Altrincham town centre looks set to get more residential housing after Trafford Council submitted a proposal to convert part of the former Grafton Centre into a mix of apartments and houses.
Trafford Council, which bought the 81,000 sq ft centre for almost £11m in 2018, is planning to redevelop former office space within the former shopping complex on George Street.
The proposals include plans for seven two-bed houses and three four-bed apartments.
The once-bustling hub has been closed since 2016 and is seen as a barrier to the regeneration of the southern end of George Street.
The council had initially sought a development partner to create an “exciting mixed-use scheme”, but ended that process due to the impact of Covid-19 and instead asked property firm CBRE to come up with an alternative plan.
Negotiations were advanced with a preferred bidder but the Council last year decided to postpone any redevelopment and invest £400,000 as it explored "different options for the site".
Built in the 1970s, the Grafton Centre was once home to the likes of Music Zone Direct, Greggs and the original Rhode Island Coffee.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said the Grafton Centre formed part of its revitalisation of Altrincham town centre.
“As set out in the executive report in June, residential development is one avenue Trafford Council is exploring for this location," the spokesperson said.
“We will await the consideration and determination of the current application before taking any further steps on the project.”
The Grafton Centre includes a 91-bedroom hotel run by Travelodge, whose lease on the building runs until 2037.
