Wigan progresses £135m Galleries, offers retailer support
With demolition underway, the council has appointed activation specialist PlaceCo to help traders maintain footfall in the current market structure.
A new market hall will be the first building to complete under Wigan Council and Cityheart’s £135m redevelopment scheme, which involves knocking down the 440,000 sq ft Galleries Shopping Centre to make way for hundreds of new-build homes, a hotel, 10,000 sq ft of commercial space, multimedia centre, and, of course, the market hall.
The new market hall is being built by BCEGI and will open in 2024. In the meantime, the current market and the Makinson Arcade are remaining open.
This is where PlaceCo will come in, helping the current traders maintain footfall and providing support during construction.
Jackie Casey, managing director of PlaceCo, said described the Galleries scheme as a “visionary project”.
“This game-changing development will transform Wigan into an even greater place to visit for local people and visitors from further afield,” Casey said.
But Casey acknowledged that came with challenges.
“We recognise the importance of supporting traders and keeping footfall levels as high as possible throughout the redevelopment,” Casey said. “This will mean specific marketing plus a schedule of events and animation that will eventually link into the launch of the new Market Hall space.”
Aidan Thatcher, director of growth and economy at Wigan Council, said the council was committed to supporting the traders at the market.
“We will be working closely with PlaceCo to identify ways to create a vibrant and enticing environment in and around the market hall, helping to ensure visitors continue to support their local businesses,” he said.
Want to learn more about development in Wigan? Charlotte Cordingley, Wigan Council’s director of housing, property, infrastructure and environment, will be speaking at Place North West’s Greater Manchester Development Update on 8 September.
The new indoor market building looks so utterly soulless, akin to an industrial unit being dropped into the town centre. I cannot see how this is deemed as progressive regeneration of a northern market town.
By Anonymous
The original Market Hall demolished in the mid-80’s to make way for the Galleries, which are the subject of the current demolition & regeneration, was a fantastic complex of Victorian buildings similar to Altrincham Market but, on a larger scale and would be viewed as a ‘Heritage Asset’ if it remained today.
By Gone but not forgotten
I agree with the other comments. The original market hall was indeed a heritage asset and could have been Wigan’s answer to Altrincham market – which is beautiful. The problem in Wigan is poverty, however you dress up the solutions.
By Anthony Grimshaw Associates LLP
There’s tonnes of Victorian architecture been lost in Greater Manchester. There’s tonnes of it still here as well. Campaign to save the existing and move forward with the proposed.
Based on the initial CGI, the new market will look good.
By Anonymous
Wigan Market Hall has been in decline for many years. The market hall has got lots of empty units for many years due to a lot of things like Wigan Council charging high rents for little retail units for years.. Darren. Ex Wigan indoor Market trader.
By Darren Born and Bred.
It seems like it’s just for profit like in your article the new build homes come first! If Wigan was a thriving town centre then maybe it could work. Wigan is doing a death rattle and know body will pay to live their. It would be different if there were shops,restaurants,theatre’s, nice bars the list cam go on.
There just isn’t any of these left anymore in Wigan and its sad too see and this new venture will be another white elephant just like the galleries and the grand arcade are!.
You mention an even greater place to visit is this a misprint or just a PR phrase?
By Christopher Leach
@Christopher Leach: The “even greater place to visit” phrase you’ve referenced is a quote from Jackie Casey, managing director of PlaceCo.
By Julia Hatmaker
Why build houses in the middle of a town centre thats asking for trouble and a hotel . Wigan already had the Mercure which has now been bought by the council to house the homeless etc. Wigan is not the town it once was.
By Anonymous