DTZ appointed for Leigh town centre masterplan

Wigan Council has appointed DTZ to head a team to prepare a feasibility study and masterplan for Leigh town centre.

The council's economic regeneration office has brought in the advisory team, which includes EDAW and Faber Maunsell, to help with its ongoing plans to redevelop the town.

Over the last few years, Wigan Council has been involved in many projects to redevelop the Leigh area, including Leigh Sports Village; the development of the former Bickershaw Colliery; and the extension of the Parsonage Retail area and Leigh East Hilton Park. The regeneration of Leigh town centre will be the next phase in the ongoing transformation of the area.

Caroline Baker, director at DTZ, said: "The masterplan will provide a visionary but deliverable framework for Leigh town centre. It will act as a platform for future private sector investment, a lobbying tool to galvanise public sector investment and a framework for public-private partnership."

Andy Burnham MP, who launched the 'Pride in Leigh' petition to call for improvements last year, said: "I know people feel strongly about the town centre. I am pleased that the council has responded positively to this request and has set up this masterplan project.

Lord Smith, leader of Wigan Council and elected member for Leigh, added: "We want to ensure that Leigh and its local residents and businesses benefit from the significant investment on the edges of the town centre. This commission demonstrates the council's commitment to ensuring that Leigh is best placed to compete with other retail and leisure destinations across the northern part of Greater Manchester."

The same consortium was commissioned to prepare a masterplan in 2007 for Wigan South Central

The North West Development Agency is funding the commission.