Supermarket giant
swoops for family store
by Terry Johnson
SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury has moved into Culcheth village near Warrington with a takeover of the well-respected family owned CPS foodstore.
CPS has been at the heart of village shopping life for 42 years, as a third-generation family business.
Its acquisition by plc Sainsbury for an undisclosed sum is described by Managing Director, Stuart Nelson, (pictured) as ‘the next step in development of the business’.
He stated: “I believe that Sainsbury will provide the kind of shopping experience and level of customer care that our customers have come to expect”.
Sainsbury’s coup in buying the shares in CPS Supermarket follows approaches from several major companies.
The shopping chain plans complete renewal of the ground floor of CPS – enlarging the trading area and installing windows along the side elevation so the ‘new store’ faces the main car park.
It is hoped building work can begin on July 9 with a temporary wall across the front third of the store. Trading in this reduced area should last about eight weeks while major work goes on behind the screen.
A Sainsbury spokesman said: “It is our intent to build on the good work the Nelson family has done – not only providing an excellent shopping experience, but building trust and goodwill with customers.”
Customers, employees and everyone living and working in Culcheth stood to benefit from the development. CPS has its roots in Leigh where Stuart’s grandfather bought Central Provision Stores. His father(Bill Nelson) acquired a corner shop in Culcheth and CPS opened its doors in 1964.
Growth of the supermarket provides jobs for 120 people and hundreds of jobs are supported, indirectly, by trading with local businesses and suppliers.
Mr Nelson said ownership of the CPS Centre, an umbrella for multiple businesses, was being retained. New company, Culcheth Property Services Ltd, would manage this.
Sainsbury’s swoop now turns the screw on the Asda superstore in the Birchwood Shopping Centre and also positions Sainsbury to compete more effectively across Warrington, supported by its Church Street store.
The Wonder of
Walking Day
by Gary Skentelbery
THE 172nd Warrington Walking Day enjoyed glorious sunshine as thousands of walkers took to the streets yesterday (Friday).
More than 3,500 people from more than 30 churches walked in procession through the town, starting as usual from the Town Hall lawn.
The fine weather brought out huge crowds lining the streets as the town’s Mayor Coun Linda Dirir was joined by Warrington South Mp Helen Southworth and Lord Hoyle of Warrington to wave on the walkers.
Food Fest kick
starts festival
by Gary Skentelbery
THE annual Lymm Festival kicked off in style with its opening event – the Lymm Food Festival.
Local restauarnts lined the streets as several thousand people visited the event which kick starts more than a week of activities. Pictured enjoying dessert at the Lymm Food Fest are top from left, Hannah Parker aged 12 and sisters Lucy aged 9 and Katie Bjerkan aged 12.
Also pictured is Jackie Chan of the Joy King Chinese Restaurant serving Rosie Doyle.
The Earl of Stamford Morris Dancers of Moore entertained the crowds in the village centre.
Volunteers praised for
community centre work
by Mark Hemmings
THE Mayor of Warrington, Coun Linda Dirir and her consort, husband Allin, officially opened a Princes Trust project at the Cinnamon Brow Community Centre.
Members of the Trust?s Warrington team 33, working in partnership with Cheshire Fire Service, were given just 10 days to complete two tasks ? creating a garden in the grounds of the centre and then building a children?s play area.
Not only did they have to do the heavy physical work but also they had to raise money for the project themselves.
The youngsters, unemployed or inmates from Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution, raised ?1,120 with a supermarket bag pack, a sponsored bike ride and a car wash at Warrington Fire Station.
Then they got stuck into the physical side of things at the community centre ? completing it within their deadline.
Opening the new garden and play area, Coun Dirir said: Coun Dirir said: “This is a fantastic project. I am very proud of the volunteers who are a credit to their leaders, the Princes Trust and Cheshire Fire Service. It is wonderful to see young people putting something back into the community.
A family fun day will be held at the community centre on July 20 to show off the new facilities.
Community centre
plans to go on show
by staff reporter
RESIDENTS of Culcheth will soon be able to study proposals for the new ?600,000 community centre to be built on the Shaw Street Recreation Ground.
Plans are moving forward and the borough council is undertaking a period of pre-planning application consultation with existing users and the wider community.
The plans will be on show at Culcheth Library on July 15 when planning officers will be available to explain the details to residents.
The new facility will replace the Youth Base on Church Lane and will comprise of a main activity room, kitchen, toilet facilities and small meeting room and will complement existing sports facilities at Shaw Street and community facilities within the Culcheth area. Funding will come from the sale of the Church Lane site for housing.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council’s executive member for community, said: “The local community is set to benefit from the new facilities and this is a very exciting project for Culcheth. I hope people go to the consultation event and play their part in helping to make this initiative a success.”
Free swimming
offer for children
by Mark Hemmings
CALLING all water babies! Free swimming for children across Warrington during the summer holidays is back.
The council has confirmed it will provide free swimming lessons across the borough this summer following the success of last year’s initiative.
1n 2004, more than 21,000 youngsters took up the offer of ?free swimming for kids?.
The sessions, which are open to children under the age of 16 and students in full time education up to the age of 18, will run between July 31 and September 3.
Four Council Leisure Centres – Broomfields, Fordton, Great Sankey and Woolston will be taking part and people are advised to contact the centres to find out when the free sessions are.
Councillor Roy Smith, the borough?s executive member for community, said: “This project’s success last year has led to the council ensuring it makes a welcome return this summer. It’s great for young families and is just one of the ways kids can stay active and have something to do during the summer holidays. The return of the scheme also highlights the Council’s commitment to improving the health and well being of youngsters in every corner of the borough.”
To access the free session, turn up and admission will be on a first come first served basis. The open sessions may be extremely busy and access will be limited depending on the number of swimmers in all pools.
Crime data
getting better
by Terry Johnson
CHESHIRE Police’s recording of crime data is rated one of the best in the UK.
Of 43 forces looked at by the Audit Commission only 20 were ‘excellent’, with Cheshire – which includes Warrington – among the very best.
This is a huge rebound from 2003 when Cheshire Police were rated ‘poor’ for crime recording.
In January last year the force introduced a 24-hour Central Crime Recording Bureau, based at its Winsford HQ.
Litter-pickers
back on duty
by staff reporter
THE Warrington Clean Team ? the volunteer group of litter-pickers led by Great Sankey councillor Trudi Wood ? is back in busine
ss again tomorrow (Sunday).
They took a break from their litter busting activities in June after a hectic May but now they are planning a blitz in Great Sankey, starting at 2pm.
They are meeting at the Trigger Pond pub and plan to work along the A57 towards the Warrington-St Helens boundary and also back towards the The Butcher?s Arms. If enough volunteers turn up, the road towards Lingley Green will also be tackled.
