Gary Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 I am sure our regulars will have plenty to say about this! http://www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk/articles/16768/1/Council-unveils-52m-town-centre-master-plan/Page1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockcutting Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 I'll believe it when the economy picks up and when we see pigs flying down (or up) Bridge Street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 No more than expected Gary, and let's face it if it regenerates the town centre it's more than welcome and at least it looks as if they intend to retain the 'Boots' frontage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Looks good on paper.... if it works it will be great. As for creating 400 construction jobs though; not sure about that as it will no doubt be built by the likes of Galliford Try or some other huge out of town company who will use their usual contractors which may in fact take away from companies who already carry out many of the kind of work that is going to be needed on this job for the council already. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 WBC don't have any option other than to retain the Boots frontage as the facade is Grade II listed and just a little too high profile to demolish in 'error'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Sid Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Unless somebody has an unfortunate accident with a jcb As a side point, wonder how many pot holes could be filled in for that price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 I wonder if the objectors are already out planting newts around the site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey_man Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 It has to be welcomed but only if the council is able to develop some rare joined-up thinking on the project. That will mean not hobbling the scheme from the outset by failing to support the businesses they want to occupy the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy51 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Unless there are businesses that do not so far have branches in Warrington , then the new development will need some pretty sharp & sustainable private enterprises to really make a difference to Bridge Street ....is it going to be a specialist trading/boutique shop area or a saturation of cafes & restaurants ? Apparently the market is to be revamped & maybe what would help the area would be for some of the big art galleries to establish satellites in Warrington or even a reputable auction house to attract the antique trade. Come on councillors get lobbying & get some style & culture into the place ! Whatever happens though it is to be hoped the bus company rises to the challenge of providing a good service to the future thriving metropolis outside the hours of nine to five .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Is there not a formula relating retail capacity to probable or actual footfall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris1066 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 The plan doesn't seem to include much of the bottom of Bridge Street ? Lets hope Warrington & Co's plans don't finish up in the bin like the last one they were involved in. They spent a fortune on a Sankey Valley Master Plan which was dumped by WBC after the last local elections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 I'm not sure that renewing/replacing the market is a viable proposition, just having a new market will initially draw people in but I can't see it retaining the shoppers or being a big earner for the town, I honestly think that town centre market places have had their day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boris1066 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 I'm not sure that renewing/replacing the market is a viable proposition, just having a new market will initially draw people in but I can't see it retaining the shoppers or being a big earner for the town, I honestly think that town centre market places have had their day. Widnes market seems to thrive but there the parking is abundant and FREE ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy51 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Widnes market seems to thrive but there the parking is abundant and FREE ! And it is also close to all the action,but it just shows how much difference free parking makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy51 Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Will this announcement mean that Winwick St plans will now be scrapped & it will continue to be a bomb site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freeborn John Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Widnes market seems to thrive but there the parking is abundant and FREE ! There it is. People can afford to visit Widnes market just on a whim, park right outside and wander round in their own time, not pay through the nose to park and then go on a camel hike as they have to do in Warrington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey_man Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Well let's hope the council surprises us by not doing something then immediately doing something else to ensure the original thing can't possibly work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 The number of "shoppers" in the Region is finite; of course there can be competition between Towns or even places like the Trafford Centre for a share of that finite footfall. The reason imo. that the Town Centre has died, is simply because the majority of retail floor space has been concentrated in the GS Mall, thus acting like a leach on the rest of the Town. Any new development will finish up competing for footfall against the existing Mall. The attraction of any "Market Place" is price and the possibility of local products and variety. However, if that market is milked for revenue by the owners, with high stall owner rents; it will be another goose killed for it's golden eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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