A NEW Chester city centre bar and restaurant is to open its doors next week.

North Light on Northgate Street, at the Coachworks Arcade entrance, is run by the same company as the people behind fellow city centre venue The Botanist, New World Trading Company.

It is set to open its doors to customers on Bank Holiday Monday, May 8.

North Light aims to support the local community, shine a light on up-and-coming artists and champion the city’s rich history and unique creative scene.

Its website welcomes guests to “eat, drink, work and play in a space that's steeped in history and open to new creative possibilities”. 

On the menu are speciality coffees, pastries, brunch dishes, appetisers and charcuterie and cheese and deli sharer plates.

Also offered will be a selection of grilled dishes and classic roast dinners.

For the night scene, an on-site DJ will play tunes and a curated cocktail menu will provide plenty of choice for night-time revellers.

Away from food and drink, North Light says it will continually look to emerging regional artists to showcase their work throughout the venue, providing a platform for local talent and creating an ever-evolving look and feel for the site.  

The first works on display at the venue have been selected in partnership with Modern Art Chester, showcasing artists Ali Kippax, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, regularly paints outdoors, in and around the Wirral; Lucy Elizabeth Jones, who is keen to explore forgotten areas of the city and transpose them into rich abstract pieces; Jack Few, who explores the mediums of oil paint and wax in his rich, vibrant action abstractions and Matt Tibbott, whose exploration in painting has led him to create cutting-edge charcoal and geometric works.  

Juliet Cook, founder of Modern Art Chester, said: “The aims and inspirations of North Light align with the vision that Modern Art Chester has for its artists.

"This exciting new venue and concept provides the perfect space to promote and support local talent and we are proud to provide the first set of artworks to the venue. 

“The Coachworks building, the new home for North Light, was once home to the Chester Art and Recreation Trust back in the 70s. There are still practising artists in the city who were active in the venue at that time. They are thrilled it is being used again to house local artists’ work.” 

North Light takes its name from the optimal light for creativity, combined with the beautiful light from its unique glass building, the rich history of Northgate and its proud northern location. 

There’s indoor and outdoor seating at the venue, to be enjoyed with views of the city. 

For more information, visit https://northlight.uk.com/