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£60million scheme could transform Wigan town centre

A £60million masterplan that could transform Wigan town centre has been unveiled by developers.

The scheme to turn the Galleries shopping centre into a modern retail destination could create 400 jobs. The plans include space for a cinema, gym, restaurants and leisure complex.

If the privately-funded scheme gets the go-ahead it would also involve re-establishing the town’s old street pattern and moving Wigan Market to a new location on Market Street, where it was originally located.

The developers are expected to put in a planning application to Wigan Council within the next few months.

Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council and cabinet member for the economy, said: “This is a tremendous vote of confidence in Wigan Borough. Here we have a private company wanting to invest a huge sum of money in our town during a challenging time for the economy. It’s fantastic news and demonstrates again the massive potential of this area.

“At the moment, the town centre is coping comparatively well with the tough economic climate and changing retail habits. But we’ve got to move forward. I think if this scheme goes ahead, Wigan would be the best retail destination in the North West outside of the major cities.

“Moving the market could be a challenging process and the council will want to consider carefully how that is managed. But I think this could be a shot-in-the-arm for the traders as the proposed new market location puts them right in the centre of the town’s retail heart and is opposite the bus station, which is also set to undergo a multi-million pound transformation and expansion.”

The development plans include remodelling the Galleries to accommodate larger retail units and refurbishing the car park. The Makinson Arcade would remain with some work to update it. The entire centre could be renamed the Makinson Quarter.

The developers, Vale Retail, are now seeking the public’s views on the plans before putting in an application to the council. They are holding two public consultation days on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November in the Ashton Gallery on the first floor of the Galleries centre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .