Chester Christmas security arrangements 2025
To improve Chester city centre security for residents and visitors attending the Christmas market and people choosing to go late-night shopping, the hours when the city’s bollards are raised to the ‘up’ position will extend beyond the usual end time of 4.30pm for five weeks leading up to Christmas.
From 19 November until 23 December, bollards at the Town Hall Kiosk and St. John’s Street will be raised in the ‘up’ position, from 10.30am to 8pm from Thursday to Saturday (including 23 December), and from Sunday to Wednesday between 10.30am and 6.30pm. On 24 December the bollards at those locations will be raised in the ‘up’ position, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. The bollards on Bridge Street and Watergate Street will continue to be closed from 10.30am to 8pm daily.
From 22 November until 21 December, bollards opposite the Storyhouse will be closed, on Saturdays, from 10.30am to 8pm, and on Sundays, from 12pm to 6pm, for the duration of this period. On 23 December the bollards will be closed from 10.30am to 8pm.
From 07 November until 23 December, bollards on Princess Street will be closed 24/7 for the duration of this period.
Chester’s security bollards will also be in place during graduation week due to the high number of people expected in Town Hall Square. Subsequently the bollards will be in place from the Storyhouse junction daily on the 4 to 7 November from 10.30am to 5pm as a number of graduation ceremonies take place at the Cathedral.
In addition, the bollards will be in place for the Remembrance Sunday commemorations on the 9 November
Your questions answered
There is no specific threat to Chester at this time; however, we constantly review our security arrangements and at this time it is the view of the Council and Cheshire Police that due to a number of factors including the current national threat level and high numbers of visitors to the Christmas Market and city centre we have taken the decision to implement a range of safety measures to help keep the public safe. These closures are part of that security plan.
Yes - these closures are legal and have been implemented under powers provided to the Council under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984. We have put these closures in to protect the public.
Blue Badge holders are advised that there are a range of alternative parking available in multi storey car parks, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3JJ and Hamilton Place, Chester, CH1 2BG and on roads outside the central streets. If you are a Cheshire West and Chester Council registered Blue Badge holder and you are in receipt of a micro-chip your badge will give you four hours free access to any Council pay on foot car parks.
Details can be found on the Car parks in Chester page. There is also an allowance for Blue Badge holders to park on yellow lines for up to three hours, and in limited waiting bays for an unlimited amount of time.
Chester Park and Ride services from Wrexham Road, Upton, and Boughton Heath will be operating an extended late-night service (to approx. 9pm) on Thursday's from November 20 until December 18 2025, which may be of assistance. Further details or alternatively you can plan your journey on public transport by visiting https://www.traveline.info/
Blue Badge holders are advised that there are a range of alternative parking available in multi storey car parks, Frodsham Street, Chester, CH1 3JJ and Hamilton Place, Chester, CH1 2BG and on roads outside the central streets. If you are a Cheshire West and Chester Council registered Blue Badge holder and you are in receipt of a micro-chip your badge will give you four hours free access to any Council pay on foot car parks.
Details can be found on the Car parks in Chester page. There is also an allowance for Blue Badge holders to park on yellow lines for up to three hours, and in limited waiting bays for an unlimited amount of time.
You can organise to be picked up from the hotel rear entrance in the Grosvenor Shopping Centre car park, level 2. The car park, which is adjacent to the hotel, is accessed from Newgate Street, off Pepper Street post code CH1 1DE. The hotel can be accessed directly from level 2 of the car park.
You will need to arrange a pick-up point as close to your destination as possible and walk to collect the individual concerned. Frodsham Street is a recommended location for this purpose.
We would recommend changing your delivery times to between 8pm and 10.30am from Thursday to Saturday, and to between 6.30pm and 10.30 am from Sunday to Wednesday or askdelivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the goods into your store.
Not until after 8pm from Thursday to Saturday, and after 6.30pm from Sunday to Wednesday. We would recommend asking delivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the refit materials into your store.
We would recommend parking in one of the many car parks in Chester. Chester Park and Ride services from Wrexham Road, Upton, and Boughton Heath will be operating an extended late-night service (to approx. 9pm) on Thursday's from November 20 until December 18 2025, which may be of assistance. Further details or alternatively you can plan your journey on public transport by visiting https://www.traveline.info/
Not during the closure period. However, you can access it between 8pm and 10.30am every day (and between 4.30pm and 10.30am on 24 December).
No as St. John Street is a one-way road.
We would recommend parking in one of the many car parks in Chester. Chester Park and Ride services from Wrexham Road, Upton, and Boughton Heath will be operating an extended late-night service (to approx. 9pm) on Thursday's from November 20 until December 18 2025, which may be of assistance. Further details or alternatively you can plan your journey on public transport by visiting https://www.traveline.info/
No - we would recommend parking in one of the car parks in Chester. Chester Park and Ride services from Wrexham Road, Upton, and Boughton Heath will be operating an extended late-night service (to approx. 9pm) on Thursday's from November 20 until December 18 2025, which may be of assistance. Further details or alternatively you can plan your journey on public transport by visiting https://www.traveline.info/
No – the only vehicles allowed access during these hours will be for exceptional and pre-arranged circumstances. These include emergency service vehicles, bridal cars attending weddings at the Grosvenor Hotel, funeral cars attending funerals at Chester Cathedral and Wesley Church, emergency utility works vehicles, emergency Highways and Lighting works, and Council waste collection vehicles.
Only in line with the parameters set out in your premises' alfresco licence.
The Council and its partners review the security arrangements for all major events including the Christmas Market.
Yes.
You should email the following Council Services as far in advance of the event as possible to consider any issues: artswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and parking@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
The Council and its partners have the following alternative arrangements to support Blue Badge holders and disabled visitors affected by the current security arrangements:
Blue Badge Microchip
Cheshire West and Chester registered Blue Badge holders can register to have a micro-chip applied to their badge for four hours free access to any Council pay on foot car parks. To apply for access via our ANPR (Automated Number Plate Recognition) system please email our parking services team.
Disabled Drop Off
Blue Badge vehicles will be permitted access, Monday to Friday, to drop off at the night-time taxi rank and adjacent bays on Northgate Street opposite the new Coachworks Arcade. On Saturdays, and Sundays (from 12noon to 6pm), Blue Badge vehicles will be permitted to drop off at the night-time taxi rank on upper Northgate Street next to the Storyhouse.