The muti-million pound transformation of Stretford's King Street has been approved.

Councillors gave the go-ahead to the plans by Bruntwood and Trafford Council to provide a high street, improved transport links, pedestrianised streets, more greenery and open spaces, and a new town centre.

The plans also include huge investment to create a new King Street Square that will provide outdoor seating areas, market stalls and spaces to host events, along with transforming the existing multi-storey car park to make it more secure.

The development will also create a home for retailers, eateries and bar areas to boost the local evening economy, spilling out into a new south-facing community space, which will feature a covered shopping area aimed at local independent businesses.

Widespread landscaping, tree-planting and leafy seating areas will improve air quality and biodiversity all while supporting wellbeing for residents and visitors.

The development will also see the creation of a street next to the mall - ‘Little King Street’ – which will create a safe and welcoming place for market hall activities and become a destination for a variety of food and drink outlets.

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The original planning application was submitted in March 2022, following an extensive period of consultation with the local community to understand how the proposed development could reshape the future town centre to best serve residents.

The work is due to commence later this year and is set for completion in summer 2024. The planning approval for King Street follows Bruntwood and Trafford Council receiving outline planning approval for the Stretford town centre transformation masterplan in March.

Working in partnership, Bruntwood and Trafford Council have made a multi-million-pound commitment to transform Stretford town centre. Following approval of the King Street proposals, plans for up to 800 new homes, new green public open space, and a new canal side neighborhood are due to be submitted later this year.

Stretford has a growing number of unique independent business looking to make the town centre their permanent home. One of these vibrant eateries, popular pop-up restaurant, Stretford Canteen, has recently moved to the Chester Road side of Stretford Mall. The family-run Anglo-French inspired restaurant is just one of many businesses to benefit from the extensive development of King Street.

The King Street plans are one of the projects to receive funding from the Government’s £830m Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). The fund, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in December 2018, is designed to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future. Last year, Trafford Council received £17.6m funding to regenerate and transform Stretford town centre - one of only four areas of the North West to receive the full allocation.