Radical plans f

RADICAL designs for how Runcorn Shopping City could look in the future have been unveiled.

The collections were revealed as part of the Forgotten Places architecture competition staged by the Liverpool City Region.

Nineteen firms took part, submitting designs for Runcorn Shopping City, The Strand in Bootle, Earlestown Market in Newton-le-Willows, Bebington Road in New Ferry, The Band Stand in Otterspool Park, and Kemble Street in Prescot.

Contenders included 2019 Stirling Prize winner Mikhail Riches and were asked to produce concept designs for each of the six city region districts.

Architects have given a glimpse of their big ideas for Shopping City, featuring radical ideas including a Runcorn marathon, reinvention as a creative companies hub, creative use of the roof, a youth zone super hub with a towering climbing structure poking skywards in the main square.

The competition was organised by Liverpool City Region design champion Paul Monaghan and designs unveiled in Liverpool on February 27.

Paul Finch, programme director of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) and editorial director of Architectural Review and the Architects’ Journal led the judging panel.

Runcorn Shopping City has entered another uncertain period in its history in the last year, being plunged into administration towards the end of 2019.

Big plans are afoot though with regeneration specialists RivingtonHark revealing earlier this year it had been appointed to develop plans for its redevelopment.

The four firms to submit plans in the Forgotten Spaces competition were Coffey, Shedkm, Studio Mutt and Studio Weave.

Describing its entry, Coffey’s pitch said: “On April 10, 2022, the date Runcorn was designated as a new town, the inaugural Runcorn marathon will take place. “The new route takes runners through the old and new town, opening up the larger overlooked, passedby and fringe areas of Halton and the incredible infrastructure of the Manchester Ship Canal.

“Acting as a catalyst for future development the Runcorn (marathon) will become an annual community event.

“Decorated in striking colour, the Halton Lea shopping city car parks, acting as feeder 1km, 5km and 10km routes will become the finish line in the race to a future, healthier Runcorn.”

Shedkm said: “Our proposals seek to create an animated new face to Runcorn Shopping City, providing new opportunities for local creative businesses.

“Taking creative inspiration from Runcorn’s cargo industry, ‘plug-in’