Chester’s Riverside Gets a Revamp

Visitors to Chester's River Dee will be greeted with a refreshed Groves area this summer, thanks to a comprehensive revamp led by Chester BID and their dedicated maintenance team, in partnership with local councillors.

Over the past month, Chester BID has completed a series of improvements to the riverside area, one of the city’s most visited and photographed locations. The work was delivered by Chester BID’s in-house Maintenance Operative team and funded in partnership with local Councillors Katrina Kerr, Paul Chamberlain, and Ben Walker.

The project included the painting of 116 black bollards, bike racks, 236 green benches, and a refresh of the much-loved bandstand, ready for the influx of summer footfall and several exciting initiatives. This includes Chester BID’s Summer in the City campaign, where activity will take place as part of River Week (4th-10th August).

The enhancements form part of Chester BID’s ongoing Enhancing Initiative, which focuses on creating a city that is clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone who shops, visits, and works in Chester.

We’re passionate about ensuring Chester is a place that delivers a memorable experience for visitors and supports our local businesses.

First impressions count, and by investing in the look and feel of key public spaces like the Groves, we’re not only creating a better environment for our customers and tourists, we’re also encouraging repeat visits and supporting the economic vibrancy of the city too.

The riverfront makeover arrives just in time for a season of summer activity in the area. This includes Paddington Bear’s month-long residency at Hickory’s Chester and the launch of Chester BID’s much-anticipated Summer in the City programme, which is expected to attract thousands of families and visitors to the city. During River Week, 120 free tickets will be available for 30-minute river cruises with Chester Boat Tours.

The River Dee is one of Chester’s greatest assets.

This work is about pride in place. It’s been a pleasure to collaborate with Chester BID on these enhancements, and I’m delighted we’re able to offer residents and visitors an even more beautiful, welcoming riverside experience. It’s a perfect example of what can happen when communities and businesses work together.

The award-winning Chester BID is funded by the businesses of Chester city centre and works year-round to champion local traders, enhance the environment, and boost footfall across the city.