Northwich Market is set to be relocated to Barons Quay, despite claims  ‘nearly every one’ of the existing traders has no intention of moving.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s ruling cabinet has rubber-stamped plans to move the market and Northwich Information Centre as part of wider plans to regenerate Weaver Square.

The vote means the council is now seeking a private sector partner for the Weaver Square project, which will see empty shops and buildings replaced with 4.4-acre mixed use development including town centre living.

Under the plans, the market will be relocated to two empty corner units opposite H&M with potential for ‘al fresco’ dining and what the council called a more ‘modern market’.

A report to the cabinet said: “Retail market advisors consider that a new modern market with traditional stalls alongside a new food and beverage offer is one of the most effective ways to regenerate town centres, as has been seen in Chester following the Northgate Phase 1 development’.

Northwich Information Centre is also set to be relocated, possibly to Memorial Court Leisure Centre, although no final location has been chosen.

Addressing the cabinet, Northwich Witton councillor Sam Naylor broadly welcomed progress on the Weaver Square development and said he 'wanted to see the wrecking ball swinging', but raised concerns about some aspects of the market move.

He said: “Nearly every one of the existing market traders have no intention of moving into Barons Quay and cite a five day operation model and unaffordable rents as their main reasons.

" Rightly or wrongly, they feel abandoned, unloved and neglected. When all is said and done Northwich should remain a traditional market town. So cabinet - take the decision, but stress that this is not the end and that we will continue to consult."

Northwich Market is a three-day market with 55 stalls, of which 19 are occupied. The proposals would see the provision of new market trading on a five-day a week basis.

The council said it would continue to be a subsidised market at current levels, recognising what it said were 'the wider benefits of markets to town centres’.

Cllr Naylor also raised concerns that a redesigned market similar to those found in other Cheshire towns would not be as successful.

He said: "We must be big enough to consider that a Chester or Warrington-style market may not wash its face in Northwich, particularly if there's an overemphasis on food and beverage - as Barons Quay and the whole of the town centre is already saturated with eateries and coffee shops."

Responding to his concerns Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration and digital transformation, told the meeting he would be meeting with market traders and the town council.

He said: "Traders have given years to the Northwich community. We have to support them as part of this process so there will be absolutely more engagement. We do need traders who are currently in Northwich Market able to move across."

He added that the Weaver Square project would have to be 'appropriate' and recognise the heritage of Northwich, acknowledging calls at the meeting for consultation on designs.

Weaver Square was bought by the council in 2014 when the private sector owners went into receivership. The council had sought to progress regeneration plans in 2023 but a previous private sector partner pulled out.

If all goes to plan this time, the development of Weaver Square is expected to start in 2026.