GALLERY | Images revealed as Wigan Pier application in
A planning application has been submitted for the long-awaited regeneration of Wigan Pier, which is set to include waterside homes, a food hall and event venues.
Step Places was chosen as developer for the site by Wigan Council and the Canal & River Trust last year, and is working to bring forward a revamp of the three main 18th-century buildings on the site.
Dating from the 1790s, these are a 23,000 sq ft warehouse; the 8,000 sq ft former Orwell at Wigan pub; and the 4,500 sq ft former education centre at the pier.
Operated by The Old Courts, a gin distillery and microbrewery will be created on the site of the old museum, along with a food hall, with spaces for café, bar and deli retailers, with decorative glass features and a room for seating on the ground and mezzanine floors.
The proposals also include canal-side walkways and eight townhouses. The architect is Southgate Sarabia.
The former Orwell public house will become an events venue hosting weddings, exhibitions and conferences, while the former education centre will be used for events encouraging community integration and cultural workshops.
Harry Dhaliwal, managing director of Step Places, said: “There are huge plans for the future of Wigan and the town centre and we are honoured to be a part of it. We believe we are bringing something completely different to the area and our vision is to ensure that Wigan Pier becomes an iconic destination again that people want to live in and visit for years to come. It’s an exciting step for the whole team and we are looking forward to driving the project forward.”
Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at Wigan Council said: “This planning submission is a significant step forward in realising our collaborative plans for the Pier.
“The range of uses Step Places have outlined is exciting and the proposals are wholly in line with our recently released Strategic Regeneration Framework, which is a blueprint for the future of our town centre.
“We’re working hard to develop a new offer that will attract visitors that includes culture, leisure, employment and residential uses.
“We understand the importance Wigan Pier has to local people and it has been a long-term ambition to make the most of these buildings and transform them into a multi-use experiential destination.
“We will continue to work closely with Step Places and The Old Courts to deliver this project so we can bring Wigan Pier back to life once more.”
The planning proposal will now go in front of Wigan Council with a decision expected this summer. Subject to planning approval, the scheme would be finished in 2020.
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As a Wiganer, I approve!
By A Wiganer
About time the potential was unlocked here…
By Jeff Strickland
This looks fantastic… happy for Wigan
By Sally the skank