The city council has agreed to lease the former Post Office on Watergate Street, opposite Bar Lounge, to the football club.

The shop, which will run in association with Gazelle Sports, is to sell club merchandise which was previously available from Queensferry Sports in Deeside including football shirts, trainers and club merchandise.

It will also sell match and season tickets and lottery tickets.

Managing director Bob Gray has insisted the money will be available to fund the new shop but is unsure when.

He said: "There is a lot of refurbishment that needs doing.
"It's going to take time."

Asked about when the development could start, Mr Gray said: "It's unsure.

"It depends on finances because we haven't got a lot of money kicking around.

"We have to find money to fund it through season ticket sales and other money and if the owner can give us more money.

"The guy (club owner Stephen Vaughan) is putting money into the club and we thank him for it."

Signs have been placed in the shop window which say: "Chester City Official Club shop opening soon in association with Gazelle Sports."

Mr Gray said: "The shop will be in easy locality for the fans to get to.

"It's worthwhile for fans who can go and buy what they need.

"We're trying to give the fans what they want."

Meanwhile the club have announced a new sponsorship deal with a company owned by Mr Vaughan called Cestrian Trading.

Main sponsor UK Sameday have pulled out of the main sponsorship after three years of support.

Cestrian Trading will be the new shirt and stadium sponsors for two years while it is hoped the stadium can be renamed the Cestrian Stadium in a five year deal.

Cestrian Trading is an international trading company which imports and exports throughout Europe and the Middle East, specialising in the trade of mobile communication products and CPUs.

Mr Vaughan said in a statement on the official football club website: "These are exciting deals for the club.

"The deals will be worth about half a million pounds to the club over the period of a few years."