Gorton district centre will welcome a new public town square, creating a new heart for the local community and a space for people to gather and spend time, while enhancing the existing Gorton Market.
The new square, which will be located between the market and Tesco superstore, will shift the focus of the local area towards Garratt Way, repurposing an area of the underused carpark to people first community uses.
This investment is part of the wider ambition for Gorton, set out in the Development Framework for the neighbourhood, and complements other investment in the local area, including the opening of the Gorton Hub community space in 2022.
The longer-term regeneration proposals for this part of Gorton include hundreds of new mixed tenure homes housing, including significant affordable homes, that will be built on Council-owned land overlooking the new square.
The new square has been designed following consultation with local groups, which supported the creation of a new informal multi-functional space for all ages for the local community.
The space will include new trees and planting schemes, fun activities for children, and areas to eat and relax.
Key features include:
- A flexible space that can host events and pop-up gatherings
- A raised terrace area with seating for people to relax, creating outdoor space for Gorton Market
- A new nature area with significant planting to screen the square from Garratt Way and introduce biodiversity
- Imaginative play features for young people
- Light projections to animate the space
- Improved and safer walking and cycling routes to and through the local area
- An altered road layout from Garratt Way, to slow traffic, reduce movement conflicts, but maintain access.
Gorton Market will remain open at all times and the new square will enhance the existing market offer, helping to increase footfall and create a destination space.
The Council has been successful in securing funding from the UK Government to deliver this project.
The new town square is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.
Find out more about the Council’s investment in the city’s high streets and district centres
Leader of the Council Bev Craig said:
“We know how important Manchester’s local high streets and centres are to our residents to access shops, health services and other community facilities – and we have made a clear commitment to investing in and celebrating our high streets and town centres across the city.
“We want our neighbourhoods to be welcoming, attractive and green, creating destinations in our communities that our residents are proud of, which also develop and support the ongoing economic growth of our district centres. I’m excited to see the next phase of our plans for Gorton taking shape.”
Councillor Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development said:
“Work has now started on site to create a new public square for the people of Gorton, and this is a key milestone for us to support local businesses to thrive and generate pride in the local community – including supporting the ongoing success of Gorton Market and increase visitor numbers.
“This is just the start for Gorton too. Our longer-term plans include hundreds of new homes on Council-owned land nearby to the new public square, increasing the number of affordable homes in the local area.”
