An ambitious £37.5 million restoration project has been set out to expand and transform Haigh Hall in Wigan to “its former glory”.
An underground bunker cinema, world-class dining experience, astronomy displays, and the transformation of a derelict zoo site into an information and visitor centre are all part of Wigan Council’s plans to overhaul the historic hall.
Haigh Hall dates back 1840, and stands proudly amid the picturesque surroundings of the ever-popular Haigh Woodland Park.
The overarching restoration project has seen funding pumped into the site to make much-needed repairs to all aspects of the building.
The ultimate goal is to transform it into a community space.
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The historic Haigh Hall in Wigan is to be transformed in £37.5 million restoration project / Credit: Dunk (via Flickr)
According to the plans set out by Wigan Council, the transformation project will include a new world class dining experience, an underground bunker cinema, an art gallery for ‘Theodore Major’s visionary work’, and a rooftop terrace for astronomy.
The derelict gateway lodges are set for a revamp as well.
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One of the most significant aspects of the restoration project will see a derelict zoo on School Lane just off the main complex – which closed in the 1990s, and has been left vacant ever since – transformed into a new visitor attraction and learning centre, with a “multi purpose garden pavilion” and education and training hubs to provide more activity space.
A new 16-space car park will also be created – and all of this is already on top of the ‘five floor masterplan’ to restore the hall itself.
There’ll be an underground bunker cinema, world-class dining experience, and the transformation of a derelict zoo site / Credit: Wigan Council
Speaking on the restoration project, Cllr Chris Ready – Portfolio Holder for Communities and Neighbourhoods at Wigan Council – said: “Our Haigh Hall masterplan would transform this iconic landmark into an attractive arts, culture and heritage visitor destination of national significance; one which will celebrate the rich character and unique story of our borough.
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“On top of the restoration of the Hall itself, our plans for the wider grounds include bringing this derelict area back into use with the creation of an attractive community space capable of supporting various community activities and educational opportunities.
“We are committed to engaging with local residents throughout the process.
“We will be developing a full traffic and transport strategy for the whole site which will consider issues such as parking capacity and access routes to support our ambitions while having minimal impact on residents.”
Featured Image – Wigan Council
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Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Emily Sergeant -
21st September 2022 
