The first element of Northwich’s long-awaited £80m retail and leisure quarter will open to the public on Friday (August 26).

The top level of Barons Quay’s multi-storey car park – which comprises 400 spaces – will open for business, as the development edges closer to completion.

Motorists will be able to leave their cars for up to four hours for free.

Planning permission was approved for the scheme – which will create around 1,600 jobs and forms the core part of the vision to regenerate Northwich – three years ago.

Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough has welcomed the announcement.

“Barons Quay is really going to revolutionise the cultural, economic and social landscape of Northwich and it will be amazing to watch the town grow and expand further in the coming months and years,” she said.

Barons Quay, which overlooks the River Weaver, is nearing completion
Barons Quay, which overlooks the River Weaver, is nearing completion

Cheshire West and Chester Council has revealed that Asda, one of the development’s anchors, is due to take occupation of its unit this summer, with its opening scheduled for the end of 2016.

Cllr Brian Clarke , cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “Asda are one of the key anchors to the Barons Quay line-up.

“Together with the 900 free car parking spaces, the restaurants and the cinema they reaffirm Barons Quay’s position as a complete day out, with Barons Quay offering visitors a high-quality combination of shopping and leisure previously unavailable in the catchment.”

ODEON will follow hot on Asda’s heels with a five-screen multiplex.