Vision for regeneration of Droylsden revealed by property chief

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A company heading up the regeneration of Droylsden has outlined its vision for how the town’s shopping centre can succeed – and it’s not through becoming dominated by bars.

New-Era Properties owns both the Droylsden and Greenside shopping centres, having taken over the parade off Market Street in 2019.

Since then there has been a £100k refurbishment of two of its main units facing onto Villemomble Square, and planning permission was granted by Tameside council for new food and drink venues in the centre.

New-Era Properties stated in 2019 it was looking to invest ‘substantial sums’ across the site over the next five years. Speaking at a town hall meeting, Patrick Franks, the company’s head of property, said that they are aiming to attract a food store operator into the town centre as a ‘critical early step’ which will act as a ‘catalyst’ for wider regeneration. READ MORE: Plans unveiled to transform Tameside area into creative hub to rival Media City “Since 2019 our investment has already brought forward new food and drink operators, a large modern dental practice and further tenants are making enquiries,” he said. “Getting the town centre right will enhance the perception of the wider town and thereby stimulate delivery of high quality regeneration in the immediate surrounding areas. “We are seeking to get control back of the NatWest Bank unit which has been empty for many years, and is actually subject to lease to NatWest for another 50 years. “We have had an inordinate number of applications for bars in the centre and we are hoping that in securing a food store, we want this town centre to remain an all-day centre. “So we’ve refused or failed to act on a lot of bar operators and at the moment I’m talking to