A VACANT shop unit in Warrington town centre could be repurposed and brought back into use.

Warrington Borough Council has received an application for the change of use of the former Vintage Viola shop in Old Market Place.

Applicant Culture Warrington is seeking permission to change the unit from retail use to use for ‘cultural events’, to form a temporary facility for Culture Warrington activities.

It is likely that the temporary unit would be required by Culture Warrington for an initial period of 12 to 15 months, and until at least the end of 2025.

Plans state that three full-time and seven part-time employees would work at the centre.

Documents say: “Culture Warrington has identified a need for a temporary location for our live performances and community classes that would normally take place at Pyramid Arts Centre in Palmyra Square, which is currently closed for refurbishment.

“To that end, we have identified a unit within Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington which we believe meets our needs, on a temporary lease for at least 12 months.”

The ground floor is intended to be used for the main reception and box office, with some loose seating for customers and a small bar area towards the front near to the main entrance.

Pyramid Arts Centre is currently undergoing renovation

Pyramid Arts Centre is currently undergoing renovation

At the rear on the ground floor there would be a small community space and performance area, typically for live music, with a low-level or floor-level stage.

Although anticipated to be mainly a standing space for audiences, loose seating may be provided in this area for seated performances to a maximum of around 100.

“This will be an ideal flexible space, offering smaller local arts groups a location to operate classes from, such as dance schools, and to act as a space for other community groups to meet,” plans state.

On the first floor would be the main performance area, typically for theatre and comedy, seating around 210 people on a combination of temporary tiered seating and floor seating set up at the front side of the unit.

The remainder of the first floor towards the middle and rear section would be used for storage or as artist dressing rooms, and for back-of house use and staff welfare.

Toilet facilities would need to be expanded, and alongside live performances, the venue would also be used for the display and sale of merchandise and tickets, and the sale and consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

“Furthermore, this venue will be the temporary home of our community-led and outreach programmes, from grassroots music to young producers, and will offer additional space to showcase commissions and other local artists’ work,” documents add.

“It will benefit community groups by offering an additional performance and rehearsal space, and also enable us to support cultural partnerships and cultural networks with in-kind space, which can help to support their community objectives as well as any funding conditions.”