CHESTER Market will have welcomed almost five million customers through its doors as it approaches its second birthday this month.

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: “It's wonderful to see Chester Market going from strength to strength with all stalls occupied and attracting such quality new goods and service traders whilst continuing to achieve such a huge footfall is a tremendous feat.

“The market has helped transform the city centre and is now a huge hit with residents and visitors alike; our plans for Northgate Phase 2 will help to further boost the city centre by creating new spaces to live work and play  to replace the former market and Forum site.”

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. 

Lockwood & Co, Pastry Pedaleur, Crustum, Geoff Hughes Family Butchers and more are celebrating two years at Chester Market.Lockwood & Co, Pastry Pedaleur, Crustum, Geoff Hughes Family Butchers and more are celebrating two years at Chester Market. (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

During the birthday weekend of November 8 to 10, 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.

Recent additions

The three new traders have opened in recent weeks and have settled in well:

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: “Gone are the days where 'vintage shop' hails a vision of dimly lit rooms, unloved clothing and the smell of mothballs; The Vintage Spot is here to change all that.”

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: “I am really excited to be setting up my own business and I couldn’t think of a better place than Chester Market.  I love the atmosphere and the wonderful community of traders we have here.” 

& 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: “We’re big on shopping small, so the driving force behind & Friends is to give small businesses, designers and makers the opportunity to get ‘retail ready’ and showcase their brands in a professional retail setting and championing them to our customers; we are delighted to be expanding into the incredible Chester Market and look forward to expanding our range and offering craft courses too.”