A Chester-based charity and independent hotel are gearing up to launch a brand new winter initiative.

From Monday 6 October, Chester Townhouse will launch 'Soup with Soul', in collaboration with local charity Soul Kitchen.

A delicious trio of soup options will be made by Soul Kitchen team members, with the Townhouse team on hand each day to serve it up in the boutique hotel.

Providing warm and well-priced food in Chester, the initiative offers training and funds for a local charity, with each soup sold putting one pound straight into the Soul Kitchen Charity Fund.

Soul Kitchen is a volunteer-led Chester charity addressing homelessness, food insecurity and isolation.

The Chester Townhouse is an independent boutique hotel in a Georgian building in the city centre (Image via: The Chester Townhouse)

Homemade shortbread biscuits will also be available at the city centre hotel, as part of Soul Kitchen's other new initiative 'Second Bite'.

These will be available Monday to Friday, from 12pm until 2.30pm.  

Both initiatives follow the success of the weekly 'Sunset Café', a summer programme designed to offer real-life hospitality experience for people looking to rebuild their lives.

The pop-up cafe has run every Friday since 30 May, having built confidence and opened doors for those participating in the program, with one participant now working a paid hospitality job as a result.

Steven Hesketh, owner of The Chester Townhouse and special advisor to Soul Kitchen, said: "Summer's over, so sitting outside on our beautiful Terrace is a little cooler and the Sunset Cafe doesn't hit the same in October.

"We're switching to what people want in winter - hot soup, quick service, decent price and a way to support Soul Kitchen while you grab lunch. It will be available as takeout or within our restaurant or lounge space" 

The Sunset Café's final service will be Friday 3 October and 'Soup with Soul' will launch on Monday 6 October.