Contrasting fortunes of retail park plans

Pristine units on what was a parking area will see Subway, mobile company EE and a Costa open outlets on the retail park.

Carphone Warehouse is moving from its current location across the way into one of the fresh units with KFC replacing them with a drive-through facility.

The new developments are expected to be open in time for the summer months with parking and access affected during the building works in recent weeks.

They are estimated to bring a jobs boost to the borough’s economy with dozens of roles created with a mix of long and short-term positions.

However, plans to build a hotel and restaurants opposite the Empire Cinema remain shrouded in mystery.

A year has passed since the development was granted planning permission by the town hall and council officers recently told the Wigan Post the plans remain on track.

But no building works have started with the planning permission expiring in May 2019.

Details of which operator will be assuming control of the 68-bed hotel are yet to be released although the restaurant units are said to house a Nando’s.

A spokesperson for the popular Portuguese-style food chain said they had no updates on the status of the Robin Park development.