A digital campaign to highlight some of Chester’s most inspiring people has been launched by Chester BID.
Among the names who stepped in to tell the world why Chester is a great place to live, work and play in, have been David Watson, Chairman of Storyhouse, composer and musical director Matt Baker and Chester Boutique owner and digital entrepreneur Dawn Robinson.
Ian Macdonald, digital channel manager for BID said: “The #InvestChester campaign has truly grown over the last few months, inspiring investors to bring Chester to the forefront of their future plans as a destination for business and much more.
“As part of our campaign, we thought what better way to showcase the potential Chester has than to highlight the people who have made Chester the fantastic city it is today.”
Amongst the line-up of city influencers is Richard, the owner of the ironically named @ShitChester Twitter account and the Chester Blog. He said: “It was great to be part of this collective statement expressing such confidence in Chester. The response I received was uniformly positive, thank you Chester BID!”
From people who have been born and bred in the city such as Jack Brightwell, General Manager of BarLounge, to those like Fabrizio Gobbato and Valentina Aviotti, of the successful Da Noi restaurant, Augusto Pizzeria and the soon-to-be opening Krum, who tell their journey from Italy to settling and starting up businesses in Chester.
Larger national businesses have also taken part in the This Is Chester campaign, including Graham Donoghue of Sykes Cottages – leader of the tech holiday firm who is currently the largest employer in the city.
David Watson, who has recently joined Storyhouse, has been a pivotal figure in the campaign. He said: “Chester is a bustling, vibrant city and a great place to live work learn and play. At Storyhouse we have a programme bursting with diverse events that are well attended by a broad spectrum of audiences who are here and willing to participate.
“We’re a model of innovation combining theatres a cinema and a library alongside a busy restaurant and bars plus co-working spaces and the city has embraced us across all areas of our operation. It’s very exciting to think about what the future will bring and I’m very proud to be amongst it!”
Chester BID CEO Carl Critchlow said the #INVESTCHESTER campaign has proven potential in the city. Following a series of headliner events, a round table and growing support across all digital channels, he is now pushing for the next phase of the #INVESTCHESTER campaign.
Carl said: “We are so proud to have commandeered so many inspiring and influential people into the This Is Chester campaign – it really proves that people are proud of the city and are happy to spread the word about how brilliant it is.
“What has been great is to hear how well-networked people are in the city, how connected it is in terms of infrastructure and what a great community there is here – a community with open arms ready for anything! Investors need to know there are places for them to do it all here – live, work and play – and I think the This Is Chester campaign sums that up perfectly. Thank you to everyone who has taken part! Here’s to the future.”
This is Chester short videos can be viewed on over on Chester BID’s social media channels, on their website or watch their YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@chesterbid5531
A Business Improvement District (BID) is a business-led, business-funded body created to improve a defined commercial area. Chester BID is funded solely by the businesses within the city.
There are over 460 businesses in Chester’s BID area with a rateable value of more than £18,000. Each of these contribute a levy equal to 1% of their business rates every year to fund a wide range of improvements identified by the businesses themselves. It is expected that approximately £2.5m of private sector funds will be generated over the five-year BID term and this money will be reinvested back into the city centre.
In June 2019, hundreds of businesses voted in favour of the plans to renew the BID’s term in Chester and on September 1st, 2019, Chester BID Company started a second five year-term.
The Chester blog 