A Derbyshire Times reader, concerned about the number of empty shops on our high street, has submitted these photos.
Following the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and the rise in online shopping, high streets across the country are struggling.
The reader, who wanted to remain anonymous said: “Took these in about five minutes around this thriving town.”
Chesterfield Borough Council said plans are in the pipeline to boost Chesterfield’s high street.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, the council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We are currently investing millions of pounds across the town centre with the aim of increasing footfall and ensuring businesses can thrive. This investment will help secure the future of Chesterfield town centre as a place to live, work, shop and socialise for generations to come.
“We regularly engage with commercial landlords in the town centre to encourage further investment and our property team also share enquiries from businesses with local agents to support new businesses opening in the town centre. We offer flexible rents and have been running a pop-up scheme in the Market Hall to encourage new businesses to start. Business rates are set by Government.
“There are several different business support packages that we actively promote and direct businesses to, these include the Vision Derbyshire start up scheme, the Digital High Street project, business workshops and direct support and advice from our team of expert advisors. We also work closely with key partners including East Midlands Chamber and Destination Chesterfield.
“Town centres across the country are struggling, the rise of internet shopping, the pandemic and current financial pressures all contribute to the decline of town centre shopping. We are investing in our town and working with partners to help create an attractive environment to shop. We need residents to support the businesses based in our town centre, because without support these businesses could disappear from our high street.”
The reader, who wanted to remain anonymous said: “Took these in about five minutes around this thriving town.”
![Marks and Spencer has opened a new larger store and Foodhall at Chesterfield’s Ravenside Retail Park, leaving the large town centre premises empty.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjUwYjAzY2M5LTRlNTUtNDczYS04YWQ0LWMxMWUwNmYyMmY3YjoxOTE3MDgwZC02MjIzLTQ1NzgtYjUyZC01M2I1ZjlkOWUwZmE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer has opened a new larger store and Foodhall at Chesterfield’s Ravenside Retail Park, leaving the large town centre premises empty. Photo: submit
![Eyres – a landmark Chesterfield furniture store – closed its doors to customers after almost 150 years of trading in April 2022. The Derbyshire Times has made repeated attempts to contact Eyres regarding the building but nobody from the store has returned our calls or emails.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3NmVkODhiLTJiODktNGY3Ny05ZTQ5LTFkNDg3MGRhNzM1ODphNTU3OWY5Ni0yZDMxLTRkODAtOGI3OS0xODgxY2M1YzYwMTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Eyres
Eyres – a landmark Chesterfield furniture store – closed its doors to customers after almost 150 years of trading in April 2022. The Derbyshire Times has made repeated attempts to contact Eyres regarding the building but nobody from the store has returned our calls or emails. Photo: submit
![Another prominent building is empty](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNjY2UyNmNhLTc4ZWItNGZmZS04YmU3LThhNGNlMTM2ZmZkMzo4YjQzYWJjZi0zNmQxLTQ2ZTktOTQxMS03ZDc3MmVjNTJmM2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
![The collapses of chains such as Debenhams and Topshop as well as independent businesses has left many voids, with many shops now empty on the high street.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY1M2Y2YTM2LTRlNTctNDgzYy1hMTA5LTRlYmI3ODk3YzVkNTphNmY5MTQ2OS04ZjNiLTQwYzktYTZjMC0yMzkwMjIzMzMzMWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Difficult times
The collapses of chains such as Debenhams and Topshop as well as independent businesses has left many voids, with many shops now empty on the high street. Photo: submit