Chester BID Business Growth Grants Continue to Invest in Success

We are proud to announce a new round of Business Growth Grants, with four city centre businesses receiving funding to support projects that will enhance their offer, attract more visitors and contribute to the continued success of Chester city centre.

Funded through additional income generated by Chester BID beyond the BID levy, the Business Growth Grant provides eligible BID members with up to £500 towards projects that help businesses grow, increase footfall, encourage longer visits and boost customer spending.

The latest recipients include Chester Boutique, tbc*, Chapters Book Bar and The Hole In Wand, with each business using the funding in different ways to invest in their future

Chester Boutique used the grant to install new shop fittings at its Bridge Street premises, allowing the business to relocate all of its stock under one roof. This investment has reduced operating costs, improved staff efficiency and created a dedicated runway space on The Rows, where the team now photographs new collections for its digital channels.

The Business Growth Grant has made a real difference to our business.

Being able to bring all of our stock under one roof has improved the day to day running of Chester Boutique, reduced costs and created a much better working environment for our team. We first heard about the grant through the Chester BID newsletter, and I'd encourage any eligible business to explore all of Chester BID's opportunities available.

tbc* invested their grant into brand new al fresco furniture, expanding its venue capacity and summer offering.

The grant from Chester BID helped us to not only increase how many people could use our al fresco area, but it also helped us improve our quality of offering.

Nicer furniture and a better space – all funded and supported before we started using it, taking away a lot of stress and financial pressure.

Chapters Book Bar has used the funding to purchase staging equipment for events, enabling them to create even more opportunities to welcome customers into the independent bookshop and encouraging repeat visits throughout the year.

Meanwhile, The Hole In Wand has invested in a brand-new Experience Room, introducing immersive, actor-led potion classes for families and adults. The new space also provides additional seating for guests to enjoy themed drinks and cocktails, accommodating up to 16 people. Complete with live storytelling, interactive special effects and fully immersive theming, the experience offers visitors another magical reason to spend time in Chester.

It's fantastic to see another round of Business Growth Grants making a real impact across our city centre.

Every business has identified a project that not only strengthens their own offer but also enhances Chester's visitor experience. Whether it's investing in new facilities, creating exciting experiences or supporting future growth, these grants are helping our members continue to evolve and thrive.”

It’s great seeing the variety of ideas that businesses bring forward through our Business Growth Grant scheme.

Every project is different, but they all have the same goal – creating an even better experience for customers and contributing to a stronger city centre. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these latest investments will have.

The Business Growth Grant forms part of Chester BID's wider Supporting initiative, which provides practical support, guidance and investment opportunities to help BID members succeed. Businesses interested in applying for a Business Growth Grant or Accessible Assistance Grant, can find more through the Chester BID communication channels.