Chester gaming shop primed to fill long-vacant unit
A change of use application has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, which seeks to transform a retail unit at 14 Northgate Street in Chester into an adult gaming centre.
Unit 14 has been difficult to let and has been vacant for around nine years.
Recently, retailer Lambretta held a temporary presence at the site. In 2018, agent Ockleston Bailey quoted £125,000 annual rent for the site, but by 2024, that figure had been reduced to £60,000 in an attempt to attract an occupier.
According to planning documents, the site was previously courted by Sofa Workshop in 2019, which rejected the property due to its “restrictive display window”, and Rudys Pizza in 2023.
Extraction issues have meant that restaurant use is no longer viable for the site.
In addition, the property is landlocked with a nightclub, Roise’s, above the would-be venue.
Now, applicant Webber’s Leisure wants to add the grade two-listed building to its portfolio of leisure facilities. Grimster Planning put the change of use application to the council on the applicant’s behalf.
The property could offer a combined 5,457 sq ft of sales space after work has been done.
Plans for the change of use have been drawn up by Design Architecture Interiors and concern the building’s almost 5,000 sq ft of floorspace.
In the centre of the room would be a main counter, and the walls would be lined with slot machines and adult games.
Webber’s Leisure already hosts an adult gaming centre in Chester at 28 Frodsham Street.
The neighbouring unit, 16 Northgate Street, was let to Edinburgh Wollen Mill in December 2024, after prolonged negotiations that began in 2023.
The site in question was originally marketed in November 2015 by Jackson Criss and Emanuel Oliver, both acting for landlords and occupiers. The owner at that time was CBRE GI.
To view the change of use application, use the planning reference number 25/00606/LBC on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning portal.
Disgraceful to let this happen in a prominent historical place in chester city centre. I bet this council wouldn’t let this happen at Cheshire Oaks
By Concerned Chester resident