Why Invest in Chester?
With origins dating back to at least AD70, Chester is a city with a rich history. It is the most complete walled city in Britain, and the Romans called it Deva.
Chester’s population is now estimated to be between 88,725 and 119,900, with forecasts indicating it will grow by 5% between 2005 and 2021. The wider area, including Deeside and Wrexham in North Wales, has a population of around 357,700.
Chester’s history makes it a popular tourist destination. The Chester area attracts millions of tourist visits a year, contributing £2 billion to the local economy.
Chester has a strong economy, with a vibrant job market and growing real incomes. Key industries include public services, financial services, and high-tech sectors such as biotechnology. Major employers include Bank of America Merrill Lynch, M&S Bank, and Airbus.
Chester is known for its excellent schools, leisure amenities, and strong wage levels, making it one of the best places to live in the UK.
The city has good transport links, with a free bus service from the train station to the city centre. It is close to the M56, M53, and A55, offering fast links to Manchester, Liverpool, and North Wales.
Chester offers a range of attractions, including the Grosvenor Park miniature railway, the largest Roman Amphitheatre in the country, the Eastgate Clock, and the Chester Rows—a unique arrangement of galleried, half-timbered shops. The city also boasts a vibrant food and drink scene, including the popular Jaunty Goat coffee shop and The Chef’s Table, an award-winning gluten-free restaurant.
Chester Zoo, one of the largest in the UK, and Chester Races, held on The Roodee, attract thousands of visitors, boosting demand for holiday accommodation.
Property investors may be interested in the Chester Northgate scheme, which aims to create a leisure destination in the heart of the city with a cinema, new market, cafes, bars, restaurants, and co-working spaces.
Chester is also a university city, with around 19,00 students, offering opportunities in the student accommodation market.