A NEW partnership - called Wire Regeneration - has been set up to redevelop the area around the Mersey in Warrington town centre.

Warrington Borough Council has teamed up with property company Langtree to operate the joint venture.

It will attempt to transform what has been known as the Southern Gateway - land either side of the Mersey including the current bus depot and Wilderspool Stadium.

An immediate plan will be to refurbish and improve Wharf Industrial Estate in Howley, next to Riverside Retail Park.

Langtree chief executive John Downes said: “Warrington is one of the best performing economies on the UK cities list in terms of employment creation and is a business and investment destination with huge potential.

“We have widespread experience of delivering successful joint ventures with public sector partners so are very pleased to add Wire Regeneration Ltd to that growing portfolio and to be in a position to assist the town in the next chapter of its success story.”

Clr Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: “This joint venture opens up many exciting development opportunities for Warrington Borough Council to work alongside Langtree to explore and maximise the potential of our joint assets and combined skills.

“The partnership will unlock growth potential and is another key project identified in our framework for growth, Warrington Means Business, which was endorsed by the council last year.

“We are delighted to be partnered with Langtree, a company which has a solid track record of quality and delivery and is highly respected in the industry.”

Langtree is involved in a number of joint venture schemes across the UK, including Sci-Tech Daresbury, PxP West Midlands and Onsite North East.