Multi-million pound plans to radically change the face of Warrington town centre took a step closer to reality recently with the appointment of an official development partner.

Warrington Borough Council's executive board selected Muse Developments Limited as the lead partner to realise its ambitious regeneration plans for Bridge Street following consultation with Warrington and Co, the town's urban regeneration partnership and the Manchester offices of GVA and Cobbetts.

The scheme is the first phase of the Council's 25 year strategic masterplan for regeneration of the town centre and waterfront area (from Howley Weir to Bank Quay) which was agreed in late 2008.

The six hectare site runs from the west side of Bridge Street to Academy Way in the east, Buttermarket Street to the north and Mersey Street to the south. Time Square also falls into this area and is owned by the council, having been purchased in 2008 with a £6.2 million grant from the North West Development Agency (NWDA).

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The scheme is one of the largest active regeneration projects in the region; once completed it will feature new shops, restaurants, a gym, cinema, foodstore, indoor market, cultural centre, hotel and council offices.

The first phase of the scheme will be the construction of the new market alongside the existing structure, shops and restaurants.

Cllr Terry O'Neill, leader of the council said: "These are exciting times for Warrington. This scheme will completely transform the town centre; bringing new jobs to the local area and providing the entertainment and leisure facilities that are currently missing but needed. Warrington Borough Council wants to give the town centre a new heart and focus and we feel these plans will make it a more attractive place for residents to live and work in."

Darran Lawless, Development Director at Muse said: "The announcement is fantastic news and a huge endorsement for Muse and its team of consultants. We have always believed that this development would be a great opportunity to work on a genuine mixed use regeneration scheme which will not only change Warrington but help its people enjoy a much wider range of facilities and services than ever before."

Environmental sustainability and an agreement to maximise local training and employment opportunities were also part of the tender and will be key considerations as plans progress.

Members of the public, local businesses and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to outline their priorities during a consultation in 2012.

(CD/KMcA)