The picturesque town of Belper in Derbyshire boasts one of Britain's finest high streets, yet locals are growing increasingly frustrated by one persistent problem that threatens to undermine its award-winning charm.
An award-winning destination
Belper has earned remarkable recognition in recent years, being named among Britain's 20 best high streets and achieving the unique distinction of winning the UK Government's Great British High Street's High Street of the Year award twice, most recently in 2019. Situated amidst rolling countryside and easily accessible from Derby, Nottingham, Chesterfield and Matlock, the town has become a destination in its own right.
The high street thrives with independent businesses including interior design boutiques Primsisters and Nordicana, heritage clothing brand Stanley Biggs Clothiers, and popular dining spots like Nourish at No. 44 - recently crowned as serving Derbyshire's finest fry-up. The Railway pub further enhances the town's credentials after being named Derbyshire's top pub at the National Pub and Bar Awards 2024.
Growing independent scene meets natural beauty
Belper continues to attract new independent businesses, recently welcoming a speakeasy jazz bar, seeing a beloved bar relaunch, and introducing Oggel, a unique Lego studio. The town's appeal extends beyond shopping and dining to encompass abundant natural surroundings that distinguish it from other destinations.
Visitors can explore Belper Park Local Nature Reserve to the south or enjoy the Belper River Gardens to the north, which offer stunning views of the towering Derwent Valley Mills. The combination of a vibrant high street and accessible countryside creates a compelling package that residents deeply appreciate.
The roadworks dilemma
Despite widespread satisfaction with town life, one issue consistently troubles Belper's residents: persistent roadworks and resulting traffic chaos. Seventy-five-year-old Brian Elliott expressed the frustration shared by many locals, stating: "Roadworks, roadworks, roadworks. It's all well and good making grand changes to legislation and the way the country operates, but our roads should be the basics. At times, the state of the roadworks and the traffic is nothing short of a disgrace."
The problem is compounded by Belper's one-way systems, which leave residents feeling trapped when roadworks occur. Elliott added: "They always seem to catch us unawares and, due to the one-way systems, there really is no escape. Buses can be seriously delayed because of this, and people also get trapped in the Co-op car park."
Another resident, Michael Johnson, who lives on Mill Street, highlighted how roadworks combine with other issues to create perfect storms of disruption. The 62-year-old explained: "90 percent of the time Belper is great, it's perfect, but on big days when we have our markets and festivals, or whenever there are roadworks, everything is just turned upside down."
Johnson described how parking problems escalate during busy periods: "Where I live, when it's busy, people will just block the entire road, even when there aren't enough spaces - and they'll also use it as a shortcut, so it's just unbearable." While acknowledging that roadworks are necessary, he questioned whether there might be a better approach to managing them.
A high street beating the national trend
Belper's success story stands in stark contrast to the decline affecting many British high streets, where banks have been replaced by Greggs outlets, car parks converted to residential developments, and vape shops and barbers dominate. Despite hosting chain stores including Poundland, Greggs and Iceland, Belper has maintained its distinctive character through a healthy balance of independent retailers that evoke an era when high streets truly flourished.
Local resident Andy Kirkhope, 59, captured the prevailing sentiment among townspeople: "Belper is always changing, but I think it's managed to stay a nice place over the years, which is delightful really. You see how other town centres are. They can be busy, miserable and full of idiots. But in Belper, things have managed to stay civil."
Another shopper, Jane Mycroft, praised the town's friendly shop owners, excellent charity shops, good transport links to Derby and Ripley, and surrounding historical attractions like Heage Windmill, though she noted the challenging steep hills provide occasional exercise obstacles.
As Britain's high streets continue to struggle nationwide, Belper represents a rare success story - albeit one facing the growing pains of popularity and necessary infrastructure work. The community remains proud of their award-winning town while hoping for solutions to the traffic and roadworks that periodically disrupt their daily lives.
