Retail Chester

The retail sector is well established as a strength in the Chester economy. Retail accounts for circa 20% of all jobs, £500 million to Chester's economy with over 13,000 people employed in the sector. Six million visitors are attracted to Chester and spend at least £350 million in local shops, as well as hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Chester was recently ranked best city in England to visit and tenth most profitable in a survey of English towns and cities. It offers an impressive international commercial centre with specialist shops and department stores, as well as Chester Market. The main shopping area, within the beautiful historic walled City makes it a truly pleasurable experience to walk between the shops.

It has unique character in its two-tiered gallery of shops called "The Rows", traditional black and white buildings have been restored and re-developed to provide easy access to Chester's main shopping streets. It also offers high quality new and refurbished retail units.

City Centre Management, works in partnership with retailers and others to boost trade, improve efficiency and raise standards.

City Centre retail developments have included: the redevelopment of the former Owen Owen department store into 10 new retail units, and new plans are in the pipeline for the redevelopment of the whole Northgate Street area.

Out of town retailing in Chester is within 1-2 miles from the City Centre making it easily accessible by public transport, and includes the Greyhound Retail Park, Chester Retail Park, Boughton Retail Park and the Caldy Valley Retail Park.

Chester is also close to other major out of town retailing complexes. Cheshire Oaks, designer outlet village, based in Ellesmere Port, opened in 1995 and is continuing to expand. The Broughton Shopping Park, in Flintshire North Wales, comprises a variety of shops and restaurants.