Barons Quay opened in 2016 and has 29 retail spaces including a cinema and a supermarket.

But the council has struggled to fill the centre and there have also been closures, including River Island and The Dockyard pub.

In the authority’s latest financial reports, the council said trading conditions remain “challenging” at Barons Quay.

But it did say 2025/26 was the first year the centre was able to repay debt linked to its construction – although there is a further £61m still to repay.

Andrew Cooper, the Labour MP for Mid Cheshire, said Barons Quay had been “unfortunately timed in the cycle of retail” but felt the market’s move would bring more shoppers to the area.

“The council has done the right thing by thinking differently, trying to do something that brings smaller retailers in, brings more footfall down to this end of town,” he said.

“I think it can only be a good thing for Northwich.”

Joe Wardle owns one of the new businesses at the market.

He already has two bars in Northwich so the site in the market, Casa del Sal, is his third venture in the town.

“Doing it for nine years now, I’ve kind of known my way around it a little bit,” he said.

There’s obviously still stuff to learn, but when this opportunity presented itself just to be a part of the group in this new, exciting event I couldn’t say no.”

Rick Dickens, co-owner of Retro Fits, said he and his business partner Nicola Ashbrook are both from the town “jumped at the opportunity” to open in the market.

He said he started the business, which sells American sportswear and vintage clothing, because there was not anywhere in the area selling those sorts of products.

“I didn’t think I’d be here two years ago and to have this opportunity is wonderful,” he said.

Meanwhile Daniel Cole, who runs Chicken Hatch, is from further afield.

“We wanted to move away from London and come to this area, and the opportunity to come to have the shop here as well, and we just fell in love with the area and wanted to come here,” he said.

He did say he had originally planned to relocate to Chester as that is where his partner was from, but said he “really liked it” in Northwich.