Go-ahead for Warrington Bridge Street plans
Warrington Council has approved the £52m regeneration of the Bridge Street retail area in the town centre, which will see the temporary relocation of the market to a building in Time Square.
The project has been driven and will be delivered by Warrington & Co, on behalf of Warrington Council with development partner Muse. The scheme is designed by Leach Rhodes Walker, with How Planning the lead planning and environmental consultant.
When completed in 2019 the scheme will provide a market hall, multiplex cinema, restaurants, a new council office building and public square. Demolition site works are scheduled to commence early in the New Year although a main contractor is yet to be appointed.
Construction will be delivered in two phases to minimise disruption for the market traders. The first building to be constructed will be a 30,000 sq ft block on the site of Time Square to act as a provisional home for the market, to allow the current hall to be demolished and a new hall built in its place.
The market is due to relocate to its temporary location in early 2017, and back into a 40,000 sq ft building at its current site in 2018.
The present market halls total 65,000 sq ft and according to the council are dated and under-occupied.
Cllr Terry O'Neill, leader of Warrington Council said: "This is a momentous decision for Warrington and the future of our town centre. The Bridge Street Quarter will transform the centre and will be supported by three other complementary projects: Stadium Quarter, Cabinet Works and Southern Gateway being led by Wire Regeneration."
