Cheshire West Cabinet to consider funding for next phase of Winsford town centre regeneration

Cheshire West and Chester Council's Cabinet will discuss new funding for the next phase of the Winsford town centre regeneration at its November meeting, with the north-east corner earmarked for homes and community uses.

The council said on 3 November that investment is proposed to support the demolition of empty and outdated buildings within Winsford Cross to make way for further modernisation. It did not give a figure for the new funding.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation, said: "Our attention now turns to the next phase of town centre regeneration."

He said residents will soon see an investment of over £1m in the refurbishment of Winsford Market, which will bring the first phase of the regeneration to a close.

The north-east corner

The council said it has identified the north-east corner of the town centre as having potential for residential development and community uses, to help increase footfall for retail businesses in the area.

Early discussions have taken place with existing occupiers about the condition of the properties and their future accommodation requirements, according to the council, and further engagement with affected occupiers, local stakeholders and community organisations will follow as the project progresses.

The council's stated long-term goal is further phases of investment that complement the existing town centre, creating a new gateway to the town with outward-facing architecture and replacing service yard areas.

The council had signalled this direction in July 2025, when it said it would explore projects in the north-east corner where there were vacant or underused buildings. It is also progressing demolition of the former Dingle Centre site office, with the cleared site to become part of future development phases, according to its project page.

Cllr Pardoe said: "Public shopping habits have changed, meaning town centres must change with them".

The market

Work on Winsford Market will begin in the coming months, the council said in its November release. In July 2025 the council had said the market improvement works were expected to be complete by summer 2026. No source states the reason for the change in timetable.

The refurbishment includes a roof replacement, improvements to the condition of the building and a more visible entrance intended to encourage more visitors, according to the council's July 2025 releases. Traders consulted during 2024 and 2025 expressed a clear preference to remain in the current building, the council said.

The council's project page states it remains committed to Winsford Market and recognises that an improved market offer is needed. The monthly Artisan Market will continue, the council said.

Combined authority funding

A programme of events with Crosshatch Studios, a local art workshop and makerspace, will be funded by the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority's Mayoral Investment Fund, the council said. Upgraded public space and landscaping outside the market entrance, and consideration of co-locating services in Winsford Library, will also benefit from this funding.

The Combined Authority said its Board approved £3m on 22 June 2026, earmarked for town centres, cultural activity and community assets, as part of a £10m programme designed to unlock future investment. The Mayoral Investment Fund is a £650m, 30-year settlement for Cheshire and Warrington, according to the Combined Authority.

The council has also stated an ambition to seek additional investment for Winsford Library following the replacement of its roof.

Phase one

Kier was the council's preferred contractor for the phase one construction works in March 2023, according to the council. The council's November release put the cost of the first phase at £22m, though its other published pages give differing figures.

Phase one delivered new energy-efficient units for Costa Coffee and a B&M superstore, a 168-space car park off Dene Drive with 18 electric vehicle charging points, and new walking and cycling routes with cycle storage, the council said. The B&M superstore and garden centre opened in June 2025, following an Aldi store in 2021.

About 5,000 sq m of public open space was created, with 53 new trees planted and a civic square outside Winsford Library housing the town's refurbished war memorials. The council said the project has created over 70 jobs so far, including construction roles, and describes the regeneration as the biggest investment in the town centre shopping area since the 1960s.

The council said it is refreshing its Winsford regeneration webpages, which will go live in the next few weeks.