Cheshire West and Chester celebrates multi-million-pound high street funding success

Cheshire West and Chester Council today welcomed a £10 million investment from the Future High Streets Fund, to support its ambitious plans for Winsford.

The town centre improvement plan, worth over £37million in total, has been put forward by the council to transform the economic heart of Winsford, creating new jobs and business opportunities, better transport links and a more attractive town centre environment.

 
The Government has now endorsed those plans with a significant contribution from the Future High Streets Fund.

The money secured by the council will also support the area through its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by re-vitalising the local economy and helping to create and protect jobs. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council has already invested heavily in the future of Winsford through a larger investment programme, which included the move to buy Winsford Cross Shopping Centre and take control of its future.

The council’s masterplan for the town seeks to create a better environment for independent retailers, as well as providing more opportunities for community meeting spaces and public services such as libraries and healthcare.

 
The scheme will achieve this by making Winsford a more accessible and vibrant place to shop, work and spend leisure time.

 
Plans include better pedestrian access and a new public transport hub, new commercial space, including proposals for a new 3,340 sq metre shopping area, along with more room for food and drink outlets. 

There are also plans to improve public open space areas around Winsford town centre through tree planting, better parking facilities and cycle storage facilities. 

The council has consulted with residents about the plans and their views are being used to shape the future of the project. 
In welcoming the funding announcement, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “This is great news for our borough and the town of Winsford. This is a promising start to the New Year. 
“The success of this funding bid is the result of an incredible amount of hard work from council officers, supported by members. It is also thanks to the support we have received from a range of partners including the business community and residents who have worked with us and given us their views on our plans.”

“The council has shown its continued commitment to the future of Winsford by building on what we have already got to create a town centre that is fit for the future and a great place to be.

“Today’s announcement means we are one step nearer achieving this ambition.”

Four high streets in the North West will have received confirmed funding from the Future High Streets Fund totalling £66.7 million. A further four areas have received provisional funding offers totalling up to £102.1 million and we will be working with them to finalise their proposals. 
For more information on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s plans for Winsford Town Centre, visit: https://inside.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/get_involved/consultations/winsford_regeneration_consultation