Wigan’s market hall will undergo a huge redevelopment to make space for pioneering Armed Forces facility, 4 Our Forces.
Wigan Council pledged £500k in 2015 to support the project, which will help Armed Forces communities across the North West access specialised advice on housing, education, employment and much more.
The facility will sit in Wigan town centre’s market hall and will double as a base for Wigan Sea Cadets to meet.
4 Our Forces has also received a cash injection from the Ministry of Defence, who have offered £100k for the developments and work is hoped to start later this year.
The facility will adopt an open-plan layout in order for service users and shoppers to integrate and to keep the local market vibrant and lively.
Deputy Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux, said: “4 Our Forces will be a fantastic resource for Wigan and the North West.
“Although predominantly a resource for these specific residents to find specialised help, 4 Our Forces will also be a more central location for Wigan Sea Cadets to train and there will be a café for the public to enjoy.
“We also appreciate that this group of residents may have specific needs that are not available at ordinary information centres, so we are hoping to hold a ‘have your say’ session, encouraging the local armed forces community to suggest what they would like to see inside the centre.
“Keeping the facility open plan will also give the market hall a new lease of life and will feel much more thriving and inviting.”
Norman Almond, Chairman of Wigan Sea Cadets said: “Our current base is no longer fit for purpose, so we are very excited to re-locate to the market hall. It’s hugely important for the Armed Forces community, cadets and shoppers to engage in order to raise pride for the Armed Forces and to display support.
“We’re looking forward to working with Wigan Council on making this long discussed concept a reality, while at the same time, giving back to the local community and injecting a new lease of life into our much loved market.”
