Another sad day for Chesterfield

[therealjr]

Yeah but I've seen it all before. I proof read and edited a 56 page document about 10 years ago, written by the then conservation officer detailing plans for regenerating the town centre, all the run from the railway station up Stephenson Place/Cavendish Street down High Street into the market place. As we know, never happened.

[Old Cruser]

We seem to be in a time now where shopping is internet or drive to a large car park and trolley goods back to the car after shopping.
Chesterfield can't offer that, it is also quite spread out retail wise which may put some people off.
Ok on a dry day and if you don't have mobility problems I suppose.

Once upon a time we would say the market needs to cater for the younger generation as they have the money to spend - but have they got it these days.

We then take a leap to the older generation who would probably have a few pounds to spend around town, but are they able to trundle round the large area needed to be able to get round the shops.

WE all know something needs doing to give our town and it's Market a boost, I hope the meeting Pete is attending will shed some ight on possibilities for this to happen

[Pete]

Sorry Jon, but you'll never destroy my spirit of optimism.

To live a life that cynical must be quite sad.

My cup is half full - and I've got a lot of cups.

[Fly]

So just how much of the property in town is owned by the council, not private landlord ?
It sounds so easy to keep blaming the council.

[Pete]

I would guess that the majority of the shops are privately owned.

I seem to remember something being said that the council rates are the problem.

[Woohoo]

I think it will take the next 5-10 years to adjust and level out. More empty shops eventually will spiral down rents from private landlords. Any income is better than none if your shops been empty 2 years for example and an offer comes along about half the rate before I would accept it. Then I feel the council will have to follow suit. This will then make being a shop keeper viable at least give some hope of profit. On vicar lane the rents PA on some shops are one hundred and ten thousand pounds! This is river island size unit. I bet there are available leases for the size at half the price on another busy street around the corner. 

[therealjr]

I not cynical Pete I'm Pragmatic!! Business rates are collected by the council but they are set by government and all the income is sent to them. They then send some of it back to the council in the form of grants. I'm sure nothing would give the council greater pleasure than being able to reduce business rates on premises to stimulate the town centre but they can't do it.

[Old Cruser]

I would guess that the majority of the shops are privately owned.

I seem to remember something being said that the council rates are the problem.

The council rents have been a problem for years Pete, maybe one of the reasons why as trades may have taken a dip the rent becomes too much - vicious circle.

[therealjr]

Vicar Lane is / was owned by Centro Miller, its a private shopping complex , The Victoria Centre belongs to Metropolitan along with other properties along Knightsmiths Gate. The Low Pavements Mall, Market Hall and Low Pavements shop units facing the Market Place belong to the Council . The Crown and Cushion also belongs to the council ( its on a 99 year lease to the brewery) , Dents block in private hands, so its mixed ownership across the town the above are just examples I know of. Any plans for the towns retail sector need to take account of social and economic factors no easy task.

The Pavements centre was owned by a pension fund when it first opened so I'm not sure when or indeed if the council acquired it.

[Gerty Gumdrop]

Nice one Pete 

Thumbs up from me too