First Look at STACK Wigan as New Visuals Unveiled Before Launch 2026

Key Points

• First images and a fly-through video of the new STACK leisure development in Wigan have been released ahead of its planned opening later in 2026.
• The venue will be built inside part of the former Debenhams store at Wigan’s Grand Arcade shopping centre.
• STACK Wigan will include six street food outlets, five bars, an outdoor terrace, big screens for major sporting events, and live music and entertainment stages.
• The development is expected to create around 140 permanent jobs and accommodate up to 2,000 customers at peak times.
• A new entrance will link STACK to Concert Square, improving access even when the main shopping centre is closed.
• Renovations began on one half of the former Debenhams building, with an initial six-month timeline for completion; the project has faced delays and is now expected to open in early 2026.
• The council and STACK have jointly invested significant funds: £8 million from Stack Leisure and £4.2 million from the local council.
• The venue will operate late, with weekend hours running until around 3:00 am, and daily operating hours planned from 08:00 to 02:30.
• The project is part of broader town-centre regeneration in Wigan, alongside other landmark developments such as a new civic centre and a planned Hilton hotel.
• Insider Media first reported the release of the images and fly-through video, calling it a major step before the venue’s launch.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) – July 11, 2026: The first official images and a fly-through video of STACK uk/local/wigan/">Wigan have been released, giving the public a clear view of how the new leisure and entertainment hub will look inside the former Debenhams store at the Grand Arcade, ahead of its scheduled opening later in 2026.

As reported by the team at Insider Media, the visuals reveal a two-floor venue designed to function as a vibrant street-food and bar destination with live music, entertainment stages, and large screens for major sporting events. The fly-through video walks viewers through the proposed layout, showing how different zones – food outlets, bars, performance areas, and terraces – will connect across the space.

According to statements from STACK Leisure shared alongside the release, the development aims to create a “top-class leisure and entertainment hub” for Wigan, with a focus on street food, bars, and live performances. The images highlight an outdoor terrace, seating areas, and a modern interior design intended to attract both locals and visitors from across Greater Manchester.

Why Is STACK Wigan Being Built in the Former Debenhams Building?

The STACK Wigan project is being developed within part of the former Debenhams store at Wigan’s Grand Arcade shopping centre, a unit that has been vacant since Debenhams closed in 2021. The site had been used temporarily by a pop-up charity shop, Rebuild With Hope, before planners approved the STACK conversion.

As reported by BBC News, local councillors approved STACK’s plans in August 2024 to transform part of the building into a leisure and entertainment hub featuring bars, street food outlets, and live music. The decision was framed as part of wider efforts to regenerate Wigan’s town centre and bring new activity to a high-profile but empty retail space.

Wigan Council leaders have described the regeneration of the vacant shopping centre unit as a “valued addition” to the town, emphasising its role in driving footfall and supporting local businesses. The project is also aligned with the broader “Places for Everyone” strategic development plan for Greater Manchester, which sets housing and commercial targets for boroughs including Wigan.

What Will STACK Wigan Offer Visitors When It Opens?

STACK Wigan is planned to include six street food vendors, five bars, an outdoor terrace, and multiple screens for broadcasting major sporting events. The venue will also feature live music and entertainment stages, with programming intended to support local artists and touring performers.

The development is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 people at peak times, with a layout that separates dining, drinking, and performance zones while maintaining an open feel across the two floors. A new entrance linking directly to Concert Square will allow access outside normal shopping centre hours, supporting later-night operation.

Operating hours are planned to run from 08:00 to 02:30 daily, with weekend operations extending until around 3:00 am, positioning STACK as a late-night destination for food, drink, and culture. Stack Leisure has stated that the venue will aim to attract a broad audience, from families during the day to young adults and music fans in the evening.

How Many Jobs Is STACK Wigan Expected to Create?

The STACK Wigan development is projected to create around 140 permanent jobs in Wigan’s town centre, according to information provided by the operator and confirmed by local planning documents. These roles will span bar staff, kitchen and food outlet workers, event and venue management, and general operations.

While some earlier planning materials referenced up to 250 job opportunities, the most consistent figure cited in recent reports from BBC and The Business Desk is 140 permanent positions. Local council leaders have highlighted the job creation potential as a key reason for supporting the project, especially as part of broader town-centre regeneration efforts.

When Is STACK Wigan Expected to Open?

STACK Wigan was initially expected to open in early 2024, with renovation work on one half of the former Debenhams store beginning with a six-month timeline. However, the project faced delays, and by October 2025, council leaders indicated that the leisure hub could open in “early” 2026.

The release of images and the fly-through video in July 2026 suggests that the venue is now in the final stages of preparation, with an opening “later this year” as stated by Insider Media. This would place the launch in the latter half of 2026, aligning with the most recent council comments about an early-to-mid 2026 opening window.

What Does STACK Wigan Mean for Wigan’s Town Centre Regeneration?

STACK Wigan is part of a broader package of landmark developments planned for Wigan in recent years, including a new civic centre and a planned Hilton hotel. The project is designed to bring new leisure, dining, and cultural activity to the Grand Arcade area, helping to reinvigorate a shopping centre that has struggled with vacant units since the closure of major retailers like Debenhams.

Council leaders have described the redevelopment as a “valued addition” to the town, highlighting its potential to increase visitor numbers, support existing businesses, and create a new evening economy hub. Combined with housing targets under the Places for Everyone plan, STACK is seen as a key element in transforming Wigan into a more mixed-use, attractive destination for residents and commuters from across Greater Manchester.

Background of the STACK Wigan Development

The STACK Wigan project originated in 2023 when Stack Leisure submitted plans to convert part of the former Debenhams store at the Grand Arcade into a leisure and entertainment hub. The proposals included bars, food hall vendors, retail spaces, and performance areas on the lower ground and first floors.

In August 2024, Wigan councillors approved the plans, describing the development as a “top-class leisure and entertainment hub” with bars, street food outlets, live music, and entertainment. The council approved £4.2 million in funding to complement an £8 million investment from Stack Leisure, totaling more than £12 million for the project.

Renovation work began on one half of the Debenhams building, initially with a six-month completion timeline, but the project encountered delays and was later described as a “delayed £12m leisure hub” that could open in early 2026. The release of images and a fly-through video in July 2026 marks the first public visualisation of the finished venue before its anticipated launch later in the year.

Prediction: How STACK Wigan Could affect Wigan Residents and Local Businesses

For Wigan residents, STACK Wigan is likely to provide a new, centrally located destination for evening and weekend socialising, with a mix of street food, bars, and live music that was previously unavailable in the town centre. The extended operating hours, including late-night service on weekends, may change how locals plan their leisure activities, potentially increasing footfall in the Grand Arcade area after traditional shopping hours.

For local businesses, the development could bring both opportunities and challenges. The creation of around 140 jobs may support employment in the town centre, while increased visitor numbers could benefit nearby shops, cafes, and transport services. However, some established food and drink outlets may face competition from the new venue’s scale and variety, particularly if STACK becomes a primary destination for out-of-town visitors. Overall, if the venue meets its target of attracting 2,000 people at peak times, it could significantly strengthen Wigan’s evening economy and contribute to the wider regeneration agenda set out under the Places for Everyone plan.