Press Release Summary = The walled city of Chester on the banks of the River Dee has long been a favourable place for people to live, but now it seems the property market could be showing signs of a new resurgence.
Press Release Body = The walled city of Chester on the banks of the River Dee has long been a favourable place for people to live, but now it seems the property market could be showing signs of a new resurgence.
Many buyers have been attracted to Chester for its close proximity to major cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, as well as the historic appeal of what used to be a Roman fort. The University of Chester also draws thousands of students to its main campus in the town and another in nearby Warrington.
Commenting on Chester\'s unique appeal, Rachel Graham, senior negotiator at Chester-based independent real estate agent PropertyDealsUK, said people are coming from all over the country to buy property in the town.
\"If they don\'t live here already and they move into the city, it is because it is Chester,\" she commented. According to Ms Graham, people come from as far as York and London to buy Chester property, with its heritage, racecourse, city living and \"new modern things\" among the core elements attracting buyers.
And over the next eight years, a number of new developments and investments are likely to boost the city\'s appeal even more. The city council has announced plans for an extensive programme entitled the Chester Renaissance.
It is believed thousands of jobs will be created and as much as £180 million will be ploughed into the local economy as part of the redevelopment of Chester\'s cultural infrastructure. The council hopes that it will significantly improve the heritage city\'s appeal as a place to visit, live and invest in, among other objectives.
Improvements will be made to the walls, rows and riverside of Chester, which the council claims \"will have important [uplifting] effects on the city\'s economy in their own right and increase investor confidence in Chester\".
Among the areas that have been targeted for redevelopment are the Castle, Cathedral and Grosvenor Park precincts, while the station is also set for a face-lift.
But according to PropertyDealsUK\'s Ms Graham, there are a number of main areas in the city attracting the interest of buyers, whether for pure investment purposes or for living. \"The Hoole area is very, very up-and-coming, very desirable,\" she commented, adding that Moulton and Handbridge are also sought after.
There is some buy-to-let activity going on in Chester, which is perhaps unsurprising considering its vast student population. But investment is taking place across all market segments, Ms Graham suggested.
The focus in the Chester property market is indeed on investment, she said, \"especially in rundown, larger properties\" that can be picked up at good prices in popular areas such as Hoole, she said. \"There are a lot of investors around at the moment,\" Ms Graham concluded.
And with plans for the city\'s regeneration afoot, investment is likely to continue to gather pace. The city council\'s executive spokesperson for development, Mike Jones, explained: \"It is essential for the Chester to have a successful economy that we invest in and exploit our unique historical buildings and history, supported by festivals and events that add vibrancy and make Chester and exciting place to visit and stay.\"