The Galleries Redevelopment

'ALL' of The Galleries as built in the 1980s will be demolished, which of course will include the central bit with the big clock, escalators and scenic lifts, and the Clock Tower on the corner of the present Market Hall, all will be gone, knocked down, and the underground service area will be filled in with the demolition rubble.

And replaced with flats

There are proposals to build a cinema, hotel and pavilion at the top end of the present Galleries, and the Market Hall will be moved into the old Marketgate, which was built in the early 1970s

The Plan


https://galleries25.com

P*** up in a brewery come to mind..... Wigan Council want flogging.

What else can the council do with this areaWhen the grand arcade was built the galleries became a white elephant with units that were never let and it became a ghost town. If they keep losing units in the grand arcade then this also will have to have a total rethink also. King st was a shopping zone then it became a dive full of overpriced boozers and looks in a sorry state of disrepair also they tried to spruce up the area around the railway stations and failed with that. So something has to be done or Wigan town centre will be nothing but boarded up shops

Parking is shocking in Wigan, much easier to go elsewhere, free parking on out of town retail parks, no wonder the units are empty, no customers.

All Town Centres that charge for parking will struggle to be "regenerated" including Wigan. It will be interesting to see if the new "housing" within this new plan attracts any interest. I'll bet the prices are high, as will be the Council Tax! Can't see a small town like Wigan attracting many "Town Centre dwellers" as many people are moving out of city and town areas .
I forecast another "White elephant"! (but I hope not!)

464 New homes. Giving people the opportunity to live and work in Wigan Town Centre.
I'm just at a loss at what kind of work there is In Wigan town centre to warrant the housing build.

This council should all hang their heads in utter shame ,are you trying to tell me they are acting in the best interest's of all wigan's rate payer's
I DEFINATLY THINK NOT ,they should all be sacked ..G.B.

Here Here G. B.

I will tell you what it is, and that is that it is 'Over The Top' (OTT) because in the first place in the 1980s, building a shopping centre the size of The Galleries, for a town the size of Wigan, was 'Over The Top' it should have been built about a third of the size, and built around a new Market Hall, not shoving the new Market Hall in the corner, out of the way.

And now they are doing it again, in building loads of flats, which no one will want to live in, so it is the 'Over The Top' thing again.

The housing accomodation may be aimed at trying to attract new people to move to Wigan whom work out of town. Wigan town centre is a good base to live for commuting to Manchester, Liverpool, Midlands, London etc where the City centre property may be less affordable.
Just my opinion.
We'll have to wait and see what develops. Please excuse the pun!

Society and trends change over time, its a never ending cycle. Town centres across the country are in in decline and dragging local economies down with them. The problem wont fix itself and it seems to be a difficult concept for many to grasp.

It looks as though the Galleries car park will go. I see on the plan that there are what appear to be sizeable blocks of flats, will there be parking facilities for their occupants ?

"240 car parking spaces for residents and 220 spaces for those using the retail and leisure facilities. 90 new cycle parking spaces for those using the leisure facilities. 464 cycle parking spaces for residents."

From the link.

More cycle parking spaces than car parking spaces.
I'll give them credit for that

I think the references to the car parking, will mean the existing car parks in and around the town centre, because there is simply just not the space for a car park of that size there, even if they used to present underground service area of The Galleries, even down there you would be struggling to park more than about 50 cars.

It is just crap.

Utter Poppycock.

Drivel of the highest order.

It is another Terry Dunn, Garlic Bread moment from Wigan Council.

I am sure they could come up with a better plan for the place than the one proposed.

We used to have a belting market hall with a huge car park right next to it. It was simple, it worked, no-one i knew wanted it flattened. Roll on another 30 years and i can see it being flattened again as a result of another wigan council failure. If i am to move again it won't be Wigan borough. Chorley, Bury, Ormskirk have much better town centres.

Why don't they use the underground area as a Parking lot Instead of filling it in???
But its down to the Wigan people who voted them all back in a couple of weeks ago and have done for the past 50 years

I agree Ron and I have given up hope on my home town. I remember being at Bluecoats school wiv windows open trying to doo A level French exam, hot as hek summer doing exams with this massive metal battering ram building the galleries foundations. U could hear the pounding at the Cherries.

They will be using the galleries basement for parking when the accommodation is built, it will be quite easy to get a lot of vehicles in there the underground runs under mkt hall and Morrisons old unit upto woodcock sq.

I don't think so

Tommy, what reason do you think that they would fill it in and loose that vast amount of space.

Trouble with the galleries as it is now there are far too many empty units. You've not only got empty units there but you've got quite a few in Mesnes street as well. I don't agree with a cinema going there as there is one down robin park. We could do with another supermarket in the town centre though.

bambam

You are not going to get 460 cars down there, you are not even going to get 240 cars down there, and the cost of converting the service area into an up to date underground car park, with lifts and staircases, and safety equipment, all would have to be new, the cost would be astronomical.

A look at the service area under The Galleries, courtesy of Mick Byrne, who I miss very much on these message boards

https://youtu.be/fUkg1DkWVBI

scorpion

The Galleries do need to be redeveloped, and put in a few flats there, but don't cram it full of flats.

Good video that Thanks for posting it. Ive never seen under there before, only the entrance on Market Street. But surely there must be lifts / other exits under there already in situ? Ive seen very, very big delivery wagons going in an out of there for example, wagons with the Home Bargains B&M livery. Ive never ever seen anyone come out pushing a cage full of goods to restock the shelves? Home Bargains is a fair way from that Market Street entrance so how do they transfer the goods from the underground basement to the shops

Cheshirecat, the galleries have 8 goods lifts and 6 stairwells leading to all floors from the basement, 5 of the stores have their own lifts.

They cannot demolish The Galleries and leave the lift shafts and staircases in situ, I think that them converting the underground service area, into a car park is a none starter, but I suppose that we will just have to wait and see

I'm with bambam on this one.
I think it may be utilised for something else as opposed to "filling in"

How is it that Wigan Council use a foreign company as a partner for this redevelopment. Surely it would be far preferable in these tough economic times to use a company much nearer to home rather than let development profit depart our shores.

Because the foreign (China) company are going to pay for it

TTS What do you think should happen to the Marketgate Shopping Centre? It's been in the cards for it to be the market for a while now even before this development was announced.

I think it would be good for the stallholders. Where Index used to be that could be a restaurant/cafe area.

scorpion

I agree, I think if it is done right, it could be a very good place to have the Market Hall, because has well as the stalls, some of the units will be used to replace the kiosks around the present Market Hall, and when it was made into Marketgate, from the old Wigan Centre, a lot of work was done on it then, the glass roof was added, and the moving walkways were replaced with proper escalators, and it has its own service area on the roof, and because the trading area and footfall as migrated to the top of the town, with the Grand Arcade etc, Marketgate is part of the top end of the town centre, and it is handy for the bus station too

TTS, there was plans in the past of marketgate being the new home of the market hall, the corinthia cafe which had 2 floors was a big hit in the 80s, what was the old co op and then index is a very big area, however some units in there have been condemned for a long time because of asbestos materials, but I do agree it could be turned into a good shopping area having a lift and escalators already in there.

With all those apartments/ houses it will definitely need a small supermarket or else it’s a small journey by car to the big tesco

There is a definite need for a small supermarket in the town centre.

Wigan Local History and Heritage Society

https://www.wiganlocalhistory.org/

"Here is the consultation document for the new Galleries in Wigan Town Centre.

We are shocked to see the plans to demolish the existing buildings which are around thirty years old.
The existing red brick buildings of the Galleries and the Clock Tower are much more in keeping with the area and they are still in very good condition.
The design, by the award winning local architect Anthony Grimshaw (we think) still looks very good.
Surely the existing market hall should be developed instead of demolished and moved ...
Do we really need another cinema and a bowling alley ... we already have these. They will just put the others out of business.
Do we really need another hotel in the town? What will happen to the existing ones ... do these get filled?
Will people really choose this as a retirement place to live?
The design in this picture looks more like a transport terminal.
We understand that the buildings need to be repurposed but this can still be done without a complete new build. Demolishing the existing buildings will dramatically change the townscape in order to achieve it ...
Why not come back with an alternative plan showing how the existing buildings can be retained but readapted and enhanced?
Let’s see the different options side by side and then we can assess the merits of each proposal to help us make a real decision.
The Consultation period is very short and closes on June 1st ... please make sure you have your say on the proposals ...

It is not a done deal and your views are important.

Please let the Council know what you think.
Your views matter."

https://galleries25.com/

If the market did move to marketgate then they could develop the Market hall into a supermarket. Think there were plans to do this with the first development.

Wigan had a supermarket(Morrisons) who not only pulled out of Wigan but Ince as well

I have to agree with the sentiments of Wigan Local History and Heritage Society, except for this bit: “It is not a done deal and your views are important.”

Im being cynical but it’s hard to believe the consultation is anything other than a box ticking exercise.

When one considers the length of time the old market stood well that has been a benefit to wigan ,now we come to this shower who by the way are stealing a living at wigan council , Pulling down the galleries which have not been up for 50 years what an utter waste of wigan council and ratepayers money is there anyone accountable ????? So when this new monstrosity goes up how long will that stand ???? they should all collect their P45s and just go !!!!!

Perhaps not all of them, GB, but some …

Golden Bear,what is having an empty shopping centre going to achieve. Have you heard the expression, use it or lose it.

PeterP I think one of the reasons they pulled out of Wigan was because of the small building and they couldn't expand.

Plus the expensive rent.

The market hall is a much bigger building.

Do you ever stop moaning GB?.......seriously?

Of course, it begs the question, and that is, will the Chinese cough up the money to kick-start the project ?

New images revealed of Wigan Development - www.insidermedia.com (17th Jun)

Read it and weep

Horrible

Good grief, looks like Life Centre mark 3.

As long Wigginers keep voting Labour like some headless dinosaurs, we will never achieve peace of mind.

What's up with the people of this town?

The Galleries is a lovely concept with a real atmosphere. INVEST in the bugger, don't knock it down...

Invest what in it ?

Town centre shopping is dead, end of!! And its the same across the whole country. It was a trend and like all trends do its finally come to an end. No amount of money will tempt people away from online shopping and the likes of amazon, ebay etc. On line shopping and services is now the growing trend, particularly with the younger generation. Quicker, easier, cheaper.

Thursday eve I am pruning my roses and the spring flew out of my secateurs nowhere to be found. This morning and a couple of quid later a new one arrives through the letterbox. Why even bother with shops and the time and cost it takes??

It will only get worse for town centres, we need to repurpose and do something else with them to preserve and safeguard local economies.

I don’t dispute that, Stardelta, but am not convinced this proposed development will “preserve and safeguard the local economy”.

Its Shit !!!!

Joanne.....why?

They should base it on the Northern Quarter,

If it is troo that demolition of The Galleries is to begin next February, then that means that the council want rid of it, and rid of it 'pronto' so that it does not become a derelict money pit, and by getting rid of it, and reopening the old Wigan Centre Arcade, which is now called Marketgate, and putting the Market in there, and I suppose they could put the outdoor market outside of it, I can see the merits of that.

But I cannot understand the proposal to build blocks of flats in place of The Galleries, it reminds me of them building Worsley Mesnes in the 1960s only that they are building the new Worsley Mesnes in the middle of Wigan

The planning application is now live - planning.wigan.gov.uk

Ref. no: A/21/91796/MAJES

So far, one public comment (an objection) has been submitted. Stardelta, I think this hits the nail on the head:

“This proposal is a developer friendly scheme, rather than one with civic amenity at its heart.”

Jo Anne

I agree, and it is also a council friendly scheme too.


In a nutshell
"Planning – Application Summary

Help with this page (opens in a new window)
A/21/91796/MAJES | Hybrid planning application comprising: 1) Full planning application for the demolition of the existing Wigan Market and The Galleries Shopping Centre buildings and structures and the erection of four residential blocks (F, G, H and J) totalling circa 218 units (Use Class C3); two commercial units (Use Class E); a 4/6 storey Hotel (Use Class C1); a Pavilion to include a food and beverage establishment and events space (Use Class Sui Generis); and a new Market Hall with market stalls, food and beverage stalls, co-working space and ancillary facilities within the existing Marketgate Shopping Centre site (Use Class E) together with associated highways works, works to basement, car parking, outdoor events space, public realm and ancillary works. 2) Outline planning application for the erection of four plots (Plot 1: Multi-Media Centre, Plot 2: Blocks A, B and C, Plot 3: Block E and Plot 4: Block D) of up to 8 storeys to include a maximum of 265 residential units (Use Class C3); 1,000sqm maximum commercial floorspace (Use Class E) and a Multi-Media Centre including a multiscreen cinema, multi-purpose event space, bowling alley, indoor mini golf, food and beverage units up to a maximum 9,250sqm (Use Class E / Sui Generis) with associated access, parking, servicing and public realm, all matters apart from access reserved. | The Galleries Wigan WN1 1AR"

It says there that the entire Galleries complex will be demolished, and I think that four blocks of flats in that location will look out of place, and it won't be in keeping with the area ....

Dear Wigan Council,

Re: development ........
...... this is what we want to be done .....
.... and this is who we want to do it .....
...... that's what needs to happen. Deal with it !

Your's faithfully,
YourBoss,
The UK Government.

Thanks Jo Anne.
The public consultation was a waste of time. Just two weeks after the consultation ended they've submitted plans that haven't changed from the original proposal.


"A public consultation webinar event was held on Thursday 20th May.

All feedback received during our consultation will be logged and reviewed to help shape the final plans before a hybrid planning application is submitted to Wigan Council. All comments should be received no later than Tuesday, 1st June 2021 to ensure they can be taken into consideration before the final plans are submitted to the Council.

We look forward to hearing from you."
https://galleries25.com/

people since the 80s have been moaning about the Galleries and now people are moaning about it being demolished. I've always liked the galleries. .. well designed and it was great when it was full of shops and had the nice big cafe. Empty shops are the problem

It's a nondescript, boring mess. In my opinion. And I doubt very much it will achieve to bring prosperity to the town centre.

link

Thanks, Basil, there are some good points in that M.E.N. article.

“Town centre plans 'sound the death knell' for traders, critics say”

Your welcome, Joanne

Doesn't sound good

An attractive and economically viable town centre is only sustainable if it continues to attract shoppers with money to spend. For the past decades the Council department responsible for attracting inward investment into Wigan has been a failure.
The bulk of new jobs created have been at the lower end of the earnings league, mainly in warehousing and distribution. Although providing much needed jobs the pay packets don’t leave much disposable income.
The new town centre will thus have to attract money from people that they would otherwise spend elsewhere. For many after they’ve spent elsewhere there’s very little left. This can only be achieved by making Wigan town centre a go to place with a wide variety of outlets covering people’s normal spending patterns. However, if the place doesn’t feel or look right there’s no hope of making it economically sustainable.
I’m afraid that the plans put forward are, in my view, unlikely to win the jackpot.

I agree

“It is vital you submit your views to the Council - your voice really counts”

Full post - Facebook



Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk (Closes 20th July)

Council News (28th Jun):

Galleries redevelopment contract signed

Wigan Council and developer, Cityheart, have entered into a legal contract … (which) means that, subject to planning, works can commence in early 2022.

Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at Wigan Council said: “Though the planning application is yet to be determined, we hope that this step forward reassures the public that we’re serious about transforming our town centre and creating new reasons for people to visit and spend time here.”

More bedrooms than shops, stalls etc
Don't worry it will be flattened again in a few years if previous developments are anything to go off
They have a ready made cinema in Wigan. The Princes. Why dont they just develop that? No, lets build another one in between the market and a new hotel and the new apartments. You may not be able to buy a morning paper, some tripe or a pork pie. But you'll be fine if you want to watch a film, book a room for the night or fancy a game of mini golf or indoor bowls

They’ve not completed the Wigan pier project yet…god help us…

I am hoping that they will put the Market Hall Stalls inside Marketgate, and do a good job of it, and demolish The Galleries and just leave it, until they come up with a sensible development idea for the place.

and you think that's a sensible development?

Yes.

Well thank god your not in charge, tommy.

interesting

WiganNow is a private Facebook group , Basil, so non-members can’t see the posts.

i don't know how that happened

I doo

saw a story, clicked on link, then put it on here.

No

There’s still time to submit your views to Wigan Council.

23 public comments so far
• 22 object
• 1 support

Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk (Closes 20th July)

I've heard that work will start early next year on the side where Argos used to be. So does that mean Heron and maybe Poundland will be closing? Heron was and still is a godsend for when Morrisons closed down. Unless it moves somewhere else. Their shop is a bit small anyway compared to their Ashton store.

Scorpion plenty of empty units in the Grande Arcade which can be revamped to hold any of the shopsleft in the Galleries

That Heron shop in The Galleries has been there since The Galleries opened

I've told the tale about Poundland, I once overheard two old ladies talking, and one said to the other, "I used to love Poundland but they have gone dear now"

I'm not sure it has TTS. Was it not called Snow City at one point?

I think it was called Snow City until the late 1990s, but I seem to remember it always being there in The Galleries in whatever form it was, it was a frozen and fresh food shop, and cheep

Galleries off!

Friends of Wigan Town Centre - Facebook Page (Public)

Friends of Wigan Town Centre - Group (Private)

“Set up to give the residents of Wigan a place to express their real views on the redevelopment plans for their town”

There’s still time to submit your views to Wigan Council.

Comments So Far: 39
• Objections: 37
• Supporting: 2

Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk (Till 20th July)

@WiganCAN



Petition: Link

MP Lisa Nandy’s letter (Jan 2021) to the Chief Executive of Wigan Council, Alison McKenzie-Folan.



From @WiganCAN

The gist is that Lisa is satisfied with the reassurances she has received so far from Wigan, but she feels local scrutiny alone is not enough, and is calling for government action.
(Wigan Today, 12th Jul)

I see labour loving workshy is keeping off this thread no wonder! The party he supports has ruined WIgan...

Well i feel a bit better i have just joined the wigan council and registered my opposition to the new development of the wigan market area as i say i do feel at the very least i have tried doing my bit now we just want all who are against it to vote ,you have to jion the wigan council
link :planning.wigan.gov.uk ( you have until 20th July )

If anyone wants to submit comments on the Galleries planning application via letter you can do it by posting them to Planning Department PO Box 100 Wigan WN1 3DS quoting application reference A/21/91796/MAJES. You need to provide your full postal address.

EDIT:
I received another email from the planning department.

"If any members of the public, would like to comment on The Galleries or any other planning application and they do not have access to the internet or are have trouble sending emails.

Please ask them to submit their comments in writing, quoting the application number to:

Wigan Council
Development Management
Town Hall
Wigan
WN1 3DS
"

Thanks, Arrow, will the deadline be tomorrow for letters as well?

Sorry jo anne I don't know. I've emailed the planning department but they haven't replied yet. If they do I'll post their answer.

The Admin of the Friends of Wigan Town Centre Facebok group posted this today about the deadline, "Today was earmarked as deadline day for comments on the Galleries Redevelopment Plans.
Because we have complained about all the difficulties which some people have encountered trying to do this, we are pleased to inform you that the deadline has been stretched to ‘Autumn’
We will ensure that we are given an actual deadline date rather than such a vague term as Autumn which is open to misinterpretation …."

Thanks, Arrow.

Glad the deadline for comments has been extended, but wish the situation was clearer and more widely advertised.

Morning jo anne. The planning department just emailed and said they will "accept comments up to issuing the decision the date for that is 5/10/21."

Thanks, Arrow, surely that tells us everything. Comments have no bearing on the decision at all.

There’s still time to submit your views, just in case the powers that be will take notice.

Comments So Far: 90
• Objections: 85
• Supporting: 5

Link: planning.wigan.gov.uk

Just as our wonderful Council, are about to demolish a very large part of our Town Centre, that being The Galleries, instead of repurposing it, look at what the government is saying about such matters LINK

Should have spent a million quid refurbishing the old market hall 30 odd years ago and left market square alone for car parking. People from all over used to come to Wigan market,like they do at Bury market.Standishgate is like a desert nowadays,absolutely shocking.

Upthetims

But yourself, Whups and others on here keep voting for the Wigan Mafia who keep wasting Council Taxpayers Money!

You vote for lyng Boris,so people in glass houses and all that.And btw voted differently in council elections ,but never for scummy tories.Still waiting for his levelling up but not forthcoming,a Boris lie.Should all be cheering the liz line in London,cost untold billions,at same time as taking money from the rest,mainly in the north

Upthetims

If you are implying that I vote for Boris, than nothing could be further as I will never vote Tory.

But like many others now, I no longer vote as from what I have seen of the present day Labour Party since Tory Tony was leader, they are no different than the Tories when it comes to looking after number one.

Quite a few on Wigan Council and a Wigan MP who are prime examples.

Only the sheep think different!

Owd Codger I think you need to come up with some evidence when you accuse people of looking after number one. It sounds like a corrupt accusation to me .
Upthetims let’s see what Lisa Nandy comes up with as the shadow minister for levelling up. The 90 million or so for the rail project improvement scheme includes about 49 million already granted.

Todger?
Back his claims up?
Best of luck with that one old lad!

Went to Wigan today and had a really good look around the outside of the Galleries building and it seems a shame to demolish such an impressive structure.Most people on here will soon have seen Wigan destroyed twice as I knew it but that's progress.

It was raining heavily the last time I went through from the car park lift past the old Argos and into Standishgate and there were rain buckets everywhere for numerous leaks in the roof so it certainly wasn’t weatherproof!

fossil,

May I remind you that Lisa Nandy was imposed on the Wigan Constituency by the National Labour Party with members of Wigan Labour Party having no say if they wanted her as the candidate or if they considered her as the best and most suitable applicant for the position.

As a Labour Party supporter and voter, do you agreed with that kind of practice along with all female and all black lists being imposed on local party members by the National Labour Party who only do it in safe Labour seats.

I, like many others do not!

Owd Codger,I am not a member of the Labour Party,but it seems like you a voter(I vote all the time) and supporter of Labour in the elections.
I always go with best person for the job,and really didn’t have much of an opinion on the selection process as at that time I wasn’t overly bothered to be honest.
I now consider Lisa Nandy to be a very good,hard working mp,unlike you it seems,and a good choice.
It is up to the members of the Labour Party what selection methods they use, by a democratic vote at conference,and I did know about Wigan not having a say in the choice,but not being a member of the organisation it didn’t bother me and I was happy enough with their choice as a mere constituent.

fossil

I have never said you are a member of the Labour Party.

As for Lisa Nandy, if you think she is a good MP then fair enough, you are entitled to think so.

But like many others in the Wigan Constituency, I think otherwise !

fossil

I have never said you are a member of the Labour Party

Owd Codger,I was just clarifying my political stance as a Labour voter and that I vote all the time,and nothing more,and if you read my post that is what I said.
I use my democratic vote,as is my right,which is the only way to bring change,and the MANY OTHERS you refer to who don’t like our mp.are obviously in the minority.
Could it be that the real sheep aren’t voting,and the people who value the vote are.

fossil

So if people like myself, who do not like the candidate of one of the two major parties and you will never vote for the other major party under any circumstances and see no other candidates on the ballot form you like, you considered them to be the sheep for not voting.

Sorry, but in my book, the sheep are those who vote for a candidate, even if that candidate may not be the best person for the position, a example of which is the Wigan Constituency and may be a reason why many abstain from voting at election time.

Perhaps, if people are not happy with any of the candidates in a Constituency or a Ward, a box with the word "abstain" should appear on the ballot form.

That would at least show that they have participated in a ballot!

ZZZZZZzzzzzz

ZZZZZZZzzzzzz

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzz!

Owd Codger,
I certainly don't agree with personalities affecting my vote in a general election and that is why I would vote for the party that in my opinion would run the country.
In a local election I would vote for the personality mainly, and not totally for the political affiliations, and where they live and how they are likely to perform for the constituents being local counts.

according to Mrs Brush, the oven door have had enough and shut for good yesterday

Sad to hear that it was one of best stalls inside the market, you could get a good Sunday roast for a couple of quid, and their baguettes and barms were very good.

That is sad to hear, The Oven Door featured very recently on Wigan Markets - lFacebook page (9th May)

your right, bambam, Mrs Brush went there regular, always nice food and said the staff were lovely.

Regularly got my cooked meat from there. It was the only place I could get HEART from I love heart and beetroot butties