Pre-lets for Barons Quay

CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has agreed pre-lets for two parts of its £80m Barons Quay scheme in Northwich.

The council, which is developing the 20-acre site next to the river Weaver, has occupiers lined up for the cinema and the supermarket, but it has not disclosed their names.

Barons Quay was approved by the council’s planning committee last week and work should start by autumn 2014.

The development, designed by Broadway Malyan, includes a multi-screen cinema, supermarket, hotel, restaurants, bars, shops, petrol station and parking.

The council took the unusual step of taking responsibility for the development after earlier plans led by Wilson Bowden stalled.

A spokesman said funding was “coming from the normal finances of the council, based on pre-lets already agreed”. Noel O’Neill, the council’s head of prosperity and regeneration, told a community group in February the council was committing £4.5m to bring the plans forward.

In a statement issued after planning was approved councillor Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity, said: “We have had to wait a long time to be able to bring forward a major development plan for the town centre. The Barons Quay development will create jobs and prosperity for the area and is a significant part of an overall scheme to improve the lifestyle and prospects of our residents.

“The proposals are designed to enhance the existing businesses, not to damage them, with the new development embracing the river frontage and integrating with the traditional shopping areas.”