Chorley's Market Walk shopping centre has been transformed with new retail, leisure and restaurant offerings.

The 74,479 ft2 retail destination was delivered as part of the town centre's significant wider regeneration plan.

National construction consultancy Perfect Circle project managed and provided quantity surveying services for the scheme.

Jon Parry, regional lead at Perfect Circle, said: "Market Walk represents an important part of Chorley's wider development programme, providing the area with an economic boost and the creation of new jobs. It will give the community a range of new facilities not currently available in the town centre, boosting footfall.

"The development provides facilities for a full day out including retail, leisure and entertainment along with restaurants and bars – generating a greater tourist offering and attracting more visitors to the area. We're delighted to have been involved in this transformative project.


"Due to its location, the scheme required an innovative car parking solution. As the development is on the site of the former Flat Iron car park, we needed to ensure that parking spaces weren't compromised for visitors to the town centre while works were taking place.

"To mitigate this, we installed the decked car park on the site of the existing Friday Street car park and progressed with enabling works immediately after planning permission was granted. We have also created an additional circa 500 car parking spaces across the town centre."

Works have also improved the public area around the Chorley Pals War Memorial, with the addition of Marks & Spencer and REEL Cinema, alongside a number of other national retailers.

Perfect Circle worked collaboratively with principal contractor Eric Wright Group, meaning that time was saved by overlapping the various contracts including, road crossings, utility diversion and public realm improvements.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, added: "We've been certain from day one that this project would be a success and, since we started building it just under 12 months ago, we've seen interest continue to grow. Three-quarters of the development has terms agreed with offers out on the remaining units. The fact we've achieved this shows a huge confidence in Chorley as a place to set up business when other places are really struggling with the changing nature of the high street."

(CM/JG)