A BUSTLING 1960s shopping centre has been completely revamped into a £70million entertainment hub.
Stanley Square in Sale, Manchester, has been praised for its “community atmosphere” and wide range of shops.
Formerly known as 6 Acre Square, the centre is also set to open the new Northern Light Cinema – which will be the first new cinema to open in Sale for 40 years.
Over 50 years ago, despite being a popular spot with locals, the shopping centre had ugly entrance gates, no green spaces and loads of empty shops.
In 2020, plans were approved to build the new ‘cultural square’ and today the residents are thrilled with the area.
There are places to eat, drink and shop as well as accommodating for workers with office spaces above the shops.
Phil and Valerie Hadwen, who live in Timperley, shared their thoughts on the town’s highlight.
Phil told Manchester Evening News: “We love to come to Sale now, it’s improved so much.
“It used to be awful”, he added. “There were a lot of empty shop units and it wasn’t a nice place to come. They’ve really turned it around.”
Although not everyone is impressed with the town’s makeover and miss the old days.
A woman named Sue told the publication: “I think it’s quite sad because the high street is all coffee, nail bars, hairdressers and clothes shops. Meanwhile, the building societies and banks have closed.”
There is also Hiya, which is a place for people to meet and take part in activities.
By Milad Sherzad
FURIOUS locals have slammed plans to demolish an iconic shopping centre that was much-loved in the ’90s.
Shoppers who frequent Lewisham Shopping Centre in south east London have ridiculed plans to redevelop the site as a “complete waste of money.”
The site has been earmarked for demolition as part of a £1.3 billion project to build 1,700 new homes, a modern shopping complex with a rooftop garden, and a new live music venue.
However, the project, if approved by Lewisham Council, would take 10 years to complete and could cause disruption to the area.
Many locals are fuming at the plans, with some feeling their voices weren’t listened to, despite the project having a three year-long consultation period.
William McCann, 76, described the plans as a “waste of space” and a “complete waste of money”.
Read the full story here.
Sale Sings, a new choir made of local people, meet regularly at the Hiya facility.
There is also a community bike kitchen and a tea dance on the last Friday of each month.
For those looking for wholesome, there’s a makers market on the third Sunday of the month too.
