THERE is already interest in using a new space where the outdoor market previously stood in Northwich – but it will not be ready this year.

Following demolition of the fire-ravaged market earlier this year, Cheshire West and Chester Council has been working on plans to use the site as an outdoor events and al-fresco dining area.

Cllr Sam Naylor, who represents the town centre as Labour CWAC member for Witton, had hoped the area would be ready before Christmas.

But he told Monday’s Northwich Town Council meeting that the project still needs to go through the planning process, and is not likely to be ready until January or February next year.

However, he was upbeat about the potential of the space once it is ready.

He told councillors: “We want it to be as easy to maintain and available for as many organisations as possible to take advantage of it.

Northwich Guardian:

The outdoor market was hit by a devastating fire in January

“I have been approached by three different organisations already who want to do events and activities on the site.

“So it looks as though potentially it will be a really positive addition to town centre activities that we want to hold post-Covid.

“There are lots of people that want to take advantage of it, everything is still very much al-fresco, outside, so let’s wait and see.

READ > Northwich Town Council reveals plans for this year's Christmas events

“It’s just a shame really that it looks as though it won’t be ready for Christmas.”

The area is expected to include a hard-wearing floor surface and covered seating areas for al-fresco dining, with costs expected to be met by an insurance pay-out from the market fire on January 3.

It would be designed to bring more footfall to the area in the short-term before CWAC's much-anticipated Weaver Square regeneration project finally comes to fruition.