There have been a few closures on Chester's high street recently but there have also been some wonderful new additions too.

We've taken a look at some of the new shops, businesses and food outlets we've welcomed to the area over the last few months - and also some of the imminent ones we're excited to see opening soon.

From a posh artisan chip shop to an ice cream café, here are some of the things we've welcomed recently.

Chip'd

Northgate Street, Chester

The queues outside Chip'd on Chester's Northgate Street

Hundreds of hungry customers turned out for the opening of artisan chip shop Chip'd on Northgate Street back in February.

City MP Chris Matheson cut the ribbon to declare Chip'd officially open, and customers flocked in their hundreds to get their hands on a cone of the twice-fried, Dutch-style chips.

The chips are the brainchild of founder Andrew McKechnie, who was so impressed by the chips and dipping sauces he had in the Netherlands that he wanted to bring the concept to Chester.

Snugburys On the River

The Groves, Chester

Snugbury's On the River, Chester

This ice cream café is the second site for popular Nantwich-based ice cream manufacturer Snugburys.

And what better place than the banks of the River Dee for such an exciting new venture?

The family-owned business, run by sisters Hannah, Cleo and Kitty Sadler, opened for business on February 20, and the unseasonably warm month meant their first few weeks were incredibly busy.

But even when the weather's not great, there'll be an abundance of tasty hot puddings available.

Chester: A Life Story

Members of the Big Heritage team Dean Paton, Rebecca Mason, Bryony Fisher, Karen Gavin and Nick Wright outside the new Chester: A Life Story at St Michael's Church in Bridge Street, Chester. Picture: Sam Ryley

This brand new tourist attraction opened in the newly-converted St Michael’s Church on Bridge Street in March and tells tales of the ordinary, and extraordinary, people who have occupied Chester over the past 2,000 years.

Created by Big Heritage and supported by the Wellcome Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council, the £750,000 multi-sensory attraction looks at the everyday lives (and deaths) of the mums, dads, children, husbands, wives, shopkeepers, publicans, rule makers and rule breakers who have shaped the city we know today.

Leon

Healthy fast food at Leon

It might not quite be in Chester city centre but surely anything that serves 'healthy' versions of our favourite fast food deserves a mention.

Guilt-free fast food chain Leon opened at Cheshire Oak s on April 10 and specialises in healthier versions of junk food, with a menu inspired by the flavours and variety of Mediterranean cooking.

Signature dishes include chicken kale caesar salad, vegan meatballs and grilled halloumi wraps.

Western Computer

Western Computer, Chester's new Apple re-seller store is opening in April

Premium Apple re-seller store Western  Computer opened its doors in Chester's Grosvenor Shopping Centre in early April, selling brand new Apple products and accessories.

The store can service all Apple products in and out of warranty including Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch, Apple Accessories and Beats, and is only the sixth branch of its kind in the country.

And the ones we're looking forward to...

Pic Nic

Pic Nic deli is due to open in Chester's Northgate Street this spring

This Mediterranean-style deli aims to open on Chester's Northgate Street at the end of April and is the new venture of Chester lawyer Matthew Morgan who has decided to start his own business after four years practicing law.

Pic Nic will offer a modest menu of small plates, salads and sandwiches and sharing boards and Matthew has some ideas to differentiate themselves with the menu, aiming to make the dishes innovative and interesting at the same time.

It will also offer a range of vegan and vegetarian dishes, in keeping with cuisines from all over the Mediterranean - using local produce.

Sweet Elements

Sweet Elements patisserie is due to open soon on Northgate Street

Modern patisserie Sweet Elements will specialise in decadent, luxury desserts made on the premises and using all local ingredients, and it's due to open on Northgate Street in May.

There will be two aspects to Sweet Elements - an ambient range that sells a large selection of biscuits, cookies, nougat and confectionery, and a bespoke 'jewellery style' counter featuring mousses, sponges and multi layered desserts.

They are a modern patisserie so you won't find traditional Victoria Sponge cakes for example, there will be treats like eclairs and profiteroles, tarts, and macarons, decorated and bespoke cakes.

Haribo

Inside the new Haribo shop at Cheshire Oaks

We know it's not quite Chester city centre but the new Cheshire Oaks store selling nothing but Haribo is close enough and exciting enough to include in our round-up.

Due to open on April 16, this will be only the third outlet of its type in the country and will include a broad selection of treats alongside a range of branded merchandise, as well as a fun pick ‘n’ mix zone.

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