Derelict Greengate arches set for bar and restaurant makeover

A series of arches in the Greengate Blackfriars area of Salford are the subject of a potential £4m revival project.

Specialist small business developers The Arch Company hope to create space for retail, offices and general restauration.

Such artisan businesses could include bakeries, bespoke wood and glasswork stores as well as a bike repair shop.

The site on Norton Street features a viaduct made up of 10 arches below railway line between the Salford Central and Manchester Victoria train stations.

The renovation will also see Norton Street carpark turned into a 72sqm outdoor seating area.

A place for 47 bike parking spaces will also be created.

One of the disused arches on Norton Street. Credit: Harry Warner

Noise disruption levels were considered in the council’s report, highlighting a handful of problems open-till-late establishments could have on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Additionally, the inclusion of outdoor terraces could further increase noise significantly.

With the Greengate area one of Salford’s most densely populated, its effects could be widespread.

The Blackfriars and Trinity ward has a population density of 11,900 people/km2, about three and a half times more than the average across Salford.

However, the council acknowledged this issue, employing a Noise Impact Assessment (NIA), and attached conditions to the development.

The conditions read that “all doors/windows to the units shall remain closed except for access/egress,” while “the outdoor seating area shall only be used between the hours of 07:00–22:00 on any day.”

As well as this, establishments will not be allowed to broadcast music or live sports in their outdoor areas.

The developer behind this proposal is The Arch company who are no strangers to this sort of project.

The company has 5,200 railway arches and other buildings of the sort across the nation including some already in Salford.