Work starts on Eccles town centre demolitions

Salford contractor Connell Brothers has begun a programme that includes bringing down a market hall, car park and part of the shopping centre, paving the way for redevelopment.

The city council bought Eccles Shopping Centre from Columbia Threadneedle for around £4m to give itself control over the town centre’s future. The project has around £5.4m in Levelling Up Fund support.

Connell Brothers’ brief is to demolish the northern part of the shopping centre in phase one of the Eccles town centre redevelopment, with the southern part to follow in phase two. Charles House, which the council has now acquired, will also come down in that phase.

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Cllr Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford City Council and an Eccles ward councillor, said: “Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.

“It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.”

Cllr McCusker said that implementing that vision “starts with this demolition”. He continued: “Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today’s town centre remains open for business. I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.

“The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life. We’re still extremely keen to get the views of local residents on their needs for a new town centre and welcome all feedback to ensure we develop this truly shared vision and create an Eccles that’s fit for the future.”

Public consultation saw 600 residents share their views and aspirations for drastic improvements to the town centre. Architect SimpsonHaugh and development manager Identity Consult have advised the council to shape the broad vision.

At this stage, Salford’s plan is that once demolition work is completed, it will “present a blank canvas to potential development partners,” triggering a selection process.

The phase one demolition work is expected to be completed before the end of the year.

There is a phased plan in place. Credit: Salford CC