Winsford Regeneration, Phase One

The traditional high street is changing and shops alone no longer guarantee a vibrant town centre. For Winsford to thrive, it needed a vision that balanced modern retail with leisure, community and culture. As architects, masterplanners and landscape designers, we worked with Cheshire West and Chester Council to create Phase One of Winsford’s town centre regeneration masterplan, shaping healthy, welcoming spaces for everyone.

This transformative 60,000 ft² site has been designed to reverse the decline of the retail centre and restore local pride and is now a destination that the community can enjoy. With flexible retail, leisure and hospitality spaces, alongside rejuvenated, greener public realm and a 168 space car park, this project acts as a driver of change, attracting investment, supporting local jobs and the regional economy.

Protecting the environment is central to our work. With Cheshire West and Chester Council having declared a Climate Emergency, this project provided an opportunity to implement practical, low-carbon strategies that align with commercial reality. By replacing inefficient buildings with energy-efficient structures, we’ve significantly reduced operating costs for tenants while meeting the council’s climate goals.

Our approach to sustainable urban design prioritises natural water management, integrating rain gardens and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to help manage surface water effectively across the public realm. To support cleaner travel, the 168 space car park includes Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points while improved cycling routes encourage healthier ways to travel.

Phase One represents the largest investment in Winsford’s history and the benefits are already being felt. By creating high quality spaces, we have enabled existing businesses to relocate to better premises while attracting new national brands, creating over 70 jobs through construction and within the new shops and cafes.

The project goes beyond economics. Through improved accessibility, safer pedestrian routes and the revitalised civic square, every element was designed with the people of Winsford in mind. This project demonstrates what community focused design and strategic public sector investment can achieve, a thriving people-first town centre that protects the environment while restoring pride and creating lasting opportunity.