Warrington town centre has experienced a significant boost in visitor numbers, with figures showing nearly two million people visited in just eight weeks.
This surge, recorded in May and June and driven by a series of popular events, has notably increased footfall at Time Square, Warrington’s key destination for shopping, dining and leisure.
While the entire town centre has been bustling due to events like Warrington Mela, Proms in the Square, Warrington Pride and Krazy Races, Time Square has emerged as a major beneficiary of this influx. The development, which opened in 2020 as part of a regeneration project, is now recording some of its highest visitor numbers to date.
Cllr Laura Watson, Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Quality Work, said: “The rise in footfall across Warrington town centre has had a direct and positive impact on Time Square. Our development has attracted more visitors as it becomes increasingly central to the town’s activity. The success of recent events has been reflected in Time Square’s rising numbers, underlining its growing role in the community.”
Time Square’s shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, including the modern cinema and the bustling Cookhouse at Warrington Market, have all seen a rise in visitors. The Cookhouse, in particular, reported its busiest Sunday ever, with footfall increasing by up to 190% on key event days.
Cllr Watson added: “The combination of town centre events and the attractions at Time Square has created a strong draw for both locals and visitors. This has significantly boosted foot traffic to our development and reinforced Time Square’s place as a top spot for community gatherings and entertainment.”
Overall, footfall in Warrington town centre has increased by 6.2% compared to the first half of 2023, with Time Square playing a key role in this growth.
Andrea Morley, Project Manager for Warrington Business Improvement District (BID), said: “The increase in visitor numbers across the town centre shows that Warrington’s economic and cultural revival is well underway. Time Square, with its central location and variety of offerings, has been a significant part of this progress, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum with more events and initiatives to keep the town centre thriving.”
For more information about upcoming events at Time Square, visit timesquarewarrington.co.uk.
