When the writer of Grange hill and Brookside decided to write a teenage soap, he pinpointed the unlikely venue of Chester! Yet Hollyoaks has been a teen sensation, now coming up to its 12th year. But by Chester's standards that's not old at all.

This ancient city renowned for its city walls, first built by the Romans is one the most historic cities in the UK. The "walled City" is not the largest of UK locations, but it is one of its most attractive. With it being strategically positioned on the Welsh border many quirky facts exists, such as the often rolled out legal permission of shooting a welsh man within the city walls with a bow and arrow being legal.

In 2007 Chester Council announced a 10 year plan to see it become a "must see European destination". At a cost of 1.3 billion it has been nicknamed Chester Renaissance.

There are currently four major developments occurring in Chester.

In 2007, the Northgate Development project began. At a cost of 400 million, the Council hope to create a new quarter for Chester. The development will see the demolition of the current market hall, bus station, theatre and car park and the local Northgate Arena leisure centre. In its place will be a new multi-storey car park, bus exchange, performing arts centre, homes, retail space and a flagship department store and a hotel

Another of the key highlight of Chester is it racecourse. It is the only racecourse within a city and as a result it is extremely popular, to locals and out of towners alike. There are loads of great hotels, but obviously during race weeks these book up, and accommodation is always tight. On October 23rd this year, Hollyoaks will be 12 years old, yes 12 years old. This soap as been a great visitor generator for the City complementing the city's historic past, Roman ruins and racecourse by providing a youthful buzz.

Chester as always and will always be an attractive tourist destination but the new mix of the modern and historic is a powerful cocktail to tempt many different generations into visiting this ancient city, which continues to balance the two elements well. The council aim of a must see European destination may not be that far off.