Latest phase of AskBury town centre scheme approved

Plans have been approved for a new hotel and office building to form the second phase of AskBury's £80m Townside scheme.

AskBury is a joint venture by Bury council and Ask Developments. The JV plans two buildings which will provide the town centre with a 110-bedroom hotel and a 20,000 sq ft office building.

The hotel, pre-let to Whitbread for its Premier Inn marque, will also contain a restaurant and Costa Coffee. AskBury is also in legal negotiations with an undisclosed occupier for the whole office building.

Work is underway on an earlier phase of the 165,000 sq ft scheme, to include a 50,000 sq ft primary care centre for Bury Primary Care Trust, a 40,000 sq ft building adjacent to the Town Hall for Bury council along with a new three-storey car park with around 400 spaces.

The second phase is expected to start in the first quarter of 2009, and with a build period of 12 months.

Mark Sanders, chief executive of the council, said: "The development of Townside is the culmination of many years in the planning. This new landmark development will enhance the already growing range of facilities in the heart of Bury town centre. Major companies are investing in Bury on a scale never before seen which will provide extensive local economic benefits in terms of regeneration, jobs and more widely the local economy."