Wigan Council to invest in town centre revamps

WIGAN Council is to invest more than £2m to revitalise its biggest town centres.

The money will be used to modernise public areas in Wigan and Leigh as the local authority council vows to build town centres “fit for the future”.

In Wigan, Market Place will be given a £1.3m makeover with the current walls and benches removed and replaced with a water feature, an open seating area and trees.

Leigh’s main shopping street will also be given a new look, with £900,000  to be spent moving the outdoor market from Albion Street to a central strip on Bradshawgate – giving it increased visibility and improving access to stalls.

The relocation of the outdoor market will mean a new improved entrance to the indoor market and the Spinningate Centre can be created. In addition, both Albion Street and Bradshawgate will be revamped. Trees will be planted, the roads will be resurfaced and new lighting will be installed.

Cllr David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: “We all know people’s shopping and leisure habits are changing. We’ve got to make sure our town centres are fit for the future and that’s what this significant investment by Wigan Council is all about.

“These two schemes involve total transformations of the most high profile parts of central Wigan and Leigh. In both towns, we will be creating a modern focal point for the whole community. Our investment, added to other public and private investment, will help the town centres remain competitive in the future and will ultimately be good for local businesses.”

Investment in Wigan and Leigh town centres is expected to top £100m in coming years. Major schemes include the redevelopment of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan. The private owners of the centre have submitted a planning application for a £60m redevelopment. Meanwhile, £16m will be spent by Transport for Greater Manchester on a new bus station in Wigan. The aim of the council’s investment is to support the investment other organisations have committed to.

The council will work with local businesses to minimise disruption during construction – especially Leigh market traders. Work will begin next year and will be complete by 2016.  

Richard Waterfield, chair of the Wigan Forward board said: “It’s fantastic the council is investing in our town centres in this way. This will complement the major external investment that is going into both Wigan and Leigh town centres in the next few years. It will increase footfall and provide an economic uplift to local businesses.”