The Galleries

I think I did mention  housing  somewhere, can't remember where  

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/people/new-galleries-scheme-including-cinema-housing-office-spaces-restaurants-bars-and-a-hotel-unveiled-1-10074945

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmL2l-bcuUQ

A beltin video Lolly. Micro apartments , or flats as wiganers call them. Dead handy if you work in town, no parking problems either.Plus you can crawl home from the pub in minutes.

£125m redevelopment of Wigan shopping centre will take 'at least seven years', council boss warns

The council purchased the 3.2-hectare site, which includes the Makinson Arcade and Marketgate Shopping Centre, in 2018 for £8m.

The council wants to reverse the decline of the shopping centre, which accounts for almost a quarter of Wigan town centre's footprint, with plans for residential, leisure, food and drink uses, office space and a new market.

A formal procurement process is now underway and the council is expecting to select a development partner to deliver its £125m vision later this year.

But Beca Heron, Director of Economy and Skills, told a scrutiny committee on Wednesday that it would take many years for this vision to become a reality and warned councillors that the journey will be "long" and "frustrating".

She said: “I will be frank. We are talking about a redevelopment that will take, I would say, a minimum of seven years.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/125m-redevelopment-wigan-shopping-centre-18807586

I hope this works out the town needs something

Wigan Council cabinet to debate Galleries masterplan
Wigan Council’s cabinet is today (Thursday) set to debate a £125m redevelopment of The Galleries which has already been forecast to take at least seven years to complete.

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/politics/council/wigan-council-cabinet-debate-galleries-masterplan-3039689

They can spend as much money as they want, over as many years as they want, on Wigan shopping centre. But it will amount to nothing. Zilch.

Wigan Council appoints Galleries 25 as Strategic Development Partner

The proposed scheme will see the existing 440,000 sq ft shopping centre transformed to provide:

A multi-media centre comprising: six screen cinema, music and E-sports venue, 10 lane bowling alley, indoor mini golf, food and beverage units
Evening entertainment space
A new hotel
464 residential units
New market hall, including a contemporary foodhall, co-working space and small offices
A re-animated Makinson Arcade
Landscaped public realm square for annual outdoor events
460 car parking spaces located within the existing basement
Wigan Council will work with Cityheart and BCEGI to agree the final details of the development with construction expected to start in early 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2025.

https://wigan.gov.uk/News/Articles/2020/Dec/Wigan-Council-appoints-Galleries25-as-Strategic-Development-Partner.aspx

Looks good.

Yes it looks good and the increase in council should pay for it

Micro appartments

Galleries update


https://view.genial.ly/602c2eff0bfd040d9db1ee45?fbclid=IwAR2x2oA3Qg0wSSqAcPHZLbU_DQIxHd4L_fc59Mnwwu1pUnuvgwH-m9hObQs

very interesting

Is this the same people investing in the Galleries
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/victoria-north-hong-kong-family-19961406

Far East Consortium (FEC) … the Hong Kong investment company

No, Lolly, the organisation investing in The Galleries redevelopment is China state-owned BCEGI.

Four companies made the shortlist - Link (Feb 2020)

• Muse Developments - UK ‘leading name’
• Cityheart with BCEGI - ’China state-owned’
• Eric Wright Group - ’Leader in UK’
• Queensberry - ?

Thanks Jo anne. I thought it looked a bit iffy registered in the Cayman Islands.

New images revealed of Wigan Development - www.insidermedia.com (17th Jun)

Many towns are doing the same

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9516055/Locals-tell-frustration-shops-converted-homes.html

A good article, thanks, Lolly.

The Galleries planning application is now live: Search

Ref No: A/21/91796/MAJES

Facebook (26th Jun):



Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk

The rest of Wigan Local History and Heritage Society’s post (Photos)

Council News (28th Jun):

Galleries redevelopment contract signed

Wigan Council and developer, Cityheart, have entered into a legal contract … (which) means that, subject to planning, works can commence in early 2022.

Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at Wigan Council said: “Though the planning application is yet to be determined, we hope that this step forward reassures the public that we’re serious about transforming our town centre and creating new reasons for people to visit and spend time here.”

There’s still time to submit your views to Wigan Council.

23 public comments so far
• 22 object
• 1 support

Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk (Closes 20th July)

It seems a lot are not in favour of it.

That will confirm the go-ahead then

Sadly, I suspect you’re right, Naughty Mitten.

Update

Comments Received: 29 Objections: 28 Supporting: 1

Some pertinent points are being made, I just hope the Council will reconsider.

Becca Heron hopes that signing a contract will reassure us, but really that makes it seem it’s a done deal. Becca’s background is working in the city of Manchester, I wonder what she actually knows about the town of Wigan.