Chester Market — Local services in Great Britain

I believe the market has shifted from its traditional charm and character, now resembling more of a food hall than a vibrant marketplace. The number of food stalls significantly outweighs the market stalls, which diminishes the overall appeal for those seeking a variety of goods. While it may offer a good selection for a meal, Chester's town centre is already saturated with restaurants, making the heavy focus on food stalls feel somewhat redundant.

It’s clear that the market has made efforts to address early feedback by adding a few more stalls, yet unfortunately, they don't offer enough to warrant a return visit. The butcher stall stands out, but it’s not something one would travel for.

While I acknowledge that large numbers of visitors will naturally pass through, similar to the footfall at fast-food chains like McDonald's, this should not overshadow the importance of maintaining a balanced offering of both food and market stalls. I’ve included a map to illustrate the discrepancy between food vendors and other market stalls. It’s important to note that while the feedback about the food-centric focus is shared by others, this feedback should be considered constructively rather than dismissed.

Acting in denial over the fact there are little market stalls will only make other potential customers think of the owners as incompetent and out of touch, also leaving evidence of a map detailing what stalls you have in the market/food hall is perfect for countering every time the owner has denied these claims.

Edit after reply from owner: The comparison made is factual, I wasn't comparing the standard of food, just the fact people will visit the same as a fast food restaurant. So claiming that as a positive is ridiculous. Also naming about 4-5 stalls doesn't change the fact it's mostly food stalls and laid out as...

On a recent trip to Chester, friends suggested checking out the new indoor market and food hall located near the historic city walls. Having read mixed reviews online, I wasn't sure what to expect from this modern interpretation of a traditional market space.

Right away upon entering, it was clear this was no normal market. You will find a very sleek, warehouse-style interior which feels more like a bustling food court than your typical greengrocers and stalls. Rows of various dining counters and bars lined the open-plan area, all very busy serving a mixed clientele.

Beyond the food, a collection of other retailers like a cheese shop, butcher, pet food and plant stalls added dash of market atmosphere. Upmarket perhaps, but the quality and presentation shone through.

The variety of cuisines on display is impressive: from Mexican tacos to Thai curry, gourmet Scotch eggs to wood-fired pizzas. Visiting in weekend and wet weather - the place was packed! Spotting an empty table was a mission but we managed to eventually to grab lunch of different street food.

While a pricier proposition than your average market, the space has clearly become a popular destination. With its focus on dining over shopping, Chester Market seems to have a unique identity blending indoor food court with independent producers.

Recommended to try when not too busy for a more...

We visited Chester as a Year 5 class for an event at the cathedral and were unexpectedly told we’d need to leave for two hours – something we hadn’t been informed of beforehand. With rain on the way and over 30 children plus 3 adults to look after, we needed somewhere quickly that could shelter us and allow the children to eat their dinners.

We turned up at Chester Market around 4:15pm on a Tuesday evening, not sure what to expect, but we were immediately welcomed in. The bartender, who we believe was called Sophie, couldn’t have been more accommodating. She reassured us that it was absolutely fine to take up the space, even though we weren’t buying anything, and she kindly offered us free water for the children – such a thoughtful gesture.

When the children needed to use the bathroom, the staff generously allowed us access to the disabled toilets to help us meet our safeguarding requirements. Nothing was too much trouble.

What could have been a very stressful couple of hours actually turned into a really positive experience. The children not only got to eat their dinners comfortably, but they also loved spending time in the market and even enjoyed singing along to the music playing.

A huge thank you to all the staff who supported us – you truly...