THE time for talk is almost over and action on the transformation of Bridge Street and Time Square can soon begin.

Years after the plans for the Bridge Street Quarter were first revealed the planning application is set to be submitted the Warrington Guardian understands tomorrow.

The scheme will see Warrington Market revitalised with a new hall which links directly on to Bridge Street for the first time.

It will mean the former Boots building, which has stood empty since the retailer moved to Golden Square, will be brought back to life as the new frontage for the market hall.

The town centre will also get its first cinema in years with a new multiplex cinema as a central part of a new public square.

And to compliment the burgeoning night time aspect the cinema brings there will also be numerous restaurants with outdoor cafes as part of the vision to transform the tired and dilapidated area around Time Square.

The scheme will also see new council offices created as part of the redevelopment.

After the council had backed the Time Square development by the Big Apple Warrington group which found conflict with a rival plan for Winwick Street the site was given a second chance in 2010 when the North West Development Agency, led then by current council chief executive Prof Steven Broomhead, bought the land.

Addressing the Bridge Street Quarter redevelopment at this year's Warrington Property Review Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co 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.”

The project is headed up by the council's partner Muse Developments and preparation work have already started on the site of the former B&M store.

A number of businesses based in Time Square have already or are in the process of moving to new sites including B&M and Cafe Caruso.

The scheme will need to be approved by the development management committee at the council before work can start.

Council leader Clr Terry O'Neill added: "The work will start in January after we get permission, we want to get through Christmas for the market before we start the work."