Chester Northgate

The regeneration of Northgate is a key priority for the Chester One City Plan. In 2022, Northgate Phase One opened which included a vibrant new 36,000 sq ft indoor market, restaurants and 10,000 sq ft of offices, alongside a new square, arcade and an 800-space multi-storey car park plus a new six screen Picturehouse cinema.

The new award-winning ‘modern-traditional’ Chester Market is home to 30 traders covering produce, goods and food. A tremendous success to date, the market has welcomed almost nine million customers since opening.

Building on this success, phase two of the Northgate development aims to deliver a new residential community of more than 400 sustainable homes, including affordable housing, to open up a forgotten quarter of the city and help repopulate the heart of the historic city.

Alongside new homes, the scheme includes public realm and supporting infrastructure, designed to enhance accessibility and further boost economic growth, through attracting investment and increasing footfall.

The masterplan will look to the future, while restoring and honouring the city’s historical street patterns to create an inclusive community inspired by Chester’s heritage.

The proposed scheme will allow the Town Hall building to be unwrapped and appreciated again, no longer attached to and overshadowed by the former Forum Shopping Centre and Council offices.

The evolving masterplan also includes initial proposals for a new cultural building opening onto Town Hall Square that could enhance current provision in the city and support uses such as gallery and performance spaces, community spaces and exhibitions celebrating Chester’s unique history.