UK's Bruntwood Advances First Phase of Mill Gate Shopping Centre Regeneration

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On 6 January, UK property developer Bruntwood and Bury Council unveiled the first-phase regeneration plans for the Mill Gate shopping centre, located in Bury town centre in Greater Manchester and covering a commercial complex area of approximately 15 acres (about 6.07 hectares). The first phase has secured £24.1 million in funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Good Growth Fund. The main construction works include creating a new public square, upgrading pedestrian routes, reconfiguring car park access points and renewing the facades of commercial buildings. The two parties plan to hold a public consultation from 9 to 29 November and submit a planning application in December.

The first phase focuses on improving spatial connections between the Mill Gate shopping centre and surrounding commercial and transport facilities. The project plans to build a public square near the shopping centre, featuring landscaping, trees, seating and flexible event space that can be used for temporary markets, community activities, performances and family events. Small commercial units are also being considered for the square to create commercial links with Bury Market and nearby shops. Vehicle access will be removed from parts of Minden Parade and Market Parade, which will be converted into pedestrian-priority public spaces with additional landscaping, paving and seating.

Parking facilities and internal traffic arrangements are also included in this phase. The vehicle entrance and exit of the existing Mill Gate multi-storey car park are planned to be relocated to Angouleme Way, with the area behind the former access points used for pedestrian routes and landscaped space. The revised scheme will retain loading and service access required by retail tenants and Bury Market, ensuring that car park traffic changes do not affect the daily operations of commercial facilities. In addition, the project plans to upgrade the shopping centre's street-facing shopfronts, canopies, ground paving and lighting to improve the building interface and the nighttime pedestrian environment.

During implementation, Bruntwood and Bury Council plan to maintain normal access to the Mill Gate shopping centre and Bury Market. The two parties will communicate directly with traders about construction arrangements and, where conditions permit, offer alternative units within Mill Gate to traders who wish to continue operating. The currently published scheme remains at the public consultation stage.

The overall Mill Gate regeneration plan was supported by the strategic regeneration framework approved by Bury Council as early as 2024. Bruntwood and Bury Council established a partnership in 2021 to jointly advance the long-term regeneration of the approximately 15-acre commercial area. In addition to the first-phase public realm upgrades, later phases are planned to introduce residential, office, leisure and dining facilities.