It’s like that long-term husband or wife you see every day of your life, and then, as the sun shines through the kitchen window and a joke is passed about the burnt toast, you remember how lovely their smile is.
Chesterfield Market Hall is that smile. The hubbub echo of chat and laugh from the cafe that spines the middle. The humorous ribbing between the traders around the sides.
There’s wool shop Jason sat knitting, Linda at the sweet shop trying not to eat the raspberry ruffles, and forever Chezzy lass Betty at the vac shop sorting the Eurovision sweepstake. There’s fabric shop brothers Ben and Jack a belly laugh of agreeing to disagree, food shop Donna no mess as she tells you her teacakes are the best, bookshop Ed a flat-cap glow of folk he calls ‘Old Chesterfield’.
Here is the heart of this place, a value of Chesterfield community. And it’s here, right now.
2. Jason Hampson - The Wool Cabin
“We have a good atmosphere round here… All the shop units, all the owners we all get on together. We have a good laugh… Very good community, yeah… Footfall is on the down, especially in an afternoon now, obviously since Marks and Spencer moved to the retail park.” Photo: Derbyshire Times
3. Bryan Towndrow - Charles Hedley
“I enjoy it because I’ve done it for so long it’s like coming home from home. The other traders in here are excellent. Every trader in here promotes good quality goods. They’ve got nice friendly staff… As a package, it’s an excellent place to work.” Photo: Derbyshire Times
4. Linda Barker - Aunty Dot's Sweets
“It’s really nice. Everybody is so friendly and we all look out for each other… We get some lovely people passing through… It’s been tricky opening up from covid, but we have noticed a wider variety of people coming through… holiday-makers… you meet some amazing people.” Photo: Derbyshire Times