The public are being asked to name the new square and arcade in the Northgate development opening in 2022
(Squary McSquareface or similar will not be considered )
With the Northgate development construction well underway, Cheshire West and Chester Council are seeking suggestions for the naming of the new square and arcade. The development will feature an arcade leading from Northgate St. into a new square at the centre of the scheme, which will also include a new market hall, six-screen cinema, restaurants, cafes and a new multi-storey car park. A new flythrough of the development is also available to illustrate how the square and arcade will look at http://www.chesternorthgate.com
The heritage of the site is likely to provide ample inspiration, particularly for the square which sits above what was once one of the largest Roman fortresses in Britain, including 3 separate barracks and home to the XX Legion. Other previous uses included Saxon houses, Viking jewellery makers, medieval streets, church missions, schools, a foundry and most recently the former Town Hall bus station. The new arcade will be formed from the central arch of the Westminster Carriage Works built in 1914 and was the façade of the former Chester Library from 1984 before it moved to Storyhouse a few metres away in 2017. The coachworks were designed by the architect Philip Lockwood for J.A.Lawton & Co. Coach Builders, Harness Makers and Motor Engineers. During the 1970s the building was used by George Taylor Ltd, operating as a car showroom, and in keeping with its past, it was also a coach stop and the starting point for many day-trips and excursions.
The public are asked to submit their suggestion via the online form at http://www.chesternorthgate.com/naming before the closing date of Friday 16th July 2021. A panel of Councillors and city centre stakeholders will review the suggestions and a short-list of names will then be put to a final public vote later in the summer.
The Chester blog 