UK shopping centre opened by Princess Diana in 1991 shut forever

A UK shopping centre opened by Princess Diana has shut forever after more than 30 years. The Galleries in Wigan first opened in 1990 and were officially opened by Princess Diana the following year in 1991. At the time, it was one of the town's biggest developments, covering eight acres and making up almost a quarter of Wigan town centre.

The complex brought together three areas: The Galleries Shopping Centre, Marketgate Shopping Centre and the Makinson Arcade. It included around 60 shops in The Galleries itself and a total retail space of about 440,000 square feet. For years, it was a central part of life in Wigan, with shoppers, workers and visitors passing through every day.

But after more than three decades, the centre closed to the public in 2022 before demolition work began later that year.

But its decline had started much earlier. A major turning point came in 2007 when the Grand Arcade shopping centre opened less than 100 yards away.

Several well-known retailers moved out of The Galleries, including Boots and River Island, which reduced footfall in the area.

Further closures followed in 2016 when Argos and Morrisons shut their stores.

By the end of that year, large parts of the Marketgate section had been closed off to the public.

Vacancy levels continued to rise, and by 2020, only around 50 of the 144 units across the site were still in use.

Wigan Council stepped in and bought the complex in 2018 for £8million amid concerns it could be left empty and unused.

The purchase formed part of wider plans to support the town centre and prevent further decline.

Despite those efforts, the site did not recover and was eventually closed for good.

The Galleries is now being redeveloped as part of a £135million project aimed at reshaping the town centre.

Plans include a mix of leisure, retail and housing, with a focus on bringing more people into the area throughout the day and evening.

The new development will feature a six-screen cinema, a 10-lane bowling alley and indoor mini golf.

There will also be food and drink venues, a music and e-sports space, and a new hotel.

A total of 464 homes are also planned as part of the scheme.

At the centre of the redevelopment will be a new market hall, alongside improved public spaces including a landscaped square for events.