Latest news

Following the start of the King Street and Kingsway works, Bruntwood and Trafford Council are inviting the community to share their thoughts on the latest proposals for Stretford town centre.

That includes plans for up to 800 new residential properties and further improvements to the town centre.

Residents can give their views online and in person at the Stretford Socials event at The SQ in Stretford Mall on Saturday 7th October from 12pm to 4pm as part of the monthly community meet-up.

The event will be attended by the project team who will be discussing the proposals and listening to the community's views. For anyone unable to attend, the proposals and survey will be available on the Stretford Commonplace platform from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th October.

The ambitious town centre regeneration project includes plans to transform Stretford Mall into a greener, healthier and more sustainable town centre. The first phase already in progress includes reinstating the historic King Street as a revitalised high street to attract independent businesses, establishing a covered market hall to include retail, eateries and bar areas, and widespread landscaping to provide green spaces for the community to come together.

The Hybrid planning application for the scheme's wider master plan was given the green light in March 2022, following an extensive period of consultation with the local community. The approved plans set the parameters for future redevelopment, which will provide places to play, work, eat, shop and live in Stretford town centre.

Since then, Bruntwood and Trafford Council have continued to progress the development proposals, taking into account changes that have, and are, taking place in the wider locality. This includes the remodelling of King Street and Kingsway. The local community is invited to have their say on the proposed changes to the approved scheme.

Bruntwood, along with Trafford Council, has a strong track record of town centre regeneration. Its purpose of ‘creating thriving cities’ recognises the need for continuous investment in the town centres that surround them to help each other succeed.

Rob Elsom, development director at Bruntwood, said: “The needs of the local community are right at the heart of the plans to transform the town centre, which is why gathering feedback on the latest stage of the ambitious project is so important to us.

“Since the planning application was granted last year, we’ve continued to adapt the plans to represent a better development opportunity for Stretford, and we’re keen to hear the thoughts of the people who use the space every day.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council, said: “Our regeneration masterplan for the town centre will be pivotal in helping Stretford to thrive, and most importantly, it’s been shaped by long-term community engagement.

“The latest engagement will be key for informing the next stage of the project, as the plans continue to develop. We’d encourage as many local residents, organisations and businesses to attend and share their thoughts, so they can be included in the conversation as the plans evolve.”

The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Exterior Architecture, Avison Young and Civic Engineers.

Bruntwood and Trafford Council have appointed Caddick Construction to undertake Stretford’s King Street transformation – the first exciting phase of the town centre’s wider masterplan under the joint venture partnership.

Work will begin today (5th June) and follows an extensive public consultation period which helped to understand how the transformation could redefine Stretford’s town centre to create more opportunities for residents and visitors.

Phase one of the development will begin by reshaping Stretford’s 1960s shopping mall, including the removal of King Street’s roof to create an open-air high street and town square featuring upgraded units for retailers, eateries and bars to help boost the local evening economy.

The refurbished stores will include new signage, new shopfronts and building facades and improvements to the building’s fabric to improve carbon efficiency. The new-look high street will reinstate and revitalise King Street’s historic and vibrant retail culture that will look to attract independent businesses alongside national brands.

This work has already started on Chester Road, where Bruntwood and Trafford Council have introduced new shop fronts for its customers.

The plans will also bring forward Stretford’s exciting new King Street Square. An open town square that will provide outdoor seating areas, spaces for market stalls and space to host community events. The square will become the beating heart of Stretford’s town centre for people to meet and dwell, take part in community activities and ultimately inspire its users to collaborate and socialise.

The first stage of works will also include significant transformation to the existing multi-storey car park, including the ground floor where the space will be repurposed into flexible pop-up markets and a space for new businesses to test concepts and engage with the community. New surface parking and improved access will also be created to enhance flexibility and provide a more accessible and safer visitor experience.

The transformation of the multi-storey car park will also support the Council’s ongoing work on Kingsway, which will improve pedestrian and cycle access to boost connectivity around Stretford Mall and the wider town.

The start of construction at King Street follows Bruntwood and Trafford Council receiving planning approval for the town centre’s vision in October 2022. Preparatory works for the transformation of King Street have been completed, with phase one set to complete in autumn 2024.

Through a £50 million joint venture, Bruntwood and Trafford Council have made a multi-million-pound commitment to transform Stretford town centre. With King Street’s construction now underway, exciting plans for up to 800 new homes and substantial new green public open space are due to be submitted later this year.

Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood, said: “Injecting life back into the heart of Stretford and creating a positive community-led culture that allows both businesses and residents to thrive is at the heart of our transformation of King Street. Our ambitious plans will redefine the purpose and value of the high street to encourage collaboration and create an inspiring backdrop for Stretford and its communities.

“Bringing forward phase one of the Stretford masterplan reaffirms the joint venture’s commitment to create thriving places. With construction starting imminently, we’re underway with curating a wide mix of retailers to take up residence within King Street’s new look units that will not only boost the Stretford economy but provide for the needs and wants of local residents and visitors. We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience the new high street upon completion next year.”

Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “This work will transform Stretford Mall and create a vibrant and exciting King Street with a mix of local and national traders and businesses. We are committed to making our town centres incredible places for all to enjoy and this masterplan will be doing just that.

“These are hugely exciting times for Stretford and will make the town centre one of the places to be in Trafford. The new King Street Square is also a fabulous addition and will become a focal point for the whole community. I’m greatly looking forward to the work starting and cannot wait to see the finished article.”

Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group said: “This landmark scheme is set to leave a lasting impression on Stretford town centre and most importantly transform the lives of those in nearby communities. Caddick is very pleased to have been selected as the construction partner for the scheme, and our role in Trafford Council and Bruntwood’s wider master plan for the area. Initial building and groundworks are due to commence imminently, and our expert team is excited to bring these plans to life for our development partners.”

The King Street transformation is one of the projects to receive funding from the Government’s £830m Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). The fund, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in December 2018, is designed to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for future purpose. Last year, Trafford Council received £17.6m funding to regenerate and transform Stretford town centre - one of only four areas of the North West to receive the full allocation.

The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in collaboration with Studio Mutt, Exterior Architecture, DW Consultants, Hydrock, Avison Young and Civic Engineers.

Bruntwood and Trafford Council have been given the green light to commence the ambitious transformation of Stretford’s King Street - the first phase of the wider Stretford Masterplan.

The planning application was submitted in March 2022, following an extensive period of consultation with the local community to understand how the proposed development could reshape the future town centre to best serve its residents.

The historic beating heart of Stretford is to be revived to provide a thriving high street, as well as pedestrianised streets, more greenery and open spaces, as well as a reconfigured town centre.

The development will also create a home for retailers, eateries and bars to boost the local evening economy, spilling out into a new south-facing community space, which will feature a covered shopping area aimed at local independent businesses, boosting collaboration and community across Stretford.

The plans also include significant investment to create a new King Street Square that will provide outdoor seating areas, and spaces for market stalls and to host events. It will also see a significant transformation of the existing multi-storey car park, making it more secure and easier to access and navigate through. It will also be made safer for the public with improved lighting.

The development will also see a quiet service street adjacent to the mall repurposed to create the new ‘Little King Street’. This new street will create a safe and welcoming place for activities to spill into, and become a destination for a variety of food and beverage offerings.

Preparatory works for the transformation of King Street have begun, with development works set to commence in early 2023, with completion set for Summer 2024.

The planning approval for King Street follows Bruntwood and Trafford Council receiving outline planning approval for the Stretford town centre transformation masterplan in March.

Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood, said: “Transforming the heart of Stretford and creating a community hub that promotes collaboration is our main driving focus for the re-development of King Street. The high street is an integral part of any town and we want to revitalise King Street to give the people of Stretford a town centre that provides for their needs while also creating a dynamic and inspiring environment. Now we have the green light we can start the transformation process and begin working with national, regional and independent operators and retailers to build a new community in Stretford".

“This first phase of development cements Bruntwood’s commitment to creating thriving towns. We are very excited to be kickstarting development soon and look forward to completion in summer 2024.”

Cllr Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “This first phase of development is another milestone in the redevelopment of Stretford for the local community. It’s brilliant to work closely with Bruntwood towards a shared goal, and equally so to have the community involved in the decision making process".

“The extensive development of King Street and the wider Stretford area will significantly increase connectivity by introducing green and open spaces where people can come together and interact. With King Street playing a large role in the plans, the wider masterplan will enhance the quality of life for Stretford residents while injecting a surge of businesses into the community to boost the local ecosystem.”

Working in partnership, Bruntwood and Trafford Council have made a multi-million-pound commitment to transform Stretford town centre. Following approval of the King Street proposals, exciting plans for up to 800 new homes, substantial new green public open space, and a new canal side neighborhood are due to be submitted later this year.

Stretford has a burgeoning community of unique independent businesses looking to make the town centre their permanent home. One of these vibrant eateries, popular pop-up restaurant, Stretford Canteen, has recently opened on Chester Road fronting side of Stretford Mall. The family-run Anglo-French inspired restaurant is just one of an array of businesses to benefit from the extensive development of King Street.

As a vibrant destination for visitors and residents, Stretford’s footfall has grown significantly every month this year. Last quarter, footfall in the town centre reached its highest levels since the pandemic began - ahead of the national trend, according to research by retail data analyst Springboard.

The King Street plans are one of the projects to receive funding from the Government’s £830m Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). The fund, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in December 2018, is designed to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high streets and town centres fit for the future. Last year, Trafford Council received £17.6m funding to regenerate and transform Stretford town centre - one of only four areas of the North West to receive the full allocation.

Bruntwood and Trafford Council have worked closely with local authorities to minimise disruption to footfall throughout the town centre.

The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in collaboration with Studio Mutt, Exterior Architecture, DW Consultants, Hydrock, Avison Young and Civic Engineers.