Pochin outlines £50m Cheshire Fresh concept

Pochin is drawing up proposals for a 47-acre development at Midpoint 18 in Middlewich to contain food producers and rural businesses, farm shops, livestock market, hotel and restaurants.

Draft plans for Cheshire Fresh will go out to public consultation in the coming weeks. AEW architects and HOW Planning are advising, and Pochin is in talks with public and private stakeholders including food manufacturers and retailers and Cheshire West & Chester Council and Cheshire East Council. The development site straddles both authorities.

Brian Reay, property director at Pochin, speaking at the Cheshire & Warrington Property Review on Thursday, said the proposal was a "new concept designed to support future potential growth in Cheshire".

Subject to the outcome of public consultation and final approval there could be a food innovation centre, cafes and restaurants, educational space, manufacturing units, trade counters for plant and machinery and offices.

Reay said the initial estimate was for 400,000 sq ft of new development to be built.

Advanced discussions are ongoing with Frank Marshall, owner of Chelford Market, to relocate from Knutsford to purpose-built premises at Cheshire Fresh. When auctions were not taking place the auction hall could be used for concerts and other events.

Reay said the aim was to attract rural traders and tourists from across the region to Middlewich.

A bid for grant funding to pay for infrastructure has been made by Pochin to the Regional Growth Fund.