Protecting Chester city centre this Christmas

Additional security measures will be in place to protect shoppers visiting the Christmas market that opens on 17 November and shops in Chester this festive season.

From 17 November to 21 December, the city centre’s bollards at the Town Hall Kiosk, St. John’s Street, Bridge Street, and Watergate Street will be raised in the ‘up’ position for a longer period than usual, between 10.30am and 8pm seven days a week. The bollards are usually lowered at 4.30pm Monday to Saturday (and at 8pm Monday to Sunday on Bridge Street and Watergate Street).

In addition, on Saturdays from 18 November the bollards opposite Storyhouse will also be closed, from 10.30am to 8pm, and on Sundays, from 12pm to 6pm, for the duration of this period. On 23 and 24 December the bollards will be closed from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Princess Street bollards will be raised in the ‘up’ position, seven days a week, from 10 November 10.30am to 8pm

Only bridal cars attending weddings at the Grosvenor Hotel, funeral cars attending funerals at Chester Cathedral, emergency service vehicles, emergency utility works vehicles, Council waste collection, emergency lighting and highways vehicles will be allowed access into the central streets of the city during these hours and will also apply for the period 22 to 24 December between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

Blue badge holders, hotel guests, businesses, deliveries, and residents will not have access during these hours.

There is a range of alternative parking available in multi storey car parks, Hamilton Place, Frodsham Street and on roads outside the central streets for blue badge holders affected by this change. Blue Badge vehicles will be permitted access, Monday to Friday, to drop off at the night-time taxi rank and adjacent bays on Northgate Street opposite the new Coachworks Arcade. On Saturdays, and Sundays (from 12pm to 6pm), Blue Badge vehicles will be permitted to drop off at the night-time taxi rank on upper Northgate Street next to the Storyhouse.

Retailers in the city centre should arrange for all their deliveries to be made between 8pm and 10.30am or ask delivery drivers to park legally outside the protected zone and walk the goods into their store.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Transport, explained the measures:

“Ensuring residents, businesses and visitors can visit Chester safely this Christmas is the reason behind our increased security measures. Chester welcomes far more people during this period and removing vehicles from the city centre aims to make the experience far better for most people.     

“There will be some inconvenience, but our priority will always be to protect everyone attending shops, restaurants, events, and attractions. The hours when the city’s bollards are raised to the ‘up’ position will extend beyond the usual end time of 4.30pm for five weeks leading up to Christmas.”

Chester Local Policing Unit Commander Chief Inspector Paul Fegan said:

“To ensure our streets are safer for shoppers, visitors, residents, and workers, we believe it’s vital that we work closely with our partners, local authority, businesses, and the public to disrupt all types of criminality.

“While the measures in place in Chester City are designed to help keep everyone safe, you too can also play your part by being vigilant and reporting anything that doesn’t seem right. We can all play our part.”

You can report suspicious activity by calling 101, 999 in an emergency, or by going to gov.uk/ACT or calling 0800 789321