Retail therapy for town (From Warrington Guardian)

Retail therapy for town

EXCITING multi-million pound plans to create a vibrant new shopping complex have been revealed exclusively to the World.

Top High Street designer names could soon move into a re-vitalised Windmill Centre.

"There is no cap on our hopes for the type of tenants we might attract," said Chris Jones, of Christopher Dee property consultants who advise the developers Yorvale on the acquisition.

"We are extremely optimistic and excited about creating something that will really benefit the town. We are in the very early stages of negotiation in respect of likely tenants."

The out-dated 70s look will be transformed into a state of the art 2004 development, possibly with a new name.

Plans to change three existing stores and build a fastfood outlet have already been approved.

Developer Yorvale, of Leeds, intends to unveil an amended scheme when their takeover deal is finalised in a few weeks.

"As a first phase, we will be creating up to 35,000 sq ft which will be available to let before Christmas," said Mr Jones. "We are looking forward to having detailed discussions with the local authority as soon as we take full control of the property."

Current tenants will be consulted.

The Co-op is moving their electrical and home furnishing stores into a new Sunwin Department Store, inside their former food store.

"We will be heavily supporting the move with investment," said Janette Shingler of United Norwest Co-op.

Co-op's travel agent is being extensively refurbished and equipped with a foreign exchange desk.

Asda hopes to open its nearby £21m foodstore in Widnes Road at the end of August or early September.

An upmarket McDonalds restaurant, serving food in crockery instead of disposable plates and cups, will provide refreshments instead of an Asda caf.

An Asda spokesperson, said: "It is really exciting. At the moment we are doing the highway works and improvements to the car park."