The North West
WORK CONTINUES AT PACE ON PLANS TO TRANSFORM LEIGH TOWN CENTRE
Work is continuing at pace for Leigh’s significant regeneration project, with the town to benefit from a total of £32m over the next ten years. Successful in securing £11.4m from the government’s Levelling Up fund in 2023, Wigan Council’s bid centred around three main projects to breathe new life into the town centre.
One of these projects is to revamp the central Civic Square and make this area a much safer and more attractive environment, with work starting on this scheme in late 2025. Previously hosting events such as the Women’s Euros fan park, Leigh Leopards Challenge Cup homecoming, the King’s Coronation, and Leigh Feast food markets, the aim is to capitalise on the success of these events and ensure that Civic Square is used as a cultural, community space for all.
Another part of Leigh’s regeneration plans is a building grant scheme to revamp shop fronts, with Leigh’s Tearoom and Community Hub the first business to have benefitted from the transformational project.
Based on Bradshawgate in Leigh town centre, the 1920’s themed tea- room offers a selection of scrumptious, homecooked meals, while also donating produce to residents in need and providing a welcoming space to connect, network, and support the community.
Val Hogan, founder of the community project, said: “Everything we do gets reinvested into the community, and our new shop front has had an amazing impact. We have had lovely feedback and lots of people coming to visit us. The unique touches and attention to detail are fabulous, and it feels like there is quite a bit of excitement on Bradshawgate now that the regeneration project is starting.”
Building work has also begun at Twentymans Pizza, Jazz Hairdressing, and 97-99 Bradshawgate, with 15 grants made available to upgrade prem- ises and revamp shop fronts throughout Leigh town centre. Funding for Leigh’s third Levelling Up project will be used to revamp and refurbish Leigh Market, with significant and necessary repair work set to take place in early 2027. A long-standing focal point for the town, the market’s refur- bishment intends to complement the venue’s diverse offer and create a modern, more attractive environment for generations to come.
With further aims to breathe new life into Leigh town centre, a High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) zone was also approved last year, giving the council additional powers to bring long-term vacant properties back into use through a structured notice and auction process.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2026 21
Additionally, outline plans for the town’s Pride in Place fund was also agreed by the Leigh Neighbourhood Board in November 2025, which will see £20m invested into Leigh over the next decade.
Listening to the feedback of more than 1,500 responses from a public consultation, the independently chaired Board agreed on eight priorities to transform how people see and experience Leigh, and ensure that the town feels safe and welcoming.
Recognising the positive impact that the Pride in Place fund can have in Leigh, the Board’s chair, local business owner Alex Grundy, said that the investment represents a “real opportunity” to change attitudes and improve confidence in the town.
It was also announced last year that Leigh will become a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ), placing even more focus on investment and regeneration with plans for a University Campus for Health and Social Care, as well as the development of the case for rapid transport connec- tivity to Leigh including Metrolink.
Speaking about the regeneration projects, Aidan Thatcher, director of place, said: “It is great to see regeneration projects well underway in Leigh, and I’m sure that residents will be eager to see the improvements continue in the town centre. As a council, we are always looking at ways where we can support our communities and local businesses, and I believe that these government funded projects will deliver a big boost to the town centre, support the local economy, and renew pride in place.
“When combined with wider public realm improvements and Pride in Place projects, the regeneration works will create safer, more welcoming town centres that people want to visit and spend time in.”
For more information on the project visit:
www.wigan.gov.uk/leighregenerationproject
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