Member Article

Warrington’s £52 million regeneration scheme gets approval

The regeneration of Warrington’s town centre has taken a significant step forward after planning approval was granted for the £52 million Bridge Street Quarter project.

When completed in 2019 the scheme will provide a new market hall, a multiplex cinema, a number of family friendly restaurants, a new council office building and will create a new public square.

Site works are scheduled to commence early in the New Year.

The scheme will be delivered in two construction phases in order to minimise disruption for the market traders.

The first building to be constructed on the site of Time Square will be fully equipped and fitted out to serve as a provisional home for the market to allow the existing, outdated market hall to be demolished and the new market hall to be constructed.

In early 2017 the market will move from its current ageing premises to a new 31,150 sq ft building to be built on what is currently Time Square which will serve as a temporary market hall.

Protecting the vibrancy of trade at the market is a primary concern in order that businesses are in a robust state to move to the new permanent market in 2018.

At no time will the market cease to trade.

The present market halls total 65,000 sq ft in size and are dated and under-occupied.

The new £10 million market hall when completed will be approximately 40,000 sq ft.

The project has been driven and will be delivered by Warrington & Co., on behalf of Warrington Borough Council with development partner Muse.

Councillor Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council said, “This is a momentous decision for Warrington and the future of our town centre.

“The Bridge Street Quarter will transform the centre and will be supported by three other complementary projects: Stadium Quarter, Cabinet Works and Southern Gateway being led by Wire Regeneration.

“Already steelwork is emerging at Stadium Quarter with the Business Incubator well underway and I am excited that works will be starting at Bridge Street very early next year.

“Warrington town centre is on the cusp of a renaissance which will bring its vitality back to its former glory. This is an historic moment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .