“Will I ever see it happen?” - Droylsden resident of 50 years voices fears over towns stalled regeneration

After half a century living in Droylsden, Frank Hill has watched the town centre change in ways he never hoped it would.

Once, he says, Droylsden was a bustling local hub, home to a popular library, thriving shops, and busy community venues. Today, he fears that years of uncertainty, empty buildings and long promised but undelivered developments have left Droylsden “a ghost town.”

Now 50 years into his life on Beech Avenue, Hill says he is no longer confident he will live to see the town’s revival, despite more than a decade of masterplans and public consultations.

Tameside Council has published three separate masterplans for Droylsden town centre since 2013. Each has promised renewed investment and a new direction, but little has materialised on the ground. Hill says residents are still waiting for clarity on the future of some of the town centre’s most prominent sites, particularly the long-vacant Concord Suite.

In an email circulated to local councillors, Hill questioned why the council has not yet confirmed whether the Concord Suite will be sold, redeveloped, demolished, or used for a different purpose. “Why hasn’t Tameside Council got the guts to come clean with Droylsden residents?” he wrote.

Residents, he says, are still in the dark - despite reports that private developers have expressed interest in converting the building into an “apart-hotel” and despite the building visibly falling further into disrepair.

Hill’s frustration is rooted in what he sees as a series of missed chances to shape Droylsden’s future.

In his correspondence with Deputy Council Leader Cllr Andrew McLaren, Hill pointed to:

• The demolition of Droylsden’s former library
• The stalled De Trafford Victoria Mill housing development off Buckley Street
• The long-vacant Lock Keepers site at the Marina
• The failure of promised hotel and sports complex developments to emerge at the Marina
• The demolition of the town’s swimming baths and community centre, which he says left a site unused for 17 years

The catalogue, in Hill’s view, tells a story of ambition without delivery.

“We’ve stood by helplessly for decades,” he told the Reporter. “It has been heart-breaking and soul-destroying to witness our local community and town centre decline.”

The recent Council announcement of £163,000 in funding for Droylsden town centre has done little to reassure him. Much of the sum is earmarked for junction and road improvements along the A662, which splits the town centre. The remainder is expected to go toward relatively modest improvements such as greenery, a facelift for Villemomble Square, and a long-discussed walkway linking the precinct to Tesco and the Marina.

Hill argues these plans fall far short of what Droylsden needs, especially when contrasted with transformations seen in other Greater Manchester towns. “Why has Droylsden always been the poor relation?” he asks.

A central theme of Hill’s correspondence is what he sees as a lack of openness from the council. He believes meaningful public engagement deteriorated after the former District Assembly and Town Council public meetings were replaced with online neighbourhood forums.

“When will Tameside Council start being open and transparent with Droylsden residents?” Frank said. “When will they start showing some degree of respect?”

Hill is no stranger to raising concerns publicly. Over the years, the Tameside Reporter has published several letters he has written about the future of Droylsden. His latest messages have struck a chord with many locals who share his frustration at the sight of vacant buildings, stalled developments and slow progress.

In posts on Facebook, local residents have shared their views many deeply concerned with the lack of regeneration in the area.

Despite his candid criticism of the council’s strategy and communication, Hill’s underlying message is one of hope.

“My wife and I have raised our family here,” he said. “We’ve given our whole lives to this community. I just want to see Droylsden thrive again.”

A Tameside Council Spokesperson said: “Following extensive public consultation, the masterplan for Droylsden was approved by Tameside Council's Executive Cabinet in July 2025 . The masterplan proposed a series of short-, medium- and long-term opportunities for improving the town centre. 

“Since the approval of the masterplan, the Council has been progressing a more detailed understanding of the opportunities, including a delivery strategy to ascertain how some of the new development opportunities could be delivered as well as speaking to potential development partners and potential occupants who might be interested in locating in the town centre. This includes opportunities around the redevelopment of the Concorde Suite, which was raised by the public throughout the consultation on the masterplan. Almost 60% of responses received from the consultation was in favour of full demolition of the building. 

“In terms of short-term opportunities and as part of the Council's 'Big Tidy Up', a review of the public realm and local environment has taken place. This has led to some recent improvements taking place in the town and includes a repair and repaint of the clock tower in Villemomble Square and the painting of the railings and bollards. Further improvements will take place in the coming weeks and months and will include some new seating, refurbishment of noticeboard, new planting and twinkly lights in key locations of the town. The aim is to create a more welcoming and attractive environment in the hope of encouraging more people into the town centre as well as enhancing the overall visitor experience. £100,000 of external grant funding has been secured and is being used to implement these improvements. In respect of longer-term ambitions, the Council will be undertaking detailed highway and public realm studies to create a more accessible and well-connected town centre. 

”The redevelopment of the former library and Droylsden Marina site is progressing well. Approval by the Council's Executive Cabinet on the 24th of September means the Council is now able to progress with the disposal of this key town centre site for a residential-led scheme that will further increase footfall for local businesses and provide new homes (subject to securing planning permission). The Council is also seeking to progress the delivery of other sites within the town centre, including working with private sector landowners. A new modern library was opened in Guardsman Tony Downes House in September 2021.

“The regeneration and improvement of Droylsden town centre is a priority of the Council and work is progressing to help source further investment realise the vision outlined in the masterplan.”