A major town centre redevelopment project will help to transform a Lancashire town centre with a new shopping area featuring a cinema, restaurants and quality retailers opening in 2019.
The £16million investment, which was given the final go ahead by Chorley Council this week, will also see major improvements to the appearance of the area and a new two-storey car park to accommodate an increase in shoppers.
Market Walk shopping centre owner Chorley Council met to give final approval for the overall scheme amid strong interest from several high profile businesses.
Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “We were really keen to see this development go ahead as it will set our town centre up for the future.
“It is a sign of the confidence people have in investing in Chorley that we can now progress the scheme, which is one of three major developments in our town centre sitting alongside a 65-bed retirement village and world-class youth zone.
“We already have Reel Cinemas anchoring the Market Walk extension and terms have been agreed with a number of other occupiers and the main build will start in the summer.”
The current Market Walk shopping centre, situated in the centre of Chorley, has 34 fully let units and footfall across the town centre has remained steady bucking the national trend of decline.
A further 150 parking spaces are being created before further work takes place on site with the neighbouring bus and rail station serving all major routes in the North West.
The council is partnering up with Eric Wright Construction on the build and Pick Everard is the main project management partner.
John Wilson, managing director of Eric Wright Construction, added: “Chorley is on the up and it’s great to see a Council proactive in encouraging investment and making things happen in the borough.
“We’re proud to be delivering a number of schemes in the town, including Primrose Gardens, a 65-bed extra care facility located a short walk away. Market Walk will be a real draw to the town centre and provide a quality mix of leisure and retail to capitalise on the huge expansion of housing being built locally.”
Further units to let range between 1,000 and 5,600 sq ft with interested businesses urged to get in touch before they are all snapped up.
It is expected the new development would be open in late 2019 in time for the Christmas shopping period.
