Muse progresses plans for Wythenshawe regeneration

Regeneration specialist and Stockport Council’s partner on the development of Stockport Exchange, Muse, have begun an engagement processes as part of a £500 million regeneration elsewhere in South Manchester.

It was announced last summer that Muse had been selected to partner with Manchester City Council to deliver a new Culture Hub, food hall, public square and flexible workspaces at Wythenshawe’s Civic shopping centre. The project is also set to deliver up to 2,000 new homes over the next 10 years.

The Civic works, which are being funded through £20 million funding from Government and a further £11.9 million from the Council are set to start later this year, subject to planning approval. The plans include a larger public square and improved outdoor spaces with new paving and more plants to make the town centre a much greener and more pleasant space. Following consultation last year by the council around the Culture Hub a planning application has now been submitted. The aim is to boost the arts and creative industries in Wythenshawe, creating both grassroots opportunities and pathways to employment in the sector.

Joe Stockton, senior development manager from Muse, said:

“Our plans will grow Wythenshawe with the community and for the community, with activity starting to happen very soon. The regeneration will have Civic at its beating heart, with plans for a bigger public square, Culture Hub, food hall and workspaces all starting this year.

“This is one of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects which could see over £500m invested in the town, providing opportunities for local people, a mix of affordable homes that keep families together and new spaces for people to meet and socialise. We want local people to help shape the future of the town, so we’ll be out in the community over the coming months to find out what matters to them.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said:

“For decades, Civic has been at the heart of Wythenshawe – and our vision will make sure it remains so for decades to come. But this isn’t just about new shops. This is a £500m transformational project that will create a destination in the community, new jobs, new housing – including lots of Council, social and genuinely affordable homes – cultural space and food hall that will keep local people and visitors coming back.

Local people are being urged to get involved and a drop-in event is being held at The Forum on Saturday 26^th April (11am – 3pm) where the Muse and MCC team will be updating on the plans.

Plans for the Culture Hub in Wythenshawe come as Stockport’s own cultural destination, Stockroom, is set to open in May 2025, which similarly repurposes disused retail space into an arts venue, town centre library and community spaces.