Hotel Chester, TAG Chester, p Cavendish

DAY Architectural is drawing up the plans for the Chester hotel. Credit: via Cavendish

Vision unveiled for 142-bedroom Chester hotel

TAG Chester’s proposals would see the transformation of the former Mecca Bingo hall at Union Terrace to provide overnight accommodation and “act as a catalyst” for the city’s rejuvenation.

The developer has launched a consultation on its proposals for the 142-bedroom hotel, which would sit along Chester’s Shropshire Union Canal. The consultation will run until 15 December and can be accessed at hotelchester.consultationonline.co.uk.

Provisionally named Chester Hotel, the DAY Architectural-designed development would provide a mix of standard and deluxe rooms in the city centre, reflecting Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ambition to support the growth of the area’s visitor economy.

Designs for the building have been inspired by the city’s history, and will see the partial demolition of the existing derelict property on site to make way for the hotel’s development.

The mock Tudor frontage of the existing building would be retained, while new-build proposals include a prominent archway feature and the creation of columns in between hotel windows to reflect historic proportions.

Inside, hotel guests would also have access to a ground-floor restaurant with canalside views, along with indoor and outdoor seating.

Dating back to 1931, the former Mecca Bingo site is a dominating local feature. Originally home to The Gaumont cinema, the building was repurposed as a bowling alley in the 1960s, before operating as a bingo hall from 1970 until its closure earlier this year.

Zerum is advising TAG on the plans for the development, which would create an estimated 110 full-time jobs during construction as well as around 80 jobs to be available upon completion.

Luke Averill, director of TAG, said: “We firmly believe that Hotel Chester responds to the council’s vision for this area and will act as a catalyst for the rejuvenation of this part of the city.

“With the increasing demand for places to stay overnight in Chester, as the city’s visitor economy continues to grow, we take pride in offering a development that will cater to this need.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted in January for the development, with TAG anticipating a winter 2026 completion date subject to approval.

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Having recently moved to Chester, I’ve been walking past here along the canal towpath and often thought the old bingo hall is a blight on the area. The proposal looks relatively handsome and addresses the canal as opposed to turning its back on it. I hope this sees the light of day.

By Anonymous

Would be a shame to lose one of the old cinema buildings, but this hotel would have a nice frontage with the canal. It seems high quality with the brick arches, window set backs and brick detail that’s proposed. A flexible structure to allow apartment conversion if needed would be useful, as there seems to be so many hotels going up at the moment.

By Yoshi

Hope this gains some momentum.

By Anonymous

Being born and bred in Chester the canal system out of Chester has been carefully developed over the years with some great businesses along the way. The only trouble with more hotels coming to the city is the road infrastructure already in place, it really is struggling already so it will be interesting to see if this has been considered

By Anonymous

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