Runcorn Celebrated 250 Years of Canal Heritage with Spring Launch That ‘Unlocks’ Community Potential

Runcorn, Cheshire - 21 March 2026 - Runcorn marked 250 years since the opening of the Bridgewater Canal extension with a vibrant public Spring Launch event at Top Locks - celebrating not only the town’s historic waterways, but how they are unlocking new opportunities for community, culture and connection.

Taking place on the final weekend of English Tourism Week (13–22 March 2026), the event positioned Runcorn’s canal heritage within a national celebration of the UK’s most valued destinations, historic places and shared cultural experiences.

Originally completed in 1776, the Bridgewater Canal transformed trade and transport across the North West, playing a pivotal role in Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Today, that same waterway is helping to unlock a new chapter for Runcorn - one focused on regeneration, accessibility and community pride as part of the £23.6 million Reconnecting Runcorn programme.

The Spring Launch marked the beginning of a new season of activity delivered by Unlock Runcorn. Through events, improvements and new experiences, the project is unlocking access to the town’s waterways, reconnecting neighbourhoods, and creating spaces for people to come together.

At the heart of the event is the launch of Fraeda, Unlock Runcorn’s newest boat - symbolising how historic infrastructure is being reimagined to unlock opportunities for leisure, learning, wellbeing and cultural activity.

Chris Bastock, Joint Chair of the Runcorn Town Neighbourhood Board, which helps guide and oversee the delivery of the Reconnecting Runcorn programme said: “This project is about pride, possibility and people. Unlock Runcorn shows what happens when you invest in a place and the people who love it - honouring our past, celebrating where we are now, and opening the door to a future shaped by community, creativity and confidence.”

The new boat, Fraeda, was named by the community, draws inspiration from Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians - a historic ruler closely associated with this area, remembered for her strength, leadership and connection to place. Chosen collectively, Fraeda reflects the pride, resilience and shared ownership that sit at the heart of Unlock Runcorn, linking Runcorn’s early history with the people shaping its future today.

Past. Present. Future.

The event programme was structured around three themes:

Past - Celebrating 250 years of canal history at Top Locks, one of Runcorn’s most significant historic gateways.
Present - The launch of Fraeda, alongside cruise timetables and live updates on Unlock Runcorn projects.
Future - Cultural partnerships, creative collaborations and local business involvement showcasing the next phase of Runcorn’s transformation.

Community Lead Stephen J Holloran shared his vision for the event “I really wanted to involve everyone and celebrate the achievements of all those who got us here. This event marked a great moment for our town, a real chance for a borough that quite often feels frustrated with itself to celebrate what is just one of the many green shoots coming through this year. It has been a chance to really show the world that our area is full of great people and ideas!”

More Than a Celebration

Residents and visitors joined The Mayor of Halton, Cllr Martha Lloyd Jones to launch the new boat, enjoying live entertainment and music, art and visual installations, temple tours and heritage engagement, food from Rosie Black Patisserie and The Dinky Boat, drinks from Small Batch Brewing -including a one-off ale brewed exclusively for the launch - and a finale choir performance that brought the community together

This event was not simply a heritage milestone, but a visible marker of progress within Reconnecting Runcorn, demonstrating how culture, creativity and community pride are central to long-term regeneration.

Unlock Runcorn has worked closely with a wide range of local partners including The Curiosity Bookshop, Halton Heritage Partnership, Cultivate, The Giggle Shack, Halton VCA, The Norton Arms, Halton Castle, Norton Priory and local historical societies - ensuring the celebration reflected the full breadth of Runcorn’s creative and community life.

For further information:
https://reconnectingruncorn.info
https://unlockruncorn.org/events

ENDS

For interview opportunities and any enquiries please contact [email protected] 01618195140

Notes to editors:

Unlock Runcorn is one of the flagship strand projects within the wider Reconnecting Runcorn regeneration programme.  It is designed to open up the Bridgewater Canal area as a vibrant community and visitor destination, enhancing access to the waterway and offering a distinctive canalside experience for residents and visitors alike. The project incorporates two core strands - Canalside Landscaping and a Canal Experience - which together will unlock the potential of Runcorn’s historic waterways for leisure, heritage interpretation and cultural engagement.

Key early outcomes include the development of a landscaped canal front area near Runcorn Station and the Peace Garden, the introduction of dedicated space for boat mooring and canal cruises, and the delivery of visitor facilities, events, and volunteer roles. Ongoing ambitions for Unlock Runcorn include a cafés and visitor point, regular trip boats (including the newly named vessels Aethel and Fraeda), and an events programme that celebrates Runcorn’s history and enhances visitor appeal.

The project is delivered in close collaboration with the Runcorn Locks Restoration Society and local partners, reflecting strong community support and participation. It directly supports broader aims to reconnect people with their waterways, promote cultural engagement, and contribute to economic and social vitality in the town centre.

Reconnecting Runcorn was awarded £23.6m in 2021 from the UK Government’s Towns Fund as part of the Town Deals Programme to deliver the Runcorn Town Investment Plan. This funding enabled the development of eight projects incorporating 15 strands that collectively will enhance local connections through improved training and economic opportunities, enhanced transport links, housing and environmental improvements, and upgraded visitor attractions.