The Northwich Regeneration Partnership is inviting submissions for a two-stage open design competition for the design of a new Cultural Centre to be located at Baron’s Quay, Northwich.

The competition is organised with the support of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Competitions Office.

The competition is open to architect-led multi-disciplinary design teams and will take the form of a two stage process organised as follows :

Stage 1 : Submission of concept designs which will be assessed anonymously

Stage 2 : A shortlist will be chosen and invited to stage 2. Stage 2 will involve further exploration of stage 1 design ideas. Anonymity will be lifted and shortlisted teams will be invited to attend an interview and make a presentation to the Jury Panel.

It is envisaged that this proposal will develop a gateway heritage interpretation centre for the Weaver Valley Regional Park and Northwich area reinforcing those historical links to the Lion Saltworks, Anderton Boat Lift and the wider area.

A bid for the Weaver Valley Regional Park highlights the salt heritage of central Cheshire as a key theme with the three towns of Northwich, Middlewich and Nantwich being pre-eminent in industrial/Victorian, Roman and medieval salt-making respectively. It is considered essential to make this connection with the Regional Park opportunities.