Suggestion for the Donut

[Pete]

In light of the Co-op closing down this summer we could exploit the current rise in number of visitors/tourists to the town centre. Why not convert the Donut car park into a coach park?

Just a thought.

[~Aitch~]

Ohhhhh good thinking, Batman.  I mean, we need somewhere to allow bus loads of tourists to come and view the empty premises and the charity shops.   

As a serious question though, what does Chesterfield have that would attract visitors?

[Pete]

Crooked Spire
Queens Park
Market
Our house

[Fly]

It used to have a town centre, but sadly it's in decline 

[therealjr]

The Town Centre is no more in decline than any other.
Woolworths, Comet, Jessops et al don't just shut their Chesterfield branches.
We have a lot of unique things that do bring visitors in

[Pete]

According to figures I found on Chesterfield Post, tourism is growing in Chesterfield.

"In 2011 there was an increase of 9% in visitor numbers with over 3 million day visitors and 320,000 booking an overnight stay."

http://bit.ly/ZC2dUF

[Fly]

I can only presume visitors mainly come by car.
So who's the biggest complainers about parking prices. Locals ?

[Pete]

Yep - local whingers...

[Scimitar]

The Town Centre is no more in decline than any other.
Woolworths, Comet, Jessops et al don't just shut their Chesterfield branches.
We have a lot of unique things that do bring visitors in

I particularly like the "Eastern European" accordion player outside M&S who plays the same bloody tune over & over & over & over & over.
Not to mention the druggies who sit on the wall right by the entrance to the Crooked Spire who leave their used needles and stuff behind the wall.
Not exactly "unique" to Chesterfield I suppose, but , yes we do attract a lot of visitors. I did hear some once moaning on their way back to their bus at the Coach Station that they were not that impressed however - I think they had come on a day when there wasn't a market or something.

[Old Cruser]

Take away the market and it's a bit sparse - unless you know the layout of shops.
Chesterfield is spread out and many visitors won't realise this (or maybe want to leg it around) - how many for instance would find falcon Yard?
Maybe not much down there but it's just an example.