A 130-year-old former Unilever factory at Bank Quay, once a cornerstone of Warrington’s proud soap-making heritage, is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art data centre powering the UK’s growing artificial intelligence economy.
The ambitious regeneration project is being delivered by local development company Platform in partnership with The Dante Group. The scheme will see the long-standing industrial landmark near Bank Quay train station repurposed as a hub for digital innovation and high-tech employment.
Demolition work has now begun, led by PP O’Connor, a Downtown in Business member. The company is clearing the site as part of the first stage of redevelopment. The new owner, Dante FS Group, aims to submit a detailed planning application before Christmas.
Production at the factory ended in October 2020 after more than a century of operation. While initial plans focused on demolition, the new vision marks a major step towards Warrington’s digital future, transforming historic industrial land into vital national data infrastructure.
Warrington South MP Sarah Hall recently highlighted the project in Parliament, urging ministers to support local innovation and businesses driving Britain’s technological progress. She described the development as a prime example of how local ambition can foster national renewal and strengthen the local economy.
Carl Oates, Director at The Dante Group, said the project combines respect for Warrington’s past with optimism for its future.
“The old Unilever site means a lot to our town. Generations of families remember working there and the pride that came with it. What we’re doing now is about bringing that place back to life, turning a vacant industrial land into something that powers the new economy.”
Oates praised the collaboration between businesses and local leaders, adding that it took “real teamwork” to ensure future opportunities were created in Warrington by local people.
Fellow director Neil Rustage said Platform @Bank Quay will be a next-generation modular data centre designed to support hyperscale operators and research institutions as the UK accelerates its adoption of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing technologies.
The project team also includes John Laverick, who helped deliver various projects in Warrington during his time at Warrington & Co.
Welcoming the development, Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Steve Park said,
“It is fitting to see that a site that was once at the forefront of chemical engineering, is now once again being used in leading innovation in the modern economy. Research, development and investment is underway across Warrington and the common denominator is always the hunger for data analytics which this site will be able to provide and therefore is a key part of the growth of the local economy. It is especially pleasing to see the intention to utilise local supply chain networks where at all possible, to help strengthen this investment.”
The data centre will feature a modular design, now favoured across the industry for its efficiency and scalability, enabling it to meet the intensive demands of AI and cloud computing providers.
As demolition continues, the project represents a symbolic shift from Warrington’s traditional heavy industries such as soap-making, wireworks and brewing, to a new era of digital and technological leadership.
As the UK seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure, the data centre development by The Dante Group and Platform is set to become a key national asset, transforming a cherished industrial legacy into a cornerstone of the future digital economy.
