The remarkable revival of Sale’s Stanley Square

It’s the beating heart of Sale town centre.

In fact residents, visitors and architectural experts have all given it glowing feedback.

But it wasn’t always like this.

Stanley Square

Stanley Square was once a failing and uninspiring 1960s shopping centre called 6 Acre Square. It had oppressive entrance gates, no greenery, a poor public realm and numerous empty units.

In 2020, all that began to change when plans were approved to build the £70m new cultural square.

Now, it’s a thriving centre where residents and visitors shop, eat, drink, work and play, following a public engagement process to rebrand the area. It supports 14 new office units above a mix of independent bars and restaurants and footfall has grown alongside a thriving evening economy.

The regeneration of the centre has led to some to compare the Trafford town to its glamorous neighbouring district Altrincham.

Once known for its shabby, derelict high street, the town has had somewhat of a renaissance in recent years, led by the arrival of the Altrincham market.

A place to relax in Sale

Stanley Square itself has achieved national acclaim this year when it was shortlisted for a ‘Pineapple’ award by real estate publisher The Developer and Festival of Place. When I Love MCR visited the area between Christmas and New Year, there was a hugely positive vibe as the festive lights twinkled in the dark night sky.

“There’s never any trouble here,” said the security supervisor of the area around the square. “People come here to relax and enjoy themselves. It’s a really chilled atmosphere.”

As he walked away, he gently admonished two boys on bicycles for riding on the square. “Sorry, lads, you can’t ride your bikes here,” he said. So the boys obediently got off their bikes and walked away, chatting.

This was all happening outside the currently empty former WH Smith unit, which is soon to become the new Northern Light Cinema. It will be the first new cinema to open in Sale for 40 years. Billed as a luxury movie theatre, it will accommodate 57 people in one theatre and 39 in a second.

That’s where we encountered Phil Hadwen and wife Valerie, who live in Timperley. They were looking at the posters flagging the cinema’s anticipated opening in February. “We’re looking forward to it opening,” said Phil.

“We love to come into Sale now, it’s improved so much. We like to come for lunch and our daughter has worked in one of the restaurants, Petisco.”

Valerie agreed. “Sale has been transformed and it’s great to see people coming back into the town centre,” she said.

“It used to be awful”, John added. “There were a lot of empty shop units and it wasn’t a nice place to come. They’ve really turned it around.”

Angela said she used to avoid Sale town centre before the redevelopment. “I used to go to Altrincham and Urmston, even though I live in Sale,” she said. “Now, I love coming here. There’s a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere around the shops.”

Stanley Square Makers Market

Dave said the regeneration has been helped by the makers market, which takes place every third Sunday on Stanley Square. “It’s gets really busy,” he said. “There’s a proper community atmosphere about the place.”

Robert and Maxine Glitheroe like to alternate between neighbouring towns Altrincham and Sale when they go out. “It’s always a work in progress with town centres,” said Maxine.

Sue was the only voice of dissent we encountered. She wasn’t impressed by the town’s offering. “I think it’s quite sad because the high street is all coffee, nail bars, hairdressers and clothes shops. Meanwhile, the building societies and banks have closed,” she said.

Apart from the shops, restaurants and bars, there’s also a strong focus on community. People congregate in cultural hub Hiya, where there is a community bike kitchen, as well as a tea dance on the last Friday of each month and a makers market on the third Sunday of the month.

‘Sale Sings’, a new choir made up of local people, also meets regularly for rehearsals in the Hiya facility. In addition, weekend DJs spin their dance tracks at Stutter & Stitch.

Sale Moor ward councillor Joanne Bennett also hailed the new development. “Any investment or improvement into our town centres has got to be welcomed”, she said.

“My ward doesn’t cover the town centre, but I know many residents who I represent go there to do their shopping.

“The new cinema is certainly an exciting development. I know many people who are looking forward to it opening in February. And of course there the supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Aldi which are also drawing people in.”

Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night-time economy advisor, also praised Stanley Square for breathing new life into Sale town centre.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s another Trafford success story and shows that the council leader Tom Ross really understands the importance of the night-time economy.

“What’s happened in Sale has been hugely successful, just like it has been in Altrincham. It’s a great result for the people of the town and surrounding areas.”

You can find out more about what’s happening in Stanley Square by clicking here