A MULTI-MILLION pound canalside supermarket would bring shoppers pouring back into the city centre and kick-start much-needed regeneration.
Developers hope that their £40m plans to transform Boughton Retail Centre into the largest Waitrose store in the country will help put Chester back on the retail map by providing a ‘modern and vibrant gateway into the city centre’.
Unveiling the plans for the 29,300sq ft store and 120 bedroom hotel to the public last week, Waitrose revealed images of the economically glass-fronted development which could be opening it’s doors in just three years time.
Speaking about the plans, spokesperson Simon Hoare said that the development could act as a spur for other developers to come into the city centre and for further regeneration both in Boughton and across Chester.
“There will be an investment of £40m on the site, we think that will act as a spur for future regeneration projects,” said Mr Hoare.
“We want people to know that Chester is open for business, and a development like this could open up some serious opportunities for the local area.
“We have made sure that all of the buildings are in keeping with the surroundings, we are not making great changes so that the building stands out like a soar thumb, but have designed a development that is perfect for the canal side.”
In addition to the supermarket plans, which are currently going through the Cheshire West and Chester planning system, the development would see:
A new pedestrian bridge linking the city to the proposed development,
A 320-space carpark under the Waitrose supermarket,
A 120 bed three to four star hotel,
New office blocks providing more than 200 new jobs,
Retail and food and drink units along the front of the development,
And 75% of the energy needed for the supermarket would be provided by an on site wood-burning biomass plant.
Developers said that the plans would see more people travelling into the city centre for their weekly big shop before visiting local retailers, cafes and bars.
They added that the increased traffic would be managed by a new junction and synchronised traffic lights to stop traffic backing up through the city as shoppers enter and leave the supermarket.
“The Boughton Centre unfortunately failed and this is an opportunity to transform it into a vibrant gateway for the city, which will bring 400 jobs and regeneration to the area,” said Mr Hoare.
“We are getting a lot of positive feedback and are confident that the plans will go through and that the store will be ready to open by Autumn 2014.”
Meanwhile Waitrose has hailed the opening of its city centre Little Waitrose Convenience Store on Foregate Street, Chester a great success, after thousands of shoppers poured through the doors just a week after its opening.
