Wythenshawe regeneration includes new public square, food hall and culture hub

Plans for the regeneration of Wythenshawe town centre, which includes the transformation of the 1970s shopping centre and surrounding areas, have moved a step forward.

The major project, to be delivered over the next ten years, aims to develop a new public square, food hall, shops, net-zero carbon commercial space, a new community and cultural space and more than 2,000 new homes.

The Civic works, which are being funded through £20m funding from the Government and a further £11.9m from the Council, are set to start later this year, subject to planning approval. The plans include a larger public square and improved outdoor spaces with new paving and more plants to make the town centre a much greener and more pleasant space.

Following consultation last year by MCC around the Culture Hub, a planning application has now been submitted. The aim of this new space is to boost the arts and creative industries in Wythenshawe, creating both grassroots opportunities and pathways to employment in the arts sector.

The hub’s ground floor will include space for food and drink, while the first floor will be home to a mix of flexible community and studio spaces for workshops, exhibitions, classes and community events. The second floor will have room for up to 200 people, and includes rehearsal rooms, studios and changing rooms.

Should the plans be approved, construction will start in summer 2025, with the hub expected to open in late 2026.

Joe Stockton, senior development manager, said: “Our plans will grow Wythenshawe with the community and for the community, with activity starting to happen very soon. The regeneration will have Civic at its beating heart, with plans for a bigger public square, Culture Hub, food hall and workspaces all starting this year.

“This is one of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects which could see over £500m invested in the town, providing opportunities for local people, a mix of affordable homes that keep families together and new spaces for people to meet and socialise. We want local people to help shape the future of the town, so we’ll be out in the community over the coming months to find out what matters to them. ”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “For decades, Civic has been at the heart of Wythenshawe – and our vision will make sure it remains so for decades to come. But this isn’t just about new shops. This is a £500m transformational project that will create a destination in the community, new jobs, new housing – including lots of Council, social and genuinely affordable homes – cultural space and food hall that will keep local people and visitors coming back.

“We believe our high streets are the arteries that keep our communities alive, which is why we have committed to investing in our local high streets across the city. And at the core of our communities are the people who give them life. So as we continue to discover what Civic and the wider town centre needs in the coming years, we will need to keep the conversation going with local people, because it’s the feedback from the people who use Civic every day that will make sure we invest in what the community needs in the years to come.”

Locals are being urged to get involved and help shape the future of the town. A drop-in event is being held at The Forum on Sat 26 Apr between 11am – 3pm, where the team will be updating on the plans for the Culture Hub and seeking feedback on what people want to see in the food hall, workspaces and future plans for new homes.

In the spring, ‘Open Space’ will be launched at Unit 10, The Birtles, next to the former market. It will be a new meeting point in Civic where people will be able to chat to the team and find out more about the plans.

You can read more about the project and public consultations here.