City feature: Chester
Nowadays people are more familiar with the area for the Roman connection that Chester has and Hollyoaks but back when I was a 14 year old ‘fan girlie’ Chester was home to a thriving alternative scene and of course Mansun.
The area has changed alot since then but the distinctive local alternative shops have remained giving Chester a more unique touch.
Chester is home to more alternative friendly pubs than club nights with more people venturing out to the nearby tivoli in Buckley & central station in Wrexham instead but you can find metal pig in chester still alongside Telfords warehouse which holds regular gigs.
I took to the streets of Chester to document the alternative scene.
Lee louise, Foregate street.

One of the oldest alternative shops still in the area. Stocking a wide range of clothing including gothic and ethnic items, hair dye, alchemy gothic jewellery & lots of accessories.
Route one, Bridge street

Another of the older shops still going strong. Route one has long been Chester’s skater clothing & supply shop. You can find alternative clothing in here alongside skate boards of course.

Soho's, Bridge street.

One of the more recent shops in the area. You can find mostly gothic, emo & band merch in here alongside the current alternative trends so there is some scenester worthy clothing in the shop currently.
Other shops worth looking at:
The bead shop, Frodsham street
Stocking jewellery supplies alongside jewellery from skater chains to long beaded necklaces to elegant vintage looking brooches.
Tokyo jazz panda, Frodsham street
Just up from The bead shop, this shop is kawaii heaven. From hello kitty teddies, san-x stationery, panda brollies!, pocky, kids wellies & sanrio mobile charms. Well worth a visit if you adoreable japanese branded items or adoreable cute things.
Rainforest, Watergate row.
Another of the older shops in the area. They sell ethnic & fair trade clothing as well as jewellery.
Dr hermans head shop, Eastgate street row.
Not entirely a ‘head shop’ they do sell a small selection of band merch & t-shirts here as well as range of body jewellery.
Grey & pink records, Brook street.
The most alternative friendly record shop in the area so well worth a nose despite being at the other end of town.
Nice n naughty, Brook street.
Yes it's an 'adult shop' but they have some fetish friendly gear in here from pvc to latex clothing & lingerine.
cotm: leona

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