Chester: Council to work with Rows redevelopment think tank

Chester Great and Small (GAS) is working with Council to produce a 'how to' guide to attract investment in the mixed-use development of one of the city's most historic features.

Unique to Western Europe and dating back to the 13th century, the system of half-timbered galleried walkways run above the street-level shops, giving access to a second tier, which has been added to and rebuilt over the following centuries. Meeting at ‘The Cross’ the Rows are a surviving element of the Roman fortress and as Chester’s four main streets they have strongly influenced the form and layout of the surrounding city.

The Council will be working with a number of leading professionals in the city, with team initially led by senior officers Rob Charnley and Lee Nickson.

GAS expertise will be provided on a pro-bono basis from three of its ambassadors and leading architects – Tony Barton, chair of Donald Insall Associates (DIA); Guy Evans, director Cassidy + Ashton (C+A) and Tony Swindells, founder director of developer Openhome (OH) and GAS vice-chair. The trio will combine their respective expertise across architecture, heritage, planning, development and investment strategy.

The Reimagining the Rows guide will include case studies identifying challenges and showing the best practice for Rows properties - such as the recently completed C+A scheme at 19 Eastgate Street, together with speculative suggestions for both the Dutch Houses on Bridge Street and Grade 1 listed Leche House on Watergate Street - which will be produced to showcase the ‘living over the shop’ concept adapted for 21st Century needs, whilst respecting and retaining original historic features.

These case studies and supporting policy documents will complement existing plans produced by DIA for the Council earlier this year. Currently undergoing a 12-month trial, a summary document will be published in 2024. The review will coincide with the launch of the Reimagining the Rows guide, with the intention to formally present the finalised version at UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May 2024, with GAS as a supporting partner to Chester BID’s #InvestChester campaign.

GAS say that they have recognised the opportunity for private sector volunteers to work collaboratively to drive regeneration and growth to ease pressure on local authority budgets. With a decline in high street footfall, they say private investment and the development of upper Rows floors into residential accommodation will see an increased, sustainable and diverse city-centre population.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Leader’s Champion for the One City Plan said: "The Rows have a vibrant and exciting history, but over the past century the hidden spaces above the lower levels have become used for storage, or worse, not used at all. Now is the time for Chester to be encouraging property owners to invest in bringing these spaces back into use as homes or studio spaces.

"People want to live here and they want to work here, and what better place than the unique Chester Rows. These quirky and interesting spaces, steeped in hundreds of years of history, need to return to their original purpose as homes and business places for the people of Chester."

Tony Swindells, director, OH and GAS vice-chair commented: "The key to regeneration is collaboration. Within Chester there is the talent, expertise and insight to deliver internally. Together, working as a team, we can unlock the full potential and historical significance of the Rows as a unique mixed-use set of buildings."

The Reimagining the Rows project is intended not only to bring about positive action against a key One City Plan objective but also to provide much needed protection for one of Chester’s most iconic heritage assets.

In recent years the Rows have also benefited from Government funding of £1.08M for Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) improvements which are still being rolled out.