Ellesmere Port public service hub to start this year

After holding a consultation on the scheme last month, Cheshire West & Chester has progressed plans for the £16m public service centre and bus hub in the town centre, with work set to begin later this year.

Under the proposals, Cheshire West & Chester council’s offices on Civic Way and the existing bus station will be knocked down. The new public service hub will be built on the latter site, next to the Mercer Walk entrance of the Port Arcades shopping centre.

Council staff are set to relocate from the Civic Way offices to the new service hub once it completes; the Civic Way offices site will then be developed for housing; the council said demolishing the existing offices was “the most cost effective solution” given the “higher cost” of refurbishing the buildings.

Buses are set to be rerouted to a new interchange along Civic Way under the plans.

A public consultation on the plans was held in early June, and the council has now moved forward with the scheme by submitting a planning application.

Vinci is already attached as main contractor, and subject to planning approval, work could begin in October this year with completion pencilled in for 2021. Half of the scheme’s £16m cost is being met by the Cheshire & Warrington LEP, through Growth Fund money, with the remainder provided by the council.

Pick Everard is the architect while Avison Young is planning consultant.

Cllr Richard Beacham, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and growth said: “This is really great news for Ellesmere Port. Once complete, this modern and energy efficient building will be a new home for a range of important public services including; community safety and crime prevention, housing support, employment, skills and learning guidance, welfare and benefits support, and health and wellbeing.

“Bringing these services together, next to the new bus zone, the market and all of the shops will also be good for the town centre and will hopefully make life easier for local residents.”