I welcome the news - here's what the developers Jomast say on their website:-
Jomast Developments has announced plans to convert an iconic landmark into a mixed leisure and restaurant scheme, which will breathe life back into Chesterfield town centre and mark a new future for one of its much-loved buildings.
A planning application has been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council to convert the former 1930s, Mock-Tudor former Co-op department store on the town’s Elder Way site, which has been empty since its closure in 2013.
Jomast is planning a sensitive approach to refurbishing the existing building, maintaining the majority of its original features throughout the development process.
The scheme will include an 89 bedroom hotel; six family restaurants, of between 2,900 sq. ft. and 4,000 sq. ft. in size; and a 16,000 sq. ft. health and fitness unit in the basement of the building.
On completion of the development in late 2016 the town is expected to become home to the seventh largest retail centre within the East Midlands.
Adam Hearld, Development Director for Jomast, said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to recondition a significant landmark building and create a vibrant leisure destination comprising restaurants, a hotel and health and fitness accommodation in the heart of Chesterfield town centre. As a result of its positioning we expect to see the town gain increasing influence in the County of Derbyshire, helping boost Chesterfield’s retail and leisure footprint for locals and visitors alike.
“We are in the process of talking to a number of established national operators who are keen to relocate to the town and benefit from a market which has considerable potential.”
Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Our economic development and planning teams have done a huge amount of work behind the scenes with the Midlands Co-operative to enable us to get to a day where a planning application can be submitted that proposes a new future for this important site within the town.
“However, as with all planning applications, the council’s planning committee will have to consider the application with an open mind, balancing all aspects of the scheme, and taking into account the opinions of the public, businesses and other bodies, before coming to a decision.”
A planning application to Chesterfield Borough Council was submitted on 19 October 2015 with a decision expected to be made within eight weeks. During this period there will be a 21 day consultation with the public, businesses and other interested parties.
Topic: Co-Op Transformed (Read 4073 times)