Chesterfield town centre businesses remain optimistic despite 'long winter' ahead

People picking up a bar of chocolate from the corner shop, a sandwich for lunch from the local deli or some groceries from the market on their way home helps to keep businesses ticking.

In the midst of the current pandemic, however, town centres up and down the country have seen footfall shrink as people work from home and many shoppers remain reluctant to return.

With the Government once again urging people to avoid social interactions as part of last week’s new restrictions, this trend seems likely to continue through the winter.

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So Chesterfield town centre businesses are being forced to adapt to this 'new normal’ and find fresh ways to attract customers.

On Chesterfield market, a small group of vital traders continued operating throughout the dark days of lockdown.

One of these was Ibbotsons fruit and veg stall, which has been a fixture on the market since 1945, and was ‘honoured’ to serve the town at the height of the pandemic.

Beccy Ibbotson said a lack of passing trade remained a problem and there were some fears it could get worse before it gets better.

“We are finding that since lockdown was lifted passing trade has not reached the level that we would have seen prior to the pandemic,” she said.

"The general footfall in the town centre is low.

"We fear that following this latest announcement, footfall will only decrease further.

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"But we continue to source the best produce available and hope to ride out this time so a fourth generation can stand on Chesterfield Market Place.”

The town’s pubs, cafes and restaurants benefited during the summer from the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme and food business owners say they remain optimistic.

Claire Wood, manager of the historic Stephenson Tea And Coffee House, described the scheme as a ‘massive boost’.

"Since then trade has been consistent for us and we are still seeing new people,” she said.

"People seem more confident while remaining cautious and that is exactly what we want to see.

"I’m sure the Government guidance to work from home will have an impact on us and there is no doubt it will be a long winter. But we are optimistic long-term.

"It helps that we already have an excellent reputation and we also benefit from having this huge, beautiful Victorian building.

"There is no doubt that people are being more careful and choosy about where they eat out now.

"But walking around the town centre there are also signs of it coming back to life and that is great to see.”

Claire says the business has been able to improve customers’ confidence with a range of safety measures introduced, including staged booking times so they can control how many people are dining at any one time.

Charlotte Mitchell-Fox who opened her shop, Lottie’s Sandwich Bar, just before the pandemic struck said it was up to individual businesses to adapt.

"I think our footfall has actually increased slightly with many people walking to work instead of using public transport,” Charlotte said.

"The responsibility lies with the business owners themselves to adapt and do what works for them and their customers.

“We used our lockdown time to see how we could adjust and improve and I think we all had enough time to do so.”

Businesses which are able to move towards online shopping are also seeing success.

Emily Lord, who runs well-known town centre shop Fred’s Haberdashery, said she was hopeful that if further restrictions result in a decline in passing trade, it will be made up for by online sales.

"We have also had a lot of first-time customers as one of the few shops in the area that has a good selection of ready-made masks and DIY mask essentials,” Emily added.

Marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield said the increased use of digital and social media was helping high street businesses to ‘remain connected to their customers at all times’.

Dom Stevens, Destination Chesterfield manager, said: “The big screen at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has proved a hit, keeping town centre visitors informed and engaged.

"It is also great to see independent businesses successfully using social media to engage with their customers, keeping them informed of developments and reassuring them of a safe shopping experience.”

Earlier this year, Chesterfield town centre was marked out as a high street which could prove more resilient than many others during the coronavirus crisis and recover quicker from the pandemic.

The Local Data Company’s study, ‘The Impact of Covid-19 on UK Town and City Centres’, suggested Chesterfield was better placed than many other towns to cope with the devastating economic effects of the lockdown.

Chesterfield Borough Council says the town’s shops, pubs and cafes remain ‘busy’ and the authority has pledged to continue finding new ways to help.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “The council has been working with businesses to ensure everyone stays safe when shopping or eating out in the town centre.

"This has been successful as Chesterfield’s shops, pubs and cafes remain busy.

"Our specialist Covid-19 information officer has been working with businesses since the summer, giving advice on how to safely run their business.

"We are now advising businesses on the latest Government guidance including how they set up QR codes which work with the new trace and test app that will continue to keep Chesterfield the safe and popular place it is to shop and eat.”

Since March, the council says it has provided £26,105,000 in small business grants to 2,231 Chesterfield businesses.

"A further £1,302,250 million has also been shared with 145 businesses via the Local Discretionary Grants Fund scheme,” Coun Sarvent added.

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