Step Places chosen for Wigan Pier regeneration

Step Places has been chosen by Wigan Council, in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, to redevelop the historic Wigan Pier Quarter.

Three 18th century industrial buildings on the Pier which will be transformed into mixed-use leisure destinations, with arts company The Old Courts being the lead tenant.

Harry Dhaliwal, managing director of Step Places, said: ‘Wigan Pier was one of the most iconic destinations in the north in its time and we are honoured to be so intrinsic in its future. We are working to create a place to be proud of; a new part of the town centre where people want to live and has the impressive cultural and leisure activities that both residents and visitors can enjoy.

‘Having secured The Old Courts as the main operator we are confident we have the right team in place to do just that and we are looking forward to sharing our plans for Wigan Pier’s prosperous next chapter.’

Wigan Pier was originally a coal loading jetty where wagons would unload coal on to canal barges.

The Pier became famous through a music hall joke by George Formby Snr and through its appearance in the title of George Orwell’s graphic description of the plight of the English working class in the early 20th century ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’.

In 2014 Wigan Council announced the start of a 10-year regeneration programme to create a ‘New Road to Wigan Pier’.

Cllr David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council, said: ‘We have had long-held ambitions to create a new purpose for Wigan Pier as a destination and leisure attraction.

‘Step Places vision for the Pier was from the outset extremely impressive and fulfilled everything that we hoped Wigan Pier would become.

‘It is fantastic that they have agreed a partnership with The Old Courts, who have an extremely well respected and diverse cultural offering within the town centre. Their passion for creativity will be a welcome addition to this project and we look forward to watching this come to life.

‘We will support Step Places and The Old Courts throughout the process and look forward to Wigan Pier becoming a popular destination for people in the borough and beyond once again.’