The following announcement (March 2018) is made by the Trustees regarding the future home for Retreat House Chester:

As we approach the second anniversary of our launch, we are glad that ‘retreat in the city’ has developed firm foundations on which we continue to build. We continue to work closely with landlord Chester Cathedral towards establishing a permanent retreat house in Abbey Square.

The following statement is made now by Chester Cathedral:

“As further information about the whole of the property has been developed, it does not appear that it will be viable for Retreat House Chester to take up residence on the ground floor of 10 & 11 Abbey Square in the foreseeable future. Therefore, plans are being developed which would allow Retreat House Chester to operate from the ground floor of 9 Abbey Square on a permanent basis.

“If circumstances change in the future, a move to 10 & 11 Abbey Square may still be considered. A viable and suitable use for 10 & 11 Abbey Square is still being sought and Chester Cathedral welcomes enquiries.”

Recognising that this means some change to our plans, the Trustees of Retreat House Chester judge that the objectives of the charity can nonetheless be fulfilled as tenants in 9 Abbey Square as is now proposed. Located just next door to the old retreat house, this gives us the opportunity to move forwards with the stated aims of our start-up and for which we continue to need support: to establish the charity and its activities; to open a non-residential city-based retreat house; to build towards a sustainable future. We share the disappointment that the original space is now not available; we believe, too, that the development of space in 9 Abbey Square, taking additional space there and improving access, holds great potential for a retreat house in the city.

As Retreat House Chester moves into this significant new phase, and in its drive towards a sustainable future, the Trustees are pleased to have appointed Clare Black as Co-ordinator on a part-time temporary basis to oversee for now the day-to-day management of Retreat House Chester and its activities.

The contributions of many people have helped to establish this innovative venture, and we are thankful to them all. We ask in hope for continued support of retreat in the city and all it offers.