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Summer adult education courses are moving online

Residents across Derbyshire can take part in a wide range of free online courses this summer organised by Derbyshire County Council.

Some courses can be done online at a pace that suits you while other courses will be delivered remotely using Zoom where learners will be part of a live class with a tutor and fellow learners.

Learners will be provided with a list of materials or equipment they need for each session. All you need is a laptop, tablet or smart phone with internet access.

Online courses include:

  • environmental awareness
  • interview skills
  • sign language
  • Spanish
  • dealing with uncertainty and stress
  • art and crafts

Councillor Alex Dale, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People,  said: “Our adult community education service is committed to providing quality learning for Derbyshire residents for skills, leisure and fun.”

“Staff have been working hard to keep our service running during the current coronavirus crisis and provide opportunities for residents despite the barriers we all face.”

“Through online learning our learners have access to a range of courses and a high quality and safe learning experience during this period of uncertainty.”

“If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or learn a new skill while spending more time at home this summer, we have something for you. Spaces on our courses are limited so make sure you sign up soon to guarantee a place.”

Due to the current coronavirus crisis, adult education community centres are unable to open. Derbyshire County Council be issuing further guidance on when facilities will reopen once it is safe to do so in line with government guidance.

Find the course for you and register your place now  

Full details of online courses available can be found in this brochure.

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

Chesterfield College’s annual Arts Festival goes virtual to celebrate the work of creative students

Students from across Chesterfield College’s visual and performing arts courses are celebrating their work in a virtual Arts Festival.

The virtual festival includes an end-of-year exhibition of work from photography, fine art, graphic design, digital, media, fashion and performing arts students, which would normally take place in the college. Teachers at the college were keen to ensure students didn’t miss out on the chance to exhibit their work because of Covid-19 so they have created a virtual showcase.

Dave Smith, Curriculum Operations Manager for Visual and Performing Arts, said: “It has been a privilege to see the work created by such a talented group of students. They have worked extremely well over the last few months, under challenging circumstances. It is a credit to their dedication and passion for their subject which has resulted in well executed final pieces.”

Dave added: “The virtual Arts Festival gives us an opportunity to celebrate, congratulate and thank our students and teachers for their hard work and successes over the year. Exhibiting work is also an important part of preparing students for working in the creative industries. We might not be able to do that physically at the moment, but the virtual festival does allow us to share their achievements with a wider audience so it actually gives us a fantastic opportunity.”

Chesterfield College has a long history in supporting people across the region to develop skills for successful careers in the creative industries. Their excellent facilities, including a range of well-equipped studios for everything from ceramics and silversmithing to fashion and theatre, have been the launchpad for many designers, artists and performers for many years. The Arts Festival has been an integral part of the creative courses the college offers so it was important to continue the tradition this year in spite of the challenging circumstances.

You can access the festival at www.chesterfield.ac.uk/artsfestival20.

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

Chesterfield Borough Council receives support from Re-opening the High Street Safely Fund

Chesterfield Borough Council has received £92,500 in funding from the Re-opening the High Street Safely Fund.

The funding is primarily for use in Chesterfield town centre, but can also be used to support the re-opening of other district shopping areas such as Staveley town centre, Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor.

The Government has allocated the funding from the European Regional Development Fund, as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020, to help support the process of reopening England’s high streets safely. The European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.

The funding, which will be used in collaboration with Destination Chesterfield, will help implement new measures to encourage the safe re-opening of Chesterfield town centre considering the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the need to promote and maintain safe social distancing.

Some of the funding will also be used for communication and public information campaigns to market the town centre and the borough as a place to visit and to encourage more and more people to shop local. More information about how the funding will be spent will be announced over the coming weeks.

Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield, said: “Businesses and organisations across Chesterfield have shown great resilience during the lockdown period. Experiences with our Chesterfield Champions and other local companies has shown that businesses are keen to pull together and come out the other side of the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever.”

He added: “The Destination Chesterfield team will continue to promote the Shop Local message over the coming months and to support retailers in their recovery.”

Launched in April by Destination Chesterfield, the Supporting Local website has helped Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

Chesterfield Borough Council has already used some of the funding on signage and road and pavement markings to support shoppers to maintain safe social distancing around the outdoor market, market hall and Chesterfield town centre.

Click here to find out more about Destination Chesterfield

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Crow Lane closure improves cycling for Chesterfield Royal Hospital staff

Chesterfield Royal Hospital, DSFS (Derbyshire Support & Facilities Services), Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Cycle Campaign have helped to create a new sustainable commute route.

Crow Lane has been closed to general traffic to create a safe route that stretches almost from the town’s train station towards the hospital’s grounds. It means that cycling from the town centre has become easier and safer for commuters, encouraging the use of greener forms of transport. It also links the town centre to closer, existing cycle paths and further afield.

It’s the result of a joint request from the Royal and the Chesterfield Cycle Campaign to Derbyshire County Council to close Crow Lane to traffic at the town end with a view to making it a permanent solution.

A spokesperson for DSFS said: “It’s been part of our site access plan to try and encourage more sustainable forms of transport and the move to close Crow Lane to traffic is fantastic news. We know from consulting with colleagues that more people would be willing to cycle in if it was safe to do so, but cycling up Hady Hill is not ideal.”

“The reason why Crow Lane was the preferred option is because it links to the town centre and other, nearby cycle paths. There has been a large increase in cycling since lockdown and electric bikes are increasing in popularity. To be able to cycle without being impeded by traffic makes it more appealing from a health and safety perspective as well as a safety point of view.”

The route can only be accessed by car via the Calow end for residents and has been done initially as an emergency closure for three weeks. The closure will then become temporary for 18 months with a view to making it permanent at the end of that period.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure, Councillor Simon Spencer said: “We’re pleased to have been able to offer a route for people to cycle safely from the middle of Chesterfield to the Royal. We’re making changes to town centres across the county, to make it easier for people to walk or cycle to the shops or places like the Royal.”

It’s the latest in a string of initiatives introduced by Derbyshire Support and Facilities Services for the Royal with the intention of encouraging alternatives to driving and addressing issues surrounding site access.

DSFS added: “We’ve recently opened new and refurbished shower and changing facilities for those cycling, walking or running to work, allowing them to freshen up and change into their work clothes. We have  just launched a cycle to work scheme which does not have the usual £1000 limit, so will enable staff to get an electric bike helping staff to cycle up the hill. We’re also about to improve our bus shelter accommodation and introduced electronic bus timetables to make it easier and more comfortable to get the bus to and from work.”

“We’d like to thank the Chesterfield Cycle Campaign and Derbyshire County Council for working with us and making this happen. It underlines our joint commitment to improving the environment, encouraging greener forms of transport and working on behalf of our colleagues to provide safe and effective, sustainable commutes.”

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

A ‘celebrity’ shopping experience awaits Chesterfield shoppers

Non-essential retailers in Chesterfield town centre have returned to their shops and stores and re-opened with coronavirus-related safety measures in place after 13 weeks of closure.

The implementation of safety measures mean that some retailers are now promising shoppers a ‘celebrity’ shopping experience.

Laura Jo Owen, owner of Adorn Jewellers based in The Shambles said: “We’ve been chatting to our customers via social media throughout lockdown so that has helped us understand how they want to shop with us. They don’t want to queue and wait around to get into the shop which is why we’ve introduced an appointment only system to Adorn.”

“Whether purchasing or not, we want people to not feel pressured and have the shop to themselves – a celebrity shopping experience! We’re more than happy for customers just to browse and have a catch up with us – we’ve missed them.”

Ashgate Hospicecare has installed Perspex screens on the tills in its shops and also removed and condensed displays to enable people to observe the two-metre distancing rule.

Eighty-five per cent of the shops and stores in Vicar Lane Shopping Centre have re-opened with the remainder set to follow over the next few weeks.

Sarah Bowler, Office Administrator and Commercialisation Co-Ordinator at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre, explained: “All of the retailers at Vicar Lane have been working very hard to implement measures that make it as safe as possible for everyone. As well as social distancing measures, some stores are providing hand-sanitising stations, or are offering appointment-only shopping. Additionally, some are operating reduced opening hours.”

Ashgate Hospicecare is undertaking a phased re-opening of its shops and donation centres over a three-week period. “The shops and donation centre will be re-opened over a three-week period, starting with our donation point and furniture store in Hasland,” added Laura Evans, Head of Retail Operations at Ashgate Hospicecare.

Sarah added: “We have provided details of every store’s safety measures and opening times on the Vicar Lane website to help visitors feel confident about visiting us. We’re reviewing government guidelines on a daily basis and ensuring that we are able to adapt quickly.”

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Supporting retailers and visitors, Chesterfield Borough Council has implemented social distancing measures throughout the town centre, market and Market Hall.

There is now visible signage around the town centre advising shoppers where to queue outside individual shops. There are also signs in areas such as car parks and green spaces reminding people to follow social distancing guidelines keeping two metres apart from anyone outside of their household, and not to congregate in groups.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The safety of those who live, work and shop in Chesterfield town centre remains the council’s number one priority and we have been working closely with local retailers and market traders to make sure we can maintain safe social distancing within the town centre.”

“If you are worried about anything or have any questions, our town centre ambassadors will be on hand to help you.”

Retailers have praised the measures Chesterfield Borough Council has put in place around the town centre. “The council has also really considered the flow of people around The Shambles so we’re confident that social distancing is fully in place for every visitor,” said Laura-Jo.

Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield

The safety measures have also given entrepreneurs confidence to set up a town centre business.

Prior to lockdown, Natalia Marcheta, owner of mobile Prosecco bar, Salute, was due to set up a pop-up bar in Vicar Lane and plans remain in place for later in the year. She said: “Having seen the social distancing measures the council has put in place in the town centre, it has given us confidence to go-ahead with the venture in-line with the government guidelines of when hospitality businesses are allowed to re-open, as we know that our staff and customers will be safe.”

The British Retail Consortium (BRC), is urging the public to “play their part” in making shopping safer. It says customers should follow five steps:

  • Queue considerately
  • Maintain social distancing
  • Follow instructions inside and outside shops
  • Follow all necessary hygiene measures
  • Be respectful to shop staff

Lockdown has hit many businesses and charities on the high street hard. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), retailers saw clothing and footwear purchases fall by two thirds.

Laura Evans explained: “The temporary closure of our shops has had a significant impact on the charity. Twenty-nine per cent of Ashgate Hospicecare’s income comes from its retail operations so we’re delighted to be able to re-open the shops.”

Ashgate Hospicecare’s Hasland Store

Vicar Lane praised the Government support for retailers during lockdown. Sarah Bowler “We’re delighted that all the existing retailers in Vicar Lane are re-opening after Lockdown, and we’ve also got a new bridal shop opening called Precious Memories by Anne-Marie. The Government help has been very welcome during this period and retailers are very thankful for the Rates Relief for this year – it is a huge weight off their shoulders.”

Despite the forced closure of non-essential retailers, many of Chesterfield’s retailers believe lockdown has been good for the health of the high street. Many town centre businesses are positive about their future following the success of the Shop Local message which has been championed by Destination Chesterfield, Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Borough Council throughout lockdown.

Launched in April by Destination Chesterfield, the Supporting Local website has helped Chesterfield’s independent businesses and service providers continue to operate and supply their services and products during lockdown.

Dom Stevens, Manager of Destination Chesterfield explained: “The resilience that local businesses and service providers have shown during lockdown has been remarkable. Plans are in place by Destination Chesterfield to continue to promote the Shop Local message beyond lockdown and support retailers in their recovery and help them thrive as part of the town centre.”

Laura-Jo Owen said: “I think lockdown has helped people realise the shops and stores they have on their doorstep so I am expecting new customers who discovered us on social media over the last 12 weeks, to also visit the shop. We’re so happy to re-open and welcome back old and new customers to Adorn.”

Lisa Swift, owner of Shop Indie agreed, saying: “We believe that after the lockdown has ended and people are allowed to move freely that they will have a much better appreciation of local businesses they have been reliant on during lockdown.”

Despite the challenging circumstances, Chesterfield’s retailers and the council are united in their enthusiasm to re-open and welcome back customers.

Councillor Kate Sarvent said: “It’s great to see so many people back in the town centre as we look to restart our local economy. We know that many of you will have spent the last three months shopping online, but now is your chance to come back to the town centre, indulge in some retail therapy and support Chesterfield businesses by shopping local.

“The town centre has so much to offer. From national retailers to small independent stores and of course our outdoor market and Market Hall, there really is something for everyone.

“You’ll have the opportunity to browse and buy some of those nice to have items that you simply haven’t been able to get. Father’s Day is just around the corner too, so it’s the perfect chance for you to support our local retailers when you’re out looking for a gift.”

Click here for the Destination Chesterfield Father’s Day Gift Guide

Laura Evans, of Ashgate Hospicecare, added: “One thing that hasn’t changed in all our shops however, is the warm and friendly welcome. We can’t wait to welcome staff, volunteers and customers back.”

Sarah Bowler from Vicar Lane Shopping Centre agreed, saying: “We’re all very excited to be re-opening and welcoming everyone and getting back to the new ‘normal’.”

For shoppers who are still shielding,  the website – www.chesterfield.co.uk/supportinglocal has details of nearly 100 shops, food and drink businesses, training, support and service providers in and around Chesterfield that have adapted to provide and supply their products and services remotely.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Supporting Chesterfield retailers is vital for our local economy

After many long weeks of lockdown we are at last starting to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. We are also discovering what may be the ‘new normal’.

Social distancing is becoming a way of life, and for a friendly town like Chesterfield, this is something people can’t find easy or natural. However, I feel positive about the prospects for the town’s economic recovery following a recent report compiled by the Local Data Company.

According to the report, Chesterfield is one of the UK’s most resilient town centres in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that we could recover more quickly from lockdown than other towns and cities.

Our resilience is attributed to the fact that we have a high percentage of essential retail which has still been able to trade during the pandemic, including market stall holders such as Ibbotson’s, and Market Hall traders like Cheese Factor and Elliot RB & Son. This has helped maintain the strength of the local economy.

Having an open air market has also put us in good stead for the re-opening of the town as it can be easily reconfigured to allow for social distancing. As it did more than 800 years ago, Chesterfield’s open air market is once again breathing life into the town centre.

While much of our shopping has had to be done online during the lockdown period, it has made many of us realise the importance of the social aspect of shopping, and the ability to ‘shop local’. We miss the opportunity to bump into friends and acquaintances and enjoy the sights and sounds of the town centre while out shopping.

During lockdown we have truly witnessed Chesterfield become a ghost town through no fault of our own. We should treat this experience as a warning, just like Charles Dickens’ the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. With an empty town centre during lockdown, people have had a real chance to see what may happen if they choose not to shop local, and to make use of the facilities which are available.

Local businesses have been a lifeline to many people during the lockdown period. As the town’s market and shops re-open as we ease out of lockdown, keep in mind the importance of these businesses – they offer a shopping experience that you just can’t get online. Make shopping local part of your new normal.

Click here to view the Destination Chesterfield Supporting Local pages

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Visiting

New bridal and prom dress boutique to open at Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre is excited to welcome another new local name to the centre with its very own pop-up shop.

Precious Memories is Chesterfield’s newest bridal and prom dress boutique – offering its customers a glamourous experience, whatever the occasion. The store is set to open on Monday 15th June.

The owner and creator of Precious Memories, Anne-Marie, has always dreamed of one day running her own business which utilises her talents and expertise. After many years of modelling in the wedding industry, she was finally brave enough to follow her own dreams of creating the vision she had always dreamed of; a pristine, glamorous boutique, specialising in making women feel beautiful, empowered and like the queens they are.

Anne-Marie has a talent for high end customer service, personal stylist experience and a flare for hospitality. She understands how to dress each body shape to flatter, reflect personality and to evoke that powerful confidence when a woman feels beautiful.

Anne-Marie creates a warm, friendly space for ladies seeking bridal gowns and prom dresses that gives the ultimate VIP service, second to none, to absolutely every customer who walks through her doors.

The beautifully designed interior of Precious Memories allows customers to peruse through the exclusive designer dresses at ease and their luxurious, private viewing area adds a VIP element to the experience.

Precious Memories is also set to host a series of networking events for Brides and professionals in the wedding industry to connect. Bringing together local make-up artists, hair stylists, photographers and more in one location, Brides-to-be will be able to trial and sample a selection of products and services in one venue, taking the stress out of the wedding planning process.

Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said, “We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming Anne-Marie and ‘Precious Memories’ to Vicar Lane. It is an incredibly exciting business model with lots of truly original elements that we are sure our customers will benefit from and most importantly – enjoy!”

Click here to find out more about Vicar Lane Shopping Centre

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre are members of the Chesterfield Champions local business membership scheme. To find out more about the Chesterfield Champions, click here.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Chesterfield’s digital flower festival – Grow and Tell

Chesterfield Borough Council is encouraging residents to share pictures of gardens, wildlife and wildflowers they spot around the borough in order to help create a digital flower festival.

The virtual festival, Grow and Tell, aims to collect images from around the borough that show off some of the colourful flower displays created by residents, as well as wildflowers and wildlife from across the borough’s many green spaces. Residents are also asked to share some of the stories behind the photographs.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “With the cancellation of Britain in Bloom, Grow and Tell is a chance for us all to show how marvellous Chesterfield looks at this time of year. I hope lots of people will send pictures of all the hard work they’ve done during lockdown in their gardens and pictures of the unusual flowers they have spotted whilst exploring the borough.”

All the images and accompanying messages that are sent in will be placed in a special gallery on the council’s website and Facebook page for anyone to view whenever they need a splash of colour and inspiration.

In order to share your pictures for Grow and Tell please d one of the following:

Find out more and view the gallery here.

In addition to the digital flower festival, Chesterfield Borough Council is holding a Chesterfield’s Still Blooming competition to find the borough’s best sunflowers, with garden centre vouchers on offer as prizes for the winners.

There are three categories:

  1. Tallest sunflower – from the top of the soil to the top of the flower. (Please make sure your picture is next to a tape measure)
  2. Sunflower with the largest flower head based on diameter or width. (Please include a photo next to a ruler or tape measure).
  3. Sunflower plant with the most flower heads. (Please try to make sure all flower heads are visible in your photo).

To enter please send a picture of your sunflower, stating your name and the category you want to enter to green.spaces@chesterfield.gov.uk

Chesterfield’s Still Blooming will run until Wednesday 30 September 2020. Winners will be given a special certificate and vouchers that can be used at garden centres.

The council will announce the winners on social media and share some of the best pictures from the competition.

Chesterfield in Bloom

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

Chesterfield to see reopening of non-essential retail businesses from 15 June

Chesterfield Borough Council is working with local retailers, Market Hall traders and the Pavements and Vicar Lane Shopping Centres to achieve the phased re-opening of non-essential retail stores within Chesterfield Town Centre from 15 June.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It was great to welcome our regular market traders back to the town’s general market last week.

“We’re very much looking forward to the return of our ever popular flea market from this Thursday, and to more town centre retailers opening up for business from next Monday.”

“The safety of those who live, work and shop in Chesterfield town centre remains the council’s number one priority and we have been working closely with local retailers and market traders to make sure we can maintain safe social distancing within the town centre.”

“Signage will advise shoppers where to queue outside individual shops, and where restrictions may be enforced.”

“Barriers are also available for shops to use to make it clear where people should queue and wait to enter shops and this process will be supported by a number of council appointed ambassadors, deployed around the town centre to assist shoppers.”

In line with both Government and industry guidance, the town’s general market, which operates every Monday, Friday and Saturday, successfully re-opened for business last week, following the easing of lockdown restrictions. It was announced last week that the popular flea market is set to return to the town centre on Thursday 11 June.

The public toilets, which are located in the Market Hall are also open, but customers will notice some changes in terms of extra cleaning and hygiene procedures, and social distancing measures.

Local businesses are currently offering you amazing products, services and advice to support you during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Click here to view our Supporting Local pages

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Visiting

Local residents asked to share Covid-19 experiences for new book

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is to publish a book documenting the Covid-19 Pandemic as seen through the eyes of Chesterfield and the surrounding areas, and are now asking for submissions from local residents.

Submissions will be welcomed from residents of all ages, from amateur and professional artists, poets, photographers, creative writers to key workers, volunteers and those who have been directly impacted by Covid-19.

  • Do you have interesting photos of bad haircuts, VE Day celebrations, volunteer’s delivering food parcels, deserted streets and queues outside supermarkets?
  • Have you kept a diary during this time or have you expressed yourself in a short story or poem?
  • Have you or your children created rainbows for your windows or a scarecrow in your garden?
  • Maybe you now feel inspired to create something?

Jacqui Willis, Chief Executive of DVA (pictured), said: “Allow your creativity to record your experience and consider the ways you’ve dealt with the changes, the ups and the downs, the feelings of isolation and loneliness and let’s not forget the heart-warming stories, the acts of kindness towards strangers and elements of lockdown we may not want to lose!”

With your permission, the work you submit will be featured in the Covid-19 book, the DVA Network magazine, Derbyshire Voluntary Action website’s COVID 19 page, social media platforms and when it is safe to do so, at an event for everyone to view the array of submissions.

To be included or to find out more, please email to charlotte@dva.org.uk or post your submission to Derbyshire Voluntary Action, Offices 2a – 2c, The Market Hall, Chesterfield S40 1AR.

Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is one of 180 Chesterfield Champions supporting the marketing and economic growth of the town.

Click here to find out more about Chesterfield Champions

Story of Chesterfield

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

Chesterfield’s popular Flea Market to return next week

Chesterfield’s popular flea market is set to return to the town centre on Thursday 11 June.

The news comes days after the town’s general market successfully re-opened for business, following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Our priority is to ensure that Chesterfield town centre is as safe as possible for everyone. In line with Government and industry guidance, we have introduced physical changes to the layout of the market to maintain safe social distancing and signage reminding people from different households to keep two metres apart and to regularly wash or gel their hands.”

“It was great to welcome our regular market traders back to the town’s general market on Monday and we look forward to seeing more of our regular traders return this coming Friday and Saturday.”

“The council took the decision not to run with Thursday’s popular flea market this week. We felt it was important to first learn the lessons from the general markets in terms of queuing systems, customer journeys and social distancing pinch points. We however, plan to reopen the flea market on Thursday, 11 June.”

Casual traders are not able to join the regular market traders at this stage as the council’s markets team need the flexibility of space to be able to adjust the layout of the market to ensure that traders and member of the public can maintain safe social distancing.

The council continues to support retailers selling essential goods from the Market Hall with more traders expected to return to the indoor market from 15 June. Access in and out of the Market Hall will however continue to be controlled to maintain safe social distancing within the premises.

The council is also working with local retailers and the Pavements and Vicar Lane Shopping Centres to assist with the phased re-opening of non-essential stores from 15 June. This includes establishing what support they might need to manage queues both within and outside their stores in terms of barriers, signage and floor markings.

Councillor Kate Sarvent continued: “Throughout the pandemic, it has been great to see people’s commitment to shopping local when buying their essential goods.”

“As we progress with our phased re-opening of the town centre and more shops and market stalls start to return, I would encourage residents to continue to support our retailers and traders wherever they can.”

“Shopping local will help to restart Chesterfield’s economy, and also reduces the number of miles people travel to buy essential goods such as groceries, which has a positive impact on our environment.”

All of the latest service-related updates will be published in the dedicated Coronavirus information hub: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus

Arts and Crafts Fair

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Chesterfield Food and Drink Awards, Chesterfield Retail Awards, Featured, Home, Leisure, Made in Chesterfield, Summer, Visiting

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