Businesses and city centre stakeholders gathered at Storyhouse tonight to hear updates about forthcoming events in the city and beyond

• Hosted by Izzy Grey of We Love Good Times, the first speaker was Annabel Turpin, Storyhouse CEO. She spoke about the Storyhouse Women festival (May) with over 20 events celebrating women and girls. The Chester Literature Festival has moved from November to May, with Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones one of the big names (details to follow). Finally the Theatre in the Park season will include Pride and Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland. Last year the season attracted 25,000 visitors.

• Gareth Boyd of Walking Food Tours UK spoke about his curated walking tours that showcase the city’s “amazing food and drink scene” . See https://walkingfoodtoursuk.co.uk/ for further details.
• The University of Chester was next up, with the Festival of Ideas (3-6 July) . A promotional video featured former MP Gyles Brandreth. A diverse programme of events will celebrate learning and new ways of thinking. The Festival made its debut last year. https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/

• Chester Zoo spoke about the Wildlife Photographer Year of the Event, running until 6th April. The Heart of Africa habitat will open in 4 weeks- marking a redevelopment of one fifth of the entire Zoo’s footprint. This will include new homes for animals including Giraffes, Zebras, Flamingos and Black Rhinos. The Reserve– the Zoo’s first venture into overnight accommodation will also be opening soon, with many of the 51 lodges sold out until 2026.
• Izzy from Salt House Tapas spoke about the great reception from the city towards the restaurant which opened last autumn. They will be opening their Bodega space for private hire and also hosting a monthly wine tasting event. There will be a special celebration of Cheshire Day on the 30th March with a menu showcasing local produce.
• Chester Racecourse spoke about their plans for their 486th year of racing including themed entertainment and music offers, as well as their community role hosting events such as the Chester Half Marathon, Food and Drink festival etc.
• The managing director of Marketing Cheshire, Christian Marcucci spoke of the launch of the organisations new website which launches in 2 weeks. There will be a big focus on Cheshire Day. There is also a big effort to establish a Film Office for Cheshire to build on the region’s popularity for TV and film shoots. In July Chester will host a “Media getaway” hosting over 100 travel writers and journalist, with a programme designed to show off the best of the city.
• Colin Potts, head of Destination Chester spoke of the range of activities now on offer in the city, “things that we never had in the city 10 or 15 years ago” He said that Chester BID footfall data shows improvements on the last year in 10 months of the last 11. Other speakers included:’

• Taste Cheshire- the 25th Food and Drink Festival will take place at Easter. Camping will return as well as new activities including art and performance by local buskers.
• Chester Heritage Festival runs from 25 May – 8 June with the event now in its 10th year. Activities teased included: storytelling, film shows, walking tours, flamenco dancing and painting a Roman mural. The Festival which recently became a CIC is on the lookout for sponsorship from local businesses.
• The Grosvenor Museum will host Gladiators of Britain (September- Jan 2026) with world class objects on display thanks to a team up with the British Museum. In 2026 an exhibition will focus on the amphitheatre.
• Chester Cathedral will host the installation Peace Doves (2 May- 17 June) with a supporting programme of events focused on peace and hope. In July, the very successful Making Tracks will return.
• H Beauty will be opening in the late autumn in a section of the former Brown’s building
• Deva Fest the award winning music festival returns 7-10 August with acts including The Happy Mondays and Gloria Gaynor https://www.devafest.co.uk/