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Precinct’s demolition only ‘weeks away’

30/ 3/2007

DEMOLITION of Beswick precinct is due to begin in the next few weeks.

The developers Gleeson is already gearing up for the change, with workmen currently disconnecting electricity and gas supplies, checking for asbestos, taking soil samples and checking the depth of foundations to prepare the buildings.

New East Manchester development director Peter Skates said brightly painted hoardings would go up as soon as possible to segregate the demolition area from shops still in business and signs would be put up to show customers how to reach them.

Work was due to start in January but had to be delayed while remaining tenants, including the youth offending team, found alternative accommodation.

But the overall completion date for the £4m scheme has not changed, with new shops fronting Grey Mare Lane due to open in October-November 2008. Beswick Supermarket, Greggs bakers, Colmans Chemist, Totesport bookmakers and the Advertiser have all been invited to rent the new properties.

A total of 39 two and three bedroom apartments are also planned above the shop units. An east Manchester high school, community sports centre and 1,100 new homes are also scheduled to be built by 2012.

Details of the scheme have been submitted to Manchester City Council and are due to be decided on next month.

Demolition is to be in two phases, with the part of the precinct previously occupied by the citizens' advice bureau and Sivoris cafe going first. That will take six months as it has to be done piece by piece because the building is connected to Beswick Supermarket, which is staying open.

Then the new shops would be constructed and businesses moved in, before the rest of the precinct is flattened.

CCTV will also be installed, as well as security shutters that are more aesthetically appealing than the current ones.

Mr Skates said: "The shops are all open at different times - some at night, some only part of the day - and it doesn't look very inviting when many of the shutters are down."