Improvements start in January on Chester’s historic Rows

The Chester Rows High Street Heritage Action Zone programme is progressing well following pilot work carried out on two stall board and walkway areas on Bridge Street Row West.

The work, overseen by Conservation Architect, Donald Insall Associates on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council is helping to guide the main programme of improvements to the walkways and stallboards that is due to take place from January 2022.  Most of the work will be carried out by March, and some will continue through to September.

Recclesia Limited has been selected as the contractor for the works, and it can now be agreed which areas will be tackled in which order.  Not everything will be done all at once, and the priority is to maintain maximum access to the Rows whilst work is in progress.  

Donald Insall Associates has proposed a new colour scheme for The Rows’ paintwork. There are painted samples on display at the pilot scheme locations 8 (Part) and 16-18 Bridge Street Row West. The paint colours are selected from the ‘Dulux Heritage Range’:

https://www.duluxheritage.co.uk/en/colours

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: “Chester residents are rightly proud of the Rows, so it’s exciting to think that in the New Year work will start to improve the walkway, ceiling, flanking walls, stallboards, balustrades, existing joinery, lighting, and signage on the Rows. We want this programme to assist as many properties as possible within the budget.

“Residents and businesses on the Rows have been asked to share their preferences on the proposed colours to be used on the ‘Flanking Walls’ which separate the stall areas for the Georgian or Regency and Victorian or Modern properties.”

A spokesperson for Historic England said: “Chester’s Rows are waiting to be explored and by working with local people on the options for making them even more welcoming, we’ll help to reveal more of the fascinating history of Chester.

“The Rows are their own community of shops, businesses and homes in addition to providing a grandstand view of the city itself”.

The Chester Rows High Street Heritage Action Zone is part of a national initiative to help historic high streets thrive. In Chester, the programme opportunities include making improvements to the Rows, including the painting of ceilings, flanking walls, balustrades, handrails, and columns to allow them to be presented at their best to all who work, live, and visit there. 

Details about the Chester Rows High Street Heritage Action Zone and proposals are on the Chester Growth partnership website:

http://chester.westcheshiregrowth.co.uk/projects/heritage-action-zone/

If you have any questions or comments about the proposals, or want to be added to the mailing list then email:

cgp@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Pictured - Chester Rows colours for Georgian and Edwardian.