Chester Northgate hit by gas incident

The market area of the development will remain closed today, following a small gas explosion in the yet to be opened Turtle Bay unit on Wednesday evening.

Neighbouring operator Zizzi will also be closed for the day.

The incident occurred at around 6,30pm, with fire crews remaining on site for the following five hours.

A spokesperson for Turtle Bay told Place North West: “Last night, we were informed that a suspected gas explosion occurred inside our unit in Chester Market, which is yet to be open to the public. It resulted in injuries to three of our contractors, who were taken to hospital.

“We are offering them all our support and our thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time. We are currently gathering information from the local authorities and helping with the investigation. We are extremely grateful to the emergency services who arrived on the scene quickly.”

A statement issued by Cheshire Constabulary last night said: “Emergency services are responding to what is thought to have been a gas explosion at a premises within the Chester Market development on Hunter Street.

“Three people have sustained serious burn injuries. They have been passed into the care of paramedics and are being conveyed to hospital.

“An evacuation of the Market and surrounding buildings has been undertaken and road and pavement closures are currently in place in the nearby streets while the scene is made safe.”

According to The Standard, although the market was evacuated, other night-time venues in the area were able to remain open.

Although the car park at Northgate was closed to incoming vehicles, people already parked there were allowed to return and collect their cars.

Chester’s new market opened its doors in November, notching up 300,000 visits within its first month of operating.

Cheshire West & Chester Council’s most recent statement, issued in the late morning, said: “Following the incident in the Northgate unit next to Chester Market on Wednesday evening, further investigations are underway to establish the cause of the gas explosion and the work necessary to ensure the safe opening of the building.

“As a result, Chester Market and Zizzi will remain closed on Thursday. The Health & Safety Executive are on site investigating the incident supported by Cadent and Council staff.

“Further updates will be provided once the initial investigations are concluded to allow the Market and Zizzi to reopen as soon as possible.”

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service posted a series of updates on the incident, with the last one posted noting that all crews had left the scene having been in attendance for around five hours.

The £70m first phase of the long-awaited Chester Northgate development opened in autumn 2022, with a tenant line-up including  Cineworld brand Picturehouse, the Florist, Cosy Club and Zizzi. In December, it was announced that Caribbean restaurant chain Turtle Bay would open a 3,000 sq ft restaurant at the site in March.