Planners back Ancoats retail revamp

HENDERSON Global Investors is likely to receive the go-ahead for an overhaul of a down-at-heel retail park on the edge of Manchester city centre next week.

It wants to build a 50,000 sq ft supermarket, a cinema, seven new retail units and refurbish four existing ones at Central Retail Park in Ancoats.

The plans also include a link from Great Ancoats Street to the new Cotton Field Park, the centrepiece of regeneration work in Ancoats.

Councillors have been advised to approve the plans for the retail park, currently home to Mothercare and Toys R Us, subject to further information on the impact of the cinema on existing provision.

A report prepared ahead of a planning meeting on May 30 said: “The proposals will contribute towards the continuing integrated approach to regeneration of East Manchester combining social, economic and environmental benefits through the redevelopment of an existing out of centre retail park to provide a greater range of uses for the local community and city.”

Some 92 trees are to be removed as part of the development proposals but 61 will be planted and Henderson has offered to plant a further 40 elsewhere in the city.