A NEW partnership that can help to develop the Leigh business community and long-term regeneration plans is now up and running.

A project from Wigan Council, the Leigh Innovation Board aims to drive forward the long-term vision for the regeneration of the town.

The board brings together representatives from the local authority, public sector partners, business, voluntary and community organisations.

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Leigh Journal: The council want to boost opportunities for businesses in the town centreThe council want to boost opportunities for businesses in the town centre (Image: Leigh Journal)

Councillor Dane Anderton, lead cabinet member for district centres, said: “We have ambitious plans for Leigh as set out in the town centre’s Strategic Regeneration Framework aiming to attract investment, improve the experience, and provide opportunity for local people and businesses.

“We recognise we cannot do this alone. With the rise of online shopping, the impact of the pandemic, and the economic downturn, our high streets and local centres are facing huge challenges.

“This Innovation Board will help to form and strengthen those bonds between the council and its partners.”

Leigh Journal: Chair of Leigh Innovation Board Karen Cox (right), at an Environmental awards ceremony for the Spinning GateChair of Leigh Innovation Board Karen Cox (right), at an Environmental awards ceremony for the Spinning Gate (Image: Spinning Gate)

The Leigh Innovation Board is chaired by Karen Cox, manager of the town’s Spinning Gate Shopping Centre.

Karen said: “This represents a real opportunity to bring lots of organisations and partners together in one room to discuss the issues Leigh town centre is facing and come up with creative and innovative ways that we can move forward, working with our local communities.

“Town centres are facing real challenges and as the manager of Spinning Gate I spend a lot of my time speaking to our local business owners, hearing about what’s concerning them.

“I am really delighted to be chairing this Board, bringing that voice of local business and representing our town centre, as we all look to take these positive steps together.”

Leigh Journal: Cafe Dolce, a popular and long-standing member of Spinning Gate shopping centreCafe Dolce, a popular and long-standing member of Spinning Gate shopping centre (Image: Leigh Journal)

The masterplan for Leigh town centre highlights several key opportunities and priorities, including:

  • Key development opportunities such as the West Bridgewater Street site and sites around the eastern edge of the town around Chapel Street, Brown Street and Gas Street
  • Key opportunities to improve connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists within and around the town centre, including access to the canal
  • Greenspace and public space improvements including making the town centre greener and more attractive
  • Creating spaces for businesses to thrive including start-ups and growing businesses
  • Reducing traffic through the town centre and prioritising pedestrians
  • Developing the Civic Square as a vibrant hub for civic and cultural activity

Leigh Journal: Developments to Civic Square are part of the plansDevelopments to Civic Square are part of the plans (Image: Wigan Council)

Coun Anderton added: “I am really proud that the Council has led on the creation of this Board, but equally delighted that it is being chaired by Karen Cox.

"I know she is an incredible voice for Leigh, and it is so key to have businesses at the very heart of this process.”