Major revamp of Heywood public square under way

Posted by on 22 Sep 2025

The transformation of a major public square in the heart of Heywood town centre is under way, with contractors, Conlons, delivering the scheme.                                                                           

The revamp of Peine Square will see the creation of new green spaces and a variety of new seating to give the whole area a facelift.

In addition, new planting, paving and lighting will be installed, alongside informal play areas. Tiered seating, performance and exhibition areas, a mini stage and a power supply will ensure that the area can be used for public events.

The scheme is the first project which will be delivered using money from the government’s £20m ‘Plan for Neighhourhoods’. Decisions on how this cash will be spent rest with the Heywood Town Board, a local group made up of community members, local councillors and Heywood and Middleton MP, Elsie Blundell.

Brian Davies, Chair of the Heywood Town Board, said: “This is a fantastic project to kickstart the delivery of this £20m investment programme and we know from consultations carried out with residents that they welcomed the proposals for Peine Square. We’re still formulating our longer-term plans, but we know that making the area more attractive is a big priority for Heywood people, and this project very much fits the bill. I’m looking forward to the transformation we will see.”

The work to redevelop Peine Square complements the wider regeneration of Heywood town centre, which includes the revamp of Heywood Civic Centre, located on Peine Square, which is being funded by the Arts Council and Rochdale Borough Council. The £4m rebuild and restoration of the historic Queen’s Park Bridge is also now complete, and improvements to roads, pavements and public realm across the town centre are also part of proposals being progressed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

The work to revamp Peine Square, which is being delivered by the council and RDA, will take place alongside work to redevelop the civic centre, with work expected to complete this winter.

Councillor Angela Brown, Chair of the Heywood Township and member of the Heywood Town Board, said: “I’m delighted that the board has backed this fantastic scheme and what a way to kickstart the delivery of this incredible investment programme. This project will really change the face of this important part of Heywood and turn it into a place people want to visit and spend time in. It will also create a fantastic gateway into the newly revamped civic centre, which is a really important cultural venue in this area.”

Darren Lee, Commercial Director of Conlon Construction added: “We’re proud to be delivering the Peine Square project, right at the heart of Heywood town centre, alongside our ongoing work on the civic centre. Together, these schemes will transform a key part of the town into a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone.

“This additional work also gives us the opportunity to boost local employment, create new training and apprenticeship opportunities, and contribute to the project’s biodiversity through tree planting and landscaping. It’s a privilege to play a continued role in Heywood’s regeneration, and we’re excited to see the area take shape.”

The £20m government funding will be made available in phases over the next ten years. The board held a number of public engagement sessions over the summer to discuss ideas with Heywood residents and a more detailed plan will be submitted to government before the end of the year.