A Salford town steeped in history is on the verge of major change, as plans have been shared to create a ‘vibrant’ new centre. People have lived in Eccles for hundreds of years, but recently the town has been marked by empty shops and falling numbers of people on its high streets. A new plan to ‘reinvent’ Eccles is underway, starting with improvements to the shopping centre. Salford council has submitted a planning application to demolish 14 retail units, the multi storey car park, and Northway Market as part of its plans to kickstart regeneration in the area. The town hall bought Eccles Shopping Centre in December 2022 for £4 million after residents said it had become “downtrodden” and “left behind.” Nearly half of its shops are empty but that could all be about to change. If the demolition work is approved, there are plans to redevelop the site by creating new residential and commercial spaces. The council is in the process of appointing a developer to work alongside on the scheme, shaping the future of the town with input from the residents and businesses. It’s part of the wider ‘Eccles vision’ – to make the town a place where people want to live, work, and spend their free time. The aim is to build more homes in Eccles, as well as driving investment and creating new jobs. It includes attracting more independent retailers and ‘pop-up food outlets’, alongside new bars, cafes, and meeting areas. The town’s location – just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre – offers connections to some of the liveliest parts of the Greater Manchester region, with the option to travel by tram or train as well as using nearby motorways. The work could help to turn the town’s fortunes around and make it one of the most exciting places to be in Greater Manchester. A spokesperson at Salford City Council said: “Plans have now been submitted to demolish buildings at Eccles Shopping Centre. The planning team at Salford City Council aim to make a formal decision on this in May 2024.
