Superstore could damage town centre

A MAJOR new “home and garden” superstore may be opened on an out-of-town site at Warrington – despite the fact that it conflicts with borough council policies aimed at concentrating new retail development in the town centre.
Members of the council’s development management committee have been warned that if store giants Next do not win consent for the store on the Gemini Retail Park at Westbrook it is unlikely to be located elsewhere in Warrington.
The company wants to change the use of a warehouse on Europa Boulevard, adjacent to the existing Next fashion store.
The two buildings are already linked and the aim would be maintain the link with a new single level conservatory to provide a garden centre-type outlet, also selling bulky items such as furniture.
Store bosses have rejected other vacant stores in Bridge Street, Wilson Patten Street, Buttermarket Street, Barbauld Street and Golden Square as being unsuitable or unviable.
But they have apparently not considered other vacant units on Winwick Street, Riverside Retail Park, Pinners Brow Retail Park and Alban Retail Park, all of which planning officers say would be preferable to the Gemini site.
Planning officers say the size of the development could have a serious detrimental impact on retailing within the town centre. However, they are still recommending approval because they believe the potential negative impact of the new store will be outweighed by likely benefits, including about 100 jobs.
However, officers do suggest that if the committee should decide to approve the scheme it should be referred to the National Planning Casework Unit for them to decide if the plan should be “called in” by the Secretary of State.

Dizzy on 3rd October 2011 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

Surely it makes sense to allow an existing and settled store to expand into and adjoining linked warehouse rather than to make it somehow split itself across the town. I can understand the company no wanting to take up empty premises on Bridge Street as that is a dead zone now as are Wilson Patten Street, Buttermarket Street, Barbauld Street etc. There may be some benefits for a period of cheap rental rates in the town centre but I can't see any new business thriving around there for a long time as it has been ruined. Golden square 'maybe' but then that is not a good place for a company selling bulky items and garden furniture especially if they are to buy and 'take away'. How on earth would you pick up your goods… you'd have to carry them down/up the lifs to the carpark. So to me where it already is sounds ideal for expansion especially for Sunday shoppers. Gemini Retail Park with it's Ikea, Toys R Us, M&S etc etc is clearly good place to house larger retail stores so why not this one? It's right next to the motorway and has it's own motorway entrance/exit for those coming for further afield (I guess Next have already considered that) so there must have been an intention by the council at one time to make it even BIGGER and more accessible. Maybe that was before they messed up Warrington Town centre though. Gemini even has FREE parking ! Saying that traffic does impact a lot on the housing around there especially due to the ridiculours road layouts. I don't get the last bit about the planners recomendations though… they say it will have a serious detrimental impact on retailing withing the Town Centre… WHY? AS THERE ARE NO GARDEN TYPE outlets in the town centre… they are all on the borders/outskirts of the centre as are all the furniture stores. I really can't see it making any difference at all to people shopping in the town centre and if the planners aren't careful they may just put their new store in the Widnes instead 🙂 Now that is changing for the better these days and fast. They have even got a new cinema, ice rink, bowling place, hotel etc on the waterfront. We need to catch up a bit quicker … so when are we getting ours but can we have a roller rink like we used to have too please ha ha 🙂

4 Comments

Eric Caddy on 3rd October 2011 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

How does this council policy help the traffic situation in the town center? Attracting more cars in doesn’t seem very smart.

Inky Pete on 3rd October 2011 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

If the council wants to save retailling in the town centre, all they need to do is make the parking the same price as it is at the retail parks and out of town shopping centres – i.e. FREE. I never shop in the town centre when I can possibly avoid it because I refuse to be charged what is essentially an entry fee to go shopping.

Baz on 3rd October 2011 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

The company in question is obviously aware of the trade on a Sunday which just wouldn’t be gained from any of the town centre sites

Dizzy on 3rd October 2011 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

Surely it makes sense to allow an existing and settled store to expand into and adjoining linked warehouse rather than to make it somehow split itself across the town. I can understand the company no wanting to take up empty premises on Bridge Street as that is a dead zone now as are Wilson Patten Street, Buttermarket Street, Barbauld Street etc. There may be some benefits for a period of cheap rental rates in the town centre but I can't see any new business thriving around there for a long time as it has been ruined. Golden square 'maybe' but then that is not a good place for a company selling bulky items and garden furniture especially if they are to buy and 'take away'. How on earth would you pick up your goods… you'd have to carry them down/up the lifs to the carpark. So to me where it already is sounds ideal for expansion especially for Sunday shoppers. Gemini Retail Park with it's Ikea, Toys R Us, M&S etc etc is clearly good place to house larger retail stores so why not this one? It's right next to the motorway and has it's own motorway entrance/exit for those coming for further afield (I guess Next have already considered that) so there must have been an intention by the council at one time to make it even BIGGER and more accessible. Maybe that was before they messed up Warrington Town centre though. Gemini even has FREE parking ! Saying that traffic does impact a lot on the housing around there especially due to the ridiculours road layouts. I don't get the last bit about the planners recomendations though… they say it will have a serious detrimental impact on retailing withing the Town Centre… WHY? AS THERE ARE NO GARDEN TYPE outlets in the town centre… they are all on the borders/outskirts of the centre as are all the furniture stores. I really can't see it making any difference at all to people shopping in the town centre and if the planners aren't careful they may just put their new store in the Widnes instead 🙂 Now that is changing for the better these days and fast. They have even got a new cinema, ice rink, bowling place, hotel etc on the waterfront. We need to catch up a bit quicker … so when are we getting ours but can we have a roller rink like we used to have too please ha ha 🙂