Manchester’s Central Retail Park Set for Landmark Transformation

After eight years of uncertainty, Manchester’s Central Retail Park is on the brink of a major transformation, with plans for a nine-storey office development and a new public park expected to get the green light this week.

A New Era for Great Ancoats Street

The £37m site, previously home to Toys R Us, Argos, and other retailers, has stood vacant since 2019. Initial proposals to turn it into a pay-and-display car park were overturned by a High Court challenge, and in the years since, the abandoned space has been a battleground for different visions—including a DIY skatepark nicknamed GooseSide, after goslings that moved in when the shops closed.

However, after years of setbacks and town hall debates, the project gained momentum in 2023 when council leader Bev Craig announced that half the site had been sold. Now, with planning officers recommending approval, the long-running saga could finally reach its conclusion.

A ‘Flagship Development’ for Manchester

The new plans include:
✅ A nine-storey office building to accommodate 7,000 civil servants
✅ A one-hectare public park featuring 96 trees and three play areas
✅ New retail spaces to enhance local amenities

The Government Property Agency (GPA) has hailed the project as a “flagship development”, stating:

“This building will set the standard for new government hubs through this decade and beyond, with flexibility, function, and collaboration at its core.”

Dubbed the ‘Manchester Digital Campus’, the project is expected to create 6,000 construction jobs and fill a key gap on Great Ancoats Street.

Final Decision Looms

Manchester City Council’s planning committee is set to deliberate on the proposals at 2pm on Thursday, 20th February. If approved, it will mark the end of an era for Central Retail Park—and the beginning of a new chapter for Manchester’s urban landscape.