Wilkinson opens with St Modwen

Discount retailer Wilkinson has opened its 26,000 sq ft store in St Modwen's £12m Etrop Court, part of the developer's ongoing renewal of Wythenshawe town centre.

The 50,000 sq ft office above the Wilkinson store was pre-let to Manchester City Council at the end of 2009. The council's children and adult services and the Wythenshawe regeneration team will be the first departments to move in later this month.

Steve Knowles, development director for St Modwen, said: "Wythenshawe is a great example of a North West town centre that's bucking the national trend and performing very well.

"Etrop Court also offers units for smaller retailers and restaurateurs, who will be able to take advantage of the increased footfall from the office workers.

"Wythenshawe is an attractive retail location and our continued investment gives confidence to other businesses as the recent refurbishment of McDonald's shows."

However, the 10,000 sq ft unit sold on a 150-year long lease to Netto may not be occupied by Netto following the acquisition by Asda in May last year. Asda has an existing store nearby in Wythenshawe.

Colliers International and Johnson Fellows are the lettings agents.