Chester’s local businesses: what’s actually here

The old city gets the tourists, but most of Chester’s everyday businesses are out in Hoole, Christleton, Saltney and Handbridge, where people actually live and where the trades, cafes and salons follow.

1,253 Chester businesses are currently listed on WotsItCalled, spread across Saltney, Vicars Cross, Christleton, Blacon, Great Boughton and Handbridge. You can browse everything listed in Chester on one page, or drop straight into a category below.

The local trades you’ll actually need

Trades here are spread across the suburbs rather than bunched in the centre. Saltney and Blacon have the most listings, Christleton picks up a lot of the higher-spec building and extension work, and the villagey suburbs out towards the Cheshire lanes have their own established firms.

Chester trades are generally reliable, partly because the city is small enough that word gets round fast when someone isn’t pulling their weight. The best firms live on repeat work and recommendations, and you can see that in their review counts, which are your best filter when choosing someone new.

• Plumbers: Chester plumbers. JM Plumbing covers domestic work across the city.
• Electricians: 23 Chester electricians listed. PS Electrical Service in Blacon is one of the top-rated.
• Car mechanics: Chester garages. Piercy Autos in Blacon and Autocare both get strong reviews.
• Builders: Chester builders. C & G Builders in Christleton is a well-reviewed local firm, and NSP Builders takes on bigger jobs.

Chester is compact, so travel time is rarely an issue. Most firms based in Saltney or Blacon will cover the village suburbs and the city centre without adding a charge.

Where to eat, drink, and grab a coffee

Eating out splits two ways: the city-centre tourist trade, which is busy and mostly good, and the neighbourhood places in Hoole, Handbridge, Christleton and Great Boughton where locals actually eat. The directory covers both.

Away from the Rows, Hoole is the best neighbourhood for independent cafes and restaurants, with Handbridge and Christleton close behind. Think of the cafe you go to on a Wednesday rather than the one you book for an anniversary.

• Restaurants: Chester restaurants. Sage at Chester in Great Boughton is one of the top-rated.
• Cafes and coffee shops: 21 Chester cafes listed. Marchesi Cafe and Marmalade are both good city-centre picks.
• Pubs and bars: 22 Chester pubs and bars. Halcyon Garden and The Violet Palm are both well reviewed.
• Takeaways: Chester takeaways in every postcode.

Hair, beauty, health, and wellbeing

Hair and beauty is a strong suit. Hoole in particular has a cluster of high-quality salons, and good barbers stretch out to Christleton and Blacon. Dentists cover both private cosmetic and general NHS work, and there are gyms right across the city.

Several Chester dental practices have been around long enough to build real reputations. Ask about a free initial consultation before committing to a bigger treatment plan, as most clinics offer one.

• Hairdressers and barbers: 25 Chester salons and barbers. Hair by Martyna Grant in Hoole is one of the most-reviewed, and Drakes haircutters in Christleton looks after the gents.
• Beauty salons: Chester beauty salons. Catherine Reed Beauty is a well-reviewed independent.
• Dentists: Chester dentists. DENTOLOGICUM does modern implant and cosmetic work.
• Gyms: Chester gyms, including FACTR and The Gym Group Chester City Centre.

Professional services

Chester’s legal and financial sector is well developed, and the suburbs have a fair few independent accountants doing small business work. Estate agents cluster in the city centre and Hoole, where houses change hands most often.

Much of the professional work leans upmarket, conveyancing and estate work especially, thanks to the local property market. Even so, independents in Blacon and Saltney often quote fixed fees worth comparing against the city-centre firms.

• Solicitors: Chester solicitors. PDA Law Solicitors in Blacon covers a broad range of work.
• Accountants: 51 Chester accountants listed. Tax Bees handles small business accounts and self-assessment.
• Estate agents: Chester estate agents. Currans Unique is a well-reviewed Chester independent.

What’s changed lately

Chester has kept its character better than a lot of similar cities. Hoole keeps growing as a hub for independents, Handbridge has picked up new cafes and small restaurants, and the village suburbs towards the Cheshire lanes keep adding small clusters of their own.

Most Chester updates come from locals who know a place we don’t. If there’s a Chester business you think should be listed, flag it and it’ll be added within a few days. There’s no charge and no account needed.

The short version

• 1,253 Chester businesses listed on the directory.
• Saltney, Vicars Cross, Christleton and Blacon have the strongest coverage.
• Pubs and electricians are both well covered.
• Hoole is the pick for independent salons and cafes.
• Every category page links straight to phone numbers, addresses and reviews.

WotsItCalled is a free UK business directory. No signup, no catch. Browse everything listed in Chester, or find the place everyone’s on about.