and three additional approved qualifications.

St Mary’s Catholic High School in Upper Newbold has been named the top-performing secondary school in Derbyshire, achieving an impressive Attainment 8 score of 59.3 in the 2024/25 school year. The school, located on Newbold Road, had 206 Key Stage 4 students on roll and continues to build on its strong academic reputation.

Ofsted also visited St Mary’s in June 2024, where it received ‘Outstanding’ ratings across every area inspected, reinforcing its position as a leading school both locally and regionally.

Also representing Chesterfield in the county-wide rankings is Brookfield Community School, located on Chatsworth Road. The school secured sixth place in Derbyshire with an Attainment 8 score of 50.7, reflecting strong academic outcomes for its 176 Key Stage 4 pupils.

Brookfield was rated ‘Good’ across all categories in its April 2023 Ofsted inspection, maintaining its positive performance and reputation within the local community.

With two schools inside the top 10, Chesterfield continues to demonstrate strong educational standards, offering families high-quality options supported by excellent teaching, a focus on pupil progress and well-rounded learning environments.

Chesterfield is a great place to bring up a family, it offers many schools that Ofsted rated as outstanding and good.

The town is also ranked as the second best place in the UK to raise a family and the happiest place to live in the East Midlands.

Discover more about living in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Stay

Expanded CCTV coverage into Chatsworth Road

28th December 2025

CCTV coverage is set to expand into the Chatsworth Road area as Chesterfield Borough Council invests around £10,000 to increase safety in one of our town’s most popular areas. The commitment aims to deter unwanted behaviour and tackle antisocial behaviour.

The additional cameras are set to be installed from West Bar roundabout up to Old Road junction.

Councillor Steve Lismore, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Chesterfield is a very safe place to live, work and socialise – however, like all towns and cities around the country, anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder can sometimes arise, but we are committed to tackling this.

“The Chatsworth Road area is quite rightly becoming more and more popular, with a fantastic range of bars, pubs and restaurants on offer, so it’s really important for us to invest in the safety of the area.

“The extension of our CCTV network up Chatsworth Road means we can work more effectively with police to tackle incidents in the area, so that it continues to be a safe place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Inspector Josh Carter, said: “CCTV can provide absolutely vital evidence during investigations – as well as providing excellent live time monitoring to help officers be contacted when incidents occur.

“The new cameras are a welcome addition to the centre and will provide reassurance to the community, as well as a deterrent to those who think they can behaviour either anti-socially or criminally in our town.”

Funding for the new CCTV has come from East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from funding provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home

Local play area welcomes families following major transformation

27th December 2025

Heather Vale Play Area in Hasland, has been transformed with upgraded new equipment. Designed to suit children from ages three to twelve, the play area includes a toddler play unit with steps, slides and a mini climbing net. Along with agility equipment for older children plus sensory panels and ground activities to support inclusive play.

Part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s ambitious parks and play delivery plan, which was launched in 2023, aims to improve play areas across the borough.

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s Deputy Leader, said:

“We recognise how play areas form an important part of every community in our borough, providing a space for children to develop and build confidence but also creating a place where parents can socialise together.

“Through our parks and play delivery plan we identified the play areas across the borough which were most in need of an upgrade and over the last few years we have been working hard to refurbish these facilities and improve local play spaces.

“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to carry out these works in Hasland before Christmas. I know this will be a great asset for the community to enjoy and we’ve already received some great feedback from local families.

“Creating these spaces helps ensure that Chesterfield is a fantastic borough to live and raise a family and we’ll be investing even more into our play areas over the next few years to ensure that every family can access a welcoming and safe play area in their neighbourhood.”

Continued upgrades are being planned at Barnes Road in Hady and in Duckmanton in the first half of 2026. Further improvements across the borough are also being planned.

The refurbishment of Heather Vale began on site in late November 2025 and is funded through combined council and grant funding. With funding provided from both the Suez communities fund and from East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from funding provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Residents who visit are being asked to complete a survey about the upgrade, the short survey will help plan future improvements across the borough and access further grant funding for other play spaces. To complete the survey please visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/heather-vale-play-area

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Stay

Our Chesterfield Champions reflect on a year of achievements

26th December 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on another year of progress and achievement.

Chesterfield continues to be recognised as a great place to live, named one of the happiest places to live in the East Midlands by The Guardian and the Rightmove Happy at Home Index. It has also been recognised as one of the greenest towns in the UK, with over 95% of homes having access to private or nearby outdoor space.  Thanks to its excellent schools, our strong community spirit and access to nature, it also consistently ranks among the best places to raise a family.

Throughout the year, progress has continued on the transformation of Chesterfield and Staveley town centres, the extension of the Chesterfield Canal, and the preparation of development platforms for the first phase at PEAK Resort.

We spoke to our network of Chesterfield Champions who have shared their businesses’ biggest successes from the past twelve months.

Andrew Byrne, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Property Development Director at Devonshire Property Group

“Starting work on our employment scheme at Markham Vale (NOVA) with our joint venture partner HBD has to be the highlight of the year for Devonshire Property Group. This scheme will see over 700,000 sq ft of high-quality employment space delivered at Markham Vale employing in the region of 700-800 people. We’re due to complete the initial ground works early in 2026 and will accelerate our marketing campaigns to attract occupiers and investors in the New Year.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield

“This year has been transformational for Chesterfield. We’ve moved beyond planning into delivery on the ground — bringing regeneration projects to life — and we’re already seeing the benefits for our residents and businesses. Major milestones have been achieved, including the revitalisation of Chesterfield’s main market square – breathing new energy into the heart of our town. Key initiatives, such as the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle, have begun, positioning Chesterfield at the forefront of future rail innovation. Together with the Chesterfield Town Board, we’ve set clear investment priorities to further boost long-term prosperity for the town.

Other examples of this real-life impact include our ongoing commitment to providing decent homes for local people, with new homes in Staveley ready to welcome families; and we’re strengthening our communities through the provision of funding for grassroots and community groups – supporting them to continue their vital work.

Overall, this has been a year of achievement, momentum, and pride – working together with our strong local networks – to make Chesterfield a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.”

Julie Richards OBE, Destination Chesterfield Board Member and Principal of Chesterfield College

“Supporting over 6,000 students and apprentices to learn, grow and take their next steps has undoubtedly been our proudest achievement. As a college group, we’ve also continued to strengthen partnerships with hundreds of employers across the region, ensuring our curriculum genuinely reflects industry needs and future workforce demand.”

Paul Flitter, Founder and Director, New Oak Estates

“We are delighted to have been identified as one of the top estate agents in the UK for the second year running. We feature in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2025 – the most comprehensive review of UK agencies.””

Kriston Harvey, Director, Rodgers Leask

“As someone who has called Chesterfield home for over 40 years, I am particularly proud of our involvement with Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project and seeing the recently completed Market Square re-open. This vibrant update to the town centre’s public realm blends repurposed cobbles with new feature paving, subtly honouring the market’s heritage through a carefully chosen material palette.”

Natalie Burkinshaw, Founder, CRUSH

“We won a series of awards, including the Transform Awards Europe and German Design Awards for our rebrand of Ziemann Holvrieka, as well as being personally shortlisted and winning two women’s business awards.”

Laura Jo, Owner, Adorn Jewellers

“We’re thrilled to have celebrated a milestone: 15 years of business in the heart of the town centre. The high street has certainly changed during that time. We’re hopeful that the growth of town centre living, combined with footfall driven by social media and online discovery, will ensure we continue to thrive here in Middle Shambles for many years to come.”

Neil Beaumont, Sales Director, Custom Solar

“Since our acquisition by MITIE two years ago, we’ve tripled our workforce and continued to grow. Our focus has been on delivering high-quality installations, meeting our clients’ carbon reduction goals, and maintaining the company’s ambitious growth trajectory.”

Heather Hearn-Poole, SEO Manager, FWD Motion

“Over the past year, we’ve grown and developed our pool of talent in both SEO and Channel Marketing to ensure that we continue to be at the leading edge of digital marketing.”

Anna Meer, Director, DLP Planning

“Quite recently, we have become an employee-owned trust. We have noticed a real difference across all our offices, in terms of the drive and commitment that everyone has in sharing how the company grows.”

Dawn Brown, Owner, Rose Cottage, DogLand

“We’re thrilled about the progress we’ve made towards opening a second DogLand site at Woolley Moor. After the serious floods in 2023, our Rose Cottage facility was severely damaged and required many repairs and TLC. But thanks to our hardworking team and supportive community, we were able to come back bigger and better than ever.”

Claudia Risorto, Apprentice Solicitor, Banner Jones Solicitors

“One of our proudest achievements at Banner Jones Solicitors has been securing a place in the Legal 500 rankings. Additionally, we rank 1^st in Chesterfield for the volume of property transactions we handle.”

Katie Snodden, Head of Sales, Bridge Help

“This past year has been record-breaking for Bridge Help, with the highest number of enquiries to date. Increased investor support allowed us to launch exciting new products and grow our team with two new hires as we continue to scale.”

For more information on Chesterfield Champions, please visit: www.chesterfield.co.uk/destination-chesterfield/champions/Chesterfield Champions

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Destination Chesterfield, Home

Local community spreads festive spirit

24th December 2025

From heartwarming carol singing to handmade Christmas hats, the people of Chesterfield have come together this festive season to support local charities and bring joy to the local community during a challenging time for many.

Chesterfield Royal Hospital was filled with festive spirit last month as children from St Peter and St Paul School delighted staff, patients, and visitors with a heartwarming carol performance in the hospital’s main entrance.

The joyful singing brought smiles to everyone and created a truly magical atmosphere, further enhanced by a thoughtful address from Reverend Martyn Jinks.

Generous donations were also made to Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charity, reflecting the kindness and community spirit that make this time of year so special.

The Trust extended a heartfelt thank you to the pupils, Reverend Jinks, and everyone involved in making the hospital feel brighter this Christmas.

Hats on Chesterfield Crooked Spire tree set to bring warmth to local charities

Dozens of green beanie hats topped with colourful bobbles hung proudly on a Christmas tree inside Chesterfield’s iconic Crooked Spire earlier this season, ready to be donated to charities and community groups across the town. The display was part of the Festival of Christmas Trees at the Parish Church of St Mary and All Saints, where more than 100 decorated trees from local organisations, businesses and community groups were showcased inside the church throughout November.

The hats had been handmade by members of the local community in response to a festive appeal from local firm Banner Jones. After the festival finished, every hat was passed on to local homeless charities, food banks, and community organisations to help keep vulnerable people warm over the winter months.

Lynne Pope, Marketing Manager at Banner Jones, said: “Community is at the heart of Banner Jones, and we are incredibly proud to see the tree now covered in so many cosy, handmade hats. Each one represents time, care and kindness from our community.

“The tree has already attracted attention from visitors to the church, with many stopping to admire the bright display and the simple but powerful message behind it – that small acts of kindness can make a real difference during the colder months.”

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Home

People of Chesterfield show support for Ashgate Hospice

23rd December 2025

The people of North Derbyshire have shown incredible generosity and support for Ashgate Hospice in recent months, coming together to raise vital funds and honour loved ones. Despite the hospice facing a significant funding shortfall, community events have highlighted the strength and compassion of the local area.

Annual Ball raises over £100,000

Ashgate Hospice’s annual black-tie Ball, held for the first time at the Best Western Plus Mosborough Hall Hotel in Sheffield on Friday 14 November 2025, raised £108,818 to support patients living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

The event welcomed 180 guests who enjoyed a four-course dinner and learned more about the hospice’s impact in the region. Guests also took part in a lively auction, with items including a signed Jude Bellingham shirt from the Euro 2024 final, a tour of the Silverstone Aramco Formula One building, and a luxury stay at Swinney Wood Log Cabins in Belper.

Anna Jinks, partnerships development officer, said:

“This is without doubt one of the most challenging periods in Ashgate Hospice’s history, and that makes the generosity shown at the Annual Ball even more humbling.

To see so many people come together, give so generously and help raise such an incredible amount means so much for the hospice and everyone who relies on our services.

The funds raised will make a real, tangible difference to patients and the people important to them when they need us most, and we cannot thank our supporters enough for standing with us at such a critical time.”

Light up a Life brings community together in remembrance

Just weeks later, on Sunday 7 December 2025, hundreds of people took part in Ashgate Hospice’s annual Light up a Life event, sponsored by Harold Lilleker & Sons Ltd, raising more than £55,000. Around 500 supporters walked the 1.6-mile lantern-lit procession through Old Brampton, while another 150 attended the remembrance ceremony in the hospice gardens.

Jack Wood, Director of Income Generation at Ashgate Hospice, said:
“We want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Light up a Life this year. After what has been a challenging period for our hospice, seeing so many people stand side by side in remembrance meant more than we can say.

“For many, this time of year can be incredibly hard. Coming together in this way – to pause, to remember and to honour someone important – is a powerful reminder of the strength within our community.”

The evening featured music from Sheffield’s Cancer Choir, vocalist Alex Eastwood, and thoughtful readings, led by Ashgate’s Spiritual Care Practitioner, Tim Wheeler.

Even after the event, supporters can still dedicate a star in Ashgate’s virtual night sky in memory of someone special, with all donations helping to fund the hospice’s specialist end-of-life and palliative care services. With NHS funding covering only half of the care costs, community support remains essential to ensure Ashgate can continue to provide its vital services.

Posted in Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home

A calmer Christmas and New Year in Chesterfield

22nd December 2025

Hopefully, your gifts are wrapped and plans sorted, so you can relax into Christmas and enjoy the simple pleasures Chesterfield offers. Remember to take the time to stop and take note during the busy season because our town centre looks so magical in December. Our twinkling lights and festive art trail welcome you to our shops, cafes and market tipi.

And when the New Year arrives, why not try to keep that gentler pace? January offers a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect.

Instead of chasing big resolutions, I plan to focus on people and experiences that bring joy. A quiet stroll together works wonders, and Chesterfield’s winter walks – like Linacre Reservoirs, Chesterfield Canal or the Five Pits Trail – make it easy to enjoy frosty landscapes close to home.

If you’re looking for cosy indoor moments, drop into our friendly town centre cafes.

For somewhere different, visit Board and Bean for a winter’s afternoon of games and conversation. They hosted us recently during the Social Fuse Festival, our annual event that celebrates community creativity and purpose-driven innovation. It was the drop-in space for meeting new people and sharing ideas. Board and Bean creates a hub for creativity and community, and you’ll feel welcome from the moment you walk in.

For something cultural, why not enjoy a show?

The Winding Wheel Theatre hosts a fantastic programme, from festive pantomimes to live music and comedy. January brings a mix of music and comedy to brighten up winter evenings – from The Ultimate Classic Rock Show to Jason Manford. Check out what’s on and make a night of it.

I’m also planning to get crafty in the New Year.

Junction Arts’ festivals, workshops, and events give people the opportunity to be creative, learn new skills, and build stronger communities. I loved stepping out of my comfort zone at a lantern-making workshop recently. It reminded me that creativity is about enjoyment rather than perfection. Later in 2026, my team will work with Junction Arts to host our own workshops when we reopen the Rectory. I’m looking forward to plenty of creative challenges before then.I loved stepping out of my comfort zone at a lantern-making workshop recently. It reminded me that creativity is about enjoyment rather than perfection. Later in 2026, my team will work with Junction Arts to host our own workshops when we reopen the Rectory. I’m looking forward to plenty of creative challenges before then.

As the New Year begins, instead of piling on the pressure, why not choose one small thing that brings you joy? Meet a friend for a warm drink, wander through our market, try a new craft, or book tickets for a local performance. Chesterfield offers plenty of ways to slow down, connect, and feel part of something real.

Discover local events, theatre listings, walking routes, and more ways to enjoy our community at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Christmas, Home, Leisure

New era announced for Penny Engineering

21st December 2025

Penny Engineering is marking a major milestone by transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This change secures the company’s long-term independence and preserves the values that have guided its success for generations.

The decision reflects the Penny family’s long-standing belief that the business should benefit its employees rather than external shareholders.

Managing Director Tim Penny highlighted the motivation behind the shift, stating:
“Our commitment has always been to the long-term stability of this business and the people who work within it. By transitioning to employee ownership, we are decisively guaranteeing that Penny Engineering’s success, survival and future for the next 100 years will be determined by our team, free from the volatility of external shareholder demands.”

Chairman Robin Penny emphasised the family’s custodianship ethos, adding:
“We were brought up by our dad to believe that we were custodians of the business, not owners. He believed that only people working in the business should benefit from it. This transition brings that principle to life, ensuring that the team who work within Penny, the ones who drive our success, are the ultimate beneficiaries.”

The company has long maintained strong staff retention, with many senior leaders developing their careers within the organisation. Employee ownership builds on this foundation by reinforcing job security and strengthening employee influence across all levels of the business.

The newly established Trustee Board will lead the EOT. Chaired by Robin Penny, it includes employee representatives Jocelyn Cole (General Manager, Goods Lifts) and Sam Dobson (General Manager, Sidetracker), independent trustee David Ball and Finance Director Ashley Holmes. The Board will also form an employee council, giving staff a direct voice on welfare and community matters.

The company completed the transition at a substantial discount to market value, an intentional decision to ensure the business does not face financial strain.

The directors also extended their thanks to professional advisers Shorts Chartered Accountants and Knights Plc for their support throughout the process.

David Robinson, Tax Partner at Shorts, commented: “ Throughout the past 20 years or so that Shorts has been a trusted adviser to Penny Engineering and its stakeholders, it has been clear that employees are at the heart of the business. We look forward to working with the Directors and Trustees in this exciting new chapter.”

This transition marks a significant step forward for one of our town’s longstanding industrial innovators. Penny Engineering will continue to strengthen the region’s engineering sector for decades to come.

Posted in Business, Development, Home, Manufacturing

Over £500,000 funding awarded to local community groups

20th December 2025

Over £500,000 in grant funding has now been awarded to local community groups and voluntary organisations across Chesterfield, helping local projects make a real difference in the borough.

As part of the Community Grants Fund, launched by Chesterfield Borough Council in 2023, the latest round of funding has seen £75,282 shared between 19 local groups. Since the scheme began, a total of £527,911 has been awarded through 103 successful applications, supporting projects that strengthen neighbourhoods, promote wellbeing, and bring people together.

Already, the grants are helping to deliver projects across the borough, from funding foodbanks and community hubs, to supporting local events and helping people back into work. They are also enabling initiatives that encourage greener, more sustainable choices and reduce the borough’s environmental impact.

The latest organisations to receive funding include:

Barrow Hill Community Trust
Transition Chesterfield
Don Catchment Rivers Trust
St John Ambulance
Friends of Eastwood Park
African Caribbean Community Association
Duckmanton Miners Welfare Centre
Mastin Moor Miners Welfare
Ozbox
b:friend
The Friends of Pearson Park
Chesterfield Foodbank
Parish Centre Stonegravels
Poolsbrook Club Community Committee
Friends of Thistle Park, Brimington
Kakou CIC
Friends of Stand Road Park
Pain Inspired
Community Development Chesterfield

Kakou CIC, one of our Chesterfield Champions, will use the funding to create a kitchen garden for The Rectory Community Pub, helping to bring the community together.

Kakou’s Ann Fomukong-Boden and Destination Chesterfield Board member said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this funding for The Rectory Kitchen Garden Project. This funding means we can turn our pub’s beer garden into something much more, a thriving kitchen garden that not only supports our pub kitchen but also brings the community together.

“Fresh produce grown here will go straight into our meals, while our gardening club will help people connect, learn, and support their wellbeing. It’s a chance to grow food, friendships, and a stronger, more sustainable future for The Rectory and our community.”

Elsewhere, Friends of Thistle Park will be using the grant funding to replace surfacing in the play area that has become worn over time, ensuring that local families can continue to enjoy the much-loved park in Brimington.

The chair of Friends of Thistle Park said:

“We are thrilled to receive this funding, which will make a real difference to the community. The resurfacing will enhance the play area into a space that children can enjoy all year round, and we are grateful to Chesterfield Borough Council for their support.

“We will continue to work towards transforming the park for the benefit of local residents and visitors, and this project marks an important step in their ongoing commitment to improving community facilities.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of Destination Chestrfield, said:

“We really are lucky to have so many community groups and voluntary organisations here in Chesterfield that can have a huge impact on our local communities – and we’re really proud that we’re able to support them through this funding.

“It has allowed us to support so many groups and organisations that work tirelessly to deliver projects and initiatives and make a real difference to the lives of local people.

“It has been great to hear from the groups about how the funding is being used so far and the impact that it is having on local residents, and I am looking forward to hearing more about how the latest groups and organisations are using the grants to make a difference in our community.”

Funding for the grants scheme was successfully secured from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The Community Grants Fund has received £120,500 from East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) from funding provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Posted in Development, Home, Leisure, Stay

New mural unveiled in town centre

19th December 2025

World-renowned street artist has unveiled a vibrant new mural in the heart of our town centre.

Peachzz drew inspiration from our Chesterfield Market and our borough’s heritage to create the breathtaking artwork, called Local, which covers the entire side of the Pavements Shopping Centre and welcomes visitors as they enter the marketplace.

Local depicts a selection of objects that reflect what can be found on Chesterfield Market, while also referencing local history. Features include a shire horse, which was once used to collect rubbish from the market, a cattle brass referencing the historic cattle market site, and a pomegranate, which features in the Borough crest. The use of hands aims to evoke the idea of trade.

Peachzz said:

“My concept was to have all these ideas and stories that I’ve heard shown through items that I’d bought from the market, so there are loads of these little stories within it, but overall, it aims to support all these small businesses and traders that make up this town.

“The reception has been amazing. We’ve had no end of people coming and stopping us to say hello and telling us how much they like it. It’s been really heartwarming and encouraging when painting in the rain, but also shows the impact that art pieces have on public spaces.”

Peachzz worked with our local community to develop the concept for the mural, hosting a drop-in session on the Market for members of the public to share their ideas and stories, visiting a local school to hear pupils’ ideas, and speaking to market traders about what they felt the mural should include.

The mural was created using masonry paint to establish the market stall background, followed by layers of spray paint to build up the detailed design. Peachzz employed a “doodle grid” technique – a mapping system that allows designs to be accurately scaled onto large walls. The grid acts as a guide for placing each element and colour, ensuring the finished artwork retains its precision and vibrancy at scale.

The new mural is funded through Chesterfield Borough Council’s Animate Chesterfield programme, which will create new artworks and activities throughout the regeneration projects happening in both Chesterfield and Staveley.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said:

“This is an exceptional piece of artwork which reflects our town’s history but also helps create a new, vibrant welcome for visitors. The mural is already getting a positive reception, with lots of people visiting the town centre to watch its creation. I know it will be a source of inspiration for many of our residents, and they will enjoy seeing this sight for many years to come.”

@steelcitydronepilot

Peachzz is a contemporary street artist from Sheffield. She discovered spray painting in the forgotten industrial sites of the UK and Europe, channelling her creativity into breathing life into walls.

Her work often explores and celebrates themes of nature, life and community, set against the stark concrete of urban spaces. With each mural, she aims to evoke an emotional response and ensure her work feels rooted in its surroundings.

With a storytelling approach, she creates art that resonates with both local communities and visitors. She is an extremely confident painter of large-scale projects. Her style is expressive, with hints of realism, while experimenting with positive themes and a bold colour palette.

Peachzz has travelled with her work all over Europe and has painted as far away as the USA, Colombia, Mexico and the Middle East.

Her mural Reverie in Sheffield was named the second Best Mural in the World 2024 by Street Art Cities.

Animate Chesterfield is being delivered by Beam, a leading cultural development organisation, in collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council. The programme has included the appointment of an artist in residence to engage residents and visitors with Chesterfield town centre, a Christmas window trail, and further projects are planned, including the creation of a Heritage Arts Trail, a town centre projection mapping project, and a new sculpture for Staveley town centre.

Communities are at the heart of the programme and will shape, influence and participate throughout, ensuring that it is an authentic celebration of the place.

Funding for the public art project was secured through planning agreements as part of the council’s per cent for art scheme, which was part of the previous Local Plan (and now continues voluntarily). The funding must be used for the delivery of public art.

To find out more about the Animate programme, visit: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/animate

Images by @steelcitydronepilot

Posted in Celebrate Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Stay, Visiting