'They need to do something, or it's just going to go back to being a ghost town'
While some have lamented the loss of a car park, others say it's the kick that Stretford needs
Stretford is changing. The Trafford suburb, south of the city centre, is the subject of a multi-million pound redevelopment plan - which, among other changes, has seen its landmark Stretford Mall mostly demolished.
In its place, work is now underway to introduce 248 new homes and 140,000 sq ft of shops, bars, restaurants, a cinema, theatre and a pub. The land would also see a new park created, while two retail units included in the scheme could host food and drink venues.
It is a huge project and one which has garnered criticism from some for misreading exactly what the town needs - and that this a place for people from Partington, rather than Didsbury.
This week, one of the first signs of Trafford council's vision for Stretford appeared on the horizon - a new food hub. And while some have lamented the loss of the car park it will replace, many locals have told the Manchester Evening News it could be the kick start the town needs.
Last month, independent street food specialists GRUB announced the location of their next venture – the multi-storey car park in Stretford town centre. The space, spilling out into Sir Tony Lloyd Square, is set to be transformed into a food hall and events space.
By day, it would be home to a bakery, coffee shop and popup bottle store before transforming into a larger-scale evening destination with several street food traders and live entertainment from Thursday through to Sunday. The ambition is to be a place where all of the Stretford community can come together for food, events and family activities, those behind the plans say.
Plans for the scheme were lodged with Trafford council two weeks ago, with the authority expected to rule on them next week. If approved, this would be GRUB’s first venture in the borough – and people are excited.
Charity workers Conor Kelly and Zoe Sincock, both 34, hope the hub will feature DJs and music once open. Mr Kelly thinks the new hub will be ‘brill’, adding: “It’s a bit of a disused space at the minute. We’ve got the new town centre and it’s just going to bring lots of people here, new businesses, new food places.”
He is looking forward to ‘just having something’ in the town. He continued: “Since the mall closed down, there’s not been a huge amount going on.”
Ms Sincock added: “There’s not that many places to go out to eat around here. So it’ll be nice to be able to go out for something to eat.”
Laura Fradley, 45, also feels there is currently ‘nothing’ in Stretford, saying: “They need to do something to bring more people or it’s just going to go back to a ghost town.”
She believes a big criteria for the new space is that it needs to be ‘affordable’ or she does not think local people ‘will necessarily use’ it. Ms Fradley, who works in a GP practice, continued: “It’s worth a try, I think.
“At the minute, it’s just a bit sparse here. I know they’re still working on it, but we were just saying they need to bring more shops, more local businesses. At the moment, there’s nothing for people to say ‘well I must go there’.
“Maybe it will bring people and then other businesses may pick up. If people are coming to it and they’ll have a look at what else is here, that’ll bring up some of the smaller businesses that are perhaps looking for more trade because there’s not much footfall here.”
Carole Kelly, who does financial work for her husband’s business, said she ‘hopes’ the new space will work in Stretford, but was not sure ‘whether it will or not’. The 59-year-old added: “There’s a lot of empty spaces down here still, but if it’s going to be anything like the Altrincham market hall, that would be good.
“I’d like it. I would go there and I would like more places to go for a drink. I’m looking forward to it.”
Ann Rayner, 60, believes the plan could be a ‘good move’. She hopes the food hub will encourage more people into the area and create more employment opportunities, saying she was currently looking for a job.
She added: “It [the town centre] was looking a bit old and dated, really. So a bit of a new ‘mod’ look may be nice.”
Others are less convinced about the plan, however. Commenting on Facebook, one individual said: "The units they've spaffed all that money on already are empty, what makes these people think that spaffing more money away and taking away more parking will somehow bring business?"
Another added: "If people can't park they will go elsewhere. Stretford will die again."
Trafford council officers have recommended councillors approve the plan, despite the fact they did not have all the necessary information for it, including details of the outdoor seating and a noise impact assessment.
The statutory consultation for the change of use is also still underway and will run until Wednesday (June 10). The planning meeting is scheduled for next Thursday (June 11).
Any consent given would be on a temporary basis of 19 months, documents state. Opening hours are expected to be from 8am to 11pm Tuesday to Sunday, according to planning documents.
Alcohol would be served from midday, with live music potentially taking place between midday and 10pm.
A spokesman for Trafford Council said: “GRUB Stretford hoped to open in time for the football World Cup, therefore, the planning submission was made last month and consideration of the application is being brought to the Planning Committee this month.
"We always work with local companies to ensure they have the right approvals in place to run their businesses smoothly and effectively. In this case, the application is being put before the June committee to allow full and open consideration of all the issues involved."
This article has been updated with a comment from Trafford council which was received after publication.