INDEPENDENT shops, offices and a soft play area are all on the cards for Barons Quay as borough chiefs look to make it a success.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is determined to get residents and visitors flocking to the site – which so far seen just Asda, Odeon and Wildwood open their doors over the past two years.

But Charlie Seward, deputy chief executive for place at CWAC, is determined to see the £80 million project flourish – and become part of a bigger picture in changing the face of Northwich.

He said: “In a sense it has highlighted how tough conditions have become over the life of the project, but equally, it has enabled us to understand what you need to do to get these schemes to be a success.

“We are doing an awful lot of work about making sure that Barons Quay is not just about a property transaction but is about the place, the events and activities in there.

“It’s got to be about the whole town. It takes time, it’s complicated, there is risk involved but you manage it effectively and over time we believe that Barons Quay will succeed.

“But more importantly, Northwich will be a really different place in five or 10 years’ time than it was five years ago.”

CWAC is looking to fill the units at Barons Quay at a time when major retailers across the country are closing their doors for good due to challenging retail conditions.

Graham Pink, director of place commissioning and commercial management at CWAC, says the council is open to a ‘whole host’ of different types of businesses at Barons Quay – not just national fashion brands.

He said: “One of the things that has been really successful has been when we’ve had outside events in the public square, so looking at whether we can get some soft play in there.

“We will look at the potential maybe for some work units, maybe for more independent retailers coming into the town.

“One of the things we’ve seen is a resurgence in Witton Street with some new independent retailers, which is really good to see. We would like to see some of those kind of uses in Barons Quay, and any other leisure uses we think we can bring forward.”

Residents are currently being asked for their views on plans to overhaul Weaver Square – and the council says it could also use that feedback to improve Barons Quay.

“We’re always listening to people’s views on the town and whether we can accommodate that thinking within Barons Quay,” Graham added.

“We’re out there, we’re listening, we want to talk to people about their thoughts on their town – they are the people who live there and spend their money there – and to try and make things happen that they want to see happen.”

Shoppers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a ‘major fashion retailer’ at Barons Quay – believed to be H&M – and work is now well under way for its launch.

Charlie said: “We are working on a handover and fit-out plan that gives them the ability to open for Christmas trade.”

“We are already seeing the benefits that that is brining in terms of other elements of the scheme, and that will hopefully allow us to make further announcements in the next few months.”