Start on site looms for £135m Wigan Galleries regeneration 

Contractor BCEGI has been given the green light to start knocking down the 440,000 sq ft shopping centre after it signed a demolition agreement with Wigan Council and joint venture partner Cityheart. 

The £135m Wigan Galleries project will see the town centre complex demolished, with 218 homes across four blocks, a new market building, and a hotel featuring in the first phase of the redevelopment. 

Ground and enabling works will take place alongside the demolition of the Galleries Shopping centre, paving the way for work above ground to begin next year.

The first building to be delivered will be the new market, due to open to the public in 2024. The existing market and Makinson Arcade will remain open throughout the project.

Later phases of the scheme include an additional 265 homes, a multimedia centre, 10,000 sq ft of commercial space, and roughly the same amount of food and beverage accommodation.  

The multimedia centre features a cinema, bowling alley, and multipurpose event space. 

Galleries 25, the joint venture between Cityheart and BCEGI leading the project, won approval for the scheme last November despite backlash from some Wigan residents.  

“This project is critical for the future of the town centre, with additional leisure and residential opportunities helping to attract more customers,” said Cllr David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council. 

“We have seen the impact online shopping and the current cost of living crisis is having on town centres across the country and I’m pleased that we have a plan to reverse that decline and to make Wigan a thriving and vibrant town centre where people will choose to live, work, study and visit.” 

Warren Taylor, director at Cityheart agrees that the project could have a transformative impact on Wigan town centre. 

“The redevelopment of this mixed-use scheme will bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to the town of Wigan and dramatically transform its landscape, which is crucial to its future success,” he said. 

“In partnership with Wigan Council, we are delighted to have achieved this next significant milestone allowing us to deliver our promised vision, which will breathe new life into the town and create a stronger community.” 

Cityheart and BCEGI beat off competition from regeneration specialists Muse Developments and a partnership between Maple Grove Developments and Urban Splash to secure the Wigan job. 

The vision for the Galleries has been designed by JM Architects and law firm Brabners is advising Cityheart on the scheme. Zerum is the planning consultant. 

Wigan Council bought the Galleries from Luxembourg-based firm Colcastor in March 2018.