The £10.28m Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme aims to transform the look, feel and flow of the town centre – creating a contemporary market town that has better connections between key public spaces, and a more attractive physical environment.
It includes plans for significant improvements to Chesterfield’s historic market grounds, along with proposals that will help maximise the potential of the iconic Crooked Spire as a key attraction for visitors, while also re-imagining town centre spaces for a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations and community gatherings.
Together with the £17m refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall – which received planning permission in March 2022 – the project is being brought forward thanks to almost £20m which the council secured from the national levelling up fund at the end of last year.
The latest designs for the scheme were approved by the council’s Cabinet this month and are out for public consultation until 8 July 2022 before a final Master Plan is developed.
People can take part in the consultation online at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/town-centre-consultation or visit an exhibition which is on display in the Visitor Information Centre in Rykneld Square (Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm) during the consultation period, where paper copies of the plans and survey will be available to view.
The Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project will complement work to regenerate the Northern Gateway and – at the other side of town – will connect with plans to transform the area around Chesterfield Station.
Together with the £17m refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall – which received planning permission in March 2022 – the project is being brought forward thanks to almost £20m which the council secured from the national levelling up fund at the end of last year.
5. Rykneld Square
The proposals seek to make better use of this open public space – providing a better connection with the Crooked Spire, improving the feel and flow of this area. Photo: Brian Eyre
6. New Square and Market Place
The multi-million pound investment will revitalise Chesterfield’s historic market. The plans will create a modern, vibrant town centre experience with additional space alongside our traditional markets to host outdoor events and speciality markets. The council has worked with local traders to develop a revised market stall and layout design for the main market, and to consider how New Square could be used to complement the town centre offer in future. Photo: Brian Eyre
7. Stephenson Memorial Hall
Under the plans the refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall will bring together an extended Pomegranate Theatre, a reconfigured and modern Chesterfield Museum, alongside new gallery space, a café bar, education and community facilities. The project, which will cost £17.5million, is being paid for by £11million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and investment from the borough council. This artist's impression captures how the revamped Stephenson's Memorial Hall will look Photo: submit
8. Chesterfield railway station
The HS2 Station Master Plan will feature a new boulevard for pedestrians and cyclists between the station and Corporation Street, and a new station link road between Brimington Road and Hollis Lane. Pictured is how the new gateway between the train station and Chesterfield town centre is projected to look. Image: Whittam Cox Architects. Photo: Whittam Cox Architects.