A new report charts the progress in the District Centres Programme – a city-wide initiative to revitalise high streets and district centres, creating vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Over the past year, the Council has delivered major public realm improvements in Withington, Gorton and Moston Lane. These spaces have supported local communities to host events, street markets and other activities that create destinations in our local neighbourhoods.
Alongside these programmes, wider investment has seen operational improvements in Burnage, Chorlton, Levenshulme, Longsight and Rusholme.
These projects aim to create attractive local spaces for residents and visitors, helping to boost footfall, create jobs and drive economic growth – as well as delivering significant new housing, with a focus on social rent, Council and genuinely affordable homes.
2026 will see delivery accelerated across three key programmes across North, East and South Manchester – while continuing to progress impactful schemes in local areas across the city, including Newton Heath, Cheetham and Harpurhey.
Moston Lane
A delivery partner will be appointed by March 2026 to deliver a new public square on the Lane as part of a £90m programme of investment in the coming years – including up to 120 new social and genuinely affordable homes to meet demand in the area, alongside new health facilities.
To date, the multi-million-pound programme across Moston has seen new social housing, new pocket parks and green spaces, junction improvements, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues.
On Moston Lane itself, enhancements and improvements to three pocket parks were completed over the summer alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub.
Additionally, over £3m of government grant funding has been invested in new social and affordable homes for Moston for local residents in recent years.
Gorton District Centre
Gorton has welcomed key investment in recent years, beginning with the innovative Gorton Hub in 2022, which has acted as a catalyst for further investment in the local area.
A new heart of the local community, a new town square, was completed in 2025 and a phase two investment will soon start on site to extend the inclusive public space with further play facilities to create a larger, adaptable area to support events through the year – along with more planting and age-friendly seating.
Investment in the popular Gorton Market is already underway, which will introduce a new food hall and beauty zone, alongside opportunities to support a nighttime economy offer. Work will complete later in 2026.
More than 400 new homes – with a focus on affordable housing – will be brought forward with the first developments expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Wythenshawe Civic
Wythenshawe Civic and the wider town centre is already seeing key progress against the long-term £500m redevelopment programme, in partnership with joint venture partner MUSE.
£20m was secured through the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, alongside a £11.9m contribution from the Council to kickstart the redevelopment works. Already two former shops have been demolished enabling works to start on site for a new public square, food hall, culture hub and workspaces.
Separately, the joint venture has teamed up with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to deliver an initial 422 new social rent homes across three sites in the town centre. Planning approval for these sites is expected in the coming months.
More widely in Wythenshawe, the Council has received £25.4m through the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, which is expected to help accelerate housing delivery across this part of the city. Along with national Pride in Place funding that will invest £20m over the next decade in Benchill South and Wythenshawe Central.
Cllr Bev Craig OBE, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“We know how valuable our high streets are to the communities they serve. They are the beating hearts of our neighbourhoods, where our residents meet, spend time, shop and access essential services.
“People and community are at the heart of this approach. Our neighbourhoods need a place to come together, to be proud of and to attract visitors, which in turn supports our businesses and strong local economies.
“We have made a long-term commitment to investment in our district centres and we have made a strong start with impactful projects across the city. 2026 promises to be another strong year for high street improvements with major works continuing in Moston, Wythenshawe and Gorton – with a strong pipeline of ambitious plans in north and east Manchester. Watch this space.”
