CHESTER city centre had more business openings than closures in 2020 – in spite of the coronavirus pandemic. The city s retail scene is also taking on a new look, with more independent retailers, venues and eateries taking the place of chain stores and restaurants. While the city was not immune from the devastating economic effects of the ongoing pandemic – which even now sees all non-essential retailers forced to keep their doors closed during lockdown – Chester BID has revealed how the high street is changing. The business improvement district has now launched an Independent Business Guide in response to the dramatic change in the city’s retail and hospitality sector – and in their continued battle to save the high street during and post-pandemic.
MORE businesses are set to open their doors for the first time on a brand new Tyne Valley retail park. Discount store B&M has already opened at Tyneview Retail Park in Prudhoe, with supermarket chain Aldi set to open on January 14, and local business Cafe Ginerva set to follow shortly afterwards. The Tyne Valley s hotly anticipated first McDonald s restaurant has plans to start trading from a new drive thru unit next Spring, and the chain s iconic logo has already gone up. The scheme is a joint venture between Northumberland County Council s development company, Advance Northumberland, and Northumberland Estates - the Duke of Northumberland s property arm.
Unit 3, Valley Retail Park. Photo: RIGHTMOVE A PROMINENT building owned by a retail giant has been put on the market. Unit 3 Valley Retail Park, in Hexham, which is home to Poundstretcher, has been put up to rent. The 7,515 sq. ft. premise is listed on online property market place Rightmove by Leeds-based Barker Proudlove Limited, with price on application. The retail park is home to Homebase, Pets at Home and Majestic Wine, and if the store is to close, would join Argos, the Edinburgh Woolen Mill and Tui as casualties of Hexham high street. Readers of the
Hexham Courant online took to social media to express their sadness at the possibility of losing the shop.