Trafford Council and Bruntwood have appointed Caddick Construction to undertake Stretford’s King Street transformation – the first exciting phase of the town centre’s wider masterplan under the joint venture partnership.
Work will begin today (5th June) and follows an extensive public consultation period which helped to
understand how the transformation could redefine Stretford’s town centre to create more opportunities for
residents and visitors.
Phase one of the development will begin by reshaping Stretford’s 1960s shopping mall, including the
removal of King Street’s roof to create an open-air high street and town square featuring upgraded units
for retailers, eateries and bars to help boost the local evening economy.
The refurbished stores will include new signage, new shopfronts and building facades and improvements
to the building’s fabric to improve carbon efficiency. The new-look high street will reinstate and revitalise
King Street’s historic and vibrant retail culture that will look to attract independent businesses alongside
national brands.
This work has already started on Chester Road, where Bruntwood and Trafford Council have introduced
new shop fronts for its customers.
The plans will also bring forward Stretford’s exciting new King Street Square. An open town square that
will provide outdoor seating areas, spaces for market stalls and space to host community events. The
square will become the beating heart of Stretford’s town centre for people to meet and dwell, take part in
community activities and ultimately inspire its users to collaborate and socialise.
The first stage of works will also include significant transformation to the existing multi-storey car park,
including the ground floor where the space will be repurposed into flexible pop-up markets and a space
for new businesses to test concepts and engage with the community. New surface parking and improved
access will also be created to enhance flexibility and provide a more accessible and safer visitor
experience.
The transformation of the multi-storey car park will also support the Council’s ongoing work on Kingsway,
which will improve pedestrian and cycle access to boost connectivity around Stretford Mall and the wider
town.
The start of construction at King Street follows Bruntwood and Trafford Council receiving planning
approval for the town centre’s vision in October 2022. Preparatory works for the transformation of King
Street have been completed, with phase one set to complete in autumn 2024.
Through a £50 million joint venture, Bruntwood and Trafford Council have made a multi-million-pound
commitment to transform Stretford town centre. With King Street’s construction now underway, exciting
plans for up to 800 new homes and substantial new green public open space are due to be submitted
later this year.
Andrea George, town centre and consumer brands director at Bruntwood, said: “Injecting life back
into the heart of Stretford and creating a positive community-led culture that allows both businesses and
residents to thrive is at the heart of our transformation of King Street. Our ambitious plans will redefine the
purpose and value of the high street to encourage collaboration and create an inspiring backdrop for
Stretford and its communities.
“Bringing forward phase one of the Stretford masterplan reaffirms the joint venture’s commitment to
create thriving places. With construction starting imminently, we’re underway with curating a wide mix of
retailers to take up residence within King Street’s new look units that will not only boost the Stretford
economy but provide for the needs and wants of local residents and visitors. We look forward to
welcoming everyone to experience the new high street upon completion next year.”
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “This work will
transform Stretford Mall and create a vibrant and exciting King Street with a mix of local and national
traders and businesses. We are committed to making our town centres incredible places for all to enjoy
and this masterplan will be doing just that.
“These are hugely exciting times for Stretford and will make the town centre one of the places to be in
Trafford. The new King Street Square is also a fabulous addition and will become a focal point for the
whole community. I’m greatly looking forward to the work starting and cannot wait to see the finished
article.”
Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director of Caddick Construction Group said: “This landmark scheme is
set to leave a lasting impression on Stretford town centre and most importantly transform the lives of
those in nearby communities. Caddick is very pleased to have been selected as the construction partner
for the scheme, and our role in Trafford Council and Bruntwood’s wider master plan for the area. Initial
building and groundworks are due to commence imminently, and our expert team is excited to bring these
plans to life for our development partners.”
The King Street transformation is one of the projects to receive funding from the Government’s £830m
Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). The fund, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government in December 2018, is designed to support and fund local areas’ plans to make their high
streets and town centres fit for future purpose. Last year, Trafford Council received £17.6m funding to
regenerate and transform Stretford town centre - one of only four areas of the North West to receive the
full allocation.
The design team includes architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in collaboration with Studio Mutt,
Exterior Architecture, DW Consultants, Hydrock, Avison Young and Civic Engineers.
Posted on Monday 5th June 2023