Chester

The Town Hall Square in Chester lies on Northge Street near to The Cross at the city centre. It is bordered on it's east side by the main entrance to the Cathedral and the gateway through to the Cathedral Square with it's cobbled streets and Georgian terraces. On the western side of the Square is the Victorian Town Hall built in 1869, the Forum Shopping Centre dating from the 1990's and the library housed in an impressive red brick building that was once home to the Westminster Coach and Motorcar works built in 1913 and converted into the city library in 1984.

Chester Town Hall is built of grey and red sandstone and was opened by the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VII. This building replaced the exchange building that stood in the centre of the square and which burnt down in 1862. The Town Hall is used for civic events, council meetings, public fairs and weddings. The city tourist information centre can be found to the south side of the main entrance. Chester's city police station is situated on the northern side of the Town Hall building.

Next to the Town Hall is the Forum Shopping centre that houses a small number of shops and behind the Town Hall, the Chester indoor market. The market is open 6 days a week and houses a wide range of market stalls selling everything from meat, fish, cheese and vegetables to clothes, motoring accessories and military memorabilia. The current building dates from the 1990s when it replaced a 70's building that had itself replaced a Victorian market hall that reflected the style of the Town Hall next door.

Along the western side of the Town Hall Square are a number of public houses and restaurants and an ice cream parlour and at the northen end of the square is the now sadly closed Odeon cinema.

In front of the Town Hall is a sculpture called  "Celebration of Chester" by the sculptor Stephen Broadbent. Cast in bronze it was commissioned by Chester Cathedral, Chester City Council and Capital Bank in 1992. It's three figures representing, Protection (looking towards the town hall), Industry (looking towards the shops) and Thanksgiving (looking towards the Cathedral).

The first figure Protection, evokes the enfolding city walls and the civic responsibility of the individual and similarly the individuals responsibility to the community. The figure appropriately looks towards the Town Hall.

The second figure held within the protective cover is Industry. Its spiralling form bends towards the ground, suggestive of each persons need to work and be creative, adding to the health and wealth of the city. The figure inclines to the main shopping area.

The third figure Thanksgiving is centrally positioned, effectively protected by the other two figures. It looks toward the cathedral and symbolises the spiritual life of the individual and of the community and the freedom of personal expression        Stephen Broadbent

Also found along the pavements of the Town Hall Square are remains of Roman columns and other remains unearthed around the city.

Click on the thumbnail for an enlarged view of the  Chester Town Hall Square, Chester Town Hall and Chester Library photographs