WARRINGTON planning chiefs have given the go-ahead for more space for “drinking establishments” in the town’s Time Square development.
But development management committee chairman Cllr Tony McCarthy said strict conditions limiting late night opening will prevent the centre from becoming “another Bridge Street.”
Most of the units in the development will have to close at 1am, with the others closing at 2am. Police support the changes, he said.
The changes involve the ground floor and mezzanine level of the Leisure Block building – which is still under construction.
It is bounded by Academy Way to the south, Academy Street to the wast, by the existing market hall to the west and the temporary market hall to the north.
The committee was told a greater proportion of the Leisure Block building floorspace would be used for drinking establishments.
The building is in a Cumulative Impact Area which is designed to help prevent late night alcohol-related disorder and imposes control over the hours and days of use of premises such as restaurants and bars.
Officers said the drinking establishment use would add to the new hub of night-time economic activity and would be attractive to operators to who vibrancy and a high footfall was important.
