'This Is Chester' highlights City to investors

A digital campaign to highlight some of Chester’s most inspiring people has been launched by Chester BID. Among the names who stepped in to tell the world why Chester is a great place to live, work and play in, have been David Watson, Chairman of Storyhouse, composer and musical director Matt Baker and MP Samantha Dixon. Ian Macdonald, digital channel manager for BID said: “The #InvestChester campaign has truly grown over the last few months, inspiring investors to bring Chester to the forefront of their future plans as a destination for business and much more. As part of our campaign, we thought what better way to showcase the potential Chester has than to highlight the people who have made Chester the fantastic city it is today.”

Chester independent restaurant shortlisted in industry awards

Artezzan Restaurant & Bar has been nominated as a finalist in the Caterer's Catey Awards for ‘Best Newcomer 2023’.

These industry awards celebrate the finest operators and businesses in hospitality, celebrating those who are setting new standards in hospitality.

The winners will be announced on 4 July.

ATfest first for Chester

Chester’s first Active Travel Festival (ATfest) takes place on Sunday 18 June at ‘Festival Village’, opposite Abode Hotel. Walking, cycling and wheeling – what is collectively called ‘active travel’ – simply means making journeys in physically active ways. Aimed at everyone, ATfest will be fun and informative, promoting active travel as the natural choice for short journeys of between one and five miles, whether to school, work or the shops.

Active travel has many benefits, including helping to tackle climate change by reducing congestion, CO2 emissions and improving air quality, encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles and ensuring communities thrive, as people travelling into the city using active travel spend over 30% more time and money, which benefits the local economy.

The University of Chester has been named in the top five in five categories including University of the Year, in the largest exclusively student-voted higher institution awards in the UK.

The 2023 Whatuni Student Choice Award results were announced at a ceremony in London in April.

After achieving the joint highest number of nominations of any institution in this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), the University has been announced as among the best five for: University of the Year; Lecturers and Teaching Quality; University Halls; Postgraduate experience and Cost-of-Living support (submission-based).

It is also the only university in the North West in the top 20 for the University of the Year accolade and overall, has gained a top 10 place in nine categories and top 20 place in 11 – all the categories the University was eligible to enter.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, Professor Eunice Simmons said: “I am so pleased and proud that the University has been recognised as part of this celebration of the student voice. It means an incredible amount for the University to be placed so highly across the board by students, and for students to choose us as among the best in the UK and shine a light on areas such as the postgraduate experience.

“Thank you to all the students who shared their reviews and everyone at the University for their commitment and work in amplifying the student voice – and offering a breadth of opportunities and support, to continually develop and enhance the student experience.”

Community Antisocial Behaviour event

The Bushra Ali Group Global Community Interest Company hosted a panel discussion entitled ‘Tackling antisocial behaviour in our communities’ last month at Yellow and Blue (YaB) in Wrexham. Funded by the National Lottery Community Awards for All grant, the discussion saw Mark Pritchard as Leader of the Council, Peter Humphreys from YaB, Alison Watkin from the Council’s Community Cohesion Team, Monique McKevitt Senior District Crown Prosecutor, and Inspector Luke Hughes of Wrexham Police take part in the discussion, answering questions from the community.

The community heard about the Council’s various anti-social behaviour initiatives, including the Safer Streets Project. In turn, the panel were able to hear the community’s thoughts on ‘no go’ areas in Wrexham – where and why they do not feel safe when out and about, and the adverse impact that anti-social behaviour has on the local community.

Bushra Ali, of The Bushra Ali Group Global Community Interest Company which hosted the event, concluded: “Wrexham was described by all in attendance as a place they are proud to call ‘home’. But we all want to ensure that the antisocial behaviour that is taking place is quickly addressed and that people’s concerns are not being ignored. The invaluable ‘lived’ experience shared at the session plays a part in the decisions being made, to ensure our community feels safe, supported and included when it comes to the conversation on tackling antisocial behaviour in our town.”

For further information on the work and events being planned by The Bushra Ali Group, visit: bushraaligroup.com