Planners back Stack for Wigan leisure hub
Leisure operator Stack has been given planning permission for a leisure and entertainment hub in Wigan.
Stack Wigan will form part of the former Debenhams store at the Grand Arcade and will include bars, street food outlets, and live music and entertainment.
Stack uses repurposed shipping containers and repurposes empty buildings – as it has recently done in Lincoln – as well as building container village outlets, including the recently opened St. James’ Stack next to Newcastle United football ground which welcomed 38,000 visitors in its first four days.
The development will create 140 permanent jobs and accommodate up to 2000 people with new frontage onto Concert Square.
Neill Winch, CEO at Stack, said: “What makes this project particularly exciting is the opportunity to transform a vacant retail unit into a thriving hub of activity. This is a strategic direction for Stack as we continue to breathe new life into underutilised spaces, turning them into destinations that benefit both local communities and businesses.”
Consultant Paul Wright, who worked on the project said: “Many years ago I was involved in the design, development and leasing of Grand Arcade, so I am delighted once again to play a part in it’s rejuvenation. We have some really exciting ideas up our sleeve to help Wigan on its regeneration journey.”
Since its launch in Newcastle in 2018, Stack now operates on three sites – Stack Seaburn in Sunderland, Stack Lincoln and St. James Stack in Newcastle, created in partnership with Newcastle United FC.
Other projects in the pipeline include a second site in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Whitley Bay, Durham, Bishop Auckland, Carlisle, Northampton, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.
The Manchester operation will replace the former Hatch site under the Mancunian Way, close to Manchester Metropolitan University.