'M&S return': What Northwich shoppers want to see in town

In recent years, empty retail units have become an all too common sight in the town centre as shops and businesses have had to close.

Northwich lost its iconic Bratts store, which had traded in the town for 160 years, in 2021 while the Leicester Street M&S closed in 2019. 

Efforts have been made by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), Northwich Town Council and Northwich BID (business improvement district), to bring more footfall to the town.

Indeed CWAC is pressing ahead with plans to regenerate Weaver Square, which will see empty shops and buildings replaced with a mixed use development including town centre living.

Residents and shoppers remain concerned about the town's 'sad and tired' high street.

Philip Flavell, from Wincham, said: "You’ve got plenty of food places but they're predominantly coffee places and it’s a bit overkill I think."

The 68-year-old had other ideas: "What we desperately need in Northwich town centre is a good English chip shop.

"A chip shop on the high street, without a doubt, I think it’d do well."

The former M&S store in Leicester Street (Image: NQ) Andrew Pratt, aged 75, came to Northwich in 1982. He said: "There was a department store called Bratts, over the time of Covid it closed, and the thing I hear the most, particularly amongst older people, is they regret the passing of that store."

One Northwich resident, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested the town needs ‘reviving’.

They said: "We have the same old empty sites in Barons Quay, it’s an ongoing problem and the rest of town is looking rundown.

"M&S would be a great draw."

Maureen and Raymond Robinson have lived in Barton for 30 years. Maureen, aged 74, said: “I feel it’s sad, where Asda is right down to the river is empty. It’s a shame.

"There’s not many places you can go and by clothes or shoes."

Raymond, also 74, added: "They’ve missed a golden opportunity, whoever designed [Barons Quay], if you’ve noticed wherever you look there’s a cafe, every cafe is in shade during the day.

"There’s nothing along the river whatsoever. There should have been bars restaurants and shops along the river.

Witton Street, Northwich (Image: Google)

"Something needs to be done to bring people in, right now it’s just sad and tired.”

Eighteen-year-old Erin Kenny, said she felt the town centre was ‘quite barren’.

She added: "I would much rather take a train to somewhere else because we don’t have many small businesses you can go and check out.

"I would want some smaller clothes shops, not just big brand ones. Some independent shops."

Hayden Healey, from Lostock Gralam, praised the area and believes the town is on the right track.

The 26-year-old said: "We are on the right steps but there definitely needs to be more entertainment.

"We’ve got Goblin Games which is fantastic and the Odeon, but past general shopping there isn’t much going on.

"The environment is just nice, you can look about and it's green next to the river, I’ve been to a few towns and this is definitely one of the better ones."

A CWAC spokesman said: "Northwich is a vibrant market town with traditional architecture and a culture of independent retail.

The former Bratts store which closed in 2021 (Image: Supplied)

"The council has a progressive and ambitious vision for Northwich, building on the traditional architecture and location at the confluence of two rivers with exciting regeneration projects.

"Regenerating areas of the town centre to unlock economic opportunities, renovating much-loved traditional town landmarks and architecture, developing leisure facilities, and improving road links and accessibility are all vital parts of the future for Northwich.

"Through investment, our aim is to boost business, create jobs and increase skills, whilst delivering new housing, supporting digital connectivity, increasing inclusion, and enhancing pride in the town.

"Working together with the public and private sectors, our projects will grow footfall, increase spend and spread vitality, bringing underused spaces back to life and making the community an exciting place to live, work, learn and visit."