Stretford Mall redevelopment proceeds

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jun 1, 2021

You may have heard of the Trafford Centre, but how about the Stretford Mall? It was popular five decades ago (Muhammad Ali opened its new Tesco store), but since the building of the Trafford Centre in 1998, not so much now.

But now the local council has teamed up with Manchester-based developer Bruntwood to buy Stretford Mall and bring forward redevelopment plans, according to the Times newspaper. These include demolishing part of the 1960s building and recreating the high street that was covered over when the mall was built.

Bruntwood is hoping its redevelopment will attract local entrepreneurs who have recently opened shops, hospitality and other businesses that make visiting the area a more interesting experience. 

However, it also stresses it will not exclude major convenience and chain stores and cafés from its redevelopment. 

Andrea George, director of town centre and consumer brands at Bruntwood, said: "Investment will bring a different look and feel to a place but we want everybody who is from Stretford to enjoy Stretford and not feel excluded”.

Chris Oglesby, chief executive of Bruntwood, added: "A large part of Bruntwood’s plans is for about 800 homes on the site and office space. It will help fund the project, which ultimately allows us to reduce rentals and become more flexible, but also to increase the number of potential customers for the retail and leisure that ultimately makes it sustainable as well".