Despite dozens of companies closing their doors and falling into administration, Chester high street is being transformed by an influx of new cafes, bars, clubs and boutiques which are drawing shoppers from far and wide. Over the next three weeks the Chronicle will turn the spotlight on the new businesses and investments which have opened in the centre and looking at what keeps people coming back to Chester. Rachel Flint reports

Unique, aspirational and enterprising independent retailers are revitalising Chester’s high street and putting the city back on the shopping map, say city centre managers.

Despite major retailers feeling the pinch with TJ Hughes, Habitat, Hawkin’s Bazaar, TM Lewin and Jane Norman closing their Chester high street stores during the past few months, a surge in new small businesses is helping to keep shoppers flocking to the city centre.

Since the start of the new year a range of new boutiques, hairdressers, cafes and bars, and fashion stores have filled up empty retail units and, with more new businesses set to open in the coming weeks, city centre managers are heralding the influx of independent traders as an ‘exciting investment’ for Chester.

The news comes as Chester scored one of the lowest retail vacancy rates in the North West, falling below the regional average of 19% and national average of 14.3%, according to a report published by the Local Data ComCompany.

Chester city co-ordinator Stephen Wundke praised the enterprising nature of the new business owners and independent traders, who are helping to attract shoppers to the city centre despite the attractions of out of town shopping centres and online bargains.

“Our footfall has been steadily rising over the past three years, which is partly down to the range of exciting events and festivals which keep people flocking to the centre,” said Mr Wundke.

“When business owners see a city centre where the footfall is increasing against a regional and national bleak backdrop they are going to want to open their companies there. This is not to say that the streets in Chester are paved with gold, but shoppers are continuing to come here because we have such an exciting range of independent retailers.

“We have lists of people waiting for retail units of certain sizes, but there is no denying that there is still work to be done especially on the rows.

“Everybody is working really hard at the moment. The retailers are having to offer better and more specialist deals to get people back onto the high street and off the internet.”

Mr Wundke said that with the announcement of plans for major retailer Debenhams to invest millions revamping its city centre store, while The Chester Grosvenor is currently preparing to open a chocolatier to go with their new improved La Brasserie, it shows the future is looking bright for Chester retailers.

“The future is looking very exciting for Chester at the moment, with applications for investment in the city by Waitrose and chains such as Debenhams investing and improving their stores.

“It is a vote of confidence that major retailers are investing in the city and want to set up and improve their businesses here. We still have a lot of work to do, but shoppers will continue to come to Chester.

“We all have an obligation to encourage independent business owners, especially those who are bravely setting out for the first time. We wish them every success and are really excited to see what the future will bring for them.”