The Galleries shopping centre in Wigan will be redeveloped after Wigan Council approved a £60m privately funded scheme to modernise the facility and re-establish the town’s old street pattern, moving Wigan Market back to its original location on Market Street.
Wigan Council writes:
A £60million masterplan that could transform Wigan town centre and create 400 jobs has been given the go-ahead.
The privately-funded scheme to turn the Galleries shopping centre into a modern retail destination including space for a cinema, gym, restaurants and leisure complex has been approved by Wigan Council.
The plans also include re-establishing the town’s old street pattern and moving Wigan Market to Market Street, where it was originally located.
The application was approved by the council’s cross-party planning committee today (Tuesday 11th November). The developers, Vale Retail, plan to rename the Galleries the Makinson Quarter and spend £60m on plans to revitalise a major part of Wigan town centre. Rather than rebuilt, the shopping centre would be reconfigured and remodelled creating the larger retail units modern retailers require.
Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: ‘I’m delighted councillors on the planning committee have agreed with our officers that this is a wonderful opportunity for Wigan and one not to be missed.’
‘That a private developer wants to invest such a large sum of money into the town centre is a tremendous vote of confidence in Wigan. This will provide a big boost to the local economy and demonstrates the huge potential of this area.’
The plans include relocating the historic Wigan Market to its original home on Market Street. The new location would be directly opposite Wigan bus station, which is also due to undergo a £16m revamp.
Meanwhile, Market Place in Wigan town centre will get a £1.3m make-over next year. The council is funding work to remove the current walls and benches in the public area and replace them with a water feature, an open seating area and trees. The aim is to make Market Place fit to host large events.
Richard Waterfield, chair of Waterfield’s Bakery and the Wigan Forward Board, the private/public partnership that works to promote the borough’s economy, said: ‘These are exciting times for Wigan town centre. We all know the economic climate is tough and changing retail habits are having an impact on the high street.
‘But Wigan town centre is already coping comparably well in this climate. The fact private developers want to invest such vast sums in the town speaks volumes about its potential and its underlying strengths.
‘I think the plans for the Galleries will make Wigan one of the best shopping destinations in the North West and I look forward to seeing these proposals become a reality.’
