New and improved Civic Square set to be unveiled in Leigh

New and improved Civic Square set to be unveiled in Leigh

The new and improved Civic Square is set to be officially unveiled following a major programme of improvements in Leigh.

A central part of Leigh’s Regeneration Project, the new-look square has been designed to create a welcoming and vibrant destination in the heart of the town centre, complete with high-quality paving, new seating, improved landscaping, enhanced lighting, and attractive public realm features.

Building on a programme of successful events hosted in recent years – such as the Women’s Euros fan park, Leigh Leopards Challenge Cup homecoming, Light Night, and Leigh Feast food markets – the works will ensure that the square continues to serve as an attractive space for people to meet, relax, and enjoy a range of community events.

Councillor Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration, said: “We are delighted to unveil the new and improved Civic Square and provide residents with a revamped, welcoming space that reflects the pride that we have in Leigh.

We have had the help of community groups when it came to redesigning the Square, and I am really pleased to see how the revamp looks and how it will be able to accommodate a variety of events in the future.”

Leaning on the expertise of the Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley Heritage Group, one part of the revamped square is a heritage timeline designed to feature key events and milestones from the square's past dating from 1762 to the present day.

Elsewhere, a poem created by the Leigh Young Writers youth group, with help from local poets Louise Fazackerley and Natasha Tingle, has been engraved into the new paving to celebrate the town's history. The Pete Shelley Memorial Group will also plant a cherry tree as part of its memorial garden in the square.

The square's Believe Stars have also been refreshed, with a new star for chart-topping Leigh band The Lottery Winners set to be installed too.

The revamp is part of Leigh’s Regeneration Project, with £11.4m funded by UK Government. Other projects include a building grant scheme to improve shop fronts across Leigh town centre.

The refurbishment of Leigh Market is also part of the wider regeneration project, with significant work set to take place in early 2027 to transform the market. Following discussions with traders, the market will operate from temporary units inside Spinning Gate shopping centre once works begin at the current market hall.

Meanwhile, Leigh’s Neighbourhood Board have also put forward outline plans on how to spend £20m of the government’s Pride in Place funding over the next ten years, focusing on transforming how people experience Leigh and ensuring that the town feels safe and welcoming.

The investment in Leigh has also been complemented by improvements to the town centre’s road infrastructure, creating a cleaner, greener, and safer Market Place and Market Street.

With a schedule of community events set to take place at Civic Square over the coming months, the refreshed public space will officially open to the public with a launch event on Saturday, 12 September.

From 11am to 3pm, two outdoor performances will take place at the town centre square, including a vibrant contemporary circus theatre show and a live production from musicians, dancers, and cooks from around the world. There will also be several craft activities including a Jelly printing session delivered by The Turnpike Centre, and a LEGO building project delivered by Wigan and Leigh Archive Service.

Coun. Anderton added: "With various regeneration projects ongoing in Leigh, this is a really exciting moment for the town and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in places that matter to our communities. Change is never done overnight but takes years of planning and persistence.

These projects will all play a part to increase footfall, encourage investment, and boost pride in place, and I’m looking forward to seeing residents and visitors make the most of this fantastic Civic Square for years to come."