Flyover shops plan awaiting green light
CIRCLE SQUARE DEVELOPMENT COULD TRANSFORM MANCUNIAN WAY SPACE INTO HAVEN OF SHOPS AND COFFEE BARS, WITH BREWERY AND RESTAURANTS
AN empty space under the Mancunian Way could be transformed into a food and drink haven, with coffee bars, a brewery and pop-up restaurants.
As part of the Circle Square development plans have been submitted to the town hall for units under the flyover on Oxford Road.
Pop-up restaurants, a coffee house and nano-brewery could soon fill the vacant courtyard area – if plans by developer Bruntwood are approved.
The scheme for 12 units also includes four food and beverage outlets, three retail stands and three ‘containerstyle’ retail units.
It is hoped the project will transform the area around Manchester Technology Centre and under the Mancunian Way with a range of pop-up and semi-permanent retail and leisure outlets.
Subject to planning approval, the aim is to attract a variety of operators including creators, makers and street food operators, specifically selected to compliment the Circle Square ethos. The concept will act as a precursor for the shops at Circle Square, the £750m new city centre development by Bruntwood and Select Property Group, providing a major boost to the Corridor Manchester community. With a focus on innovation, the scheme has been designed to attract aspiring entrepreneurs and established traders looking to try out something new. Due to launch in late September, it will be managed by the team behind Afflecks, the Northern Quarter shopping emporium. Toby Sproll, head of retail and leisure at Bruntwood, said: “Creating a sense of place is essential to our vision for Circle Square. “We want to attract a mix of makers, operators, innovators and start-ups, providing them with the opportunity to expand their existing offer or even try something a little different. “Ever-evolving, this scheme will provide a much-needed boost to the existing retail and leisure offer on Oxford Road – not only to support the thriving 130,000-strong population of students, workers and residents on Corridor Manchester, but also to make this a
Ever-evolving, this scheme will provide a boost to retail and leisure on Oxford Road Toby Sproll
destination for people to visit when out and about in the city.
“A five-minute walk away along Oxford Road, we’re already on-site with the 40,000 sq ft university green, which forms part of the university’s £1bn campus masterplan and redevelopment.
“The 12 units will provide new spaces in which to socialise, dine and shop and complement this exciting offer at Circle Square.”
Flexible and affordable leases will be offered, as well as additional support.
It will provide opportunities for both start-up and established operators looking to try something new, catering for morning trade through to late evening, seven days a week.