Former mill can be ‘jewel in the crown’ of developer’s Wigan portfolio
The Heaton Group, the Wigan based property developer and contractor, said it wants to create the jewel in its crown of schemes in the town after acquiring Eckersley Mill and Swan Meadow.
It purchased the site, for an undisclosed sum, from Maryland Securities, which had plans involving 315 homes, offices, business and cultural facilities, such as an hotel, cafes and restaurants for the site within the Wigan Pier Quarter.
But the group will now work up plans to transform the site into a brand new destination for the town, retaining and restoring as much of the history and character as possible, while providing world class amenities.
It said these will include commercial, residential and retail proposals for the Grade II-listed buildings and the site.
The group hopes to retain the businesses and tenants that are currently based at Eckersley Mills and will work with them to understand their business needs. It said it has a track record of restoring buildings of historic importance across the North West and as a local business, Eckersley Mill will be the jewel in its crown.
In Wigan alone the group has already invested circa £30m, renovating and restoring dilapidated buildings and areas with projects including The Victoria Hotel and Bridgeman Terrace.
Managing director, John Heaton, said: “We are excited to have acquired this fantastic site in an amazing location with so much potential.
“It will be an honour to create a new chapter for Eckersley Mill and as a proud Wiganer I can’t wait to bring something hugely special to my home town.
“Maryland Securities, having recognised the regeneration potential of this key site, obtained the planning consent for a major scheme of circa one million sq ft, and we are delighted now to take over the regeneration proposals of this important industrial heritage site in Wigan.”
The Heaton Group is working with urban design specialists, Studio KMA and heritage specialist planning consultancy, PBA, to kick off the programme.
