Investing in Winsford’s future

As part of the on-going phased regeneration of Winsford Town Centre, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet will discuss new funding to support the next phase of development at its November meeting.

In the coming months, work will begin on the update to Winsford Market following the completion of a stunning new mural that celebrates the market’s place at the heart of the community.

The Council will continue to invest in improvements to Winsford Cross Shopping Centre, and the popular monthly Artisan Market will continue.

A programme of events with Crosshatch Studios, a local art workshop and makerspace, will be funded by the Cheshire & Warrington Combined Authority’ Mayoral Investment Fund.

Upgraded public space and landscaping outside the Market entrance, as well as consideration of co-locating services in Winsford Library, will also benefit from this funding.

The phased regeneration of Winsford Town Centre is continuing in accordance with the Council’s masterplan vision, rationalising retail floorspace and bringing in a more varied offer to support the town centre.

Investment to support demolition of empty and outdated buildings within Winsford Cross will make way for further modernisation.

The Council have identified the north-east corner of the town centre as having potential for residential development and community uses, to help increase footfall for the retail businesses in the area.

Early discussions have taken place with existing occupiers regarding the condition of the properties and future accommodation requirements.

Further engagement will be undertaken with affected occupiers, local stakeholders and community organisations as the project progresses.

Some of the buildings on the eastern side have no realistic long-term future as commercial or community assets, and redevelopment provides a more sustainable long-term solution and creates opportunities to bring this part of the town centre back into productive use.

Preparing these sites for redevelopment will create investment-ready opportunities that can help attract future private and public sector funding and support the next stage of town centre renewal.

The Council will consider the best routes to redeveloping this area and undertake engagement with local residents and businesses about their aspirations for the town and what other uses may work alongside potential new homes.

Future redevelopment has the potential to create new homes which contribute to local housing need, support local businesses through increased footfall, improve public spaces and strengthen connections across the town centre, helping deliver the ambitions set out in the Winsford Neighbourhood Plan.

The long-term goal is to deliver further phases of investment which complement the existing town centre, whilst creating a new gateway to the town with outward facing architecture and replacing service yard areas.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said:

“These are exciting times for Winsford. Residents and visitors will soon see an investment of over £1,000,000 in the refurbishment of Winsford Market, drawing the first phase of town centre regeneration to a close. This will transform Winsford’s market offer, help traders to thrive and create a new community hub.

“Our attention now turns to the next phase of town centre regeneration. The north-east corner presents an opportunity to replace units at the end of their life with a residential development that will create a vibrant town centre neighbourhood, support community uses and bring more people into the town centre.

“Public shopping habits have changed, meaning town centres must change with them – it is why Cheshire West and Chester Council purchased and made the biggest investment in the town centre since the 1960s, and why it is continuing with future phases of regeneration in Winsford.”

The first phase of the Council led £22 million included new energy efficient units for Costa Coffee and a B&M superstore, a new 168-space car park off Dene Drive with 18 EV charging points, and new pathways providing improved routes for walking, cycling and dedicated cycle storage. Around 5,000 sq. m. of public open spaces have been created for pop-ups, events, visiting attractions and the community to enjoy. There is also more green space in the town centre than ever before including the planting of 53 new trees. A new purpose-built civic square outside Winsford Library, is now home to the town’s refurbished war memorials.

The Council is currently refreshing the webpages covering the regeneration programme for Winsford. These will go live in the next few weeks and will be updated regularly to keep residents informed about plans and how and when to get involved.

For more information on the Council’s regeneration of Winsford town centre, visit:

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/regeneration-of-west-cheshire/winsford-regeneration/town-centre