Bury: Residents to have say on Mill Gate Shopping Centre

Back in March it emerged that councillors had agreed to the council purchasing the 15-acre Mill Gate estate from owners InfraRed for an undisclosed sum.

A joint venture between the council and property developer Bruntwood was formed to to improve the site, a target that has been embedded into the local authority's town centre masterplan.

Bruntwood and the council will hold an informal drop-in session on Saturday to give visitors a chance to have their say about the regeneration of the centre.

Both parties are keen to learn as much as possible about what the people of Bury want from their town centre.

The drop-in session will take place in "Schorndorf Square" (next to TJ Hughes) in the middle of the centre and will be a relaxed and informal opportunity for the community to meet the Bruntwood team as well as representatives from the council.

In addition to the drop-in session, there will be a winter garden to entertain children.

The activity will be free to participate in and residents are encouraged to visit from 11am to 3pm and talk about how they would like to see the shopping centre evolve.

Director of town centres at Bruntwood, Andrea George, said: “We know that great plans for the town centre start with the community.

"Our approach is always to ensure that the residents play a key role in helping us shape our plans, and this event is the first step in that process.

"We want to hear from everyone - it’s a chance for the community to meet us, talk about their views and thoughts for the future of Mill Gate, and how it fits into their vision for the future of Bury town centre.”

A poster for the drop-in event (Image: Bruntwood and Bury Council)

Leader of the council, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, added: “This is a ‘once in a generation’ chance to create new housing, employment, retail and hospitality opportunities, along with new health and education facilities, with sustainability and wellbeing at its heart.

“Local jobs, businesses, public services and the very quality of people’s lives depend on us taking the initiative, with all partners and agencies working together to deliver prosperity for all.

“Our plans for the Mill Gate centre will complement initiatives for a new flexi-hall on Bury Market and improvements in the wider area, plus a new transport interchange, aimed at ‘future proofing’ the town centre against the challenges posed by the changing retail landscape.

“It’s vital that everyone in the community has the chance to have their say and help ensure that Bury town centre remains a lively and thriving place.

"Please come along to the event and talk to the officers from the council and Bruntwood about how we can get the best possible transformation of the Mill Gate centre.”