Tenders

Invitation to Tender: Chester Place Brand

Chester is at a defining moment. Building on two decades of successful collaboration and investment, the city is now seeking to develop its first unified place brand. This ITQ invites confident, creative agencies to help articulate a bold, authentic narrative for Chester, one that honours its heritage, captures its contemporary energy, and positions the city for the future.

Project Overview

Chester is commissioning its first-ever place brand to create a clear, unified and future-facing identity for the city. Despite strong cultural, economic and heritage assets, Chester’s story is currently fragmented and underplayed. Funded collaboratively by Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester Business Improvement District, the University of Chester, Grosvenor Group, Chester Zoo, Chester Racecourse, and Storyhouse, the project reflects a shared commitment to the city’s future.

Working across civic, cultural, business and education partners, the appointed agency will define what Chester stands for over the next 10–20 years and deliver a bold brand strategy, creative identity and activation framework that builds civic pride, attracts investment and visitors, and positions Chester confidently on the national and international stage.

Project Objectives

• Create a clear, unified and authentic place brand for Chester
• Define what Chester stands for and its long-term ambition (10–20 years)
• Strengthen Chester’s reputation as a place to live, visit, study and invest
• Support inward investment, business growth and job creation
• Build civic pride and shared ownership among residents, partners and young people
• Provide a strong narrative platform for Chester’s role within the wider Cheshire and Warrington economy

Project Timeline

The project is scheduled to conclude with the brand launch and activation plan in Autumn 2026, following agency appointment in February 2026 and brand development, testing and refinement through July 2026.

Submission Details

Agencies are invited to submit their tenders in response to the questions set out in this ITQ, supported by relevant case studies or materials as appendices (not scored separately). Submissions will be assessed against the published selection criteria and weighted scoring system.

Deadline for all submissions no later than 20th February 2026 23:59

All submissions, questions or requests for clarification should be directed to:

Cristian Marcucci, Managing Director, Marketing Cheshire
Cristian.marcucci@cheshireandwarrington.com