Plans to turn the old JJB Sports and Superdrug site on George Street into a mixed-use development with retail units and 37 apartments have been unveiled by developers.
The currently disused building will be transformed into up to three retail units on the George Street side and a brand new apartment complex backing onto Central Way, overlooking the lower marketplace. There will also be space for a retail unit on the Central Way side, which the developers envisage as a coffee shop.
Images and models of the proposed development were presented at a public consultation held inside the building earlier this week.
Developers Merepark Homes say over 30 people attended including market traders, neighbouring businesses and representatives from the Altrincham & Bowdon Civic Society.
Below: The proposed development, which is now subject to alterations after the initial public consultation. This is the view from Central Way
Jon Wylson, Merepark’s Land & Sales Director, insists the proposals are “not finalised drawings” and that they will now be using the feedback to “make some alterations”.
The developers do maintain that the site is “ideally located for a development of this nature being a highly sustainable location”.
It added: “This redevelopment is necessary because the retail accommodation is predominately vacant and this allows development to include more suitable commercial accommodation.
“The introduction of the leisure/retail unit fronting Central Way will create active frontage to the lower Market which has
undergone extensive redevelopment as a result of significant investment by Trafford Council.”
Below: A model of how the new development would fit into George Street
The development could also act “as a catalyst to further developments of similar nature in the area”, it added.
The 37 apartments, which would include studios, one-beds and two-beds, would be accessed via Central Way and each would come with one parking space located within the development. Prices are not being released yet but it’s understood they would start from the low £100,000s.
Merepark will now be presenting the scheme to the Landlords’ Forum on February 4th, and Wylson said that “a number of the parties” who attended the public consultation had also indicated that they would like to be given a separate presentation.
Merepark recently converted an open plan office on Victoria Street in Altrincham into a £1.3m, 28-apartment complex, which has now sold out.
Below: The view down George Street showing the height of the proposed development on the right…
…and as it is now
Below: Models showing how the development would back on to Central Way, and an overhead map of the scheme
