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Ellesmere Port town centre was once a hive of activity with bustling market traders, banks and eager shoppers. However, today numerous units lie vacant, and residents describe the area as a "ghost town."
Local traders blame hefty parking charges, widespread shop closures and insufficient investment for sucking the life from the high street. Fresh statistics have now revealed Ellesmere Port as the most severely affected town in England by high street shop closures when measured against its population size.
The figures indicate that between 2015 and 2025, a staggering 460 high street enterprises permanently shut their doors, The Liverpool Echo reports. Although, just down the road, Cheshire Oaks designer outlet is thriving.
Offering complimentary parking and attracting a steady flow of visitors from throughout the region, the retail park presents a striking contrast to Ellesmere Port's faltering centre – prompting questions about whether the town can ever rival the appeal of major brands and modern convenience.
Married couple Dave and Cath Thomas operate Bondies Bar on Chester Road, in Whitby – merely a two-minute drive from Ellesmere Port town centre – with Dave having grown up around Ellesmere Port market. Dave's mother traded there for over two decades, and he recalls an era when "the Port town centre was thriving".
'Ghost town' atmosphere
The duo now view it through a vastly different lens, with Cath telling the ECHO: "It's like a ghost town. It's dreadful." Cheshire West and Chester Council is currently pouring millions into the transformation of Ellesmere Port Market, with plans to modernise the venue with new food stalls, leisure space and improved facilities.
This scheme forms part of a broader regeneration project for the town. However, while council officials view the market revamp as a step towards rejuvenation, some locals remain sceptical about its potential to reverse years of decline.
Local resident Dave voiced his doubts: "They're revamping the market which personally I don't think is going to work. They're spending too much money on it and a lot of traders are pulling out.I think they're trying to do it a bit like what Chester's done with their market. But Chester's got the tourists - the Port doesn't."
He also pointed to parking charges in the town centre as a factor driving away shoppers, stating: "No one wants to pay the £1 parking charge. That's just killing businesses."
Parking
Lizzie Jewkes, who has run Grace Tea Room in Ellesmere Port town centre for nearly eight years, said: "Footfall has massively decreased (since the £1 parking charge was introduced). Why pay to park here when people can park for free at the Oaks and go to Sainsbury's there?".
She added: "Traffic wardens are just waiting for people. You get 15 minutes, so if you go to the shop and it takes 16 minutes, you've got a parking ticket."
Speaking about the regeneration of Ellesmere Port Market, she stated: "We don't want Chester Market here. We want a proper market with lots of choice and lots of independent traders. And far, far cheaper parking."
Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, stated: "There is £14.8m of investment being made in Ellesmere Port town centre by Cheshire West and Chester Council including 'Funded by Government' Central Government funding. This is being spent to improve the market, provide new active travel routes and to help bring forward sites for new energy efficient housing.
"This aims to deliver new footfall and spending power into the heart of the town centre and develop low carbon infrastructure. Ellesmere Port Market is highly valued by the local community; it's why the council is investing over £8m in transforming it.
"This is the biggest investment in the market for decades and recognises that traders and visitors have been calling for improvements. The investment by the council will create a market ready for the future where current and future traders can thrive whilst also supporting the sustainability of the wider town centre.
"The redevelopment works are on track and have been carefully planned to minimise their impact on traders and customers and enable the market to remain open. Extensive signage is in place to make it clear the market is open.
"Markets are important to the communities they serve and, at a time where other councils are withdrawing from markets due to funding pressures, this council remains committed to them and to Ellesmere Port."
Shoppers in Ellesmere Port town centre echoed traders' concerns. Eileen Williams, a local resident, lamented: "It was a great town to grow up in but it's truly awful now. It looks run-down. No one wants to shop in a dead town centre."
Tom Smith shared his thoughts with the ECHO: "Everyone shops online and uses supermarkets or places like Cheshire Oaks. It's a problem that we've caused."
Jackie King chimed in: "It's not just Ellesmere Port – it's happening all over the country. Online shopping has ruined the high streets." The impact of Cheshire Oaks is a contentious issue among traders.
Dave voiced his concerns: "It might have taken some trade away because of the free parking up there." However, Lizzie sees it differently, stating: "It actually brings me customers because people visiting the Oaks Google where they can get afternoon tea - they don't want it in a chain - and they come here. But people visiting the Oaks don't come to Ellesmere Port - they come here. ".
Ellesmere Port MP Justin Madders acknowledged: "Cheshire Oaks employs a lot of local people, so it's an important part of the economy." Madders, who also holds a position in the current Labour government as parliamentary under-secretary of state for employment rights, competition and markets, stated: "There isn't the retail offer there used to be.
Local MP's thoughts
"Lots of factors play into that and I think it would be simplifying the issues to say it was all down to Cheshire Oaks. I don't think it is, because I can see the exact same thing happening in lots of town centres up and down the country.
"There is a lot more online shopping. There's got to be a real reimagining of what the town centre offers. We've got to provide things that you can't get online - more housing, more leisure activities, places to eat and drink."
Dave Thomas concurs that online shopping has significantly contributed to the decline of the high street. He added: "I feel sorry for the older generation who don't want to use online because there's nothing for them now."
Mr Madders was highly critical about Ellesmere Port's largest shopping centre. He said: "The biggest challenge is getting the biggest landowner, The Port Arcades, to step up and actually put some money into the town themselves.
"They've had some new owners in the past few years who have made various promises about multi-million pound investments into The Port Arcades which have never materialised. To me, it seems like they are managing the decline of The Port Arcades rather than trying to build something new there which is quite disappointing."
The ECHO reached out to Adhan Property Group, the owners of the Port Arcades shopping centre, for a response.
Parking charges have become a contentious issue. Cath Thomas expressed: "When it was free parking after 3pm, it thrived. Everybody waited until 3pm because they wouldn't pay the parking. It's only £1 but it soon adds up if you're there every day."
Mr Madders commented: "I'm sure it has some impact but obviously the council have got to fund the upkeep of the car parks and pay for their other services." Meanwhile, Cllr Louise Gittins explained: "Parking charges in Ellesmere Port town centre are part of a broader strategy to support sustainable transport, manage demand and reinvest in local infrastructure.
"The current rate remains competitive compared to many other town centres and is designed to encourage turnover of spaces, making it easier for shoppers to find parking near businesses." Ellesmere Port town centre is a mixed-use area with a focus on supporting independent traders, public services and community spaces.
"Parking revenue helps maintain and improve these facilities, including safety, lighting and accessibility. We understand the perception that parking charges may deter visitors.
"However, evidence from similar towns shows that modest charges do not significantly reduce footfall when paired with a vibrant retail and leisure offer. The council has taken steps to keep charges low and introduced phased increases to avoid disruption during key trading periods."
Despite the challenges, Lizzie expressed: "It's a great sense of community, it's very much its own place." She further added: "People say, 'Why are you here and not in Parkgate?' I say I'm here because Ellesmere Port needs this."
Mr Madders commented: "There's reasons to believe that the reinvention of the market will help and, hopefully, national policies such as business rates reform will help. But the biggest landowners need to put their hands in their pockets."