Detailed plans are to be submitted to Manchester City Council for the £4 million redevelopment of Beswick Precinct in east Manchester.

Gleeson are working in partnership with Manchester City Council and New East Manchester on the proposals, which will enhance this popular district centre.

Plans include new shops fronting Grey Mare Lane which could include a local supermarket, chemist, bakers, post office and bookmaker.

There will also be space for an office for the North East Manchester newspaper. Proposed plans also include 39 two and three bedroom apartments above the retail units.

The new facilities will help serve Beswick’s rapidly growing population. Along with the proposed new high school and community sports centre, 1,100 new homes are being built, with completion scheduled for 2012.

Tom Russell, Chief Executive of New East Manchester Ltd commenting on the redevelopment of Beswick Precinct said: "The plans are very exciting and will improve the retail facilities on offer on Grey Mare Lane. The precinct has been carefully redesigned so it links into the whole Beswick neighbourhood scheme that includes 1,100 new homes built by Gleeson and Lovell and the proposed east Manchester high school and community sports centre. During the redevelopment work, every effort will be made to ensure retail facilities remain open for the local people to use, and disruption is kept to a minimum."

Ross Grace, Development Manager for Gleeson Regeneration: "The local community is always Gleeson Regeneration’s central focus and throughout our development projects we always endeavour to minimise disruption. We assure residents that their safety and access to local amenities will be maintained during the revitalisation of the Beswick Precinct."

Northern Counties Housing Association, Adactus, Eastlands Homes and Guinness Trust are all partners in the Beswick Neighbourhood development scheme.

Subject to planning approval, work is due to start in January 2007. The new parade of shops on Grey Mare Lane will open Autumn 2008 and the remainder of the works including the creation of a car park will be finished by summer 2009.