THE town's new temporary outdoor space has taken delivery of a new canopy and also been christened with a name that is hoped will become familiar to many.

Apple Market Place is the name that has been chosen for the public place, which opened back in April, and despite mindless vandals targeting trees on the site, it has proved popular with residents so far.

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The space was always considered a potential venue for outdoor events and Adam Gerrard, Northwich BID project manager, says the new canopy will assist in the provision of those.

He said: "Northwich BID purchased the canopy to allow us to add a covered element to the new space Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) developed, with the initial reason to provide a covered area when events take place.

"However we secured a grant to part-fund the canopy, along with 20 tables from Cheshire & Warrington LEP – so we can offer covered outdoor seating for people to use.

"It won’t be out all the time, initially we’re going to have the canopy and tables out every Saturday and we’re looking to have it out a lot more during the summer holidays."

Northwich Guardian: The temporary outdoor space, now named Apple Market Place, has a new canopy

The temporary outdoor space, now named Apple Market Place, has a new canopy

The overall aim is to support local hospitality, by offering somewhere for people to consume and enjoy their purchases from the many local businesses in the area.

Adam went on: "But it’s not just limited to that, if someone just wants a quick break whilst shopping in the town, then they can pop by and take a seat – or feel free to bring a board game down, with the wildflowers now growing it a really nice space to be in.

"It will also support any events in the space moving forward, with some plans in the pipeline to have a food event in the space, art exhibition and maybe even some workshops.

"We’re working together with Northwich Town Council to help put it up and get the tables and benches put out, they’ll also be around the space for most of the day giving the tables a good clean regularly.

"Although it would be great to leave it all out overnight, it was purchased with the intention of taking it down each evening and CWAC have supported us by installing special concrete fixing pads that the canopy connects to and then we just pop two poles up in the centre, crank them up and hay presto – so it’s not too laborious.

"We also know the space is temporary, but the canopy has a lot of life in it, so it can be used on grass as well – so it’s future proofed for us to use long term, in what ever we do."

The installation of the canopy follows hot on the heels of the new nearby public toilets, which were officially opened last weekend.