Chester Market celebrates second birthday with new traders and a prize for its five millionth customer
As the multi-award winning Chester market approaches its second birthday, it will have welcomed almost five million customers through its doors since opening in November 2022.
All the market’s stalls are fully occupied, with three new traders joining the varied range of existing traders in recent weeks to broaden the market’s non-food range - a vintage clothing stall, ladies hair and beauty salon plus a lifestyle, homeware and gifts store. A fourth new trader is in the process of fitting out their stall and is expected to open later this year.
Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:
A prize package of £200 market vouchers, market goodies and a year’s membership to the Picturehouse cinema next door is on offer for the five millionth lucky customer that will be selected during November.
During the birthday weekend of 8 to 10 November free market tote bags will be available from the market’s goods traders on any purchases over £10.
The market has been recognised by industry experts for setting a new benchmark in how to revive an existing market and pioneer improvements such as extended opening hours, providing a broader range of goods and authentic street food options plus creating a vibrant and inclusive social space that has increased footfall five-fold compared to the old market’s last year of operation in 2021.
The market was also recently hailed by Muddy Stilettos as Chester’s top place to eat, as part of its best places to live in 2025 rankings which compared towns and cities across the county.
The market is operated by Cheshire West and Chester Council and is the cornerstone of the Northgate development phase 1, which has become a major leisure attraction in the heart of Chester’s historic city centre and includes a six-screen Picturehouse Cinema, Cosy Club, Northlight and Turtle Bay restaurants, Bridge Street Coffee, Fit Collective, 800 space car park, four office suites and a new public square.
The three new traders have opened in recent weeks and have settled well into the community of traders:
The Vintage Spot is the go-to destination for sustainable clothing and accessories for men, women and children in the market. The stall is the brainchild of Shaf who already runs the Guroma Bangladeshi street food stall in the market with his brother Saif, and has opened The Vintage Spot with his partner Lydia. Shaf said:
Ruby Hair & Beauty opened by Ruby, an experienced hairdresser and beauty therapist, having trained at Cheshire College and worked in Spain, in spas and most recently at Ellesmere Port Market, but this is Ruby’s first venture on her own. Ruby offers a wide range of treatments, specialising in eyebrow and eyelashes alongside waxing and hair dressing. Ruby said:
& Friends stock a wide range of jewellery, cards, candles, scents, home fragrances, art prints and craft kits. Owned by partners Yasmin and James, & Friends was born in summer 2023 with their first shop in Heswall and now Chester Market is their second outlet. James said:
In the run-up to Christmas the market will be opening on Mondays from 18 November until 30 December from 10am to 10pm.