Visiting

Chair’s Blog: Show your love for the town this Valentine’s Day

As Chair of Destination Chesterfield, I’ve always found joy in championing the local gems that make our town unique, such as the picturesque Crooked Spire or the stunning scenery which can be found in abundance around the local area.

With Valentine’s Day approaching and love well and truly in the air, now is as good a time as any to support the beating heart of Chesterfield… Of course, I’m speaking about our beloved local retailers and food and drink businesses. There are plenty of ways in which you can celebrate your love for those closest to you, whilst also embracing the unique charm that lies within our town.

Stroll through the quaint streets of Chesterfield, and you’ll discover an array of independent retailers. From handmade crafts to bespoke jewellery or the perfect bouquet, our local shops offer treasures you won’t find anywhere else. No Valentine’s Day is complete without a touch of sweetness. Skip the generic chocolates and head to our local producers for treats that are made with passion and care.

Our town also boasts a delightful independent culinary scene, and what better way to celebrate your love than by indulging in a romantic meal at one of Chesterfield’s finest eateries? Local restaurants are at the forefront of our community, and they’re ready to make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable.

If you’re looking to spend some quality time with the person you love, Chesterfield’s parks and scenic spots provide a backdrop for leisurely strolls, creating a calm atmosphere for heartfelt connections in our picturesque town. Why not treat them to an evening of entertainment by catching the latest show at our theatres? And if you’re lucky enough to get a night away from the kids, maybe you could book into one of Chesterfield’s luxurious hotels and spas for a perfect romantic break.

To help you spoil loved ones, Destination Chesterfield has compiled guides to 50 retailers and 50 food and drink businesses you should follow on social media. Just search “50 independent retailers in Chesterfield” and “50 food and drink businesses in Chesterfield” to find out more! Keep an eye out for the Valentine’s Day gift and eating out guides @ChesterfieldUK on social media too!

By choosing local this Valentine’s Day, you’re not just creating memories; you’re contributing to the prosperity of our community. Remember to show your love for the town by telling others about great products or experiences you’ve enjoyed locally, or even with a quick post online using #LoveChesterfield. Chesterfield is more than a town; it’s a place with wonderful history and heritage. Let’s keep backing our local business and add to that wonderful story.

AdornJewellersShopping

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

New menu including ‘doggy dishes’ launched by Chesterfield town centre café

A brand-new menu offering something for everyone, including vegans and even furry friends has been launched at Qoozies in Chesterfield town centre.

Qoozies, based at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in the heart of the town, is starting the new year with brand new management, which has seen the introduction of their fully revamped all-day breakfast, lunch, pancake and vegan menus.

The refreshed menu includes everything from modern brunch classics and indulgently loaded pancake burritos, to warm salad bowls, toasted sandwiches and unique Qoozie Burgers, which offer a variety of fillings sandwiched between two housemade spinach fritters.

Qoozies prides itself on preparing many of its favourites from scratch, including classic pancakes, irresistible sweet potato hash browns and unique fritters. All bread and pastries are now supplied directly from the local 4 Eyes Bakery, with Qoozies also stocking loaves of the Staveley-based bakery for customers to purchase in store.

Qoozies additionally offers a huge range of drink options, freshly prepared and using fresh ingredients. Their menu ranges from vitamin-packed smoothies and creamy milkshakes, to hot chocolates and freshly pressed juices – all with vegan options available across the board.

Customers of a furrier variety are also catered for, with the addition of Qoozies’ new doggy dishes. The first-of-its-kind menu at Qoozies offers scrambled eggs, pup pancakes, roast chicken dinners and pooch-friendly ice cream, each served in a dog bowl to suit a more canine appetite.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane says: ‘’Qoozies’ new menu is going to be a treat for visitors at Vicar Lane. We’re delighted to welcome the new management team to the centre and wish them every success”.

Kate Capuano, Part-Owner at Qoozies says: “We are so excited to have launched our new menu at Qoozies. We’ve added so much more choice for all tastes, with a focus on flavour and delicious ingredients. All the feedback we’ve received so far has been fantastic – we look forward to welcoming new and existing customers to try our new dishes!”

Situated on Steeplegate at Vicar Lane, Chesterfield, Qoozies is open Monday – Saturday 9am-4pm. For more details about what else is on offer at Vicar Lane please visit vicarlaneshoppingcentre.co.uk.

Find out more about visiting Chesterfield and plan your day out here.

Vicar Lane supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Qoozies new dishes

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

The Batch House welcomes three new food outlets

Three new food outlets are now open at The Batch House, refreshing the range of dining options on offer to customers.

The Batch House is an artisan food & drink hall, which opened at The Glass Yard on Sheffield Road, Chesterfield in 2022.

Visitors will now have the chance to indulge in Indian street food and Greek Cuisine, alongside a new Bakery offer at the venue.

Bringing a taste of India to The Batch House is Ruby & Chaat, a traditional Indian street food outlet. The menu includes biryani, loaded masala fries and samosas.

Khalid Wani, owner of Ruby & Chaat said: “We’ve been looking at this place for quite some time, so we’re really happy to be here and it has been a good response in the first week.

“I come from Sheffield, where we have a few good food courts, and I think this one in Chesterfield can be equally as good as those, if not better.

“In India, wherever you go there is street food. We import our spices from India so our customers are getting the highest quality, and we feel that makes a big difference. We also deliver via online platforms such as Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.”

ruby and chaat stall

Taking up another stall at the food hall is Greek Gods’ Cuisine, serving up classics such as gyros, souvlaki, halloumi and more. Customers can eat in at the Batch House and can also order via Deliveroo.

Efi Vasilaki and Spyros Cheilakis have set up the unit, and are excited by the opportunity. Efi commented: “It’s an exciting time, and we are looking forward to all the opportunities and challenges that come with it. Starting a new restaurant requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. 

“The Batch House is a food hall that has been attracting high footfall due to its impressive line-up of vendors and is gaining popularity due to its ability to offer a wide variety of food options under one roof. We are very into these concepts, and we feel very lucky to be part of this amazing team.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to serve the people of Chesterfield authentic Greek Food, and hope that everyone will  enjoy their experience with us. We have worked hard to create a welcoming environment and a menu that features a variety of delicious options to suit your tastes.”

greek gods cuisine team

Bakery at the Batch has also opened at the venue, taking over from the previous trader, 4 Eyes Bakery.

Dani Key, who has taken over the running of the bakery commented: “I am very very excited to open the bakery as in the short space we’ve been open, three weeks, it’s done really well. This is just based off of listening to what our customers want and giving it to them.

“The whole place has seen a huge change since Christmas with the new vendors opening so I’m also excited to see what the batch house can achieve as a whole.

“When you come to us at bakery at the batch, expect friendly faces, a lovely warm space and nice fresh hearty food made with love. We’re genuine people who love our jobs and we will always go out of our way to make anyone’s visit a great one.”

bakery at the batch

With a wide range of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes, you’re spoilt for choice when eating out in Chesterfield. Find out more about dining out in Chesterfield.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Development, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield Escape Rooms remains in the UK’s top 10 according to TripAdvisor

Chesterfield Escape Rooms has retained its place in the top 10 escape room attractions across the country, according to TripAdvisor.

The business, which boasts several exciting escape games for people of all ages, has now been in the top 10 list for two years running, making it stand out as one of the best attractions of its type in the country.

Belle Fox, Manager of Chesterfield Escape Rooms, commented: “We are so proud of our whole team that we have managed to remain in the 10 top escape rooms in the country for the second year running.

“We have a massive focus on customer service and customer satisfaction, we want people to really immerse themselves in the experience, most of our games offer some form of interaction with one off our game’s masters, this means we can really get people involved and give them an unforgettable experience.

Since the opening of the venue in 2021, Chesterfield Escape Rooms has grown from originally hosting 3 different games, to now having 7 games to choose from.

Belle continued: “Because we have such a young workforce it’s brilliant to have such an achievement like being in the top 10 in the UK, it shows the team what all their hard work goes towards and what they have achieved.

“We love being a part of the town and hopefully we are bringing something new and fun that everyone can play, we have children as young as 4 play all the way up to 92 years old. Our games really offer something for everyone.

“We head into our 3rd birthday this year so we are celebrating by opening our doors and giving 35 different Charites, schools, organisations and clubs and chance to come and play a game with us completely free on May 19th .”

Find out more about family-friendly activities in Chesterfield and plan your day out in the town here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/places-to-visit/family/

Chesterfield Escape Rooms supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Female in black t-shirt stood behind branded Chesterfield Escape Rooms counter

Chesterfield Escape Rooms, Chesterfield town centre

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Peddler Market returns to Chesterfield with four events in 2024

The organisers of Peddler Market – which saw thousands flock to the town centre in June and September last year – have announced four events for 2024.

Working in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, Peddler Market will be bringing their unique street food event back to Chesterfield on 22 and 23 March with another three dates planned on 17 and 18 May, 19 and 20 July and 20 and 21 September.

Ben Smith, Director at Peddler Events, said: “We have been blown away by the positive response to our inaugural events in Chesterfield during 2023. It’s always been our view that Chesterfield town centre is an amazing setting for events like ours, with a backdrop that most towns and cities would crave for.

“We cannot wait to be back after a winter break. We are actively shaping the event to improve and respond to feedback.  With confidence we feel our unique combination of live music, outstanding street food and craft beer/ cocktails creates a unique and unrivalled social setting for those wanting to mingle, socialise and soak up the good stuff.”

The first event in March will be open from 4pm to 10pm on Friday 22 and from 12pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 23 – confirmed street food traders include:

  • Pizza Pi
  • Flying Cow
  • Yoi Fried Chicken
  • Kool Kuta
  • Taste of Korea
  • Feast from the East
  • The Cheesy Pig
  • Urban Cheesecake

There will be a selection of market traders selling unique handmade items, family activities led by My Arty Party and there will also be some fantastic live entertainment.

Find out more about the event by visiting: www.peddler.market/events/peddler-market-chesterfield

Chesterfield Borough Council has partnered with Peddler Market to help support and establish the event – putting Chesterfield on the map as a go-to place for the unique Peddler experience.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Last year thousands of people came and enjoyed the fantastic range of food and family friendly atmosphere at the events in June and September. Having Peddler bring their vast experience to our town brings more visitors to the town centre which leads to higher sales for existing businesses.

“We’re delighted to be welcoming the Peddler team back to Chesterfield in 2024 and I hope lots of people will come and support these great events.”

Funding to help bring the event to Chesterfield has been provided through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Chesterfield Borough Council received £2.69m of UKSPF funding which will be invested across the borough. A portion of this is being invested into promoting the borough as a place to visit, and providing support for arts, culture, and heritage activities.

Crowds enjoying food at colourful market in Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , ,

Refurbishment completed at Chesterfield town centre pub

A pub in the heart of Chesterfield, sitting next to the town’s historic market has undergone a refurbishment, with owners saying the venue looks ‘unrecognisable’ from its previous layout.

The Crown and Cushion has been revamped and transformed in the space of just six days, with visitors giving rave reviews to the pub for its new look.

After changing the exterior with a new coat of paint and signage last year, work has now taken place to brighten up the interior of the pub too.

The pub has been brightened up with much lighter pastel colours used throughout, complemented by feminine fabrics and patterns and lots of on-trend foliage with graffiti that incorporates features from the magnificent history of the market town.

Managers of the Crown and Cushion, Gill and Diane told us: “It’s such an amazing pub, with so much history and deserves the love that has been put into it with this makeover. We’ve seen lots of new faces at our launch party as well as the regulars returning, and everyone is absolutely loving the pub and what the company have done with it!

Crown and Cushion-bar area

The owners are also looking forward to the year ahead, with further plans to host entertainment and fun for guests.

They added: “We’ve got loads of exciting plans coming for 2024, with some great entertainment. Fun and friendly is our vibe – and that’s what this year is going to be all about.

“Head to the Crown and Cushion to see the transformation, and be sure to say hi!”

To find out more about the pub, head over to the Crown and Cushion Facebook page.

With plenty of unique ways to create a memorable night out, there is something for everyone in Chesterfield – no matter what you enjoy. Check out our visiting page for some great ideas and activities in the town: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/visiting/

Crown and Cushion interior

Posted in About Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield business to feature on TV’s Dogs Behaving Badly

A Chesterfield Doggy Daycare business is set to feature on Channel 5 show, Dogs Behaving Badly this year.

The show’s host, Graeme Hall visited Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare to hire the centre’s ‘field of freedom’ to train two dogs.

The space was used to teach the dogs to walk better whilst on a lead, with Rose Cottage providing a secure location with large fencing, in case the pets were playing up! The epsiode is expected to be aired in the summer of 2024.

Dawn Brown, Owner of Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare commented: “Graeme was a very chatty, great guy. He spent time with me and my team before and after the filming. He also signed books for us and we have lots of pictures with him”

“To be picked out of the whole of Derbyshire to use our field was amazing, and will definitely help us to stand out. He said they searched for a field to hire and ours came up when they researched our services. They were highly impressed with our site, our branding, and our whole different take on dog care in general. We were happy to oblige and would of course welcome further filming if required whilst in our region.”

Rose Cottage Doggy Day Care can offer dog owners a full day of enrichment for their beloved pets, covering basic physical emotional and social needs, which ultimately results in a happy dog at the end of the day.

The centre also offers a luxury doggy hotel with TV, air conditioning, and sofas. However, the dogs only enjoy this luxury at night time, because in the day they are far too busy making the most of Rose Cottage’s 5.5 acre site. All walks are done on-site too, with safety always being the top priority.

Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

dogs behaving badly visits rose cottage

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Win food and drink vouchers for Peddler Chesterfield by taking part in our survey

Chesterfield residents and visitors are being invited to share their views on the town through the latest Love Chesterfield surveys.

The Love Chesterfield Surveys include a consumer and business survey, which are published on a quarterly basis to provide feedback on what has been happening in and around Chesterfield.

Love Chesterfield is a campaign organised by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to promote and support high streets and town centres across the borough of Chesterfield.

The short surveys will ask you two different sets of questions, depending on if you are a consumer or a business owner.

The consumer survey will ask you to update us on what events or venues you have attended and services you have used recently in our communities.

The business survey will ask about your performance and any changes you have noticed in the last three months.

Please spend a few minutes to complete the relevant questionnaire. The results will allow us to monitor the performance of the town, the success of marketing campaigns and business support and will help to shape future activity to support high street businesses across the borough.

The survey will close on 19 February 2024.

At the end of the consumer questionnaire, there is an opportunity to win food and drink vouchers for two people at the next Peddler Chesterfield event on Friday 22nd March or Saturday 23rd March.

Businesses who complete the survey, will have the chance to enter a prize draw to win advertising for your business in the Destination Chesterfield business or leisure e-shot (worth £100).

  • The Leisure E-shot which is sent to nearly 8,000 contacts on a weekly basis or
  • The Business E-shot which is sent to almost 5,000 contacts on a weekly basis.

A winner will be drawn in Spring 2024. To qualify for the prize draw, you must have filled out the previous surveys in May, July and October 2023 as well as this survey.

The email the banner ad will feature in will depend on the type of services and products the winning business delivers – the most relevant email will be selected by matching the business end consumer with the email’s audience.

Complete the surveys here:

Business: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/blpp4h

Consumer: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/weg9pr

Birdseye view of Chesterfield market place with stalls and people

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Destination Chesterfield, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , ,

Chesterfield firms continue to play their part in the local community

Businesses which support Chesterfield through the town’s network of Chesterfield Champions are continuing to show their support for good causes in the local area.

See how the business community is helping to support various charities and good causes in our latest roundup.


Central Technology and Hopkinson Waste Management help to combat loneliness in North Derbyshire

Two white males having a meeting on yellow sofa, notebooks in hand at Central Technology, Dunston

Two Chesterfield businesses have recently shown their support for Brightlife, a charity which helps to prevent loneliness and isolation across our area.

Central Technology has launched an initiative, where for the upcoming months, any customer satisfaction survey completed will contribute to supporting the charity.

The firm aims to aid BrightLife in expanding its telephone befriending service, a lifeline for many.

Mark Cass, BrightLife’s Business Development and Marketing Manager, expresses his thanks: “We are thrilled that CT is backing our cause, making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by loneliness. The ongoing cost of living crisis, recent heavy flooding and bad weather has proven to be a constant reminder to us of how important it is that we support older people who are vulnerable and isolated.

“We know from our own research that these individuals are often overlooked and represent a generation that is the last to complain. Our goal is to raise £50,000 to extend support in the area. It costs £6 to make one call, and a donation of £300 sustains weekly contact for an older person over 50 weeks of the year. We welcome the support from CT and their customers.”

Hopkinson Waste Jules and Adam

Elsewhere, Chesterfield’s Hopkinson Waste Management recently partnered with Liverpool-based PIN IoT in support of Brightlife, raising over £1,000.

Jules Gaylor, Managing Director for Hopkinson Waste commented. “By working together to raise funds for BrightLife we’re able to extend our partnership with PIN IoT beyond our normal skip hire operations. Our joint effort means we’re able to raise more funds and do more good to support the local communities in which we operate.”


College Santa Dash raises funds for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Chesterfield College Santa Dash participants

Just before Christmas. Chesterfield College’s annual Santa Dash took place at Queens Park in Chesterfield. Over 100 students and staff members joined in the fun, dressed up in festive attire and with their fundraising donations.

Courtney Beddingham, a regional fundraiser for Bluebell Wood commented on the charity’s partnership with the college: “I got in touch with the health and social care department initially to see if any of their students wanted to volunteer at the hospice. They came for a tour in the summer and really enjoyed their visit. From there, the college chose us as their Principal Charity of the Year.

“It’s really nice to see the younger generation learning about charities and the things we do. I think a worry for me is that the older generation is typically the giving generation. It’s a pleasure to raise the awareness of Bluebell Wood. We are currently supporting children the same age as the students, so it’s important for them to see how we are helping those children.”

After the race, awards were presented for the fastest three males and females, the best-dressed individual, the best-dressed team and also the most money raised.


Regional law firm raises £14,475 for Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust

brm-solicitors-blythehouse-helens-trust-will-month-2023-hi-res

Chesterfield and Sheffield law firm BRM has raised an impressive £14,475 during its annual Wills month for North Derbyshire-based Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust.

The partnership, now in its fifth year, sees BRM clients make a voluntary donation to Blythe House and Helen’s Trust in exchange for a free Will writing service.

This year’s Wills month marked BRM’s most successful yet, and thanks to the generosity of the firm’s clients, BRM has raised over £54,000 for the charity since 2017.

The money raised will go towards providing highly specialised end-of-life care and support for patients and their families.

The charity provides hospice care in the comfort of patients’ homes across North Derbyshire – including Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, and the outskirts of South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Becca Gregory, Fundraising Manager at Blythe House Hospicecare and Helen’s Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the whole team at BRM for supporting the hospice once again this year.

“Not only have we been working with the firm for our Wills month for many years, BRM has been a long-term supporter of ours since 2017.

“We are so grateful for all of their support and generosity. The money raised will go towards providing patients with care in their own homes and helping to make them and their families as comfortable as possible.”

Rob Woodhead, Executive Director of Wills and Probate at BRM Solicitors, said: “It is a great pleasure to have hosted yet another successful Wills Month in support of Blythe House and Helen’s Trust.

“We’re delighted that we’ve successfully raised almost £55,000 for the charity. These funds will play a crucial role in supporting the organisation as it continues to deliver essential services to the people of our communities.

“Creating a Will not only grants peace of mind but also ensures that your financial legacy is entrusted to those you care about.”


BRM Solicitors, Hopkinson Waste Management, Central Technology, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Chesterfield College support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

5 ways to beat the winter blues and support your wellbeing in Chesterfield

January is a month often associated with resolutions and fresh starts, making it a great time to beat those winter blues and focus on supporting our wellbeing goals.

Chesterfield offers a unique blend of award-winning parks, rejuvenating spas, vibrant businesses, and community facilities, not to mention easy access to the stunning Peak District. This creates a perfect environment for self-care.

Here are our five ways you can focus on your health, fitness and overall wellbeing.


Get outdoors and explore our glorious green spaces

Family enjoying nature and supporting their wellbeing in queens park

Queen’s Park, Chesterfield

It has been proven time and again that getting out in nature and taking part in gentle exercise can hugely boost our mental and physical health. Luckily, Chesterfield boasts an abundance of picturesque parks and trails to discover.

Queen’s Park, with its beautiful lake and gardens, offers a tranquil space for gentle exercise. In addition, Holmebrook Valley Park provides scenic walking trails surrounded by lush greenery, encouraging visitors to reconnect with nature. Chesterfield Canal is also home to some wonderful scenery, with the towpath being popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists.

What’s more, seven parks and open spaces in Chesterfield hold internationally recognised Green Flag status. This provides the ideal backdrop for a refreshing start to 2024. If you’re unsure where to start, Active Derbyshire has some great advice on their website, makingourmove.org.uk.


Burn off those Christmas calories

Queen Park Sport Centre gym exercise wellbeing class

Queen’s Park Sports Centre

Do you have a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or even just get a bit fitter? Maybe you’ve signed up for the Redbrik Foundation Chesterfield 10k and want to get in shape? Queen’s Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield and Staveley’s Healthy Living Centre can help you on your fitness journey. More information on timetables, booking and memberships can be found on the Chesterfield Borough Council website.

Furthermore, if you like getting out on your bike, Chesterfield is a great place to be. With plenty of cycling trails and routes on offer and the iconic Peak District just a stone’s throw away, Chesterfield has plenty of opportunities for cyclists of all abilities.

Find out more about cycling in and around Chesterfield including some of the best routes, and support on how to keep your bike in top condition.


Indulge in a relaxing spa day

Couple enjoying the spa at ringwood hall

Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa

If you’re looking to escape the winter chill or wind down after a busy Christmas period, maybe it is worth indulging in one Chesterfield’s spa experiences.

Local hotels such as Ringwood Hall or DoubleTree by Hilton Sheffield Park provide a range of wellness treatments, allowing you to unwind and pamper yourself. Also, Casa and the Peak Edge Hotel are sure to provide you with a night or two of luxury.

Head to our hotels page for more details and get ideas for your perfect wellness retreat.


Chesterfield’s business community is ready and waiting to support you

Sian Spencer-Bray Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic

Sian Spencer-Bray, Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic Chesterfield

Looking for some expert advice to boost your mental and physical health?

Our area is home to businesses such as The Body Health Centre, Therapy and Lifestyle Clinic, and 360 Wellbeing Centre, all of which provide services to support the health and wellbeing of our residents.

Check out our directory of Chesterfield Champions, a network of more than 200 businesses which help to promote the town as a great place to live, work and visit!


Make memories with family and friends

Crowds enjoying food at colourful market in Chesterfield

Getting out and socialising certainly helps to boost our sense of belonging. So, why not get some dates in your diary for Chesterfield’s diverse range of events coming up in 2024?

This Spring will see the return of the popular Peddler Market. In addition, Chesterfield Pride, Eat in the Park and the BRM Solicitors Festival of Cricket are all confirmed for the Summer. Head over to our Events page to see what’s on across our town.

Lastly, don’t forget to give @ChesterfieldUK a follow on social media to keep up-to-date on events happening throughout the year!

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

Construction work on new theatre and museum begins

A multi-million-pound refurbishment of Chesterfield’s theatre and museum has officially started on site.

The project will create a new state-of-the-art cultural venue in the heart of the town centre.

The refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall home to both the Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum includes the creation of a single entrance to both facilities, an expanded theatre, a reconfigured museum, community spaces and a new café bar. The project is led by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Leading Midlands construction firm G F Tomlinson took control of the site in November and will now work to deliver the enhanced building along with improvements to Corporation Street.

Initially announced in 2021 following a funding commitment from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the project has been in development ever since. The Museum and Theatre closed in 2022 to allow preparatory works to begin including the removal of asbestos, ground investigations and a strip-out.

 

 

A landmark building in our town and a place where generations of Chesterfield residents have created lasting memories

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Since closing in 2022 we’ve been very busy behind the scenes both preparing the building for renovation and finalising the plans with our partners including our fantastic architecture team to ensure our ambitions can be realised. I’m delighted that G F Tomlinson have now begun work on site to deliver this project for our residents, we look forward to working closely with them over the next few years and keeping everyone updated on progress within the building.

“This is a landmark building in our town and a place where generations of Chesterfield residents have created lasting memories. This project seeks to protect this building for the future but also enhance the visitor experience which will encourage more people to attend shows and visit our museum.

“This ambitious project will benefit both our community and our economy – we are committed to investing in the future of our borough, to ensure it can thrive for years to come and has first class facilities for both residents and visitors to enjoy.”

 

Artist Impression of the Cafe Bar at the Stephenson Memorial Hall

Transforming the building into a landmark state-or-the-art facility

Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re delighted to be commencing the delivery of the multi-million-pound refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall to revitalise this high-profile building into a cultural venue and tourism hot spot in Chesterfield.

“Works will include enhancements to the Corporation Street site, transforming the building into a landmark state-of-the-art facility in the main town centre. Once complete, we look forward to the opportunities that this will bring to the local area, in terms of its arts and entertainment offering – with its expanded theatre, reconfigured museum, improved community spaces and café bar.”

Demolition work on the Stephenson Memorial Hall

Celebrating the history of the building with a modern twist

The refurbishment of the Grade II listed Stephenson Memorial Hall aims to celebrate the history of the building but with a modern twist. The new Corporation Street link gallery extension will create a gateway impact improving the sense of arrival to Chesterfield. At night these elevations will illuminate the street scene, ensuring the building looks vibrant at all times of day.

By reopening the historic doorway under the tower, we will create a grand one-building entrance befitting the new combined cultural venue and encourage visitors to explore both aspects of the building.

From this entrance, visitors will be able to enter the welcome foyer with access to a museum exhibition space featuring the historic builder’s wheel, a retail space, the auditorium and a relocated café bar.

Upstairs four new Museum spaces will allow for the story of Chesterfield and the people that made the town what it is to be told. A climate-controlled room will allow more of the Museum’s collection to be displayed and interactive activities will help new audiences engage with the Museum.

Plans aim to enhance, expand and modernise the theatre without compromising the atmosphere and historic features. The auditorium will be refurbished with new seating, increased capacity, improved sight lines and new environmental controls. New theatre systems including lighting and stage rigging creates a contemporary theatre experience whilst the new seating layout retains the intimate feel of the auditorium.

Artist impression of the museum at the Stephenson Memorial Hall

A Privilege to be entrusted with the challenge of refurbishing and transforming such a significant part of the history of the town

The designs for the building have been developed by leading architectural firm Bauman Lyons.

Guy Smith, director of Bauman Lyons, said: “We are delighted to have been collaborating on this project with the wider design and client team over the last few years. It is a privilege to be entrusted with the challenge of refurbishing and transforming such a significant part of the history of the town so that it can continue to play a role for the community for years to come.”

The updated building will also improve accessibility with the addition of new lifts, new seating options in the theatre and a new changing places toilet.

In Autumn 2021 Chesterfield Borough Council received almost £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up fund. A portion will be used to deliver the council’s Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield Project which aims to improve connections across the town centre and create attractive public spaces to support a range of events and markets.

Around £11 million of the Levelling Up Fund grant funding will be used to fund the £17 million renovation and remodelling of Stephenson Memorial Hall.

The project received a further funding boost with £695,000 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme which will be used to install a ventilation system in the auditorium and create a new Changing Places toilet.

The project is expected to be completed before the end of 2025.

Information about the project and updates as work progresses are available on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/revitalise

Stephenson Memorial Hall

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Home, Leisure, Property and Construction, Visiting