Back in 2019, I broke the news that Farnworth Market Precinct was being demolished.
It was a story that divided locals, with a lot of scepticism about what would end up filling the void and whether it would actually be any improvement.
In 2020, award-winning property developer Capital & Centric announced its £50 million vision for the site and you could practically hear Farnworthians’ eyes collectively rolling into the backs of their heads as co-founder Tim Heatley ambitiously spoke about building 200 ‘modern’ homes, a new ‘flexible space’ for community uses and events, a linear park and spaces for café-bars, delis, a mini-cinema, gym and co-working.
A two-year delay before demolition work actually began (thanks a lot Covid) didn’t really do anything to change the minds of those who felt as if the whole idea was ‘pie in the sky’ stuff and there were still plenty of people just pining for the old market to make a return.
Although a project end date of Autumn 2024 didn’t quite materialise, Farnworth Green has now officially opened to the public. But has it been worth the wait?
First impressions of Farnworth Green
The first thing I noticed (apart from the very orange unit on the King Street side of the development) is how much better the area looks now that it is completely opened up. Once we move towards spring and summer and the greenery grows, it should be a genuinely nice place to walk through or sit on a bench to watch the world go by.
Only one unit has been filled so far, with Cheshire-founded café chain The Coffee House set to open its doors next week, following the huge success of their Bolton town centre store. In the coming months, an artisan bakery, salon, and florist – in the aforementioned orange unit – are expected to follow.
There are also still plans to open a community hub (although the exact purpose of this is still yet to be decided) and excited talks of more food and drink venues, independent shops, and a mini-cinema.
There are 97 rental properties at the development, between 85 fully furnished apartments and 12 townhouses. All residents will have access to a rooftop garden, gym/yoga studio, lounge, and co-working space.
Development director Scott Mallinson told me in 2022 that Capital & Centric’s aim with the accommodation is “to encourage people and families to live in town centres again,” and it was Scott that gave me a brief tour of the five-floor Ollo apartment complex on opening day (1 February 2025).
Modern living
Starting from £750pcm, the fully furnished apartments are extremely sleek and modern, with fitted German kitchens, Scandi furniture and triple-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows. Some of the properties also boast balconies with views overlooking the plaza. The homes are also energy-efficient, with features such as solar panels and heat pumps.
The one-bedroom apartment that I looked around felt very roomy, while the natural light flooding in through those was a big plus point as well. There is some parking provision around the back of the building and these spaces can be rented by those living in the complex.
To be honest, I thought that the flats were stunning and if I was in the market for somewhere to live, I think that the price point is very fair. With the development only being a seven-minute walk from Farnworth Railway Station, residents could easily be in Manchester city centre within 25 minutes of leaving their front door and it wouldn’t shock me if it attracted commuters, with city centre rental prices spiralling out of control.
As a development, Farnworth Green is still at a very early stage and although The Coffee House is a great start, it remains to be seen whether the businesses it attracts live up to that original promise. But as someone who has spent practically my whole life living in Farnworth, it does feel like a new dawn for the town and I’m excited to see where where the ride takes us.
Do you think Farnworth Green has lived up to its promise? Are you excited about the new businesses opening? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!