Developers busy finding more Chesterfield Co-op occupiers

Last year, Chesterfield Borough Council conditionally approved a planning application to convert the old Co-op building into a £20million hotel and leisure hub.

The application includes a budget hotel on the upper floor, six family restaurants on the ground floor and a health and fitness area in the basement.

In February, it was announced an 89-bedroom Premier Inn and a Beefeater restaurant will open at the Elder Way site next year in a move set to create 60 jobs.

Central England Co-operative, which still owns the landmark building, is working with Jomast Developments Ltd to transform it – while still retaining many of its original features.

This week, Adam Hearld, development director at Jomast Developments Ltd, said: “We are still in the process of securing the end users and will be starting on site as soon as this is complete.”

In January, Mr Hearld told the Derbyshire Times that building work would start ‘in the not-too-distant future’ and take place over an 18-month period.

He added: “This is a hugely important and exciting opportunity to revitalise a significant landmark building and create a vibrant leisure destination in the heart of Chesterfield town centre.”

Nicholas Johnston, acquisitions manager for Premier Inn, said: “We are delighted to be taking an 89-bedroom hotel and Beefeater restaurant as part of the forthcoming Elder Way development in Chesterfield. Chesterfield is an excellent location and, as well as attracting new visitors to the area, the new hotel will deliver fresh investment and create 60 new jobs for the local area.”

The Co-op building has remained empty since July 2013.