Why Wigan’s New Town Centre Development Is Called “Fettlers”

Wigan’s major town centre regeneration project has been given a name that celebrates the borough’s industrial past while looking firmly to the future. The £multi-million redevelopment, known as Fettlers, takes its name from the skilled workers who once played a vital role in Wigan’s engineering and foundry industries.

A “fettler” was someone responsible for cleaning and finishing cast metal products — an essential but often overlooked job that required precision and craftsmanship. By adopting the name, the project aims to honour those workers and the town’s industrial heritage as it embarks on a new era of growth.

The Fettlers development in Wigan town centre will deliver new public spaces, shops, homes, leisure facilities and a revitalised market, designed to draw people back into the heart of the town. Those behind the scheme say the name reflects both Wigan’s history and its future ambitions. “We wanted something that speaks to the character of Wigan,” explained project spokesperson Jane Collins. “Fettlers were the people who gave the finishing touches to something important — and that’s exactly what this development is about: refining and reshaping our town centre to make it fit for the future.”

Work on Fettlers, Wigan’s flagship regeneration project, is already underway, with key milestones expected over the next few years. Council leaders hope the development will become a focal point for local life, boosting business, attracting visitors, and creating new opportunities for residents.

By combining a name steeped in history with a vision of modern, inclusive urban space, Fettlers aims to symbolise both where Wigan has come from — and where it’s going next.