Plans for new Wythenshawe Culture Hub approved

We have received planning approval for a new Culture Hub, which forms the first part of our ambitious £500m plans with Manchester City Council to transform Wythenshawe town centre.

The new hub will boost the arts and creative industries in Wythenshawe, creating an environment for everyone to enjoy, that will allow them access to professional, as well as grassroots culture and creativity.

Sitting within Civic – the town’s much loved shopping centre – the hub will include space for food and drink on the ground floor with the first floor home to a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or community events.

On the second floor a new 200-seater performance space will provide a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.

The Civic works are being funded through £20m of funding provided by the UK Government and a further £11.9m from the Council. Future plans also include a new, bustling food hall spilling out onto the public square and new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing local businesses.

A larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor spaces, new paving and more trees and plants to make the town centre a much greener and more pleasant space.

Construction on the Culture Hub is due to commence in autumn 2025 with the opening in early 2027.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:

“The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic. This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.

“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies. This is just the start for Wythenshawe and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.”

Joe Stockton, senior development manager from Muse, said:

“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”

As part of a public consultation which launched earlier this year, local people are being urged to get involved and help shape the future of the town.

The next drop-in event is being held at the Maker’s Market on Saturday 5th July, and at ‘Open Space’, a new meeting point in Civic, being launched by Muse and MCC at Unit 10, The Birtles, next to the former market. The team will be on hand, seeking further feedback on what people want to see in the food hall and new workspaces, as well as starting to gather people’s thoughts on the longer-term plans will see up to 2,000 new homes – including significant affordable housing – delivered over the next 10 years.

To get involved in the community conversation:

• Meet the team at the Maker’s Market and Open Space on Saturday 5th July.
• Visit www.wythenshawetowncentre.co.uk
• Email info@wythenshawetowncentre.co.uk
• Fill in a questionnaire on the website or in the newspaper and pop it in the letterbox at Open Space
• Call 0800 689 1095 (Mon –Fri, 9:00am–5:30pm)
• Follow social channels – Instagram @WythenshaweTownCentre | Facebook WythenshaweTownCentre