Category: News

  • And then there were three!

    We have fitted our third plaque this month – a replacement for a formerly inaccurate one on North Midland House, Malkin Street, on the approach to Chesterfield railway station. Like our plaque on the Portland Hotel it’s been sponsored by East Midlands Railway Community Fund. The old plaque it replaced stated that North Midland House…

  • Second plaque marks Portland Hotel and former station

    Chesterfield and District Civic Society’s second plaque to be unveiled in July marks the Portland Hotel and the adjacent, but 1973 demolished, Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway Station. The latest in the society’s blue plaque series was unveiled on 23 July by Wetherspoon’s area manager Joe Argyle, with the society’s chairman Howard Borrell. The…

  • Latest plaque marks origin of walking football in town

    The civic society’s latest blue plaque marks the birthplace of organised walking football – at Chesterfield Football Club’s stadium. The blue plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at the SMH Group Stadium on Wednesday 17 July 2024. The plaque is situated on the exterior of the East Stand, near the Chesterfield FC Community Trust’s facility…

  • Views expressed on new powers to help combat empty high street shops

    Our Chairman, Howard Borrell, has contributed to an article in the Derbyshire Times, which looks at the possible opportunities and downsides of a new power for local authorities, designed to combat high street vacancies. High Street Rental Auctions is designed to help them to take control of empty properties, renting them out to local businesses.…

  • Member meeting on 18 April

    At our member (and guests) meeting on Thursday 18 April Neil Johnson, Head of Economic Development at Chesterfield Borough Council, will be the speaker. Neil will be talking about current and planned developments in the borough. There will be a question and answer session following his presentation. It will also be a chance to have…

  • Rethinking Chesterfield town centre

    We’ve made available some of our thoughts on issues facing Chesterfield town centre. These were originally published in the run-up to a well-attended public meeting we held back in February 2023. We’ve slightly edited these, but think they still represent a good starting point on looking at and identifying the issues facing our town centre.…

  • Latest Plaque unveiled – 87 New Square

    Our latest plaque – actually a replacement for an inaccurate and life-expired one – was unveiled on Thursday 8 February 2024 by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield. It has been sponsored by Leverton UK who own and have renovated the Grade II listed property on which it sits – 87 New Square – as…

  • Society regret over old courthouse demolition

    Chesterfield and District Civic Society has expressed regret that the former courthouse complex on Brimington Road, near the train station, is being demolished (as January 2024). Says Civic Society Chairman Howard Borrell; ‘Many people will remember that this now privately owned building was latterly the Probation Service and was, some time ago, a martial arts…

  • Our latest Blue Plaque – 87 New Square

    Information on our latest ‘blue plaque’ to be unveiled at 87 New Square, at the beginning of February. The latest in the Chesterfield and District Civic Society’s ‘blue plaques’ series has been kindly sponsored by Leverton UK Ltd. They are responsible for the restoration of the plaque’s destination – 87 New Square – and its…

  • Society ‘not hopeful’ about visitor centre survival – stressing that cuts proposals need effective consultation

    Chesterfield and District Civic Society is not hopeful that the town’s popular visitor and information centre (VIC) will survive and wants to see further consultation on forthcoming budget cuts proposals. In November Chesterfield Borough Council announced that, as part of work to produce a balanced budget, they were looking to hold a ‘conversation’ with the…