Residents urged to have their say on town centre's future

The authority has established a 'regeneration framework' which it said will set out the long term goals and plans for the town centre. The framework will also enable it to apply for funding for future regeneration projects.

The council has now commissioned a number of community engagement activities to be run by PLACED, a social enterprise. The events will set out to capture the ideas of local people, businesses and visitors to the town centre. Comments and ideas can also be shared via an interactive website.  

Derek Twigg, MP for Widnes and Halewood, said: "I am pleased to have been working closely with the leadership of Halton Borough Council over the last few years around our shared priority of redeveloping and improving the town centre."

Council leader Mike Wharton added: “The development of this framework is really important to anyone who has an interest in the future of Widnes. By taking part in this consultation, you are helping to shape the vision for Widnes town centre before any key decisions have been made.”

A series of drop-in events are being held on the following dates and locations:

• Wednesday October 23, 11am-2pm, Widnes Indoor Market.
• Wednesday October 23, 4pm-6.30pm, Asda Widnes Superstore (Foyer).
• Saturday October 26, 11am-2pm, Widnes Bandstand, Widnes Road (by Subway and Heron Foods).

Cllr Wharton said: "As part of the consultation, we’ve suggested five themes to get the conversation started, but we want to hear directly from local people, local businesses and those who spend time in Widnes Town Centre about what really matters to them and what their priorities would be.

The online consultation is open for contributions until Sunday, November 17, and can be found here:  https://placed.mysocialpinpoint.com/widnestowncentre

He added: "I’d encourage people to come along to one of the planned drop-in events or, if they cannot attend, make their views known online."