Restoring the heart of Wigan with £20 million (Levelling Up Fund 2)
£20 million from the Levelling Up Fund was awarded to Wigan to restore the Grade II listed Haigh Hall.
Restoration of Haigh Hall
Haigh Hall and the 250-acre woodland have been at the heart of Wigan for 900 years. Investment from the Levelling Up Fund will restore the Hall as a key visitor destination.
Improvements include:
- a gallery to display £200 million of artworks from the Major family estate
- a fine-dining restaurant
- an underground cinema
- a revamp of the derelict gateway lodges
- new event spaces
Sustainable travel
Haigh Hall sits in the largest ancient woodland in Greater Manchester. The Haigh Hall restoration will support Greater Manchester’s ambitions to develop an integrated travel link. Travel improvements to Haigh Hall include:
- a new electric land train taking visitors on an enchanted journey from the town centre, through the woodlands, to the hall
- a new car park extension
Culture in the North West
The project is perfectly placed to maximise links to The Lowry in Salford and the Tate Liverpool, creating a golden triangle of world-leading cultural institutions in the North-West.
The Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux MBE, said:
We are delighted to have received the full amount of £20 million for our Wigan bid, with Haigh Hall as its focal point.
It marks a significant milestone on our journey and commitment to restore Haigh Hall and create an arts, culture and heritage destination of national significance. We are grateful to the many residents who helped us develop our plan through our engagement events last year and we are delighted that the council’s plan and investment has been supported in this way.
Find out more about Levelling Up