Here are the latest publicly reported developments in Ashton-in-Makerfield:
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Shopfronts makeover and town-centre regeneration: Ashton-in-Makerfield has seen a £6.6 million regeneration initiative funded from CR Regeneration 2024, focusing on improving shopfronts and facades along Garswood Street and Gerard Street. The program includes grants to local businesses and aims to refresh the market square area and broader town-centre environment [BBC article on 2026-01-07; local council details]. This work is part of a broader plan to revitalise the town and attract new businesses, community events, and improved pedestrian access [BBC article: “Shopfronts get 'glow up' in Ashton-in-Makerfield's £6m makeover”].
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Market square and community-facing plans: There are plans to reintroduce a market square in Ashton-in-Makerfield that would host a variety of vendors and community events, with the intent of fostering local enterprise and social activity. Five public art installations are planned across the town centre, alongside greening and road-safety improvements to enhance pedestrian and cyclist access [BBC article].
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Local development activity: A number of development projects are mentioned in the area, including a 6.7-acre site off Windsor Road with outline permission for around 90 homes, signaling continued housing growth in the vicinity and ongoing development activity by local developers. The projects indicate sustained interest in expanding housing supply and associated facilities in the Ashton area [developments reported by local developers; press coverage].
Context and quick take:
- Ashton-in-Makerfield is undergoing a multi-faceted regeneration that prioritizes: (1) commercial vitality through improved shopfronts and a more inviting town centre, (2) a revived public market square with cultural and community programming, (3) public art and greening to brighten streets and improve livability, and (4) continued housing growth to support population and economic activity [BBC regeneration article; local development reports].
If you’d like, I can pull more precise, up-to-date summaries from specific sources (e.g., the BBC article, Wigan Council pages, or local developer updates) or map out the timelines for each proposed element. I can also provide a concise timeline or a visual overview if you prefer.
Sources
We’re delighted to announce our latest land acquisition from the Jockey Club; a 6.7-acre site off Windsor Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield. The site benefits from existing outline planning permission for residential development. We aim to submit reserved matters planning application for around 90 dwellings at the beginning of August and have a build presence in 2025. Our proposed scheme includes a selection of 3-bed-semis, 3-bed-detached, 4-bed townhouses, and 4-bed detached house types. … We are...
www.rowland.co.ukThe works are part of plans to regenerate Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan.
www.bbc.comAshton-in-Makerfield is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Wigan. As of the 2021 census,...
www.wikiwand.comA market is held on the market square off Garswood Street on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Crompton's, the hinge and fasteners making factory in Ashton-in-Makerfield, has closed and is now demolished. A shopping centre called the Gerard Centre now stands in its place.
wikishire.co.ukScene of the aftermath of an incident, where a vehicle crashed into St Luke's Church Centre, Golborne Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, causing damage to the building.
www.dailymotion.comgranted for the site in November 2015. The permission includes provision of nearly 500 homes, employment, retail, and recreational land. The site boasts excellent connectivity to Junction 25 of the M6 and Bryn Rail Station. OUR OBJECTIVES A Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood
www.wigan.gov.uk