EARLIER this week, it was described as a 'big moment' for Prestwich. A £100m re-development scheme that would see the town almost completely reinvented was officially given the green light.
Technically one of 'six towns' in the borough of Bury, the suburb is widely known as 'Prestwich village' by residents and visitors alike. In recent years, it has bucked the trend of high street decline, with restaurants, bars and independent shop openings.
In March, the Sunday Times ranked Prestwich as one of 2024's 'best areas to live' in the UK, taking into account its schools, transport, culture, access to green spaces and the health of the high street. Now, following a partnership between Bury Council's and developers Muse, planning permission was agreed for a massive transformation, essentially a whole new 'village centre'.
The plans by Prestwich Regeneration LLP, the joint venture between developer Muse and Bury council, will create new shops, public spaces, a market hall and a 'Mackie Mayor' style food court in the space vacated by a demolished Longfield centre.
The M.E.N. visited the centre to seek the views of affected businesses, shoppers and Prestwich residents on the transformation plans.
Emma Cavanagh, business and events manager of Macca's Bar and Grill, says Prestwich 'is a great place for us to be. She said the bar and function centre, which employs 24 staff and opened in the Longfield centre in March, 2023, 'quickly became part of the community! But she has been left uneasy by what will happen on the Longfield centre site.
She said: "We'd love to stay and become part of the new development, it looks great. But the scale of the plans means us and other businesses are operating with uncertainty.
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