New shop units at Junction Nine Retail Park begin to take shape

The units to the northern end of Junction Nine Retail Park are beginning to take shape, with work starting in September.

Following the completion of the roof, glass has now been installed to the frontage of the units, while landscaping has also taken place to prepare the new sections of car park.

A huge crane was drafted in as part of the works to complete two units at the complex off Winwick Road in November

Plans are for the units next to Subway, and these sought permission for a change of use of two existing units to retail, as well as the installation of mezzanine floors.

New shop units at Junction Nine Retail Park begin to take shape

Documents submitted as part of the application state that the units will be occupied by Home Bargains and Poundland, with drawings suggesting the former will also include a café.

The current Home Bargains store looks set to move further to the north of the site, with it not clear as of yet what will move into its current unit.

Plans state: “The applicant has agreed to let all of the space within phase three to two tenants – a Poundland and Home Bargains – subject to the revisions sought by this consent.

“The application also takes the opportunity to reconfigure car park layout to improve circulation and to resolve outstanding details such as landscaping.

New shop units at Junction Nine Retail Park begin to take shape

“While the key focus of the scheme is to deliver the floorspace for the two tenants in phase three, it ensures that the residual areas in phase four are properly aligned to allow seamless delivery.”

Phase three relate to the partially built units to the northern end of the row, while phase four is for remaining vacant land to the very north of the site.

Documents add: “The proposed space within phase three has not been in occupation.

“The ingoing tenants comprise two variety retailers which seek to secure representation in the borough consistent with their larger format business models.

“Both Poundland and Homes Bargains have committed to occupying this space upon release of consent and completion of landlord works.

New shop units at Junction Nine Retail Park begin to take shape

“Landlord works include discharge of planning conditions and satisfaction of those requirements prior to occupation.”

A change of use is needed as present consent assumed that the units would be used for bulky goods retailing, whereas it is now the case that the ingoing tenants require use for the sale of food and drink goods.

Phase three is substantially complete and works would be necessary to adjust internal configuration and to replace some existing cladding which has been fire damaged.

The area beyond the units has been surfaced but will be remodelled to provide part of a shared car park that will have a revised circulation approach, improved from the originally approved layout.

New shop units at Junction Nine Retail Park begin to take shape

Plans say that phase 4 has not yet commenced, but that this can be undertaken in due course.

Documents add: “The land is part of a key but underutilised gateway into the town centre, as the A49 Winwick Road runs parallel to the site, connecting the M62 with Warrington town centre and the surrounding area.

“The retail park has vacancies, albeit that the position has improved in recent years through significant investment, with further occupations to follow in the northern part of the site, known as phases three and four.

“This application has a primary objective to secure full and immediate occupation of phase three.”