Plans in for £135m Wigan Galleries mixed-use development

21 June 2021

A hybrid planning application for the proposed £135m redevelopment of the Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan has been submitted.

Cityheart and Wigan Council are behind the application, which includes detailed and outline proposals covering an array of leisure facilities.

These include a multimedia centre, which would be home to a multi-screen cinema, a ten-lane bowling alley, food and drink outlets, a multi-purpose venue and indoor mini golf.

A pavilion off Market Street is also lined up, as is a more centrally located market hall, a hotel and 464 homes.

Warren Taylor, director of Cityheart, said: "Today marks an important milestone and step forward in the delivery of this critically important re-development project in the heart of Wigan town centre.

"Over the last six months, the team has carried out extensive consultation events and one-to-one sessions with local businesses and residents to share our exciting and innovative vision for the future of Wigan town centre that will dramatically revitalise the area and become a place where people will want to live, work and visit.

"These plans support the Wigan Town Centre Strategic Regeneration Framework developed by the council last year and are a vital step in securing the future economic success and sustainability of the heart of the town."

Cityheart's joint venture partner is BCEGI, which will lead the construction programme for the new scheme.

Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at Wigan Council, added: "We thank the public for their helpful comments to date and as local planning authority, we urge people to read the application and supporting documents and formally submit their views.

"The application is now going through the statutory process and will be determined in the autumn in line with national and local planning policy."

If granted, work is expected to start on site in January next year. More than 600 full-time equivalent jobs would be created once the development is operational, with more lined up during the construction stage.

Cityheart is being advised by independent law firm Brabners in relation to the project.