Northwichtown (“parish”parish), Vale Royal borough, administrative and historic county of Cheshire, England. Local brine springs have been used to produce salt since Roman times, but their exploitation has caused severe subsidence of buildings in the town. The present large-scale chemical industry has developed from the ancient salt trade. Other manufactures include iron and steel, leather goods, carpets, and clothing. Pop. (19912001) 3439,520568.