Warrington Borough Council has given the green light to plans for the mixed-use £52m Bridge Street Quarter project, which will form a key part of the regeneration of Warrington town centre.

Muse Developments is delivering the scheme – with work set to begin in the next couple of weeks – in partnership with Warrington & Co and the council.

The Leach Rhodes Walker-designed plans will see the creation of a revitalised centre offering a family-friendly shopping, restaurant and leisure experience with a contemporary-style market hall at its heart. When completed in 2019, the scheme will provide 25,000sq ft (2,323sq m) of retail, 60,000sq ft (5,574sq m) of leisure (including a cinema and restaurants), plus a new 65,000sq ft (6,039sq m) civic centre and a public square.

The new market hall will incorporate the Grade II listed former Boots building façade on Bridge Street as one of its entrances. The scheme will be delivered in two phases in order to minimise disruption for market traders and allow the market to remain open throughout construction.

“This is a momentous decision for Warrington and the future of our town centre,” said councillor Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council.

“Warrington town centre is on the cusp of a renaissance which will bring its vitality back to its former glory. This is an historic moment.”