A brighter future for Ashton as council secures key town centre sites
The move follows the acquisition of the Ladysmith Shopping Centre in May this year, bringing two of Ashton’s key retail sites into public ownership.
The shopping centre purchases will support the long-term vision for Ashton town centre, helping to strengthen and focus the retail offer while creating opportunities for new leisure, cultural, residential and workspace developments.
The acquisition will give the council greater control over the future of these key town centre sites, helping to attract investment, support local businesses and create new jobs.
The centres sit at the heart of Ashton, opposite the Grade II listed Ashton Town Hall, which is being renovated into a new cultural hub and workplace destination, and overlooking the newly transformed Ashton Market Square. Together, these investments will help create a vibrant and welcoming town centre, bringing more people into Ashton and supporting businesses across the area.
For residents, the purchases will help deliver improved shopping, leisure and community facilities, new homes, better public spaces and a wider range of events and activities. It complements significant investment already being made in transport, public realm improvements and housing, helping to drive sustainable growth and regeneration across Ashton for years to come.
The Arcades and Ladysmith will continue to trade as normal, and the council will work with existing retailers while plans are developed.
The shopping centres sit within the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone and are expected to form part of the proposed Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation. This will help attract investment, support new homes and jobs, and accelerate regeneration projects, helping to create a stronger, more vibrant town centre for residents, businesses and visitors.
The Council has been supported by Greater Manchester Combined Authority by way of a loan through their Good Growth Fund.
With these properties now under council ownership, the next step is to review the plans for the town centre and explore how they can help bring new investment, improvements and opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors.
Deborah McLaughlin, Chair of the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone, said: “Bringing both the Arcades and Ladysmith into public ownership is a major milestone in Ashton’s regeneration. With Market Square being transformed and the Town Hall restored as a cultural hub, the town centre is already changing.
Taking control of both shopping centres gives the Council the opportunity to shape a stronger retail offer, support local businesses and create space for new homes, leisure and workspace. Our ambition is to create a more vibrant town centre that gives residents more reasons to visit, spend time and spend locally, while attracting new businesses, investment and jobs.
The proposed Ashton and Stalybridge MDC would provide a platform to help accelerate that transformation and unlock further regeneration opportunities.
For our development partners, this is a rare opportunity: a clear vision, control of key town-centre assets and the ambition to turn that vision into reality — delivering lasting benefits for Ashton’s residents, businesses and wider community.”
Councillor Eleanor Wills, Leader of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “Ashton has a long history as one of the North West’s major market and commercial destinations. We are planning to build on this heritage while creating a modern town centre that reflects how people shop, work, live and spend their leisure time today. Our vision is for it to be a place that offers real opportunity and an exceptional quality of life to everyone who lives and works here. Owning both centres ensures these important assets have a long-term future, and that Ashton can continue to be shaped with local people and businesses in mind.”