Tameside Council has purchased the Arcades shopping centre in Ashton, bringing both of the town's key retail sites into public ownership as part of a wider transformation vision. The move follows the acquisition of the neighbouring Ladysmith Shopping Centre in May this year.
According to town hall bosses, the two shopping centre purchases will help the council control the ongoing redevelopment by attracting investment, supporting local businesses and creating new jobs. Both centres sit across Market Square from the town hall and market hall, all of which are being revamped as part of the regeneration vision.
Plans for the town centre
The masterplan aims to ensure people can move about the town centre safely and easily, create welcoming gateways, bring more visitors to the town, and build on public realm improvements in Market Square. With the properties now under council ownership, the next step is to review the plans and explore how they can help bring new investment, improvements and opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.
Both the Arcades and Ladysmith will continue to trade as normal, with the council keeping in contact with existing retailers while plans are developed.
Future of Ladysmith and Arcades
The regeneration plans look likely to see the majority of Ladysmith's retail offer transferred to the Arcades. Ladysmith could also be bulldozed to make way for 306 new homes under the proposals. The Arcades would then become the central hub for shopping, with a cinema and leisure facilities earmarked for the first floor, according to previous plans fronted by the local authority.
A further 166 homes would be created through multiple smaller housing developments in the area, including St Petersfield. The land sits within the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) and is expected to form part of the proposed Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which would provide the backing of Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig to push through development.
'A major milestone'
Deborah McLaughlin, chair of the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone, said: "Bringing both the Arcades and Ladysmith into public ownership is a major milestone in Ashton's regeneration. With Market Square being transformed and the town hall restored as a cultural hub, the town centre is already changing."
She added: "Taking control of both shopping centres gives the council the opportunity to shape a stronger retail offer, support local businesses and create space for new homes, leisure and workspace. Our ambition is to create a more vibrant town centre that gives residents more reasons to visit, spend time and spend locally, while attracting new businesses, investment and jobs."
The wider development would also make Market Square a new public space, and a covered market for street food, markets and year-round events has come to fruition. Additionally, Ashton could see thousands more homes built as well as the region's first fully-integrated Bee Network station, connecting Metrolink, bus and train services.
Council leader's response
Eleanor Wills, Leader of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "Ashton has a long history as one of the North West's major market and commercial destinations. We are planning to build on this heritage while creating a modern town centre that reflects how people shop, work, live and spend their leisure time today."
The vacant space where the old bus station once stood would become home to a new public realm with an improved link to the train station. Filling the space left by the old station would be 466 new homes and 5,710 sqm of 'active ground floor space', connecting the town centre to its transport hubs.
