Northwich Waitrose on site
Russells Construction has started building a Waitrose store in the centre of Northwich, Cheshire.
The 27,500 sq ft retail unit is part of a wider £20m mixed-use scheme to regenerate a riverside site at Hayhurst Quay.
The Trafford-based contractor was appointed to the £4.5m contract by developer H2O Urban, the joint venture between The Canal & River Trust and regeneration developer Bloc.
Russells has already carried out 12-week programme of land remediation involving demolition of existing buildings, asbestos removal, leveling of different-height sections, knotweed removal and installation of structural foundations for all buildings.
The shell is scheduled for completion by November, after which Waitrose will complete a fit out of the 18,000 sq ft sales area ahead of the store opening in December.
The wider development includes 58 retirement homes from McCarthy & Stone, a 4,400 sq ft leisure unit, a 40-berth marina and improved public access to the waterside.
Bounded by Chester Way, London Road and the confluence of the Rivers Weaver and Dane, the 4.5 acre brownfield site was once home to the Regal Cinema, a floating hotel and car park.
Its regeneration was given unanimous approval when it went to the Cheshire West & Chester planning committee last year.
Andrew Russell, managing director of Russells Construction said: "The regeneration of this site required significant preparatory work which has now been complete allowing construction of the new Waitrose to begin."
Richard Thomas, development director at Bloc, said: "This plan aims to create a more vibrant waterfront and the whole scheme will bring around 230 new jobs to the area.
"We hope the new leisure facilities and high quality public space around the waterside will act as a catalyst for future regeneration. We're opening up access to the waterfront, which is currently not accessible, and providing barges and river craft with modern marina with all the associated facilities they'd expect."
The architect on the project is Lewis & Hickey.
I think they mean river Weaver and river Dane not river Dee, the river Dee is in the small cathedral city of Chester
By John
This is just the tip of the Northwich Iceburg. Last week an £80 million pound scheme was passed through planning for development which will open up access to the rivers and a shopping experience you would expect from a town listed in the Sunday Times 100 best places to live.
By GaynorS