DEVELOPING closer relationships with retailers, strengthening partnership working and creating new business opportunities are among the top priorities for the new chairman of Chester City Centre Manag ement.

Stephen Welch, chief executive of Chester, Ellesmere Port and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, took on the additional role this month and hopes to see significant progress within his first 12 months of office.

'Chester has an excellent reputation for retail, attractions and visitor services - that's why people come here,' said Mr Welch.

'However, they won't keep coming - and we won't be able to attract new visitors -if we don't up our game and give them more reasons to choose Chester for their day trips and short breaks: not just at Christmas or the holidays, but throughout the year.

'We can't afford to be complacent. 'There are still too many people that don't know what we have to offer; we need to make more of our unique selling points.

We need to fight for business, and we can only achieve success through teamwork.'

Mr Welch added: 'There are issues in the city centre: we need to recognise and address them and provide solutions. City Centre Management's role is to provide focus, bring people together and help identify external funding sources. On its own, CCCM can achieve little. We need partnerships to achieve the success we're looking for.'

'Visitors and residents want to see change - we need to bring a wider range of dynamic businesses to the area to enhance our reputation for choice and quality.'