Posted 16 07 2010 in:

Visitors having a Chester holiday can now learn all about the rich history of the city’s unique shopping Rows and attractions Chester through their mobile phones.

A new downloadable application, or ‘app’ called Revealing the Rows has been launched by Chester Renaissance and is already helping residents and visitors find hidden artefacts and architectural features among the city’s famous historic Rows.

These include a huge ornamental fireplace - so big it may once have hidden a priest hole - in Sofa Workshop and a hypocaust in the depths of Spud-u-Like where, around 2,000 years ago, water would have been heated for Roman baths.

Chief Executive of Chester Renaissance, Rita Waters, says the app is an ideal and modern day medium to help people seek out some of Chester’s hidden treasures. She said: “This is something new for the city and we are very excited about it. The app not only has a significant heritage value but it will also give an economic boost to shops on the Rows.
“Many of these businesses, along with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Visit Chester & Cheshire, have been involved in planning the app as have our tour guides who see it as a dynamic extension to the services they already offer.

“Chester Renaissance was set up to drive momentum and bring added value to efforts to complete and accelerate the economic growth of Chester. This is a new and exciting feature which we can offer to visitors and is another step in helping us reach our goal of becoming a must-see modern 21st Century European destination.”

Apps offer immediate, self selected, visitor information quite literally straight into the hands of visitors on their mobile devices. Revealing the Rows, is available free for iPhone and iPod touch units.
The app is based on an I-Spy game that has been specially designed by Imagemakers Design and Consulting for the heritage sector.
Project Manager James Cokeham said: “It can be played by up to four players, who score points for being the first to spot the artefact or feature. It’s a great game for families and those with a special interest in heritage can dig deeper for more detailed information and stunning historic imagery.”