Supercentre plan to help families on Blacon estate

Feb 4 2009 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

BLACON’S Parade could be transformed with the building of a new all-in-one community supercentre.

Housing Trust chief John Denny has spoken of his dream for Blacon – a ‘lifebank’ centre managed by the community itself.

Working with police, the council, Blacon Community Trust the primary care trust and all organisations active in the community, Mr Denny has come up with a grand plan he says will give Blacon the boost it needs.

It would offer a full range of support and services for families all under one roof.

He said: “We’ve pulled together a business plan and over the next 18 months you will see that start to bare fruit. “Ultimately, we want to house all those partners in one building to provide a source of service to the people of Blacon.”

Dr Martin Carey is chief executive of Urban Hope, a subsidiary company of Liverpool Hope University with expertise in widening access, regeneration and enterprise.

Having worked successfully in deprived areas such as Kensington in Liverpool, he will manage the project and consult with the trust on the plan.

“Martin’s aspiration is that we’ll build something called the Lifebank, a real statement building people can see as theirs,” added Mr Denny.

“I think a fantastic location would be Blacon Parade and we’re working very, very closely with Chester City Council and the PCT about future development at Blacon Parade.”

He says the location has yet to be decided and that the Blacon Community Trust offices near Dee Point primary School is another possible choice.

Mr Denny added: “We will come to a site and between us all – Cheshire West, the trust, PCT and others – it will be built.”

He added some of the Parade is “shot” and part of it will be demolished.

“Perhaps at some point they should get rid of the name Blacon, but it needs something, Blacon still has that name but it’s not that bad.”