Council leaders visit Fettlers as Cityheart regeneration gathers pace in the heart of Wigan

The Leader of Wigan Council, David Molyneux MBE, joined regeneration specialist Cityheart on site this week to see the strong progress being made at Fettlers – the new neighbourhood transforming the former Galleries shopping centre in the heart of Wigan.

Councillor Molyneux and the Council’s Chief Executive, Alison McKenzie-Folan, were welcomed to site alongside project partners Galliford Try, Hilton and leaf HOSPITALITY, as the development continues to take shape.

With the steel frame of the new Market Hall rising prominently above Market Place and work progressing on infrastructure across the site, Fettlers is now visibly changing the town centre skyline. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase key construction milestones and outline what comes next as the scheme gathers momentum.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “This is a really important moment for Wigan. Seeing the progress on site makes it clear that Fettlers is becoming a reality. This development will create jobs, opportunities for local people and a town centre we can all be proud of.

“We’ve worked closely with Cityheart to make sure this scheme reflects Wigan’s identity and reflects our history and strong sense of community. Fettlers is about breathing new life into the heart of our borough while making sure local people benefit from that investment.”

Once complete, Fettlers will deliver more than 400 new homes, a leisure building, bars and restaurants, a new market hall and food court, and the 144-guest room Hampton by Hilton hotel – creating a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood designed with and for the people of Wigan.

Hampton by Hilton Wigan will overlook a new public square and play a big part in bringing new visitors into Wigan as well as boosting footfall for local businesses and offering employment opportunities. To mark the visit, the project team gathered outside the emerging hotel structure with a Fettlers-branded suitcase – a nod to the role the hotel will play in putting Wigan firmly on the map.

Darren Jones, Senior Development Director at Cityheart, said: “Walking the site today, you can really feel the scale of what’s happening here. Fettlers isn’t a plan on paper anymore – it’s rising out of the ground, and it’s starting to look like the new heart of Wigan.”

Paul Blackmore, vice president, development, UK and Ireland, Hilton, added: “Fettlers is a great example of how thoughtful regeneration can unlock new opportunities for a town, and it reflects Hilton’s ongoing commitment to supporting regeneration projects across the UK.

“We’re pleased to be playing a role in that journey for Wigan, with the Hampton by Hilton hotel set to boost the local economy by attracting visitors, creating employment and helping to bring new energy and investment into the town centre.”

In addition to new homes and leisure facilities, Fettlers is delivering significant social and economic value. Construction has supported local supply chains and apprenticeships, with further employment opportunities to come across hospitality, retail and leisure once the scheme opens.

Imagined with input from the local community and inspired by Wigan’s industrial heritage, Fettlers is inspired by local dialect or, ‘Wiganese’ meaning to fix, mend or make, commonly referred to skilled metalworkers who once powered the town’s economy. Today, the development represents a new kind of industry for Wigan, focused on long-term growth.

The new Market Hall is scheduled to open by Christmas this year, with the Hotel and phase one basement to follow in Winter 2027.