DENTON is to get a new food hall and ‘iconic piece of architecture’ in which people can ‘live, work and play’ after the Hatters Square concept was approved by Tameside Council.
Local lad Joshua Berry believes the 14,000 square foot development on the town’s Civic Square will see it ‘rivalling Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool’s finest.”
Now Tameside Council has approved the scheme, which will see the current block extended with a rooftop bar put on.
The property developer, who runs Berry Projects, purchased the building, which currently contains 10,000 square feet of commercial shops and a couple of vacant units.
Three existing retail units on the ground floor and the entire first floor will be converted and as well as the food hall, it will house seating areas, private event space and workspace.
Documents supporting the planning application stated: “The proposal will include the redevelopment of the three retail units at ground floor, the gym at first floor and the extension, firstly, of the rear flat roof element and then the flat roof area of the entire existing second floor roof footprint.
“Hatters Square hopes to begin creating lifestyle offerings that revive the town centre high street for local people and attract a new demographic to ‘Live, Work and Play.’”
The extensions to the building will see a first floor glasshouse at the back and a second floor ‘saw-toothed’ extension. The current site would have to be partly demolished and altered before building work on the new project could get going.
These spaces will then be fitted out to accommodate six new micro-kitchens for the eateries coming in.
Mr Berry, who says his latest purchase is ‘a big one (for me)’ detailed his aspirations for the building, which also contains the Crown Point Tavern.
The 33-year-old, also a director at Helping Hands Houses, added: “I really think people are leaving the city centres in exodus and flocking to the suburbs.
“People use to be obsessed with money and cars, that was the dream. Now, people are obsessed with spare time, more space and less commuting.
“I think it’s the only time in history where people aspire to move to lower value areas to get more for their money.
“People just don’t want to live in mahogany boxes in the sky anymore and pay double the price for half the square footage, especially when commuting isn’t as important.
“This building will serve as a benchmark for the future of Denton, bringing city centre style dining and atmosphere to this forgotten suburb.”
Giving the go ahead, Tameside Council officers said: “It is considered that the proposed mixed use scheme would be entirely compatible with the use of the surrounding area.
“Whilst the proposal would result in the loss of some retail units at the site, it is considered that the benefits of the proposed use would justify such loss, in this case.
“The existing building has the potential to be redeveloped/refurbished to become a significant asset to the market square, if carefully designed.
“The design and character of the proposed development would create an iconic piece of architecture within the town centre of Denton, which would integrate effectively with the layout of the market square and character of neighbouring buildings.”
Mr Berry is working with regeneration specialist Daniel Renoso-Urmston on the scheme.
And he said: “A real buzz around our latest project in Greater Manchester. Proper regeneration.”
The go ahead was given with conditions including it opens from 11am until from Monday to Thursday, 10am until 11pm on Friday and Saturday and from 9am until 8pm on Sunday.