Eccles•Salford City Council

Eccles is a historic town within the city of Salford, with roots stretching back to the 14th century. Known for its rich heritage and the iconic Eccles cake, the town is now embracing a bold new chapter.

With excellent transport links, a growing independent café and retail scene, a vibrant community spirit, and strong education provision, Eccles has so much to offer. But like many towns, it has faced challenges in recent years — with empty shops, limited job opportunities, housing that doesn’t meet everyone’s needs, and an overall lack of investment.

It’s now time for change

Muse, the nationally recognised placemaker, were appointed as Salford City Council’s strategic regeneration partner for Eccles Town Centre in July 2025.

Having a strategic regeneration partner onboard is a big step forward. It will pave the way for future work to deliver on the council’s promise to create an improved and fit-for-purpose town centre for the residents of Eccles, in line with the shared vision developed with local people.

Work has already begun in preparation for the next stage of public consultation, planned for the autumn. Residents and other stakeholders will be invited to share their views on what the transformation of the town centre should look like, and their feedback will help shape a joint plan for the future.

The redevelopment of Eccles Town Centre is a key priority for Salford City Council, as laid out in the 2024-2028 Corporate Plan – This is Our Salford. Work in Eccles began with a public consultation to create a shared vision for the town, and was followed by the purchase of Eccles Shopping Centre by the council in December 2022.

The Eccles Vision

The Eccles Vision is a shared plan for the future, shaped through extensive consultation with residents, businesses, schools and community groups – people of all ages and backgrounds with different opinions and ideas about their town.

The three main themes of Eccles Vision are:

For Eccles to be a place to eat, meet, play and work. This is now a great opportunity for Eccles to reinvent itself to give people a reason to spend time in the town centre.
To build on its roots both in terms of heritage and the strong sense of community pride as the town grows into the future.
To create more connections through its excellent transport links and the potential this brings in attracting new residents. This means homes that work better for a wider range of people, a stronger economy and a bright future.

Watch a video of the Eccles Vision

Download the Eccles Vision (Adobe PDF format, 3.4mb)

Latest news

Following the council’s success in securing Capital Regeneration Project funding from the UK Government to purchase and demolish Eccles Shopping Centre and the multi-storey car park, significant progress has already been made.

Demolition of the outdated shopping centre started in January this year, making space for a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.

Connell Brothers Ltd, the demolition contractor, have already demolished the market hall and a number of retail units and derelict buildings. Work to demolish the multi-storey car park and units underneath has commenced.

Demolition of the Phase 1 site (see plan below) is likely to be fully complete by the end of 2025.

During this period, the rest of the town centre (including Church Street, Boothsway and The Mall) remains open for business as usual.

Change won’t happen overnight but we are committed to working with local communities to create a town centre that works for existing residents and attracts new people to build a new shared future for Eccles.

Map of the demolition

Map of Eccles showing demolition phase March 2025

Frequently asked questions

What are the immediate plans for Eccles?

What is the immediate plan for Eccles Shopping Centre?

The immediate plan is to demolish phase 1 of the shopping centre together with the disused multi-storey car park. You can see the outline of phase 1 on the map on this page. The rest of shopping centre will remain operating for the foreseeable future (at least three years).

Why are Eccles Shopping Centre and Multi-Storey Car Park being demolished?

Eccles Shopping Centre is in a state of disrepair and the multi-storey car park has been closed for a number of years due to safety issues.

During the 2022 Eccles Vision consultation people overwhelmingly told us they wanted to see bold changes in the town centre. The shopping centre and multi-storey car park were described as “unloved, downtrodden and left behind”. The demolition and redevelopment of Eccles Shopping Centre and the disused multi-storey car park were viewed as a priority.

The demolition will give us an opportunity to create a more vibrant town centre that meets the needs of existing residents as well as attracting new people to build a new future for Eccles.

What is the timescale for demolition?

Demolition of Phase 1 of the Shopping Centre, the market hall, and Multi Storey Car Park is now taking place, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.

How has the purchase of Eccles Shopping Centre and planned demolition been funded?

Funded by UK Government

The purchase of Eccles Shopping Centre and demolition of phase 1 has been funded by UK Government.

Through this funding programme, Salford City Council was awarded a total of £5.4m as a catalyst to regenerate the town centre and secure a brighter future for Eccles.

How will this affect the daily life of Eccles Shopping Centre?

I am a current tenant within Eccles Shopping Centre, what are my options?

Whilst the plan for the shopping centre is for it to be demolished, for those outside of phase 1 the immediate future will remain unchanged. Those businesses will be contacted in due course to discuss individual tenancy agreements and plans for the future. Businesses can contact us with any questions or concerns emailing eccles@salford.gov.uk or calling the main council phone number 0161 793 2500 (please choose the option 'Other enquiries') or you can call in to the Eccles Gateway.

What is happening with Eccles Market?

Following the closure of the market, traders that wished to relocate have been supported to do so – both within Eccles Shopping Centre and Church Street.

Will I still be able to access and use the shopping centre while the work is taking place?

Demolition currently affects the area outlined in phase 1 - which is sectioned off with hoardings to ensure the safety of everybody working and shopping in the areas outside of phase 1. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption, and the rest of the town centre (including Church Street, Boothsway and The Mall) remains open for business as usual.

How are you supporting the town centre in the meantime, until new development is delivered?

Eccles Shopping Centre continues to be managed on a daily basis by Workman Facilities Management Ltd.

Won’t demolishing the shopping centre adversely affect the town?

Changes in the way people shop, especially with more online shopping, means towns are changing. We need to think about how Eccles works for people in very different ways: potentially fewer shops, more green and well-signed public spaces, and more leisure choices.

With the demolition, there will be short-term disruption and changes to the shopping offer in the town centre. But as views from recent public consultation confirm, there is a desire to repurpose the town centre and look at a complete transformation of the area.

This means in the longer term the creation of a more vibrant town centre where people can live, meet, work and shop.

Plans for the future

Who are Muse, and where can I find out more about them?

We are placemakers, working in partnership to deliver brighter futures for our towns and cities.

We take on ambitious projects at scale with a long-term outlook. Our track record of over 40 years leading complex, mixed-use regeneration gives us the experience to deliver successful places, with the emphasis on sustainability, community and quality.

We’re in it for the duration, so we prioritise the things that make a great place for people in the long-term; the amenities and facilities they need, offices and workspaces for businesses, civic and community buildings, nature and biodiversity and healthy transport. We help nurture inclusive and happier communities, both old and new, by creating desirable shared spaces and opportunities for people to connect.

More about Muse: museplaces.com

Is there a timeline available for the redevelopment of Eccles town centre?

Following the appointment of Muse as Salford City Council’s strategic regeneration partner for Eccles Town Centre in July 2025, it is expected that the next phase of consultation will begin in autumn 2025. Through ongoing consultation and engagement with the community the shared vision for Eccles will be firmed up into a plan for what, where and when change will happen.

Based on the current timeline it is estimated that new development will commence mid-2027.

See the full timeline

Are there designs and masterplans for what the redeveloped site will look like?

There are no designs or masterplans as yet.

Any new proposals for the future or Eccles town centre will be developed in consultation with residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders.

What is happening with Charles House?

The council has also now acquired the Charles House office block on John William Street. The building falls within the area of the town centre the city council is seeking to regenerate, and its purchase enhances the council’s ability to drive comprehensive redevelopment in Eccles.

The council intends to fully demolish Charles House, with preparatory works now underway.

How can I find out more?

The next phase of engagement will begin in autumn 2025.

You can sign up to our mailing list for regular updates at eccles@salford.gov.uk.

Get in touch

You can email eccles@salford.gov.uk or call the main council phone number 0161 793 2500 (please choose the option 'Other enquiries') or you can call in to the Eccles Gateway.

If you would like email updates sign up below.

Downloadable documents

If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.

This page was last updated on 17 July 2025

Eccles