In the last 6 months at least 20 new businesses have opened in Chester. These include: Gnome and Away, Salt House Tapas, Soctopus, Oliver Brown Menswear, Summit Accountants, Brook Taverner, Canteen, Spuds4U, Hulsons, Black Bush, Flat Earth bar, EWM, The Bishop, Scribbler, Little Dessert Shop, the second Starbucks, Books on the Walls, Rieker shoes, Russell’s Thai Tapas, Little Yellow Pig, Dollycraft , BEPO concept store, Aldous Books, Champagne and Fromage, Chez Francois, and Turtle Bay. The arrival of Harrods Beauty later this year will occupy part of the iconic Browns building, empty since 2021. Several others are under offer or have planning permission for new developments. Even including the closures of : OH Foundation , Northlight, Crepe Affair , Harley’s vintage boutique, Julian Charles, Phase eight and Lovin Tea, the evidence points towards an increase in the number of occupied units.

For those that enjoy noting empty units, here are some noteable ones ( not a complete list) in an update to my 2019 blog : https://thechesterblog.com/2019/10/22/top-5-empty-premises-in-chester/. Since that blog , dropping off the chart are the former McDonalds, the dark row and the ex Whitmore and White unit which have all welcomed new tenants.

1. North Light: Suddenly closing in January, the closure of the bar/restaurant leaves a visible void at the entrance to the flagship Northgate development. Occupying a prime 8600 square foot location, the venue previously operated by the New World Trading company had a short life span only opening in May 2023. Hopefully it can be filled soon, although some have suggested the unit might be more attractive if it was smaller.
2. St Werburgh Row. No change for another prime city centre location right next to the Cathedral. Currently for sale , the listed building was designed by architect Maxwell Ayrton in 1935. Ayrton was the co designer of the original Wembley Stadium. This desolate row has had no tenants here since 2018 and it’s emptiness contrasts with the adjacent row of shops which includes Up North records, Spuds 4U, Pyramid Glass ,Lily Vintage and Gaudi’s. Surely there’s space for a coffee bar with big windows for the Cathedral view and some residential upstairs? You can buy it here for £3 million : https://masonowen.com/properties/33-49-st-werburgh-row/

• 3. BHS has been empty on Foregate street since August 2016. Foregate street in general has been boosted by the relocated larger Poundland, Starbucks and the long awaited Home Bargain. Retail giant BHS collapsed in 2016, with Chester’s branch closing in August of 2016.  A “To Let” sign has recently been added to the front of the massive unit which is decorated with colourful Chester BID pop art influenced signage. Since closure , some suggested moving the market there but the high rent and rates ended this fantasy. Due to its huge size, this is another unit which would benefit from splitting into smaller parts. In 2019 44% of former BHS stores were still vacant, by 2021 this had dropped to 20%. Any interested tenants can apply here : https://www.greenandpartners.co.uk/property/4145-foregate-street-chester/high-street

• 4. At the far end of Foregate street we find the vacant Argos building. Formerly a staple of the high street. Argos has all been wiped off the high street by internet shopping , with the business moving inside Sainsburys. A plan was announced to turn the building into a hotel which caused many to lose their minds, but it never materialised. In the window of the unit are hand written paper signs offering duvets and cushions ( 2 for 5 pounds) when the building was briefly occupied by a pop up discount shop. Having been empty since 2017 perhaps a hotel wouldn’t have been so bad after all. Foregate street also offers the empty Revolution and the former Holland and Barrett ( relocated to Eastgate street last year).

5. Dee House empty for over 25 years and in ever increasing disrepair, is the listed building that many love to hate. With its position above the amphitheatre ruins and signage advertising its “Georgian splendour” , arguments about its potential demolition have been debated for years, and rejected firmly by the Dee House expert working party. Daniel Thwaites were once in the running to restore the building to life with a hotel/restaurant scheme but the plan did not progress due to the high costs of making the building safe and habitable. Will Dee House still be on the list in another 5 years??