Warrington Borough Council has appointed local architectural consultancy, DV8 Designs, to prepare an analysis, study and draft master-plan for the Garvin Place and former Cabinet Works areas of Warrington town centre.
The town centre sites – which are situated on the cultural quarter – are currently unused, and the commission will explore and maximise their regeneration and development potential. They are identified as a key town centre sites in the council’s regeneration framework, Warrington Means Business.
The aspiration for the area is to create a mixed-use development comprising residential, retail, business, leisure, hotel and hospitality uses, which will complement and enhance the existing town centre and preserve and make a feature of the landmark tower at the former Garnett cabinet works.
DV8 Designs won the contract by competitive tender. With over 20 years’ experience in urban design and master-planning, the firm has also worked on numerous retail, leisure and commercial office projects.
Councillor Terry O’Neill, leader at Warrington Borough Council, comments: “This is the first step in the council unlocking the tremendous potential that this area offers. It is in the heart of our historic central heritage area and this study will provide the basis of a masterplan for the future. I’m delighted to have appointed local company DV8 Designs for this study.”
Steve Park, managing director at Warrington & Co, Warrington’s partnership for driving growth, says: “This is an exciting opportunity to realise the full potential that these sites offer. Key to the scheme will be the production of a masterplan, an analysis of connectivity, a conservation plan and the preservation of the landmark tower at the former Garnett’s cabinet work factory.
“The team at Warrington & Co are excited at the prospect of working with DV8 Designs and taking this forward. This is yet another major progression of the Warrington Means Business framework and the renaissance of the town.”
Lee Birchall, director at DV8 Designs, adds: “We are very proud to be working with Warrington & Co to investigate the potential of this area. I am a Warringtonian born, bred and passionate about my town. My colleagues similarly all live locally and our business is based here. We have the advantage of being able to add our depth of local knowledge, enthusiasm and passion into the commission.”
