Peel L&P reworks £26m Watergardens proposal
The developer has scaled back plans to create a food and beverage destination at the Quayside shopping centre’s southern walkway, following a pandemic-induced rethink.
Peel L&P’s revised proposals would see the firm invest £5m over the next five years to deliver a waterside food, drink and retail venue, featuring a market food hall.
The refreshed plans for the venture, to be located at the rear of the shopping centre facing the Manchester Ship Canal, include:
- Six pop-up units created from shipping containers
- New terraces for outdoor dining
- Enhanced landscaping
- An indoor independent food hall and community space.
Peel L&P’s scheme supersedes a proposal approved in 2019 for a £26m leisure project dubbed the Watergardens.
A visualisation of the earlier proposal. Credit: via planning documents
That 35,000 sq ft project began in 2019 but was put on hold and ultimately reworked due to the pandemic.
The original project was aimed at large F+B operators, whereas the revised plan is more geared towards independent traders.
In addition, the waterfront promenade connecting the Millennium Bridge to Quayside that featured in the Watergardens proposal is not included in the updated plan.
“Since [the Watergardens permission] we have lived through a pandemic that has refocused our minds on what our local community needs,” said Stephen Wild, Peel L&P’s director for strategic investment and growth.
“Extensive consultation with those who live and work within Salford Quays during 2021 identified an appetite for an enhanced provision of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, markets or a market hall and a medical centre.”
“We’ve listened to all the views shared and we’re excited to have revised our plans to reflect what people have said. We hope this next phase of investment will enable the shopping centre to successfully play its part in the Quays town centre provision for the long term as the number of residents here grows.”
The project team includes architect Chapman Taylor, landscape architect Gillespies and property consultancy Alder King.
Interesting that they cut down half the trees whilst working up the revised plans and yet still talk about both ‘enhanced landscaping’ and ‘listened to the views shared…’. Mmmm
By harpisord
If done right this could be amazing – they should turn that area in front into a park and relocate the car park entrance to Imperial Point so diners don’t have cars passing them by.
By Stu
This is a desperately, under-utilised resource. The whole of MediaCity and the Quays, should be a go to destination for leisure and it is currently dull and sterile.
By Elephant
I agree with Elephant, as someone who lives in the area, it has so much unlocked potential – I have to be honest; Peel seem to do far more talking than doing.
By Manc Man
I agree with Stu, get rid of the cars completely and expand the public realm in this section. Diners will get a good view of the water with Old Trafford in the background (if it floats their boat).
It makes you wonder why this wasn’t done in the first place.
By Anonymous
Let down
By Disgruntled Goat
Now we won’t get the beach they promised. Maybe Coop will build an 80 storey scraper topped with telescopes for local use. Then we can see the Welsh mountains.
By Sid