Contractor sought for £300m Chester scheme

Cheshire West and Chester council has begun its hunt for a construction partner to carry out the £300m revamp of the Northgate area of Chester city centre.

The council is looking to create 500,000ft2 of new retail, restaurant and leisure facilities, plus some residential over two construction phases.

The Chester Northgate scheme will include the development of restaurants within the shell of the current library building, a new market hall replacing the current Chester Market, a six-screen cinema and a new, 167-bed four star hotel and conference centre to replace the current Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Cheshire West and Chester council is aiming to select a contractor by March next year and is targeting starting on site with the scheme by the end of 2018 subject to the secretary of state confirming a compulsory purchase order to secure the land in the development.

Contractors have until the end of September to submit with those shortlisted notified in October.

Councillor Stuart Parker said: “The start of the appointment process for the contractor is a clear indication of the pace that is being maintained on the delivery of this critical project.

“It is important that our historic city remains relevant and is a vibrant centre where people want to come to shop, live work and spend their leisure time and Chester Northgate supports these ambitions”.