Salford City Council has bought the 200,000 sq ft Eccles Shopping Centre from Columbia Threadneedle for a whopping £4.15 million, as part of plans to completely redevelop Church Street and the Town Centre.
The shopping centre had seen a huge decline in recent years, despite being in a prime position with its extensive travel links via train, bus and tram.
If handled properly Eccles could once again become a thriving location as it was once before.
At the other side of the Metrolink tracks, Bury has found it's place by regenerating into a thriving market town as a well a destination for good food, drink and entertainement, and there is nothing stopping Eccles from becoming the same as it was once before.
Most people we have asked on the subject of Eccles have expressed the return of its much loved market.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, said:
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“It’s time to accept some hard truths, that the centre as it stands now isn’t working for the town or the community,”
“It’s now time to show Eccles the love and support it badly needs.”
The councils purchase of the Eccles Shopping Centre, follows a consultation undertaken earlier this year, during which over 600 residents gave their views on what the future of the town should look like.
Dennett said:
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“We’ve listened to the needs of the community and by taking ownership of the shopping centre, we can work alongside the local community, stakeholders and a developer partner to bring this shared vision to life.
“A vision to re-purpose the area and create a modern mixed-use development with civic spaces that complement the historic parts of the town centre.”
The council is expected to undertake further consultation in the coming year.
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