Leigh tea room unveils new shopfront under regeneration scheme

Leigh's Tea Room and Community Hub has unveiled a 1920s‑themed shopfront after receiving support from Wigan Council’s shopfront and building grant scheme, part of a wider £32m town centre regeneration fund.

Leigh's Tea Room and Community Hub on Bradshawgate has revealed a newly refurbished 1920s‑themed shopfront as part of the town centre regeneration work. The shopfront is the first completion under a building grant scheme announced by Wigan Council and is linked to a broader package of funding for Leigh. The wider programme follows a £32m award intended to make the town centre more vibrant and accessible. Over £12m of that total is due to be invested through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Levelling Up Fund over a two‑year period. Key details: - The tearoom is reported to be the first business in Leigh to benefit from the shopfront and building grant scheme and its new frontage is described as featuring 1920s styling and bespoke touches. - The council’s scheme offers match‑funding to help businesses improve the appearance of premises in the central retail area. - The article reports that owner Val Hogan runs community activities from the tearoom, including mentoring foster carers via the Verve Recruitment project and donating unused produce to residents. - Wigan Council confirmed that building work has begun at Twentymans Pizza, Jazz Hairdressing and 97–99 Bradshawgate, and that 15 grants are available to support further shopfront upgrades across Leigh town centre. Summary: The new shopfront is presented as the first visible result of the council’s building grant scheme and has been linked to increased local interest, according to the owner. Further building work is already underway at several nearby businesses and 15 grants are being offered to support additional premises.