Cheshire West & Cheshire Council has brought to market a former grammar school site in Winsford town centre as a residential development opportunity.
The 51,968 sq ft Verdin Exchange is a listed red-brick building dating back to 1895 that sits on a 3.89-acre site fronting the town’s High Street (A54).
Originally built as a technical school, and latterly used as a business centre, the site has been identified as prime for redevelopment as a residential-led scheme, subject to planning.
Initial feasibility work has highlighted the potential for a blend of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments set across the existing building and two new-builds, complemented by landscaped amenity space and public realm.
The site is being offered for sale on a freehold basis, with interest sought from developers capable of bringing forward a deliverable, design-led scheme.
Gemma Davies, director of economy and housing, Cheshire West & Chester Council, said: “The Verdin Exchange is an iconic and much-loved building in Winsford town centre. Its striking architecture makes it a Winsford icon and it is a building that the community is keen to see open its doors again. Cheshire West & Chester Council is seeking a developer who can support its goal to safeguard the future of Verdin Exchange and give it a new lease of life by restoring the listed building and maintaining and enhancing the community uses of the site. Ensuring this building can play its part in the vitality and vibrancy of the town long into the future.
“The first phase of regeneration works has already been a real success story and we’re excited to see what comes forward from developers for the Verdin Exchange to support us in achieving our ambitions for this great town that Winsford residents now and in the future can be proud of.”
Neil Kirkham, head of Liverpool office at CBRE, which has been appointed to market the opportunity, added: “Verdin Exchange represents a compelling opportunity to deliver a high quality residential scheme in a well-connected and evolving Cheshire town. The combination of a prominent town centre location, strong transport links and the character of the existing building provides developers with the chance to create a truly distinctive place to live. With capacity for a mix of apartment types alongside landscaped amenity and public realm improvements, this is a site that can make a meaningful contribution to Winsford’s continued regeneration.”
