SALE’S town centre could be set for a major makeover which would include the town’s first cinema since the Odeon closed in 1984, writes Gerard Griffith.

The potential changes in Sale Town Centre would involve the construction of over 200 new residential units and new retail outlets as well as the cinema.

Maloneview (Sale) Ltd, which owns the Square Shopping Centre, are proposing the redevelopment of up to 3,400 square metres on a site that includes Sibson House and the adjacent multi-storey car park.

The redevelopment would involve demolishing both Sibson house and the carpark.

The freehold of Sibson House is owned by the Trafford Housing Trust.

Proposals are very much in their early stages and a formal planning application has not yet been submitted. However, an Environmental Impact Assessment report for the project has been submitted to Trafford Council.

Commenting on the report Cllr. Barry Brotherton of Priory Ward said: “People would welcome the cinema but the developers say that the cinema by itself would not make money. That would come from the rest of the proposal.

“While increasing housing density in urban areas is increasingly accepted, fifteen storeys is too much for Sale: Sale is not the sort of town that needs a 15 storey building.

“An additional 200 flats would also put increased strain on the local infrastructure. For example, local schools are already full and GP practices are stretched.

“There is also a proposal to relocate the taxi rank from Hereford Street. This rank serves Tesco and the town centre and we would be opposed to its loss.”

Mark Rebbeck, commercial director at Maloneview confirmed the provisional nature of the current proposals. When asked for a description of the proposed development he commented: “We do have images. However these are still private and confidential. We will be hosting a public consultation event at the Square in November where the images can be viewed. Further details re times and venues will be advertised in the local press.”

Mr Rebbeck added: "Our mixed-use regeneration scheme will revitalise Sale Town Centre, attracting premier national and local retail brands as well as delivering hundreds of new jobs and boosting Sale’s local economy. 

"As well as providing much needed new housing, we are also delivering extensive new areas of improved streetscape and landscaping, a cinema and new restaurants in a plaza to the south.  This will not only boost Sale’s credentials as a shopping and leisure destination, but also improve the night time economy; and provide a much-needed gateway into the existing town centre from the residential area to the south.”

Trafford Housing Trust is consulting with residents in Sibson House