Maray to make Chester debut

Having opened two sites in Liverpool and another in Manchester, the restaurant group will now bring its Middle Eastern-via-Paris-inspired cuisine to a third North West city, taking the former North Light unit.

Maray has signed a 15-year lease on an 8,600 sq ft at Chester Northgate. North Light was the last tenant to occupy the space, which is located at the entrance to the Coachworks Arcade, but closed its doors in January.

Maray co-founder and managing director James Bates said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing our fourth Maray site to Chester.

“It’s a city I have previously worked in and long admired, and we feel it shares a lot of the same spirit and character that made us fall in love with our first site on Bold Street. We can’t wait to open the doors and become part of the community.”

Barker Proudlove advised the landlord, Cheshire West and Chester Council. Sixteen Real Estate acted on behalf of Maray.

Tom Prescott, director at Barker Proudlove, said Maray had been a long-term target for the scheme.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: “The arrival of Maray in Northgate is great news for Chester, bringing an innovative and fresh culinary concept to the city and creating new jobs. Thank you to Maray for choosing Chester to expand their business.”