The organisation driving the regeneration of Chester has unveiled a new set of priorities to make the city “an even greater place to live and work”.
The Chester Growth Partnership – formerly Chester Renaissance – has set out a series of priorities that focus on attracting more investment, retaining visitors for longer and securing the benefits of being a key part of the Northern Powerhouse.
Under the chairmanship of Guy Butler, who was appointed in the summer, the partnership will focus its attention on delivering the five work streams of investment, dwell, engage, housing and infrastructure.
Each member of the partnership will be a champion for Chester and aligned specifically with one of the work streams.
Guy said: “This is an exciting and challenging time for the Chester Growth Partnership. Every partnership member is 100 percent committed to making Chester an even greater place to live and work and we need capitalise on the opportunity to be part of a vibrant region.
“The Northern Powerhouse and HS2 are going to have a significant impact on Chester over the next 20 years and for the benefit of the economy l believe we need to be working collaboratively and strategically to maximise the impact of growth for Chester and the sub region.
“I would like to thank the members who have left the board as they have played a key role in getting Chester to where it is now. The Chester Growth Partnership will comprise several Renaissance Board members and some new members who have applied through an open advert.”
Councillor Samantha Dixon, Chester Growth Partnership Member and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The Chester One City Plan and the delivery of the key projects that are currently underway – including the Business Quarter, Northgate and the Cultural Centre – remain at the heart of delivering an attractive and vibrant city of the future.”
“The challenge for the partnership is to ensure we are an integral part of the sub-regional architecture and work with the other partners in the north of England and North Wales to maximise our economic potential.”
The first partnership meeting took place on 26 November 2015 and the new website and business plan will shortly be available with details of all the new board members.