New store may keep shoppers in town

A NEW fashion store due to open in Warrington soon could play a major role in helping to stop local people going out-of-town to shop.
The news that Primark is to open in Golden Square has already been widely welcomed as a potential magnet to draw people into town.
But now it has been revealed that 78 per cent of all people surveyed while travelling from Warrington to Liverpool or Manchester by train said they were doing so for the sole purpose of going to Primark.
The surprise statistic emerged at the launch of the 15th annual Warrington Property Report, published by urban regeneration partnership Warrington and Co.
It was just one of a number of positives highlighted by the report.
The long-awaited start of work on the Omega development, with two developments already under way and two more expected later this year, will bring 1,600 jobs.
But the report also revealed that last year, more than one million square feet of commercial property transactions were completed, and investment sales netted £80m.
In the first quarter of this year, more than 60 per cent of last year’s total has already been achieved in the office market.
Peter Crompton, chairman of Warrington and Co, said: “The findings presented in our annual Property Report make very positive reading and show a vibrant outlook. The resilience of the local economy, recognised in national surveys, is reflected in Warrington’s property market.
“This year has got off to a great start with significant property lettings already secured. This coupled with the clear momentum building at Omega and the news that the £190 million outline master plan for the Stadium Quarter has received the go ahead from the council, means we can look forward to a busy, and we hope, another successful year.”
Presentations were made on future developments of the town centre – the Stadium Quarter and Bridge Street – and it was revealed that Warrington also exceeded its targets on new build homes last year with 626 properties completed across 32 separate sites, against a target of 456.
Council leader Terry O’Neill (pictured right) said: “The results of the Property Report are very good news for our town. There are many exciting projects either on site or in the pipeline such as Omega and the Stadium Quarter that will bring investment and jobs to Warrington. Our saying is invest in success – come to Warrington and be part of our exciting journey.”
Golden Square Shopping Centre landed nine new occupiers last year, including Primark
For the third year running, a new hotel opened in the town, with Gulliver’s Theme Park opening its £3.75m 66-bedroom hotel in November.
In the sport and leisure industry, last year saw the visit of the Queen to open the new £32m Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, the largest Olympic legacy facility built outside London, while this year will see Rugby League World Cup games played at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and the Samoan team based in the town.