Marketing Cheshire hosted their spring showcase of events in Chester on Monday night at Storyhouse.

Annabel Turpin Storyhouse CEO spoke of Storyhouse’s role as both cultural hub and important cog in the visitor economy. Recent show, Macbeth was well received and was performed to 2700 students. The Chester International Film festival, also recently concluded, brought world cinema to local audiences. Upcoming are the Literature Festival (Full line up for Chester Literature Festival released – The Chester blog) and the summer programme in the park Storyhouse announce this summer’s Theatre in the Park line-up – The Chester blog as well as Storyhouse original version of Mrs Dalloway Virginia Woolf’s radical masterpiece bursts on to the Chester stage in 2026 – The Chester blog. Storyhouse will also be refreshing their membership scheme.

Christian Marcucci of Marketing Cheshire spoke about the organisations work with the international travel trade with guests welcomed from all over the world. Events will take place for Cheshire Day on March 30th Cheshire Day | Visit Chester & Cheshire. Thanks to funding from Air BnB the Town Crier Championship will return to Chester for the first time since 2014 Chester is to host the World Town Crier Tournament – The Chester blog

Steven Hesketh has taken over the long running food festival. The event has been rebranded and refreshed as the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival Home | CNWFoodandDrinkFestival – with a focus on local food and drink producers , as well as the addition of live music including headline act Gareth Gates. After investing to save the festival from folding Steven commented “We were going to lose this, it’s very important we support our local events”.

Jen McAndrew of Heritage Chester spoke about the crowdfunding appeal to support a programme of 50 events beginning with the launch event on the 25th May Heritage Chester launches crowdfunding campaign for 2026 events – The Chester blog. Surgeon Godfrey Garland (played by re-enactor Mike Graham) demonstrated some medieval medicine to the audience.

Solid Ground are the management company for Carriage Shed and now, Exchange Square. Events at Carriage Shed, next to the train station include markets, food and music. Further events will be announced soon for both venues.

Chester Cathedral– from 8 May- 23rd June Threads through the Bible- a 44 panel textile exhibition made up of 25 million stitches. Running May- September an exhibition focusing on 500 years of the English Bible in the Cathedral library, rarely open to the public. The Cathedral’s summer campaign will focus on rest, play and recreation- a family focused programme of installations and events.

Phil Marston of the award winning Deva Fest spoke about the festival’s focus on accessibility and community combined with big name musical acts. This year 35,000 guests are expected over 4 days with performanes by Jessie J. Ronan Keating, Ash and the Vengaboys. Deva Fest 2026–Award-Winning Family Camping Music Festival Cheshire UK

Colin Potts chair of Destination Chester offered thoughts for the staff at the Chester Grosvenor, set to close in September. However he said that the long term future of the Hotel was secure with Grosvenor committed to significant investment and refurbishment- the Hotel will reopen in the future once the works are complete, with a new operator.

• Colin highlighted new independent businesses including Basement 85, Chapters Book and Wine Bar, Crumb and Comfort Cafe.
• A new attraction run by BIG Heritage will open in the late summer- the Chester cells in the basement of the Town Hall will be open to the public.
• The proposal for an Accommodation BID/ tourism tax has been voted on and the result is expected soon.
• A planning application for Northgate phase 2 is in the works- primarily residential, with the space at the front of the old Forum having potential for cultural use.

Gary Ashby English Heritage- Chester Castle now the most successful free to enter site across English Heritage. Growing footfall supported by volunteer teams. New interpretation and displays, special event at Halloween recreating the Chester witch trials.

Paul Newman Cheshire Archives– new Archive centre on Lightfoot street set to open this Autumn.

Isabel Marston spoke about the events at Oddfellows: https://www.oddfellowschester.com/

Laura from Ever North spoke about her new business providing admin support Instagram

The Hole in Wand– thanked people for their support since their closure due to flooding and reopening last year. The venue will be creating a new walking tour and a Potions room with a Weekend of Magic event in June. The Hole in Wand – Magical Crazy Golf Chester | Mini Golf in Chester