Independent traders are key to town success (From Northwich Guardian)

Independent traders are key to Northwich's success

2:10pm Tuesday 21st August 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

INDEPENDENT traders should become the unique selling point of Northwich with Weaver Square Shopping Centre once more at its heart, according to Guardian readers.

Residents reacting to the news that the centre has gone into receivership say that the council should put resources there rather than in Baron’s Quay.

One reader, commenting on northwichguardian.co.uk, said: “We really don't need Baron’s Quay and another supermarket, this is a prime opportunity to redevelop the heart of the town centre.

“We need proposals that have scale and ambition, that are realistic and that will attract both retailers and shoppers back into town.”

Nationwide Building Society called in the recievers, Colliers International, less than a month ago to take on the running of the centre from Weaver Square Investments Ltd.

Shopkeepers in the precinct are continuing to trade as normal although they have not been given any official update about the centre’s future.

Liam Byrne, commenting on the Guardian website, said: “To my mind, the long term solution for the town centre is to rebuild and upgrade the outlets we already have within the existing town centre area and use all of the river frontage area for parks, walks, recreation and boating.”

Clr Gaynor Sinar, who also owns Curtain Magic, in Witton Street, suggested Weaver Square Shopping Centre could be bought by Cheshire West and Chester Council and used as an ‘incubator’ to encourage fledgling small businesses to get on their feet before paying full rent and rates.

She said: ”We’re going to get national chains on Baron’s Quay and we’ll be getting Waitrose at the marina so we need a town centre full of independents.

“The shops that have survived are the established small businesses, the big nationals went by the wayside.”