Hyde’s Clarendon Square Shopping Centre is at the heart of an ambitious masterplan aiming for a complete overhaul, which could see the centre demolished and rebuilt alongside a relocation of its markets. This extensive redevelopment proposal for the Tameside town, set to be discussed by the council’s executive cabinet, envisions a transformative approach to revitalise Hyde over the next decade.

The plan segments Hyde into distinct zones: the central town area, a northern development sector, southern and western residential areas, focusing on leveraging the town’s existing assets while introducing significant improvements. The strategy includes demolishing the current Clarendon Square to make way for a new, four-building complex designed to enhance pedestrian access and integrate modern market facilities.

Central to the masterplan’s vision is the adaptation of Hyde Town Hall into a community and cultural nexus, with suggestions to make Market Street more pedestrian-friendly by narrowing it, enhancing the connectivity between the square and the town hall. The proposal is candid about the necessity for Clarendon Square’s reinvention, aiming to shift the space’s focus from vehicle traffic to pedestrian prioritisation.

Immediate actions proposed include upgrades to public realms and the activation of vacant units to support the town’s creative community. A pivotal aspect of the plan involves repositioning both the indoor and outdoor markets to more contemporary settings, thereby reinstating the markets’ central role in Hyde’s regeneration.

Further proposals target the Northern Development Zone for significant changes, suggesting the relocation of businesses deemed unsuitable for the area to make way for new developments. The Southern Residential Zone is envisioned to embrace a more homogenous residential character, reflecting Hyde’s traditional housing heritage, whereas the Western Residential idea includes creating attractive canalside living spaces and improving connectivity from Hyde Central train station to the town centre.

This comprehensive masterplan, spanning over 80 pages, is set to ignite discussions among Hyde’s residents and business owners. With funding and detailed planning strategies yet to be finalised, the proposal represents a critical step towards reimagining Hyde’s future, backed by HemingwayDesign and WSP’s vision for a town centre that meets the needs of its community and competes with Manchester’s suburban appeal.