Section of empty shopping centre to be demolished

Retail units in Droylsden that have been left empty for years will soon be demolished.

Units at Greenside Shopping Centre, opposite the Concord building, will be bulldozed after Tameside Council granted planning permission.

The owners of the shopping centre, New-Era, want to scrap the plots from the former site of Coral betting shop to where the old Pounstretcher site.
The other units, from Iceland to B&M Bargains, would be kept under the plans.

Planning papers say that once demolition of the Greenside Lane site is completed, a gravel surface will be put down until future redevelopment plans move forward.

This move forms part of New-Era’s vision for the whole shopping complex around the Concord Suite building. The company bought the shopping centre because they believe Droylsden can become ‘a thriving town and a great place to live and work’. 

Their masterplan involves creating residential accommodation within the Concord building itself as well as the redevelopment of the surrounding shopping units.

Speaking previously on New-Era’s overall vision, a spokesperson said: “New-Era believes there is a once in a generation opportunity in Droylsden to deliver transformational change because, uniquely, the majority of the town’s shortcomings (also opportunities) are on or within sites already in the ownership or control of the Tameside council and thus deliverable in the short term not just aspirations for years in the future. 

“Unlike the 10 – 20 year plans that are proposed for Ashton and Hyde, with full engagement from Tameside Council the regeneration of Droylsden is possible in the near term.

“New-Era’s initial vision thus covered not only the jointly controlled shopping centre and Concord site but also the significant development sites at the Marina and the site adjacent the Lazy Toad and proposed where new or improved ‘links’ could ease access to the town from Fairfield, Scott’s Road and the new housing on the former Robertson’s site (then still being constructed).

“New-Era believes the reintroduction of residential accommodation on to the site will increase the economic viability for new businesses to set up and thrive and have already held discussions with the planning authority regarding the development of a small apartment block to the north of the site near Beehive Mill.”