A new hotel with 144 bedrooms is set to open in Wigan as part of the town’s £135 million redevelopment project.
Officially announced this week by Wigan Council, in collaboration with its development partner Cityheart, the franchise agreement with world-renowned hotel brand, Hilton, will see a stunning six-storey Hampton by Hilton hotel pop up right in the heart of Wigan town centre, located just off Market Street.
Designed by JM Architects, and managed and operated by Leaf Hospitality, the new venture forms part of the Greater Manchester town’s £135 million redevelopment of the former Galleries Shopping Centre – which was approved last summer.
The hotel will be located directly-opposite the bus station entrance of New Market Street, and is within 500 yards of both town centre train stations.
It’s being called “one of the most important elements” of the Galleries masterplan.
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Artist impression images of the £135m Wigan Galleries redevelopment project / Credit: Cityheart
As well as the 144 bedrooms – with ‘accessible’ rooms to be built on each accommodation level – the new hotel will also house a gym overlooking the new square, a main reception area and dining space on the ground floor, and secure parking will be available for guests.
More than 60 staff are expected to be employed at the new hotel – which the Council says will provide a range of job opportunities for local residents.
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Councillor David Molyneux MBE, who is the Leader of Wigan Council, says the new hotel is an “exciting chapter” for Wigan’s future.
“It’s really exciting to welcome Hilton to this multi-million-pound redevelopment,” he commented as the plans were announced this week. “This well-known and prestigious brand coming to Wigan demonstrates the confidence that investors, businesses, and partners have… in our town centre.”
The new hotel is being called “one of the most important elements” of the Galleries masterplan / Credit: Cityheart
Graham Dodd, who is the Managing Director of Development at Hilton UK & Ireland, added: “Our partnership with Wigan Council marks an exciting new chapter, as part of Hilton’s growing presence in the North West. We were impressed by the Council and Cityheart’s vision to provide a thriving new retail, leisure, commercial and residential destination, and are excited to be part of Wigan’s transformation.
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“We look forward to welcoming guests to Hampton by Hilton and showcasing the town’s great potential to our global network.”
Wigan Council says “significant progress” is currently being made in preparing the cleared site for delivery of phase one of the Galleries redevelopment in the town centre – which includes this new Hampton by Hilton hotel, as well as new market hall and food court.
This initial phase will be closely followed with the construction of the Pavilion building and the MMC, all before 464 homes across seven new residential buildings are built, alongside a retirement living complex too.
Find out more about the Wigan Galleries £135 million redevelopment project here.
Featured Image – Cityheart / Wigan Council
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
15th March 2024 
