ASSET manager and developer Altered Space has completed the sale of Cockhedge Shopping Centre in Warrington to Sheet Anchor Evolve, following a multi-year programme of urban regeneration and asset repositioning.
The project has successfully increased occupancy to 98% by floor area (94% by unit count), strengthened the tenant mix and introduced complementary uses such as leisure and food and beverage.
Altered Space still has ownership of a standalone 10,000 sq. ft unit within the retail park, where it previously secured full planning permission for a new GP hub capable of serving up to 12,000 patients. The aim is to deliver the healthcare facility during 2026–27.
The Cockhedge scheme has been owned and managed by Altered Space since 2019. Originally developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the centre had experienced declining occupancy due in part to the expansion of competing retail destinations in Warrington town centre. In response, Altered Space implemented a strategy to ‘rightsize’ and modernise the scheme, improving its long-term viability while unlocking land for future town centre regeneration.
The programme included the demolition of approximately 65,000 sq. ft of redundant retail space to create a future residential development site, alongside a comprehensive refurbishment of the remaining commercial scheme.
Completed at the end of 2025, the works introduced four new external-facing retail units, a contemporary façade treatment, upgraded entrances and improvements to the public realm and car park.
As part of the transformation, the centre was also rebranded to reflect the heritage and identity of the local area, working with branding specialists Studio DBD.
Michael Brown, co-founder of Altered Space, said: “Cockhedge presented a classic town centre challenge, with an over-provision of legacy retail space that no longer aligned with modern demand. Our strategy was to reshape the scheme into a more sustainable and relevant commercial offer while simultaneously unlocking the long-term redevelopment potential of the wider site.
“The successful sale of the commercial element reflects the value created through that repositioning, and we’re pleased to see the asset move into its next phase under new ownership. Looking ahead, Altered Space remains committed to the ongoing regeneration of the wider Cockhedge site, with ambitious plans to further enhance its mixed-use offerings and community focused spaces.”
Alongside the commercial repositioning, Altered Space has worked in partnership with Warrington Borough Council to bring forward a wider regeneration vision for the area. In 2022, outline planning permission was secured for a residential masterplan of up to 900 homes across part of the Cockhedge site and adjacent council-owned land, including the former Newtown House office building.
The masterplan was designed by LIKE Architects with planning consultancy support from Lichfields and sets out a framework for a new high-density residential quarter within Warrington town centre.
The sale to Evolve marks a significant milestone in the long-term regeneration of the Cockhedge area, with the commercial scheme now successfully repositioned and the wider residential vision for Cockhedge continuing to progress.
Meanwhile, a new slide park at Cockhedge, known as Slidie Sliderson, is currently scheduled to open in mid-May 2026.
The attraction was originally intended to open in February 2026, but the date was pushed back. The new opening window was recently confirmed by owners Rocafella Leisure Group.
