The announcement comes as Wigan Council published a sneak peek of the new market hall with images showing a bright, colourful and exciting space, with traditional market traders, alongside offerings like a bakery, coffee shop, bars, and a food hall.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council, said: “This redevelopment is bringing the market back to the heart of the town centre, and I am delighted that we are announcing this new operator during the nationwide Love Your Local Market campaign.

“Wigan has been a proud market town for centuries and we want to see our market survive, thrive into the future. It is set to be a vital part what brings people into town, supporting local, and being part of our community when it opens late next year.

“There is so much happening across our town- the redevelopment of Civic, Cotton Works at Eckersley Mill, STACK at the former Debenhams- making Wigan is the place to be, live, work and visit.”

Commenting, Managing Director of NLG Carl Fraenkl-Rietti said: “This will be one the North’s best, and most creative, markets and food halls, putting Wigan proudly on the map not only for its food but for its incredible people for generations to come. It is in a superb location, and we look forward to delivering the very best experience for traders, visitors and locals who deserve a best-in-class market of which they can be proud.”

Darren Jones, Development Director at Cityheart added: “NLG is one of the most successful operators in the north of England and we’re incredibly proud to be partnering with them for Wigan. The market hall at Fettlers will be first-class, anchoring the wider scheme and, as markets have done for centuries, acting as a place for people to meet, eat, greet and trade. It will create lasting value for Wigan, enhancing the prosperity of the town and improving the lives of its people now and in the future.”

Jackie Casey from markets specialist PlaceCo – sister company of NLG – has been supporting traders since demolition began. She said: “Having a strong and successful market is an essential part of Wigan’s tradition and history. It is the beating heart and soul of the town, a place for people to meet and make things, a tradition which goes back centuries, and we’re excited to see the first images unveiled.  Wigan deserves a market that is fit for purpose, an iconic market of which the town can be proud, and which will be key to Wigan’s future prosperity for many generations.”

The new market hall is expected to be built and open late next year, and the existing market hall will remain open until the new building is ready for occupation.

About Fettlers

Fettlers is the new name for the former Wigan Galleries site which Cityheart is transforming for Wigan Council into a new town centre destination. It is one of Greater Manchester’s most ambitious regeneration projects, delivering new homes, a 144-bedroom Hampton by Hilton hotel, leisure and retail facilities as well as a modern New Market Hall incorporating bars and food hall.

In June 2021 Wigan Council signed a Development Agreement with town centre regeneration specialist Cityheart and work started in 2022 on the demolition phase which was completed in early 2024. Galliford Try has since been appointed to undertake the first phase of construction which will include the new 70,000 sq ft market hall and food court, basement and associated infrastructure.

This will be followed by the delivery of the Hotel, pavilion building and the cinema and leisure space followed by more than 400 homes across several new residential buildings.

When complete Fettlers will be home to a multi-media centre incorporating cinemas, multi-lane bowling alley, indoor mini golf, a climbing wall, virtual leisure, bars and restaurant and new landscaped areas of public realm including a square for events and performances.

For more information visit www.fettlers.co.uk

Commenting on the investment deal with Lote Greg Ball, development director, Cityheart said: “We’re making incredible progress on the first two buildings which will result in the fulfillment of both Build to Rent and open market sales later this year.

“Torkington will set a new benchmark in Build to Rent residential living in Stockport and Bosden will provide superb homes for sale in the heart of this thriving town. Stopford Park is a going to be an exciting new community, a place for people to live, work and socialise and we’re delighted to have secured this level of investment with Lote Global Investments and are pleased to be making such swift progress with our construction teams.”

Oak Construction Projects is building Bosden, the 62-unit open market element of Stopford Park and sales will launch in Autumn 2025. Contractor Headoffice3 is underway with Torkington which will include 122 1- and 2-bedroom  BTR apartments with a roof top terrace and residents’ lounge.

The third residential building Lyme, a 16-storey building comprising 258 apartments, will come forward next completing the residential elements for this new neighbourhood community.

This Autumn work will start on the transformation of the former Metropolitan Girls’ School on Greek Street into a collaborative flexible workspace called Cheers & Smith. The development will see the listed building, which has over 100 years of heritage, brought back to life to breathe new energy into the towns’ workspaces, supporting local businesses, creators and communities.

Torkington is set to complete in Autum 2026. The first homes at Bosden will be available to reserve off plan from in early Autumn 2025.

The wider masterplan for the scheme includes over 300 new homes delivered in phases across 20 acres of former industrial land in Halebank, Widnes.

The Foundry Lane masterplan is an ambitious project to convert land which was formerly the operational site for the Stobart and Tarmac businesses, to a new residential neighbourhood.

Cityheart was appointed as Halton Borough Council’s development partner in 2022 and the proposed scheme has since undergone a redesign and land remediation by specialist contractor P.P. O’Connor.

Sustainable design has been incorporated to maximise the thermal efficiency of the properties which are also bolstered by renewables including, photo voltaic panels (solar panels) and air source heat pumps.

The core project team includes MM Management Services (PM/QS); Corstorphine & Wright (architect); Curtins (engineer); Zerum (planner); DEP (landscape architect) and TACE (MEP).

Further announcements on the progress of Phase 2 will follow later in the year.

Commenting on the partnership, James Litherland, senior development manager for Cityheart said: “We’ve been working closely with Plus Dane on the Foundry Lane scheme in recent months and are very pleased to announce them as our partners to bring this development forward, creating much-needed, sustainable and affordable homes for local people. This is a major milestone for Cityheart as we move forward into delivery across three major redevelopment projects in the northwest including Foundry Lane, Stopford Park in Stockport and Fettlers in Wigan town centre.”

Plus Dane manage a growing portfolio of over 13,500 homes across Merseyside and Cheshire. Commenting on this latest development, Deputy Chief Executive, Claire Dixon, said: “We are really pleased to be partnering with Cityheart to get this development moving and to help deliver 63 affordable homes for Widnes, that are in high demand. The Foundry Lane masterplan is ambitious and exciting, and we think the vision will completely transform this former industrial site into a desirable place to call home.”

Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader of Halton Borough Council, said: “This is the first step in us realising our ambition to create a new and vibrant neighbourhood, transforming this previously underutilised site as a place for future generations to live.

“We hope these new homes will act as a catalyst for further regeneration and continued investment into the area.”

The project is supported by funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Brownfield Land Fund and Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme.

Councillor Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “Our £60m Brownfield Land Fund is helping to deliver more than 4,500 new homes, on previously developed, brownfield sites.  It’s a big part of how we are working hard to tackle the housing shortage and ensure that people right across our area have a great choice of high-quality homes.

“Building on brownfield sites is key to making that happen – there are around 700 of them with enough space to build 42,000 homes.  That’s why I’m so pleased we could support this site in Halebank, whose development will eventually create 300 new homes for local people, creating community on previously used industrial land.  It’s exactly what we need to be doing.”

Gareth Phipps-Williams, Assistant Director – Affordable Housing Programme Management, Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting partners to achieve their ambitions. Phase One of the Foundry Lane development is a prime example of how the Agency works collaboratively with partners through the Affordable Homes Programme, creating much needed communities people can be proud to call home.” 

Cityheart continues to grow its senior leadership team with the appointment of Penny Langton as marketing director. A new role for the business, Penny will be working with the team to help deliver its ambitious pipeline of national regeneration and place making projects.

Langton joins the business with over 25 years’ marketing experience, developing brands and bringing them to new audiences to drive growth. Having previously worked for companies including Morris Homes, Beaverbrooks, and most recently Langton was with Vita Group, where she led the businesses residential marketing which included the launch of the group’s innovative new co-living brand, Union.

Commenting on joining Cityheart, Penny said “I’ve joined the Cityheart team at such an exciting time. The projects we’re now delivering are place defining, creating lasting value for communities and I’m really proud to be part of that.”

Jonny Wrigley, chief executive officer at Cityheart said: “Penny joins us at a really important time for the business, as we’re working on a £750m GDV pipeline of regeneration projects across the UK. Her expertise in marketing and bringing brands to live will be fundamental in helping to drive our residential marketing programme and in positioning Cityheart as we expand our activities through collaborative procurement and partnership working with a wide variety of public bodies.”

Cityheart has invested heavily in its team recently, more than trebling its head count with strategic appointments to support clients and oversee project delivery. In June 2024 Darren Jones joined to lead on the delivery of Fettlers in Wigan. A southern team has also been created and is driving forward multiple regeneration projects with public sector partners.

The last 12 months have been transformational for urban regeneration specialist Cityheart and as the team heads to UKREiiF 2025, they are also making plans to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the business.

Over £750m GDV has been secured for regeneration projects across the UK, funding that will see the delivery of more than 1700 new homes, 500 affordable homes, 200,000 sqm of commercial and leisure space and two international branded hotels, all through collaborative procurement and partnership working with public sector organisations.

Cityheart has invested heavily in delivering for these partners, bringing together an incredibly experienced national development team, focused on overcoming the many challenges the development sector faces to ensure it delivers bold, sustainable regeneration projects that empower communities and create lasting value.

Since UKREiiF 2024, £250m GDV of this pipeline has commenced and, having navigated a complex funding market, various planning challenges, rising construction costs and the complexities of the Building Safety Act, numerous building contracts are signed and rapid progress is being made on sites across the country.

Commenting on the business as the team joins UKREiiF 2025 chief executive officer Jonny Wrigley said: “The strength of our development pipeline and a number of signed funding agreements lays a solid foundation for continued growth and for long term sustainable and profitable development for our investors, shareholders and public sector partners. We’re looking forward to talking to more local authorities, investors and potential partners at UKREiiF and are extremely excited about the future for the business.”

Last year the award-winning £140m Interchange scheme in Stockport completed, delivered in partnership with Stockport Council, TfGM and GMCA. The development includes a state-of-the-art transport interchange and 196 highly-sustainable apartments

Building on its presence in Stockport, Cityheart is underway delivering 442 homes at Stopford Park, the redevelopment of the former Stockport College site.

Cityheart will also be delivering 462 new homes in Wigan as part of the ground-breaking Fettlers. Fettlers will include the largest market and food hall in the Greater Manchester region as well as transformational leisure and retail uses.

In Widnes Cityheart has partnered with Plus Dane to deliver 63 two- and three-bedroom affordable homes at Foundry Lane. The wider masterplan includes over 300 new homes delivered in phases across 20 acres of former industrial land in Halebank, Widnes.

Last year Cityheart was selected by Knowsley Council to redevelop Prescot shopping centre into mixed tenure housing and as development partner by both West Northamptonshire Council and East Herts Councils to deliver transformational mixed-use regeneration schemes in the south.

In addition, through its joint venture partnership with HBV Group, HBV Cityheart is investing over £100m into much needed Supported Living and Extra Care, this will see some 400 new homes delivered nationally for the most vulnerable in society in partnership with several local authorities

Alongside a multitude of awards for the Interchange, Stockport Cityheart, was announced earlier this year as North West Business Insider’s Urban and City Living Developer of the Year.

About Cityheart

Cityheart transforms places, delivering bold, sustainable regeneration projects that empower communities and create lasting value. Partnering with the public sector across the UK we transform urban spaces into thriving places for future generations to enjoy.

Though we’re a development company at heart, we push boundaries by blending creative thinking with strategic expertise, offering tailored solutions for the unique challenges of both public and private sector projects.

Collaboration and excellence are at the core of our approach. We work closely with our partners to understand their goals and deliver sustainable, cost-effective solutions that maximise value. As an independent company, we have the freedom to innovate, especially in design and funding, ensuring we explore all possibilities to get the best results.

Alongside regeneration of places we also deliver specialist projects in healthcare, justice, extra care, education, and student living, creating spaces that empower and nurture people.

The business has over £750m GDV of regeneration projects across the UK that will see it deliver more than 1700 new homes, 500 affordable homes, 200,000 sqm of commercial and leisure space and two international branded hotels. £250m GDV of this pipeline is fully funded and we are on site delivering projects across the country including Stopford Park in Stockport, Fettlers in Wigan, Foundry Lane in Widnes, Prescot Shopping Centre and Four Waterside and Marefare in Northampton.

Cityheart is now proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025.

For more information visit www.cityheart.co.uk