A new indoor market in Chester will open in summer 2022.
The new market will feature refreshed branding and a new logo, incorporating a wild boar inspired by the site’s Roman heritage.
Chester Market will begin a new chapter in its history when it moves to the purpose-built market hall at the heart of the Northgate development, currently under construction.
The market’s new branding has been designed to take inspiration from Chester’s heritage whilst alluding to a more modern approach.
The Northgate site is rich in Roman history, much of it built by the XX Legion, whose symbol was a wild boar.
Their storerooms and barracks were located beneath the site where the new market will be situated, so it’s fitting that their legacy will be honoured.
Wild boars were once a familiar sight and food source in Cheshire, but were hunted to extinction by the Normans following their invasion in 1066.
The market’s brand colour palette is also inspired by the city’s past, with hues drawn from Chester’s sandstone walls and a Viking copper brooch found on the Northgate site.
The typography is inspired by the text on the demolished Victorian market building facade and the elaborate Edwardian type of the Westminster Coach Works (which will remain as the new arcade entrance to the Northgate development).
The process of recruiting traders to the new market will commence in January.
Anyone wishing to take space in the new market should contact the letting agents Barker Proudlove: jessica@barkerproudlove.co.uk.
Existing market traders will be actively encouraged and supported to make the transition into the new market as part of the selection process.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Now that the long-awaited Northgate Phase 1 scheme is underway, I am pleased to unveil the new branding.
“It looks forwards to a new phase in the city’s trading history as we create a modern, traditional market for Chester.”
Cllr Stuart Parker, Conservative Group member of the Northgate Members Working Group, said: “I am delighted to see plans launched for the new market.
“This will be an exciting new chapter in Chester’s history so it is especially pleasing to see the Northgate site’s heritage being referenced in the branding.”
Goods have been traded in Chester for over 2,000 years, and its market charter was granted in 1159.
Markets in the city were originally hosted on the streets and Rows, with the focus in Market Square, outside the current Forum entrance.
The site of the new market has seen every part of Chester’s history – from housing Roman barracks and stores, to Saxon houses, Viking raiders, medieval streets, church missions, schools, a foundry and most recently Chester Town Hall bus interchange.
