Destination Chesterfield

Chesterfield is undergoing a major transformation, with refurbishment plans being carried out by Chesterfield Borough Council at key town centre sites.

The historic marketplace will be revamped with better lighting and power, improved access and new stall layouts, general paving repairs, new flexible trading areas and repairs to existing stall structures.

Key public spaces and the connections between them are also set to be transformed as part of the plans after the council was successful in securing almost £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

£11m will be allocated towards the costs of a £17m project to remodel and refurbish Chesterfield’s ‘striking’ Stephenson Memorial Hall to extend the Pomegranate Theatre, reconfiguring and modernising Chesterfield museum, and introducing new gallery space, a café bar, education, and community facilities.

Stephenson Memorial Hall – artist’s impression

The remaining £8.9m of funding will be used to regenerate Chesterfield’s historic town centre. Our town will support contemporary events, experiences, excitement and ease of movement through and around the historic core.

Improvements will be centred around key public spaces (listed below) and the connectivity between these locations, Stephenson Memorial Hall, the iconic Crooked Spire and key visitor arrival points.

• Corporation Street
• Spire Walk
• Rykneld Square
• Burlington Street
• Packers Row
• New Square

Rykneld Square near Chesterfield’s Crooked Spire – artist’s impression

The proposals will make the spine and heart of the town centre a more useable, navigable, attractive, safer and healthier place to spend time. It will do this by:

• Improving the quality of lighting in the town centre, contributing to the climate change agenda and increasing and enhancing the overall quality of the urban environment
• Improving the wayfinding around the town centre and usability of key public squares for cultural and commercial events, providing a platform for improved cultural events to attract more visitors
• Improving digital connectivity, through a bespoke Chesterfield wi-fi network
• Improving the environment for pedestrians and cycling

The latest artist’s impressions were revealed in March 2024.