The Lache ( ; sometimes simply Lache) is a housing estate in the city of Chester, in Cheshire,

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

, with a population of around 10,000. It is located approximately southwest of the ancient city, with good local transport links en route to

Saltney Saltney is a cross-border town, split between Flintshire, Wales and Cheshire, England. The town is intersected by the England–Wales border, with its larger part being a community of Wales in the historic county of Clwyd. The town forms par ...

. The main streets are Cliveden Road, which runs through the centre of the estate, and Sycamore Drive. The area runs almost continuously into

Westminster Park Westminster Park is both a suburb to the west of Chester in England, and a large park the area takes its name after. Chester residents do not consider the area as a part of the Lache (an adjacent suburb consisting largely of council housing) ...

and Saltney.

Etymology

The etymology of the word Lache likely derives from the Old English word 'loecc, from an earlier word 'lacu' and meaning water. It therefore suggests The Lache was originally situated nearby to a body of water such as a small brook. There is another place in Cheshire called

Shocklach Shocklach is a village in the civil parish of Shocklach Oviatt and District, in the Cheshire West and Chester district, in the county of Cheshire, England. Shocklach village is in the southwestern corner of Cheshire, approximately from the bo ...

which has a similar etymology.

Facilities

The Lache has two churches: St Mark's (

Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Britai ...

) on St. Marks Road, and St. Clare's (

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...

) on Downsfield Road. There are a number of shops including a butcher, an

off-licence A liquor store is a retail shop that predominantly sells prepackaged liquors – typically in bottles – usually intended to be consumed off the store's premises. Depending on region and local idiom, they may also be called an off-licence (i ...

, a hairdresser, a bakery, a takeaway, a grocer and a

newsagent A newsagent's shop or simply newsagent's or paper shop (British English), newsagency ( Australian English) or newsstand ( American and Canadian English) is a business that sells newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, snacks and often items of ...

. There are two schools: Lache Primary School and St Clare's Catholic Primary, with a sports facility in between the two schools. There are also several playgroups, a local branch library, a large community centre and hall, and a youth club. A new railway station has been proposed for The Lache.

Politics

Local government

Lache forms part of the Cheshire West and Chester council area.

British Parliament

Lache is in the City of Chester parliamentary constituency and is represented by Samantha Dixon, who has held the seat since December 2022.

Notes

External links

Socio-economic profile of the Lache area
Areas of Chester {{Cheshire-geo-stub