Town’s sports teams are
victims of own success
by David Skentelbery
THE success of grass roots soccer and rugby teams across Warrington is causing the borough council problems.
Demand for pitches is exceeding supply – even though the council has 94 pitches used by more than 10,000 people on a weekly basis.
About 413 soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union teams are using pitches in the town’s parks and recreation grounds this winter and many more have had to be referred to other providers such as schools, parish councils and private sports clubs.
Successful teams are winning promotion to higher leagues – which demand better facilities.
Town Hall chiefs say there is already a significant unmet demand for pitches and the situation is likely to get worse, with more and more would-be teams disappointed.
Dave Stamp, the council’s head of environmental management, said: “In support of our vision to become an outstanding town, opportunity and access for the community use of football and rugby pitch facilities is considered an essential and expected requirement.
“Sport provision at the highest level contributes to the town’s image, attractiveness and economy. The town’s park based sport pitches contribute directly to this vision and aspiration.”
Mr Stamp said current park based sport pitches only provided the minimum “grass roots” level and would need significant investment and physical improvement to reach the higher standards required when existing teams won promotion.
Further investment in pitches would be necessary even to maintain a “standstill position” because of the need to maintain minimum safety standards.
Varying weather patterns in recent years were making it more difficult to provide safe pitches and the lack of adequate drainage systems at many sites often resulted in matches being cancelled.
Mr Stamp says there is a need to review the council’s current and future policy and practice on providing and maintaining pitches in parks and recreation grounds.
Major boost for
new businesses
by James Parr
NEW businesses have received a massive boost with the unveiling of 10 incubator units at Warrington’s International Business Centre.
Business Start Up is a scheme to provide units to help fledgling businesses get off the ground with all the amenities they need already in place – in the hope that they out grow the space in 12 to 18 months.
The company behind the incubator initiative, Link International Business Solutions, has already filled four out of the 10 spaces with new businesses.
Sales and marketing director Brian Thorp, believes the incubators are in prime location for any new business.
He said: “We have very good transport links here, we are on the junction for Manchester or Liverpool, as well as having very good rail services and access to two international airports.”
At the opening, Peter Crompton, chairman of Warrington 200-Plus, owners of the IBC said: “The building has been regenerated yet again and is continuing to develop the private and public sector partnership.”
North West Development Agency chief executive Steven Broomhead, who cut the ribbon to officially open the units, said: “The growth in this centre is very, very important to us and we wish the centre every success.”
One company already operating from one of the incubators is Good 4 Business. Director Jim Ward is fully in support of the scheme.
He said: “I believe there is no greater location in the North West. The staff here are very helpful and provide an excellent service. The office space is also particularly good.”
Colin Heppelstone, of Quadrant Design Ltd added: “We were amazed to find a place like this. It’s like a ‘plug in and play’ environment. Here you get the infrastructure without the extra cost. It is this type of support that is key for any business to succeed.”
Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council Diana Terris said: “With centres like this, we hope that we can unlock the potential from other areas right across Warrington to combine ambition with growth.”
Resident calls for big
turn-out for tip decision
by David Skentelbery
A WORRIED resident whose home overlooks one of the biggest tipping sites in Warrington is urging members of the public to turn out in force to oppose a plan to extend the tip when it is considered by planners on Wednesday, October 17.
Jim Carr, of Culcheth, wants the borough council?s development control committee to refuse permission for the scheme.
But he is worried that a poor turn-out by local residents might influence the committee and result in tip operators Biffa Waste winning permission to extend the life of the tip until 2010.
The existing planning consent expires in October next year.
As recently as April, planners threw out an application by the company to extend the life of the tip. But now they have submitted another, almost identical, application ? and planning officers are recommending it for approval.
Mr Carr says nearly 100 residents wrote letters of objection. But when the matter went before the committee, only about six people turned up.
Fortunately the committee deferred a decision to enable members to visit the site and the matter will now be considered again on October 17.
Mr Carr said: ?If we only get a few people turning up again it might appear to the committee that no-one really cares. Two of the people who went to the last meeting will be away on holiday so we may get even fewer people there.
?I think many people believe that because they have sent in a written objection they need do no more. But in fact, a room full of angry protestors could make the difference.
?The people of Culcheth have suffered from this tip site for too many years already so we don?t want to have to put up with it any longer than necessary.?
Lunchtime recitals
in the town centre
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of free lunchtime recitals start on Saturday at Holy Trinity Church, Market Gate, Warrington.
The 12.30pm sessions each last about 45 minutes.
The first recital will be by 23-years-old Japanese pianist Kaoru Wada and includes works by Bach, Mozart and Schubert.
On October 13 there will be a mini-festival of young pianists.
Hector Docx, 15, younger brother of Ed Docx whose novel “Self Help” has been long-listed for this year’s Booker Prize, will be performing. Hector, who won the piano prize at last year?s Warrington Competition for Young Musicians, has a busy schedule of competitions.
Also performing will be two young brothers from Warrington, Jackie and Geordie Campbell, aged seven and almost five, who are both pupils of Gorse Covert Primary School. Jackie, who has won several competitions, will be going to Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester in September next year. Other young musicians will also take part.
Lunchtime Recitals will continue weekly with the viola (October 20), clarinet (27) and violin (November 3) being featured, each with piano accompaniment.
Applications are being accepted until November 19 for The Warrington Competition for Young Musicians 2008. Further details are available by telephoning 01925 762517 or visiting www.musicinwarringon.org.uk
Campaign group’s
“Broadway Ball”
by James Parr
THEATRE For Warrington ? the group campaigning for a new theatre in the town – are holding a ?Broadway Ball? to raise funds.
The De Vere Hotel in Daresbury on Saturday, November 24, will be the venue for the event, which will include a champagne reception, a three-course meal and dancing until the early hours.
People attending the event will also have the chance to win flight tickets to Dubai, tickets to see Take That in concert with back stage passes and a backstage tour of the Phantom of the Opera with tickets to see the production in
London’s West End.
Event co-ordinator Peter Gilberts said: “This will be one of the local extravaganza events of the year and a great way to see what creative energy exists within Warrington and how it yearns for the appropriate showcase.”
Tickets are available by contacting Peter on 01925 266 472 or via e-mail at [email protected] priced at ?50 each.
A chance to boost
business in Spain
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN expert in the chemical sector from the British Embassy in Madrid will be holding clinics in Warrington for business people.
Marianne Carlin, trade and investment officer from the embassy, covers the chemical sector along with energy/renewables and education and training.
She will be visiting the town as part of a two-day visit to the North West on November 12.
Chemical sector companies have the opportunity to book a one-to-one meeting with Marianne to discuss trading with Spain, entering the market or how Marianne and UK Trade and Investment might assist their businesses.
The clinics, of 20 to 30 minutes, will be on Monday November 12 at the EnviroLink North West offices at Spencer House, Birchwood.
Details of the chemical industry in Spain and booking forms for the clinics are available from Michelle Hartley, international trade coordinator, UKTI North West International Trade Team, fax 01229 840221, email [email protected] or telephone 01229 840341.
Shopfitters are
UK’s third biggest
by staff reporter
BIRCHWOOD-based company Morris and Spottiswood have been named as the third largest shopfitters in the UK for the second year running.
Established in 1925, the privately owned company, who employs more than 100 staff at its Birchwood base, secured third place in Retail Week’s annual league table due to their substantial increase in turnover.
Their turnover increase in the year ending 2006 to ?125 million, a ?24 million increase on the previous year.
Chief Executive Chris Saxton is delighted with the success, he said; “This is a fantastic achievement for the entire team and we’re thrilled to have maintained such a strong position in the league table this year,”
