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New details have been revealed about the future of Eccles Town Centre.
Salford council is planning to appoint Muse as its development partner to bring its vision for the town to life.
The move is set to be approved at a council meeting next week by city mayor Paul Dennett and his cabinet team.
The future of Eccles Town Centre
A report on the work has lifted the lid on some of the key changes being explored as the project moves forward.
This includes improving the green spaces in Eccles, and creating better links to the Bridgewater Canal which passes through the town.
Big changes could also be on the way to how people get around, with plans aimed at improving routes for walking and cycling in a bid to increase footfall.
The plans involve making sure that the ‘existing and new communities are sufficiently connected.’
Changes to Church Street
Church Street has been highlighted as a ‘key historical asset’ in the report, with designs being made to protect and improve this part of the town in the future.
A key part of the work is increasing the number of homes in Eccles.
According to the council’s draft local plan for housing focused on the Eccles, Barton and Winton areas up to 2042, around 1,700 new homes are planned, mostly focused on developing small sites and around Eccles town centre.
Around 90 per cent of these are expected to be apartments and are aimed at bringing new people to live in the town.
“A place where people can enjoy independent shops, cafes and bars”
The council’s vision for Eccles wants to see the town become a place where people can enjoy independent shops, cafes and bars, along with entertainment and public spaces.
A new vision for the future of Eccles was planned in 2022 after the council found the town was left ‘with empty shops and an overall lack of investment’.
What’s happening with Eccles Shopping Centre?
The regeneration is based around Eccles Shopping Centre, which the council bought for £4.3m in December 2022.
Work started earlier this year to demolish part of the shopping centre, which includes 14 retail units, the multi-storey car park, and the market hall, marking the first key phase of the project.
Salford council said it has a ‘well-established’ relationship with Muse and has worked with the firm on a range of projects across the city.
Once the decision to appoint Muse has been confirmed by Salford’s cabinet on July 8, there are plans for a public consultation in autumn where residents will be asked to share their thoughts on what the transformation of the town centre should look like.
Coun Jack Youd, Salford’s deputy mayor and lead on regeneration, said the change is a “once-in-a-lifetime regeneration project.”
“This is an exciting moment for what is a really significant piece of work and a priority for the council,” he added.
“Having a strategic regeneration partner onboard will be a big step in the process. It will pave the way for future work to deliver on our promise to create an improved and fit-for-purpose town centre for the residents of Eccles in line with the shared vision we have developed with them.”
Alex Vogel, senior development manager at Muse, said: “We’re excited about the prospect to partner with Salford City Council to focus on Eccles Town Centre. It’s a great opportunity to make Eccles an even better place to live and work for the community.”
You can find out more about the redevelopment of Eccles Town Centre by clicking here
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