WINSFORD’S beleaguered shopping centre may finally get the shot in the arm it needs according to documents revealed today by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The council says it is ‘now in a strong position to work proactively with land owners to enable a comprehensive redevelopment of the town centre’.

The Winsford Neighbourhood Plan Implementation Strategy tables plans for a ‘town centre development programme [that] will provide a basis for joint public/private sector investment in comprehensive mixed use regeneration of the area’.

Areas highlighted for attention are The Winsford Cross Shopping Centre and the surrounding area, Town Park and the Verdin Exchange and old High Street.

The Cross Shopping Centre has seen a marked decline in retailers over the past few years, with a devastating roof collapse in March 2013 forcing further shops to move out.

CWAC’s implementation strategy for regeneration relies on a ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming Winsford Neighbourhood Plan referendum, likely to be staged in October.

Thereafter, CWAC envisage a further detailed report that will be brought to the council’s executive in the New Year, which will ‘set out short, medium and long term development proposals’.

These will be underpinned by a ‘vision and blueprint for central Winsford setting out the overall design principles that should be followed for the town and identifying key areas to be addressed’.

They will also prioritise a programme of ‘key development opportunities and physical improvements needed to ‘knit the town back together’ – taking onboard suggestions from the Neighbourhood Plan.

The delivery plan will be based upon a full feasibility appraisal ‘setting out how and when development will be facilitated’.

CWAC see the regeneration of Winsford as dependent on a mixture of public and commercial investment.