WHAT a double whammy hit Northwich last week.

First there was the axing of the Northwich Vision by Cheshire West and Chester, the new local authority, and then there was the rejection by the North West Development Agency of the Lion Salt Works £1 million funding bid (Guardian October 14).

One can only speculate at Cheshire West and Chester’s reasons to axe the Vision, possibly their need for every penny to fund the Northgate development, and new theatre in Chester.

Or, it could be their belated realisation that the Vision’s sites in Northwich were threatened by flooding. But taken with the funding failure for the Lion Salt Works, it reduces the incentive for visitors to come to the town and spend money here, the regeneration effect.

To rescue something from the ruins and provide a reason to visit, I propose creating a cultural centre with a high quality restaurant, bars, multiplex cinema, tourist information centre, theatre, exhibition halls etc. This would be sited well above flooding levels, either between the Salvation Army Citadel and dairy, or on the area occupied by the rarely used open air theatre by the entrance to Marks and Spencer.

Bearing in mind the council’s recent multi-million pound funding of Winsford’s Lifestyle Centre, they should raise contributions from local stores such as Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury, Matalan and banks with the balance from the NWDA or similar public source, eg the Lottery.

The Baron’s Quay site could become park and playing fields relatively cheaply, with the world’s most expensive ‘Thundersprint’ track at £38 million, a wonder to behold.

Bearing in mind all the broken promises about the Vision offered by the so-called ‘prosperity councillor’ H Manley, it is difficult to believe his excuses and new resolutions for the future. We’ll believe it if we see it, although I’d say the Vision has finally become a mirage.

STUART HOGG