A former market precinct in Greater Manchester is to be transformed into a mixed-use community based around a new public square hosting artisan markets, live events and more.
Bolton Council has agreed a deal with social impact developer Capital & Centric – stars of BBC2 documentary Manctopia – to redevelop the former market precinct in Farnworth town centre.
The £50m plans will see the site transformed into a "vibrant", community set to be based on the developer’s neighbourhood housing concept.
It will include over 200 modern homes centred around the new square. Capital & Centric said t he plans also include a new flexible space for community uses and events, with a "village hall feel", which could host vintage fairs, art galleries, and pop-up gin bars.
It will also see a linear park and spaces for café-bars, delis, a mini-cinema, gym and co-working.
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric said: "This is about rebooting and modernising the market town. By creating 200 new homes around the square, we’re bringing life, and spending power, back to the town centre, so it’ll have its own ecosystem.
"We’re looking to attract the region’s best artists, makers and indie operators to set up home here.
“If you jump on a train you can be in Manchester in less than 20 minutes, so we see this rivalling the city centre with the same quality homes but affordable to more people from young professionals to downsizers. All surrounded by an incredible public square, plenty of trees and loads of places to hang out.”
Bolton Council has bought the market precinct from St Modwen and entered into an agreement with Capital & Centric to progress the long-awaited redevelopment of this major site.
The firm will launch a public consultation on the plans, which are being designed by architects BDP, in the new year.
Deputy leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Martyn Cox, added: “It’s great to see such exciting development plans for Farnworth town centre.
"Capital & Centric have a fantastic track record of not just creating buildings but communities for people to live, work and socialise in, which is what is needed to transform Farnworth town centre and make it more vibrant, attractive for visitors and fit for the future.”
