Chester City Centre Cleaning for Chester BID

Chester BID is responsible for maintaining and improving the public realm across Chester city centre, supporting businesses, occupiers and visitors through high standards of cleanliness, safety and presentation.

The BID manages a large and diverse estate covering more than 30 streets and key locations, including retail frontages, hospitality venues, hotels, cultural buildings and transport corridors.

Maintaining clean, safe footpaths in a busy historic city centre is a constant operational challenge.

Large areas of the city centre were affected by:

• Heavy chewing gum contamination
• General surface staining and soiling
• Slippery areas caused by biological growth and spillages
• High footfall and constant public access

The BID required a specialist contractor who could:

• Operate safely and discreetly in a live city centre
• Deliver large-scale, multi-site cleaning programmes
• Work entirely out of hours to avoid disruption
• Provide a reliable water supply solution
• Deliver both planned programmes and reactive call-outs
• Maintain consistent standards across multiple occupiers and streets

The Challenge

Large areas of the city centre were affected by:

• Heavy chewing gum contamination
• General surface staining and soiling
• Slippery areas caused by biological growth and spillages
• High footfall and constant public access

The BID required a specialist contractor who could:

• Operate safely and discreetly in a live city centre
• Deliver large-scale, multi-site cleaning programmes
• Work entirely out of hours to avoid disruption
• Provide a reliable water supply solution
• Deliver both planned programmes and reactive call-outs
• Maintain consistent standards across multiple occupiers and streets

Our Solution

Rokjet was appointed in 2023 to deliver a city-wide chewing gum and hardstanding cleaning programme across Chester city centre.

We deployed two specialist teams operating van-mounted high-pressure heated cleaning units to deliver high-output, consistent cleaning performance across multiple sites in a single shift.

All water is provided independently by Rokjet using 2,000-litre bowsers, allowing us to operate without relying on on-site utilities.

We draw water from approved Wash Out hydrants under a formal licence with Severn Trent Water, ensuring:

• Legal and compliant water usage
• No impact on client water supplies
• Continuous high-volume operation
• Full traceability and environmental compliance

Cleaning methods include:

• Low-pressure steam cleaning for sensitive areas
• Targeted chewing gum removal
• High-pressure heated cleaning for hardstanding and heavy contamination

All works are delivered out of hours, removing disruption to:

• The general public
• Retailers and hospitality venues
• Early morning servicing and deliveries

The programme operates as a planned maintenance schedule, with the flexibility to respond to reactive call-outs when required.

The Result

Since appointment in 2023, Rokjet has delivered a consistent, city-wide improvement in the condition of Chester’s footpaths and public realm.

Across 30+ streets and key locations, the programme has:

• Significantly reduced chewing gum contamination
• Improved slip resistance on pedestrian routes
• Enhanced the visual appearance of the city centre
• Supported BID cleanliness standards
• Improved the environment for businesses, staff and visitors

The contract continues as an ongoing planned maintenance programme, with reactive support as required.

Client Testimonial

“Great communication and brilliant service from Dom and the team – reactive to our needs. Highly recommend!”

Why This Matters for BIDs & Local Authorities

• Demonstrates large-scale, multi-site delivery capability
• Proven out-of-hours city centre operations
• Licensed and compliant hydrant water use
• Planned and reactive service model
• Supports public safety and slip risk reduction
• Enhances city centre presentation and footfall experience