The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response Walkden is thought to date back until the 13th century and was at one time a centre for coal mining and textile manufacturing It is home to the Blackleach Country Park and the restored Ellesmere Monument which was first erected in the town centre 1868 and later moved to at St Paul's Church yard soak up some nature and enjoy the serotonin Fancy roaming in the sunshine without a care in the world If your backs have become stiff from lounging on the sofa during the winter that turned into spring and you’re in search of beautiful landscapes then the ever-transportive Walkden Gardens is the place to visit Creating an almost fairytale-like setting for the people of Manchester to discover the stunning gardens are currently in full bloom not only boasting numerous beautiful spring flowers which are dotted throughout which droops down to create a moment of bliss as you stroll underneath it the arch blooms at its brightest during May with many flocking every spring to see it in all of its 70-ft-long glory Every turn in Walkden Gardens provides something new to look at with endless sections throughout boasting completely different landscapes From beautiful cherry trees to perfectly arranged fuchsias a Japanese zen garden and a space packed full of scented plants and flowers – there’s a whole lot of tranquillity to absorb within the venue’s five acres there’s a part of the garden that’s sure to cheer up even the gloomiest of us the garden is named after its former owner M33 3EL − under the maintenance of both volunteers and Trafford Council acting on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation has awarded a £2.4m contract to Walkden-based City Build to carry out the first phase of works at Walkden Town Centre This involves refurbishing units for existing tenants to relocate as part of the £15m redevelopment which will involve demolishing part of the centre City Build will begin work immediately with completion expected by early Q2 2025 said: “Since being granted planning permission last summer we have worked very closely with both our existing tenants and prospective new occupiers to accommodate individual requirements “Our commitment to this important transformation for the centre remains a priority.” He added: “We continue to receive significant positive interest in our plans for the centre and are already in talks with a number of new retail and leisure operators keen to take space there.” we take great pride in working on schemes that enhance our area “We look forward to working closely with Derwent Estates and stakeholders to ensure the successful transformation of this key town centre location.” Scott Hall added: “Having agreed a shortlist of contractors for next phase of the works which will include the demolition of the Egerton Walk and Victoria Square elements of the centre we are looking to appoint the selected party in April with start on site July.” development and property manager for the property portfolio belonging to The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation This portfolio comprises more than 2.8 million sq ft of commercial property including some 2.1 million sq ft of retail and leisure space Albert Gubay was an entrepreneur who created a business empire that was worth more than £700m drive and passion to create a lasting legacy was borne from a pact he made as a young penniless man when he vowed to give half of any wealth he created to the service of God Sign our campaign for a grant funding review The site has been the subject of several previous planning applications Alderley Group’s 46-apartment complex on the corner of Manchester Road and Bolton Road is due to be given the go-ahead this week Salford City Council’s planning team has recommended the project for approval Alderley’s scheme would “revitalise an underutilised and visually unattractive site [and] contribute towards a greater sense of place at this gateway location” the BTP Architects-designed project would result in “substantial benefits both socially and economically” due to the provision of 100% affordable housing the scheme would be operated by Housing 21 The five-storey development would be constructed on the site of the former Stocks Hotel The proposals feature 38 one-bedroom apartments and eight with two bedrooms Alderley Group’s in-house construction arm is expected to start on site in Q3 Euan Kellie Property Solutions is advising on planning The site has been the subject of several other planning applications over recent years The most recent came from Bellmac Properties which saw its plans for 43 apartments and 5,000 sq ft of ground floor commercial space approved by Salford City Council in 2019 To learn more about the latest plans for the site search for reference number PA/2024/0795 on Salford City Council’s planning portal Read our comments policy Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" The Stocks Hotel is next to this Development and is still there and open This land was advertising boards for years and many years before that it was terrace housing Salford Council don’t care about causing more congestion on our roads We already have far too many flats and apartments in Walkden As dedicated ‘retirement’ flats What do the nay sayers suggest as an alternative development I think this is needed will be very good for family’s and older people still able to shop Stocks hotel is still there next to this development A new 122,000 sq ft distribution facility for the wholesale food supplier and an additional 70,000 sq ft of employment space are planned at the firm’s Langley Road base The housing association is working with main contractor Caddick to build 69 social rent homes for over 55s and a GP surgery on 2.5 acres of disused land on Arrow Street in Broughton Register for free North West property intelligence Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value" A community litter pick is set to take place this weekend as they aim to “keep Walkden beautiful together.”  The litter pick will be held in association by Salford Great British Spring Clean and the newly launched Walkden in Bloom on Saturday 5 April Walkden in Bloom is a community-driven environmental initiative aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal Founded by Councillor Irfan Syed and local residents Paul Whitelegg with a team of passionate local residents dedicating their time and efforts to improve the town’s appearance Paul Whitelegg shared how the Walkden in Bloom project began he said: “We have spent months on this project and we asked the community what they want to see – and someone had to get this ball rolling Irfan Syed to see if he would like to support me on this idea and we worked out how to get funding and how could we get other organisations involved.” He continued: “We went around to all the volunteer organisations in Walkden Step into Action and many others to talk to them as we want to link to them all with support from ForHousing and some funding council also.” The group will be looking to ensure that community look after one another and also looking at starting a project in the town council by creating a community allotment and gardens “The aim is to create the Walkden Garden of Life as because as Walkden continues to grow into a bigger town – we want places for people to have spaces they can retreat to “And we will be launching the Walkden in Bloom this weekend at the litter pick,” added Paul And this weekend the group are encouraging schools and community groups to help make a real impact as they will be invited to meet together at the Hug in A Mug High Street Walkden from 10:30am to clean the town together From the litter pick it will hope to showcase the benefits that can be made to the community that include increasing green spaces As well as increasing community engagement educational opportunities for students to ensure a legacy of care to the environment and making Walkden a more sustainable place to be And these values were encouraged by Paul Whitelegg who said: “We have community groups coming and showing support which should be good for all involved so we can care for the area – cause we thinks its the best place to be Attendees are being encouraged to wear comfortable clothing gloves and bring litter pickers – whilst gloves and litter pickers can be provided On socials they also shared: “Whether you can spare 30 minutes or an hour The litter pick group will also be encouraging pedestrians and residents to bring their pets as they continued: “We’d love to see your furry friends getting involved and having fun.” The community litter pick will aim to bring every together through cleaning the community before they will add beautiful plants and planters around town Paul continued: “We are putting in the first planter to show the community that this is happening “This will hopefully encourage residents to adopt their own planters because if it is a resident not only will it get them out of the house “We will plant them in their name or in memory of somebodies name and it will give people something to be proud of.” Paul continued to reference that the town used to have history and the sense of community that is disappearing but we want to showcase that we have a community and a community that is together and we have future generations that have the chance to put us on the map where we belong.” And with the first planter being unveiled after the first litter pick it will mark the start of the Walkden in Bloom in the community on Saturday 5 April More information can be found here.  sport and entertainment from around Salford – produced by students from The University of Salford’s Journalism Department Please call the Salford Now editor on 0161 295 2220 if you have a story or query You can also contact us at now@salford.ac.uk or DM one of our social media accounts Salford Now is run for educational purposes and is not a commercial website The University of Salford denies any responsibility for and / or knowledge of content on this website This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Little Hulton is an area in the borough of Salford in Greater Manchester to the north and Walkden to the east.In the nineteenth century Little Hulton was a mining area and its collieries included Madam's Wood Pits Traffic in Walkden has faced various disruption over the last week on Old Clough lane and further down the A6 towards Swinton With it being described as an impossible task for residents in the area with journey times known to be taking residents three times longer than usual The Walkden community has over 30,000 people in the area and many of them took to to Facebook to share their anger towards the roadworks With many in the area sharing their frustrations that are currently taking place One resident expressed his anger on Facebook by saying how his “normal 20 minute journey took an hour and a half.” With another Facebook user saying: “A four mile school run took 45 minutes this morning.” as a result of the traffic build Labour Councillor who represents the area of Walkden South has been working hard to fix the problem He has so far kept residents up-to-date sharing his cooperation with the council staff via social media the councillor expressed his dismay for the disruption “I felt it was important to be present on-site to understand the situation firsthand “Even though this wasn’t directly within my remit I believe it is my responsibility to stand by them when they face inconvenience.” Following a request by Syed and other council staff to “pause the work and resume it during a more convenient time.” The hole has since been filled in and traffic has returned to normal as of this morning according to residents of the area North Walkden FC clinched the Manchester FA Saturday Amateur Cup at Seel Park on March 14 following a commanding 2-0 victory over Didsbury FC Villa North Walkden managed to keep their opposition at arms-length handling the occasion with an air of inevitability in the face of Didsbury pressure The Little Hulton side travelled to Mossley with their sights set on silverware, after exiting the Atherton Charity Cup on Monday in a 3-1 defeat to Daisy Hill FC at the semi-final stage. North Walkden raced into the lead in the 4th minute, with a long ball breaking through the Didsbury press, landing favourably for striker Adam Doyle to slot past the goalkeeper. Didsbury fought to gain a foothold in the game, causing problems in the North Walkden box with efforts at goal and dangerous play across the pitch. However, North Walkden’s resilience paid off, as the side doubled their lead towards the end of the 1st half with a volley from captain Aiden Heaton in the 3rd minute of added time leaving them 2-0 ahead at the break. In the second half, Didsbury continued to push for their opener, with North Walkden goalkeeper Andrew Mulroney standing tall between the sticks. With tiring Didsbury legs, North Walkden showed character and maturity in retaining possession for large parts of the second half, ensuring their cup final victory by keeping the ball away from their opponents. At full time, fans and coaches flooded onto the pitch to celebrate their hard-fought cup triumph, taking the crown from last year’s winners Manchester Corinthians. Ahead of the game, North Walkden coach Antony Staines spoke on the importance of cup finals for the club, as he said: “These cups are massive. Any final, whether it’s charity or county, everyone wants to play in one, but the county cup final’s the big one for us, we’ve been aiming to be in it for some time.” North Walkden currently sit second in the Manchester Football League Division Two, three points from top-of-the-league Moston Brook with three games in hand. An exclusive look inside the day of the final can be found here: Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Salford Now is your local source of news, sport and entertainment from around Salford – produced by students from The University of Salford’s Journalism Department. Got a story? We’d love to hear from you. Please call the Salford Now editor on 0161 295 2220 if you have a story or query. You can also contact us at now@salford.ac.uk or DM one of our social media accounts, linked to at the bottom of every page. Salford Now is run for educational purposes and is not a commercial website. The University of Salford denies any responsibility for and / or knowledge of content on this website. A community project in Walkden launched this weekend with their first official event, doing a litter-pick. The event was hosted on Saturday 5 April, with founders Paul Whitelegg, Vice Chair of Walkden in Bloom, and Councillor Irfan Syed. During the litter pick hosted by the duo saw them unveiled their first planter – marking a huge moment for the community project as they aim to make Walkden greener and enjoyable for all. And the enthusiasm from the Walkden community was not unseen, with the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Tanya Burch in attendance – and members of the community already starting the litter-picking through the town from Friday 4 April. With everyone involved sharing one aim, to make Walkden a greener space for people who live and visit the town. Councillor Irfan Syed said: “It’s beautiful to see people coming together for a great cause.” And amongst the excitement of community project launch Mayoress of Salford, Councillor Tanya Burch, who unveiled the new flower planter located in the intersection between Bridgewater Road and A6 Manchester. She said: “It is absolutely wonderful to see the community together and help out the neighbourhood.” The aim of the group is to make Walkden into a green space by picking up litter, plant local flowers and create flower planter for the community to collectively. Paul Whitelegg said: “We want to see more bumblebees; we want to see more butterflies. We want to see more insects in Walkden.” To commemorate the event, ‘Walkden in Bloom’ unveiled their first flower planter that will be cared by the businesses around the street. Rahim Rahman, owner of Darjeeling Indian, will be one of the businesses in charge of taking care of the flowers. He said: “I’m hoping it will bring a lot of people out into the community, make it.” The organisation will continue with their litter-picking events around Walkden with the intention to get the people from Walkden to help out as much as they can. Paul continued: “Volunteers mean commitment, and it is not commitment what we are looking for. It’s people to be happy when they see our town and if they want to help, they can.” Those who might have difficulties or limitations to attend in person will be able to create the flower planters, that will be placed around Walkden, at home. Paul added: “Anybody who wants to get involved, whichever way they want to get involved. We will support them in doing that.” Many of those who came to clean the High street enjoyed the event – as the community banded together to make change. Helen Walston, who works at law firm, recently moved from Yorkshire to Walkden and said: “I think it’s great to have the place tidy and the flower bed to bring the bees.” Leslie Fisher, a local from Walkden since she was born, said: “It’s good to see so many people with a combine project.” To find out more about ‘Walkden in Bloom’ visit its website: https://walkdeninbloom.co.uk/ The blaze claimed the lives of Demi Pearson Their mother Michelle Pearson suffered 68% burns to her body and “clung on to life” until she died on August 25 2019 – 20 months after the attack She had “begged” to be rehoused and called police on five occasions in the two weeks before the fatal attack Zak Bolland and David Worrall were both given four life sentences and told they would serve a minimum of 40 and 37 years respectively for the petrol bomb attack on the Pearson family home on Jackson Street in Walkden was jailed for 21 years for four counts of manslaughter after the trial at Manchester Crown Court in 2018 A major safeguarding review was launched into how authorities handled contact with the family before the fatal attack But at a pre-inquest review at Bolton Coroners Court on Tuesday the hearing was told the report into the safeguarding review was not to be made public representing Salford City Council children’s services said a decision had been made at a “national level” not to publicise the report Senior coroner for Greater Manchester West Timothy Brennand said a copy of the report was provided for his inspection which he said was “revelatory of matters that I thought were important” Mr Brennand said the local authority was not trying to be “obstinate” but publication of the report could lead to “potential ramifications” for other individuals But he added: “We are going to be canvassing these matters in any event.” He said an issue for the inquest will be whether a real and immediate risk to the family ought to have been seen and whether “acts or omissions” by agencies had a “causative bearing on the outcome.” Mrs Pearson’s home was previously attacked graffiti sprayed on the walls and her wheelie bin set on fire Each time police attended and she named Bolland as responsible fire service personnel carried out two “safe and well” visits the family social worker was informed and social services alerted she did not feel safe at home with her children and wanted out City West said it never received any request for a move believed to have been handled by Salford City Council Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) took a statement from Mrs Pearson on the night of the fire having been called out after Bolland had been round “kicking off” It is not clear if officers immediately actively sought out Bolland who lived around 300 yards from her and was at home at the time the officers called Hours later he returned to the Pearsons’ home armed with two petrol bombs Further pre-inquest hearings are scheduled for 26 February and 11 April 2025 A festive atmosphere is set to be built across Salford this weekend as the Walkden Christmas Market is set to open The Christmas Market will be opening on November 23 and will be looking to deliver the full Christmas experience and raise money for charity Walkden will be preparing its markets and will allow residents to join between 10 am to 4 pm a charity that focuses on childhood cancer research The charity was founded in Salford in 2002 and is run by volunteers working tirelessly to discover and develop new treatments for childhood cancer and raise awareness The charity aims to improve the quality of life for young people during and after treatment and has changed many lives of young cancer patients One patient that was affected was some like Josh who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2021 Josh’s journey began with intense rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant While this was successful in saving his life it also left lasting effects on his health Josh’s mum said “We do see a difference in Josh now; he has a lower attention span and he struggles to control his emotions at times Because I think because of the mental impact of his treatment but also an element of the fact that there is a clot in his brain that everything has had to rewire itself around it.”  She also added: “It’s so important that gentle treatments are found because a child’s body is different to an adult’s body and we’ve seen first-hand the life-threatening and life-altering side effects that these treatments can have.”  The money raised at Walkden Christmas Market will support their research as KidsCan relies on community fundraising with less than 3% of national cancer research funding being disputed to childhood cancers a company renowned for hosting community markets across the Northwest D&D Artisan has created a space where small businesses can flourish while giving back to the community “The highs and lows of markets are incredible You would go to a market and walk away from it with this incredible high sometimes but other times it would be the opposite,” said Caitlin Reynolds Events like this raise awareness about challenges faced by children with cancer and their families Visitors to the market should expect a lively atmosphere and there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festive time The market will have over 25 artisan stalls including handmade crafts The Walkden Christmas Markets offer a chance to give back and will be a powerful reminder of the difference communities can make when they come together A leading health club brand in Salford is set to receive part of a £500,000 investment that will deliver new fitness equipment to the facility Total Fitness in Walkden will receive the upgrades as a part of a new collaboration with global brand DRax The new relationship with the fitness equipment supplier will see cardio equipment upgraded across all 15 clubs Partnering with DRax the health club are using this collaboration to develop and enhance the full member experience for both members in Bolton and Walkden The new DRax equipment will begin appearing in Total Fitness clubs in January with the fitness club in Walkden to see installations continuing into February And the health club have assured that careful planning will ensure minimal disruptions to members during the installation “Our collaboration with DRax is an important step forward in enhancing the experience for our members “When selecting a new equipment supplier and DRax stood out for its ability to meet these demands.” Dean continued to mention the introduction of the ‘My Mountain’ machine – allowing guests to combine the benefits of a treadmill and stair climber into one versatile machine He said: “The introduction of My Mountain is particularly exciting This state-of-the-art machine offers an entirely new workout option for our members combining the best features of multiple machines in one “It’s part of our commitment to investing in cutting-edge equipment that supports our members’ fitness journeys.” This latest investment is the first phase of Total Fitness’ broader strategy to continuously improve its facilities and offerings ensuring that every member has access to the space and opportunities The partnership with DRax aligns with Total Fitness’ ethos of championing variety from spacious gym floors with state-of-the-art equipment and over 70 classes per week to extensive pool areas and digital workouts A Victorian park in Walkden has won £1,500 for its community garden Parr Fold Park won the grant after topping a poll among Tesco shoppers in Walkden Community Little Hulton and Christ The King RC Primary The new budget will allow the park to invest into the community garden to encourage families in the area to get involved in their local park on Walkden Road The Friends of Parr Fold Park will host community gardening sessions at the park for families and children as well as much-needed gardening equipment The success of winning the funding was met with create response on social media with Sharon Hogan commenting: “Great news” and John Smith responded “Well done one and all The gardening session will be accessible for families and young children every Saturday from 9.30 am to noon The investment in the community garden will be used to encourage visitors to explore the traditional landscaped gardens The park’s other features include a memorial garden tennis courts and children’s play area The Tesco Stronger Starts Scheme has already funded 39 other schemes in Salford “Animal welfare is important to our city and we must ensure that any measures in place are both effective and humane… I will be in contact with Network Rail to ensure this matter is addressed as soon as possible.” Funding of nearly £1.75 million has been given out to reduce the risk of flooding in Walkden by improving drainage systems This funding will support the installation of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and bioretention swales which will reduce the area’s risk of flooding At a recent Salford City Council’s Cabinet meeting grant funding from United Utilities and the Environment Agency were formally accepted The funding for the project is broken down below: ▪ Salford City Council capital programme and Section 106 monies £226,913 ▪ United Utilities (UU) Green Recovery grant £1,128,000 ▪ Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Green Spaces Fund £40,000 The push for funding builds on insight from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority-led IGNITION project which compiled evidence on how urban nature-based solutions can help build the city-region’s resilience to the impacts of climate change Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said: “The formal acceptance of this money is all part of our Greenspace Strategy and will protect homes businesses and the roads from flooding in both Walkden North and South “(SuDS) are drainage solutions that provide an alternative to the direct channelling of surface water through networks of pipes and sewers to nearby watercourses This will reduce surface water flooding in the urban area These measures will help to mitigate the effects of new development on surface water risk “I’d like to thank all out partners for this funding to help improve the local area for our residents.” Walkden Town Centre will get a much-needed overhaul Salford City Council has given the green light for the demolition of 180,000 sq ft of disused retail space along with cosmetic improvements to the complex Acting on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation Derwent Estates has devised a £15m plan to knock down a large chunk of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square The demolition will see the creation of a “significant piece of public landscaped infrastructure” with modern commercial units facing onto it according to a planning statement by Savills Knocking down a sizeable chunk of the complex will also create plots that could be redeveloped in the future “Those future development plots will be landscaped areas that will host meanwhile uses in the interim period before development progresses on those plots further supporting the centre’s vitality and viability,” according to Savills Derwent’s scheme would also see the creation of a new façade for Walkden Town Centre and the refurbishment of 80,000 sq ft of existing retail space Derwent is now on the hunt for a contractor to carry out the demolition work later this year Savills advised on planning and RGP is the architect Barker Proudlove and Graham Sibbald are the retained letting agents said the scheme is about maximising the complex’s impact on the town “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area which is why we have taken this proactive decision to significantly improve its current offering to create a more contemporary and attractive yet sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors “We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the centre.” The importance of this development cannot be overstated This will bring the whole area up and drastically improve perceptions of our town We just have to hope that Derwent Estates maintain the centre properly A local Walkden running group will be hosting a meet-up and fancy dress run this December to celebrate Christmas The Walken Jolly Joggers will be using these events to connect people in the community together whilst inspiring people to join in the running group and will open to everyone to get involved – with the group meeting every Monday and Thursday at 17:45 to run 5km The group meet opposite the Nando’s at Ellesmere shopping centre and encourage members to see the benefits of mental health and fitness The meet up will be held on December 14 at Wetherspoons and will aim to unite and share the community spirit between the runners making sure the upcoming events will be kept “as cheap as it can be” and will tend to promote free events like Park run The group was founded by Helen after she moved from Yorkshire and could not find a local and accessible jogging group As Helen revealed what inspired her to create the group as she said: “it’s a bit of an escape from life and work… it helps you kind of get away from the laptop” Members of the group have come forward with their positive experiences with Walkden Jolly Joggers saying “Running with Walkden Jolly Joggers has really helped my mental health and fitness The group is really friendly and supportive and I look forward to run days” Another member has said “It gives me something to look forward to on a Monday and Thursday and meeting new people plus I feel great after a good run.” With a fellow member of the running group said: “The group is so welcoming and supportive and it’s such a positive experience to be around others also looking to take care of themselves.” It seems that the club have a positive impact on people in the community – as they look to continue that over the festive period To join these runs, click here A free day of live music and activities is coming to Walkden’s Parr Fold Park to celebrate new and improved walking and cycling routes The new transport links connect residents of Boothstown Walkden and Worsley with RHS Garden Bridgewater providing 6.2km of new or upgraded walking and cycling routes including a link along the north towpath of the Bridgewater Canal which is a collaboration between Salford City Council and From The Other (the team behind Sounds from the Other City) will fill Parr Fold Park with music courtesy of Greater Manchester musicians and DJs The event will be hosted by powerful soul vocalist Yemi Bolatiwa and her band Yemi Bolatiwa & The Jam Jivers will be performing on the park’s bandstand alongside vocalist songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ada Grace Francis Steelpan soloist Zola Steelpan and ukelele band The Streetgate Strummers will be busking on the park’s pathways and Manchester favourite DJ Jenna G will be behind the wheel of a travelling disco leading a procession of skaters dancers and attendees on a journey around the park there’ll be workshops inviting the public to decorate or fix up their bike planting and gardening tips from the RHS and Friends of Parr Fold Park and beginner skateboarders can pick up tricks from Projekts MCR There will also be food and refreshments available at the Pavillion cafe RHS Garden Bridgewater is also offering 50 free tickets for people to enter the gardens on the morning of Make Tracks for a free tour, followed by a guided history walk led by Suzanne Hindle through Worsley to Parr Fold Park, or a group cycle led by Bee Pedal Ready from RHS Garden Bridgewater to Parr Fold Park where guests can then join the party. To grab a free ticket, all you have to do is register here says: “Salford City Council is fully committed to playing our role in helping achieve national NetZero goals and we are immensely proud to celebrate this addition to our continuously expanding Bee Network The RHS Cycling and Walking Links scheme provides 6.2km of new or upgraded walking and cycling routes linking local communities to RHS Garden Bridgewater in Worsley and to other facilities Walkden train station and Boothstown Marina “We are delighted to host an exciting event that brings people together for a day filled with music Make Tracks will offer an opportunity for people to find out more about the many advantages of active travel we can embrace a greener future for Salford.” You can keep up to date with event updates here Enter your email address below to sign up for Manchester Wire’s email newsletter Over the weekend Salford residents were visited by characters from Star Wars for a charity fundraiser at Walkden Shopping Centre The event that took place on Saturday 16 November and r2D2 roaming around the shopping centre The fundraiser started from 10 am and lasted until 4 pm and was used to raise money for the charity Mencap Mencap is a charity that supports people with learning disability with the aim of creating a society that is kinder fairer and more inclusive for those with learning difficulties to live in characters could be seen walking the shopping centre allowing residents to get a photo opportunity Many were spread throughout the shopping centre allowing many in the area to be surprised by the arrival of the iconic movie characters The event originated after one of the Walkden Mencap volunteers was also a stormtrooper for the UK-based independent Star Wars costuming group 99th Garrison and come along to help raise the profile of the charity and its mission to help those with learning difficulties As a spokesperson from 99th Garrison added: “We are an independent Star Wars costuming group based in the North of England “We fundraise most weekends for various charities so far in 2024 we have collected over £16,000 for 20 different charities “All of our troopers and crew are volunteers and give their time for free we would not be able to do what we do.” The independent costuming group have covered Northwest and has previously supported charities such as Children in Need and Cancer Research A post shared by 99th Garrison (@99thgarrison) Following the event one spokesperson from Mencap shared their gratitude to the charity fundraiser fundraising is crucial in helping us make the UK the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives “All the money raised from the bucket collection will support this vision and go towards Mencap’s vital work including campaigning for the rights of people with a learning disability.” The charity fundraiser was a fantastic way to raise more money to support those with learning disabilities and help provide a more welcoming environment Donations to Mencap can be made here to help in their mission to support those with learning difficulties. Feature image taken from 99th Garrison social media with permission.  A prominent plot in the town centre has been earmarked for 46 apartments under proposals lodged with Salford City Council Alderley Group wants to redevelop the long-vacant site next to the Stocks Hotel on the corner of Manchester Road and Bolton Road in the town centre comprise a five-storey block featuring 38 one-bedroom apartments and eight with two bedrooms The scheme is located close to Derwent Group’s Walkden Town Centre which is primed for a comprehensive overhaul Alderley Group’s in-house construction arm is expected to start on site in Q3 the retirement scheme would be operated by registered provider Housing 21 director of development and delivery at Housing 21 said: “As a leading national provider of extra care and retirement living this will be Housing 21’s second new build development in Salford “The site will offer independent living with 46 modern social rental apartments This development will be a much-needed addition for local people in the area” which is becoming a Greater Manchester development hotspot improving health facilities (including a new doctors surgery on the way) and the Walkden Town Centre development Much needed rental….with some people struggling to find suitable accommodation… Sounds like a good scheme in the right place will add much needed accommodation to the Walkden area Yes more housing is needed but hasn’t Walkden been ruined already Build there by all means but NOT this eyesoar A brilliant addition to Walkden on a brownfield site that has sat redundant for far too long Alderley Group are becoming a more and more established developer I’ve seen a few of there developments on Place North West now The borough claims it has a “disproportionately high number of HMOs” and is to pursuing the introduction of measures to wrestle back control The £15 million development scheme for Walkden Town Centre has been given the go ahead The £15 million plan, which was approved last week, will see the demolition of approximately 180,000 sq ft of the current retail space within Egerton Walk and Victoria Square Most of these spaces that are due to be knocked down have been considered “outdated and no longer meet retailer expectations.” Relocation of existing tenants will be implemented ahead of the demolition as part of a wider redevelopment programme of the newer section of the centre which will see 80,000 sq ft of existing space refurbished A new façade and entrance will also be created to the centre housing 7,500sq ft of new modern retail units and landscaped green public realm areas to the front The Derwent Group submitted the plans on behalf of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Walkden Town Centre has been under the ownership of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation for more than 30 years it has reportedly invested more than £66 million in both the Centre and Walkden Retail Park The Derwent Group previously stated that if the plan is granted they will look to appoint a contractor in the coming months to start works immediately with the new frontage being completed by the end of 2025 Derwent has appointed RGP as architects for the scheme Savills as planning consultants and Artal as project managers Barker Proud Love and Graham Sibbald are the retained letting agents A teacher from Salford is running the London Marathon for his four-year-old daughter is raising money for a charity close to his heart named Milly’s Smiles which provides support to families experiencing cancer motivating Andrew to run the Manchester 10k while his daughter was in hospital applying for a ballot place to the London Marathon while watching last year’s event on the TV He continued: “Seeing what she’s gone through in terms of treatment and the level of chemotherapy Andrew decided he wanted to run for Milly’s Smiles after the help he and his family had received during Darcie’s hospital stays which contain supplies to help those in need at a vulnerable time in their lives a towel and more essentials for children staying in hospital The Salford teacher said: “It’s a local charity close to myself and my family’s hearts for the work they do for families whose lives are affected by cancer.”  Andrew remains motivated despite the juggle between being a PE teacher and training for a marathon Walkden Co-Op Academy are extremely supportive of Andrew by holding fundraising events such as bingo nights and encouraging him to hold assemblies to raise awareness Andrew discussed the topic of motivation with pupils He has received positive feedback from the students of the school He said: “It’s nice to have that feeling of support.” And as the London Marathon steadily approaches Andrew has thought about the moment he finishes the race Andrew said: “To complete it and cross that line will give me an immense feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment” So far, Andrew has raised over £500, and will be hoping to raise more through the Just Giving page, which can be found here. Listen below for a snippet of Andrew’s interview North Walkden FC will remain at the top of the second division of the Manchester League after a dominant performance against Moston Brook The club described the score line as a “huge result” and was detailed a fixture that “had everything in it” – adding that it was a great watch for neutral spectators The club were able to extend their lead against the Oldham based side through the help of Jack Thomas and Tommy Ward who were able to find themselves on the scoresheet twice The club were also able to extend their lead with the help of Brad Brown in the 88th minute North Walkden’s Jack Whitehead was named man of the match after what was described as putting in “a real shift for his team.” The tough opposition and league rivals were disappointed with the fixture they did share that they had “No complaints on our behalf North Walkden FC now sit in prime position six points clear of their league rivals and despite Moston Brook having two games in hand the victors goal difference will keep them in top spot North Walkden will turn their attention to Stafford Argyle in the County Cup where they will be hoping to continue their form The cup fixture will take place on the Saturday 2 November after a dominant league performance the side in the second division will be hoping to continue their winning ways More information of the club success and results can be found here.  North Walkden FC missed out on the Atherton Charity Cup final after a 3-1 loss to Bolton-based side Daisy Hill The club missed out on the chance to reach another final with a game against Didsbury FC Villa in the Manchester Saturday Amateur Cup coming up this week but showed that they can compete with the top teams Daisy Hill raced into a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes, before a brilliant free-kick from Adam Doyle brought North Walkden FC back into the game just before half-time It wasn’t to be for the Little Hulton based side though with Daisy Hill making it 3-1 in the 50th minute and booking their place in the final who set up the mens’ open age team and runs his daughters age group was at the match and said: “We knew it was gonna be tough they get paid and they went strong as well kept it tight and hopefully nick it in the last half an hour.” He continued: “We had a goalkeeper mistake which allowed them 1-0 up it was a bit of a soft free-kick to be fair but it was a pretty even game so I was pretty disappointed until then.” Opposition first team manager Lee Hill shared his thoughts on X: “Not a game I was looking forward to “I knew it would be a tough evening and a potential banana skin for us Got some very good players and are coached well All the best for your final on Friday lads.” speaking on the importance of the cup to North Walkden: “There’s two charity cups we’re in and it’s a great competition to be in because you play some top teams and raise money for a great cause It’s always good to play in front of a crowd And with a cup final looming later this week Staines added: “These cups are massive but the county cup final’s the big one for us we’ve been aiming to be in it for some time Daisy Hill, nicknamed the Cutters, hit the headlines recently after social media star Aaron Hunt took over his local club as chairman in February Hunt managed the side on the video game Football Manager and streamed his success to his followers the Cutters attracted around 50 supporters but made national headlines for Hunt’s first game as chairman Staines said: “It’s had a bit of negative publicity but I met him last night and he seems like a nice guy We had a bit of a battle with them on the pitch but behind the scenes they all seem like nice people “If they’re pulling in crowds of 800 it can only be good for the game because the more money they get in the better it is for them and if they’re taking a large crowd to an away game it’s better for them too “It generates more money for everyone so I don’t see any negatives in it A newly launched ‘walk/run’ initiative is encouraging Salford residents to get fit and help newcomers transition from walking to running offers a free week-by-week group that is designed to build the fitness and confidence levels of new runners with the main intention of the group to increase the running time each week of the participants Organisers of the initiative, Walkden Jolly Joggers have seen a great reception from the community and wants to encourage more people to get involved to talk and socialise with their runs said: “So ​the ​walk ​runs ​are ​basically ​a ​version ​of ​a ​’Couch ​to ​5k’ ​but it ​keeps ​more ​walking ​in She continued: “You’ll ​see ​a ​lot ​of ​people ​going ​to ​​’Couch ​to ​5​k’ ​and ​by ​week ​five a ​lot ​of ​people ​who ​join ​them will ​end ​up ​struggling ​and ​they’ll ​end ​up ​not ​going ​back.” Helen set up the Walkden Jolly Joggers feeling there was a lack of accessible and free running clubs in the area She said: “I ​came ​over ​here ​from ​​Yorkshire ​and ​I ​couldn’t ​find ​a ​local ​running ​group ​​I ​was ​travelling ​​to ​ones ​that ​are ​about ​40 The distance between the local running groups were causing her an issue She said: “​​​I’ve ​been ​a ​run ​leader ​for ​five ​years and ​I ​had ​a ​running ​group ​for ​quite ​a ​long ​time ​so ​I’m ​just ​going ​to ​build ​my ​own “I ​wanted ​to ​kind ​of ​base ​it ​off ​what ​I ​had ​before ​because ​that ​was ​free ​I ​found ​a ​lot ​around ​here ​charged and ​I ​want ​things ​to ​be ​free.” Although improving people’s health and fitness is a key aspect of the scheme Helen wanted to encourage the social aspects of the group and how it can help with mental health as she said: “I’m ​all ​about ​coming ​and ​having ​a ​laugh more ​than ​the ​running ​or the walking side ​that’s ​very ​important,” she said “​​I’ve ​worked ​in ​mental ​health for ​years and ​to ​be ​able to ​go ​out ​and ​talk helps “It​ might ​be ​the ​only ​person ​they ​talk ​to ​that ​week or they might ​have ​stuff ​at ​home that they ​are ​able ​to ​get ​off ​the ​chest.” Walkden Jolly Joggers have also received backing from Salford’s Health Improvement Service with the extra funding allowing the run-club to offer more to the community This week is the last week newcomers can join with the group meeting at Boatshed Fishing Lake at Ellesmere Shopping Centre Register for the walk/run group here: https://groups.runtogether.co.uk/WalkdenJollyJoggers/Runs The proposed £15m redevelopment of part of Walkden Town Centre has been approved by Salford City Council Derwent Estates submitted plans to demolish around 180,000 sq ft of the current retail space within Egerton Walk and Victoria Square Advised by Savills’ planning department the plans also included the construction of a contemporary new façade providing a new entrance to the centre with landscaped public realm space to the front said: “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area “We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the centre.” Derwent Estates will now look to appoint a contractor to carry out the demolition works and is currently liaising with tenants as part of its relocation programme The scheme is being project managed by Artal Scott added: “The charities commitment to enhancing and approving amenities in the area is further indicated by the works that we are currently undertaking at the nearby Little Hulton Community Centre “A grant has been awarded to redevelop the current pavilion which has been under-used since it was constructed in 2008 “Funds from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will provide an enhanced and permanent place for the community to come together with a commitment to investing and maintaining the building for the next 125 years “The full refurbishment and extension of the existing facility has already started on site and will be handed over to Community Little Hulton in October of this year.” Plans for a new five-storey apartment block in Walkden could bring more ‘affordable’ homes to the area The new plans consists 45 new apartments for ‘older persons’ aged over 55 and will be located on land west of the Stocks Hotel on Manchester Road with the majority of the apartments being one-bedroom apartments These plans were submitted by Alderley group who are a company that specialise in building affordable homes in the North West The application states that there is “clear policy support for both affordable housing and accommodation targeted specifically at older people.” The main entrance point will be on the corner of Manchester Road and Bolton Road Previously the land had been used as a site for businesses and terraced housing however it has been empty ‘for some time’ The scheme aims to give residents the opportunity to ‘live independently’ within their own property while also having an on-site Local Housing Manager during the week the scheme is offering a shared lounge and garden area who are a ‘not-for-profit’ provider of retirement living for elderly people would be the company who would be managing the proposed new homes Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces The comprehensive scheme involves the demolition of 180,000 square feet of outdated retail space specifically targeting large sections of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square which have struggled with high vacancy rates in recent years Derwent Estates plans to create modern commercial units and a landscaped public area designed to boost the centre’s appeal and functionality This transformation is expected to enhance the vitality of Walkden Town Centre providing a more attractive and sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors highlighted the potential for future redevelopment of the newly cleared plots “Those future development plots will be landscaped areas that will host meanwhile uses in the interim period before development progresses on those plots further supporting the centre’s vitality and viability,” the statement noted This phased approach ensures that the area remains vibrant and functional throughout the redevelopment process the project will introduce a contemporary façade for Walkden Town Centre significantly improving its aesthetic appeal The plans also include enhanced public spaces aimed at creating a more welcoming and user-friendly environment Derwent Estates is now seeking a contractor to commence demolition work later this year emphasised the project’s importance to the local community “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area which is why we have taken this proactive decision to significantly improve its current offering We aim to create a more contemporary and attractive yet sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders The architectural design for the redevelopment has been crafted by RGP while project management is being handled by Artal responsible for leasing the new commercial spaces Derwent Estates is also in the process of liaising with current tenants as part of its relocation programme ensuring minimal disruption during the redevelopment Derwent Estates is demonstrating its commitment to the local community through additional investments notably at the nearby Little Hulton Community Centre “The charity’s commitment to enhancing and improving amenities in the area is further indicated by the works currently underway at Little Hulton Community Centre A grant has been awarded to redevelop the existing pavilion which has been underused since its construction in 2008 Funds from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will provide an enhanced and permanent place for the community to come together with a commitment to investing in and maintaining the building for the next 125 years The full refurbishment and extension of the existing facility has already started on site and will be handed over to Community Little Hulton in October of this year.” This dual focus on both Walkden Town Centre and the broader community underscores the holistic approach of Derwent Estates and the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation Their coordinated efforts are set to provide lasting benefits and attractive spaces that cater to the evolving needs of the local population coupled with the revitalisation of the Little Hulton Community Centre marks a significant investment in the future of the area promising enhanced amenities and a more dynamic local economy A Building Magazine Leading in the field of building news reporting Building Design & Construction Magazine is one of the most respected and referenced sources of building news enquiries@bdcmagazine.co.uk+44 1484 437312 Subscribe our newsletter to get the best stories into your inbox © 2025 BDC Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals Police have launched an appeal to help find a missing 31-year-old man who was last seen in Walkden was last seen at 1pm on Monday June 17 on Sharp Street in Walkden Callum is described as a white male who is 5ft 9 and of a muscular build He has shaved/ very short hair and heavily tattooed arms He was last seen wearing all-blue workwear #MISSING | Can you help police find a missing man from #Salford Callum (31) was last seen at 1pm on Sharp Street in Walkden If you have any information of his whereabouts, call police on 0161 856 7619 or 101 quoting log 2756 of 17/06/24. pic.twitter.com/uPED2M5wSn — Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 18, 2024 Officers want to make sure he is safe and well If you have any information on Callum’s whereabouts call the police on 0161 856 7619 or 101 quoting log 2756 of 17/06/24 Salford City Council has approved Derwent Estates’ £15 million plan to transform Walkden Town Centre undertaken on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation includes the demolition of 180,000 square feet of disused retail space and the refurbishment of 80,000 square feet of existing retail area Derwent Estates’ scheme involves the removal of large sections of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square both of which have experienced high vacancy rates The demolition will pave the way for modern commercial units and a landscaped public area aimed at enhancing the centre’s appeal and functionality A planning statement by Savills highlighted the potential for future redevelopment of the plots created by the demolition The project also includes a new façade for Walkden Town Centre and improved public spaces Derwent Estates is now seeking a contractor to begin demolition work later this year emphasised the project’s importance to the local community and acknowledged the evolving expectations of stakeholders Complete the details below to receive our daily newsletter highlighting investment and development activity: CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast About  Advertise  Contact A shopping complex in one of Salford’s towns has been given the green light for a £15m revamp This will see 180,000 sq ft of retail space in Egerton Walk and Victoria Square in Walkden demolished to make way for a new ‘contemporary’ façade with a landscaping scheme Most of the area set to be knocked down in Walkden Town Centre is currently not being used The plan includes creating a ‘high street style’ boulevard with timber street furniture It involves creating a pedestrianised link connecting the newly formed main entrance of the shopping centre to Manchester Road East and High Street It will also create parcels of land for further development in future The plan has been approved by Salford council in a decision which noted that the site has ‘surpassed its operational life cycle and is beyond viable economic repair.’ It was submitted by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation It’s hoped the work will breathe new life into Walkden and support the regeneration of the town and wider area A planning statement submitted with the application last year stated that 46 of the 73 units in the area were empty at the time and that 18 tenants are set to be relocated Developer Derwent Estates is now looking to appoint a contractor to carry out the demolition works at Walkden Town Centre asset manager at Derwent Estates states: “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the Centre.” Did we miss something? 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