BCSC: Baron’s Quay contest to reopen
The procurement process to find a developer for more than 300,000 sq ft of new retail space in Northwich will begin before the end of 2011, according to Karl Connolly of Cheshire West & Chester Council.
Connolly, senior manager of special projects at CWAC, was speaking on the local authority’s stand at the British Council of Shopping Centres annual conference in Manchester.
The revised development framework for the 40-acre site next to the River Weaver was adopted by the council in July after it ended a pre-recession agreement with developer Wilson Bowden.
The new plans were devised with the help of architects Broadway Malyan, project manager Fraser Blair Associates, and engineer Curtins Consulting.
The revised plan is for non-food retail of 205,000 sq ft including the potential for a 50,000 sq ft department store anchor, next to a supermarket anchor of 118,000 sq ft, restaurants and cafes of 45,000 sq ft, 70,000 sq ft of cinema, bowling and three new squares.
Connolly said the BCSC stand was intended not just to attract developers and occupiers but also the full range of design consultants to further work up the detailed plans for the scheme.
CWAC is working with local economic development organisation, the Weaver Valley Partnership, to steer the project.
The council is also planning a new arts and leisure centre with swimming pool on the site of the magistrate’s court and memorial hall, which would both be demolished.
Developer Bloc and British Waterways are planning a new marina project in Northwich under the name H2O Urban, containing a Waitrose store and houses by McCarthy & Stone.
A developer for Baron’s Quay is due to be announced before the end of 2012 and the first phase of the scheme could open in 2015.
- View the plans at the Talking West Cheshire website
