Chester aims to become the arts and entertainment capital of the UK by 2017

Dec 3 2009 By Chester Chronicle

A £50M blueprint to revive the city’s neglected arts and entertainment sector has been drawn up as part of Chester’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017.

A ‘seasonal’ venue in Grosvenor Park, a feasibility study into the creation of a new theatre and performing arts centre and turning St Mary’s Centre into a film arts and media venue are just some of the proposals.

The plan, which will go to the Cheshire West and Chester Council executive, follows encouraging feedback from assessors to the city’s formal ‘expression of interest’ in the coveted UK City of Culture title.

Originally the council had proposed to bid for the status in 2013 but has now decided to concentrate on creating venues first, before trying to claim the title for 2017.

The assessors’ report said: "The proposal sets out an ambitious plan with a strong focus on growing the visitor economy and an emphasis on substantial capital investment in existing and new cultural assets.

"If this was achieved it would represent a major step change in the nature and role of culture in Cheshire West and Chester."

Main features include:

Theatre in the Park, a purpose- built temporary theatre providing a four-week season on Grosvenor Park.

Transformation of St Mary’s Centre into an interim film arts and media centre.

Development of Chester Town Hall into a civic and arts centre.

Feasibility study into the construction of new theatre and performing arts centre.

Chester Gun Sheds to be used as rehearsal and workshop space for new theatre. 

Pursue campaign to bring replica of Elizabethan Rose Theatre to Chester.

Review and investment in the Grosvenor Museum offer plus further development of the city’s amphitheatre as a venue for major re-enactments and events.

Public consultation about the future of St Michael’s Church, Bridge Street, with suggestions ranging from continuation as a heritage centre to use as a premier exhibitions centre featuring touring exhibitions from galleries.

Work on virtually all these elements is due to begin in 2010.

Cllr Richard Short, executive member for culture and recreation, said the council’s expression of interest had been designed to test the water on the city’s projected cultural offer.

"We will not be standing still but we do accept the advice that our formal bid is best left until 2017 when the results of our investment are in place," he said.

"We are driving culture as a catalyst for community and economic regeneration."

Cheshire West and Chester Council leader Cllr Mike Jones, said the culture bid would form part of the authority’s 10-year investment plan on which the public would be invited to express their views next year.

He said: "We are developing a very exciting agenda for the residents of West Cheshire and we look forward to hearing their views."