A TRADITIONAL Chester hotel and a quirky nightspot make strange bed fellows but each hopes to benefit from the unusual union.

The Chester Grosvenor in Eastgate Street has signed a 10-year management deal with Oddfellows bar, restaurant and hotel in Lower Bridge Street.

Collaboration between the two landmark venues is part of an ambitious expansion project which will see Oddfellows increase its number of rooms from four to 18, redevelop its popular garden and revamp its restaurant and bar.

In addition, Oddfellows’s relationship with celebrity chef Richard Phillips is to end. Instead Grosvenor executive chef Simon Radley will open a new restaurant with a Mediterranean themed menu – his first outside of The Chester Grosvenor.

Grosvenor spokeswoman Mary Murtagh said: “We believe this management agreement is a win-win for both businesses as Oddfellows is transformed into a boutique hotel.

“The Chester Grosvenor brings the expertise of operating a hotel to the table. The Chester Grosvenor has been around for a long time and is a very stable business. We know the regional, national and international market extremely well. We believe The Chester Grosvenor can add real value to this exciting project.”

Oddfellows approached The Chester Grosvenor team some months ago believing its vast experience in delivering a five star service would be helpful as the four-year-old business embarked on the hotel expansion plan.

It represents the first outside venture for The Grosvenor which was established in 1866.

A spokesman for Oddfellows said: “We look forward to working with The Chester Grosvenor to establish a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar that continues to improve the city as a business and leisure destination.”