WARRINGTON is Happening is the message to people this Christmas in a bid to promote the town as a key festive attraction.

The Warrington BID team, made up of business owners and managers, came together this week to celebrate the launch of the campaign which will see money invested to promote the town as the place to be.

Already a part of this project is an ice rink which will be installed at the Old Market Square from November 22 to January 5.

The brand, Warrington is Happening, will soon be advertised across the town, including bus sides, bus shelters and digital screens and the message will also be used to brighten up empty retail units.

The campaign will also direct people to warringtonishappening.co.uk, a new one-stop destination website that will allow residents and visitors to discover places to shop, drink, eat and explore in the town centre as well as finding out about seasonal attractions taking place.

BID manager, Harriet Roberts, said: "Warrington is Happening sums up that change is now, this is happening now.

"Warrington is having to change how it attracts people in- it's not just about retail anymore, it's about bringing people together.

"Through this major Christmas campaign and the new website, we are supporting levy payers by promoting their businesses, events, cultural scene, food and drink offering to locals and those outside of the town too.

"Our aim is to challenge perceptions of Warrington and let more people know that it’s all happening here this Christmas."

Since the BID was established one year ago, it has invested almost £300,000 back into the town.

Projects have included safety initiatives for the night time economy, improvements to green spaces, free training for businesses and a project aimed at improving accessibility in the town.

During 2019, Warrington BID invested more than £40,000 to help introduce large-scale events to the town centre, including the Warrington Music Festival in May, The Museum of the Moon installation at Parr Hall in October and most recently a £12,000 donation to secure the ice rink at the Old Market Square.

Harriet continued: "Normally in the first year of a project, nothing much happens, but in Warrington we've already had a lot of traction.

"It's all about the amazing community and civic pride and this journey of transition."

The BID board chair and manager of Primark Warrington, Dawn McElroy, added: "With funding from businesses across the town centre, we have delivered lots of great projects and improvements in our first year, including festivals, events and solutions to make the town look better and feel safer.

"This extensive marketing campaign for Christmas is our latest investment and marks our commitment to driving footfall into the town centre that will benefit all of our businesses.

"There’s an air of excitement and buzz about Warrington at the moment, people know that positive things are finally happening in the town and that’s a great achievement for year one."