Eccles residents have welcomed the chance to have their say on the multimillion-pound redevelopment of their town centre.
A 30-question online survey is being kept open until November 19 to give more people the opportunity to air their views on the regeneration scheme.
Questions included: Looking to the future, what would help make Eccles town centre a welcoming place for people of all ages? What types of spaces and activities would you most like to see in Eccles? Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Eccles as your local town centre? To what extent do you agree or disagree that you personally can influence decisions affecting your local area? And more.
Shoppers were eager to give their opinion and encouraged other residents to do the same.
Eccles resident Mensah Baffoe said: “You can’t change something without consulting the people whose lives it’s changing. It’s 100% important to include us.”
The shopping centre has already undergone a huge transformation, including partial demolition, which upset some residents who feared for the centre’s future.
But some of the public are happy to see change and rebuilding in their town.
Mike, an Eccles resident and employee at Red Cross, said: “I’d like to see it all built up again. You need to have somewhere for people to go. All that people do here is go into the charity shops, the cafes, Morrisons or the pubs.”
Shopper Hannah said: “It’s about time because it’s been old, empty and like a wasteland for such a long time that anything has to be an improvement. I’ve lived here for 22 years, and it’s not gotten any better in that time.”
Various efforts are being made to include residents in the regeneration process. Drop-in events were held at Eccles Town Hall, along with a public webinar last month.
The online survey is part of a process called Eccles Vision, which began after Salford City Council bought the shopping centre in 2022. Projects have included an art trail and a Picturing Eccles photography project.
Alex Vogel, senior development manager at project management company Muse, said “We want to understand more about the specific wants and needs that the community would like to see brought forward. This initial community conversation led by the partnership is an important step in helping us deliver a town centre that reflects what local people want, whilst celebrating local businesses and enhancing the historic character of Eccles.”
Phase One of the demolition of the centre, which began in January, is due to finish by the end of the year. This led to the closing of shops such as Superdrug, Boots, Home Bargains, Card Factory and more.
Now the question is what will replace it.
Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council, said: “This regeneration is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring the community together to shape the town’s future.
“Whether you live or work in the town, I would urge everyone with a stake in Eccles to share your views to help shape the future of the town centre.”
You can share your views about the redevelopment plans here.
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