A £135 million regeneration masterplan to transform Wigan town centre has been approved by the Council’s planning committee.
As part of what is the wider re-development project for the former Galleries shopping centre – which is just off Market Street in Wigan town centre – the planning committee at Wigan Council has this week also approved developers’ ambitious plans for a 84,000 sq ft Multi Media Centre (MMC) and leisure facility to help further transform the site.
The newly-approved revamp will include a brand-new six screen, 700-seat cinema, a multi-lane bowling alley, indoor mini golf, and a climbing wall, alongside a “wide range” of other indoor leisure activities, as well as a public events space, and a games arcade.
CGIs from the the wider Galleries redevelopment / Credit: Cityheart
Several new bar and restaurant establishments also form part of the plans, with the hopes of making Wigan “a night out destination”, according to local Councillor Laura Flynn.
Developers Cityheart have hailed the Council‘s approval of the plans as the chance to turn Wigan into a “thriving mixed-use town centre neighbourhood” where residents and visitors can “spend time relaxing with family and friends”.
CGIs from the the wider Galleries redevelopment / Credit: Cityheart
Alongside the newly-approved MMC is, of course, the multi-phase investment and development programme of the wider Galleries site – which is, according to Wigan Council, is aiming to deliver one of the UK’s “most innovative low carbon regeneration projects” and “transform” the town centre in several ways.
The development will comprise of almost 500 homes across seven new residential buildings, a 144-bedroom hotel, a new market hall and food court, as well as new landscaped areas of public space – including a square for events and performances.
CGIs from the the wider Galleries redevelopment / Credit: Cityheart
“The MMC will help boost the local economy by drawing people into the town centre from across the region and will attract people of all ages who want to live in the town centre,” Warren Taylor, Development Director at Cityheart, commented on the approval of the masterplan.
“Providing great leisure facilities will in turn help us secure the best operators and food and drink brands and we look forward to starting to announce some of those additional tenants later this year.
Fantastic news yesterday afternoon as detailed plans for a new multi-function cinema and leisure centre located in the Galleries re-development site in Wigan town centre were approved by Wigan Council’s planning committee.
“Alongside the new market hall and food courts, people will be able to spend their leisure time at the MMC watching the latest films and enjoying bowling, climbing, gaming and eating and drinking in a range of new bars and restaurants.
“We’re excited to achieve the next stage of delivering this transformational scheme for Wigan.”
The Galleries redevelopment scheme is set to create around 660 full-time jobs once it’s finally completed.
No timeframes or project completion date has been set out so far.
Featured Image – Cityheart / Wigan Council
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Jet2 and Greggs is offering Mancs the chance to win a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll
Thomas Melia
Jet2 has teamed up with Greggs to announce a new competition where you can win a holiday for the price of a sausage roll.
If you didn’t know by now, ‘Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday’, and as the British budget airline launches its latest collaboration where you can win a holiday for the same price as a sausage roll, we’d say that’s pretty accurate.
Fancy laying down in the scorching heat and baking yourself just like a trusty Greggs sausage roll? Well it’s a good thing these two iconic companies have teamed up then, because now you can do just that.
Jet2 and Greggs are giving away a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Marbella for the same price as everyone’s flaky-pastry favourite priced at £1.30.
In a video shared to social media, internet personalities Charley Marlowe and Luke Hamnett announced this brand-new offer in an extremely on-brand way.
The video sees the pair taking on very different roles, quite literally, as Hamnett dresses as a sausage roll while Marlowe tries her hand as a cabin crew member.
This exclusive campaign sees you in with the chance of winning a three-night all-inclusive holiday to the luxury Spanish destination, staying at Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach from 2 October – 5 October 2025.
Jet2 and Greggs is offering a luxury holiday for the price of a sausage roll / Credit: Laura Barry (via Unsplash) | Greggs
On top of this, you’ll also get a handful of Jet2 and Greggs co-branded goodies sent to your door before take-off, and there may even be a present or two in your hotel room as well.
I think it’s safe to say there certainly will be carbs in Marbs.
Police ‘stop and search’ powers authorised following double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens
Emily Sergeant
Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers have been introduced in Manchester following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens last night.
Beginning this morning (Thursday 3 July) and set to be in place for 24 hours, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has authorised a section 60 in the city centre, with powers effective on Ring Road between Great Ancoats Street and Trinity Way, and Irwell Street between Trinity Way and New Quay Street.
Police will have the right to stop and search anyone they have suspicions over within the area during the authorised time frame.
The section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, and after having run for the full 24 hours, is set to expire at 12:53am on Friday 4 July 2025.
The section 60 authority comes after GMP says it received multiple calls of an ‘ongoing disturbance’ where weapons were ‘seen and had potentially been used’ in Piccadilly Gardens, and when officers attended the scene, they found two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – both with stab wounds.
#INCIDENT | This morning (Thursday 3 July 2025), we authorised a Section 60 authority in the outlined area of the city centre.
The Section 60 is in place following a double stabbing in Piccadilly Gardens at around 12.50am.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) July 3, 2025
Both men remain in hospital at this time – with one receiving ongoing treatment, and the other remaining in critical condition.
No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Section 60 authority put in place overnight gives officers additional powers which will be utilised to prevent any further incidents or the carrying of weapons,” commented Chief Inspector Rob MacGregor, from GMP’s City Centre division.
“There will be a significant presence of officers, particularly on foot patrol in the area today.
“If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who will reassure and respond to any queries.”
CI MacGregor added that Section 60 powers are ‘crucial’ to preventing potential further offences or instances of violence in the community.
Anyone with information or footage relating to this incident is urged to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 71 of 03/07/2025, or report it via the LiveChat online at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
13th July 2023 
