Goose Green, the historic square in the heart of Altrincham, has been sold to new owners.
Comprising 12 different units, Goose Green is home to a diverse mix of leisure and niche retail operators including Costello's, Hidden Hearing, The Green Room, House Kitchen & Bar and Noria.
It's now been acquired by private clients of Thomas Willmax. At the time of purchase, Goose Green generated an annual income of more than £280,000.
The sale marks the end of an era for the square, which was transformed from dilapidated workers' cottages into a thriving commercial destination by property developer Mark Rubin.
Rubin first acquired some of the cottages in 1976 at a time when they were residential dwellings but unfit for human habitation and subject to closure orders.
Rubin purchased the first three cottages at auction from British American Tobacco for a nominal sum, then spent two years converting them into commercial units - introducing electricity, reinforcing floors with concrete and steel and making them safe for public use.
In 1986, he acquired the remaining railway cottages, negotiating directly with the families living there and paying £200,000 per property.
The first business to open was a wine bar called Ganders, and despite a difficult recession in the late 1980s, the square gradually attracted an eclectic mix of tenants.
A £1.5million investment in the square from Trafford Council in 2015 brought new paving, lighting, trees and the distinctive geese sculpture.
Commenting on the purchase, Raheem Yacoob of Thomas Willmax said: "The acquisition of this well-known centre was an opportunity my clients did not want to miss.
"Most people who live in the area know of Goose Green as a hidden gem, and my clients, who are Manchester-based, were excited by the opportunity to acquire it.
"The intention is to keep it long term and improve the income as lease renewals and rent reviews occur."
Jeremy Rubin and Co acted for the vendor, with Thomas Willmax representing the buyer.
