“IF you want to invest in success you invest in Warrington.”

The words of council leader Clr Terry O’Neill heralding a bumper year for growth in the town.

He was speaking at the launch of the 2014 Warrington Property Review which outlines the rapid growth in business in the past year.

A key driver of that growth is the Omega development which in the last 12 months has become home to Brakes and Hermes distribution centres with both Travis Perkins and Asda having new centres built on both the north and south site.

These developments helped push Warrington’s industrial property take-up for 2013 to the highest figure since the report began in 1998.

Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, said: “What better advert for growth in Warrington is there than Omega?”

The review, which launched last week, also hailed growing figures in retail and houses being bought and let in the town.

Average house prices rose 6.97 per cent compared to a national rise of around 5.85 per cent with the average house price in the borough reaching £183,000, nearly £20,000 more than Manchester.

Warrington also saw demand for office space grow last year with the highest levels of activity since 2001.

There was standing room only for the 16th year review launch and the assembled ranks of the property industry also heard of the advancing plans for regeneration in the town.

The Warrington Annual Property Review is commissioned by Warrington & Co., Warrington’s partnership for driving growth.

Addressing the Bridge Street Quarter redevelopment which will see the area transformed with a new market hall and office and leisure facilities Mr Park said: “The traditional town centre is not going to return. There has been a seismic shift in shopping habits.

“We are working hard to encourage and develop business.”

Preparation work has started in the past week on the site of the former B&M store.

And they also brought attention to redevelopment plans for the Stadium Quarter, a redesign of the Cabinet Works and Garven Place as well as the Southern Gateway.

Work is also set to start on a masterplan for the waterfront area which will link Bridge Street with the Southern Gateway.

Clr O’Neill added: “Since 2011 our ambition for this town has not changed.

“We are outperforming Liverpool and Manchester and that is mainly due to partnership working.

“The main thing we need to ensure is the growth we create in this town our communities can take those jobs created. That is what makes a town prosperous.

“This property review is one of the most outstanding we have ever had. Warrington is up there with the best of them.”