A SWIMMING school for babies and children has submitted plans to open a unique new facility at Barons Quay.

Leading swim school Puddle Ducks is hoping to open a state-of-the-art flagship swimming centre by 2020, catering for children aged up to 10 years old.

Puddle Ducks has submitted a planning application for change of use from retail to leisure at the unit, enabling them to create a dedicated pool.

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The unit is located next door to the proposed Sticky Paws softplay and restaurant – near Wildwood.

It is hoped the inclusive and accessible, family-friendly centre – complete with viewing area – will become a national teacher training centre

Jo Stone, co-owner of Puddle Ducks, said: “The intention has always been that the centre should be both retail and leisure, making Barons Quay a perfect location for Puddle Ducks.

"With new tenants moving in, we firmly believe that the centre is facing a bright future.

Northwich Guardian:

"It takes a little ‘outside the box’ thinking to envisage a pool in a unit previously destined for retail use, but we feel it makes perfect sense.

"Placing our pool in the middle of a mixed use town centre site with free parking, will make it easier for parents and their children to get here and to combine their trip with making use of other local facilities.

"That would be great for them and even better for local business owners and the town in general.

“Puddle Ducks classes are in demand and the proposed project will help bring more people into Barons Quay and surrounding area. We hope to find out from planning very soon.”

The very first Puddle Ducks classes took place back in 2002 at a school in Greenbank, making Northwich one of the first UK towns to embrace the importance of early years swimming for 0-10 year olds.

Northwich Guardian:

Puddle Ducks was founded by Jo Stone and Tracy Townend and the company now teaches more than 21,000 children to swim every week across the UK.

Cheshire West and Chester Council cabinet member for regeneration and growth, Cllr Richard Beacham, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Puddle Ducks on potentially bringing something completely different to Barons Quay.

"This is a really exciting development for us and one which will really benefit the local families of Northwich.

"This is yet another step along the journey towards Northwich becoming a retail, leisure and cultural destination in the heart of mid-Cheshire."