Work on the regeneration of Salford Central, by English Cities Fund- a joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal and General Property and The Homes and Communities Agency- and Salford City Council has progressed, as the official sod cutting on Chapel Street’s Vimto Gardens site took place.

Non-executive chairman of ECf, Sir Michael Lyons, the Deputy City Mayor of Salford City Council, Councillor David Lancaster, and Matt Crompton, joint managing director at Muse, marked the introductory phase of building work on the 220,000 sq m Salford Central regeneration scheme.

The site, which lies between Chapel Street and St Philip’s School, will become home to a six storey luxury residential building. It has planning permission to include 83 apartments and 14 town houses, which feature an internal private courtyard on the first floor, as well as retail and commercial units on the ground floor.

The development takes its name from soft drink brand Vimto, as the plot is based just 400 metres from the drink’s original factory site on Chapel Street. The new build apartments and town houses will celebrate the brand’s personality and its zest for life. By late 2014, to early 2015 the first homes and apartments will be ready to move in to.

Sir Michael Lyons said: “ECf is pleased to be starting this fantastic regeneration project. The Salford Central scheme is a great example of the work ECf was set up to do: creating new homes, shops and high quality public realm by bringing together public and private skills and working creatively with local partners on long term regeneration projects.”

Salford’s Deputy City Mayor, Councillor David Lancaster, said: “We are now on the verge of transforming Chapel Street as we know it. This exciting and ambitious project will lead to new homes, offices and shops, while creating a vibrant hub at the heart of the community.
“As well as new homes for Salford people, building them close to Manchester city centre means fewer extra commuter journeys. It also eases pressure on Greenfield sites."