Altrincham Town Centre

Ambitious regeneration proposals have re-established Altrincham as a Modern Market Town. Planit has been embedded in development of proposals since 2009, starting with early ‘pro-bono’ thoughts to drive the regeneration agenda forward.

We were commissioned to create the concept design of Altrincham’s Public Realm Strategy which was informed by a detailed knowledge of the town’s historic fabric. We produced detailed public realm proposals for the Lower Market Place, Cross Street, Shaw’s Road, Regent Road, George Street and Stamford New Road within the town’s retail core and redesigned Goose Green; all of which have been implemented. Its success since completion is best evidenced by the increased property values and prosperity of the surrounding restaurant, bars, cafes and shops.

Road improvements outside Altrincham bus interchange, with a new gateway art piece in the middle of the road and the historic clock tower in the distance. A cyclist is passing through the street.

Complete image of Altrincham town centre showing new paving setts and sreet trees. Cafe and bars have spill out seating.

Sector

Public Realm

Status

Phased Completion

Collaborators

Civic Engineers, Simon Fenton Partnership, LK Group

Client

Trafford Council

Size

5ha

Date

2009 - ongoing

Location

Greater Manchester

Value

£8m

Studio

Manchester
Watch studio story

Team

Matt Stirton, Lindsay Humblet

The main high treet in Altrincham which has new SuDS and seating blocks, as shoppers pass by.

A phased approach

As part of the most recent Phase of works the team have been focussing on cycling and walking whilst also tacking some of the towns drainage challenges through the introduction of rain gardens as part of the street design. Working with local artists, references to the former Linotype Works, a former large employer within the town have been reimagined through the furniture design to help reinforce the towns strong cultural heritage.

Masterplan of Altrincham showing the proposed public realm works.

One of our key focuses has been to reduce and reverse the number of vacant business premises in these areas. Not only are we achieving this but doing so in a way that has bucked the North West trend. We have seen 24 new businesses occupying previously empty premises; this not only improves the appeal of our town centres but has brought in around £900,000 investment from the private sector and created nearly 90 jobs.

Cllr. Sean AnsteeFormer Trafford Council Leader

Altrincham outdoor market with new street trees. People are sat in the outdoor seating enjoying food and drink.

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A detail photo of a cyclist passing over segmental arc paving.

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The historic Altrincham market with new colourful street SuDS outside.

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A birds eye before shot of Goose Green before public realm improvements.

A birds eye after shot of Goose Green once public realm improvements have been completed. There is new paving, trees and planting aswell as being pedestrianised.

Before After

A small courtyard in Altrincham at dusk. Local bars and restaurants have spill out outdoor seating as people pass through the courtyard.

Low shot of Goose Green showing children playing on the feature seating.

“The high quality renewal of the public realm in Goose Green, one of Altrincham’s historical gems, designed and project managed by Planit, reflects the growing resurgence of the town as it comes to terms with the impact of the internet on our high streets. The setting this provides for the growth of the daytime and evening economy and for community activity such as the Goose Green Summer Festival is an excellent example of how high quality public realm can help to catalyse the revitalisation of our town centres.”

Mike ShieldsCBE, Altrincham Town Centre Neighbourhood Forum

A before shot of a street in Altrincham, by the side of Altrincham market.

After shot of Altrincham after public realm works have been completed, complete with street trees and new paving setts.

Before After

Birds eye view of a street in Altrincham showing road improvements including a new courtesy crossing and a red bus.

Innovative highway

Streetscapes and public spaces have been designed to redress the balance between vehicles and pedestrians, whilst fulfilling operational requirements of the busy markets and town centre retail. The carefully considered design reduced traffic speeds through surface treatments, tree planting, furniture, lighting and removal of kerbs, traffic lights and barriers.

Comprehensive consultation with stakeholders, including the Disability Group, was a pre-requisite to project success and extended to over 50 engagement sessions throughout the life of the project. Meetings were convened within our studio (at no additional cost to the Client), considerably smoothing the route to consensus as this was viewed as more neutral territory.

Hand sketched masterplan showing road changes at Altrincham bus interchange.

New cycle lanes and SuDS outside some shops on an Altrinhcam street.

"The opportunity to help transform our local town has been a fantastic experience, providing me with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of how to deliver a complex urban scheme, balancing the requirements of the client, stakeholders and members of the local community, whilst delivering a beautiful and bespoke public realm that has helped to enliven our town."

Matt StirtonPrincipal Landscape Architect on the project

Detail shot of a bronze tree grille with atristic goose green feet detail.

Working with Artists

Planit designed and incorporated custom-made public artwork that references to the town’s origins and heritage throughout the scheme. Within Goose Green webbed goose foot imprints have been carved into stonework and laser-cut into tree grilles, whilst sculptural sleeping stone geese cluster at the centre of the new square. These elements complement an existing geese sculpture which has been relocated, drawing people closer to appreciate the texture and character of its intricate bronze work.

Passers by stop to look at the new seating bench which circles new street SuDS.

Altincham markt hall spilling out on to the street where new SuDS has been included

Outcomes

Altrincham hit the headlines in 2010, and was infamously labelled a “ghost town”, when a nationwide survey by ‘Local Data Company’ highlighted the town's 30% vacancy rate; the highest proportion of empty shops in Britain. Vacancy rates in the town now stand at 8.1%. The leader of Trafford Council has publicly stated that investment in Altrincham’s public realm has contributed to the improving picture.