Leigh Means Business has released its own plans to redevelop Leigh city center, including the construction of a business center (pictured). Credit: Leigh means business
Dec. 20, 2021, 10:08 am
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The council has approved a strategic redevelopment framework for Leigh City Center that incorporates several aspects of the plans drawn up by Leigh Means Business.
Work on the SRF of the Council began in 2019 with the gathering of public opinions on improving the city center. It used this information to create the framework, which was approved by the council on Thursday. The framework includes the improvement of the pedestrian paths in the city center, the creation of a work and competence center for young people and the improvement of the Bürgerplatz.
After LMB provided feedback to the consultations on Leigh’s recovery strategy, LMB decided to come up with its own ideas to bolster the region’s bid for funding from the Leveling Up Fund. The LMB also seeks funding from the Council, the Central Government and the National Lottery to put its proposals into practice.
“Everyone involved in this project shares a common passion for Leigh and believes that our city can once again be a bustling and thriving city, with residents really proud of its city center,” said LMB director Trevor Barton. “We want a center with a daytime restaurant where there is a high level of commercial occupancy and a night center where families have numerous restaurants to choose from and everyone can safely enjoy the ambience.”
LMB’s ideas that are similar to those of the council include the pedestrian zone, the creation of an entrepreneurial center and the redesign of the town square.
LMB’s plans are politically backed by James Grundy, the MP for Leigh.
“I firmly believe that the renewal of Leigh city center should be led by both the local businesses based there and the residents who work for and use those businesses,” said Grundy. “We need to harness the talents of businesses and residents in our city to get it back to the way it should be, as older residents know – successful and a source of pride.
“I look forward to working with LMB CIC and hopefully the Wigan Council to achieve the regeneration our community so desperately needs.”
Steven Tomlin, another director at LMB and co-founder of the hot desk and tech start-up space Leigh Works, noted that the SRF had shown that the council had listened to the feedback from LMB during the consultations.
“We have been working with the Council since the first stakeholder consultation in 2019 and our contribution to collaborative start-up spaces has been well received,” said Tomlin.
“We are pleased that Leigh Works’ concepts and principles were incorporated into the final draft of the SRF and look forward to the opportunity to create a viable, flexible business space that will stimulate demand and retain local talent.”
Wigan Council’s acting director of economics and skills, Aidan Thatcher, said the council will continue to work with LMB and others on its strategic renewal framework and plans.
“The SRF defines a flexible and robust vision for the city center, which coordinates activities, shapes development and drives investments,” said Thatcher.
“Many of the proposals made by Leigh Means Business reflect the overall approach of the SRF and the Council will continue to work with Leigh Means Business along with other partners in the wider community to ensure the best possible future for Leigh.”
Here’s a look at the key components of both proposals
Wigan Council
- Create a small park in the city center and make the city center greener with more green spaces, street trees, green walls, and more.
- Offer more new homes with different terms.
- Improve the bus station and the surrounding area
- Improvement of footpaths and bike paths, including the construction of a footbridge over the canal to connect West Bridgewater Street and the canal’s towpath
- Create a work and competence center for young people. Also allow a flexible business space to be set up.
- Improve the indoor market.
- Improve Bürgerplatz.
Read the strategic framework
Leigh means business
- Build an entrepreneurial center in an unused parking lot by Drs Nook. Hub would have laboratories, workshops, production units, and a special room for college students. A café and event rooms are also to be created.
- Add digital signage from Spinning Jenny Way to showcase local events and independent businesses.
- Make Market Street in the town square more pedestrian-friendly with new block paving and intersections designed for less traffic. This would lead to more outdoor dining and increased visitor frequency.
- Redesign the marketplace to host craft and food markets, events, and more.
- Expand Bradshawgate pedestrian mall, improve the benches on the street and encourage recycling too.
Read LMB’s plans for Leigh
