Chester business news
Chester business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
Top story
Tata Chemicals Gives Northwich Track to Llangollen Railway
The first 60-foot rails from Tata Chemicals Europe's disused Northwich sidings have reached Llangollen and Corwen Railway. Updated November 2026.
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Food hygiene
Cheshire West Food Hygiene Ratings: 15 Rated 0 or 1
Sheradon Grill in Great Boughton was rated 0 and 14 places 1 in inspections since August. Of 58 October ratings so far, 56 are 5. Every low score, named.
Planning
Godstall Lane Bar Plan for Former Aldous Books Unit
The empty Aldous Books unit on Godstall Lane, Chester, could become a small bar open noon to midnight, with three part-time staff. Comments close 20 November.
Planning
Northwich M&S Foodhall Approved: 157 Spaces, 70 Jobs
M&S has planning permission for a foodhall on Leicester Street, Northwich, next to Aldi. Open 7am to 11pm, 157 customer spaces, about 70 jobs, and a new crossing.
Business
The Cycle Hub Wins UK Independent Bike Dealer of the Year
The Cycle Hub in Queensferry has won Independent Bike Dealer of the Year at the BikeBiz Awards 2026, beating six other UK shops in an industry public vote.
Business
Chester Market Manager Wins National Award, Stalls 100% Let
Chester Market's manager, Adele Thomas, has won NABMA's Large Market Manager of the Year. The market is still 100% let, nearly four years after it opened.
Northwich
Northwich Market Opens at Barons Quay, All 19 Stalls Let
Northwich's new Barons Quay market shuts Monday and Tuesday and opens late on Friday and Saturday. Opening times, all 19 traders and how to get there.
Elton
Encirc Elton: £98m Warehouse 44m Tall, 16 New Jobs
Encirc wants a 44 metre automated warehouse at Elton, near Ellesmere Port. It puts the build at £98m and the permanent jobs at 16. Comments close 8 October.
Jobs
Chester Area Claimant Count Hits 6,020, Two-Year High
6,020 people in Cheshire West and Chester claimed unemployment benefits in August, up 275 in a month. It is the highest count since September 2024.
Winsford
Winsford Market Door: Officers Reject 1,316-Name Petition
Officers want Winsford Market's side door kept shut on safety grounds, despite a 1,316-name petition. Councillors take it up at 6pm on Monday 7 September.
Northwich
Northwich Market Shuts 29 Aug, New One Opens 18 Sept
Trading at Weaver Square ends on Saturday 29 August. The new £1.8m market at Barons Quay opens on Friday 18 September, leaving 19 days with no market.
Planning
Chester Business Park: Wellness Centre and Pool Approved
Cheshire West approved a private wellness centre with a hydrotherapy pool and gym at 1 Lakeside on 13 August, beside an approved mental health hospital.
Planning
Chester Business Park Article 4: Office-to-Flats Route Cut
The council made Article 4 Directions for Chester Business Park, Gadbrook Park and Sealand. Comments close 5pm on 18 September; in force 10 August 2027.
Jobs
Chester area claimant count hits 5,920, up 245 in a year
5,920 people in Cheshire West and Chester claimed unemployment benefits in June, 2.6% of working-age residents, below the North West's 4.2% and the UK's 3.9%.
Business
Frodsham Tandoori owner calls liquidation vote for 19 August
The company behind Frodsham Tandoori meets creditors on 19 August to vote on winding up. The food register already lists a new Thai name at 25 High Street.