Consultation launched on plans for new 142-room Chester hotel
Developer, TAG Chester, has unveiled plans for a 142-canal-side hotel in Chester city centre.
The scheme would create 110 jobs created during construction, with around 80 roles in the hotel and office space on completion.
The development, alongside the Shropshire Union Canal, could be situated on a site currently occupied by a building most recently used as a Mecca Bingo hall which closed earlier this year, leaving the site derelict.
TAG Chester’s proposals make use of the site’s location within the designated Chester City Gateway bounded by Brookdale Place, Union Terrace and St Oswalds Way and feature the retention of the iconic mock-Tudor frontage.
The rear of the building is to be demolished and replaced with an exciting new piece of architecture, designed to reflect the city’s history and to be more sympathetic to its surroundings than the current structure.
The project, provisionally named ‘Hotel Chester’, is a thoughtfully designed scheme including a mix of standard and deluxe rooms. A new hotel in this location would be consistent with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ambitions for the redevelopment of the area, and support the growth of the visitor economy by providing the facilities for more people to stay in Chester for longer.
Research shows that visitors to Chester are predominantly day-trippers, and that there is local concern about the growth of Airbnb in the city. A hotel, enabling tourists to make longer visits to the city, would generate increased spending in the city’s economy and be an alternative to the short-term lets taking over local residential properties.
TAG Chester has launched a public consultation on the plans. A dedicated project website has been launched at hotelchester.consultationonline.co.uk. This platform provides a comprehensive overview of the plans, allowing for the sharing of valuable feedback until December 15.
A drop-in event showcasing the proposals will also be held at the former Mecca Bingo Hall itself, from 3pm-7pm on Wednesday, December 6. The venue is located at Brookdale Place, Chester, CH1 3DY.
Luke Averill, from TAG Chester, said: “We firmly believe that Hotel Chester responds to the council’s vision for this area and will act as a catalyst for the rejuvenation of this part of the city.
“With the increasing demand for places to stay overnight in Chester, as the city’s visitor economy continues to grow, we take pride in offering a development that will cater to this need. We hope the community will take time to explore our plans and share their valuable feedback.”
