Warrington appoint consultants to masterplan town centre

Warrington Borough Council has appointed local architectural consultancy DV8 Designs to prepare an analysis, study and draft master-plan for the Garvin Place and former Cabinet Works areas of Warrington town centre.

These town centre sites situated within the cultural quarter are currently unused and the commission will explore and maximise their regeneration and development potential. They are identified as a key town centre sites in the Council’s regeneration framework Warrington Means Business.

The aspiration for the area is to create a mixed-use development comprising residential, retail, business, leisure, hotel and hospitality uses which will complement and enhance the existing town centre and preserve and make a feature of the landmark tower at the former Garnett cabinet works.

Plans for this new area will aspire to create a hub of activity for businesses in the town, with space allocated specifically for small businesses and so positively changing the dynamics of the town centre.

The development will focus around a new public square for outdoor events and alfresco activities to attract residents and visitors into a vibrant and bustling Warrington town centre. Infrastructure and connectivity will be improved and will enable links with Queens Square, Sankey Street, Bridge Street and Barbould Street to the Waterfront.

DV8 Designs, based at Birchwood Park, Warrington, won the contract by competitive tender and collectively have over 20 years of experience in urban design and master-planning as well as having worked on numerous retail, leisure and commercial office projects.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, Leader, Warrington Borough Council said: “This is the first step in the Council unlocking the tremendous potential that this area offers. It is in the heart of our historic central heritage area and this study will provide the basis of a masterplan for the future. I’m delighted to have appointed local company DV8 Designs for this study.”

Steve Park, managing director, Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for driving growth said: “This is an exciting opportunity to realise the full potential that these sites offer. Key to the scheme will be the production of a masterplan, an analysis of connectivity, a conservation plan and the preservation of the landmark tower at the former Garnett’s cabinet work factory.

“The team at Warrington & Co. are excited at the prospect of working with DV8 Designs and taking this forward. This is yet another major progression of the Warrington Means Business framework and the renaissance of the town.”

Lee Birchall, director of DV8 Designs said: “We are very proud to be working with Warrington & Co. to investigate the potential of this area. I am a Warringtonian born, bred and passionate about my town. My colleagues similarly all live locally and our business is based here. We have the advantage of being able to add our depth of local knowledge, enthusiasm and passion into the commission.

“Further information about the vision for this area is set out in the ‘Warrington Means Business’, Warrington Borough Council’s and Warrington and Co’s programme to drive economic growth in the Borough and release the true potential of the place and its people.”