Council to refresh regeneration proposals for former Central Retail Park

A report updating on the strategic redevelopment of the former Central Retail Park site will be heard next week (Weds 14 December) requesting approval for a new consultation to start in the New Year.

The Council has refreshed a Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the former retail site that was previously agreed by the Council in 2020.

The commitment remains to develop a flagship, highly sustainable commercial district that can attract new business and talent to the city, that will also promote social value and well-being.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) is exploring options for delivering office solutions in Manchester, to meet the needs of various civil servant departments, which supports the Government’s commitment to locate more civil servants outside of London and support levelling up. Therefore, the new framework also responds to potential interest from the GPA to locate government offices on the site.

An six-week consultation will begin on Wednesday 4 January.

Further details will be released following the meeting of the executive committee.

The overall vision of the refreshed Former Central Retail SRF is:

• Create a high-quality, sustainable office district to bring the currently vacant former retail park back into use
• Create a range of new employment opportunities, including through the construction phase of the development project. Thousands of jobs are expected to be located at the site, many of which will be new employment opportunities to the city.
• A new high-quality, green public space will be at the heart of the former retail site, creating a link between Great Ancoats Street to Cottonfield Park and the growing New Islington community behind.

• New connections and routes will be created through the site from adjacent neighbourhoods.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: 

“The former Central Retail Park is a key site and one of the final pieces of the puzzle in the long-term regeneration story of New Islington, which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in the city.

“For decades the site has created a physical barrier between Great Ancoats Street and the growing community around New Islington Marina. Developing this site will create a new public link through to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and create a green space at the heart of the low-carbon commercial district.

“We have a real opportunity to create a flagship, highly sustainable development of renown – and we would encourage people to take part in the consultation.

“An six-week consultation will begin in early January and we invite feedback around the proposals for site.”