Appendix L Chester Characterisation and Vacancy Assessment continued

Northgate Street

Northgate Street is a key route into the City Centre from the north of Chester. It extends from the Fountains Roundabout north of the historic walls to The Cross at the heart of the City Centre to the south. The section of Northgate Street within Chester’s retail core (within the historic walls) extends to approximately 400m in length. It is a diverse street with a variety of functions and uses and is the location of the Chester Town Hall and Town Hall Square.

Due to the influence of the highway network, and in part due to the architectural style of buildings, Northgate Street can be broadly divided into three sections: Northgate Street south of the historic walls to Hunter Street, Northgate Street adjacent to the Town Hall Square, and Northgate Street leading to The Cross.

Northgate Street south of the historic walls to Town Hall on both sides of the street is designated Secondary Shopping Frontage, making way for Primary Shopping Frontage through to The Cross, on the Council’s adopted proposal map.

Northgate Street south of the historic walls to Hunter Street

The Grade I Listed Northgate provides a strong gateway into the Chester retail core. There are a wide range of buildings of differing styles accommodating a range of uses at this section Northgate Street, many of which have heritage value, including 11 separate listings. The predominate scale of buildings is 3-storeys, although there is more variety of scale at the west side of the street.

This section of Northgate Street is open to vehicular traffic, although it is limited to one-way vehicular movements in a north-south direction. There is also a cycle lane which is limited to one-way movements in a south-north direction.

Travelling south from Northgate, observers are promptly met with Centurion House, a modern 4-storey office building which is described as a ‘key detractor’ in the Chester Characterisation Study by virtue of its intrusive scale and materials. It is unclear whether the upper floors of Centurion House are occupied. Similarly, Gateway House opposite Hunter Street is a modern office building which detracts from its surrounding, though is of a scale consistent with neighbouring buildings. Gateway House accommodates a range of food / takeaway establishments at the ground floor.

Also of note is Rufus Court, located opposite the restaurant Chez Jules. Rufus Court is an interesting commercial area off Northgate Street which accommodates a range of uses including retail, cafes, and drinking establishments. The Storey House theatre is also an imposing building from the south, with its southern elevation comprising 5-storeys.

Northgate Street adjacent to the Town Hall Square

Between Hunter Street and Hamilton Place / St Werburgh Street, although the character of buildings and establishments at the east side of Northgate Street continue, the general character of Northgate Street changes with the introduction of public realm and as the imposing Town Hall comes into view.

The Town Hall Square is a major civic space with the capacity to hold a variety of events. Opposite the Town Hall is the Grade II Listed Chester Magistrates Court, combining to give a sense of the long-standing civic importance of Chester. There are various benches and places to dwell in the Square. It is at the Town Hall Square where vehicular traffic is restricted by a manned access barrier. Traffic signage is evident in the adjacent to the Square which detracts from the character of the civic space.

Abutting the Town Hall to the south is the Forum Shopping Centre which dates to 1973. The Forum Shopping Centre has a modern appearance which detracts from the historical character of the Town Hall and adjacent Square. One of the units at the Forum which fronts onto the Square is vacant. Unsympathetic vinyls currently occupy the glazed element of the window of this vacant unit.

There are two notably vacant buildings at this section of Northgate Street: The Co-operative Bank and part of The Place for The Arts in Chester unit. These two premises hold prominent corner locations.

Northgate Street leading to The Cross

The southern section of Northgate Street leading to The Cross is pedestrianised and is characterised by retail uses. All buildings at this section are listed, except 1-3 Eastgate which is designated a Building of Merit (1-3 Eastgate has a frontage on Northgate Street). Nos. 1 to 31 Northgate Street, which comprises the western side of this southern section, is of particular interest.

The width of Northgate Street reduces at this southern section in keeping with the heart of the retail core at The Cross. This dynamic creates the impression that one has arriving at the city’s historic centre. The narrowing streets mean the rich heritage features of the upper floors is less noticeable.

Between the Skipton Building and the Church at The Cross is an alleyway to St Peters Churchyard which accommodates a lively evening scene with The Commercial Bar and The Victoria public house.