?150,000 package to help
market face the future
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to approve a ?150,000 scheme to help Warrington Market compete with superstores, out of town retailers and the internet.
Measures suggested include free parking one day a week, improved signage within the market, upgrades to the market multi-storey car park bridge and other market entrances, refurbishment of women?s toilets and the fitting of roller shutters to stalls.
In addition, vacant stalls would be fitted out.
The money would be recouped from increases in traders? rents over a three year period.
But a report to the borough council?s executive board makes it clear that the package improvements is only intended to cover the short to medium term future.
Investigations will continue on how to sustain and develop the market in the medium to long term.
About 130 independent businesses operate from the market, which currently has 256 stalls. About 600 people work there, including council staff.
Markets generally are thought to have suffered because of changes in retail trends.
But in Warrington the changes have been magnified by higher than average development of both out of town and town centre superstores, traffic congestion, disruption caused by the Golden Square redevelopment and uncertainty over proposed new competing developments at Time Square and off Winwick Street.
Surveys have shown that market customers tend to be older people ? although not as much as was anticipated. They also showed widespread local interest in the market.
While the market won praise for high quality fresh produce at low prices, it was seen as ?run down? and in need of a facelift.
The surveys indicated a customer base for the market over the next three to five years but uncertainties beyond that.
Traders are to be asked to make their own input to improving the market, including offering electronic payment ? only 18 per cent claim to offer it at present ? and a returns policy, particularly for clothing.
Town Hall chiefs say it is not possible to predict future performance beyond the short-medium term because of changes in retailing generally and continuing uncertainties over the Times Square and Winwick Street developments, currently due to be considered at a public inquiry in February.
Countdown to Christmas
by Gary Skentelbery
THE countdown to Christmas has started with the official switch on of Warrington?s new, energy efficient blue and white LED Christmas lights.
The honour of switching on the lights went to ‘local hero’ Callum Thompson, who was one of the winners of a Christmas Champion competition.
The event also involved performances from girl band i-Candi, Diamond and X-factor 2005 Finalist Philip Magee.
There was more live music from crooner Dave Hollington, Billy Idol tribute act ?Rebel Yell? and acoustic sets from Ian Mac, Paula Godby and Gareth Neill.
Meanwhile shopping is being made easier for weekend Christmas shoppers, with special free Christmas Park and Ride facilities at NWDA car park, at Centre Park (over the Blue Bridge) off Brian Bevan Island. It will be operating every Saturday until 30 December. Visitors can park in the secure car park car and then hop on one of the buses to the town centre every few minutes between 10am and 6pm.
There is also free parking on Sundays at all Council Car Parks, plus Golden Square, John St, and the Cockhedge Centre.
Thursday nights are late night shopping with entertainment in Golden Square and free parking for evening shoppers.
Meanwhile the new lights display is more energy efficient and will be left up to be used at other occasions at different times of the year.
There will still be plenty of Yuletide activities with live music, Christmas workshops, ice-skating and Santa Grotto’s at Golden Square and Warrington Market.
Victorian extravaganza
by Gary Skentelbery
SHOPKEEPERS and villagers at Culcheth near Warrington turned back the clock to Victorian Days with their annual Christmas extravaganza.
Organised by Culcheth Lions and supported by Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council, the event saw various attractions, including the official switch on of the village’s Christmas lights.
The event is organised each year to help boost local trade and attract visitors to the village, as well as helping the Lions raise funds for local good causes.
Man rescued from
smoke-filled house
by John Hendon
A MAN was rescued from a smoke-filled house at Warrington after neighbours alerted emergency services.
Four fighfighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house in Valiant Close, Padgate and carried the man to safety.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital by ambulance.
The blaze was in the lounge and caused extensive damage. Smoke damage was caused in other parts of the property.
An investigation is going on into the cause, but arson is suspected.
Smoke detectors were fitted in the premises and did activate.
Fire crews from Warrington and Birchwood were involved in the operation and members of the Red Cross fire incident victim support unit attended the incident.
Rugby team’s healthy
diet may be crucial
by staff reporter
WHEN Warrington Collegiate’s rugby team take on St Helens in the semi-finals of the SRL National College Cup, they will be fuelled by a diet not of pies, bacon butties and pints – but fruit, wholemeal bread and fish.
As part of the Collegiate’s moves to promote healthy eating, Level 2 catering students have been providing the players with wholesome grub to set them up for their games.
And before the team set off for the game against rivals St Helens College, the lads will have been packed off on the coach with a healthy lunch.
Mike Brogan, co-ordinator of sport at the Collegiate, said: “This is the first time the college has entered this national cup, so we’re delighted to have got as far as the semi-finals. It’s important that the players are in good shape for their games and healthy eating is part of that regime.
“I think their balanced diet has helped us through to this stage of the competition. It’s given them the energy, strength and well-being to play superbly.”
Catering tutor Gary Butcher believes his students will do all they can to ensure the players are given the right food to eat before their big game.
He said: “The lads need a good balance of carbohydrates and protein, but nothing too heavy right before the match. We’d be looking at a lunch of, say, tuna or chicken sandwiches, fresh fruit and a soft drink such as low-calorie orange juice or an energy drink.
“When they played West Hull in the quarter finals, we fed both teams a healthy lunch and it went down very well. Contrary to popular belief, rugby players don’t just live on a diet of burgers and pies!”
The rugby team, which is made up of students drawn from all college departments, receives part time coaching from former professional Steve McCurry. The victors of the semi final match between the Collegiate and St Helens will meet either East Hull or Warrington?s Priestley College in the finals.
Daylight raiders
grab watches
by staff reporter
DAYLIGHT raiders got away with two watches and other valuable in an audacious raid on a house in Longford, Warrington.
They placed a ladder against the house, forced a bedroom window and entered – stealing two Raymond Weil women’s watches.
The occupier of the house in Northway became aware of the intruders and disturbed them and they left the same way they had entered.
Police say the occupier did not see the intruders and are hoping that other householders in the residential area may have witnessed the incident. Anyone who can help is asked to call them on 01244 614892,
Cycle hooligan runs
down schoolgirls
by John H
endon
A THUG riding a black and silver mountain bike ran down two teenage girls as they walked to school at Warrington.
Both the girls, who were walking along Lingley Green Avenue towards Great Sankey High School, suffered minor injuries in the incident.
Police say it appears the cyclist deliberately ran into the girls.
The man was aged 28-30, about 5ft 9 inches tall and of large build. His left eyebrow was pierced with a silver bar bell and he wore dark tracksuit bottoms, a dark waterproof jacket and a dark beanie hat.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, or who recognises the offender from his description, is asked to contact PC Rachel Parr on 0845 458 0000.
[ 02.12.2006, 08:23: Message edited by: DS ]
