PRESS RELEASE
21st March 2006

Turf Cutting Ceremony For £11 Million Grove Village Centre

The changing face of Grove Village continued its transformation today (21 March 2006) as the turf is cut on a new £11 million village centre in Ardwick, Manchester.

Grove Village Ltd, the consortium set up to deliver the £90 million housing PFI for Manchester City Council, is developing a community driven facility for local residents. Consortium members are Harvest Housing Group, Gleeson Group and Nationwide Building Society.

The village centre will replace the former run-down, graffiti strewn precinct which had been vacated by many shop owners due to increasing vandalism and rising crime rates.

Retailers are already expressing interest in the site, which will be situated at the edge of the estate fronting onto the A6, Stockport Road. Negotiations are currently underway with a leading supermarket to fill the 3,000sq ft anchor store.

Alongside retail outlets, the village centre will include the Grove Village office, a one-stop shop for local tenants where they will be able to make housing enquiries or report a repair. Also at street level there will be a 2000sq ft community space.

The remaining three stories of the landmark building will comprise of 80 one and two bedroom apartments for sale.

Ian Perry, Chairman of Grove Village Ltd, said: “Today marks a momentous day in the progress of Grove Village. The redevelopment of the village centre will have a very positive impact on the area, providing jobs, new housing and local amenities.

“The shops and community facilities will serve local people, as well as attracting passing trade. We expect this to be a huge improvement on the previous precinct, where a few shops hidden away within the estate struggled for survival.”

Gleeson Homes, part of the MJ Gleeson Group, aim to complete the village centre by June 2007 - with the first retail outlets opening two months later.

Local tenants and residents have been involved throughout the planning stages of the development.

Dave Tomlinson, Chairman of the Grove Village Residents’ Association, said: “The new shopping area will provide a desperately needed retail heart for Grove Village. It will provide a variety of shops for local residents and those who live in the surrounding area.”

ENDS