Contest to design Northwich arts centre

The RIBA Competitions Office, on behalf of the Northwich Regeneration Partnership, an informal partnership of eight public sector organisations, has launched a contest to design a multi-functional cultural centre in the Cheshire town.

RIBA said: "The centre will provide a focus for community activity and will be a key building that links together a number of important buildings within mid Cheshire, providing a range of public activities including galleries, performance, dance, restaurant, and tourist information.

"The competition promoters have aspirations for a design of the highest architectural quality that will help them deliver a coherent vision for their new building. Entrants will be expected to make the most of the attractive riverside setting located in the Baron's Quay area of Northwich town centre."

The deadline for stage one designs is 10 February 2009.

• The competition brief will be available to download from the dedicated website for this competition http://www.northwichculturalcentreriba.co.uk/ from 15 December 2008.