Chester – 17-21 Watergate Street
Location
Chester needs no introduction and this City wine-bar is ‘part of the scenery’. Watergate Street is firmly established as ‘THE’ Hospitality area of the City, with many award-winning establishments located within – including Bar Lounge, Upstairs at The Grill, Watergates, The Guild, Olive Tree, Palm, Craft & Co, Liquor & Co. and many others.
Property
Rarely can one describe a property as ‘unique’ – but on this occasion we can!
This Listed property is actually two adjacent and linked properties:
17 Watergate Street
This barrel-vaulted cellar is accessed from an historic and imposing set of double doors, leading directly to a stone-flagged passage sloping gently down to the bar. This part of the property was comprehensively refurbished in 2016/17, the customer area extended, a full bar installed, and a small rear kitchen and storeroom created, together with an air-handling system. A connecting opening leads through to No. 21.
21 Watergate Street
Benefitting from a shopfront, and a separate double entrance door, this is the former ‘shop’ area. A small set of steps lead down to the brick-floored shop, under the C13th stone undercroft ceiling.
A second set of stairs lead up to a small front seating area (behind the shopfront), under which is a small barrel-vaulted crypt area. At the rear of the main sales area are two freestanding male and female WC facilities.
NB. Interconnecting to No. 21 by a doorway is a further 600 sq. ft. vaulted storeroom, the only access to which is through the subject shop. This is not in the ownership of the Lessors (further information available on request).
Planning
The property is located within the Chester City Centre Conservation Area. It is GRADE II* Listed (1376428) and has an established planning consent for wine-bar use.
Licences & History
This property was, for many years, an established Wine Merchants; a use that continued until 2006. ‘Corks Out’ took over the business and ran this as a wine merchants, expanding into a wine-bar in 2016 adding a bar area, small kitchen, storeroom and extraction system. In 2020 Vin Santo became the operator, this ceased trading in August 2026.
The premises have been licensed for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises for many years, however the ingoing tenant will probably be required to make a fresh application.
Fixtures & Fittings
To be advised.
Rateable Value
2026 Rateable Value: £19,250 pa.
Interested parties should make their own enquiries with the Local Authority, Tel. 0300 1237023.
Lease
The property is to be Let on a new IRR Lease for a term of years to be agreed, subject to 5 yearly upwards only reviews.
Rent
Offers over £45,000 pa + VAT.
Costs
Each party to be responsible for their own legal costs.
VAT
VAT will be charged on the rent.
EPC
An EPC is attached. D82 – valid until January 2030.
Agent’s Note
It is a legal requirement under Anti-Money Legislation that we must verify the identity of a proposed tenant once a letting has been agreed.
The proposed tenant will be required to provide appropriate information before instructing solicitors and consent to this being checked with an external agency.
Viewing
Strictly by prior arrangement through the sole letting agents, kenneymoore.