Glowing praise has been heaped on Storyhouse, Chester’s £37 million cultural centre which opened last year.

The accolade came from former city MP Christine Russell who said it was the “greatest thing that has happened” in the 44 years she has lived in Chester.

She described the city centre arts facility as an “inspirational investment” by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) and a “brilliant example of a great partnership” between a local authority and other supporting organisations.

Mrs Russell, who chaired the city council planning committee for many years before she became MP, made her comments at the Chester Civic Trust New Year Honours 2018 awards ceremony.

Her remarks were endorsed by Cllr Louise Gittins, CWaC deputy leader and cabinet member for culture, leisure and wellbeing, who said the council was keen to work in partnership with both public and private organisations to act as a catalyst to encourage “high standards in terms of development, planning and architecture”.

It was the 12th year of the New Year Honours which celebrate ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly’ of new buildings and developments in Chester in the eyes of a small judging panel from the Civic Trust, which describes itself as ‘the leading local voluntary organisation dedicated to the preservation of our built heritage and the general improvement of our urban environment’.

Mrs Russell, who now chairs the Civic Trust, told award winners at Bishop Lloyd's Palace, Watergate Street, that the intention was to “recognise and celebrate progress made” in terms of the built and cultural environment, developments that “really do improve the quality of life for the people of Chester”.

Chairman’s Special Award The Ark Sculpture Exhibition An outstanding exhibition at the Cathedral that has won national acclaim and attracted international coverage.

The judges were unanimous in their praise of the quality of the exhibition and that entry was free which encouraged and achieved widespread engagement.

The Good

  • Culture – Storyhouse: a development of massive cultural significance for the city, delivering top class productions to national acclaim.
  • The judges were unanimous in their praise of the council, Chester Performs and the ‘Save the Odeon’ campaign for having the vision and desire to bring a hugely important project to fruition and for the team operating it in ensuring the quality of output.
  • New building – the River Garden, Sandy Lane, a simple and elegant new building which enhances the view from the River Dee and the Meadows.
  • Renovation – Wesley Methodist Church, St John Street: no longer a traditional chapel but a versatile and attractive space. The judges commended the trustees for having the vision to bring the chapel into wider use.

Commended

  • Heritage initiatives – opening Chester Castle to the public in the summer of 2017.
  • Publicly accessible spaces – the reopening of Rocky Lane walkway between Parkgate Road and Liverpool Road.
  • New buildings – Bus Interchange, Gorse Stacks: the judges praised the council for delivering a modern and interesting building.

The judges would have considered the project for a formal award, but for some issues as to functionality in terms of protection from wet weather in the covered exterior areas.

The Bad

  • Maintenance – of the Rows and City Walls and a general decline in levels of maintenance for the historic public realm.
  • Maintenance – the Flat Shed, Tower Wharf, one of the gems of the canal age. Judges agreed that its disuse and decay, which has continued since the 1980s, should be highlighted in the hope that it will prompt something to be done in terms of renovating a significant building.
  • Maintenance – continuing lack of activity in relation to Dee House: it has now been a considerable time since the council struck a deal for the property to be turned into an upmarket hotel.
  • Publicly accessible spaces – a general concern about amplified music being played in public spaces such as the Rows (not buskers) which does not encourage people to live in the city centre.

The Ugly

Maintenance – of Off the Wall bar: the terrible state of repair of the upper floor of this bar (again).

Publicly accessible spaces – derelict landscape of the former bus station: while the judges appreciate there are plans for this area they will take some time to come to fruition.

In the meantime this large expanse of derelict land could and should be put to better use, possibly for car parking.

Signage – at the newsagent at the new Bus Interchange.