March 8th marks International Women’s Day, and what better way to celebrate it than introducing everyone to the incredible women Involved in We Are Warrington?
Warrington is a town powered by innovative locals, and perhaps no one knows this better than the women behind Warrington’s Business Improvement District, We Are Warrington. These hard-working ladies have been instrumental in making sure all of the projects that are part of Warrington’s BID town centre business plan come to life and make an impact on the town centre and the business community.
From promoting local businesses to organising events and cultural programmes that benefit the people of Warrington. Warrington’s Business Improvement District has taken an integrated approach to make this town great, thanks in large to the efforts of these hardworking women. Warrington couldn’t ask for better advocates!
To recognize the tremendous work that these inspiring ladies and others are doing for our town, let’s get acquainted with the women working for or with We Are Warrington.
First up, it’s our BID manager and project lead, Andrea Morley. Andrea is known around Warrington as Mrs Warrington – what she doesn’t know about this town isn’t worth knowing.
Introducing the women behind We Are Warrington: Andrea Morley
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do in Warrington for We Are Warrington?
I’m Andrea Morley, and I’m the Project Manager for Warrington BID. I’m a true Warringtonian; I’m born and bred here, so Warrington is in my DNA. I’ve spent most of my career working for Warrington-based businesses with employment spells with Warrington Guardian, LiveWire CIC and more recently as the Development Manager for Culture Warrington.
I’ve had the honour of working on some of Warrington’s greatest events and projects over the last 10 years, and I plan to continue this in my role as the BID manager.
What makes Warrington stand out?
Warrington absolutely stands out as a town that leads by example! We are ahead of the game in comparison to our neighbouring towns, with inspiring property development and a strong economy.
Our growth in population in the last 10 years shows that Warrington is a great place to live, work, entertain and be educated.
What’s your favourite thing about Warrington?
Definitely, Community! Warrington’s communities and people stick together and support each other. Unfortunately, like all towns, we’ve seen tragedies over the years, but what makes us different is our people. We stand united, and we make things right. We overcome challenges together, and we come out stronger on the other side. I can’t think of a better place to live and work than Warrington.
Tell us about your favourite event that’s happened this year in Warrington
It’s impossible to pick one! as there have been so many great events happening across the borough this year. Top of my list is obviously the BID’s Christmas event, Warrington’s Weekend Wonderland. This was the first BID-led event supported by town centre partners, and we totally smashed it! Over 70,000 people visited our town centre over the event weekend in November, and it felt like Warrington town centre was back to the vibrant town we all know and love. Our plans for Christmas 2023 are bigger and better still!
The world-renowned art installation Gaia was a close second. Having the EARTH in Parr Hall was a credit to what Warrington is capable of delivering. To be able to bring a sculpture to the town, that one week is in Warrington and the next in Singapore, is unbelievable.
What would you like to see happen in the next 5 years? Tell us about your plans for We Are Warrington in the future?
Obviously, I’d love the businesses within our town centre to vote for a second term BID to run from 2023-28. Because of the pandemic, it feels like the BID is only just getting started. The new five-year business plan for the town centre is looking exceptionally bold, and we have challenged ourselves to deliver high-quality events that bring new audiences and support our town centre-based businesses.
A key priority is to continuously develop initiatives that make Warrington town centre a safe place to work, live, shop and entertain. Ultimately making us the number one distinction for food & drink, entertainment and shopping.
What is We Are Warrington, and what does it mean to you?
We Are Warrington means being proud of your town. It is the driving force of town centre events and has gained momentum for businesses to work collaboratively and effectively together for the good of one cause! Bringing people into our town centre safely to enjoy and experience great food & drink, shopping, culture and events
What are the benefits of having a BID in our town centre?
Ultimately, having an elected Business Improvement District means an additional investment that stays in the town centre. The investment is used to enhance the aesthetics of areas, tackle anti-social behaviour, deliver events and festivals but ultimately to support the businesses within our town centre.
Having a BID means that our town centre stays relevant, has an influential business community, becomes a destination of choice for the consumer, and strives to increase the growth and economy of our town centre.
Next, we’re introducing you to one of our newer BID members and chair of the BID’s Hospitality steering group. Don’t let her recentness distract you from her place as one of the staples of Warrington’s community. It’s Sonia Johnson from Mamars at the Old Bank:
Introducing the women behind We Are Warrington: Sonia Johnson.
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do in Warrington for We Are Warrington? – I’ve tried to build a community out of a commercial business, mostly because I’m a public servant through & through. So essentially, Mamars is a space to bring people together through food.
What makes Warrington stand out? Diversity without even trying. It’s easy to be inclusive when your natural reaction is to welcome everyone without needing any labels.
What’s your favourite thing about Warrington? It’s a town that’s proud to be a town. And we were here before Manchester OR Liverpool!
Tell us about your favourite event that’s happened this year in Warrington – the independent street market in November as part of Warrington’s Weekend Wonderland and the Panto at Parr Hall.
What would you like to see happen in the next five years? A resurgence of the town centre, seeing residents from across Warrington coming in & enjoying full shops & activities
What is We Are Warrington, and what does it mean to you? It’s an important message about who the town is, and as a lifelong, proud resident, that’s really important to me.
What are the benefits of having a BID in our town centre? Pulling everything and everyone together. I didn’t realise how important this was until I became part of it, but Mamars embraces community, and the BID is essential to our success.
Our third Warringtonian Woman is Carla Yearsley, who is working towards a more sustainable economy in our town as part of the BID board. Carla is also the Chair of the BID 2 Steering group.
Introducing the women behind We Are Warrington: Carla Yearsley
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do in Warrington for We Are Warrington?
As the Regional Development Director for Lloyds Bank in the North West, my goal is to build a stronger and more sustainable regional economy. As part of this role, I joined the Warrington BID board in 2021 and have subsequently chaired the 2023 BID 2 board. Being part of the board, I have seen the ups and downs that the town has faced. I believe having a BID is vital to ensuring the voices of all town centre businesses are heard and supported, and being part of that decision-making empowers the change to happen.
What makes Warrington stand out?
Its resilient businesses, leaders and a strong sense of community – nothing is perceived as too difficult or too challenging; we just find a way. When I moved to Warrington just over three years ago, I heard a saying, ‘You’re either born here or drawn here’. Being a Manchester girl, it was certainly the latter for me, but a decision I am proud to have made and will soon be bringing my little girl into the world here too, so she’ll be the former, ‘born here’, and I couldn’t think of a friendlier place for her to be born.
What’s your favourite thing about Warrington?
Supporting the resilient leaders, businesses, and strong sense of community above it has to be the people – none of that resilience happens by chance, right?! Having a growth mindset and challenging the status quo is not always easy, but I do believe that this is evidenced in Warrington time and time again. It doesn’t always work the first time, and we don’t always get things right, but this is when we grow, reflect, build and go again.
Tell us about your favourite event that’s happened this year in Warrington
Warrington’s Weekend Wonderland was a superb event for all the family and is free of charge. With the increasing cost of living challenges, it was wonderful to let your hair down and welcome the festivities with a huge increase in footfall into the town centre. I am proud to have been part of the board that planned and approved the weekend activities – a true Christmas event and one no one will forget.
What would you like to see happen in the next 5 years? Tell us about your plans for We Are Warrington in the future?
Building on the already seen successes of BID 1. With BID2 soon to go to the ballot, Warrington has an amazing opportunity to strengthen foundations already laid and fulfil aspirations to be a thriving, multicultural town with endless opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.
What is We Are Warrington and what does it mean to you?
A community. A combined voice bringing all sectors together on a joint mission to make the town a more sustainable, fun, safe place to visit, live, work and, most importantly, thrive.
Carla Yearsley
What are the benefits of having a BID in our town centre?
Before the BID was elected in 2018, there were very few effective coordinated events. Over the last five years, private and public sector organisations have successfully worked together to create some superb events, leading to the creation of the recent ‘Warrington’s Weekend Wonderland’, which was incredible. Without BID 2, this would all be lost, and the extra enhancements within the town centre becoming missed opportunities. BID 2 is needed to drive our town centre forward in order to thrive in the future. For this reason, I will be voting yes to BID 2.
Nicola Henshaw represents one of the backbones of Warrington and it’s community as the Fundraising Manager for St Rocco’s Hospice. Nicola is responsible for Corporate & Community Fundraising, ensuring that St Rocco’s is adequately funded and ready to help and support the people of Warrington.
Introducing the women behind We Are Warrington: Nicola Henshaw
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do in Warrington for We Are Warrington?
As Fundraising Manager for St Rocco’s Hospice, my role is to work with my team and our wider hospice & retail team to raise much-needed funds to provide free patient care to the people of Warrington living with life-limiting illness & their families. At present, there are eight shops within the Warrington area offering pre-loved items, furniture, books & media. Our shops provide a hub for the local community to volunteer and offer time & support in order for us to operate and enable St Rocco’s to continue our work in the town.
What makes Warrington stand out?
The sense of community spirit – the last two years have been particularly hard for charities and businesses. Warrington people always come together and work closely in times of need.
What’s your favourite thing about Warrington?
We always receive fantastic feedback from events we hold in the town. Our supporters always prefer to ‘keep it local’, and Warrington is the ideal destination to do just this. Warrington is an exciting place to visit, and should be proud of its heritage and growth.
Tell us about your favourite event that’s happened this year in Warrington
Warrington’s Winter Wonderland brought welcomed footfall into the town and into our shops on Sankey Street & Mersey Street. This event provided an alternative to the norm and showcased what Warrington has to offer.
What would you like to see happen in the next 5 years? Tell us about your plans for We Are Warrington in the future?
St Rocco’s will be launching our brand new event for 2023, ‘Hospice Hike’ to be held at the Town Hall on Saturday, 17th June. To take part, there will be a 10K, half marathon & full marathon sponsorship challenge opportunity. We are excited to be able to offer local businesses the chance to exhibit on the day, and we are hoping to drive footfall through the town on the day, providing a fun-filled day for everyone!
St Rocco’s will also be the charity partner for Warrington Running Festival to be held on Sunday, 24th September, where there will be 50 guaranteed places available to all runners looking to take part in ‘Run for Rocco’s. Further information on all of our events can be found here
What is We Are Warrington, and what does it mean to you?
We Are Warrington helps local businesses and charities in the town to achieve common goals. We are a service in Warrington providing for the local people. We work together to raise awareness within the town.
What are the benefits of having a BID in our town centre?
BID offer support & opportunities to our staff and volunteers. This enables us to work effectively and for our shops & hospice to continue to remain sustainable.
Last but not least, it’s Leah! Cultural Manager for Culture Warrington and Chair of the Events & Marketing Steering Group. Queen of Culture and the most cultural woman at We Are Warrington – but we’ll let her tell you all about that.
Introducing the women behind We Are Warrington: Leah Biddle
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do in Warrington for We Are Warrington?
As Cultural Manager for Culture Warrington, my role is to devise and produce a vibrant cultural programme for the town, increasing the community’s access to arts and culture. Whether this is within our cultural venues such as Warrington Museum and Art Gallery or outside in the town’s public spaces. Last year I teamed up with the We Are Warrington team on lots of large-scale events, such as bringing Luke Jerram’s Gaia, the large-scale rotating installation of the earth to the Parr Hall and producing the large-scale festive projection onto the Town Hall last Christmas as part of the Warrington Weekend Wonderland.
What makes Warrington stand out?
It’s people, and it’s stories.
What’s your favourite thing about Warrington?
It’s a gem of a town with a culture and events programme that rivals big cities.
Tell us about your favourite event that’s happened this year in Warrington
Warrington’s Weekend Wonderland was my highlight of 2022. The event was a huge success and demonstrated how working together, we can create unforgettable moments for our community; hearing families sing along to the festive projection on the town hall was magical!
What would you like to see happen in the next 5 years? Tell us about your plans for We Are Warrington in the future?
Together with We Are Warrington, we have a jam-packed programme of town centre events lined up, and I hope it continues for years to come. My priority for the future is to develop Warrington’s Contemporary Arts Festival, further engaging communities, creating more opportunities for local artists and producing even more large-scale cultural events in the town centre…. Watch this space!
What is We Are Warrington, and what does it mean to you?
We Are Warrington is a shared vision for a more vibrant town centre where key partners draw on their resources and areas of expertise to strengthen events and opportunities for our community.
What are the benefits of having a BID in our town centre?
Collective programming of events shared resources, clear and consistent marketing of our town.