Chester Health store recently announced their closure on April 27th, having traded in Chester from their shop on Bridge street row since 2014. Owner Niki Davies spoke to us about the reasons for the closure and at a look back at the decade past.

“It’s just not financially sustainable for me anymore. Last year alone, without what I’ve put in this year I’ve put in £9000 of my own money. I have no other income I am on my own, and whatever I’ve got left is from when my husband died. I was doing better when I was open 3 days a week during lockdown. People were spending more then.

Niki previously traded in Heswall from 2010- 2014 before making the move to Chester. “Chester is lovely and it was crying out for a half decent health food shop. There was only two shops in the city that I could afford, this one and one on Watergate street. That got ruled out because it had steps going down to it. This was a mess when I got it! There was a hole in the roof and pigeons were living up there. ”

The historic building dates back to the 1600s. In the first year of operation Niki won a commendation from The Civic Trust for bringing the building back into use.

“Some days I feel I’ve done a shit job and that’s why I’ve got to close. Other days I think, hang on I was voted best Health Store in the UK, and I also won an award for my customer service and presentational skills. I also survived lockdown.”

Chester Health was famously the last shop operating on the rows during the height of the pandemic. “Rob from BIG Heritage made me a plaque to commemorate it. I think in future decades that should be a quiz question in Chester!”

Niki has also played a keen role in supporting many in the Chester community and established herself as one of the city’s most loved independent businesses. “I have shed so many tears telling the businesses. Paul from the Model Shop is my longest bestest neighbour. He drives me potty! He’s inheriting the old fashioned bell on my door. Special shout out to Nev and all the gnomes from next door, keeping me supplied in coffee and good humour. The boys from the barbers next door, and Harley and Dan before they left. We have a fab little community. In 10 years I’ve seen so many changes, apart from across the way (the former Slaters Menswear) which has been empty the whole time. It’s an ever evolving tapestry.

” Last year was the worst year I’ve ever known in retail. Before anyone kicks off about business rates and greedy landlords, business rates are set centrally not by local government, I don’t know how many times people need telling! My landlady has been amazing, couldn’t have been more helpful! We’ve had issues with rough sleepers and drug taking, the same as everyone else, but from my view its been fine recently. The best thing about being on the row here is the view and the neighbours, I will miss that a lot. ” Another recent highlight was Niki’s participation in a project from Historic England which documented the lives of traders on the rows. The photographs were exhibited at The Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool in late 2023. “It now forms part of the archives at Historic England”.

“I will always be positive about Chester, even if theres less retail, as long as there are things bringing people into Chester. I wish there was one central place where all these things were highlighted. Chester has got a lot to offer. How many people in Chester know that we have a castle that you can visit at certain times? I’m looking forward to visiting when I’m not working Saturdays. I’d like to see a Tourism officer employed by the Council, not a private company. We will always have the battle with us and York, we are similar, but very different. They do have an officer for Tourism there!”

Chester Health will continue to operate online, but Niki will also be pursuing other avenues in her professional life. “Very shortly I am going to qualify as a level 2 gym instructor. I’m 60 this year and I want to achieve something. Once I’ve got a level 2 I am going straight into training as a PT instructor. “

In the next few weeks Niki will release further details for customers about her online offering: “There will be mail order and collection. That will be from this unit, the new tenant is allowing us to run that service from here. There will be a new tenant before anyone kicks off about another empty unit! I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone that’s supported me, not just by shopping. ” she concludes emotionally.

Thank you Niki for being such a positive force in Chester over the last ten years