Work on Altair, a £150m development aimed at rejuvenating the centre of Altrincham, in Trafford, Greater Manchester, is set to begin in 2009 for a 2012 completion.

The project, which is a partnership between Nikal Property Development & Investment, David Mclean Group and Trafford Council, has been designed by architect Ian Simpson, and will include a 3,000-seat ice rink that will be home to the Manchester Phoenix ice hockey team.

The site will feature 15,000sq m (161,460sq ft) of retail and leisure space, including a 100-bed hotel, restaurants and bars, and two new public squares.

The development will also include 150 luxury apartments, a car park and 8,000sq m (86,111sq ft) of office space.

John Wrigley, development director at Nikal, said: “Altair will provide a much-needed boost to Altrincham, attracting new businesses and people to the town centre and reinvigorating this historic town, offering the next generation of Altrincham residents a town centre to be proud of.”