Firms on Golden Triangle Industrial Estate say they have just weeks to go but council says it will work with them
Companies on a Widnes industrial estate claim they have been left high and dry after being told to vacate the site in just a few weeks to make way for housing.
Firms on Golden Triangle Industrial Estate in Halebank say they recently received a solicitor’s letter on behalf of Halton Borough Council giving them until the end of March to pack up.
Some of the firms have been on the site since the early 80s and say they have no idea how they will relocate, stating that they have received no help or support to find new premises. Many fear they will simply have to close down altogether.
Martin Freeman, 55, and wife Shelley have owned Shelley’s Cafe for the last 12 years. He said: “When we first took it on it was a failing business. We fixed it up and worked for nothing to get it going. We know all the other owners and local people come here.”
Mr Freeman says he recently had to go to A&E with a high heart rate and, although awaiting test results, does not know if stress over the couple’s situation was to blame. He added: “We haven’t been offered any help or advice, just told to leave.”
Business on the estate say it is home to between ‘around 30 or 40’ companies encompassing everything from loft insulation to ice cream vans. They estimate collectively the firms all employ around 200 people.
Lorna McGowan has worked at MOT test centre RGN Ltd for 20 years, with her boss Rowland having been there for more than 40. She said: “It’s not just the businesses themselves it’s all the people they employ. I’ve got four years to retirement, where am I going to get another job now?”
Pete Maddison who runs PM Groundworks has been based on the estate for 20 years. He added: “We just want them (the council) to understand that you can’t just turf people out when it’s their livelihood.”
Many of the businesses have written to Widnes and Halewood MP Derek Twigg about the ongoing situation. In a response to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), he said he had contacted Halton Borough Council to ask that it review the situation as ‘a matter of urgency’.
He said: “If businesses are expected to relocate, clearly, they need to be afforded time to do this and so I hope that the council will work proactively with all those affected to allow them to plan ahead. I will continue to press the local authority to keep these businesses at the forefront of any decision making around this issue.”
A Halton Borough Council spokeswoman said the site had been set aside for housing in the borough’s local plan – a strategic long-term planning document – four years ago.
She said phase one of a new housing development, which started on site last year, would deliver 63 affordable and social houses by the end of the year. She added: “The acquisition by Halton Borough Council of the Golden Triangle was intended to maintain momentum and support delivery of the next phase of development.
“The original notices and timescales were issued based on external legal advice; however we understand the uncertainty this process can cause.”
She added: “Our intention has always been to work alongside the businesses to support relocation in a way that minimises disruption. We remain committed to being flexible, and we will work with the businesses to agree a timeframe as we move forward together.”
An outline application was put forward by Halton Borough Council and developer Cityheart late last year for 240 properties on the Golden Triangle Industrial Estate.
It forms phase two of a wider Foundry Lane ‘masterplan’ first unveiled back in 2022, with phase one getting underway in May this year – involving construction of 63 two and three-bed ‘affordable’ homes in partnership with social housing company Plus Dane, to be made available for shared ownership and rent.









