Year in review - The stories that shaped Chester in 2025
By Dherran Titherington 31st Dec 2025
By Dherran Titherington 31st Dec 2025
As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at the stories that shaped Chester in 2025.
The city saw many highs and lows throughout the year, from huge celebrations to tragedies that shook the community.
Below, we pick out one Chester Nub News story from each month of the year.
January - 'Love, loss and new life: The story of the first Chester baby born in 2025'
Nineteen minutes into 2025, the first baby for more than 1,000 square miles was born at the Countess of Chester hospital.
Zara Parker-Lomax delivered her third baby on New Year's Day, with her "soulmate", Sam, and the 'heart of the maternity unit' by her side.
She told Nub News: "There was a lot of love in that room. Angels don't just have wings, they wear nurse's uniforms."
February - 'Harrods Beauty store given the go-ahead despite heritage issues'
In early February, we first reported that Harrods has secured permission to take over the former Debenhams on Eastgate Street, turning it into a luxury 'H-Beauty' store.
Proposals to refurbish the Row level of the premises were given the green light, despite concerns regarding the 'concealment' of historic features, such as hexagonal ceiling panels.
Now set to open in February 2026, the beauty hall will feature a champagne bar, blow dry bar, interactive play tables for trying products and a Harrods gift shop.
March - 'Man arrested after McDonald's assault and vandalising Chester tour boat'
In late March, a 55-year-old man was arrested in Chester for allegedly assaulting a customer in McDonald's, throwing drinks at staff and vandalising tour boats on the River Dee.
Announcing the news, ChesterBoat had said: "While we were looking forward to our first open top cruises of the year on The Jackie this weekend, she has sadly been vandalised in the early hours of the morning and will need some TLC before she's ready to welcome passengers onboard.
"On the bright side at least it's a nice day for the crew to fish all the life jackets out of the river, and they're drying off nicely in the sun."
April - 'Local chess star Thalia Holmes wins BBC Two series'
In April, one of Chester Nub News' first interviewees, a local chess competitor, won a brand new BBC Two series.
Having first represented England aged ten, this year Thalia Holmes became the first ever winner of 'Chess Masters: The Endgame', a high-stakes contest following 12 rising chess stars compete over eight episodes.
Speaking ahead of the final, she told Chester Nub News: "For me, one of the reasons why I wanted to go on to the show in the first place was because I want to teach other people about chess.
"I just want to spread chess to as many people as possible in any way possible."
May - 'Chester's most haunted hotel stars in brand new Amazon Prime series'
In May, a brand new Amazon Prime series, based on Chester's most haunted hotel, hit the streaming platform.
At over 400-years-old, Chester's Ye Olde Kings Head has over two thousand eye-witness accounts and 'reports of paranormal activity' spanning over decades.
The series introduced the team as they each come on board, showcasing stand out moments, combined with first-hand narratives and the paranormal elements of the team's work.
June - 'Public appeal renewed 34 years after unsolved murder at Pinky's Massage Parlour'
On the 34th anniversary of the unsolved Pinky's Massage Parlour murder case, police issued another appeal for information.
On the evening of Sunday 9 June 1991, Lynne Trenholm was working on her own at Pinky's Massage Parlour, Boughton, when someone entered the parlour and stabbed the 29-year-old repeatedly.
A murder investigation was launched with more than 700 people being interviewed by police. However, the killer remained at large and the case remained open.
July - Chester Zoo marks 'historic moment' as first snow leopard cub is born
In July, a very rare snow leopard cub was the first of its species to be born at Chester Zoo.
Snow leopards are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Dr Nick Davis, mammals general manager, said: "It's a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration, not just for our teams here but also for the future of this magnificent species globally."
August - 'Chester's newest poke bowl spot officially opens'
A popular story this August followed the opening of Chester's first independent poke bowl spot.
Serving up vibrant and nourishing bowls, Poke Bowl on Northgate Street offers signature Hawaiian poke bowls, açai bowls, kombucha, matcha, fresh smoothies and barista coffee.
"We wanted to create a space that makes healthy eating fun, accessible and full of flavour," said co-owner Shaf.
September - 'Former Lord Mayor of Chester defects to Reform'
In September, a veteran Cheshire West Conservative councillor become the second from his party to defect to Reform.
Cllr Mark Williams represented Christleton and Huntington for the Conservatives since 2007 but quit this year to join Nigel Farage's party.
His decision brought a stinging rebuke from the leader of the local Conservative group, who described the move as 'cynical'.
October - 'Labour fends off Reform UK to win crucial Cheshire West and Chester by-election'
The following month, Labour fended off a strong challenge from Reform UK to retain a council seat in a crucial by-election which had threatened to tip the balance of power against it.
Voters turned out in in Ellesmere Port's Strawberry ward to choose a replacement for their previous Labour councillor, Gareth Gould, who had quit for health reasons.
The by-election saw a six-way contest with Labour's Kris Fisher emerging victorious with 602 votes.
He was followed by Reform UK's Jason Moorcroft with 539 votes.
November - 'New live jazz bar opens in Chester'
A new jazz bar offering live music and classic cocktails opened in Chester this November.
'The Stones' can be found on Kitchen Street next to South African restaurant, The Stixxs, which is under the same ownership.
A spokesperson told Nub News: "We want something that, culturally, will change and help make jazz even better, by having a proper jazz bar that is dedicated to just jazz and blues."
December - 'Family-run Chester business returns to the city 60 years after first opening'
Rounding off the year with some good news, an independent family-run business recently made a triumphant return to the city - with the children of the original owners at the helm.
Thingummys was originally founded in Liverpool in 1966 by Alan and Susan Brown. Originally based on Watergate Street, it eventually expanded and became 'Indesign' - finding a new home in Rufus Court, where it remained until 1999.
Now, 26 years on from Indesign closing its doors, Alan and Susan's children have revived the Thingummys name.
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