Chesterfield town centre must be an 'ultra-safe zone' to thrive after the pandemic

Experts say creating a safe high street which people have confidence to visit will be a key challenge in 2021.

Chief executive of the Association of Town and City Management, Ojay McDonald, told a key meeting on the town’s future: “Public health will absolutely dominate the debate and will dictate how our town centres evolve going forward.

"We need to see town centres as ultra-safe zones. People want safe, regulated spaces where they can meet, greet and network.”

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He stressed that, despite the imminent vaccine, no-one knows whether the current town centre issues caused by the pandemic are short or long-term.

Mr McDonald was headlining the fourth annual Chesterfield Investment Summit, organised by marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, and held virtually on Wednesday, November 25.

As well as addressing the challenges facing the high street, the summit also outlined how the town plans to capitalise on the office and rail opportunities that are projected to emerge post Covid.

Office expert Darren Mansfield, Partner at Global Real Estate Consultants Knight Frank, said: “Employee fatigue and deficiencies in data protection have all emerged from working from home, therefore it is not a long term option.

"Instead, a hybrid model of home and office working is at the heart of the workspace strategy of the future.”

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Rather than having a single large office, Mr Mansfield said that businesses will want to spread risk, with large businesses looking to regional and well-connected markets like Chesterfield for quality office space.

Meanwhile, Elaine Clark, chief executive of the Rail Forum Midlands, urged small businesses in the town to collaborate and work better together to capitalise on the opportunities available in the rail sector.

“HS2 construction is well underway and there are opportunities now,” she said.

"There is a lot of expertise in the area but Chesterfield cannot be complacent and rely on its rail heritage.”

The office sector was also identified as a strategic priority for Chesterfield Borough Council.

Speaking at the Summit, Huw Bowen, council chief executive, referenced the authority’s commitment to funding both the new town centre Enterprise Centre and the new seven-story office block at Chesterfield Waterside.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.