Detail on Baron's Quay cinema and supermarket (From Northwich Guardian)

Detail on Baron's Quay cinema and supermarket

9:30am Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Gina Bebbington

THE cinema has been described as a one-of-a-kind building and a new front door for Northwich.

Matt Brook said: “This is a strong front door building that will have dialogue with the swing bridge.

“It’s also long and thin which you don’t normally see.”

Catherine Fox added: “You won’t find this kind of cinema design anywhere else in the country, cinemas usually are in boxes.

“But this is something that the council wants to achieve, it wants to create a sense of place – it’s about regeneration, not just putting a cinema in.”

The cinema, which will be visible from Town Bridge as people enter Northwich, will include five screens and a bar or restaurant area overlooking the river.

It will include windows so people queuing up for films can enjoy views towards the bridge and those outside can see the activity inside.

The black brickwork will also be glazed so that the building is reflective, like the river.

Matt said: “It’s more of a civic experience than just a cinema.”

It is estimated that the cinema alone would bring 500,000 people into Northwich per year.

The supermarket building has been designed so that it does not dominate the Baron’s Quay development.

Plans are for it to be set back with other shop units at its front and a cafe at its entrance.

Car parking will be on top of the store and a trevalator will take visitors down to Baron’s Square. These trevalators, similar to the moving walkways in airports, will be separate to the supermarket and owned by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The building is designed to pick up on Town Bridge and Anderton Boat Lift with its exposed framework.

• RESIDENTS can see the scheme and speak to the people behind it at three exhibitions in Baron’s Quay car park this week.
  The first is from noon to 4pm on Thursday, September 20, the second from10am to 4pm on Friday, September 21, and the third from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 22.
  Display boards will also be available at Northwich Information Centre and at Northwich Library until October 8.
  Plans are also available online at weavervalley.org.uk.
  This is the final consultation before plans for the scheme are submitted.