Wigan town centre, with around 113,629 sq m of floorspace, is the largest centre in the borough and is of sub-regional importance, ranking alongside centres such as Bolton and Warrington.
The Unitary Development Plan's aim to maintain the primary role of the borough's town centres as the focus for shopping and other commercial activity, has been achieved despite pressure for new and larger stores in 'out of town' locations. The Replacement Unitary Development Plan continues to promote town centres as the preferred location for larger retail, leisure and office developments. The emerging Core Strategy, within the Local Development Framework, will provide the new Planning Policy Framework for all town centres.
The council has produced a 'Centreplan' for Wigan town centre, which provides informal planning guidance and a framework for development and investment within the centre..
The most recent stage in the development of Wigan town centre was the £80m Grand Arcade development in the Station Road area of the town. This major development opened in 2007 and provides over 400,000 sq ft of floorspace including a new Debenhams department store. The next stage in the regeneration of the town centre will be the construction of the Wigan Life Centre, providing a one stop shop for council and partner services and a Healthy Living Zone, including a Health Suite and new swimming pool.
Useful links
