Wigan Council and Cityheart have broken ground at the £135 million Galleries shopping centre redevelopment scheme in Wigan town centre.

Appointed contractor, BCEGI has started work on site commencing with the demolition of the carpark bridge. The work is due to take 18 months in total, however, during this time once areas of the site have been demolished, new development phases will commence. The first of these phases is the New Market Hall, which is due to be delivered by 2024.

Over and above BCEGI’s demolition contract, BCEGI has committed to supporting further Social Value objectives with Cityheart and Wigan Council, and its initial statement to help boost the local economy through apprenticeships and job creation. Currently 49% of the on-site staff have been recruited from within a 20-mile radius of the scheme and BCEGI is working with a number of local suppliers including contractors and waste removals during this period.

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Planning for the redevelopment of the Galleries shopping centre was granted in November last year and will provide a much needed vibrant new retail, leisure, commercial destination in the heart of Wigan town centre.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, leader of Wigan Council, said: "This an exciting milestone for the Galleries redevelopment and the first of many to come. The redevelopment aims to create as little disruption as possible to the town centre and we’ve prepared an impressive events programme for the festive season to help support local businesses, with the annual lights switch on and Santa parade upcoming.

"There’ll be lots of activities in Makinson Arcade and the market throughout December, with wreath making workshops, storytelling and craft workshops, gift wrapping services and more."