Plans remain ‘in the pipeline’ for former Hippodrome and Henblas Street sites

Plans for two long standing vacant sites in Wrexham town centre remain ‘in the pipeline’.

An update on the former Hippodrome and Henblas Street sites was provided to local businesses at yesterday’s Town Centre Forum meeting.

Over the past 12 months both of the sites have been purchased by new developers, with hopes that a regeneration could be kickstarted in the area.

In July 2017 it was announced that Manchester based company MCR Property had purchased the empty Henblas Street development, with the owners stating shortly afterwards that they were confident they could provide a “mixed use offering at the site”.

It was later announced that Techniquest had signed a lease that would hopefully bring the former TJ Hughes back to life.

Earlier this year Wrexham.com reported that the former Hippodrome site had been purchased for £98,000 at auction.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting Town Centre Forum Chairman Alex Jones said that a recent Techniquest event had been well attended; but there hadn’t been much more information about the future of any other Henblas Street shops.

Steering Group Chairman Sam Regan added that plans had also yet to be submitted for the former Hippodrome site.

Town Centre, Markets and Events Manager, Amanda Davies explained there was “lots going on behind the scenes” and that there were more potential tenants waiting to sign leases depending on the outcome of one of the larger units.

It had also been noted earlier in the meeting that there was the “worst kept secret” about who could be moving into the former Bhs, along with interest in the former office space on the first floor.

She added: “The owners are still as enthusiastic. However until legal issues are sorted, they are saying the same thing each time.”