The rise in home working as well as the growth in smaller regional offices, all offer opportunities for Chesterfield’s high street according to industry experts.
Speaking at the town’s recent Investment Summit, headline speaker, Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management, urged Chesterfield to take inspiration from one the world’s leading cities, saying: “Town centres can look to Paris in France for inspiration and its 15-minute city plan which has everything you need within a 15-minute radius on foot or bike.”
Speaking at the virtual event, which was organised by Destination Chesterfield, Mr McDonald said: “Public health will absolutely dominate the debate and will dictate how our town centres evolve going forward. We need to see town centres as ultra safe zones. People want safe, regulated spaces where they can meet, greet and network.”
While home working will increase post pandemic, the summit also heard that the demand for regional office space will increase as a hybrid model of home and office working is forecast to be at the heart of the workspace strategy of the future.
Office expert Darren Mansfield, Partner at Global Real Estate Consultants Knight Frank, who also spoke at the summit, explained: “Employee fatigue and deficiencies in data protection have all emerged from working from home, therefore it is not a long-term option.”
Rather than having a single large office, Mr Mansfield said that businesses will want to spread risk. As a consequence, large businesses will look to regional markets like Chesterfield, which is well positioned geographically and with its transport links to capitalise on the increased demand for quality office space.
The office sector has been identified as a strategic priority for Chesterfield Borough Council and it is funding both the new town centre Enterprise Centre near Elder Way and the new seven-story office block at Chesterfield Waterside.
Speaking at the event Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The town won’t have seen office accommodation of this quality before. The key now is to make sure that these offices meet the needs of employers looking to provide socially distanced, flexible and creative workspace in the post-Covid world.”
He added: “Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, Chesterfield continues to move forward. Town centre regeneration – and supporting retailers and office-based businesses to adapt to changing work practices post-Covid – is a key element of the council’s Economic Recovery Plan.”
If you’re looking for a Chesterfield town centre presence for your business which is close to high quality offices, Elder Way is the ideal location. Surrounded by offices, retailers and with the train station in easy walking distance, Elder Way offers a premium address in the town centre.
Get in touch with our team now to discover what Elder Way can offer your business or contact Jomast Developments on 01642 666942.