Under-threat Chesterfield business '˜positive' after great support from town

Last month we reported how Dents of Chesterfield, a pharmacist and photography shop, based at New Square, was considering its future due to a reduction in footfall and a cut in funding from central government.

And although a review is still ongoing, the outlook for Dents is looking slightly more positive after the people of the town responded to their heartfelt plea for support.

Austin Dilks, general manager at Dents, said: “People have rallied around and we have had an upturn in customers coming into us which is greatly appreciated.

“It is looking a bit more positive than it was but it is early doors.

“We just hope that the customers keep coming back rather than it just being a knee-jerk reaction.”

He added: “There have been quite a few people come in to say that they had heard there was a problem and said they wanted to help.

“Because of the response of the people of Chesterfield we are looking at saving the business.”

There are 14 members of staff at Dents’ Chesterfield site and six at its store in Newbold.

Dents was founded by John Dent in 1903.

The old premises were demolished in 1964 and replaced by the current building. At one time, trading at Dents was carried out over three floors but now it is just two levels. A major refurbishment of the photo department took place in February 2009.