CONCERN over the number of empty units at the Barons Quay development in Northwich has been expressed by parish councillor Kenton Barker.

The £80 million scheme boasts an Asda supermarket, an ODEON cinema and Wildwood restaurant, which are proving popular with shoppers and people looking to enjoy a night out.

Asda opened in November, followed in December by the opening of the ODEON and Wildwood restaurant.

However Councillor Barker, a member of Wincham Parish Council, is concerned at the number of empty units at the development.

Barons Quay bosses said earlier this month there were ‘ongoing, positive discussions with a number of high profile retail names’, although it would be a number of months before it could confirm publicly any new businesses signed up to the development.

New figures show that Barons Quay and the town attracted 233,000 visitors in January, prompting delight from Cheshire West cabinet member Councillor Brian Clarke at the ‘phenomenal’ response from the public to new businesses at the development.

Cllr Barker voiced his concern over the level of take-up of units at Barons Quay at Wednesday’s meeting of the parish council.

“I have been reading with eager anticipation about Northwich town centre,” he said.

“I have now counted nearly as many empty shops in the new section [Barons Quay] as there are in Weaver Square.

“There is hundreds of thousands of square feet of empty shops, and it is rather concerning for locals who want the town to flourish to see the empty units.

“You don’t just build units and leave them – while you build them you let them, so as soon as they are open they are filled.”

The parish council meeting was attended by Cheshire West ward councillors Lynn Gibbon and Norman Wright, who were asked by Cllr Barker if there was news of businesses coming to Barons Quay.

Cllr Gibbon said negotiations were taking place involving ‘some quite big names’.

She added: “You also have to take on board that we are having a big change across retail in this country in terms of the number of people who are buying online.”