THE multi-million-pound development of a striking new entrance at Stretford Mall is nearing completion ­— with 98.4 per cent of materials removed from the site being recycled.

The revamp has used 6,000 tonnes of concrete and brick, and 250 tonnes of steel, with only 1.6 per cent of all material removed from the site going to landfill.

It comes as the development project is entering its final phase, with work to create the new 11-metre high, 22-metre wide glass-fronted entrance expected to be completed next month.

The former market hall has been demolished, and more than 40,000 bricks laid to create the new entrance on Chester Road.

The work will also result in a more modern retail space inside the mall.

Approximately 45,000 hours have been worked on the project by the team from award winning local contractors Connell Brothers of Salford.

Architect Pozzoni Architecture, also based in Altrincham, designed the new entrance. Pozzoni is also working with two local schools, Lostock College secondary school and Gorse Hill Primary School, to design two giant murals which will be erected next to the new entrance.

The murals will pay tribute to tribute to some famous Stretford icons, including LS Lowry, John Rylands, the Essoldo cinema, Frances Lennon MBE, Morrissey, and even a number 256 bus.

It comes as new tenants continue to sign up to the Mall including Stretford Foodhall run by the entrepreneur behind Manchester’s trendy Ancoats General Store entrepreneur, set to open soon.

Uplift, a new “clean food” takeaway aimed at gym goers including members of Pure Gym at Stretford Mall, is also set to open next month, and Head Bar which opened in December is fast becoming popular with music lovers in the area.

It is hoped the new entrance and more modern, brighter interior retail area at Stretford Mall will continue to attract new tenants.

Longstanding existing tenants have also continued to invest in their units to improve the customer service experience in individual stores, with Quality Save, Barnardos, EE and Nationwide all having refits to refresh their look in recent months.

The Mall also recently hosted the Spirit of the Essoldo pop up cinema spectacular with live dance, music, street food stalls and a bar, in the multi-storey car park adjoining the shopping centre.

Gareth Wilkins, general manager at Stretford Mall, said: “These are exciting times at Stretford. We are delighted that the redevelopment is now entering its final phase, with just 34 items left to complete on our development schedule.

“We anticipate the works to be completed sometime during May, unless we were to have some unexpected bad weather or other unforeseen event.

“We are pleased to have been able to have commissioned local Manchester construction and architectural agents to work on the project.

“We are delighted with the environmental achievement to recycle almost all of the materials removed from the site ­— the saving to landfill is phenomenal.

“We are excited to organise a grand opening event once the community murals are in place and ready to be unveiled this summer. They will be a wonderful tribute to the area.”

Connell Brothers’ Terry Harman and Mick Murray, who lead the building project at Stretford Mall, recently won the coveted Demolition Operative and Demolition Plant Operative prizes in the 2018 NFDC (National Federation of Demolition Contractors) Awards.

They were joined on site by fellow award winning Connell Brothers staff members Kevin Brooks and Neil Doherty, and other staff.

Connell Brothers MD Jim Connell said: “We pride ourselves on ensuring as much of the material we remove as possible is recycled. If we can reduce the amount going to landfill then we can reduce the impact on the environment.

“The steel, concrete and bricks we removed from Stretford Mall will all be separated, cleaned and sent for recycling to be re-used on road schemes and other building projects in the local region.”

Mr Connell added: “When it is opened up the new entrance at Stretford Mall will be very light and airy. It will have a real impact for shoppers.”

Matt Mason, senior associate at Pozzoni Architecture, said: "We started working with the mall owners on this particular proposal back in 2016 so to see the scaffold removed, revealing what will become the new mall entrance, is fantastic.

“Working within this live retail environment has been really rewarding as we've gained a true sense of anticipation and excitement from customers and the local community in seeing the building improvement work taking shape."