Shopping centre attracting
high street fashion retailers
by Gary Skentelbery
WORK is set to start on doubling the size of Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre in a multi-million pound project generating major investment in the town.
At least four national High Street fashion retailers have already expressed an interest in opening in the town alongside Debenhams.
Major construction work will start on February 28th, beginning with the part-demolition of the Legh Street, multi-storey car park.
But Development Manager Rupert Wood, (Pictured left) of project management company Lend Lease, says it will be “business as usual” for the town centre.
“Obviously with a development of this scale there will be some disruption. But we aim to keep this to a minimum.
“We have established a good working relationship with our town centre partners who have all been very helpful and positive.”
The two year project will see Golden Square increase in size from 310,00 sq ft to 640,000 sq ft together with a new state of the art bus station.
With Debenhams already committing to opening a store in the development four or five other major high street fashion retailers have shown a keen interest.
As well as the new works there will also be refurbishment of the existing shopping centre.
The works are being displayed in a town centre exhibition within Golden Square.
Work is being phased in five stages, with the multi-story car park being demolished in two stages, retaining town centre car parking. During the demolition of the existing bus station a temporary facility will be provided nearby until completion of the new bus station.
“This is a big scheme in the middle of a busy town and we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption,” added Rupert.
Pictures show an artists impression of the proposed Golden Square development.
New drive to stamp
out underage drinking
by Lesley Wilkinson
A MAJOR campaign is being launched in Warrington urging traders not to sell alcohol to underage drinkers.
The campaign, under the banner “I’d rather ask for ID than lose my job,” is asking people who sell alcohol in off-licenses, shops and supermarkets, to ask for 100 per cent proof that the customer is old enough before making the sale.
Shop assistants and managers are being asked to think about the consequences of selling alcohol to underage drinkers, for their company, young people and the community.
The campaign, funded by the Warrington Health Partnership and the Safer Warrington Partnership, is the second phase of the town’s blitz on drink problems.
Phase one featured hard-hitting posters in pubs to tackle binge drinking in the town centre.
During the next few weeks an underage alcohol sales officer, enlisted by Warrington Trading Standards, will visit stores selling alcohol to involve them in the campaign and to provide advice.
Coun Mike Hannon, the borough council’s executive member for community and well-being, said: “Prevention and education are vital if we are to combat the dangerous effects of teen drinking. Working closely with off licences and other sellers of alcohol, this campaign is targeted at cracking down hard on underage drinkers and reducing the harmful effects alcohol can have in communities across our borough.
“Underage drinking is a serious problem that effects us all. We are committed to preventing alcohol abuse among our underage children and young people. By encouraging shop workers to take an active role in spreading the awareness and tackling underage drinking at its source, we hope we can make a real difference.”
Trading standards manager Peter Astley said: “There is no excuse for people to sell alcohol to underage drinkers. We need to ensure that underage drinkers have fewer opportunities to get hold of alcohol and, in some cases, cause trouble in their areas.
“Licensees and shops selling alcohol have an important role to play in ensuring they do not sell alcohol to young people – or to adults who may be buying it for youngsters who are under age.”
Since 2002 trading standards have carried out test purchases throughout the town using volunteers under 18 to make alcohol purchases. The results showed that many were sold alcohol illegally.
Students scoop top
photography awards
by staff reporter
TWO talented students, who have been brushing up their photography skills during evening classes at Priestley College, Warrington, have scooped top awards in a national competition.
Andrew Williams, of Weaverham, and Janice Hardman of Lymm, were presented with their awards at a gala dinner in Coventry.
The dinner, hosted by the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers and the British Professional Photographers Associates, was attended by people from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland and throughout the UK.
Andrew won the Nature and Environment Photographer of the Year and also the ?1,000 third prize in the overall Photographer of the Year competition.
Janice won the Digital Photographer of the Year award, for the second time in her career.
The winners were selected from the many hundreds of entries, including many from professional photographers, in a competition that ran throughout the year.
Shadow Foreign Secretary
to “listen to Lymm”
by David Skentelbery
SHADOW Foreign Secretay and deputy leader of the Conservative Party Michael Ancram is to visit Lymm, near Warrington to hear the concerns of local people on pensions and security in retirement.
He has been invited by local solicitor and Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South Fiona Bruce.
She wants him to “Listen to Lymm” and set out how the Conservative’s policies will benefit the retired and those planning for retirement.
Mrs Bruce said: “I’m pleased that Michael is coming to Lymm and I have asked him to set out how the Conservative Party’s policies on pensions will provide for security in retirement.
” So many people across Warrington have worked hard and paid taxes all their working lives. Yet under Labour they have seen their pensions eroded, are fearful of crime on the streets, are unable to get the hospital treatment they need and have witnessed the breakdown of values, respect and discipline in our society.
“It’s time for a change. I’m determined to fight for a more secure future for Warrington people, to speak out for their interests, and to debunk Tony Blair’s assertions that things are getting better when in so many respects, particularly pensions, Labour have let people down.”
Public sector offers
wide range of jobs
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council is flagging up a national campaign to draw attention to the range of attractive jobs available within the public services.
Next week is Public Sector Jobs Week and the council – one of the largest employers in Warrington – is drawing attention to the wide range of jobs available within the sector.
A spokeswoman said: “Whether your talents are creativity, attention to detail or motivating others, you could help to shape and deliver local services for local people.
“You will be rewarded through an employment package, including a variety of working hours and flexible shifts, commitment to developing your potential, and benefits such as an attractive pension scheme.”
Anyone who thinks they could play a part in Warrington’s future is urged to visit the council’s “jobs” website www.warrington.gov.uk/jobs
Doorstep salesmen out
to dupe pensioners
by staff reporter
DOORSTEP salesmen have been fooling residents in Warrington into believing that they have to pay for advice on ways of reducing their water charges.
Trading Standards chiefs have issued a warning following a complaint from a Padgate w
oman who was duped into handing over a cheque.
She agreed to pay ?30, to be followed up by a further payment of ?70, when a man called at her home offering the service, which is readily available free of charge elsewhere.
He referred to a new government scheme aimed at pensioners and told her she would qualify.
The woman was left with a slip of paper with the initials and address of the company and the representative’s name, but did not receive any paperwork about the service she had subscribed to.
She became suspicious when she left a message with the company but did not receive a reply and cancelled the cheque the following day.
As she had not asked the man to call she should have been given written information on her right to cancel.
A number of consumers have been approached, across the North West, and offered assistance in cutting their bills, with representatives requesting fees of up to ?100 for the service.
Principal Trading Standards officer Edwina Greenwood said: “Our main concern is that people are paying out for a service, which is available free of charge. The advice being offered and provided by these door-to-door salesmen may not be accurate and many customers have complained about being misinformed about their entitlement to assistance under certain schemes, while other valid ways of reducing their bills have not been mentioned.
“As always, out advice is to avoid buying anything from a sales person who knocks at your door. If you need to look into saving money on your bills, contact the professionals who will offer advice for free.”
Free advice about how to save on water and sewerage charges can be found at a number of sources including www.watervoice.org.uk or by calling 0161 236 6112).
Arsonist strikes
in gardens
by staff reporter
AN arsonist with an apparent grudge against keen gardeners struck twice within an hour at Warrington.
First he started a blaze at a house in Cotswold Road, Orford – destroying a garden shed and four fence panels and severely damaging a tree.
Then he struck again in Osborne Avenue, Warrington, destroying large ornamental grasses, a fence panel and a conifer.
A Fire Services spokesman said: “From the way the fires were started we think the same person was responsible for both. He appears to have used paper and matches to get the fires going.”
Police are investigating.
“Stars” turn out for
tsunami appeal concert
by John Hendon
A POP concert in aid of the Tsunami disaster is to be held at Warrington’s Parr Hall on Saturday, February 19 – with some “big names” on the bill.
Names include Kylie, Britney, Justin and Robbie – but the ticket price of ?10 and a closer look at the line-up gives the game away.
It’s the tribute concert to end all tribute concerts with a wide range of artists being “taken off” in a good cause.
Main feature is Westlive (as Westlife) and supporting acts are Ronen Keating (as Ronan Keating), Kylie Diva (as Kylie Minogue), Robby Williams (as Robbie Williams), Justin Timberfake (as Justin Timberlake) and Britchick (as Britney Spears).
Adult ticket prices are ?10 and children under 14 and pensioners will pay ?5.
All proceeds will be going to the Tsunami Appeal fund. Further information is available on 07838 152667.
