Over the last two years Northwich has made many positive strides as it grows, expands and improves its offering to visitors in both a social and cultural sense.

The town has seen the arrival of the modern and well-equipped Northwich Memorial Court, had new and improved flood defences thanks to the Environment Agency and is on the cusp of being able to use the facilities at Barons Quay.

The £80m development will feature shops, restaurants and a state-of-the-art five screen cinema, helping make Northwich the hub of Mid-Cheshire.

Barons Quay, overlooking the River Weaver, is nearing completion
Barons Quay, overlooking the River Weaver, is nearing completion

As well as this, the Northwich Business Improvement District (BID) has funded and delivered a range of projects and initiatives across the town.

These include the re-development of Pocket Park, the installation of a unique walled garden hoarding on Witton Street and investments into hanging and railing baskets throughout Northwich; these have all helped improve peoples’ perceptions of the town.

There is now even more positive news for Northwich however.

National Footfall data, obtained by the BID, showed that around the country, footfall dropped by 0.4% in October 2016.

In Northwich though there was an increase of 4.65% over the same period; positive figures that bode well ahead of the Christmas season.

On top of this, the vacancy rate in Northwich for the quarter July-September 2016 was down by 12.5% as more businesses opened within the town.

The BID is also aware of another three businesses that have either opened or will be open by the end of November 2016, as more and more retailers put their faith in Northwich.

Northwich BID Manager Jane Hough has spoken of her delight at the positive figures and believes the future is bright.

“These footfall figures show that Northwich bucked the national trend for October and it bodes well with the launch of Asda, and the ODEON cinema at Barons Quay, just around the corner.

A design for the new Odeon cinema in Northwich at the Barons Quay development
A design for the new Odeon cinema in Northwich at the Barons Quay development

“I’m equally pleased with the fall in the vacancy rate in Northwich over summer and the beginning of autumn as it shows that traders have faith in the town and want to commit their futures here.

“With main elements of Barons Quay set to open, bringing increased footfall to Northwich further still, there has never been a better time to live, work or socialise in the town.”

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