Raising the roof at Chorley Market Walk

Eric Wright Construction has celebrated the topping out of Chorley’s 80,000 sq ft Market Walk shopping centre extension.

The completion of the scheme comes just a week after ‘Escape Entertainment’ revealed plans to bring an 18-hole adventure golf course and six-lane bowling alley to the Chorley Council-owned development, which is due to open later this year.

The £15m development also includes an M&S Foodhall and a six-screen Reel Cinema. Negotiations with Loungers restaurant are also progressing.

The construction programme has been led by Eric Wright Construction, which is part of the Preston-based Eric Wright Group.

Dan Gosling, commercial director of Eric Wright Construction, said: “We’re very proud to be delivering this hugely important project in our local area and it has been really exciting for the team to see it develop from the early plans to a completed structure.

“There has been a huge amount of interest in the scheme from occupiers and a good mix of leisure providers have already signed up.

“It won’t be too long before the façade works are also finalised and we have made significant progress on the internal finishes. We will be handing the cinema area over to the operator this month, allowing their fit out works to commence.

“We all look forward to seeing the completed project.”

Cllr Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “To get to this stage where the structure is complete and the roof is on is testament to the hard work of our staff and colleagues from all the other organisations involved.

“It’s a final push now to get everything over the line. This is a development we can all be proud of and one that will help support the long-term future of Chorley town centre.”

The existing 35-unit Market Walk shopping centre has been fully occupied for much of the time since the council acquired it in 2013.

Market Walk sits in the heart of the town centre adjacent to the markets and bus and rail interchange.