Appendix L Chester Characterisation and Vacancy Assessment continued

from CHESTER: RE-IMAGINING THE HIGH STREET

Summary & Conclusion

Bridge Street

Bridge Street is arguably the premier destination in Chester’s retail core. Permeating from the Cross in a southerly direction, Bridge Street is largely pedestrianised, has clear vistas, rich heritage assets including The Rows, a diverse offering, and plentiful space for outdoor dining.

The Rows are key to the street’s character, providing visual interest and vibrancy, and maximising dwell time with opportunities to explore areas of Bridge Street not readily discernible from Street level. However, many units at The Rows are vacant or cater to the evening economy and therefore appear vacant during the daytime. The Rows are also dark and inaccessible to some.

The ‘Three Old Arches’ at Bridge Street with its medieval undercroft and shopfront is one of the oldest shops in the country with origins dating to the 13th Century. Chester’s primary undercover shopping centre, Grosvenor Shopping Centre, is also accessible from Bridge Street at Row level. The character of Bridge Street changes at Feathers Lane where it opens to vehicular traffic.

Bridge Street falls away to the south towards the River Dee. Trees across the River Dee are discernible looking southwards, and St Michael’s Church is a strong feature at the junction with Pepper Street; the view northwards towards The Cross provides an impressive view of the St Peter’s Church Tower which is distinct from neighbouring buildings.

The majority of Bridge Street is designated Primary Shopping Frontage on the Council’s adopted proposals map. The frontage at the southern end of Bridge Street is designated Secondary Frontage. The Rows are designated secondary frontage.

Bridge Street is unusual in that it doesn’t have a single drinking establishment at ground floor level. There is a high number of cafes and restaurants, benefiting from outdoor seating areas, along with retail provision. 18% of units at the ground floor are vacant, as set out at Table 3 below.

There are 52 discernible units are The Rows, 62% of which are occupied and 38% vacant. Notably, there are 7 vacant units in a row at the west side of The Rows closest to The Cross.

BANKING/ESTATE AGENTS CAFE/RESTAURANTS