Manchester Council submits £20m bid to power up Wythenshawe regeneration

A £20m bid for Levelling Up funding to jump start the transformation of Wythenshawe town centre has been submitted to the government by Manchester City Council.

It would enable the creation of a culture hub, food hall, new civic square and improved public realm and employment space as well as helping to fund the decarbonisation of some town centre buildings.

The bid takes priority elements of a long-term vision which the Council is currently developing to ensure a Wythenshawe town centre fit for the future, complementing existing retail uses to create a multi-functional and sustainable place to live, work and go out.

If successful, it would represent a leap forward for the regeneration of the town centre and help support the creation of hundreds of jobs - and thousands of new homes, including affordable homes, on nearby Council-owned brownfield land.

Councillor Gavin White, executive member for housing and development, said: “This is a highly competitive bid which can act as the springboard for the transformation of Wythenshawe town centre.

“It’s a confident place with huge potential. Securing this funding would accelerate the change we aspire to see and help unlock wider opportunities for the people of Wythenshawe.”

The Council recently announced an agreement to buy the existing 1970s shopping centre and multi-storey car park from previous owners St Modwen in order to support the regeneration of the area.

Wythenshawe, a ‘garden city’ with plentiful green spaces has a proud community, a strong property market and is well-placed to benefit from its incredibly well-connected location, served by Metrolink and close to the motorway, airport and the planned nearby HS2 airport station.

The town centre regeneration will complement both the redevelopment of Wythenshawe Hospital Campus - set to generate thousands of jobs and spearhead Manchester’s growing biomedical science sector - and Manchester Airport’s current investment programme.

Progress in the town centre is already evident with a new Lidl supermarket proposed for the former Gala Bingo site and the launch of the new monthly Grub street food market.

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