Shopping centre plan for city amid neglect concerns

A second shopping centre could be in the works for a city in Greater Manchester.

Salford City Council is looking to Swinton Square, based over the road from the council's offices at Swinton Civic Centre, as a potential location, in a bid to make improvements to the area.

Mayor Paul Dennett said the shopping centre was "not in a great state" and needed more investment, adding he wished "more progress" was being made.

Salford council bought Eccles shopping centre in December 2022 for £4m, with the aim of launching a regeneration scheme in the town.

In Swinton, Mr Dennett said people were leaving the area due to the condition of Swinton Square.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it's "not in a great state."

"It's not been significantly invested in to the extent that I would personally like to see, and ultimately people have left that precinct over the course of time and we do need a solution to that," he said.

The council said improving Salford’s towns is a key part of its vision to create a "fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city" by 2028.

The council aims to make Salford a "child friendly city" and "improve the attractiveness and safety of local neighbourhoods".

Mr Dennett said: "I wish there was more progress made, but Swinton is not off the table, it’s one of the town’s that is an absolute priority for me moving forward."

The council is also facing a squeezed budget, having lost millions in government spending cuts over the past decade, according to the mayor.

Mr Dennett added: "Towns are really important to the future of Salford, it isn't all about what happens at MediaCity or close to Manchester."

West Bromwich Building Society said they were not the owners of Swinton Square but were the lenders to the owners, who are two overseas registered companies.

"LPA receivers are appointed over the property and they have been actively managing the centre and have continued to actively engage with various heads of department at Salford council in relation to the current management of the centre and in relation to the future of the Swinton shopping centre," a spokesperson added.

"They have maintained an open and honest dialogue with the council, which we expect to continue, but despite historic and ongoing dialogue with Salford council, the receivers have yet to receive any form of offer, or proposal from the council for the Swinton centre."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected]