Vicar Lane Shopping Centre encourages businesses to join its independent offer

By Josh Marsh - 13 February 2023

Chesterfield’s Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has launched a drive to add more small, independent businesses to its lineup of thriving retailers on Steeplegate in the heart of Chesterfield.

Alterx purchased Vicar Lane Shopping Centre back in 2018, and has worked collaboratively and innovatively to turn the street into a thriving independent community of businesses.

Barker Proudlove, the leasing agents involved in the shopping centre, are continuing to take a flexible approach to leasing and are keen to discuss opportunities with independent businesses who are thinking of taking the next step in their business growth.

With increasing shop vacancy rates a national theme, Vicar Lane has managed to reverse the trend. By investing into each vacant unit, the shopping centre has created a series of blank canvases for businesses to make their own. They’ve also offered flexible deal terms which has made these units far more accessible for a range of businesses to consider.

Over the last couple of years the street has been home to a string of independent businesses offering a range of products such as coffee, homemade cake, wedding dresses, pizza, homewares, handmade gifts and so much more.

The current line up consists of Shop Indie, Clarissa’s Interiors, Vintage Tearooms, Pizza Pi and several others.

Shop Indie who joined Steeplegate in 2019, commented on their journey to becoming a part of their local high street: “After many years of selling online and at craft fairs and markets, we knew that the high street was missing out on so many fabulous products from independent makers – those gifts that you just wouldn’t find in the bigger stores.

“Opening a bricks and mortar shop was a big step for us but we were very happy to find the shop on Steeplegate and be part of a new group of independent businesses trading there. We believe this is the future of the high street.”

To find out more about basing your business at the centre, email jessica@barkerproudlove.co.uk.

Vicar Lane supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.