Wigan Council Press Release

[Ray T]

Pier 1

 

Pier 3

 

PRESS RELEASE

Pictures attached: two artist impressions of the proposed Wigan Pier Quarter development and a photo taken at the launch event on 6th January at Wigan Pier.

 

On the road to a new Wigan Pier

A major transformation of one of the North West’s most iconic destinations has moved a step closer after Wigan Council signed a deal with developers to deliver a new “Wigan Pier Quarter”.

 

A ten year master plan to redesign and redevelop the area around the world famous Wigan Pier has been agreed between the council, the Canal & River Trust and developer H20 Urban.

 

The plans will transform the land around the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal basin close to Wigan town centre and include construction of a major performance venue, new canal moorings plus new homes and shops.

 

It will be overseen by H20 Urban, who specialise in regenerating canal side locations. They’ve previously worked on successful schemes across the UK including in Northwich, Lancaster and London.

 

Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: “There’s been a lot of talk in Westminster political circles about Wigan Pier and the country going back to the 1930s. Well the reality here in Wigan is we’re looking to the future not the past.

 

“We’ve come up with an exciting new vision for a Wigan Pier Quarter and signed a deal with a proven developer to deliver this. It will bring prosperity and opportunity to the whole town.”

 

The new Wigan Pier Quarter will include:

• A 1,200 seat performance venue at the Today's Community Church.
• Creation of new moorings in the canal basin offering new water user facilities.
• New commercial development off Pottery Road.
• Commercial development on the former bus depot site at Southgate.
• Improvements to the canal towpath throughout the area.

· Improved loading and access facilities for leisure boat operators.

· The demolition of the former Wigan Pier nightclub building to be replaced with a new community garden.

· A new public car park to be built on waste land in front of Trencherfield Mill providing 70 parking spaces for local businesses, residents and visitors.

There are also plans to bring the building that formerly housed the tourist attraction “The Way We Were” back into use.

 

Councillor Molyneux said: “The regeneration of the Wigan Pier area is an important priority for the council and the local community and I’m delighted to see some real progress.

 

“The partnership agreement we’ve secured with the Canal and River Trust and H20 Urban is an important step in creating the Wigan Pier Quarter. It will provide the mechanism for attracting investment and development in this area and make sure it has a bright future.”

 

Cheryl Blount-Powell, development manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “These are exciting times for Wigan. The trust is delighted to be working in partnership with H20 Urban and Wigan Council to transform this important canal side site into a major new leisure destination, complete with new homes and car parking.

 

“The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity for nearly 200 years and we are delighted the waterway continues with that role by providing a focal point for regeneration of the Wigan Pier area. Living waterways transform places and enrich lives. We look forward to creating something really special in the town.”

 

Richard Thomas, development manager for H2O Urban, said: “Wigan Pier is a world famous destination and we want to create somewhere that lives up to that fame. H2O Urban, together with our partners, intend to breathe new life into this historic part of Wigan.

 

“There are many diverse opportunities available as part of the development plans. If you have a business requirement, come and speak to us as we may be able to help you.

 

“We will be developing the plans during 2015 and be looking to start the first phase of works shortly thereafter. This is an exciting project and we look forward to delivering a project that Wigan can be proud of.”

 

Ends

David Henry
Senior Media Officer
Resources
Wigan Council
Wigan Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1YN
01942 827 823
www.wigan.gov.uk
www.twitter.com/wigancouncil

[Pete & Helen]

Plans always look good but not sure that the water users are going to see very much change. This is an extension to the redevelopment that has been going on in that area over the last few years, and as they say this is a 10yr plan so will have to wait and see

[Guest]

I hope that the forthcoming plans for Wigan are a success. It could be an excellent canal spot wit a little bit of forethought.

[cuthound]

The artists impression seems to be missing the actual pier, all three foot of it AKA the tippler.

[pophops]

The artists impression seems to be missing the actual pier, all three foot of it AKA the tippler.

 

 

And the grafitti

[cotswoldsman]

Sounds good to me I enjoy the canals arround Wigan and some more moorings will be welcome

[tillergirl]

Looks good on paper....hope it comes to fruition. What's happened in Liverpool with Albert and Stanley Docks proves it can be done

[BGA]

You'd think that if they can get the grass and the trees and even the cobbles in detail and colour they might have tried for some authenticity on the canal say, muddy black colour,

[Cloudinspector]

Well done Wigan council. This area is crying out for regeneration and these plans will be of great benefit to Wigan including boaters.

It's a great shame that the old wharf building has been left to deteriorate and it's nice to see it included in the plans.

[Peter X]

You'd think that if they can get the grass and the trees and even the cobbles in detail and colour they might have tried for some authenticity on the canal say, muddy black colour,

 

I've never been to Wigan, but as the artist has depicted the canal on a nice day in early summer, judging by the trees and sky, is it not possible if the water's not polluted that it could look green? I'm thinking algae here, although the sharp separation between two shades of green gives the worrying impression of an oil slick coming from somewhere on the left.

 

The people on the right worry me a bit. They appear to be wearing flares, and judging by the body language the one in specs is mildly annoyed with the other about something. There's no place for that in the happy world of architect's drawings.

[Burgiesburnin]

Well as a 10 year plan they should get it right but if they don't, they don't mind eating humble pie.

[Jim Riley]

Well as a 10 year plan they should get it right but if they don't, they don't mind eating humble pie.

hard to come by now the famous pie shop on the flight has shut.

otherwise it looks great.

[Bordergirl]

Well done Wigan council. This area is crying out for regeneration and these plans will be of great benefit to Wigan including boaters.

It's a great shame that the old wharf building has been left to deteriorate and it's nice to see it included in the plans.

The really sad thing is that the area was previously "regenerated" - in the nineties there were gardens, moorings, boater facilities, museums and cafes. Bill Bryson praises it as great example of regeneration in his Notes on a Small Island. The whole area has gone back to being derelict and is now in need of regenerating again! Hope the proposals work out, and last a bit longer this time

[Pie Eater]

The park area shown in the first photo is where the Wigan Pier nightclub is currently being demolished. This is right next to the main road so I don't think many boats will want to moor there.

 

Steve