With the news that Chester Renaissance is to be renamed Chester Growth Partnership, its chairman, our very own Guy Butler explains what this means for the organisation.
Formed over five years ago to assist in the regeneration of the city, it became custodian of the One City Plan, a long-term vision drafted in conjunction with the Urban Land Institute.
With a new name, it returns to its roots, which is to promote and secure investment in, and the development of the city. And its focus has grown; whereas in the One City Plan years it was looking largely at the environs in and around the city walls, it now includes the wider city, such as the zoo and the business park. So it is focused, but more widely so.
It will secure change by having five working groups, and by appointing a board that has the experience and a passion for these areas. The working groups are investment, housing, infrastructure, dwell and engage.
Investment seeks to understand and seek out investors, and when in conversation, to have the key information and statistics to prove that Chester is a worthwhile proposition when in comparison to other opportunities. By mid 2016 a better understand of who these parties are and why they want Chester will be known; and we will be prepared for the conversations with an open source presentation with relevant data.
Housing works on the basis that there are too few people living in the centre of the city. Residents bring vibrancy, footfall, trade, security and cleanliness. And people in the very centre of the city are what is required. In my past experience, creating good places for people to live (within Liverpool ONE) has changed the dynamic in the city centre; it is a nicer place to be and I believe that the same can benefit Chester. The group will encourage and identify opportunity for housing and actively promote growth in this sector.
Infrastructure is simple, but a long-term initiative. In essence, rail connectivity to Manchester and Liverpool from Chester is poor, and is harming the growth of the city. Targets such as a quick rush hour service with capacity and better station parking have been set. In the shorter term some attention to city centre parking – signage, quality and numbers are on the agenda.
Dwell is about getting people to spend more time and money in the city. They are coming and there are attractions, but these need to be set out to entice people to stay for longer. Working with the university, the zoo and the cathedral are some of the first steps, and already a few quick wins have been identified.
Engage is about being a real part of the Northern Powerhouse. Chester is not considered a serious player and we need to find our place in this debate.
Working to interact with our neighbours in North Wales and Cheshire, with Liverpool and Manchester, and more widely with London and worldwide. We have many friends; but we have lost contact and the job is to engage and connect.
The Board is fresh, relevant and hungry. They all have a connection with Chester but come from more widely in the northwest, and are passionate about change. The website is being updated and there will be more information on them there.
A business plan has been drafted to run to next summer. This will be on the website as well. We are going through a change phase. Change to improve and be clearer about what we need to do. By summer 2016 this change will be complete and we will have a platform to build on securing the investment in and development of Chester.
The Board working group leaders are engaging with a range of people to support the initiatives, and if you are interested in supporting the Partnership we would welcome your support.
The first port of call should be Chris Capes at the Chester Growth Partnership office on 01244 973164 or email christopher.capes@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk