Northwich shopping centre could make way for housing development
- Published
The authority said 28 of Weaver Square's 40 units were left empty
A Cheshire shopping centre where nearly 75% of units have been left vacant is to be demolished and could make way for a major regeneration project.
Weaver Square in Northwich has suffered from "changing shopping patterns", Cheshire West and Chester Council said.
The authority wants to replace it with housing, a hub for public services and a smaller number of shops.
A council spokesman said the "exciting plans" would create "a showcase area for the town".
He added: "Weaver Square, with its many vacant units and poor architectural quality is letting the town down."
The council bought the shopping centre in 2014, two years after a previous owner creased trading.
Last year the authority said 28 of Weaver Square's 40 units were empty.
The "multi-million pound masterplan" would see the centre replaced with 160 flats or houses, as well as a food hall and a public square.
The town's indoor market hall would also be demolished but would not be replaced, with traders instead spreading out throughout the new complex.
A is due to run in June.
Earlier this month the council announced it had secured a second tenant for the nearby £80m Baron's Quay shopping complex, where only one of the newly-built retail units is currently occupied.