Former House of Fraser store in Altrincham to be redeveloped into mixed-use commercial and leisure space

Plans to redevelop a former House of Fraser store in Greater Manchester into a mixed-use retail and leisure space have been approved by Trafford Council’s planning committee.

The House of Fraser store was forced to close 2018 along with 31 other locations. The redevelopment is part of Trafford Council's and Bruntwood Works' larger project to regenerate the town's Stamford Quarter.

Plans show that the building is to be renamed Foundation and will include 50,000 sq ft of commercial workspace as well as 25,000 sq ft dedicated to retail and leisure spaces.

The ground floor will feature a café, restaurant and retail space, with the plans also featuring a gym and wellness area, as well as showers and cycle storage.

A two-story extension of the building will add new terraces on the first floor and a new solar panel system on the roof, while bridge links to Sunningdale and Kingfisher buildings will be demolished.

A 340 sq meter living wall will also be installed around the building to provide oxygen and cut noise levels, part of the scheme's sustainability credentials.

Andrea George, Town Centre and Consumer Brands Director at Bruntwood Works, said: "Altrincham is already a town centre success story, bucking the story of decline that has defined so many of its peers around the country.

"The pandemic’s lasting impact on where people want to spend more time to work, shop and play locally means there is an opportunity to deepen and strengthen its offering. That’s what Foundation will do.

"It will give Altrincham all the ingredients that the high streets of tomorrow need. By blending premium workspaces, retail and leisure, we’re providing a new and much-needed amenity that complements the existing operators within Stamford Quarter and the wider town centre. We can’t wait to see Foundation take shape and underpin this new chapter for Altrincham."