New and new-look Chester businesses reopening on April 12

Having been granted the official go-ahead for non-essential retail to reopen from Monday, a range of stores will look to welcome customers back through their doors for the first time in over three months.

Sergio's new alfresco dining area will be open.

And as well as some old favourites, there will be a number of new names adorning shopfronts in Chester city centre.

Renowned Chester-based fashion designer Matthew O'Brien has launched ‘Haus of MOB’, a loungewear/ sportswear diffusion line.

Haus of MOB will be open on Eastgate Street Rows.

He said: "Chester is definitely on the up in terms of retail. We have always known the city centre attracts visitors looking for unique and interesting shops and boutiques – and the pandemic has only enhanced that.

"Our independent retailers and hospitality businesses have had the ability to adjust and innovate during these lockdowns – for us at Matthew O'Brien it meant creating a more relaxed diffusion line, as our customers are enjoying a more casual approach to life."

Hamayuu, new Japanese restuarant on Watergate Street.

Japanese restaurant, Hamayuu has opened on Watergate Street, whilst The Hotel on Newgate Street is to open bookings from April 12.

Forthcoming openings include restaurants Izikaya and Artezzan, and the much anticipated Wildes hotel.

The Hotel, Newgate Street, Chester, is to open soon.

Many hospitality businesses too have increased their capacity for alfresco dining.

Other businesses like Weasel and The Bug, Sweet Elements and Beer Heroes have used the lockdown to refurbish their premises significantly.

Sweet Elements on Northgate Street.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the city has seen positive outcomes from the high street, placing Chester in an optimistic position in comparison to many other city centres.

Carl Critchlow, Chester BID manager, said: "2020 and 2021 has been full of unexpected positive stories from our high street – we’ve seen an influx of independent businesses open through the pandemic environment and it is shaping our city centre into one that will be stronger than ever."

Kingdom of Sweets will be reopening its doors.

In 2020, more businesses opened in Chester city centre than closed, with almost 80 per cent of those opening coming from independently owned businesses.

Chester was also named as Britain’s 20th best performing retail centre out of a list of 1,000 compiled by retail property consultancy, Harper Dennis Hobbs. Chester is also one of the most decorated northern cities in this year’s Michelin guide.

Natures Garden, in the grounds of Chester Cathedral, will be open.

Mr Critchlow explained: "It is the nature of our amazing city that has helped its success.

"It is smaller, easier to navigate, feels safer than larger cities and has many interesting venues and premises with character and great architecture.

"As well as that, we attract tourists for everything else the city has to offer, so the retailers and hospitality businesses benefit from that footfall hugely. Lots of commuter towns and smaller high streets have thrived during the pandemic, as people change their habits to shop local – Chester has enjoyed success for the same reasons – we still have a neighbourhood feel to the city centre which is only set to grow."