Chester Timeline - Twentieth Century

20th Century Style

Like most cities, Chester changed dramatically during the 20^th Century. The rise of the motorcar influenced the city's expansion and development. Traffic problems began in Chester as early as the 1930's. The narrow "Wolfgate", in the eastern city walls, became a bottleneck for vehicles. An aptly named "Newgate" was built in 1938 to manage the increased volume of cars and buses entering the city.

 [Right The Forum, Northgate Street, 1993. Watercolour over pencil by Alister Winter Roberts. The Town Hall area was extensively redeveloped in the 1960's with the new municipal offices, market, shopping centre and theatre. The Forum shopping precinct was officially opened in 1973. Since 1993, the overhanging offices have been removed and a new façade added.

Luckily, Chester escaped the bombings and mass destruction suffered by nearby Liverpool and Manchester to survive the Second World War relatively unharmed. Although local firms switched their production to wartime essentials, Chester continued as a shopping, entertainment and tourist centre throughout the 1940's. "Business as usual" was Chester's wartime motto.

It was during the 1960's that Chester experienced its period of greatest change. The city centre saw large-scale re-development particularly, around the Town Hall area. A modern shopping precinct, the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, was constructed behind Eastgate Street and Bridge Street. A new inner ring road cut a swathe across the city. Unfortunately, many historic buildings were demolished during this expansion.

More recent development schemes have stressed conservation the improvement and refurbishing of buildings rather than demolition. Since 1969, over 600 historic buildings have been restored within the city.

The late 20^th Century has seen a move from city centre to out of town shopping developments. An expanding business park has been established on the outskirts of the city. Chester continues to grow and develop.

Visitors come from all over the world to explore the city. The Cathedral, historic Rows, and Roman Amphitheatre (discovered in the late 1920's) continue to thrill and delight. Chester Zoo opened on the outskirts of the city in 1931.

Chester has a unique character; a blend of old and new. Respecting the past, the city continues to mature and develop into the 21^st Century and beyond. 

[Above] St. Martin's Gate, 1993. Watercolour over pencil by Bernard Howard. St. Martin's Gate was built to keep the walls circuit intact after the inner ring road was constructed. It was opened in 1966 and is a typical example of 1960's modern design.

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