Wining and dining in Chester is officially some of the finest in the UK #Blog

Briony Wilson
21st September 2020

If you’ve enjoyed time drinking and eating out in Chester, you’ll already know that we’re spoilt for choice – but now it’s official, with not one but two small local businesses being selected as part of this year’s Small Biz 100.

The Small Biz 100 is a national campaign which highlights some of the UK’s best and most inspiring small businesses, showcasing one small business every day for the hundred days leading up to Small Business Saturday, which takes place this year on Saturday, 5th December.

Now in its eighth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday celebrates the incredible impact small firms have on communities across the UK. Michelle Ovens MBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, said: “Given the phenomenally tough time small businesses have had, and the special role they played supporting communities in lockdown, it’s vital we continue to support them as this crisis continues. This year’s Small Business Saturday is going to be the most important one yet, and we are determined it will also be the best.”

The Chester Fields is an award-winning country pub, restaurant and now wedding venue boasting its own wedding licence, set amongst the beautiful Cheshire landscape in Bridge Trafford on the outskirts of Chester. Set in a gorgeous converted barn and surrounded by one of the best beer gardens around, the Chester Fields is rustic yet refined, the perfect setting for a business lunch, making an evening of it with friends, or celebrating a special occasion. And if you’re looking for a wedding venue with the personal touch and an innovative pricing policy, look no further: they can even supply alpacas to walk you down the aisle.

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The Chester Fields

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The Chester Fields Food

During lockdown, The Chester Fields was transformed into a food delivery business, helping out members of the community who struggled to get a supermarket slot and supporting the local suppliers who provide their produce. The restaurant is now open again with covid safety measures in place, but continues to offer their famous Sunday roasts and afternoon teas for home delivery.

Managing Director, Mark Jarvis, said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised as one of the Small Biz 100, particularly during such a difficult year for the restaurant industry. We couldn’t have done it without our brilliant team, who have truly rolled with the punches this year, and our wonderful customers, who have stood by us and supported us through lockdown and beyond. It’s also fantastic to see other local businesses being selected as part of the Small Biz 100. Cheshire is such a rich area for good food and drink, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

The Wine School of Cheshire, which is based in Chester but offers a range of tasting events and classes all around Cheshire, has also been chosen as one of the Small Biz 100. Since it was founded in 2013, the Wine School has quickly established itself as the county’s foremost authority on wine tasting and wine knowledge. Their comprehensive schedule of wine tasting events and classes is aimed at wine aficionados and novices alike – but whatever the vintage, wine snobbery is firmly off the menu.

Founder Richard J Smith said: “I am thrilled to have been selected for SmallBiz100 for 2020 – especially after such a challenging year, which has seen the wine school move online during lockdown. There are almost 6 million small businesses in Britain, so to have been selected as one of the top 100 for 2020 – the same year that the school celebrate its seventh birthday and I celebrate 30 years in wine – is truly amazing!”

Both Richard and Mark are both over the moon that two businesses from Cheshire have been selected by Small Business Saturday, and are looking forward to catching up and celebrating their success – in an appropriately distanced way, of course.