Stretford town centre is set to be ‘transformed’ in the coming months due to Trafford Council receiving £17.6 million in regeneration funding.
Stretford was one of four areas in the North West of England to enjoy a full allocation from the government’s £830m Future High Streets Fund.
Stockport has also been handed £14.5 million to refurbish Mersey Square and repurpose empty retail units.
Wigan and Oldham also received smaller pots of development funding.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the money had been distributed to help areas to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and “transform underused town centres into vibrant places to live, work, visit and shop.”
Trafford Council have called the announcement “exciting” and a “major boost” for the local area.
The funding now means that the much-anticipated Streford Masterplan can proceed – which will include a new, expanded high street with better landscaping and transport links.
The council will also make improvements to public spaces, pedestrian/cycle movements, Stretford Mall and Lacy Street, whilst securing a long-term solution for the Essoldo cinema.
Bridgewater Canal may also be opened up for new homes and businesses.
Find out more about the incredible news that Stretford will receive over £17m to regenerate the town centre following a successful application to the Future High Streets Fund ?https://t.co/nHcX9Ty2Skpic.twitter.com/9DVAuqzira
Cllr Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council said it was “absolutely amazing news for Stretford”.
“We have already made massive improvements to Stretford and this will enable us to totally transform the area for residents and business alike,” he stated.
“Trafford Council has made it a major priority to revitalise all our town centres and Stretford is no exception. We have incredible plans for the area.”
Minister for High Streets Kelly Tolhurst said 2021 would be a “big one for high streets in the North West”.
She added: “Towns across the North West have a proud history of industry and commerce, and we are supporting them to preserve this heritage for future generations.”
News
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
The Manc -
5th January 2021 
