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Restaurant and retail units get the thumbs up
Tower Grand plans
A PROPOSED major retail development in Wigan will provide a cultural boost and help the economy, according to the town centre manager.
The much anticipated Tower Grand site has now received planning permission and developers last week revealed details of a restaurant, retail unit and 80-bed hotel.
The 15,500 sq ft shopping complex has received approval from town centre manager Mike Matthews who said it will help keep the town centre “alive after five.”
He said: “Any project like this will help boost the economy and should be welcomed.
“Although the plans for what the retail unit will hold have not been finalised, it is going to benefit Wigan.
“Having a restaurant in that location will help keep people in the town after five, after the shops close.
“All town centres have a problem keeping visitors in the gap between the shops closing and when the bars fill up later in the evening.
“Ideally, this will attract people to have a meal after work, have a few drinks and enjoy themselves.”
The six-storey hotel alone will create 40 full-time and 15 part-time roles with further employment opportunities to come once the food and retail units have confirmed tenants.
Site developer, Scarborough Group, has confirmed to the Evening Post that the units have attracted a considerable amount of interest.
William McAlister, said: “We are now in discussion with a number of restaurateurs as well as hotel operators, retailers and leisure operators including a gym.
“We anticipate that construction will start later this year with completion scheduled for late 2014.”
The Tower Grand development is not the only boost to the local economy announced this year as the former site of Wigan police station may also house a new hotel.
Premier Inn announced in January plans to take over the Harrogate Street site, meaning the two new developments will be adjacent to one another.
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
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