Revival plan for town’s
neglected historic corner
by David Skentelbery
INNOVATIVE plans to revive a neglected part of Warrington’s historic town centre have been put to borough planners.
Developers want to provide new shops, a caf?-bistro, apartments and offices on land off Cairo Street and Barbauld Street.
The scheme would involve demolition of the old school room adjoining Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel and the old Garnett’s warehouse building.
But the landmark tower on the Garnett building would be preserved and Victoria Buildings in Barbauld Street would be refurbished and converted into retail units and old council offices at the back of the chapel would be rebuilt as the caf?-bistro.
Developers PTS believe the scheme will fit in well with the borough council’s recent amendments to the Bridge Street Conservation Area which aim to encourage improvements to some of the fine buildings in the area.
The historic Cairo Street Chapel would not be affected by the scheme, they say.
Planning permission will be required for the whole scheme, but Conservation Area consent and Listed Building consent will also be needed.
Bridge Street, and surrounding areas, were first designated as a conservation area in 1980.
But it has long been regarded as an architectural gem which, if properly revived, would be second only to Chester’s Eastgate Street as a fine example of a Victorian/Edwardian shopping area.
In 1968, Warrington Civic Society initiated a major face lift for Bridge Street itself which resulted in a visit from the Queen.
But since then the street, and adjoining town centre areas like Cairo Street and Barbauld Street, have been allowed to deteriorate, with many fine features being hidden by modern shop fronts.
Man’s 15 stitches
after attack in bar
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting a man who carried out a vicious attack on two friends in a town centre bar at Warrington.
One of the victims was left with serious injuries, including a slash wound to his stomach which required 15 stitches.
The two friends, both aged 26, were in the Medicine Bar when one, accidentally bumped into another man on his way to the bar.
He apologised ? but the other man struck him on the head with a bottle, knocking him to the floor. He then continued to attack the fallen man, kicking and punching him.
When his friend tried to intervene he was also attacked and knocked to the floor.
A large crowd gathered around while the attacks were being carried out.
The first victim suffered two black eyes and bruising to his face and body in addition to the stomach wound. The second sustained a broken nose, cuts and bruising to his face and head.
The attack took place at around 4am on Sunday, February 19.
Police say someone must have witnessed the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who can help should contact DS John Higgins on 01244 613831 or call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Health Minister’s pledge
on cuts in NHS training
by John Hendon
HEALTH Minister Andy Burnham is to visit the Warrington campus of the University of Chester to discuss possible cuts to NHS training courses locally.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones has secured a pledge from the minister to meet her and university vice chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler.
She won the promise during a Commons debate she instigated on the impact of higher education changes on the NHS.
Training for nurses and other health care professionals is dealt with in contracts between health authorities and higher education institutions.
Ms Jones (pictured)said: “Decisions ought to be made in accordance with work force planning and the recommendations of the review team at the Department of Health but I believe many Strategic Health Authorities are cutting training budgets to balance their books in other areas.
?The impact of that is very worrying for our universities.
?In the mid-90s drastic cuts in the NHS training budget by the last government resulted in courses being closed and academic and support staff being made redundant. We should learn the lessons from that experience and ensure it does not happen again.
“The University of Chester has 2,000 students in four branches of nursing, dietetics and midwifery as well as running postgraduate courses.
“There has already been a cut, locally, of six per cent in nurse training and the Regional Health Authority plans to cut full time commissions by 15 per cent. Health authorities need to be held account and we need to ensure they spend their budgets in line with work force planning.
“I am delighted that the Minister has agreed to meet with Professor Tim Wheeler and myself at the Padgate campus to discuss these matters in more detail.”
Hospital radio bids
for three top awards
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON Hospital’s radio station, Radio General is celebrating after being nominated for three awards for hospital broadcasting.
The winners will be announced at the National Hospital Broadcasting Association’s annual conference on March 31, in Northampton.
Radio General?s Kevin Farrell said: “Last year, we collected bronze for our sport programming and in 2005 Claire Grout achieved bronze in the female presenter of the year category.
This year, we hope to do even better as we have been shortlisted in no less than three categories.?
Radio General is on the shortlist for:
Male presenter of the Year, with an entry from Mike Taylor whose popular style of chat illuminates the Monday Night Request Show.
Sports output, with an entry highlighting the station’s live commentary from Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings games, its Rugby League magazine programme Final Hooter and Saturday afternoon sports.
Special Event, an award recognising the most outstanding one-off programme, for which Radio General has entered Jim Jefferies’ outside broadcast on the making of TV’s Time Team at the Roman fort in Warburton.
Radio General is run entirely by volunteers and is funded by donations from the public, local businesses and the fundraising activities of its members.
The station broadcasts to patients from studios within the hospital 24 hours a day, throughout the year.
Sheila Samuels, director of Human Resources, North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Our Trust is extremely grateful for the work of the volunteers in our radio stations at Warrington and Halton. They provide a valuable service to patients and we are very pleased that Radio General has been recognised in this way.”
News in brief
Bin blaze
FIRE crews were called to the Phipps Industrial Park at Burtonwood, near Warrington during the night to deal with a blaze involving a number of commercial waste bins. No damage was caused to buildings.
Hospital lottery
ONE lucky winner walked away with the ?719 jackpot prize in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital. Winning numbers were 5, 11, 12 and 13. A ?25 consolation prize was also awarded.
Water tank
PLANS for a glass reinforced plastic water tank in the estates yard at Warrington Hospital, Lovely Lane, Warrington, have been submitted to the borough’s planning department.
More parking
CAR parks at Winwick Leisure Centre, in Myddleton Lane, Winwick, Warrington will be extended if planning chiefs give the go-ahead.
