Multi-million ? scheme
unveiled for town centre
by David Skentelbery
A MULTI-million ? scheme for a cinema, hotel, restaurants, shops, offices and luxury apartments in the centre of Warrington has been announced by Manchester-based Modus Properties.
The plan involves land off Winwick Street – the last remaining undeveloped site in the town centre.
Modus, in a joint venture with the Liverpool based Iliad Group, known as The Winwick Partnership, will shortly submit a planning application to the borough council.
It involves about 600 high specification apartments, a multi-screen cinema, hotel and numerous restaurants.
Modus say the proposals will provide a “perfect mix” of uses for a town centre site.
It is the second time Modus has put forward proposals for the site – a sprawling area of derelict buildings, demolition sites and former industrial premises.
In 1999 they proposed a ?25 million scheme, also involving a multi-screen cinema, but also including bars, restaurants and a bowling alley.
But talks between the council and the company broke down and Modus pulled out of the deal.
The new scheme provides excellent links to Warrington new town centre bus station – already under construction – Warrington Central Station and the existing Golden Square, which is also undergoing a major expansion.
A spokesman for Modus said: “Subject to the progress of the application, it is hoped that construction would commence by the end of 2006. Modus/Iliad will ensure that the construction programme is managed in such a way as to minimise any impacts upon neighbouring businesses and others within the remainder of the town centre.
Modus director Mike Riddell said: “This scheme will transform Warrington. We are delighted to be working with Warrington Council to provide this development, which could become an inspiration for future urban regeneration projects across the UK.
” The scheme will create a distinctive and cosmopolitan environment that will provide unique opportunities for life in Warrington.”
Modus will be holding a public consultation at the Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington on Friday, September 9 when interested parties will be able to view the plans and other images which will accompany the planning application.
They can also meet members of the developer’s professional team and ask questions about the proposals.
Youngsters tackle drug
issues with poster campaign
by Gary Skentelbery
FIVE teenagers from Lymm High School have drawn up a poster campaign to tackle what they see as the two key drugs issues for young people – binge drinking and confusion over the new cannabis reclassification laws.
Working with Warrington Youth Action, a local voluntary organisation which works with local young people to work on community safety issues, the five boys spent several months looking into the realities of young peoples behaviour when drinking and smoking, resulting in the launch of a poster campaign.
The group, Sean McCormick, Danny Riley, Sam Baaziz, Patrick Maher and Jack Beasant, designed two posters: The first, which can now be seen on several bus-stops around Warrington, looked at the dangers of groups of young people drinking to excess, including the added dangers of leaving friends when intoxicated.
The group chose to use photographs in this poster to help get their message across.
The second poster was designed to ease confusion about the reclassification of cannabis. Following a survey the group found that many young people were confused over what the consequences legally would be if they smoked cannabis. The poster used striking artwork to draw attention to their points that people smoking or possessing cannabis may still be arrested, especially if they are 17 and under.
Both the group’s posters featured details of Phaze, a local drug intervention organisation, and Frank’s national drug helpline.
The project was funded by: Warrington Drug Action Team, Cheshire Crimebeat and Clear Channel, the company owning the bus-stops which were kindly donated to Warrington Youth Action for a number of weeks over the summer holidays.
The group all achieved UK Youth Challenge Awards in recognition of their hard work on the project.
The posters were unveiled during a special launch at a bus-stop on Higher Lane in Lymm close to the High School.
The visit was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress COun Hans and Coun Karen Mundry, The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Carolin Patton-Smith; a representative of Clear Channel; the chairman of Warrington Youth Action, David Betts and the Warrington Youth Action Project Co-ordinator, Caroline Teasdale.
Caroline said: “The group worked really hard to produce their posters; they wanted to get their message across in a striking way that didn’t patronise young people. I think they have more than achieved their goals. The High Sheriff of Cheshire, Carolin Patton-Smith, added: “The posters are fantastically eye-catching.”
The poster campaign has made a great start with the bus-stop exposure in Lymm, Grappenhall and Culcheth, and this success will be built on over the next few weeks with smaller versions being sent out to schools and youth clubs.
For more information on this project or Warrington Youth Action contact Project Co-ordinator, Caroline Teasdale on 01925 843726.
Victim treated in
hospital after attack
by John Hendon
A MAN was taken to hospital with injuries to his face after being the victim of a completely unprovoked attack in Warrington town centre.
The 35-year-old required stitches to his wounds after the attack in Barbauld Street in the early evening.
Police are searching for the offender, a man wearing a hooded coat who ran off towards Bridge Street, joining two other youths not involved in the attack. They all walked towards Bridge Street.
Police are asking witnesses to contact DC Ian Allen on 01244 613845.
Councillor’s anger at
bus shelter vandals
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON councillor is demanding action against bus shelter yobs who have vandalised a bus shelter twice in little more than a week.
The bus shelter opposite the Tesco Extra store on the main A49 was vandalised resulting in smashed window panes. It was repaired within days only to be targeted again over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Coun Yvonne Fovargue said: “I was appalled to see this shelter vandalised as it is used by many residents from the nearby Watkin Street estate, many of them elderly. Despite this I was pleased to see the shelter was fixed very quickly.
“Then within a matter of days the shelter was vandalised again which will require another call out for work to be completed again at a great cost.
“Tougher action is required against the perpetrators of this crime. It’s a kick in the teeth for local residents who are working hard to improve the area only for the yobs to undermine their efforts.
“That’s why I have written to the police asking them to be pro-active in catching the yobs who carry out these mindless acts.”
Burglar stole charity
cash from hospital
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting a man who stole ?130 cash from a charity box at Warrington Hospital.
The man was seen to enter the staff room in the food hall at the hospital. Witnesses say he may have been carrying a pocket knife, although he made no attempt to use it.
He was about 35-42 years-old, about 6ft tall and of slim build with short, dark brown hair. He was wearing a light blue tee-shirt.
Police are asking anyone who saw the man to contact them on 01244 613860.
Breast cancer
fundraiser
by staff reporter
LOCAL supporters of the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer are to “Strip the Willow” during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breakthrough Cheshire Group is organising a Ceilidh at Lymm Rugby Club, near Warrington on Friday Octo
ber 14. Tickets are ?15 each, to include a hot-pot and apple pie supper, and can be obtained by phoning 01925 751769 or 244459.
Liz MacPherson, Breakthrough’s representative in Cheshire, said “What better way of raising money than to have a fun night out, whilst at the same time raising money for vital research into this awful disease.”
[ 10.09.2005, 08:06: Message edited by: DS ]
