Work has started to update a Longton building which has stood empty for 16 years as part of improvements to the successful Longton Exchange. The work, costing over £6,000, will be made to improve the look and feel of the area.

The former Woolworths building which has been empty since the brand collapsed in 2008 is one of only two stores in the country which hasn't been permanently occupied since the collapse. In that time it has been left boarded up and has been used multiple times as a cannabis factory.

Now the Longton Exchange with permission from the landowner is refreshing parts of the outside to make it more attractive for customers. In 2023 over two million people visited the exchange in the heart of Longton, with footfall increasing by 32 per cent.

As part of the works taking place the Woolworths windows are set to be painted, with the canopies painted three different colours to make the area brighter and more vibrant. The archway entrance to the exchange is also set refreshed with a sign.

The exterior of the building will be painted to make it more attractive for customers (LDRS).

Chris Ward, Centre Manager for Longton Exchange Shopping Centre said: "Woolworths isn't owned by Longton Exchange, it has a separate private landlord. As part of our work for the Exchange Quarter I made contact with the owner of the former Woolworths building and asked for permission that we pay for painting the side of it which they've agreed to.

"Obviously it just enhances the area, it also pulls into the idea of what we're doing to make it bright and attractive around there. We are trying to work with the council and other organisations to work on various parts of the town as well.

"So there might be funding that we can tap into to enhance other buildings along Market Street and The Strand. Again not owned by Longton Exchange but the idea is to make the area more attractive for people as they come through the town because people's perceptions as they drive through The Strand or Market Street is that the whole of Longton is empty and unloved."

However, perceptions are changing over time, now with all the units in the Exchange Quarter let business is thriving. Once more shoppers are starting to notice and embrace the change.

Chris Ward says he is working with the council to work on parts of Longton town centre (LDRS).

Wayne Brookes who was shopping said: "It's really nice to see some investment in the area and I think things in Longton are slowly changing. The former Woolworths building is a bit of an eyesore so anything that can be done to make it look better is a bonus."

In just over two years the Exchange has transformed and now only has two vacant units in the whole complex, down from 21. Once more is up for two awards at the industries SCEPTRE awards for Community Initiative of the Year The Midlands and Manager of the Year.

On the changing perceptions of Longton, Chris continued: "There are lots of things happening in Longton and lots of positive things. The community has really got on board, we have a great team of volunteers that help with the library, that help around the town clearing and cutting back areas and tidying planters across the town. We've just had a greenhouse put in upstairs so that we can start growing our own bedding plants, which was provided through Longton Community Partnership.

"It's really starting to see, on social media posts, if one person says anything negative then ten will jump on it and fight the corner of Longton. Longton is fast becoming the best of the six towns and many only a few years ago would have had it in the reverse way."

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