A ONCE-derelict civic centre has been given a new lease of life as a modern workspace hub.
The former Civic Centre in Wigan, a 1970s brutalist building, has been transformed into a contemporary business and community facility now known simply as Civic.
It officially reopened to the public in September 2025 and has already become a vibrant base for businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs.
Councillor David Molyneux MBE, leader of Wigan Council, said: "The redevelopment of Civic is a statement project for our borough, and it shows what is possible when working together with ambitious and socially conscious partners.
"It’s fantastic to see the venue back up and running, and with such a unique character and state-of-the-art resources, I’m sure Civic will continue attracting businesses from the borough and beyond for years to come."
The building now features contemporary workspaces, creative studios, meeting rooms, a mini-cinema, an in-house gym, and a rooftop terrace.
Businesses such as Patrick Wilson Architects (PWA) and h2x Engineering have already taken up space in the building.
The Civic Centre, opened in 1970, served as the borough’s administrative headquarters for nearly 50 years.
It closed in 2018 and remained vacant until developers Capital&Centric proposed its transformation.
Supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and in partnership with Wigan Council, the redevelopment retained many original design elements.
The restored waffle ceilings, corduroy concrete, and large windows have contributed to the building's BREEAM Excellent rating, indicating a high level of sustainability.
Patrick Wilson, founder of PWA, said: "We’ve only been at Civic for a few months, but it feels like the business has really taken a step up.
"I’ve worked for firms in London and Manchester, and this building definitely has a similar environment to a city centre.
"I’ve thought that Wigan was on the up for a few years, so we wanted to get in ahead of the trend."
The redevelopment has also attracted other businesses and amenities including Manchester-based artisan coffee shop Cotton.
The reimagined space has helped make the scheme shortlisted for Greater Manchester Chamber Building of the Year.
In January, digital services and AI software company Agilisys moved its national headquarters from London to Wigan.
Other businesses are benefiting from its facilities, including hot desk memberships and Capital&Centric offers.
Jordan Mills, co-founder of h2x Engineering, said: "Civic has been the perfect place for us to grow the business, we love our space and the facilities that we have here.
"We couldn’t be happier here and I would recommend Civic to anyone."
Civic has also made room for start-ups and creatives in pop-up retail space.
Current tenants include ReDoo, a sustainable fashion project and community workspace.
Founders Lisa Burney and Jess Davis are collaborating with Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls on a drag queen costume made entirely from sweet wrappers for this year’s Wigan Pride.
Councillor Molyneux said: "Civic is a perfect example of what we can achieve in our town centres; breathing new life into brownfield sites and offering modern, high-spec facilities to attract businesses and external investment."
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