Iconic market town being transformed with THREE £375m developments including demolishing once-thriving Debenhams store

The Sun

22-04-2025

A BUSY market town located just outside of London is set to undergo a £375 million upgrade.
Three major redevelopment projects are set to take place in the area this year.
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One of Guildford's developments will see the construction of 183 new homes along the town's riverfront.
St Mary's Wharf is a 310,000 square foot redevelopment of the town's former Debenhams.
The demolition of the department store is expected to be completed by late August, with the overall project set to conclude by 2030.
Located in the centre of Guildford, the site will include affordable homes, ranging from one to five bedrooms.
The £125 million project will also see the addition of restaurants and business spaces for further shops, cafes, and bars.
An acre of new public riverside walkways and gardens will also be created as part of the development.
This will provide direct access to the Guildford's River Wey from the High Street for the first time in more than 50 years.
Designed by architect Squire & Partners, the buildings will be fossil fuel-free and net zero carbon in operation, and will enhance local biodiversity with green roofs as well as the addition of 50 trees.
St Mary's Wharf is just a five-minute walk from Guildford train station, which operates routes to central London in just 30 minutes.
This development is currently under construction, having received approval from Guildford Borough Council in November 2022.
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A second project is underway a short distance away at Guildford's North Street, and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
This £150 million regeneration project is set to deliver both residential units and upgrades to public areas.
A total of 477 highly sustainable new homes, including 47 affordable units will be developed along with a 2.2 acre of public space, featuring a wellness garden and a new town square.
Guildford's bus station will also be refurbished as part of the redevelopment.
And North Street is set to be pedestrianised, a move which is projected to improve the town's air quality by 10%.
'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp
By Nicole Cherruault
A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp.
The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound"vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind".
More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers.
Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News.
The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy.
Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities.
And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners.
This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements.
The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year.
However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas.
He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council.
'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre.
'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.'
Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community.
In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles.
He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community.
'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community.
'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.'
There will be 115 new trees planted, which is set to boost the local biodiversity by over 200%.
And finally, a new medical centre will be constructed to serve the community's needs.
A third development, costing a total of £150 million, will see the transformation of Guildford's station car park into a new Station Quarter.
This will be home to a new station building, 438 new homes, retail and office spaces, and a "radically enhanced station environment" with a modern new station.
The brand new station plaza will be roughly the size of a rugby pitch and will include new shops and eateries as well as new offices and a transport interchange.
This plan is set to transform the station into a "fitting gateway to Guildford town centre" and is also set to wrap up by the end of this year.
A total of £25 million is being invested into station improvements with the new building providing a larger double height ticket hall to accommodate more passengers.
The scheme has been designed to accommodate anticipated passenger growth up until 2035.
A new multi-storey car park with improved, safer pedestrian access and reduced average walk time from car to platform is also being developed.
There will also be separate pick-up and drop-off arrangements and an improved taxi rank.
Local reaction
Solum's regeneration project received mixed reactions since it was first submitted in 2017.
Many in the area opposed the development due to the height of the construction, dubbing it " The Great Wall of Guildford", according to Surrey Live.
Local residents had similar concerns over the St Mary's Wharf project, describing the tower block as "too big".
"We should not be looking at anything above six storeys along the river corridor," Amanda Mullarkey, chair of Guildford Residents' Association, said in 2022.
'Is this what we want: A string of tower blocks along the river and the town's downland setting obscured from view?'
However, others supported the addition of new housing and public spaces to the town's centre.
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