CHESTERFIELD CHAMPION: '˜Town landmarks give it a unique character'

I settled in the town 23 years ago and live in Wingerworth with my wife Margaret.

The Yorkshire Bank has a long and proud history as a part of the Chesterfield business community.

The investment of a brand new branch on Vicar Lane reflects the importance the town has for Yorkshire Bank.

1. What do you like best about living in Chesterfield and why?

Chesterfield people are friendly, the town has all the amenities of a city and with the Peak District on one side and the M1 on the other. The location is second to none.

While many other towns of a similar size all look the same, the market square, the open air shopping streets and, of course, the crooked spire give the town a unique character.

2. What are your favourite ways to spend your free time in Derbyshire?

I enjoy trail running and walking, so it’s ideal that both activities are available from my doorstep.

I also enjoy eating out, western horse riding, progressive rock music, cinema and theatre.

3. Where is your favourite place to shop locally and why?

I enjoy cooking and The Highfield House farm shop is one of my favourite food shops, along with Ibbotson’s Fruit and Veg in town.The large Ashgate Hospice shop in Hasland is one I like to visit as it has a wide range of goods and supports an organisation that everyone in Chesterfield can be proud of.

4. What is your favourite hidden gem in Chesterfield and why?

The Real Time Live music venue, tucked away up Marsden Street, features some great tribute bands as well as some original artists that are discovering the place as a venue for rock music.

5. What are the positives about running a business here?

The central location makes it a great place to base a business. There are several strong professional firms that work together to support businesses and Destination Chesterfield gives local firms a real voice.

6. What new development excites you most?

As Yorkshire Bank was the first to support the building of new business premises on Markham Vale, it has been particularly rewarding to see the growth on the site over the past few years. Markham Vale has been a reflection of Chesterfield’s relative success in a very challenging economic environment and the number of people employed on the site continues to grow each year. Both the Waterside and Peak Park Resort developments promise much for the town and it will be interesting to follow their progression over the next few years.

7. What do you believe Chesterfield needs but doesn’t yet have?

The A61 corridor to the south of the town is a bottle neck that could be perhaps addressed with a relief road as a part of The Avenue Regeneration Project.