First Food Research Centre in the North West predicted a bright future for City’s economy

[caption id="attachment_160" align="alignright" width="225"] North West Food Research Development Centre. (Pic: Lisa Jones)[/caption]

The Food research development centre located on the University of Chester campus will be the first venue in the North West of England that represents numerous foods and drink sector activities.

Food and Drink enterprises are seen to be the future of economic growth. There is real wealth of business talent in the area with a variety of organisations setting up across the region ranging from craft breweries and home-made jam to food technology and research companies.

The proposed research centre will be supporting the businesses in the food sector, attracting investment locally and putting them at the cutting edge of the industry.

Although the centre has no purpose for students, it has a production kitchen with the latest equipment and facilities for SME’s to access services they have been unable to access previously.

Maud Duthie, food Innovation Partnerships Manager Said: “Chester was our first choice of location due to the benefits it would bring to the city and the university itself. We believe that the centre would make a vital contribution to the local economy and market the university in a wider field.

“We have an aim to increase the small number or SME’s that are engaged with the higher education sector.”

The project that has been valued at £4.8 million is co- funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Chester. It will consist of a three- storey building dedicated to industry- specific food and drink research and development activity. It will also include conference and meeting rooms as well as a hot desk space.

In response to this Sioned Williams a student at the University said: “It’s good that opportunities are being brought into the University, but shouldn't the university be spending money on improving existing courses already here, especially with the rise to £9000 in tuition fees.”

Professor Graham Bonwick, programme leader BSc Biology said: “We are the only single venue that offers the full range of support that small food producers need. The centre will provide much more than just a space for current range of products, it will offer expertise and top of the range equipment as well as demonstrations for the current equipment, tests that are required to get the product onto the shelf and space to work with experienced food professionals.

“The huge space offered at the centre will allow researchers to host large events, such as product launches, designs expos and much more.”

“In my opinion this project is what the university needs; it will bring in many research opportunities for graduate students and raise the profile at Chester University as a research facility like many other Universities in the North West.” Tina Coward, a third year student at the University.

The Centre is due to open in the early months of 2014, a definite date is yet to be confirmed. For more information please visit http://www.chester.ac.uk/nowfood

Chester Intelligencer Reporter, Lisa Jones

Snow White panto to dazzle Chester

Chester’s annual traditional pantomime will be playing again this year in the run up to Christmas.

[caption id="attachment_140" align="alignright" width="224"] Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (pic: Amy Holland)[/caption]

Peter Swingler’s magical new version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be fun for children and adults and will get the whole family excited for the festivities.

Tip Top Productions will be performing at The Forum Studio Theatre with Snow White played by Rebecca Roberts.

The show will be running from Saturday 7th December to Monday 30th December with 27 shows.

Tickets are available at www.chestertheatre.co.uk.

Chester Intelligencer Reporter, Amy Holland

Good news as Chester unemployment decreases by 22%

[caption id="attachment_136" align="alignright" width="300"] Alison outside of the Job Centre Plus, City Road. (pic: Amy Holland)[/caption]

Recent figures have shown that the percentage of people unemployed in Chester has lowered.

The amount of people without jobs in 2010 was 3.5% but is now down to 2.7%.

The news may give some jobless people in Chester a much needed boost.

Alison Chamberlain from Chester said: “I have been unemployed for nearly 4 weeks now and this news has made me feel optimistic about finding work in the future.”

She continued: “The job centre has been very helpful and provided me with a mentor that I can contact anytime for help. I’ve also seen a rep from the National Careers service there who helped me to do my C.V.”

Figures also show that the number of people receiving Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 350.

Mrs Chamberlain said: “The only negative thing I have found so far whilst job hunting is that there are still a lot of applicants for each position, so jobs often don’t get back to me. But I am confident that I will be in work before Christmas.”

Chester Intelligencer Reporter, Amy Holland

City Council tackles litter problem

YOUNGSTERS could face penalty fine as Chester West and Chester Council (CWAC) raise concerns at persistent littering 

Ellesmere Port, Chester, Northwich and Windsford are some of the littering ‘hotspots’ costing the authority a considerable amount of money to remedy.

CWAC have planned to work with young people to explore new ways of tackling Environmental nuisance caused by juveniles to protect the quality of life in these communities.

[caption id="attachment_164" align="alignright" width="216"] Chester and surrounding areas hit with litter problems. (Pic: flickr.com, Look Lovely)[/caption]

If the idea is supported by the members of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cheshire Youth parliament, school councils and youth groups will be asked for their opinions on a proposal to bring council policies into line with the current national legislation.

The law allows the issue of Juvenile fixed penalty (FPN’s) notices for young people aged 10 years and above for any low level of offences. Several Councils already use this approach.

Cllr Lynn Riley Said: “Issuing a juvenile FPN is always a last resort. We know that the majority of our young people are responsible and we want them to understand and support these options and to share any ideas they might have for tackling issues in their neighbourhoods.”

“As part of a six week general consultation our focus will be working closely with young people so that we will actively seek their views on both the problem and the options that may be agreed by the Scrutiny Committee.”

A meeting was held on Wednesday November 20 with the scrutiny committee to consider the proposal but no decision was finalised. Another meeting has been issued early next month.

Chester Intelligencer Reporter, Lisa Jones

New scheme tackles Chester binge drinking

[caption id="attachment_133" align="alignright" width="300"] Rosie's nightclub has agreed to the minimum price (pic: Amy Holland)[/caption]

A NUMBER of Chester pubs and clubs have agreed to sell alcohol at a minimum price of £1.50.

The price will be set on standard measures of drinks which include pints, glasses of wine and single shots of spirits.

The set price was agreed by the Chester Pubwatch Scheme, which tackles crime and anti-social behaviour in licensed premises.

Frank Marnell, Chairman of Chester Pubwatch said: “The main reason behind this £1.50 price is because certain marketing companies were actually using pubs to encourage giving alcohol away for free on race days.”

He continued: “I don’t think it (binge drinking) has got worse in Chester, I think as a whole we are not sure how to accommodate it anymore.”

Each venue will have to individually sign the memorandum in order to impose the price tag.

The nightclubs Cruise and Rosie’s are behind the decision but other drinking venues such as Wetherspoon’s  are waiting to see if it complies with company policy.

Recent studies concerning alcohol consumption in Chester have shown that alcohol- specific hospital admission for under 18’s has increased.

Binge drinking figures and alcohol mortality rates have also become worse. (Knowledge & Intelligence Team (North West)

The new scheme will be in place by the 26^th of November.

Chester Intelligencer Reporter, Amy Holland

Chester Cathedral gets in the Christmas spirit

CHESTER Cathedral is at the heart of the city centre and, this Christmas they are holding nothing back.

Advertising for people to discover ‘the real meaning of Christmas’ the Cathedral is offering a variety of worship and entertainment based activities over the festive period.

The main focus for the Cathedral every year is their range of service and worship times. Alongside the usual sessions there will be special services throughout November and December.

[caption id="attachment_473" align="alignright" width="99"] The Cathedral is in the heart of the city centre.
Picture by Tabatha Lewis[/caption]

Notably, these will be held on Christmas Eve and Christmas day although the Cathedral will be closing after 1pm on December, 25.

The Cathedral will also be offering a range of carol services and choir performances both in the building itself and amongst the Christmas market. There will be a Cathedral stall within the market selling a collection of religious and neutral Christmas gifts and decorations.

Director of Operations at the Cathedral, Simon Warburton said: “We have so much going on this year, there is defiantly something for everyone. From the market stall to the shop and the Snow Queen show we have really excelled ourselves this year.”

As well as the market stall the Cathedral has hired a premises on Northgate Street where they have erected a ‘pop-up’ shop. This will hold further stock and more elaborate items such as large tapestry that will be for sale.

The Cathedral has also joined forces with ‘Theatre in the Quarter’ to support its production of the Snow Queen which starts on December, 5. Staff from the Cathedral will be running the interval bar at St Mary’s on the Hill.

All proceeds made over the festive period goes straight back into the Cathedral and profits from the Snow Queen will be split with the theatre group.

Chester store safe from shut down

[caption id="attachment_69" align="alignright" width="300"] The chester store has confirmed it will remain open for the time being
Picture by: The Local Data Company[/caption]

A Blockbuster store in Chester has confirmed that its doors will be staying open, for now.

The DVD and game rental store joined the list of casualties from to recession when it officially went into administration on October, 29.

It has been confirmed that 72 out of 264 stores will be closing resulting in a loss of 452 jobs.
The Chester branch of the chain has stated that, for now, business will continue as usual. A spokesman for the store said: "The shop is up for sale but we are remaining open for now."

This is the second time in as many years that the store has faced problems after filing for bankruptcy in August 2010.