Chester

[Babaloo]

Chester appears in several threads - either cojoined with North Wales and the wider Liverpool Bay area or specifically in relation to the Northgate development.

This thread is dedicated to the 2nd city of the region.

Please post news of developments or anything to do with Chester here.

[Babaloo]

From today's DP

Chester on the brink of change as it faces an uncertain future
Mar 31 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A jewel in the North West’s crown, historic Chester is on the brink of huge change. But, as the much anticipated Northgate Development hangs in the balance, Liza Williams assesses whether the city’s future is lying in the shadow of its past

WITH its characteristic walls and picturesque Rows, famous racecourse and quaint shopping streets, Chester is deemed by many as an affluent and prosperous city which successfully capitalises on its historic assets.

But as Cheshire’s county town enters a period of development, it is battling with problems that could jeopardise its future and threaten its status as a must-see destination for visitors.

The city’s £400m flagship new construction project, the Northgate Development, has been delayed as a result of the global credit crunch and financial constraints on developer ING. The plans, originally aired in 2002, promise the city 60 shops including a House of Fraser, a new library, market and performing arts centre.

It is feared the development could be scrapped all together, leaving parts of the city centre derelict. The city council is currently negotiating a rescue package with ING, and the developer hopes it will be legally signed off this autumn.

The scheme is joined by an unprecedented amount of hotels in the planning or building stage to enable more visitors, tourists and business people to stay in Chester, in turn spending money within the local economy.

But the concern is not enough money and thought is being pumped into the cultural offer, leaving visitors unable to engage in anything other than eating and drinking in the city’s restaurants and bars at night.

Chester currently has no theatre after the Gateway was closed last year to make way for the Northgate Development, and there has been speculation the art centre plans may be scrapped to address the cost issues of the development. Plans for the centre have now been submitted to the council, but it will still be delayed as the future of Northgate is decided.

The city centre’s only cinema, the Odeon, closed over a year ago and the new owner, Brook Group, which specialises in creating nightclubs and bars, is planning to turn it into a mixed-use development – with a wine bar, restaurant and shops.

A single screen cinema may be included, but as controversy continues, the beautiful art deco building lies empty and lifeless. The city has one main museum, the Grosvenor, but no art gallery, neither are there any plans to create one.

With a limited amount of culture or variety in evening entertainment, many people are concerned about its future as a world-class, European city – the very thing it is trying to become.

Chester’s MP, Christine Russell, thinks the city needs to offer more after 5pm. She said: “We need to improve the cultural offer. Every successful European city uses culture as a catalyst for attracting people in, but in Chester it is just so limited.

“There is the occasional festival which is great but we need something constant since the loss of the Gateway. PEOPLE come into the city, they go sight-seeing, go shopping, have a bite to eat, but then what? We need to provide more between the shoppers departing and the pubbers and clubbers coming in and put a greater emphasis on bringing culture back into the city centre. We also need to encourage coffee bars to stay open later and keep places like the library open so there are things keeping people in the city centre. We need to get local authorities to pay attention to what is happening after 5pm, as they do between 9am and 5pm.

“We need to make the most of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and attract people to the city from there.

“There are so many great things in Chester but we need the whole package. Rail services to and from London have improved dramatically so people from the South can come here. The Northgate Development is central to continuing this improvement because the city really does need another department store.”

Opposition councillors recently held a protest, demanding the resignation of Chester’s ruling Tories, accusing the administration – which took power in 2007 – of “reducing Chester to a pile of rubble”.

One of their election promises was to ground plans for new council offices, dubbed the Glass Slug, on Gorse Stacks – part of the Northgate deal. Paul Roberts, leader of the opposition, claims delays caused by the Tory administration have jeopardised the Northgate Development, but says all parties now need to pull together to try and save it: “Everybody is desperately hoping it will still go ahead. Had the Conservatives signed off the decision when they took over the administration, we would not be in this situation, but they delayed it for political reasons by messing around with the planned council offices. But we need to work together now to replace an area of Chester that has become run down. It is still a wonderful city with magnificent heritage but we need to get more people coming into the centre.”

But Chester’s ruling Conservatives say the delays were inevitable. Mike Jones, Portfolio holder for environment, said: “This development is very important for Chester’s regeneration and will bring a huge amount of expenditure in.

“We are working very hard to try and iron out problems caused by the credit crunch. It is a complete load of rubbish that our administration is to blame.
The original date for sign-off was 2003, and the previous administration gave control of the time scales to ING. We cannot control global economic conditions. Other developments, such as the huge amount being invested into hotels, is great for the city – it creates jobs, will attract more visitors and mean the 6.5m day trippers will stay more often. The cultural offer needs attention and it is a pity there was no effort made by the previous administration to buy it.”

Politically, Chester’s status as Cheshire’s county town is also under threat. Local Government reorganisation will mean the county splitting into east and west councils next year, throwing up the question of whether another town, such as Winsford, should be the headquarters. Cllr Roberts said: “It would be damaging for Chester, and obviously my view is the city is the best place for the council base. The Conservatives have not done us any favours, because now council office plans are up in the air. If the Gorse Stacks plans had gone ahead, we would have had a new functional building ready for the reorganised council.”

But Cllr Jones added: “It will not be a problem, we have six to eight suitable sites in mind and are flexible now, the needs of a newly structured council can be considered, unlike the Glass Slug, which was not wanted by the people of Chester.”

[Babaloo]

Over £100m being invested in Chester hotels

OVER £100m is being invested in Chester hotels. They include:

HQ development – The old police headquarters site on Grosvenor Street is being turned into an Abode luxury hotel, £1m penthouses, apartments and office space.

On track to complete in summer, 2009, it has been dubbed as the new gateway to the city.

The Exchange – opposite Chester’s Amphitheatre, in old BT telephone exchange.

A 60-bed Travelodge, £4m development with offices, retail space and bar. Work being carried out on interior.

Work has started on a £12m extension of The Queen Hotel, City Road, creating 86 luxury bedroom suites and an executive club lounge. Work will make it the biggest hotel in Chester.

The Mill Hotel – an extension has gained planning permission on this long-standing establishment on Milton Street.

Plans have been passed to build an 87-bed hotel on Grosvenor Park Road.

An application has been submitted to build a Holiday Inn Express near Northgate Roundabout.

Hoole Hall Hotel is planning an extension.

A Malmaison hotel at Chester Castle has been touted.

[Babaloo]

NORTHGATE Development – plans to redevelop an area off Northgate Street, including the current library, market, bus station, former Gateway Theatre, council offices and derelict buildings nearby.

Replace with 60 shops, new market, library, performing arts centre and department store.

Its future should be announced this autumn.

Glass Slug – new council offices, dubbed the Glass Slug, were planned on Gorse Stacks as part of the Northgate deal to relocate the city council’s workers. Plans were scrapped by a new Tory administration last September after an election promise in June.

More conventional, and cheaper, council offices are likely to be built at either Tower Wharf or Black Diamond Street using cash from a re-negotiated Northgate deal, that could be used after council reorganisation for the West Cheshire headquarters.

I'll dig out more material on this.

[Babaloo]

Click here:

http://www.northgatechester.co.uk/

And a render of sorts:
[/QUOTE]

[Babaloo]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by sjwmoore

I thought id take some pictures on the way to work and at lunchtime today…


As I travel by train, the station area is the first view.

King Charles tower on the city walls. The King watched his defeated troops withdraw from the Battle of Rowton from here in the Civil War. The walls were modified in the 1700s into a “Promenade for respectable Ladies and Gentlemen”, and the battlements and most of the towers were removed.

Along the Shropshire Union Canal.

From the canal up to the City Wall, with a Roman section still there, the bit with the cornices.

Another section of Roman Wall. The wall was whitewashed in Roman Times, to awe the natives.

Georgian houses in King Street

The North Gate, typical of the Georgian rebuild of the walls and gates.

The Town Hall, I work in the offices behind this building, which now houses the mayors rooms, meeting rooms and is used as a concert hall / ballroom

The Cathedral from the council offices. Not built as a cathedral, was an abbey till the reformation when the diocese of Chester was created from part of Lichfield diocese.

Watergate Street from Watergate Row North. The main streets in Chester are on two levels, the upper being called the Rows. You will notice different shops on the upper gallery than those at street level. The origin of the rows is obscure, but there are many therories- to make it easier to attack Welsh raiders, built on top of Roman Houses etc

Looking the other way

What it looks like on the rows……

And if youre walking along them

The black and white house on the right is Bishop Lloyds house, built for some late mediaeval bishop

Note the carvings on the house, was covered in plaster for years

Street level view on Watergate Street

The Castle. Dosent much look much like a castle, was rebuilt in 1800s as judicial centre for the county. The cars ruin it.

In the background you can see parts remaining of the original castle

Castle Street

Georgian houses on South Bridge Street

The Bear and Billet Inn, used to be the Earl of Shrewsburys house

The Mediaeval bridge across the Dee

Ye Olde Kings Head, it was inevitable, wasn’t it??

The Falcon Inn, was derelict till 1986

Upper Bridge street

Victorian Fantasy on medeavalsim, Upper Bridge Street. The shopping centre is behind this façade. Most of Chesters Black and white buildings are Victorian and Edwardian ideas of what an idealised past looked like, in the process demolishing many of the genuine old houses.

The 3 from the left are genuine, the others Victorian

The picture everyone takes, The Cross

Towards the Grosvenor Hotel and Eastgate

St Werburgh street, nothing over 140 years old (apart from Cathedral!)


View from the Eastgate

The cathedral

Abbey Street

Abbey Square

Old houses made from demolished religious buildings at time of Reformation, Abbey Square

The last religious structure built before the reformation, the archway to the Abbey precincts

[Babaloo]

NW medicines firm wins foothold in US

Mar 29 2008 by Alistair Houghton, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER pharmaceutical company Maelor has bought a Swiss business in a deal worth up to £14.25m.

Maelor has taken over drug supplier Speciality European Pharma International (SEPI) and says the acquisition will give it a foothold in the huge US pharmaceutical market.

The group, which supplies medicines to hospitals, is also set to be renamed IS Pharma (International Speciality Pharmaceuticals) to reflect its expanded business.

Maelor is buying SEPI for an initial cash payout of £9.25m, with a further fee of up to £5m dependent on sales targets.

Meanwhile, the group said its trading for the year to March 31 had been in line with expectations.

Maelor chief executive Tim Wright said: “Post-acquisition we have a very focused international business, selling direct to hospitals in the UK, but also with a strong distributor network across European markets, a first step in North America and a presence in developing markets.

“This acquisition represents the next step in our strategy of creating a profitable specialist hospital medicines business, growing organically and by targeted acquisition.

“We are confident that we will be able to rapidly integrate and grow the business so as to maximise earnings and shareholder value.”

SEPI’s key product is Haemopressin, used to stop oesophageal bleeding and in the treatment of liver disease. Maelor is already familiar with the drug as it distributed it in the UK.

The drug has also been licensed to a company in the US and so yesterday’s deal means Maelor gains a “low-risk” foothold in the North American market.

Mr Wright said: “We’ve seen other suppliers try to move into North America and they’ve fallen flat on their faces.

“For a company of the stage and age we are at, we see this as an intelligent acquisition.

“We are aiming to build a global brand but also we have the security of a company already based in the US dealing with that market.”

As SEPI outsourced most of its work, Maelor will not be taking on any staff or premises as a result of the deal. Maelor only employs 20 people itself as it outsources much of its work.

Analyst Matt Butlin, of London’s Noble Group, gave the deal a warm welcome. He said: “We expect a step-up in earnings as acquired product Haemopressin gains approval in new geographical locations over the next 18 months.”

alistairhoughton

[Babaloo]

BTW, that's the second time in as many days that Trinity Mirror North West has emphasised Chester's NW location.

[Babaloo]

From today's DP

Newsreader brings roadshow home to NW

Mar 31 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

NEWSREADER Fiona Bruce will start presenting the new series of the Antiques Roadshow at Chester Cathedral next week.

The ever-popular Sunday evening programme allows some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists to offer free advice and valuations to visitors.

Ms Bruce, who was born in Wirral, said: “PresentingŠ the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in televisionŠ when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch.

“Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating.

“And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the 'what's it worth?’ moment.

“The Antiques Roadshow isn't just about antiques – it's history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

Series editor Simon Shaw said: “The team are all looking forward to visiting Chester Cathedral. It’s always exciting to see what will come to light on the day.

“We regularly see between 1,500 and 2,000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turn-out everyone will get to see an expert.”

The show starts filming for its 31st series at Chester Cathedral on Thursday, April 3. The doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm.

[Babaloo]

Once,

Twice,

Three times a NW'ner

[Babaloo]

Makeover for oldest original shop front in Chester

Mar 31 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER city centre’s oldest original shop front has had a make-over.

The shop front of Waltons of Chester, by the Eastgate Clock, dates back to the 1950s.

While the original Johnson Baker of London design remains, the shop has been modernised inside and out.

David Lee, manager of Waltons of Chester, Eastgate Street, said “a flurry of shops closing”, and increasing rents in the city creating pressure for traders.

He said: “The investment in the Walton’s of Chester shop front is bucking this trend and there is a commitment by the company to the long term future of the city.

“The new shop front conveys an image of quality and style. The interior also feels more spacious.

“We have tried to retain the original concept, yet modernise the shop, keeping everything streamlined and sophisticated, yet understated.”

A year ago, Waltons of Chester appeared in BBC1’s CrimeWatch, in a reconstruction of a robbery there in August, 2006.

Increased security was also a major investment for the new frontage.

Richard Hogben, general manager of Waltons of Chester, added: “Attending the world’s largest jewellery and watch show in Switzerland this week, we are keen to put the new displays to good use with the latest watch and jewellery ranges.

“Later this year, we will be showing one of the few James Bond Omega Limited Edition watches to reach the UK to coincide with the latest Bond film with Chester’s own Daniel Craig.”

Fancy that!

[Oges efc]

There was talk of demolishing the Northgate Arena and putting a Hilton hotel on the site

They were then gonna build a massive water park out on the land opposite MBNA

Haven't heard much of this proposal in over 12 months

[Babaloo]

Agency expands into new offices

Apr 24 2008 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

CAPITA Symonds says it intends to recruit about two dozen staff to support its expansion in the North West.

The multidisciplinary consultancy has opened new offices on Herons Way, Chester Business Park.

Paul Terry, director of Capita Symonds for North Wales and Chester, said: “We have experienced strong growth of our business in North Wales, Wirral and Cheshire over the last 12 months.

“Through the opening of our Chester office we are now more accessible to our existing clients and can provide more local support whilst increasing our exposure to new opportunities in the area.

“We are keen to recruit a new team of top professionals to support the expansion.”

Allan Smith, the new head of Capita Symonds’ Chester office, said: “We will be recruiting some 25 people over the next two to three years to enable us to meet our ambitious growth plans and support our existing commitments.”

Capita Symonds’ executive director David Spencer said the company nationally had grown organically by about 20% last year.

[JDN21]

LOL

[liverpolitan]

Great! A non-scouse Greater Liverpool thread. Chester is an enormous asset to Greater Liverpool and has immense growth potential that can benefit the entire region as well as North East Wales.

[Bay City]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Chester appears in several threads - either cojoined with North Wales and the wider Liverpool Bay area or specifically in relation to the Northgate development.

This thread is dedicated to the 2nd city of the region.
Please post news of developments or anything to do with Chester here.

People in Chester do not consider themselves as peripheral to Liverpool. Although they probably look more towards Liverpool than Manchester.

As it is on the Merseyrail and it is easy for people on the Wirral to get to, I consider it on the outer limits of Greater Liverpool - I doubt the locals do.

[mike 1980]

Originally Posted by Bay City

People in Chester do not consider themselves as peripheral to Liverpool. Although they probably look more towards Liverpool than Manchester.

As it is on the Merseyrail and it is easy for people on the Wirral to get to, I consider it on the outer limits of Greater Liverpool - I doubt the locals do.

For once, I actually agree with you.

[Bay City]

Originally Posted by mike 1980

For once, I actually agree with you.

It's much easier for you that way.

[paulmac35]

Of course Chester is part of the City Region. It has been proven that virtually all tunnel users are workers/shoppers/football fans from the Wirral, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Chester and North Wales. Liverpool City Centre is the focal point of the whole City Region. By some distance. Like in Rome, all roads (and rail networks!) lead to Liverpool

Another point is the regional accent in Chester and North Wales. Sounds a lot more "Murkeyslide" than say the old Lancastrian speakers of St Helens or Southport.

[Babaloo]

Chester is in no way peripheral to Liverpool. The two cities histories have been entwined for 800 years. This idea that places like Chester, St Helens, Southport etc are somehow not connected to Liverpool and Liverpool to them strikes me as the worst kind of reactionary scouse myopia.