Trafford Council has submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Future High Streets Fund, which providing co-funding towards major projects. The fund was launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in December and is designed to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future.
The Council launched the Stretford Masterplan last year to revitalise the area. The masterplan involves redevelopment of Lacy Street, the town centre and the Essoldo cinema. It also includes a new leisure centre, the UA92 development – including a new hotel and sports facilities, improvements to public spaces and better cycle and walking routes.
The EoI focuses on the improvements to public spaces and pedestrian and cycle movements, as well as securing a long-term solution for the Essoldo cinema and plans for a mix-used development on Lacy Street. This would open up access to the Bridgewater Canal and combines retail shops with town centre accommodation, including affordable housing.
Cllr James Wright, Executive Member for Investment, Regeneration and Strategic Planning, said:
We believe Stretford deserves a great town centre that is fit for the future. Residents, communities and businesses are at the heart of all we do and the feedback we have had in our consultation shows we are on the right track with our masterplan for Stretford. We have applied to the Future High Streets Fund because that will help us deliver our masterplan. It will be a great deal for the local taxpayer and ensure we have a great Stretford town centre that we can all be proud of.”
Once the outcome of the EoI is known, there will be further engagement and consultation with local communities as part of the Council’s commitment to a process of partnership working with the community.
What about bringing a supermarket back to replace Tesco like a Morrisons that would be very useful. We also need a place to have lunch a nice tearoom would be lovely. Urmston is buzzing with new eateries while Stretford only has a Costa.It’s like a ghost town stretford it needs bringing back to life.