Planners approve £52 m project to regenerate Warrington town centre

PLANS for a £52 million redevelopment of Bridge Street, including relocating the town’s market, has been given the green light by Warrington’s
planning committee.
The regeneration of Warrington’s town centre took a significant step forward after planning approval was granted for the £52 million Bridge Street Quarter project.
When completed in 2019 the scheme will provide a new market hall, a multiplex cinema, a number of family friendly restaurants, a new council office building and will create a new public square. Site works are scheduled to commence early in the New Year.
The Council envisages a bustling vibrant market as being at the heart of the new development, however, in order that the market can make the move to its new contemporary home it will be necessary for the market to move to a temporary home.
When open in 2018 the new market hall will incorporate the magnificent, Grade 2 listed former Boots building façade on Bridge Street as one of its entrances. The opposite side of the building will feature entrances out towards the new square in front of the new multiplex cinema. Access into the market will also be available from the two other sides of the building in order to generate and promote through footfall and promote trade.
It will be necessary to deliver the scheme in two construction phases in order to minimise disruption for the market traders. The first building to be constructed on the site of Time Square will be fully equipped and fitted out to serve as a provisional home for the market to allow the existing, outdated market hall to be demolished and the new market hall to be constructed.
In early 2017 the market will move from its current ageing premises to a new 31,150 sq ft building to be built on what is currently Time Square which will serve as a temporary market hall. Protecting the vibrancy of trade at the market is a primary concern in order that businesses are in a robust state to move to the new permanent market in 2018. At no time will the market cease to trade.
The present market halls total 65,000 sq ft in size and are dated and under-occupied. The new £10 million market hall when completed will be approximately 40,000 sq ft.
The project has been driven and will be delivered by Warrington & Co., on behalf of Warrington Borough Council with development partner Muse.
Councillor Terry O’Neill, (pictured right) leader of Warrington Borough Council said: “This is a momentous decision for Warrington and the future of our town centre. The Bridge Street Quarter will transform the centre and will be supported by three other complementary projects: Stadium Quarter, Cabinet Works and Southern Gateway being led by Wire Regeneration. Already steelwork is emerging at Stadium Quarter with the Business Incubator well underway and I am excited that works will be starting at Bridge Street very early next year.
“Warrington town centre is on the cusp of a renaissance which will bring its vitality back to its former glory. This is an historic moment.”
Deputy Leader Councillor Mike Hannon (pictured left) said: “Like most people in Warrington, the market is very close to my heart. Protecting Warrington’s market now and into the future is a primary concern in the Bridge Street regeneration project and £10 million is to be invested in the creation of a new market hall which will be the envy of other towns and cities.
“It is regrettable, but unavoidable that the market will have to temporarily relocate. However we will be working very hard to make the transition as easy as possible for traders and shoppers. We will also be making every effort to promote the market and build and grow trade’.