Chester Northgate – a new market and leisure destination in the heart of Chester

After over 20 years of planning, delays and false starts, Northgate Phase One is now open and has helped transform the northwest of the city centre, including:

• A six-screen Picturehouse Cinema
• Cafés, bars and restaurants – including Cosy Club, North Light, Bridge Street Coffee, Zizzi and the newly opened Turtle Bay plus coming soon BoBo and more
• A fantastic new award-winning indoor market, see more at www.newchester.market
• Multi-storey New Market Parking and Cycle Hub
• Fit Collective fitness studio
• Four office suites.

The development builds on the success of the adjacent Storyhouse cultural centre and complements the existing businesses on Northgate Street. The old library frontage has been transformed into the new Coachworks Arcade and provides a stunning arched entrance into the development, which is also accessible from Hunter Street and Princess Street.

The scheme has also created a new public Exchange Square for the city, linking the new market hall, Storyhouse and the Town Hall. See our Northgate Fast Facts page and our Frequently Asked Questions, plus our YouTube Northgate channel and more about the Archaeology of the site.

Northgate Future Phases

We are now turning our attention to the future phases of Northgate; this will be focussed on the development of new high-quality homes and improved connectivity of the site to the existing Northgate Phase One development and to the wider city centre. The development would also include high quality public spaces plus associated uses to support the vitality and viability of the scheme.

The Northgate Phase Two area includes the former Forum shopping centre and offices, Hamilton House, Merchant House, Goldsmith House and former Gateway Theatre. Covering the size of almost 3 football pitches, the potential of the site to create a new residential community offers a once in a generation opportunity to bring new life in the heart of the historic city centre.

Bringing households back into central areas has several long-term benefits; they generate economic growth which will support businesses, provide sustainable city centre living and inclusivity of place.  It is also extremely beneficial from an environmental perspective to house residents close to places of work, shops and entertainment.

We currently expect to begin engaging with a preferred development partner in early 2025, and will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders through the One City Plan working groups to ensure that this next phase of development meets the needs of Chester.