B&M to anchor Winsford revamp

The retailer will take a 26,000 sq ft store along with an 8,800 sq ft garden centre as part of council plans to improve the town centre.

Cheshire West & Chester Council bought the Winsford Cross shopping centre in 2018 as part of a plan to reshape the whole town centre.

In January, it was announced that several ageing retail units would be demolished as part of phase one, focusing on a six-acre plot of Dene Drive.

Along with the space now allocated to B&M, that first phase also includes 6,000 sq ft of restaurant and bar space across three units and a drive-thru coffee shop fronting the A54.

The redevelopment of the town centre will be undertaken in phases and details on future phases will be released later.

CWAC has secured £9.98m from the Future High Street Fund and is also investing £11m of council funding to pay for the scheme.

B&M will upgrade into the purpose-built store in a move that signals a major expansion in the town. The new store will be built in the current location of Fountains Court.

The store will offer lines across grocery, toiletries and health & beauty to toys, homeware and DIY. It is scheduled to open in early 2024.

A spokesperson said: “We wanted a bigger and better store for our customers, giving them even more big, branded products.”

“We hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store, we’re really excited to get the doors open and move to our exciting new location in Winsford.”

Planning permission was given in May for the council to progress with plans to demolish Queen’s Parade and Fountains Court and CWAC has since been working to relocate businesses.

Oher plans in the area include a new public square to accommodate a new home for relocated war memorials, along with a new north-south pedestrian boulevard.

Cllr Richard Beacham, cabinet member for inclusive growth, economy and regeneration at CWAC, said: “The decision by B&M to invest in Winsford follows on from other large businesses such as {my}dentist and Caprinos opening up new stores recently.

“There is excitement growing about the future of the town centre among the business community, as it redevelops and becomes a better leisure and retail destination with a whole new look. Residents can expect to see more food and retail businesses setting up shop in the town centre in the future.”