Mixed response to masterplan for Wigan shopping centre

Wigan Council has unveiled a £130m scheme to totally transform The Galleries in the town centre.
An impression of how part of the redevelopment of The Galleries could lookAn impression of how part of the redevelopment of The Galleries could look
An impression of how part of the redevelopment of The Galleries could look

The plans include hundreds of new homes, leisure facilities, a hotel and a new market hall alongside offices and co-working space in a comprehensive redevelopment of the retail hub.

While residents took to social media to express excitement at the scale of the plans there were also a number of questions, some scepticism it would happen and also outright criticism.

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Some of the most negative comments came from opposition councillors and activists on the eastern side of the borough, who said spending on Wigan town centre compared to the rest of the borough was disproportionate.

There was also considerable unease about the involvement of Beijing Construction Engineering Group International (BCEGI) as one of the partners alongside Cityheart.

Others questioned the attractions and expressed concern the development would follow other towns and cities in having schemes with privately-owned land.

Coun Stuart Gerrard, an Independent Network councillor for Atherton ward, said: “I am bitterly disappointed that yet again a colossal amount of money is being spent on Wigan town centre.

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“This is false economics. We have been fighting for so long for major investment in the outlying towns, to be told basically money’s tight.

“The council came up with Our Town, but the amount set aside pales into insignificance to the £130m set aside for this vanity project. This money, spent correctly, would fix infrastructure, boost the local economy, reduce unemployment and go some way in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.”

James Morley, from Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley Together (LATT) said: “We are extremely concerned about allowing a Chinese state-owned company anywhere near this considering their human rights record.

“Yet again Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are only given scraps.”

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Wigan Council has held a number of consultations on the plans, but there were still feelings the public could have been more involved.

Angela Fell, a founding member of mutual aid group Springfield and Beech Hill Community, said: “To create a neighbourhood plan there is a requirement to engage and seek consent from a percentage of the population.

“We should have spent time looking at what we are prepared to do together. That would have been more in line with the community wealth building strategy our paid leaders have signed up to.

“A town centre neighbourhood plan, exploration of community shares and public works loans. Co-living in the town centre, a housing trust, a civic space.

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“If our imagination is as narrow as a cinema, a bowling alley and a hotel in the centre of town we really are doomed.”

However, Wigan residents also posted a number of very positive comments online, saying change was necessary in the town centre and praising the amount of investment in it.

Becca Heron, director of economy at Wigan Council, said: “We’re taking note of all of the comments received about The Galleries and will look to answer as many questions as possible. Overall, these plans signal a bright and exciting future for Wigan and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback.”

The council will also respond to some of the points which have been raised.

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