Reconnecting Runcorn Spotlight – Rachael Owen on Revitalising a Town with Heart

The other week the Programmes team at Halton Borough Council caught up with Rachael Owen, Chief Executive of Halton Chamber of Commerce, who has been a driving force behind Reconnecting Runcorn since its inception. As a founding board member and now co-chair, Rachael shares her reflections on the journey so far. From the early days of virtual meetings during COVID to seeing real change on the high street. In this candid interview, she discusses the challenges, the community spirit and the exciting future ahead for Runcorn.

How did your involvement in Reconnecting Runcorn begin?

“I was asked to join the board by Wesley when the Town Deal first came to Runcorn, around the end of 2019 or early 2020. I was honoured to be invited and attended the inaugural board meeting.

I started as a board member, then became vice chair, and currently I’m co-chair. The board has now expanded to include Pride in Place funding, and I’ve been involved throughout. It’s been a long journey, but a rewarding one.” 

How has the board and the project developed over the past five years?

“We’ve seen a lot of development. The board is bigger and more diverse now, which is great. We started before COVID and continued meeting throughout the pandemic. There’s a core group of us who’ve met in each other’s homes virtually, we’ve seen each other’s families, which I think has brought a real sense of connection in this programme. 

It was challenging, especially with changing timelines and rising costs coming out of COVID, but now we’re back meeting face-to-face at the town hall and it’s exciting to see the physical changes happening on the high street in Runcorn. We’ve gone from looking at computer-generated images to walking through real buildings. It’s a great time to be part of the board.” 

What motivated you to stay involved through the challenges of COVID and beyond?

 “It’s a phenomenal opportunity for Runcorn. The investment is substantial, and I hope it’s a catalyst for future development. I was honoured to be asked to join the board and it’s been a true privilege to serve and see the community come together. 

We’ve worked hard to make sure the plans meet the needs of the people who live and work in Runcorn. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.” 

What would you say has been your highlight so far since you’ve been on the board?

 “I honestly think my highlight was when we did the town walkthrough. It made such a difference being able to visit projects that simply didn’t exist prior to Runcorn getting the Town Deal.  We had high-vis jackets on and so looked a bit out of place which resulted in people coming out of their shops to about the developments and what's happening.  It’s great to see how engaged and invested everyone is in the area.

 For me, the real highlight was stepping into buildings that are still under construction but already showing their potential. You can now see how good they are going to be once they are finished.  Some are much bigger and more impressive than I’d imagined. 

I think the most exciting part is still to come, especially when the Brindley reopens and people start using the new facilities. There’s a lot to look forward to.” 

Are there any completed projects that surprised you, maybe ones that turned out better than you expected? 

“Yes, absolutely. The information we’ve had throughout has been quite detailed and we’ve been kept informed as things developed.  While the final outcomes aren’t exactly what was envisaged five or six years ago, they’re very close to the original computer-generated images. 

The Brindley stands out for me because I’ve got lovely memories of taking my daughter to pantomimes there, it’s a great resource for the borough.  Seeing how it’s being developed is exciting, especially now that it’ll be more visible from the High Street. 

The Station Quarter is also impressive. It’s transformed that area, and as someone who’s travelled often from Runcorn to Euston, I’ve always found it to be one of the nicer stations and now hopefully, more people will get to benefit from it.” 

What have been the biggest challenges and opportunities for the board and the projects? 

“COVID was a huge challenge for everyone. It impacted timelines and costs, which were outside anyone’s control, but in some ways, it brought the board closer together. Meeting regularly gave us a sense of normality during a very abnormal time. 

The rising costs were tough, but the team at Halton Borough Council worked incredibly hard, bringing in additional expertise to keep things deliverable. It’s been a real team effort. These projects aren’t easy to deliver; it takes a lot of hard work, skill and collaboration to make them happen.” 

How has the board evolved with the additional Pride in Place funding? 

“I’m really excited about the future. The additional funding means we can build on the foundations we’ve laid and continue investing in the area. It’s about giving residents a stronger voice and delivering the town they want. 

The work we’ve done has helped identify even more potential projects. Hopefully, the new funding will allow us to keep the momentum going and continue involving the community in shaping Runcorn’s future.”

How has your experience at Halton Chamber of Commerce helped your role on the board? 

“I’ve been involved in and around Runcorn since the early 2000s, when I was based at The Heath as a business advisor.  Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time talking to local businesses, getting an understanding of their frustrations and needs. That experience has really helped inform my thinking. 

The Chamber is all about supporting business and creating the right environment so trade can flourish. I was delighted to join the board because it’s important that the role of business is recognised and I’m proud that it has been. My job is to amplify the voice of business and help build a vibrant economy where organisations can thrive.” 

What project are you most excited to see delivered? 

“To be honest, I haven’t got a single favourite. That’s the beauty of the work done by the board, it covers a wide range of projects, and I’d like to think there’s something for everyone, across all ages and needs. 

Business will always be close to my heart, but I love that there are initiatives for people to live, work and spend their leisure time in Runcorn. Hopefully, there are now lots of reasons to visit, live, and invest in the town.” 

Rachael Owen’s reflections show how far Reconnecting Runcorn has come since the beginning back in 2019 and how much further it can go. 

Highlighting the power of collaboration, resilience and vision. With new funding, strong leadership and a deeply engaged community, the town is on a path toward a vibrant, inclusive future. As Rachael says, the best is definitely yet to come.