2025 Judges Special Award presented

The Chester Civic Trust has presented its 2025 ‘Good Bad and Ugly’ Special Award to Okells Hoole for their work restoring and bringing to life the former Co-op building in Walker Street.

The awards which this year celebrate the Chester Civic Trust’s 65th year, recognise the best changes to the Chester property and civic scene and encourage higher standards of design and maintenance in Chester’s public realm.

The Co-op in Walker Street opened in 1906 and included a grocer and butcher together with a shoe and clothing store on the upper floor. Latterly it became a convenience store and also accommodated Co-op Funeralcare. The store closed in July 2017 ending 110 years of the Co-op on this site. The empty building started to become dilapidated and run down.

The judges said; “It is great to see that Okells has refurbished the building to provide a new shop selling plants, homeware and gifts together with a café. This is a really good addition to the vibrant Hoole local shopping quarter.”

George Okell, Okells Director added;

“We’re really pleased to have received the Civic Trust award and we’re grateful to everyone who put their hard work into this renovation. With the building always having been there to serve the community around it, we wanted to do just that, bringing it back into use by offering our mix of home, garden and gift products along with fresh food and drink in a neighbourhood cafe. Having worked on the space over nearly two years, it’s amazing to see it being used and we look forward to seeing it evolve.”

Photo above: Christine Russell Chair of Chester Civic Trust presents the Judges Award for 2025 to Okells Hoole. LtoR: Fern Thomas, Operations, Mabli, Front of House, Christine Russell, Chair of Chester Civic Trust, Jordan, Retail Assistant and George Okell, General Manager at Okells Hoole.

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Chester Civic Trust’s 65th Anniversary Dinner

On Thursday, June 26th at 7pm, Chester Civic Trust will be hosting a special Anniversary dinner for members*, to celebrate 65 years of the Chester Civic Trust, its activities and achievements. During the celebrations we will be showing some historic photos and films of Chester from the 1920s onwards.

Chez Jules operates a daily changing menu so cannot say exactly what will be on the menu until the day but it will involve 3 courses at a special price of £27 per person, including the tip. A sample menu can be seen via the reservation link below.

You will be able to pay Chez Jules directly on the night for your food as above. Any drinks you request will also be added to your bill.

The event is primarily for members but you are welcome to bring no more than one guest (who hopefully may join on the night!).  If you want to book more than 2 members, please book again for additional guests and request to sit together. We will try to accommodate your wishes but cannot guarantee this.

Please note: There are only 65 places at the dinner. We will set up a waiting list, so if you reserve a place and cannot attend closer to the evening, please let jane@marketingprojects.co.uk know.

*One member at least must be a corporate, couple, family or individual member.

Reserve your place/s here

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