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WORKS on demolishing the former Royal Mail sorting office in Stretford is due to start in the next few weeks.
The Council has selected Amey as the contractor to knock down the 6,400sq ft building on Lacy Street as part of a wide-ranging masterplan to redevelop Stretford town centre.
The Stretford Masterplan, which Trafford Council is implementing with partners Bruntwood, involves the redevelopment of Stretford Mall and the town centre.
The council and Bruntwood want to make a number of significant improvements to the area including attracting more independent businesses to the Mall, improvements in leisure and shopping facilities, and making the area more accessible.
Lacy Street is a prominent gateway into the town centre which faces onto Bridgewater Canal and the proposals for the site will seek to improve access to the canal-side, provide improved public realm and support new residential and commercial development.
The Council held positive public consultations on the proposals with Stretford residents earlier in 2020 and more recently between September and October.
Further consultation will take place in the near future on the Lacy Street proposals.
Cllr James Wright, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for housing and Regeneration, said: “The site is of great importance to the Council as it looks to develop the Stretford Masterplan.
“Through having control of assets such as this site and Stretford Mall, the council is now in a position where it can take steps to deliver a comprehensive transformation of the town centre.
“The plans are very exciting and we look forward to Stretford’s future development with huge optimism.
“Trafford Council is totally committed to the regeneration and redevelopment of our town centres and Stretford is no exception.”
The contractor will carry out the work to demolish the sorting office in an environmentally-friendly manner and steps will be taken to salvage and recycle as much material from the site as is reasonably possible.
The Messenger reported in November last year that the council had bought the site at a cost of £800,000.
The building has stood empty since summer 2018 when Royal Mail moved its delivery office to Norton Street in Old Trafford.
Proposals for the site included affordable housing, student flats and space for new shops and services.
The council is also looking to boost the area between Lancashire Cricket Club to Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground through its Civic Quarter masterplan.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2021.
n What do you think of the news? Will it be a good thing for the area to be developed? Email your views to robert.kelly@nqnw.co.uk
