£200m masterplan for town centre

A BLUEPRINT to breathe new life into Warrington town centre as part of a £200 million re-development project has been given the green light by council leaders.
Members of Warrington Borough Council’s executive board have agreed to progress plans which will completely change the face of the town centre.
The proposals for the ‘Bridge Street Quarter’ aim to revitalise the area and the initial vision includes a new market hall and shops, as well as an increased range of dining and leisure facilities such as a cinema.
Plans for new office accommodation for council staff and potentially other public sector partners are also on the drawing board, as this guaranteed large scale letting is likely to make the project more attractive to developers.
Cllr Bob Barr, executive board member for planning, regeneration and housing said: “The aim of these proposals is to make Warrington town centre a high quality place to work, shop and relax for the benefit of residents, business owners and visitors alike.”
The whole site is about 17 acres in size, from the west side of Bridge Street to Academy Way in the east, Buttermarket Street in the North and Mersey Street in the south.
The ‘Bridge Street Quarter’ is included in a wider regeneration masterplan for the town approved at the end of 2008 and will have an estimated development value of £150 – 200 million.
Over the coming weeks and months a preferred development partner to take this project forward will be sought. After this selection is made more detailed plans will be drawn up and a public consultation will take place.
Picture: Warrington Market and Time Square as it is at the moment.