Enjoy a Shopping Break in Chester

The shops in Chester have something to offer everyone, no matter what their taste or budget.

Chester may possess all the modern day favourites for indulging in a spot of retail therapy, but shopping in the city centre always feels like an enjoyable mix of both the present and the past. Whether you’re heading up the steps to the quirky stores that can be found on The Rows, Chester’s unique and historical first floor shopping walkway, or exploring the shops of Eastgate Street, the city’s heritage is on display all around you. Confined in the famous city walls, Chester has all you could possibly want from a shopping perspective in a convenient and easy to navigate area. And if you have time to venture outside the city walls, there’s even more shopping waiting on the other side.

Shop Undercover

Its central location and choice of around 70 stores including high street favourites. Debenhams, H&M, Jigsaw, Top Shop and L K Bennett make the Grosvenor Shopping Centre the most popular Chester shopping centre, particularly when it’s cold and rainy outside. This spacious, well laid out shopping centre also has a good selection of jewellery shops, mobile phone stores and independent retailers. There is also a good choice of places to eat and drink including Costa Coffee for a hot drink and maybe a slice of cake, and Ed’s Easy Diner which is popular with families for its quality burgers and shakes. The Forum Shopping Centre, which is just steps away from Chester Town Hall, is the place to head for good value everyday essentials, and one of the most popular places to pick up high street brands for less than you would usually expect to pay.

City Centre Shopping

Shopping amidst the ancient architecture contained within Chester’s historic city walls is always a pleasant experience as you’re never too far from the shop you want to visit next. Most of the big names are present with Watergate Street, Eastgate Street and Northgate Street offering a great selection of boutique-type shops and fashion retailers including Jo Malone, Zara and Molton Brown. Chester also offers shoppers the chance to experience a unique piece of history when they visit the shops of The Rows. These half-timbered galleries that you climb steps to access form a second row of shops above the ones on ground level. A few of the buildings have survived since the 13th century and there are small, quirky shops devoted to model railways, jewellery, gifts and more.

Designer Discounts

It’s well worth taking the short journey out of the city centre to the huge Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. Thousands arrive here every day to explore the purpose built walkways that offer big discounts on prestigious designer brands like Gucci, Mulberry, Burberry, Armani, Polo Ralph Lauren and more. The high street is also well represented with discount branches of All Saints, Clarks, French Connection and Joules, to name a few. Kids are kept happy with two play areas and there are lots of familiar places to eat and drink including Pret a Manger, Pizza Express and Carluccios. The Cheshire Oaks shopping area was recently expanded and now boasts a sustainably-built M&S which is the second biggest in the world.

To Market

The indoor Chester Market is open six days a week and is a great way to see the city at work and play as the stallholders tout their goods and locals enjoy a good browse. Anything goes here with stalls devoted to food, drink, fashion, health and beauty, fancy dress, pets, fabrics, jewellery, gifts and much more. Tuesday is the day to go if you’re a vintage fan as this is when the Antique, Collectable and Vintage Fayre takes place. If you’re in Chester on the third Saturday of the month, don’t miss the Taste Chester Farmer’s Market outside Chester City Hall where you can buy the best artisan meats, pies, cheeses, cakes and other delicacies the local producers of the area have to offer.