McGoff’s Urmston food hall tipped for approval
The £3.5m Market 41 project, which has been in the pipeline since 2017, is recommended for approval when Trafford Council’s planning committee meets next week.
McGoff plans to redevelop the former Urmston outdoor market site at the junction of Railway Road and Greenfield Avenue, creating a 16,000 sq ft modular food hall with communal dining area, as well as 29 contactless hotel rooms.
Plans for the scheme were first lodged in 2018 but after a Covid-prompted rethink, McGoff submitted a fresh application for the project earlier this year.
Under the revised plans, Market 41 features more open space to allow for social distancing. The roof that was originally proposed was ditched in favour of a tensile fabric covering.
At the time of the rethink, a spokesperson for McGoff Group said: “Undoubtedly the fresh air and ventilation of an outdoor setting is currently the best option for business owners to control their venues and protect the safety of their customers within shifting guidance.”
Food and drink operators would be located on the first and second floors of the three-storey development. The scheme also features private dining rooms, boutique event spaces, and flexible office space.
The hotel rooms would be located on the second floor.
WMC Retail Partners was in line to operate the venture but McGoff has now opted to run the site itself through its facilities management division.
White Crate, the architecture firm behind Bruntwood’s Hatch scheme in Manchester, was appointed to adapt the original designs drawn up by Street Design Partnership.
In recommending the scheme for approval, Trafford Council planning officers said Market 41 would provide the “comprehensive redevelopment of a brownfield town centre site for a variety of town centre uses”.
“The site is in a sustainable location and for these reasons it is considered that the proposals will enhance the market site and contribute to the vitality and viability of Urmston town centre,” officers added.
This looks like an exciting project and, as an Urmston resident myself I must admit I’m looking forward to this coming forward!
By Jen Potter, Luma Marketing
There is plenty of eating & drinking places (to many) in urmston. I think the space would best used for much needed affordable apartments
By Debbie
The level 1 market and level 2 offices proposals seem good, but not sure about the hotel on level 3 – if there has to be a third level surely flats would be better than a hotel…
By Carl
We were all hoping for something beautiful, similar to Altrincham food market. This is hideous & will age so quickly. Its the Stretford Mall of the future – a complete eye sore. The hotel rooms are a big mistake. They won’t bring people to the area, they’ll just be used by local kids on all night benders. Such a shame, a beautiful food market could have made Urmston. Please rethink this!
By Claire
Awful idea
By Floyd