The Galleries
The Galleries logo
Entrance to The Galleries shopping centre, Wigan
LocationWigan, UK
Coordinates53°32′51″N 2°37′57″W / 53.54750°N 2.63250°W / 53.54750; -2.63250
Opening date1890, 1972, 1991
Closing date2022
ManagementCBRE Group
OwnerWigan Council
No. of stores and servicesover 50 (in 2020)[1]
Total retail floor area438,540 sq ft (40,740 m2)
No. of floors2
Parking625 spaces
WebsiteOfficial website

The Galleries was a shopping complex in the town centre of Wigan, Greater Manchester, owned by Wigan Council. It consisted of three sections: The Galleries Shopping Centre, Marketgate Shopping Centre and The Makinson Arcade. The eight-acre complex featured a combination of enclosed malls, walkways and open squares and accounted for almost a quarter of the town centre's footprint.[2] The retail space within the complex totalled approximately 440,000 square feet (41,000 m2).[3]

History

Entrance to the Marketgate Shopping Centre (closed off in 2016)

The Marketgate Shopping Centre, originally named The Wigan Centre Arcade, was built in 1972 on former commercial yards and markets.[4] It opened in 1974 and underwent radical remodelling in 1988 when the adjoining Galleries Shopping Centre was constructed. The Galleries, consisting of 60 retail spaces, was completed in 1990 and opened by Princess Diana in 1991.[5][6] The many arcades and walks in the Galleries were named after the former local authorities, which now make up the Wigan Metropolitan Borough.[4] In 1996, Wigan Council sold the Galleries to the private sector for over £90 million.[7]

The two centres, though connected, operated independently until 2002, when they were jointly acquired by Prime Commercial Properties. In 2006, they were sold to Propinvest Limited, who also acquired the neighbouring Victorian-era Makinson Arcade.[6] Constructed in 1898, it is a traditional glazed shopping arcade faced in terracotta and was the site of one of the first Marks and Spencer's penny bazaars which opened in 1900.[4] In October 2015, Colony Capital purchased the entire complex, including the Makinson Arcade, as part of a portfolio transaction,[8] and commissioned the Ellandi retail group to manage the centre.[9]

Due to "years of stagnation and decline", Wigan Council brought the complex back under public ownership in March 2018.[10] They purchased the site for £8 million, using money from its Manchester Airport dividend. This was part of the Council's The Deal program, which aims to revitalise the town centre.[7] In 2019, The Fire Within Festival was held on the top floors of the Galleries in six vacant retail spaces. The festival, which was directed by the local artists AL and AL, featured art, performances and exhibitions.[11]

Plans were drawn up in November 2021 to demolish the centre. In 2022, the centre was closed off to the public and demolition work commenced in November of the same year.[12]

Decline

Following the opening of the Grand Arcade shopping centre in 2007, located less than 100 yards away, several retailers from The Galleries, such as Boots and River Island, relocated.[13] In 2016, Argos and Morrisons announced the closure of their shops in the complex, dealing a significant blow.[14] As a result of low unit rentals, a large portion of the Marketgate Shopping Centre was closed off to the public in late 2016. By 2020, the majority of the 144 retail units in the complex were vacant,[15] with only around 50 in use.[1] The Council's concerns about continued decline and the potential for closure and a mothballed site led to their purchase of the complex in 2018.[15] Eventually, The Galleries closed down in 2022.[12]

Future

The Galleries in 2023, under demolition

In 2014 outline planning approval was granted for a £60 million redevelopment of the area into the 'Makinson Quarter' including the creation of a new shopping mall of 26 larger retail spaces.[16] However, after Wigan Council purchased the complex in 2018, this proposal was scrapped. The Council initially intended to retain the site but also produce a long-term plan to revitalise it with new leisure, food and drink facilities, and residential developments.[3]

In 2020, the Council launched a formal procurement process to find a partner for a £125 million redevelopment of the 8-acre (3.2 ha) complex. The redevelopment project was expected to take seven years.[2] As of 2023, the redevelopment of the site is underway and expected to cost £135 million. The plans include a Multi-media Centre, with a multiplex cinema, bowling alley and an indoor climbing wall. This is in addition to the construction of 483 homes, a 144-bedroom hotel and a new Wigan Market hall as part of a multi-phase project.[17] The Makinson Arcade will be retained and remains open.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Stores". gallerieswigan.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  2. 1 2 "£125m redevelopment of Wigan shopping centre will take 'at least seven years', council boss warns". Manchester Evening News. 21 August 2020.
  3. 1 2 Wigan joins roster of councils investing in retail Place North West, 07 March 2018; Retrieved 25 March 2018
  4. 1 2 3 Phillip Powell (1998). "Wigan Council - Town Centre Trail" (PDF). wigan.gov.uk. Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council. Wigan Town Centre Trails
  5. ↑ Holly Pritchard (25 October 2022). "What has happened to a time capsule and Princess Diana's plaque now that Wigan's Galleries are being demolished?". Wigan Today.
  6. 1 2 "Wigan Town Centre Northern Crescent - 5.0 Galleries & Marketgate Centre Review" (PDF). Wigan Council. March 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  7. 1 2 The Galleries cost, Wigan Council, 24 March 2018
  8. ↑ Phillips, Mike (29 August 2018). "Exclusive: Major Brexit Campaigner Loses £250M Real Estate Mandate And Sues Colony Over Fees". Bisnow Media.
  9. ↑ The Galleries Shopping Centre, Wigan, WN1 1AR Ellandi Retail Group
  10. ↑ New future for Wigan town centre, Wigan Council, 7 March 2018
  11. ↑ "The Fire Within Festival explodes in Wigan!". Wigan Council. 14 May 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Demolition starts on £135m Wigan Galleries scheme". Construction Enquirer. 30 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Hughes next to move to town?, Wigan Today, 26 March 2007
  14. ↑ Another blow for shopping centre, Wigan Today, 5 May 2016
  15. 1 2 Matthew Ord (8 March 2018). "New era' for Wigan as deal completes for The Galleries". Insider Media.
  16. ↑ £60m Wigan town centre masterplan gets go ahead, Manchester Evening News, 11 November 2014
  17. ↑ George Lythgoe (7 July 2023). "The controversial plan that could change Wigan town centre forever is to be decided next week". Wigan Today.
  18. ↑ Makinson Arcade
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