Revealed: plans to regenerate Radcliffe town centre

Images of the plans to regenerate Radcliffe town centre have been revealed and are being sent to every household in Radcliffe.

They include plans for the new Radcliffe High School, which is expected be ready to open in autumn 2024, and the Radcliffe Civic Hub.

Radcliffe Civic Hub will be the new permanent home for leisure in Radcliffe, together with a new library, learning opportunities, community space and enhanced support for health and wellbeing.

Designs for the £40 million scheme will be finalised before the end of this year, with demolition and construction to take place from late 2022 to summer 2024.

Leisure will move from the temporary Spring Lane site into its new, permanent town centre home in the summer of 2024.

There will be a larger gym, more space for fitness including an outdoor roof space studio, and a larger swimming and learner pool.

A new state-of-the-art library in the Civic Hub will be open for longer, seven days a week.

When Radcliffe Library moves out of its existing home at Stand Lane, the building will turned into an Enterprise and Skills Centre.

This will focus on employment opportunities and business support for oca start-ups and small to medium enterprises.

It will also be a home for adult learning, skills development, and council services.

The new Radcliffe Civic Hub will be net zero, with any carbon emissions cancelled out by green technology and operational offsetting.

The Market Chambers building is also being fully refurbished, with shops and cafes on the ground floor and office and studio space on the first and second floors.

A balcony will be built onto Radcliffe Market which will overlook the River Irwell.

It will be ‘business as usual’ at Radcliffe Market, which will continue to trade while the refurbishment works are ongoing.

And Radcliffe Piazza will be relaid using high-quality paving, while much-loved features including the traditional bandstand and clock tower will be retained.

An improved space will be made between the Market and the Civic Hub that will create a quality outdoor space for the Market to spill out onto.

“This is just the news that Radcliffe residents have been waiting for – details of what’s coming, and when it’s coming,” said Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council.

“Yes, Radcliffe has had its challenges over the years, and some disappointments. But, as the town reaches a turning point, residents can be sure that change for the better is coming soon.

“Unprecedented sums of money are being invested in Radcliffe to bring about major physical improvements, create new facilities, and make the right environment for communities to prosper, renew pride in their town and live their best lives.

“As Radcliffe’s regeneration programme gets under way, people across the town can genuinely look forward to a brighter future.

“With a brand-new school, plus modern town centre facilities for leisure, plus a new library and wellbeing, learning and cultural opportunities, Radcliffe is most definitely on the up.”

You can find out more about the plans here.