Reform councillor brands Leigh Civic Square a 'waste'

Leigh South Reform councillor Leon Peters shared his verdict on social media after visiting the square on Saturday, September 13, the day it officially opened to the public following a major regeneration scheme.

While acknowledging that the redevelopment had improved the area, he questioned whether the project represented value for money.

Leon Peters, Reform councillor for Leigh South (Image: Facebook/Leon Peters)

Mr Peters said: "Having this new Town Hall square is like putting finely made, hand-made Italian shoes on the world's ugliest man, in my opinion.

"I've just had a walk around.

"It's my first view of the Town Hall square and it's nice, but it is a massive waste of money.

"£3.8m - and I know it's been earmarked for levelling-up, etcetera, but it just, to me, reeks of a lack of ambition and foresight."

During the video, the councillor noted that several people were using the square during the opening weekend festivities.

He said: "There's a few people here enjoying their day.

"We've got Bollywood dancing which is going on at the minute.

"And we've got a few circus-y type things occurring as well - there's kids about enjoying it.

"Yeah, it's an improvement.

"Is it £3.8m worth of improvement? No."

Mr Peters also criticised highway changes around the town centre and revealed he chose not to attend the official opening ceremony.

He said: "I was invited to the official opening, but I didn't go.

"I wasn't in the mood for coming and having to shake hands and congratulate, because I knew in my heart of hearts, I'd be massively underwhelmed.

"At least we've still got a beautiful Town Hall building."

Leigh's transformed Civic Square (Image: Wigan Council)

His comments stand in contrast to those made by Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt, who attended Saturday's opening event.

In a video posted from the square, Ms Platt said: "So, just at the newly refurbed Civic Square.

"It's absolutely beautiful.

"There's loads of people down here and there's lots of performances going on.

"Come and have a look."

Wigan Council leader Cllr Nazia Rehman also praised the project.

She said: "Proud to have attended the reopening of Leigh's fantastic new Civic Square.

"This is a brilliant investment in our town centre, celebrating Leigh's proud heritage while creating a vibrant space for residents, community groups and events.

"A huge thank you to everyone who helped shape and deliver this project, this is what can be achieved when our communities, council and partners work together."

The Civic Square officially opened on Saturday, September 12, with the space designed to host events, performances and community activities in the heart of Leigh town centre.