MONDAY was a historic day for the town of Warrington.
After years of planning, the new Warrington Market opened its doors to shoppers for the first time.
It is one of the key components of the redevelopment of Time Square, alongside a cinema and new offices for Warrington Borough Council.
Here, we have taken a look back on the key events that led to the creation of the new market hall.
2007
Boots on Bridge Street in the town centre closes and moves to the newly expanded Golden Square Shopping Centre.
Historically known as the Howard Building, the grade two-listed site dates back to the early 1900s.
Meanwhile, a scheme to regenerate the Time Square area is refused planning permission by the Secretary of State.
2011
Fresh plans to redevelop Time Square are revealed by Warrington Borough Council.
It is anticipated that the scheme will include a new Warrington Market fronting onto Bridge Street via the façade of the Howard Building, as well as a cinema, restaurants and council offices.
Proposals also originally included shops, a gym, a supermarket, a cultural centre and a hotel.
May 2015
The demolition of shops and restaurants which formed part of the old Time Square begins, ahead of the construction of a temporary home for Warrington Market and Cineworld.
April 2016
Councillors unanimously vote to approve planning permission for the Time Square redevelopment, which at that point was estimated to cost £107million and was due for completion in 2019.
June 2016
Demolition work on the old market car park begins.
September 2017
The old Warrington Market closes its doors, 43 years after moving from its former home in the Old Market Place.
Traders then move into the temporary hall on the other side of Time Square, which is opened for business the following day.
Demolition work begins soon afterwards, with the site levelled by the end of the year.
November 2017
The new market car park opens to shoppers after a year-and-a-half of construction work.
Saturday, June 6 2020
The temporary market hall opens for the final time ahead of the planned opening of the new facility on Monday, June 15.
This opening date is later pushed back by three weeks.
A trampoline park is set to open in what was the temporary market later this year.
Monday, July 6 2020
The new £11million Warrington Market opens its doors to customers for the first time.
In total, the Time Square redevelopment came at a cost of £142million.
For in-depth coverage of the opening of the new Warrington Market, pick up today's Warrington Guardian
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel