Chapman Taylor advises Peel on adaptive reuse proposals at Quayside, Salford Quays

Chapman Taylor is advising Peel Retail & Leisure on innovative proposals for a major new leisure destination at Quayside in Salford Quays, UK, forming part of a £10 million investment.

The plans seek to transform the underutilised upper level of the shopping centre, replacing around 75,000 sq. ft of vacant retail space together with the existing food court. The remodelled upper mall will deliver 3 new leisure units ranging in size from 20,000 sq.ft to 47,000 sq ft. Peel has already agreed terms with an e-karting operator.

The new e-karting attraction will complement Quayside’s growing leisure line-up, including Virgin Active gymnasium, Vue cinema, Oxygen Activeplay Experience and TeeClub, further strengthening the centre’s appeal as a mixed-use / family-friendly destination. The proposals will also complement Quayside’s food and beverage offer, including Kargo MKT located on the ground floor, the region’s largest food hall, with large external waterfront terrace spaces.

The upper mall reconfiguration will increase Quayside’s lettable area by approximately 26,000 sq ft and deliver a more efficient/adaptable layout with a clear leisure-led identity. At the lower mall level, the scheme will include mall refurbishment interventions to support an improved mix of retail tenants. Customer experience will be enhanced through improvements to circulation/flow within the centre, accessibility and the provision of enhanced car parking facilities within the two multi-storey car parks and undercroft car parking provision.

A spokesperson for Quayside commented: “Peel Retail & Leisure, which owns and operates Quayside, has submitted planning applications for up to £10m of further investment at the waterfront shopping destination. The proposals are the next step in realising the new vision for Quayside, focused on community retail and leisure. Subject to planning, the next phase of investment would prioritise a remodelled upper mall to create three larger leisure units, alongside improvements to pedestrian flow, accessibility, and car park facilities.”

The proposals follow significant recent investment at Quayside, including the opening of Kargo MKT, Brewski’s Big Tray BBQ, Oxygen, TeeClub indoor golf and the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB).

The proposals have been developed by Chapman Taylor and can be viewed on Salford City Council’s planning portal under reference PA/2025/1808.