Consultants at DTZ Pieda have completed the first draft of their 25-year plan for the future of Northwich town centre.

The draft will be in the hands of Vale Royal Borough Council by the end of the week.

"This draft is very preliminary, but the basic details are in place," said Pieda's Marion Chalmers. "It will eventually be seen by all the partners involved, namely Vale Royal, Cheshire County Council, and British Waterways."

The firm was brought on board in April. Ms Chalmers and her colleagues have spent the past few months researching Northwich's needs for the next millennium.

The new draft strategy addresses the problem of the salt mine blight and the redesign of Northwich waterfront.

It also suggests ways to improve the town's shopping, leisure and sporting facilities.

The details of the draft have not yet been unveiled. But borough councillors are due to discuss the project at several meetings during the next few weeks.

"I'm pleased with this early draft," said Ms Chalmers. "I'm looking forward to the consultations that will follow."

Part of the strategy will focus on plans for Northwich Marina on Chester Way. A shortlist of three possible buyers was drawn up by Fifield Glyn, the marina's holding company, last week.

"There were a number of interested parties who put in bids for the marina," said Richard Smith of Fifield Glyn. "The three best options were collated, and we are now carrying out further feasibility studies into each."

The company will which bid to accept in the coming weeks.

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