We’re investing £150,000 into previously unloved railway arches in Kitchen Street, Chester. Two empty arches will be receiving significant improvement works, in order to bring these spaces back into use for small businesses. This is part of The Arch Company’s Project 1000 development plan, where a thousand arches will be turned into new spaces for small businesses by 2030. 

Arches 5 and 6 on Kitchen Street have been earmarked for redevelopment in the coming months, to be brought up to a better standard. These spaces have been vacant since 2013 and 2014 respectively, and we are eager to restore them to their full potential. We then hope to see new businesses move into the spaces once works have been complete. The investment includes improving the façade of the arches so it looks smarter, as well as refitting the interiors and lining the spaces. Works are expected be completed by the end of autumn 2022. 

Kitchen Street’s arches are home to a number of busy local businesses already. The location – in a residential area but a stone’s throw away from Chester Racecourse and a series of serviced apartments – is particularly strong and provides an exciting opportunity to create a great new space. The expectation is that a shop or similar business type will move in, to take advantage of passing trade from the racecourse, nearby options for car-parking and local residents. 

One local business has already snapped up an opportunity to move into Kitchen Street. Independent coffee shop Jaunty Goat joined the parade of arches earlier this year as part of their expansion plans. Thanks to the size of the space, they’re able to use it as a base for storage and distribution for their wholesale side of the business, as well as for selling their delicious vegan coffee to customers visiting Chester Racecourse and local residents. 

Joanne Cruickshank, Lettings Manager at The Arch Company said, “It’s great to see new businesses taking advantage of Kitchen Street’s great location. Having more independent small businesses move into the area – and provide jobs – is such a positive change and I would anticipate these arches to be popular when the works are complete. To anyone interested in renting a space, I’d advise getting in touch soon.” 

The Arch Company is investing in similar spaces across the country. Our railway arches in Wigan, Windsor and Bristol have been recently earmarked for development, with many more to come. For every arch that exists, an average of five people are employed, so we’re proud to see the positive impact that Project 1000 will bring in terms of employment to urban areas also. 

For more information about available arches, please contact Lettings at The Arch Company by visiting The Arch Company website here.