A historic greengrocer has closed its doors after 79 years in the city.

Francis Thomas, on Northgate Street, was established in 1947 and has traded from its current premises since 1963.

With owner Mark Thomas set to retire, the business was put up for sale in early 2026. However, no buyer was found to take over the leasehold, bringing an end to the long-standing family business.

Following the news of the closure, the owners of Hoole Food Market, which specialises in fresh and seasonal produce, paid tribute to the team behind Francis Thomas, expressing their "enormous respect" for the business.

In a statement, they said: "We have enormous respect for Mark, his team, and the generations of the Thomas family who have built and maintained such a wonderful independent business over the years.

"The quality of his produce was always exceptional, and it really brought home to me the difference that a proper independent greengrocer could make.

"Fresh fruit and vegetables, carefully sourced from growers and wholesale produce markets in the early hours of the morning, by people who genuinely know and care about what they're selling."

They described Mark's approach to business as one they have "always admired" and one that has "undoubtedly influenced" their own food market in Hoole.

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The owners added: "It's incredibly sad to see another long established independent business disappear from Chester, particularly one with such a proud family history.

"Mark and everyone involved should be immensely proud of what they've achieved over the generations. We wish them all the very best for whatever comes next."