Boom town rides
wave of prosperity
by Terry Johnson
AN economic snapshot of Warrington reveals the town continues to ride a wave of prosperity.
Last year saw the largest take-up of industrial space for three years.
National and regional developers continue to hover and the new, vibrant Golden Square shops centre is on target for completion next March, with keystone store, Debenhams, and other major retailers signed up.
The economic up-date also shows no fading in Warrington’s attraction to home-builders.
More new properties were completed than in any year since 1998.
Industrial sites continue in high demand, with Stretton’s ‘Big Apple’ acquired by users and Eagle Park fully developed.
Progress is also being made on the huge OMEGA site in north Warrington – set to create 24,000 jobs on the former Burtonwood Airfield.
Borough council executive member Coun Brian Axcell said: “Showcasing these achievements can only serve to promote Warrington’s economic prosperity, encourage current business and attract new business to the area”.
He added: “Warrington continues as a major destination for profitable investment. It has a wide range of prestigious new developments which all contribute to emphasising that the town is a great place to live and work”.
College writers’ new play
has its world premier
by staff reporter
TWO writers who met at Warrington Collegiate are to see one of their plays premiered at a theatre festival in Manchester.
Peter Sudworth and Jeff Morris formed their writing partnership five years ago. Peter was creative writing tutor at the college and Jeff a student.
They have penned an hour-long historical drama about Russian revolutionary, Fanya Kaplan, who tried to assassinate Lenin in 1918.
The play will be staged at Manchester’s 24/7 theatre festival, directed by Peter’s brother, Christopher.
The play charts Kaplan’s arrest and interrogation after she shot Lenin, but failed to kill the Bolshevik leader.
Said Peter, 41: “We believe the play has great relevance to the world today, in terms of people’s beliefs prompting them to commit acts of political violence. We raise the question of what drives, not just individuals, but also governments to act in this way – and why they have such a strong belief that what they’re doing is right”.
The duo are currently working on a piece dealing with Parkside pit closure at Newton-le-Willows and also a comedy called ?Lifters?.
Health trust survives
nationwide “cull”
by Terry Johnson
THE agency charged with the task of a creating a healthier Warrington has escaped an NHS cull.
Warrington Primary Care Trust spends ?248 million-a-year on meeting the needs of 194,000 townspeople.
Though a number of other trusts have been merged in a NHS review, it has been decided that Warrington PCT should continue to go it alone.
Its Chief Executive, Allison Cooke, said: “This decision enables us to progress with our improvement plans with the minimum of disruption.
“It removes uncertainty from our workforce who continue to bring about long-lasting improvements for their patients”.
Take a shower – and
help save the planet
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON families are being asked to take a shower – to help save the planet!
By showering, instead of using bath water; by car-sharing and opting for re-useable shopping bags, the message of doing small things to protect the environment is being spread.
People all around the world are being asked to ‘do their bit’ for United Nations’ World Environment Day(June 5).
They will be urged to make a promise for the environment, which could be as simple as spurning plastic supermarket carrier bags.
The Environment Agency will add up just how much water, waste, energy and Co2 gas has been saved through peoples’ pledges.
Last year 140,000 promises saved enough water for 181 swimming pools, 191 dustbin lorries of rubbish, 3.3 million plastic bags and 117m miles of Co2.
News in brief
Road closure
GRANGE Avenue, Latchford, Warrington is to be temporarily closed from July 3 while working is carried out installing a road hump near the junction with Kingsway South, and while resurfacing work is carried out. The work is expected to last for about four weeks.
Silo plan
PLANS have been approved for the construction of a silo for the manufacture of plastic in Kingsland Grange, Woolston near Warrington.
Day nursery
WARRINGTON planning bosses have refused permission for the conversion of a property in Winwick Road, Warrington into a children’s day care nursery.
Sign approved
NEW floodlit signs have been approved at the Toby Carvery in Winwick Road, Warrington.
