Is Chesterfield a dying town?

[who can tell]

Every time I visit Chesterfield something is closing down only Thursday seems a busy day due to the second hand market. I hear grand plans for the town but then nothing  happens I see many rough sleepers dotted about the place and drunks knocking about to complete the scene of hopelessness and dereliction. The Co op project seems to have come to a standstill perhaps they have realized it could end up a white elephant. The town has air of been given up on do the council sit on their hill hoping that some biblical miracle will happen and all will be well . Many of towns buildings look run down notable the ' Victoria Centre' and the Vicar Lane shopping centre is slowly emptying. Is Chesterfield a dying town?

[Fly]

Yes. Just like all the other towns in this country.
If people made more of what they have got . . . . . . .

[who can tell]

Yes. Just like all the other towns in this country.
If people made more of what they have got . . . . . . .

OK then give us some ideas to boost trade in the town?

[Fly]

I'm a taxi driver. Not a councilor. 

Re: Is Chesterfield a dying town?

If people made more of what they have got . . . . . . .

[who can tell]

I'm a taxi driver. Not a councilor. 

That's no excuse  .

[Scimitar]

What will make it even worse is if the local authorities stop subsidising bus travel for senior citizens and disabled next year as they are currently planning to do. Although, to be fair, I think they would not object too much to paying a concessionary fare like they used too.
Time will tell, & whoever is in charge at the time will get it in the neck no doubt. I believe Mr Tony Blair brought it in initially.

[Jumbo1]

I think free parking would help, and a few intelligent councillors would be a bonus

[Old Cruser]

What will make it even worse is if the local authorities stop subsidising bus travel for senior citizens and disabled next year as they are currently planning to do. Although, to be fair, I think they would not object too much to paying a concessionary fare like they used too.
Time will tell, & whoever is in charge at the time will get it in the neck no doubt. I believe Mr Tony Blair brought it in initially.

What will happen if Sheffield takes over then Scimitar?
Would it be better, just the same or worse do you think?

[Old Cruser]

I think free parking would help, and a few intelligent councillors would be a bonus

Har Har Jumbo1  where would the intelligent Councillors come form then? 

[who can tell]

What will make it even worse is if the local authorities stop subsidising bus travel for senior citizens and disabled next year as they are currently planning to do. Although, to be fair, I think they would not object too much to paying a concessionary fare like they used too.
Time will tell, & whoever is in charge at the time will get it in the neck no doubt. I believe Mr Tony Blair brought it in initially.

I would guess a move to abolish free travel would hit the towns trade . The reality of the scheme is its not possible fund it and given the economic climate seems unjustified to keep running it.

[Scimitar]

If bus companies absorb the cost as government expect them to do = higher fares for paying customers, fewer services, & bus drivers wages suffer.

[Fly]

Bus drivers earn loads anyway don't they. They can afford to take a cut        

[Scimitar]

Bus drivers earn loads anyway don't they. They can afford to take a cut      

I feel a "Cough" coming on

[who can tell]

If bus companies absorb the cost as government expect them to do = higher fares for paying customers, fewer services, & bus drivers wages suffer.

Higher fares again would impact on trade in the town as people would only visit Chesterfield  when on a really need basis. The knock on effect is Chesterfield will get less investment as it will be less appealing to do business here no point in opening a shop if you have no customers.

[Old Cruser]

If Chesterfield offered a greater variety of shops people would be attracted to going into the the town to shop instead of places like Meadowhell  and may be encouraged to ditch the online shopping.
There is a new ladies dress shop in town, opened by a friend. The person told me 'the college students have to go into Sheffield for their clothes as there isn't a shop in town which sells this clothing'
Good idea eh - I went in to say hello once it had opened and there were ladies ' older than me'    fervently routing amongst the dresses and shoes!

Out with some of those Pound Shops and bring in more clothes shops for all ages, sizes and both sexes.

Bus fares - we all need to contribute to the running of our transport.

Taxis - people who struggle with shopping such as the elderly could 'taxi share'.
Four is a car - shopping in the boot.