Northwich BID making a change for retailers

Since shop owners voted to set up Northwich Business Improvement District in summer 2014, progress has been made with public realm improvements around the town centre.

Business owners in the area pay a 1% levy on business rates over five years to raise a £1.25m fund for town centre improvements and promotional initiatives.

So far several projects have been implemented to help make Northwich a more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing place, especially with the £80m Barons Quay development on the horizon.

In late 2015, a subway turret next to Memorial Court was given a facelift with new trees and flowers planted while an area of scrubland was also transformed next to the High Street by the Bull Ring.

Pocket Park now features crafted timber benches and planters with the help of funding secured by the BID.

Flood defence works have been carried out by the Environment Agency too with the BID liaising with the EA on behalf of businesses to ensure potential disruption was kept to a minimum.

Currently, there are also works taking place to improve the public realm on the approach to Barons Quay on Leicester Street which will see new paving laid. Existing flagstones are being replaced with granite paving to ensure that the lead up to the Barons Quay development is as impressive as the project itself. Barons Quay is due to open in winter 2016 and is anchored by Marks & Spencer, Asda and Odeon.

Further improvements have also been facilitated throughout town as a result of audits carried out by BID officer Mark Henshaw who, through a series of surveys, has helped ensure new brick planters have been installed, adding a colourful dimension when walking through the town centre.

A spokesman for the BID team said they have also campaigned to make sure railing and hanging baskets are present along the main through road Chester Way, and 50 more are set to be fitted by the end of May 2016.

Since late 2014, 12 new businesses have opened their doors to the public.