Barons Quay leisure hub sets opening date

Barons Quay Social, which will offer music events, sports coverage, a cocktail bar and food offering, will open at the Northwich shopping centre on Friday 2 August.

The announcement follows that earlier this week that coffee chain The Coffee House is to open its fifth location at Barons Quay, a centre that since its opening in 2016 has struggled to win tenants amid the retail sector’s well-documented woes. H&M, Sports Direct, The Entertainer, Asda, Wildwood, Costa and Odeon are trading at the development, while M&S opened but is earmarked for closure.

The team behind Barons Quay Social said that they are “keen to meet with local groups and organisations looking for a flexible space to meet and deliver events and activities”.

The mezzanine level space is to host a range of live music acts as well as offering a performance space for local schools and other Northwich-based groups.

Barons Quay Social will also offer a rooftop terrace, to be made available for local community groups to use. With a dedicated bar area, this can be used for year-round events including weddings, corporate socials and exclusive hire.

Cllr Richard Beacham, Cheshire West & Chester Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said: “This new venue will bring a whole new offer to Barons Quay and this is really exciting.

“It is clear that the team are passionate about becoming part of the Northwich community by working closely with the local groups, and by becoming a place that has something for everyone to enjoy. I can’t wait to pop down and witness first-hand what Barons Quay Social is all about”.

Owner Carl Thomas said: “The team have worked hard to make sure that everything from the bar, interiors and food stalls to the roof terrace and bespoke artwork celebrating the local Cheshire countryside looks exactly as we envisaged and we’re looking forward to showing the place off.”