Northern Lights Group picked to run Fettlers market hall
Experienced hospitality operator NLG said the project at the heart of the Galleries shopping centre’s £135m redevelopment will “put Wigan proudly on the map” when it opens late next year.
Wigan Council is working with development partner Cityheart on the redevelopment of the Galleries into Fettlers, with Galliford Try engaged as contractor on the first phase.
In addition to the 70,000 sq ft market hall and food court, this will include basement and associated infrastructure, to be followed by a 144-bed Hampton by Hilton hotel, pavilion building and cinema and leisure space.
The scheme will also include more than 400 homes across several new residential buildings.
When complete Fettlers will be home to a multi-media centre incorporating cinemas, multi-lane bowling alley, indoor mini golf, a climbing wall, virtual leisure, bars and restaurant and new landscaped areas of public realm including a square for events and performances.
NLG operates destinations such as the Egyptian Room in Oldham and last August agreed a 15-year lease with Preston City Council to run a cocktail bar and four F&B spaces at the £45m Animate.
The announcement comes as Wigan Council published a sneak peek of the new market hall, with fresh images showing how the destination will include both traditional market offerings and a foodhall.
NLG has made its mark in other North West locations. Credit: via Inform
Cllr David Molyneux, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “This redevelopment is bringing the market back to the heart of the town centre, and I am delighted that we are announcing this new operator during the nationwide Love Your Local Market campaign.
“Wigan has been a proud market town for centuries and we want to see our market survive, and thrive into the future. It is set to be a vital part of what brings people into town, supporting local, and being part of our community when it opens late next year.
“There is so much happening across our town – the redevelopment of Civic, Cotton Works at Eckersley Mill, Stack at the former Debenhams – making Wigan the place to be, live, work and visit.”
Managing director of NLG, Carl Fraenkl-Rietti, said: “This will be one the North’s best, and most creative, markets and food halls, putting Wigan proudly on the map not only for its food but for its incredible people for generations to come. It is in a superb location, and we look forward to delivering the very best experience for traders, visitors and locals who deserve a best-in-class market of which they can be proud.”
The new market hall is expected to be built and open late next year, with the existing market hall remaining open until the new building is ready for occupation.
Cityheart was chosen as development partner in 2021, with the demolition phase then being triggered in 2022 and completed in 2024.
Darren Jones, development director at Cityheart, said: “NLG is one of the most successful operators in the north of England and we’re incredibly proud to be partnering with them for Wigan.
“The market hall at Fettlers will be first-class, anchoring the wider scheme and, as markets have done for centuries, acting as a place for people to meet, eat, greet and trade. It will create lasting value for Wigan, enhancing the prosperity of the town and improving the lives of its people now and in the future.”
The rebranding of the council-owned mall into Fettlers was revealed in early April.
Jackie Casey from markets specialist PlaceCo , sister company of NLG, has been supporting traders since demolition began. She said: “Having a strong and successful market is an essential part of Wigan’s tradition and history. It is the beating heart and soul of the town, a place for people to meet and make things, a tradition which goes back centuries, and we’re excited to see the first images unveiled.
“Wigan deserves a market that is fit for purpose, an iconic market of which the town can be proud, and which will be key to Wigan’s future prosperity for many generations.”
Cityheart, now in its 20th year in business, has more than £750m GDV of regeneration projects across the UK that will see it deliver more than 1,700 new homes, 500 affordable homes, 2m sq ft of commercial and leisure space and two international-branded hotels.
A third of this pipeline is fully funded, with projects on site including Stopford Park in Stockport.
Fettlers…. who signed that name change off
By Don cheglioni