PLANS to regenerate Leigh as part of a new scheme in Greater Manchester will make the town more attractive for shoppers, a retail boss has said.

The Town Centre Challenge was launched by Greater Manchester mayor and former Leigh MP Andy Burnham in November, in a bid to provide benefits such as more housing opportunities, venues for events and retail offers.

Manager of Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, Karen Cox, believes the improvements will be lead to an increase in people coming to the town centre.

She said: “What an exciting time for Leigh to be nominated for the Town Centre Challenge to provide regeneration and invested transformation into the town.

“The centre welcomes the opportunity to become a stakeholder in the initiative and provide a voice for retail within the town.

“As a result of this investment, Leigh’s retail offer will continue to grow and the town will see increased footfall and shopper spend.”

The first meeting of the scheme will take place in Prestwich today, Thursday, and will involve members from the local authorities and key stakeholders in each of the boroughs.

The other towns which have been nominated for the challenge are Farnworth, Prestwich, Stalybridge, Stretford and Swinton.

Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, added: “This new scheme is all about working together to regenerate town centres which have felt left behind.

“The time has come to breathe new life into our proud towns.”

The mayor also hopes the scheme will address a “housing crisis” in Greater Manchester.