What Wigan’s town centre transformation means for local jobs

After years of retail decline, the town centre is being reshaped through regeneration projects that aim to redefine how people live, work and spend time locally.

At the centre of this change is Fettlers, a major redevelopment of the former Galleries shopping centre.

What was once a struggling retail complex is being turned into a mixed use neighbourhood with a market hall, hotel, leisure spaces, bars, restaurants and new homes.

Alongside this, developments such as Stack and the repurposing of large retail units into entertainment and cultural spaces signal a clear shift in direction.

The traditional high street model is being replaced by something broader and more flexible.

For local jobs, this transformation brings both opportunity and change.

The most immediate impact is the move away from traditional retail roles.

Like many towns across the UK, Wigan has seen footfall decline over the past decade as shopping habits have changed. In response, regeneration plans are focusing on experience led destinations.

Leisure venues, food spaces, entertainment and hospitality are becoming the anchors of the new town centre economy.

This creates a different type of job market.

There is growing demand for roles that centre on customer experience, service and operations within hospitality and events.

The result is a more active and varied employment landscape, although one that is more service focused than before.

One of the key advantages of large scale regeneration is that job creation happens in stages.

It does not begin and end with the opening of new venues. Construction activity supports local supply chains and skilled trades. As projects move forward, new roles appear in hospitality, retail and leisure.

Over time, further opportunities are created through increased visitor numbers and business growth.

This layered approach means the benefits are spread across different parts of the workforce.

It also means employment growth is gradual rather than immediate, building momentum as developments are completed and begin to attract people back into the town centre.

While the number of jobs is expected to rise, the nature of those roles is changing.

Many of the new positions are in sectors that can offer flexibility but are often associated with lower pay and less predictable hours.

This raises important questions about long term career prospects.

The outcome will depend on how employers respond.

Businesses that invest in training and development can turn entry level roles into pathways for progression.

Without that focus, there is a risk that job growth does not translate into long term stability for workers.

As the local economy evolves, employers will also need to rethink how they attract and retain staff.

Experience led environments require strong communication, adaptability and an ability to engage with customers.

This opens opportunities to a wider group of candidates, including those without traditional backgrounds in retail or corporate roles.

To make the most of this shift, hiring approaches need to adapt.

Many of the ideas explored in modern recruitment strategies are relevant here, particularly the focus on widening talent pools and aligning recruitment with changing business needs.

Perhaps the most important point is that Wigan’s transformation is not only about physical redevelopment.

It represents a broader change in how the town centre functions within the local economy.

By combining living, working and leisure spaces, these developments are designed to bring people back into the centre in different ways.

This creates a more resilient economic model where employment is supported by a mix of sectors rather than relying heavily on retail alone.

At the same time, it places greater responsibility on employers and local leaders to ensure that the jobs created are accessible and sustainable.

Wigan’s town centre transformation marks a clear turning point.

The shift away from traditional retail has created space for something new, and regeneration is providing that direction.

For local employment, the outlook is positive in terms of opportunity and activity.