It may not feature high on many tourists’ must-see lists, but for the people who live there, Chesterfield is hard to beat. Just 30 minutes from Sheffield and around 90 minutes from Manchester, the Derbyshire market town offers a strong sense of community, a historic town centre and an impressive collection of independent shops that continue to draw people in.
On a grey afternoon, the streets remain busy as residents and visitors move between shops and cafés. Towering above it all is Chesterfield’s most famous landmark, the crooked spire of St Mary and All Saints Church, which defines the skyline. While steeped in history, the town is also evolving, with regeneration projects and new events giving it fresh momentum.
Alec Chapman-Taylor, 32, works at the Cheese Factor, a long-established business that attracts customers from well beyond the town. Despite the weather, there is a steady stream of people coming through the door. Alec believes Chesterfield’s blend of heritage and independence is what makes it special.
“There’s a new market square that’s becoming an events space, and it looks fantastic,” he says. “It’s hard being an independent business these days, but places like this have been here for generations. The market is traditional, it’s been going on for years, and lots of families have real connections to it.”
He estimates there are around 80 independent shops in the town, giving Chesterfield a character that’s increasingly rare. Having lived there since the mid-1990s, Alec says he has always been drawn back. “I’ve lived in other places, including Manchester, but Chesterfield is the perfect size. It’s got everything you need, great bars, friendly people, and it’s where I’m raising my family. All my brothers and sisters live here too.”
He adds that new events are helping to bring people into the centre, from themed markets to family-friendly attractions. “The animatronic dinosaur day was brilliant for kids, and the 1940s market was really popular. That kind of thing makes a difference.”
Among the shoppers is Janice Wallhead, 72, who has lived in Chesterfield for four decades. She enjoys being able to walk into town and values the market, but feels there is still room for improvement. “We’ve lost some shops over the years, especially fashion,” she says. “Money has been spent on the market, which is good, but there are other areas that could do with attention too.”
Breathing new life into one of the town’s pubs, The Royal Oak, are Patrick Hopman, 30, and his wife Meg, 29. Former school teachers, the couple took a risk on the venue and have quickly turned it into a destination. Inside, the pub is filled with colour and character, from bright walls covered in memorabilia to a striking bar area with stained glass windows and high ceilings.
“We took a bit of a punt, but we’ve been really pleasantly surprised,” Patrick says. “Chesterfield has some amazing buildings – the Spire is the big one, but this place is pretty special too. School trips even stop outside.”
Originally from London and Devon, the couple initially considered living in Sheffield but chose Chesterfield because it was more affordable. Now, they say, they rarely feel the need to leave. “We’re close to the Peak District, well connected to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham, and London is under two hours away,” Patrick adds. “People say town centres are dead, but from what we’ve seen, that’s just not true here.”
Creativity is another driving force behind the town’s revival. Emily Bowman, managing director of Junction Arts, a community-based charity, is working to bring more public art into Chesterfield, including murals by local artists. She says the town’s history as an ex-mining and industrial community has created a strong sense of pride.
“There’s been a lot of change, but that history still echoes through the community,” she says. “Everything we do is grassroots, and people really care about this place.”
With events like the upcoming Chesterfield Make-Off set to showcase local talent, residents believe the town’s future is bright. Affordable housing, strong transport links and a lively independent scene mean Chesterfield is quietly winning people over. It may not shout the loudest, but for many families, it’s exactly where they want to be.
