Eccles

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 

Following the appointment of Muse as Salford City Council’s strategic regeneration partner for Eccles Town Centre in July 2025, the next steps involve the creation of a masterplan to bring the Eccles Vision to life, enhancing public spaces, supporting independent businesses, strengthening connections across the town, and celebrating Eccles’ rich heritage to create a thriving destination for residents and visitors alike.

The partnership has launched a four-week community conversation (which runs until Wednesday 12 November) to help inform interventions and opportunities to be incorporated in the masterplan.

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

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.

Be part of the community conversation to help shape those plans – go to the Eccles Town Centre website to find out more.

A four-week community conversation to help develop plans for the future of the town centre is taking place from Thursday 16 October to Wednesday 12 November.

A number of events are being held where the local community will have an opportunity to speak to the project team about the proposals and to share their views.

This includes a live public webinar on Thursday 23 October at 6pm, and two drop-in events at Eccles Town Hall on Saturday 25 October, from 10am to 2pm, and Friday 31 October, from 1.30pm to 6.30pm.

Find out more and have your say at the Eccles Town Centre website.

The Eccles community conversation runs until Wednesday 12 November 2025.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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, Boothway and The Mall) remains open for business as usual.

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

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.