Wigan Borough – pride and progress

These large physical regeneration projects cover all aspects of life within the borough; from the economy to cultural activities. The projects represent development and investment opportunities for businesses requiring new office or industrial premises, retailers and leisure operators.

Image is important, and Wigan today is very different to the industrial stereotype. Over 70 percent of the borough is green space – and the borough has an enviable location within the North West, benefiting from both the motorway network and West Coast Main Line. National and international companies have a presence and the area is known for its loyal workforce and warm welcome.

The scale of achievements to date should not be underestimated. Modern Wigan is showing that it “is a ‘can-do’ place, where people take a joke and turn it into an astonishing success, note the Pier and the Latics,” wrote Julia Stuart in The Independent on Sunday during 2005.

Westwood Park
Westwood Park is one of five sites identified for development through the borough’s latest regeneration initiative, the Foundation Economic Development Zone. The site covers 44ha and is located on the edge of Wigan town centre, less than two miles from Junction 25 of the M6. The mix of size, location and natural environment within the site is a first class opportunity to create a prestigious, environmentally friendly business park.
A masterplan has been developed and a planning application for outline consent has been submitted.

Wigan Pier Quarter
Wigan Pier Quarter is another Foundation Economic Development Zone site and has been identified for comprehensive mixed-use, regeneration-led development.

The site covers 12ha on the fringes of Wigan town centre and there is considerable potential for waterside development as the Leeds-Liverpool Canal runs directly through the Wigan Pier Quarter area. The vision is to create a lively, mixed-use and accessible quarter that transforms the image of the borough through high quality, contemporary development alongside the conservation of buildings with outstanding historic character.

Leigh Sports Village
This £83m development will be the focal point for sporting and educational activity in the east of the borough. The anchor is a brand new 10,000-seater stadium that will be the home to several sports clubs. Dedicated facilities for the local Further Education college are planned around the stadium, along with office, retail and housing developments.

Grand Arcade
At 425,000 sq ft the new Grand Arcade will certainly put Wigan on the retail map. Developed by Modus Properties, the new centre will leapfrog the borough into the top 100 national rankings as a shopping destination. The arcade is now almost fully let and will open in March 2007. Anchored by Debenhams and British Home Stores, the arcade has also attracted new retailers to the borough.

Modus Properties has plans for further investment with the Wigan Tower, close to the new shopping centre. The tower incorporates modern architectural design and will provide apartments, retail and leisure opportunities.

Bickershaw
The former Bickershaw Colliery closed in 1992 and has remained undeveloped. The site covers 36.8 acres and funding has now been earmarked for mixed-use development including housing, employment, leisure and tourism. The two owners of the site, the Northwest Development Agency and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, have worked with Wigan Council to develop plans for the site.

These are just some of the larger regeneration projects taking place across the borough. Elsewhere in the locality, speculative schemes by Gladman Developments and Hurstwood Developments are strong signs that confidence is high in the area.

A keen desire for progress has created a forward-looking borough.

For further information on development opportunities within Wigan Borough please call Kealey Mulligan, Wigan Council on 01942 828990 or email K.Mulligan@wiganmbc.gov.uk