Planning granted for £135m redevelopment of Wigan’s Galleries Shopping Centre
Planning permission has been granted for Cityheart’s £135m redevelopment of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan town centre.
The hybrid planning application was submitted jointly by Cityheart and Wigan Council.
The plans include detailed and outline proposals covering an array of leisure facilities such as an exciting multimedia centre, which will be home to a multi-screen cinema, a 10-lane bowling alley, new food and drink outlets, multi-purpose venue and indoor mini golf.
A purpose-built pavilion off Market Street will provide new food and drink establishments and evening entertainment. A new, more centrally located market hall will be delivered, which will include traditional market stalls, new retail units, co-working spaces, small offices and a contemporary vibrant food hall.
The proposals also include a new hotel and 464 new high quality homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom town houses and retirement living.
Warren Taylor, director of Cityheart, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for this important scheme which will help to significantly rejuvenate the heart of Wigan town centre.
“By working with our appointed contractor, BCEGi, Wigan Council and the local community, we look forward to realising our vision and delivering a vibrant new destination for the town centre with green outdoor spaces and stunning buildings.”
He added: “This scheme will not only attract new visitors to the area, but will also create an engaging community, breathing new life into the area and bringing with it long lasting social and economic benefits.”
The leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux, welcomed the decision, saying: “The plan for the Galleries very much reflects the feedback we got from residents about the importance of vibrant town centres during the Big Listening Project in 2018 and more recent consultations.
“We will continue to work with existing businesses in the town centre to manage any disruption during the construction and will continue to work together to ensure their views are heard and taken on board.
“Now, more than ever, it’s vital we do everything we can to create exciting and welcoming town centres to help support our local businesses and jobs. These plans do just that and I certainly can’t wait to see them materialise.”
Property development and investment company Cityheart, which has offices in Chester and Wilmslow, has a 15-year track record of successfully delivering significant projects across the country, working almost exclusively with the public sector.
Its joint venture partner, UK-based BCEGI, will lead the construction programme for the new scheme. The joint venture partnership between Cityheart and BCEGI for the scheme is known as Galleries 25.
Work is due to start on site in January next year. More than 600 full time equivalent jobs will be created once the site is operational and further jobs and apprenticeships will be created during the construction stage.
