Bury gives go-ahead to £40m Radcliffe civic hub 

Designed by Pozzoni Architecture, the multi-use town centre complex would feature a host of sports facilities, offices, and a library. 

The £40m Radcliffe civic hub is the centrepiece of the town’s regeneration.  

Half of the cost of the scheme would be funded through Bury Council’s capital programme. The remaining £20m comes from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. 

“We are investing unprecedented amounts of money into regenerating Radcliffe, and the hub will play a crucial part in that, transforming the town centre for generations to come,” said Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council. “It’s great news for Radcliffe that our plans for the new Civic Hub have been given the green light.”

He added: “Local residents and businesses have been keenly awaiting this – now, working together, we can all get on with making it happen.”

The civic hub’s ground floor would feature a 3,500 sq ft swimming pool alongside a 1,600 sq ft learner pool.  

There would be 150 spectator seats provided, as well as a 2,500 sq ft changing village.  

Clip ‘n Climb would also take up 1,700 sq ft to provide climbing walls adjacent to a 400 sq ft party room.  

The global rock-climbing company is expanding its UK reach, with four existing centres and its services also proposed to be incorporated into Ribby Hall Village’s entertainment centre. 

The civic hub’s first floor features a 5,000 sq ft fitness suite in addition to two multipurpose studios measuring 1,500 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft. 

There would also be a 5,000 sq ft library provided. 

The second floor is given over to 3,500 sq ft of open office space. There would also be 400 sq ft of secure office space and meeting rooms ranging from 300 sq ft to 600 sq ft.  

There is currently a TSB building on the site. The bank closed in February 2021 and would be demolished to make way for the civic hub. Market Chambers and the Market Hall chambers are to be refurbished and brought back into use as part of the scheme.   

Planit IE is the landscape architect for the scheme, and DPP is advising on planning. 

The first proposals for the £40m civic hub were submitted by Bury Council in 2020. Credit: via planning documents