A SHOPPING centre’s ‘eyesore’ roof is set to be replaced.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has appointed a contractor to replace and refurbish the roof of Winsford Cross.

Work will get underway later this month and is expected to take until December to complete, costing around £1 million.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, said: “It’s great news the shopping centre roof is being replaced.

“It’s been an eyesore for years and is another example of the maintenance backlog built up by the former private owners that Cheshire West and Chester Council has stepped up to fix.”

Winsford Cross and all shops will be able to stay open throughout the work.

The main ‘barrel’ roof will be replaced with a flatter, curved clear roof.

Meanwhile, the central atrium roof will be refurbished and the external canopy at the Jubilee Way entrance will be removed as part of the works.

Interior columns will also be painted, and the flat roofs of shops will also be renewed.

This project runs alongside the ongoing regeneration of the town centre, following the council’s acquisition of the site in 2018.

Investment in the new roof is part of a longer-term strategy to revitalise the town centre by demolishing units no longer fit for purpose and replacing them with new public spaces and improved parking, cycling and walking infrastructure.

Cllr Pardoe added: “The works are taking place alongside the first phase of the council’s ambitious regeneration of Winsford town centre and show our commitment to improving what is there already, as well as building new.

“Businesses will be open as usual during the works, and noise and disruption will be minimised.

“When the works are complete, the roof will be watertight and the buckets will be banished – as promised!”

The regeneration of Winsford has seen the creation of a new Costa drive-thru, which opened in May.

Next year, a new B&M superstore will open at another new unit being built as part of the project.