A colossal £1 billion investment programme is set to dramatically transform Wigan and its surrounding towns through eleven major development projects scheduled for completion by 2028.
Major Town Centre Transformations
The regeneration effort spans the entire Wigan Metropolitan Borough, balancing demands across large town centres like Wigan, Leigh, and Ashton-in-Makerfield with smaller satellite communities including Tyldesley, Atherton, Hindley, Orrell, Standish, Golborne, and Shevington.
According to a recent report by director of place Aiden Thatcher to the council's place and environment scrutiny committee, "significant progress" has been made in enabling "transformational town centre projects" to come to fruition.
The key developments driving this change include:
Wigan's Flagship Projects
Wigan Fettlers (formerly The Galleries) represents a major town centre redevelopment featuring a new Market Hall scheduled to open within twelve months, alongside a hotel, flexible office space, multi-media centre, 450 homes, and a new public square.
Cotton Works, previously known as Eckersley Mill, is transforming a 16-acre brownfield site into a "destination neighbourhood" with over 800 new homes, 152,000sq ft of office space, 92,100sq ft of commercial/leisure space, a 120-room hotel, and retirement living scheme.
Wigan Station Gateway aims to enhance areas around Wigan Wallgate and the town's two railway stations, capitalising on excellent rail links despite the cancellation of HS2's northern phases.
King Street regeneration continues with plans for special lighting to establish the area as a hospitality and nightlife destination, while the council has taken ownership of the Grade II-listed Royal Court Theatre to secure its future.
Civic, the former council office block on Millgate, has been transformed into energy-efficient co-working space, already attracting companies like digital specialist Agilisys from Rochdale and an online fashion retailer from Manchester.
Leigh's Comprehensive Regeneration
Leigh is benefiting from multiple projects funded through the government's Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling Up Fund).
Civic Square and Market Place refurbishment will create landscaped areas with improved seating and performance spaces, with Bethell Group appointed to carry out improvement works.
The Building Grant Scheme is enhancing Bradshawgate and Railway Road Conservation Areas, with 17 projects covering 21 shopfronts currently progressing.
Leigh Market undergoes a £6 million refurbishment beginning autumn 2026, with traders temporarily relocating to Doctors Nook car park in January 2027 before the renovated market hall reopens autumn 2027.
Additionally, Leigh was allocated £20 million through the Pride in Place Programme for community-led investment over ten years.
Ashton and Smaller Communities
Our Future Ashton, backed by £6.6 million from the Local Regeneration Fund, is creating a new public square on Garswood Street with a new market, enhanced public realm, and public artworks including a popular Titanic Mural.
Smaller towns aren't missing out either. Tyldesley's High Street Heritage Action Zone continues to progress, Atherton addresses local investment concerns, Standish maintains its Neighbourhood Plan until 2030, and Golborne anticipates regeneration stimulated by a new £32 million railway station opening in 2027.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Mr Thatcher concluded that while "financial viability of schemes still remains challenging," the strong pipeline of projects means positive trajectory should continue.
"The progress made to date demonstrates that where the public sector takes steps to de-risk schemes and support delivery, the private sector will respond positively," he noted in his report.
All developments operate within the framework of Wigan's emerging Local Plan, due to be reported to the council's cabinet this month, which establishes policies for housing, employment, environment, and regeneration across the borough.
