Thursday 29th January 2026

Thursday 29th January 2026 – Guardian Review

Warrington ranked 5th best place to live, lambing at the farm, and an Oscar nod for local talent

Rob McGowan welcomes Gareth Dunning, Deputy Editor of the Warrington & Knutsford Guardian, to Mix 56 for the latest headlines from across our patch.

Warrington – 5th best place to live

Great news in the latest Centre for Cities report – Warrington ranks 5th on the list of best places to live in the UK! The annual study looks at earnings, living costs, house prices and what makes a thriving economy – and we’ve done particularly well this year.

It doesn’t mean everyone’s rolling in cash, but it confirms what we know: businesses love coming here (hello, Novartis, Rockwool, Amazon), and families want to live here too. Sure, it brings challenges like housing demand and road congestion, but overall, Warrington’s a top spot to work and raise a family.

Business buzzing in Warrington

Rob recalls the electric vibe at the Warrington Business Conference in September – and it’s only getting better. Alongside the giants, there’s a thriving scene for small businesses and entrepreneurs: the new Causeway Business Centre opened last week, plus business incubators popping up everywhere.

Whether you’re a multinational or a one-man band, Warrington’s the place to be.

Lambing season at Mossy Meadow Farm

Fancy a behind-the-scenes peek at farm life? Mossy Meadow Farm in Hatley (near Appleton Thorn) is opening to the public this weekend (Sat-Sun, first full weekend of Feb) for lambing season – just like last year.

Meet the newborn lambs, see the wool production, chat with the friendly family, even spot the farmer’s caravan parked right by the sheep sheds. It’s vital work to ensure healthy lambs, and a brilliant way to connect with Cheshire’s farming lifeblood – perfect for screen-weary families, and indoors if it rains (they’ve even got an Airbnb there!).

Woolston pool consultation closes

Big response to the public consultation on the proposed Woolston Neighbourhood Hub closure – a whopping 3,000 replies! Council expects a decision by spring (now till April), amid huge protests and Facebook groups with thousands of members.

But Warrington Borough Council’s facing a grim picture: £90m shortfall predicted soon, pleas to government for help, and a likely 10% council tax hike this spring. Rob feels the “whack-a-mole” frustration with pools closing (Woolston joins issues at Great Sankey, Orford, past ones like Bewsey & Dallam), but Gareth notes we’re spoiled with facilities compared to St Helens, Widnes, Runcorn or Northwich (Broomfields, Great Sankey, Bewsey & Dallam, Orford). Fingers crossed, but tough times ahead.

Warrington’s Hollywood stars shine

Following Owen Cooper’s Golden Globe win, another local legend: Mike Hill from Warrington (originally Orford/Dallam) is Oscar-nominated for makeup on Frankenstein! The behind-the-camera wizard creates fantastical creatures and monsters, having worked with Guillermo del Toro on multiple films.

From humble Warrington beginnings to Hollywood’s biggest studios – what a story. Best of luck, Mike!

Cheers Gareth – back next week on Mix 56 for more from the Warrington & Knutsford Guardian.