local shopping

Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market returns

Festive food and drink, quality arts and crafts and exciting experience days are amongst the great gifts available at the Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market, launched today by the area’s official destination management organisation.

The free online market at visitpeakdistrict.com/christmas-market celebrates the range of quality products made and sold in the area, from photography, jewellery and homeware to gift vouchers for overnight stays, dining and days out – urging people to get behind local businesses rather than turning to global online retailers this festive season.

The Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market was first launched in 2020 to enable a wide range of independent retailers, hotels, restaurants, attractions, artisans and producers to sell online during Covid-19 restrictions. In its inaugural year, the market reached over 33,000 page views and offered visitors the chance to browse and buy festive gifts with ease.

Now, in a bid to support even more Derbyshire businesses as the visitor economy embarks on the road to recovery, the market has been relaunched for 2021 with almost 100 independent exhibitors showcasing the best of the county.

Virtual stalls are arranged in eight categories including Accessories and Jewellery; Art, Ceramics and Glass; Experiences and Annual Passes; Local Food and Drink; Homeware and Books; Landscape Calendars and Prints; Short Breaks and Afternoon Tea; and Pet-friendly Gifts.

The market is part funded by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project and aims to support the recovery of local businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “From locally-made products to unique experiences, the Peak District and Derbyshire is bursting with great gifts and we’re delighted to re-launch our virtual Christmas Market for 2021 thanks to support from our ERDF project.

“Now more than ever, shopping locally and supporting small businesses is of upmost importance and the Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market offers a great chance for visitors and residents alike to make a real difference by ordering gifts for friends, families, colleagues and customers that reflect the very best of what the area has to offer.”

Sir Richard FitzHerbert, Chair of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “The Peak District and Derbyshire is home to a great many small and medium-sized enterprises who make some wonderful products. After 18 months of lockdowns and various restrictions, I am delighted to commend the return of this virtual Christmas Market.

“In addition to marvellous accommodation and attraction packages, why not buy some Derbyshire products for your stocking-fillers? From bespoke candles to extensive craft products, there’s something for everyone – so buy British, buy Peak District & Derbyshire this Christmas!”

The Virtual Peak District & Derbyshire Christmas Market will run until January 2022 at visitpeakdistrict.com/christmas-market. Show your support and join the conversation on social media using #PDDChristmasMarket.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Christmas, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , ,

The Chesterfield Elves have arrived in town

The Christmas magic continues in Chesterfield with the launch of the Elf Trail this week, as part of  Destination Chesterfield and Chesterfield Borough Council’s Christmas in Chesterfield campaign.

The cheeky elves have left some clues on how to find them and want you to spot them around the town centre in this special game.

When you find one of the elves you can scan the ‘Elf QR Code’ which gives you access to some very special and secret Elf webpages, which we’ve hidden on the Destination Chesterfield Christmas website.

On the webpages you will find out more about each elf and you’ll see their special letter. Collect all the letters – spell out the secret elf word – and you will be entered into a competition to win an Annual Family Pass for Matlock Farm Park.

You’ll also find discounts and gift guides for shopping locally to support your local high street this Christmas.

The Christmas in Chesterfield campaign is based on the magical story of the Chesterfield Elves and how they saved Christmas. The first part of the Christmas campaign – The Amazing Magical Santa House – opened last weekend and is now completely sold out. Families are reminded if they can no longer make their slot, they can easily cancel by going to their confirmation email and clicking on cancel. This will ensure other families get the chance to see Santa this Christmas.

The story is the perfect Christmas bedtime story and it is now available to download here

You can also download The Cheeky Elf Colouring Book which will keep everyone entertained this Christmas.Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Christmas season has got off to a great start with the fantastic Amazing Magical Santa House which has proved to be very popular, selling out completely and giving families a wonderful start to the Christmas season. The Elf Trail adds to the great Christmas feel across the town centre. It really feels like Christmas in Chesterfield now.

“It is great to see our town centre shops open again with shoppers following Covid safety guidance. It’s just what we need right now – a busy but safe town centre.”

Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said: “This year’s Christmas campaign really does showcase what an innovative and resilient town Chesterfield is. The Elf Trail offers safe fun for all the family to explore Chesterfield town centre this year. It’s also an ideal excuse to shop local. Santa may not be here in person, but the elves most definitely are, and I hope families will enjoy discovering them as well as the myriad of shops, stores and market stalls that Chesterfield has to offer.”

The elf trail is a contactless experience using mobile phones. When scanning the QR code you don’t need to touch the window just scan it from a distance. Once scanned move away from the window to read about the elf and find the competition clue. Please maintain social distancing if someone else is scanning the QR code of the Elf and wait until they have moved two metres away before scanning.

Full details on everything happening this Christmas, including gift guides and shopping offers for our many unique and independent shops can be found here with further details on council services at Christmas on the Borough Council’s website.

Posted in Christmas, Featured, Home, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , , ,

Chesterfield’s Twist Magazine sets up loyalty card scheme for local shoppers and businesses

Twist magazine responded to the coronavirus crisis by setting up the largest loyalty card scheme in Chesterfield, enabling any local business to offer money-saving offers to its readers – entirely for free.

The publication distributed 15,500 Twist & Save Cards to its readers and each month it publishes a list of local businesses and services where Chesterfield folk can claim discounts or other benefits.

Dozens of businesses have been quick to join the scheme, offering all manner of incentives to attract new customers.

Said Heron Publications director Mike Firth: “We had been considering a scheme such as this for a long while and, with many businesses going through the toughest of times in 2020, this was the perfect time to launch it.

“It’s one way we have been able to put something back into the community which supports our publication so well.

“Businesses can promote their own individual deals and card-holders can take advantage of all manner of special offers. Everyone benefits – and no-one has to pay a penny to be involved.”

Additional Twist & Save Cards are available from the magazine for people wanting to pass them on to relations or friends.

Added Mike: “Everyone knows the importance of dealing with local shops and services. When people can also show their Twist & Save Card to make a saving or pick up a ‘freebie’ locally, it’s a no-brainer for them.”

Heron Publications have launched similar schemes through its other three magazines – Wings, Dronfield Eye and Active8 – with a total of almost 52,000 cards distributed to readers.

The Twist & Save Card scheme is supported by Chesterfield Borough Council. To discover how your business or service can benefit, email twistcard@heronpublications.co.uk or call Mandy Goulding on 01246 416027.

You can find out more about local shopping in Chesterfield here.

Twist Magazine supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Mike Firth, Heron Publications

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Christmas, Development, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,