Barons Quay two-thirds full as Card Factory relocates

Northwich’s Barons Quay, developed by Cheshire West & Chester at a cost of £71m, is approaching nearly two-thirds full after retailer Card Factory agreed a move from its nearby premises in Weaver Square.

The retailer will move to a 2,000 sq ft unit at Barons Quay, relocating from its existing premises nearby, and joins other retail and leisure tenants Asda, Odeon, Wildwood, H&M, Sports Direct, and The Entertainer. Patisserie Valerie had also signed up for a unit, but the bakery and cafe chain has since entered administration.

Following the deal, the 225,000 sq ft development is around 62% full, which opened on a phased basis in 2016. As of April last year, it only had three tenants – Asda, Odeon, and Wildwood.

Overall, the project, which has been developed directly by Cheshire West & Chester, is projected to cost the council £71m.

However, it has been dealt a blow this month with the news that M&S will close its store, which sits opposite Asda in a unit built before Barons Quay was completed. This was announced as part of a series of store closures that will see a number of outlets shut in the coming months.

The council’s cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, Cllr Brian Clarke said: “This is welcome news that the Card Factory is expanding their offer in the town centre, which I know our residents will be pleased to hear.

“Over recent months several new retailers have opened in Barons Quay and we’re in advanced talks with several more businesses so hope to have more great news for the town this year.”

Card Factory’s decision to relocate from Weaver Square follows the council’s decision to develop a masterplan for the area, which will see much of the existing retail replaced with residential, a food hall, and a public services building. Fletcher Rae is on board as masterplanner.

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Is this assessment by floorspace or number of units? Does it include the half that ASDA mothballed? When added to the cinema floorspace, it is surprising how the sums soon add up. What’s the saying about statistics and lies? I assume the marching band has been stood down for the arrival Pattisserie Valerie although bearing in mind CWAC’s incompetence to date, I would not be surprised if they paid over the standard Million pound incentive package before their demise. Wrong scheme. Wrong time. Wrong for taxpayers.

By Tilly

When I was at school 62% was nearer to three fifths than two thirds. And does this include the soon to be closing M & S unit?

By guesser

What a load of absolute tosh!
I counted 55 ( now 56) vacant units in Northwich Town centre last week, PLUS a further 17 (now 16) units still to let in Barons Quay, and M&s coming vacant!
2/3rds let?? grow up.

By Tim

I agree with you Tilly.

Leaves questions of PNW editorially. “The retailer will move to a 2,000 sq ft….[of]…the 225,000 sq ft development”. i.e. less than 1% increase on total sq.ft quoted.

I’d guess M&S is/was 10 times the size and a sad loss to the development and the town.

Realistically, the ‘food hall. and ‘public services building’ planned for Weaver square should all be ‘masterplanned’ into the vacant parts of Barons Quay. Fletcher Rae should see that, even if outside their scope/site boundary!
More resi and and the odd small retail for Weaver square masterplan, and public space/park, or deliberately mothballed/temp use land for as yet unforseen future trends in the next decade or two!

By Optimist

This is 62% of floor space not units filled when barons quay was built it had asda at 68,000 sq feet. which incidently is only half filled by ASDA and also 28 units were built. of which as of. 25/02/2019. only three are filled. H and M The entertainer shop and Wildwood. so that equates to 3 units out of 28 filled. plus sports direct and the card factory that equates to 5 units out of 28 filled. so in percentage terms. only 17.8%. of the 28 units will have be filled and 82.2% of units still empty since they were completed two years ago. the people of northwich were told that barons quay would complement the Weaver square development which has dozens of shops that are now empty. of which the council then used our money/rates to buy weaver square ready to knock down! HONESTLY YOU COULD NOT MAKE IT UP CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL HAS BEEN A DISASTER FOR NORTHWICH AND ITS PEOPLE.

By Northwich resident

No way is it 2 thirds full more like 2 thirds empty.

Absolute joke

By Dallas

Well chester cheshire oaks and the Trafford centre is within easy reach so unless you get more of the shops like them Northwich isn’t worth visiting
Council your a joke

By Christine

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