Plans for a new leisure and entertainment hub at Wigan’s Grand Arcade have been approved.
Stack, a leisure operator known for its innovative use of repurposed spaces, has received the green light to develop a new facility in Wigan. The new hub will occupy the site of the former Debenhams store at the Grand Arcade, featuring bars, street food outlets, and live music and entertainment spaces. This development is expected to create 140 permanent jobs and will accommodate up to 2000 people, offering a new frontage onto Concert Square.
Neill Winch, CEO at Stack, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the transformation of a vacant retail unit into a dynamic hub. According to Winch, “What makes this project particularly exciting is the opportunity to transform a vacant retail unit into a thriving hub of activity. This is a strategic direction for Stack as we continue to breathe new life into underutilised spaces, turning them into destinations that benefit both local communities and businesses.”
Paul Wright, a consultant involved in the project, shared his satisfaction in contributing to Wigan’s revitalisation. Wright remarked, “Many years ago I was involved in the design, development and leasing of Grand Arcade, so I am delighted once again to play a part in its rejuvenation. We have some really exciting ideas up our sleeve to help Wigan on its regeneration journey.”
Since its inception in Newcastle in 2018, Stack has successfully launched operations in numerous locations, including Sunderland, Lincoln, and Newcastle. In its early days, the St. James’ Stack in Newcastle attracted a significant number of visitors, with 38,000 people attending within its first four days. Other planned projects include sites in Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Whitley Bay, Durham, Bishop Auckland, Carlisle, Northampton, Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield. Notably, the Manchester site will replace the previous Hatch location under the Mancunian Way, near Manchester Metropolitan University.
This new leisure and entertainment hub in Wigan stands as a significant milestone in the region’s ongoing regeneration efforts, promising to bring lasting benefits to both the local community and the economy.