Plan to close shopping centre entrance

A PROPOSAL to close a major entrance to Warrington’s multi-million £ Golden Square shopping centre is being opposed by borough council planning bosses.
They believe it would significantly reduce and disrupt pedestrian flows between Sankey Street and the shopping centre.
There have also been four objections to the scheme from town centre businesses.
The plan – submitted by the Warrington Retail Partnership Ltd – would involve an amalgamation of three shop units and the pedestrian entrance to Golden Square near to Marks and Spencer.
Objectors say connectivity between the shopping centre and the rest of the town has always been a guiding principle of town centre development and the proposal would go against the whole spirit of that ethos.
Planning officers say there would be no objection in principle to the amalgamation of the shop units, nor changes to their elevations.
But the proposed absorption of the walkway into an enlarged store would be capable of having a negative impact on pedestrian flows and, as a result, the quality and attractiveness of that part of the town centre.
A report to be considered by the borough council’s planning sub-committee states: “The permanent closure of the passageway would significantly reduce permeability and disrupt pedestrian connectivity between Golden Square and Sankey Street – and vice versa – causing inconvenience for pedestrians and harming the quality and vitality of this important part of the town centre – Sankey Street between Market Gate and Bold Street.”
Officers are recommending the committee throw out the proposals.
Pictured: the entrance that would disappear