Chesterfield retro: 22 photos of the town’s lost department stores, including the Co-op, Woolworth, John Turner and Swallows

By Phil Bramley

Editor, Derbyshire Times

Published 14th Jul 2023, 12:04 BST

Updated 18th Mar 2025, 10:24 BST

Chesterfield is rightly proud of its host of small independent shops – but the town has boasted a number of big department stores down the years.

Sadly, many of those stores are no longer with us. From the Co-op on Elder Way and the much-missed Woolies to older names like John Turner and Swallows, here we look back at the department stories that Chesterfield has loved and lost down the years.

Let us know your memories of shopping there – and which was your favourite

You could do your weekly shop at the Co-op, but kids loved its toy department

1. Chesterfield Co-op

You could do your weekly shop at the Co-op, but kids loved its toy department Photo: Marisa Cashill

The Co-op, on Elder Way and Knifesmithgate was THE department store in Chesterfield for decades. Here is it in 1938

2. Chesterfield Co-op

The Co-op, on Elder Way and Knifesmithgate was THE department store in Chesterfield for decades. Here is it in 1938 Photo: Marisa Cashill

The store was famous for its glass bridge linking building on either side of Elder Way, seen here in 1992. Phoro: Derbyshire Times

3. Chesterfield Co-op

The store was famous for its glass bridge linking building on either side of Elder Way, seen here in 1992. Phoro: Derbyshire Times Photo: Derbyshire Times

The shoe department on the ground floor in 1938

4. Chesterfield Co-op

The shoe department on the ground floor in 1938 Photo: Marisa Cashill

Chesterfield John Turner Woolworth