A MAJOR £130m development, that will transform Warrington town centre, moved a step closer yesterday with the appointment of a development partner.

Muse Developments, which is also part of the St Paul’s Square development in Liverpool, has been selected to lead the regeneration of the Bridge Street area.

The 25-year plans feature new shops, restaurants, a gym, cinema, foodstore, indoor market, cultural centre, hotel and council offices. It covers a six-hectare site between the Golden Square shopping centre and the River Mersey and is designed to act as a counterweight to Golden Square shopping centre, which has dominated the town centre since it was refurbished in 2007.

The Bridge Street masterplan had been agreed in late 2008, and while market conditions has meant that progress has been slow, there is still a sense of satisfaction that yesterday’s announcement could be made.

Cllr Terry O’Neill, leader of Warrington Borough Council, said: “This scheme will completely transform the town centre, bringing new jobs to the local area and providing the entertainment and leisure facilities that are currently missing but needed.

“Warrington Borough Council wants to give the town centre a new heart and focus and we feel these plans will make it a more attractive place for residents to live and work in.”

The first phase of the scheme will see the construction of shops, restaurants and a new market alongside the current marketplace. Work is expected to begin on site in 2013.

The long-term plans have been supported by a promise from the council that it will move from its offices in New Town House and Quattro to the Bridge Street development when its current lease ends in 2017/18.

Muse, a subsidiary of Morgan Sindall, already has a presence in Warrington, at the Lingley Mere business park development.

Darran Lawless, development director at Muse, added: “We have always believed that this development would be a great opportunity to work on a genuine mixed-use regeneration scheme which will not only change Warrington but help its people enjoy a much wider range of facilities and services than ever before.”

Progress on plans for Bridge Street come as a £34m development to the north of the town centre nears completion.

Orford Park is an Olympic legacy regeneration venture being piloted in the town using sport, leisure, health, education and lifelong learning to promote the improved health and well-being of the local community.

The scheme to transform 50 acres of a former landfill site on Winwick Road is being anchored by retailer Decathlon.

It is scheduled to be completed early next year after two years on site.