Ancoats retail park plans unveiled

A planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats Street on the edge of Manchester city centre.

The retail park is owned by Henderson UK Retail Warehouse Fund and, if plans are approved, will welcome a new 50,000 sq ft supermarket to serve residents of Ancoats, New Islington and the city centre.

Four of the eight existing units would be demolished and six new units built. In total around 85,000 sq ft will be demolished and the same retained, with a net additional 20,000 sq ft of space created in the new scheme. The ten non-food retail units will range from 500 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft.

There is also proposed a small cinema at the back of the project, to contain between one and four screens.

There are currently five tenants in occupation at the scheme; Argos, Mothercare, Toys R Us, JD Sports, and Currys PC World.

Discussions are ongoing between Henderson and the occupiers about remaining in the new-look park. No name has been confirmed for the food operator.

Central is one of two sites identified by the city council for new large food stores, along with Ask's First Street.

Henderson said in 2010 it wanted to put a 140,000 sq ft supermarket in the scheme but the big four food retailers have since cut their development programmes.

Turley Associates submitted the planning application on behalf of Henderson on Christmas Eve.

Graham Love, director of Turley Associates in Manchester, said: "The proposals will deliver high quality and contemporary additions to Central Retail Park, replacing outmoded and poor quality retail units.

"More specifically, the development includes the demolition of the existing four retail units to the east of the site to facilitate the construction of a new supermarket, cinema and smaller retail units at upper ground floor level with undercroft parking beneath. The scheme will also refurbish and upgrade the four existing retail units to the west of the site."

The council has for a long time wanted the scheme to open up to the rear to form a link into the New Islington regeneration area. The design by Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson contains this new pedestrian link at the centre of the development, providing access from Great Ancoats Street to Cotton Fields Park and the neighbourhoods beyond.

CBRE and Sweett Group advise Henderson.

Manchester City Council is expected to make its decision in spring 2013.