The Galleries

Parts of Wigan's Galleries to be closed off to the public in preparation for demolition
Some of the vacant areas of Wigan’s Galleries shopping centre are to close to the public as preparations are made for its demolition.

https://www.wigantoday.net/business/parts-of-wigans-galleries-to-be-closed-off-to-the-public-in-preparation-for-demolition-3685806

Puzzlement as demolition of Wigan shopping centre fails to get under way six months after deadline

https://www.wigantoday.net/business/puzzlement-as-demolition-of-wigan-shopping-centre-fails-to-get-under-way-six-months-after-deadline-3747226

Just found on FB....worth a view....

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/markets/article-10966469/Toxic-rents-online-competition-turn-Wigan-ghost-town.html

very interesting article some of the blame can be because people are shopping on line.

Demolition contract signed as works begin on Wigan's town centre galleries redevelopment

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/News/Articles/2022/July/Demolition-contract-signed-as-works-begin-on-Wigan's-town-centre-galleries-redevelopment.aspx

This is from Friends of Wigan facebook page. I know many of you are not FB users, hence the full
text

BREAKING NEWS
Galleries Update:
Through Freedom of Information Wigan Council has finally had to admit that there are currently NO funding packages agreed for the planned apartments, hotel and pavilion.
Despite the Planning Committee making it very clear when agreeing to the plans with a planning condition that stipulates finance must be in place before demolition.
Demolition is imminent.
Meanwhile construction costs are skyrocketing.
Will Wigan town centre revival actually happen, or will the situation be made even worse than it currently is by a huge cleared demolition site?
If this is allowed to go ahead as planned, there is a strong risk that the town centre will be left with nothing but a huge gaping hole for an indefinite period of time where the Galleries once proudly stood.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
According to the response from the Council, City Heart has yet to sign a contract.
The only contract signed so far is for the demolition order with BCEGI (Chinese Gov. Company. UK branch)
If Cityheart eventually pulls out, and the demolition is stopped and doesn’t go ahead, the Council could still repurpose the Galleries. Apartments, bars, restaurants, outdoor entertainment space.
What do you think?
Key passages from the Council response:
In considering this response, it is important to note that although the Council has selected its development partner and a Development Agreement is place between the Council and Cityheart, a contract has only been agreed for the Demolition works.
The Council has yet to agree a contract with Cityheart for the remaining phases of the work.
Whilst both Cityheart and the Council have identified potential sources of external public and private sector funding, several of these options are still being explored. In addition, the Development Agreement with Cityheart is structured so that at each development phase, Cityheart are required to secure and present funding agreements with external funders (and their terms) to the Council for approval before each phase can proceed.
The first of these is THE DEMOLITION PHASE AND THIS IS WHOLLY FUNDED BY THE COUNCIL,
In terms of the funding for the remaining phases the Housing element will be funded entirely from private sources, whilst the sources of funding for other elements have yet to be agreed. Until prices are agreed and contracts awarded, the amount of the various funding sources cannot be quantified.
Until contracts are awarded, sources of funding have not been confirmed. However, the Council does have the power to veto potential investors where due diligence checks raise ethical concerns.
At this stage only the demolition contract has been signed and I can confirm that the cost of this remains within the original budget. However, until contracts have been agreed for the each of the remaining phases of the development, the extent of any increase to the Council’s liability cannot be quantified.
Funding from Central Government is limited to the contribution from Future High Street Fund and this is fixed at £12m.
I am sorry that it was not made clear in our original response to you that the Council does not hold all of the information requested and I hope that this now clarifies the situation.
Evidence: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/.../13844%20SOR%20Response...
Planning condition 55:
55. Contractual Arrangements
No demolition works within the site hereby permitted shall take place until it has been demonstrated to the written satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that the necessary financial arrangements are in place and programme of works for the replacement residential development of the land for which planning permission has been granted by the Local Planning Authority.
Reason: In order to ensure replacement development is delivered which mitigates the loss of the non-designated heritage assets and impact on designated heritage assets in accordance with Wigan Local Plan Core Strategy Policy CP11, Saved UPD Policy EV4A and the revised NPPF (2021).

I can’t see that image, Lolly, just the beginning of its code.

Is that ^^^^better?

Thanks, Lolly, I can see it now.

jo anne, what an eye opener. !!

That was so sad to watch and makes me wonder about the leaders of the council.

Thanks for that...

Photos of Wigan
@photosofwigan
·
3h
The demolition of the Galleries is in full flow just now and Market Street has been narrowed and lined with fencing. #WIGAN

Three pix wot I took on Tuesday.

1.


2.


3.

They look like the blind leading the blind....Don't know what they are doing...

Admin wrote:They look like the blind leading the blind....Don't know what they are doing...

What makes you say that?

It appears that no one knows what they are doing and are following the blind. The Galleries have only been built a small number of years ago
compared to the old market hall and other buildings in town.

I suggest that they flatten it , replace it with a very large open car park , and build a (modern) MARKET HALL AGAIN .

Wigan Tours
@WiganTours
·
12m
May #wigan 2023

The removal of the old mall will run into next year although construction of the new multi-million-pound redevelopment – including 464 homes, a multimedia centre with cinema,bowling alley, indoor mini-golf plus shops, offices and a new market hall – can begin before the razing of the old place is complete.

IN PICTURES: Update on redevelopment of Wigan town centre

https://www.wigantoday.net/news/people/in-pictures-update-on-redevelopment-of-wigan-town-centre-4167178

Just looking at your statement above, Lolly....

464 homes...!..???

The question is...Where are the residents going to shop?

Am I missing something or are the council in La-la land..?

"The question is...Where are the residents going to shop?

On line presumably.

Very good point, Lolly...I didn't think of that, but what about the heart of the town...Will it still be dead, I wonder..??