M&M to cut retail space at Stretford Mall
Owner M&M Asset Management has filed an application with Trafford Council to demolish part of the Stretford Shopping Mall as it looks to reverse the fortunes of the struggling centre.
The proposals, designed by Pozzoni Architects, centre on the Chester Street Mall part of the site, at its southern end. The pub unit within the southern part of the site will be retained.
In all, 49,000 sq ft of retail space could be removed from the 346,000 sq ft mall. New facades will be introduced for the remaining building, with parking areas remodelled.
The site is classed as Town Centre in planning terms, meaning that development of the cleared site could include residential.
In the planning statement submitted for the scheme, advisor Planning Works describes the project as more important to the centre’s future than the recent redevelopment of the mall’s western end, now anchored by an Aldi supermarket.
The 1960s-built centre occupies a prominent 12-acre site fronting the key Chester Road and was in receivership between March 2010 and July 2014 before being picked up by M&M.
Recent years have seen national retailers including Wilko, TJ Hughes, Vodafone, B&M and Argos depart the scheme, which is 48% vacant at present, with a quarter of the units described as “major retail space” empty.
Footfall fell from 6.1m in 2008 to 3.7m in 2016, with a slight rally provided by Aldi towards the very end of that period. JD Sports and PureGym have also opened there since M&M’s takeover.
It’s gone really…all the good shops have gone now an when tesco go. That’s it cafe n pound shops
By Anonymous
I watched that being built thought it was marvelous in its day but I’m afraid it’s day has gone SHAME
By Pat Jones
No diversity of shops, too many of one thing, no thought has gone into this. The place is depressing, no wonder!
By Anonymous
Quite agree Pat though I do feel someone should be made to atone for the failure of this facility. Ultimately, it’s been appallingly designed and managed over a long period of time. Let’s hope a partial demolition and redevelopment with a mix of uses will restore the precinct as the king of the north Trafford district centres.
By Septa Unella
Fingers crossed it ends up more of a town development and not residential…
By Michelle
knock the whole place down
By malcolm ryan
Maybe it’s what’s needed… don’t forget it’s not all £ shops…. there’s health care, Opticians, Boots, The Gym, Holland & Barrett, Post office, Clothing, Footwear, Household, Food, Beauty, Phone and yes the brilliant £ shops! I also love the bag shop, the friendly staff and customers in the Mall…it isn’t all bad
By Maggi
We need a high street with shops and cafes/wine bars like Urmston & Chorlton. Our prices might go up then.
By Jill
It should all be demolished
By Robert Vanden
Tesco is going at the end of this year. I’ve heard Boots are going. What the heck is the point of keeping it open. Shops have closed because of high rents it’s disgraceful. What is happening to Stretford it needs massive revamp like Urmston.
By Paula.
shame there leaving the pub intact that is the part i would want to see gone can be very intimidating walking past with your kids and lots of people stood outside drinking and smoking and generally being loud.
By anonymous
What a shame, rents to high, All the good shops have gone, you need to go to Sale now for Wilkes, Superdrug, Argos, Tesco soon. God help all the older people who don’t drive, Aldi is not the answer.
By Jackie
Please, Bring back Wilko’s, Argus, KFC, Superdrug, & Sports Shops!! These shops made the centre what it used to be!! Now that they are gone, so many shops closing down!! Bring back Shops that would attract famlies eating places, KFC would, as McDonalds are now other side of the street. Where Safety of the children is problem crossing the major Road. Making the centre smaller, only will stop people visiting……..! Not much to see……
By Jas H
We need a Pound Bakery Cafe instead of overpriced We Love Coffee and Costa Coffee
By Paul
Knock it down. It’s dated and very unattractive .
By Yaz
Knock it down and make it a bigger mall with 15 floors and call it dubai mall. I will go there everyday then and not trafford centre.
By Dubai mall