New Chester Market is celebrating three years, with the venue having welcomed over seven million customers since 2022.

The new market has helped transform the city centre by becoming one of the most visited markets in the country.

Over the past three years the market's thirty traders have racked up some impressive statistics.

This includes The Sandbar Seafood Shack having shucked 19,000 fresh oysters, alongside 100,000 packs of dog treats sold by Digby & Champ.

Cheezy Bandits have grated 10 tonnes of mature cheddar cheese, over 2,000 smartphones fixed by Chester Phone Repair, and nearly 400,000 pints of draught beer and lager poured by Lockwood & Co.

Nicky Groves and Andy Selwood, owners of Cheezy Bandits and Sandwich'd (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

The market has helped nurture many small businesses, including Nicky Groves and Andy Selwood of Cheezy Bandits and Sandwich'd - who were one of the first traders selected to open at the market.

Nicky said: "We went from working in hospitality, meeting, getting married and applying during the Covid lockdown with an idea for our own food stall.

"We started our own business with Cheezy Bandits and then a year ago opened our second stall with Sandwich'd.

"The market's success has enabled us to grow and expand our business and take on more staff. We are so grateful for the support and opportunity, and we like to think we repaid the faith the council showed in us."

The market has recently welcomed a new trader, Sam Joseph Chocolates, founded by husband-and-wife team of Sam and Claire Pugh selling a wide range of handcrafted chocolates.

The new market has helped transform the city centre (Nub News)

Initially selling at Altrincham Market, they now have a production kitchen in Chester and live locally.

Sam said: "We are delighted to open our stall at Chester Market and join the wonderful community of traders. Using the finest ingredients, our handmade chocolates are a truly indulgent experience, perfect for spoiling yourself or gifting a taste of luxury to someone special."

Chester Market is also in the running for the title of Britain's Favourite Market, with voting open to the public here.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe added: "I am incredibly proud of the council's achievements in planning and delivering the new Chester Market. It has become an unbelievable success story and exceeded our expectations.

"Huge congratulations to all the traders, staff and customers for helping us create such a magnificent reinvention of a city centre market."

For more details see www.chester.market