Former Northwich courthouse to come down in March (From Northwich Guardian)

Former Northwich courthouse to come down in March

10:40am Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Gina Bebbington

What the proposed Memorial Court could look like.

DEMOLITION will start at Northwich’s former magistrates’ court within the next few weeks.

Workers have been removing asbestos from the building since January and a demolition date of mid-March has been set.

The five-week programme of work will also include a specialist archaelological assessment of the site to conserve any artifacts of heritage.

The building is being knocked down to make way for a new culture and leisure building, called Memorial Court, that will also replace Northwich Memorial Hall, which shuts its doors for good this weekend.

Subject to planning permission, Memorial Court will feature a swimming pool, gym, multi-use theatre, conference facilities, community space, a cafe and a bar.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is funding and delivering the development in partnership with the Weaver Valley Partnership Board.

Clr Stuart Parker, CWAC’s executive member for culture and regeneration, said: “Work has been ongoing since the beginning of January to undertake the controlled and thorough removal of asbestos from the court building.

“We expect this to be completed by mid-March, allowing demolition to begin.

“The same process will be carried out on the memorial hall building following its closure on March 2.

“Subject to planning approval, we are on course for construction to begin later this year and I am sure local people will be folllowing progress closely as we move closer to making this exciting new venue a reality.”

Wates Construction will carry out the demolition.

Tony Shenton, from Wates Construction, said: “The work at Northwich Memorial Court is progressing well and we have an excellent site team in place preparing for the start of construction later this year.

“Throughout the works we intend to keep close consultation with the local community to ensure that the new facility becomes a true asset to the town.”

Hoardings around the court house will be decorated by a local artist and schoolchildren with work based on the Collect memory capture project.