Northwich News
Northwich Memorial Hall will make way for lifestyle centre next year
2:50pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
NORTHWICH Memorial Hall is set to close within 12 months to make way for a much-anticipated £12.5million entertainment and leisure facility.
The countdown has officially begun for the town’s new lifestyle centre on the site of the hall and the former magistrates’ court.
The memorial hall, in Chesterway, will close in February next year with preparation work on the site starting in March, subject to planning permission.
The new centre is scheduled to open its doors in January 2015.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) held a meeting with memorial hall users and staff yesterday, Tuesday, to outline the timescale and explain the impact on activities during the construction phase.
This will include identifying alternative venues until the new state-of-the-art centre opens.
Clr Stuart Parker, CWAC’s executive member for culture and regeneration, said: “We will work with all memorial hall user groups over the next 12 months to help them make alternative arrangements for their activities while construction is under way.”
Geoff Hope-Terry, chairman of the Weaver Valley Partnership Board, said: “As well as being an important development in terms of new facilities, the proposed centre will also occupy a key site for regeneration of the town.
“With that in mind I would urge local residents and all other interested parties to take a full part in the upcoming consultations to make sure they are happy with the building’s design and content.”
Townsfolk will be able to look at proposals and make suggestions during a six-week public consultation starting in April.
Feedback will be considered during the preparation of the detailed scheme and residents will again be invited to give their views before a final design is submitted for planning approval in spring 2013.
Clr Parker said: “This exciting development represents a major investment in entertainment and leisure in Northwich – providing facilities of a standard which far surpasses anything currently available in the town.”