Chesterfield’s vibrant cultural identity and the community impact of ongoing regeneration took centre stage at this year’s Celebrate Chesterfield conference.
Organised by Destination Chesterfield and supported by Vines Legal and Stepnell, the event highlighted how culture, creativity and placemaking are becoming core drivers in the town’s long-term economic strategy.
Emily Bowman, Managing Director at Junction Arts, showcased Chesterfield’s expanding creative programme, demonstrating how local arts, events and heritage initiatives are boosting wellbeing, attracting new visitors and driving footfall into the town centre.
Emily also outlined the borough’s ambition to become a Town of Culture, as part of its wider cultural strategy. If successful, the ambition is that the programme is led by the community working in partnership and with support from the Pride in Place Town Board and Chesterfield Borough Council.
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:
“Chesterfield’s ambition to become Town of Culture is an exciting moment for our borough. It gives us a platform to celebrate who we are: our heritage, our creativity and our people, and to showcase the cultural energy across the borough.”
The conference also highlighted how regeneration continues to reshape the borough, with Chesterfield now benefiting from a £2 billion investment pipeline. Chesterfield Borough Council Chief Executive, Huw Bowen, who retires in May, reflected on eighteen
years of place-led leadership and stressed the importance of long-term partnership in achieving regeneration milestones.
Further demonstrating the power of local collaboration, Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, shared how Town Deal projects are already supporting communities, with a new video showing the benefits beginning to be felt across Staveley.
A panel featuring Vines Legal, Stepnell and Chesterfield College Group explored the role businesses play in delivering social value, showing how employers are boosting skills, apprenticeships, volunteering and local supply chains to ensure residents actively benefit from the borough’s growth.
Andrew Byrne, Chair of Destination Chesterfield, said:
“At Celebrate Chesterfield, we have not just talked about ambition. We have heard real stories of impact. The public, private and community sectors are working together to support the economy and people of Chesterfield.”
Delegates also received a copy of this year’s Chesterfield Storybook, a publication capturing the town’s achievements and future vision. A digital version is available at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/celebrate/chesterfield-storybook/
The event was accompanied by the Celebrate Chesterfield Business Expo, sponsored by East Midlands Chamber, where local businesses showcased their work and built new connections. The exhibition highlighted the strength and diversity of Chesterfield’s business community.
Discover more about what is happening in Chesterfield at www.chesterfield.co.uk
