Hive of activity at new town centre mecca for hospitality, shopping and office space all under one roof!

VIDEO: A hive of activity is underway at a new mecca for hospitality, shopping and office space all under the same roof in one of Warrington town centre’s most iconic buildings.

Known as the ‘The Hive WA1’ the former Co-op and more recently TJ Hughes department store, is a three-storey corner property covering a massive 85,000 sq ft.

Work is now well underway to convert the building to a one-stop destination for a number of facets and be a busy hive of activity for both work and play. The ground floor space is now nearing completion of its transformation into a Boutique Shopping Mall set to open soon.
Part of the development of the building is the construction of a bespoke delivery or dark kitchen at the rear of the premises called ‘Honeycombe’ It will house 12 individual kitchen units which can be hired on short term lets and use the access at the large goods yard onto Egypt Street for delivery only.
Ben Rafferty, a specialist retail hospitality consultant working with the landlord, provided an exclusive tour of the facility with Warrington Worldwide ahead of a business networking preview event taking place today, from 3pm.
Ben said: “The Hive is a continuous development and we are really excited about the future.”

Already the First Floor houses the 7,000 square foot Brass Monkey sports bar that opened in May 2022 and has shuffleboards, ping pong, pool, live stage and DJ booth. In addition there has been more than 3,700 square feet let to local businesses for offices and 8,000 square feet being made available for a Co-Working office space called ‘Nectar’.
There are plans to convert the second floor and above into a hotel with conference and banqueting space for 200 people. This floor is home to the original Members Hall from 1910 where a plaque
celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Warrington Co-Operative Society (then known as Warrington Equitable Industrial Co-Operative Society). The Memorial Hall would have been used by the
members for events and a plaque in situ was kept up to date with details of presidents until the outbreak of World War II.
Part of the hotel plans is to house a panoramic Sky Garden on the roof that offers incredible views to the West. Plans show an island bar, kitchens and seating for +150 people. A new lift is being installed from the ground floor mall direct to the roof.
The Hive is still seeking operators to occupy the first phase of the shopping mall for a number of different types of businesses including boutique gym, artisan bakery, beauty clinic, travel agency, jewellers, mens grooming, ladies and men’s fashion store, music shop, tattooist, florists and wine merchants.”

If you have a viable business plan and can demonstrate strong commercial acumen or are already established, then get in touch, rents start from as little as £200 per week.
The building as a whole was designed by architect John Douglas around 1864, but was substantially rebuilt around 1908.
The Ground floor at the turn of the last century would have originally been the Co-Operative Society’s main department store – featuring grocers, draper, provision dealers, baker and cobblers.
Ben added: “All in all it is sure to become a mecca for hospitality, shopping and office space all under the same roof.
Please email all enquires to [email protected] and check all the details on the website www.thehivewa1.com

There is an open invitation to view the premises today (Thursday) between 3pm-5pm.