Green light for Wigan Galleries

Plans for a mixed-use redevelopment scheme at Wigan Galleries have been given the green light.

LRS have been selected to provide Land Referencing Services for the transformational scheme. It will see the complete redevelopment of Wigan town centre. Sires include the former Wigan Galleries Shopping Centre, Market Hall, and Marketgate Shopping Centre.

Following a bid process to Wigan Council, jmarchitects were appointed in December 2020. The hybrid planning application was submitted jointly by Cityheart and Wigan Council.

Plans will see the retail hub completely re-imagined with design proposals including leisure and entertainment facilities. In addition, a hotel, hundreds of new homes, a new market hall and a large public square for outdoor events are proposed.

A purpose-built pavilion off Market Street will provide new food and drink establishments and evening entertainment.

Leisure Facilities

Plans for Wigan Galleries include detailed and outline proposals covering an array of leisure facilities. This will be home to a multi-screen cinema, a 10-lane bowling alley, new food and drink outlets. In addition, a multi-purpose venue and indoor mini golf.

It also includes a full proposal for four apartment blocks, ranging from four to nine storeys in height and featuring 218 flats between them.

The regeneration also includes a new hotel and 464 new high quality homes. These will range from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom town houses and retirement living. The hotel will be between four and six storeys in height with a minimum of 140 rooms.

The plans for the new market hall, include traditional market stalls, retail units, co-working space and small offices. This is as well as a contemporary food hall and 'flexible' public space.

Vibrant Town Centre

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.

“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 has a 15-year track record of successfully delivering significant projects across the country, working almost exclusively with the public sector.

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. Further jobs and apprenticeships will be created during the construction stage.

BCEGI UK has been awarded the £135m contract to complete all of the demolition and construction work by 2025. The whole project will be worth £190m, according to developer Cityheart.

Director of Cityheart, Warren Taylor, 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.

“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.”