Security measures in Chester city centre
Preparations for the Christmas festivities start in Chester on 12 November as building starts for the annual Christmas Market in Town Hall Square. The Market will open on 18 November with the 12 Days of Christmas parade officially starting the celebrations on 19 November.
Enhanced security measures have been in place each year over the Christmas period. This additional security is to protect shoppers visiting the city centre, the Christmas market and shops in Chester.
Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride said:
Each year we carefully consider the security measures required to ensure the safety of residents, businesses and visitors. Chester welcomes far more people during this period and removing vehicles from the city centre aims to make the experience far better for most people. The additional security measures were introduced a few years ago, supporting our cctv cameras that are monitored 24 hrs a day. All of the activities in place are reviewed before, during and after the festive period to ensure the maximum security with the minimum disruption is in place. I’m sorry for anybody that’s inconvenienced but I’m sure they will understand why these measures are in place.
From 18 November to 22 December, the city centre bollards at the Town Hall Kiosk and St. John’s Street will be raised in the ‘up’ position for a longer period than usual, between 10.30am and 8pm Thursday to Saturday (including 24 December) and from 10.30am to 6.30pm Sunday to Wednesday. On 24 December the bollards will be closed from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
In addition, on Saturdays from 21 November the bollards opposite Storyhouse will also be closed, from 10.30am to 8pm, and on Sundays, from 12pm to 6pm, for the duration of this festive period. There will be an additional closure as the Christmas market is taken down on 23 December.
Bridge Street and Watergate Street closure times until 8pm will remain as normal throughout this period.
Princess Street bollards will be raised in the ‘up’ position, seven days a week, from 2 November until 24 December.
All parking, loading and unloading will be prohibited within the protected area whilst the road closures are in place. Any vehicle found parked within the area after 10.30am will be asked to leave, and/or receive a Parking Charge Notice (PCN).
Only bridal cars attending weddings, funeral cars, emergency service vehicles, emergency utility works vehicles, Council waste collection, emergency lighting and highways vehicles will be allowed access into the central streets of the city during these hours.
Businesses, deliveries, blue badge holders and residents will not have access during these hours.
There is a range of alternative parking available in multi storey car parks, Hamilton Place, Frodsham Street and on roads outside the central streets for blue badge holders affected by this change. 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 Coachworks Arcade. On Saturdays, and Sundays (from 12pm 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.
Retailers in the city centre should arrange for all their deliveries to be made between 6.30pm and 10.30am (Sunday to Wednesday) and between 8pm and 10.30am (Thursday to Saturday) or ask delivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the goods into their store.
Chester Local Policing Unit Commander, Chief Inspector Paul Fegan said:
To ensure our streets are safer for shoppers, visitors, residents, and workers, we believe it’s vital that we work closely with our partners, local authority, businesses, and the public to disrupt all types of criminality. While the measures in place in Chester City are designed to help keep everyone safe, you too can also play your part by being vigilant and reporting anything that doesn’t seem right. We can all play our part.
You can report suspicious activity by calling 101, 999 in an emergency, or by going to gov.uk/ACT or calling 0800 789321