Manchester City Council has big plans for Wythenshawe. Credit: via Google Earth

Manchester moves to kickstart Wythenshawe regeneration

The city council is close to completing the strategic acquisition of St Modwen’s 350,000 sq ft civic centre, paving the way for a “transformational” redevelopment of the town centre. 

St Modwen owns the long leasehold interest in Wythenshawe Civic Centre, which sits at the heart of around 40 acres owned by the city council. 

The local authority has now reached an agreement with St Modwen for the asset, in a bid to tighten its control of the town centre ahead of a planned regeneration project featuring around 1,000 homes.

“We know that residents have wanted to see more investment in the centre for some time, so it’s fantastic to get the ball rolling on what will be a transformational redevelopment for the centre and for local people,” said Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development. 

“We’ll be undertaking some consultation exercises with local people in the coming weeks and months to share our vision for the town centre and get invaluable feedback from the very people who use it regularly.”  

The acquisition of Wythenshawe Civic Centre “will create significant revenue in the short-term as well as providing a strong platform for investment in and redevelopment of the district centre in the medium to longer-term”, a report to the council’s executive said.

Due diligence will be undertaken over the coming weeks and the acquisition could complete before the end of the summer, according to the city council.

The value of the deal was not disclosed but the executive report states that the terms agreed are “at a level which works for MCC and can be supported on a red book valuation basis”.

Over recent months, the city council has been working on a long-term vision for the potential regeneration of the town centre of Wythenshawe that includes plans for up to 1,000 new homes, employment and cultural space alongside investment in public realm.   

Manchester City Council is also planning to bid for cash from the government’s £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund to support the scheme.

Savills and 5plus Architects are advising the city council on its proposals, alongside Solid Ground and Amion Consulting.

A spokesperson for St. Modwen said: “As St. Modwen’s strategy has shifted in recent years to focus on logistics development and housebuilding, we are happy that Manchester City Council will be the custodians of Wythenshawe Town Centre moving forward.  

“We see a great future for the area and look forward to seeing Wythenshawe thrive as part of longer-term regeneration plans.” 

St Modwen was acquired by Blackstone last year for around £1.3bn. 

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Another redevelopment scheme, wasn’t there one in the early2000’s ? Oh well, it will give needy architects and impoverished developers the chance to practice on an area and a population that clearly don’t matter. I wonder how inclusive the “consultations” will be ?

By Steve

Why don’t they matter Steve? They are spending £350 m on an area that needs it. I’ve lived in Sharston all my life , I feel I matter. This is a good thing.

By Anonymous

To build a complex of shops would be excellent for the area and also surrounding areas but the rents need to he reasonably for this to happen.

By S carroll

Something needs doing with the old job centre sight in wythenshawe.

By Anonymous

Anonymous, I think you missed my tone of sarcasm, and by the way I have lived in Wythenshawe all my life too, and seen it endlessly messed about and promised great things, which never materialise.

By Steve

Has anyone asked the people who live here. What will make a difference to all the neighbourhoods in Wythenshawe.?

By Born and bred in Wythenshawe.

Parking costs are bound to go up then!

By Anonymous

Something positive at last! Hope all the community comes together on this. Wythenshawe had one of the best libraries in Manchester to say nothing of its MPs. Do Alfred proud Wythenshawe.

By Anonymous

Do it like Bury, it’s thriving do a shopping mall , it would be better that way ,

By Anonymous

Agree consultation is required but a good thing as area surrounding the civic centre been derelict since Shell moved out. Just hope it’s decent housing with gardens for local people.

By Anonymous

There is not much detail here about what will take place with the planned redevelopment. The 1000 new homes will be of course be welcome because of the ongoing national housing shortage, but the shopping precinct itself, despite small enhancements here and there such as block paving, is a dated grey concrete 1960’s eyesore with no charm or character.
If the city council is serious about making Wythenshawe civic centre not only a pleasant welcoming shopping experience for locals, but for people from outlying areas too, major demolition and rebuilding work needs to be undertaken. Sixties ‘Red square’ architecture needs to go so the area is fit for the 21st century.
Given typical Manchester weather, a covered arcade design should be the main central piece so people can come and shop rain or shine. Also, Wythenshawe market was left to decline and die. Major reinvestment should be put into creating a new market to attract traders, customers and create more jobs.
Well, let’s see what the city council actually comes up with, and I hope it’s more than a few mosaics on the walls.

By Anonymous

Such a shame. They will destroy it like every other community. Regeneration is just a word they use to try to make overpopulation areas sound like progress. It was already being destroyed by another regeneration when I left in early 2000s. Before that there was a close community and it was a nice quiet area to live. Dr’s and schools and local hospitals were great and quickly became overwhelmed and couldn’t cope with the increase in local population. They are trying to fool those that live there by using ‘regeneration’ to imply this will be progress. You used to be able to shop without crowds, get Dr appointment easily, have quiet walks in local parks, drive without queues of traffic. All this is already going and will be gone completely. And it won’t be locals who get housing either.

By Anonymous

I hope the redevelopment will include knocking down the old office blocked,near the old job centre and at the back of the old bingo hall,as they are an eyesore.

By Cherie worswick

What are the plans for the empty bingo hall at civic centre

By Anonymous

Ime a 60 year old man whos lived and worked my hole life in wythenshawe and going back as far as the sharston baths all I’ve ever witnessed is the council take everything away the golden garter replacement. A bingo hall all the bubs gone schools several. The best outdoor market. The latest the indoor market where the locals met in the morning for a coffee. They have left nothing. If me and my sons want a game of snooker it’s got to be Stockport and ya wonder why the kids are outside shops taking drugs and causing anti social behaviour because there is nothing left …but the forum absolutely rubbish built in the 70s we need something for the community starting with a new leisure centre clubs for the kids and get them off the streets

By Steve moore

We badly need an Aldi 😃

By Patrick

Long overdo

By Anonymous

Are they having a new shopping complex or just knocking it all down and having 1000 houses built. Wythenshawe is a great place just needs more things to do like shops restaurants cafes bars and entertainment facilities. 1000 more houses isn’t an essential right now. Let’s hope the council get this one finally right as give the people something to be proud of.

By Jonathan

Shops that people can actually afford to shop in and are spacious and with easy access for wheelchairs and buggies and that leaseholders can afford to rent. Encourage the market both indoors and outdoors, it used to be first class. More seating. Twenty years ago there was going to have been a covered mall, presumably similiar to Ashton or Bury, five million didn’t go far did it ?

By Anonymous

It’s about time

By Gillian.Howarth2

I hoping for some better clothing shops and a decent market so we do not have to travel further out of our own area

By Helen

Long overdue and I hope it includes all the empty properties surrounding Civic Centre such as the bus terminal, Shell, banks, and the empty flats/property above the shops, stop building on green land when there is loads of brown land just sitting there doing nothing! Loads of high raise building all round Civic Centre doing nothing, also the old dole/probation buildings no one will rent them, not fit for purpose 1970’s in design not 2022! Knock them down and built good houses for the good people of Wythenshawe.

By Gordon

Where & when are these consultations taking place? More details please as I would like to be invited.
“We’ll be undertaking some consultation exercises with local people in the coming weeks and months to share our vision for the town centre and get invaluable feedback from the very people who use it regularly.

By Anonymous

As long as whatever they plan to do, doesn’t have a detrimental effect on parking on the surrounding roads. It’s already quite bad

By Anonymous

If the greedy property owners lowered the rent Wythenshawe shopping centre would be more prosperous.

By Lord Walsh

Don’t you think it would be more wise to consider building more Dr’s surgeries and dental clinics along with schools instead of throwing up more houses?????? This isn’t the first time a so called scheme was proposed nearly 20 years ago!!!!!!! So won’t be holding my breath on this latest one

By Anonymous

More bungalows needed

By Rose

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