Cheshire West and Chester Council is set to announce who will be in the running to work on the development of a new conference centre.
The local authority will soon reveal its choice of consultants to undertake the feasibility study into the £30 million state-of-the-art theatre and conference centre, which should provide a boost to Cheshire venues.
It is set to be built on a site at Little Roodee and forms part of the council's proposed major regeneration of Chester's riverside area.
"The city's residents, business community and retailers have told us that Chester needs kick-starting into life if it is to have a future as a tourist and retail centre," said council leader Mike Jones.
As part of the development, the local authority has begun working on transforming Chester's Roman amphitheatre into a major visitor attraction.
Meanwhile, Bristol City Football Club has applied to the local council for permission to build a new stadium and conference centre.
