Trafford Council has bought another property in Stretford at a cost of £800,000.

The authority snapped up the former Royal Mail delivery office on Lacey Street as part of its ongoing plans to regenerate the area.

Contracts were exchanged this week for the vacant building next to the Lacy Street car park, opposite Stretford Mall, which backs on to the Bridgewater canal.

In September the council purchased three shopping centres, Stretford Mall,  Stamford Quarter and Clarendon House, the latter two of which are in Altrincham. All together, three cost £50m.

The building has stood empty since summer 2018 when Royal Mail moved its delivery office to Norton Street in Old Trafford.

The council said it will soon be consulting the public on its plans for Stretford and hopes its latest purchase will widen the possibilities for the area.

Proposals for the site include affordable housing, student flats and space for new shops and services.

A spokesman for Trafford Council said: “One of our aims is to create successful and thriving places in the borough, with a particular focus on our town centres and local communities, and this deal allows us to do this.

“The purchase is a very important factor in terms of the regeneration of Stretford Town centre and the Lacy Street area. This could give us the opportunity to open up onto the Bridgewater Canal.”

The spokesperson explained that the Lacy Street area is central to the council’s plans for an improved Stretford and the authority believes its purchase of Stretford Mall is a massive boost for the area.

They added: “I know residents have been calling out for more investment in the area and we are listening to them.”

The council is also looking to boost the area between Lancashire Cricket Club to Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground through its Civic Quarter masterplan.

The plans for the area around the town hall will see 750 new homes on the former Kellogg’s factory site, a new hotel, a primary school and leisure centre.

The council is also working to regenerate Urmston, as well as parts of Altrincham and Stretford with the support of private investors.

It has plans for all four of the borough’s town centres.