Review: Chester’s new market

After nearly 30 years in the making, the much-heralded Northgate development is finally a reality and Chester has a new market hall. We Are Chester’s Paul Crofts went along to the new market, which is now open and bustling with people, for a sneak peek.

When our editor and founder Angela Ferguson invited me to join her at the official opening of the new Chester Market, it took me all of two seconds to say yes. On entering the newly opened Exchange Square, located off Northgate Street and accessed via the central arch of Coachworks Arcade (the old Library to you and I), we were greeted by a merry band of musicians, puppet creations from the Midwinter Watch Parade and of course, the obligatory cohort of Roman soldiers who led invited guests, councillors, and the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress through the doors into the new market for the very first time.

My first impressions – it is a fab new space, much bigger than I imagined with lots of very different and distinctive areas from the central hub and food court area to the more intimate Market Garden, which is quieter and great for a catch up with friends. It was fantastic to see several new traders alongside some familiar faces but I’m really sad that others aren’t there. It has the feel of something you would find in a much larger city and it certainly got the wow factor. 

So, what can you expect when you visit? The new market has taken on board many of the popular elements which made the old one such a success in recent years with some fabulous foodie stalls making up the majority of traders. Regular supporters of Chester Market will be pleased to see that eateries including MRKT Cafe, Nice Bites, Vegan House, Thai By Thai, Guroma and Sandbar Seafood Shack have made the move along with Stephanie Peters of popular patisserie Pastry Pedaleur, recently seen on TV as one of the finalists on TV show Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

One of the longest serving traders, Geoff Hughes of Geoff Hughes Butchers who cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony has also happily moved in, currently one of two traditional produce stalls, along with fishmonger Steve Cartridge. Lisa Dean of Purely Pots now also has a brand new, colourful flower stall that greets visitors as they enter the market in addition to her plant stall and the popular Crustum, who have been providing artisan bread and cakes since 2018 in the old market, are also up and running in their new space.

New foodie traders include Big Lola’s Taqueria, Cheshire Farm Ice cream, Cheezy Bandits, Mercato Pizza Co and The Fresh Pasta Kitchen. A central bar dominates the main seating area with a satellite bar located in the Market Garden area, both run by the owners of city centre bars Craft and Co and Liquor and Co based in Watergate Street Row. 

In addition to the array of food stalls, there are a number of new traders selling a variety of products including vintage clothing from Daily Wares, doggie grooming gifts and treats including dog friendly cocktails from Digby and Champ, personalised gifts courtesy of Custom Gift Studio, handmade cosmetics and skincare products from Alphy and Becs and even an optician in the shape of Pop Specs.

Mobile phone repair shop Japtech have relocated from the original market and Just Footprints, the environmentally-friendly store selling a wide range of household and loose goods which can be re-filled in customers own containers have moved from their popular store in the Forum Shopping Centre to the new market. 

The world famous and much-loved Chester in Lego is also moving across to the new space with a purpose-built display area nearing completion. The new market wouldn’t seem complete without it and I’m pleased that the display, curated by local legend Tony Chester of the Chester Blog has been provided with a new home, having raised much needed funds for several charities since its creation. 

So, overall thoughts. Is the new Chester Market a market in the traditional sense? No. Is it a modern take on a market, influenced by the likes of Borough Market in London and Liverpool’s popular Baltic Market? Most definitely.

Would I like to see more traditional market traders in there like a greengrocer, a deli or a cheesemonger? Absolutely. It’s worth remembering that Cheshire West and Chester Council turned down an initial application by popular and longstanding trader The Cheese Wedge which sparked an outcry from some local residents.

Thankfully, several traders including The Cheese Wedge, Death By Tacos, That Beer Place, Stile Napoletano and David Joinson Quality Meats have happily relocated and are trading successfully either in the city centre or the surrounding area. Maybe in time, the balance between foodie traders and the more traditional produce stalls will be redressed, it certainly seems that those in charge have taken note of popular opinion in the few short days since the market opened.

There is no denying that the developers and planners behind the Northgate development have delivered a market hall that Chester can be proud of, contemporary and spacious, whilst retaining traditional elements in its design and with some nice nods to Chester’s rich history and this market’s predecessors.

The use of timber, the lighting and planting, for example, and clean, functioning indoor toilets are definitely a bonus. Oh, and in the age of social media, no new venue would be complete without an instantly Instagram-able photo op – see if you can spot The Tardis. 

Chester Market is open Tuesday – Saturday (closed on Monday) 8am – 10pm and Sunday 10am – 9pm. Produce goods traders are open between 8am and 6pm and the food and beverage traders are open between 11am and 10pm (although some are open from 8am also). The market will be hosting live music on Saturdays evenings along with special events throughout the year, making use of the new performance area and also a new big screen which will show national sporting and other events.

The We Are Chester team will certainly be popping back for more visits and we are keen to see how the space evolves in the coming months and years ahead. Finally, we wish all the traders, old and new the very best of luck in their new home.

Photos: Paul Crofts