Greater Manchester town centre development to receive £20 million kickstart through government funding

The redevelopment of a Greater Manchester town centre has been given a significant financial  boost. Plans to redevelop Wythenshawe Town Centre have received £20 million in government funding.

The money comes as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up funding. It is a share of £1 billion which has been distributed to 55 projects across the country.

This is the third round of bidding, but the first time in which the Wythenshawe redevelopment has been successful. The money is to be used to redevelop the town's 1970s shopping centre and surrounding area.  

The project will deliver a new public square, new shops, net zero carbon commercial, community and cultural space, and around 1,600 new homes built on Council-owned land. The housing will be a mix of tenures including affordable rent and shared ownership options.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  “Over the last 2 years we have prioritised getting investment across our whole city, not just the city centre. We know that the Civic is at the very heart of the Wythenshawe neighbourhoods – a focal point for local people to shop and socialise. Our transformational plans have been moving at pace. 

“We were disappointed to miss out on the previous round of Levelling up funding that we hoped would be a springboard for the ambitious plans we have for the town centre and the surrounding sites.  Our commitment to this programme of investment hadn’t wavered, and we carried on with getting the project moving but confirmation of this £20m will provide the kickstart we hoped for to drive the regeneration and deliver for local people a new public square, new shops, new jobs and new affordable housing.  

“We want this to be an exemplar low carbon development that makes a real difference to the Wythenshawe community – and this funding is a significant boost to helping the Civic meet its massive potential.”