Cheshire East Council makes two bids for Future High Streets Fund

Cheshire East Council has submitted bids for the Future High Streets Fund to help revive the fortunes of Crewe and Macclesfield.

It comes after the council worked with consultants who recommended Crewe and Macclesfield for the strongest possible bids to meet the Government’s criteria for the funding.

With regeneration on the agenda for both towns, a cash boost could be timely, and councillors in Knutsford, Wilmslow and Middlewich all admit they can see why Crewe and Macclesfield were chosen for the bids.

Cllr Suzanne Brookfield, Labour member for Crewe East, said: “Whilst it’s accepted the retail sector has changed and faces challenges, it has been heartbreaking to see the continued decline of Crewe town centre.

“People have been promised regeneration time and time again only to be let down. Everyone wants to see this town become vibrant again – it is Cheshire East’s principal town and the town centre should reflect this.

“The recent hike in car parking charges has not helped residents’ confidence in the council and I maintain the decision to increase fees is short-sighted.

“I am however pleased to note that the council are not putting all their confidence into a private ‘market-led’ development and have submitted a bid under the Future High Street Funds initiative by the Government.

“The town needs a boost, not just promises in the distant future, and the sooner we see some spades in the ground the better.”

Councils expressing an interest in the funding need to meet a number of criteria – including the challenges each town centre is facing, and the ambition for transforming them.

CEC is currently planning to transform the Royal Arcade in Crewe, with a new cinema on the cards, while regeneration in Macclesfield has long been mooted – with Ask Real Estate pulling out of development plans last year.

Cllr Nick Mannion, Labour member for Macclesfield West and Ivy, hopes that residents and small businesses will get a say in how the money is used should the bid be successful.

“Anything that attracts additional funding to help the regeneration of Macclesfield town centre is welcome,” he said.

“But what we need to do is make sure that all the people who are interested in our town centre are included in the vision and the regeneration for the town.

“Local independent businesses and the people who live in and around the town centre must have a say, and my concern is that they could be ignored in the process while the council just listens to big consultants and national retailers.

“I don’t want the money to go to the big boys, I want to make sure everybody is part of the process and has a say in how the money could be used.”

Consultancy firm Cushman and Wakefield worked with CEC on its ‘expressions of interest’ in the scheme, and recommended Crewe and Macclesfield as the best towns to put forward for bids.

It is also hoped that there will be further opportunities in future for other Cheshire East towns to bid for cash.

Cllr Gary Barton, Conservative member for Wilmslow West and Chorley, said: “Obviously as a Wilmslow councillor I hope for all the investment that we can get, so from that point of view it is a disappointment.

“But I know the work that has gone into the regeneration schemes in Macclesfield and Crewe and how this funding could be used to help projects that are under way.

“In Wilmslow we don’t have a plan as far advanced as Macclesfield and Crewe do. I think we need to look at how the town can be developed in future, and then the next time the Government offers funding then we will be ready to make a bid.”

Cllr Tony Dean, Conservative member for Knutsford added: “I can understand why CEC has gone with Macclesfield and Crewe first.

“They are by far our biggest towns and no matter what you think about Knutsford, our high street is nowhere near as badly affected by problems in retail as Crewe and Macclesfield’s are.

“However, myself and my Knutsford colleagues are already talking about how we put our own bid forward in the next round.

“One thing we would really like to maintain or improve is the amount of fantastic independent shops we have, and that might involve some kind of help with business rates or rent.”

However, Cllr Mike Parsons, Middlewich First, believes there should have been greater consultation with councillors before the bids were put in.

“I understand that there is a need to stop Crewe and Macclesfield from becoming completely run down as our two leading towns.

“But it is not quite as clear as that. There should have been better consultation over this – instead they just decided where the money is going.”

CEC has not revealed how much money the bids could be worth, but neighbouring Cheshire West and Chester Council has submitted two bids worth around £10 million each for Winsford and Ellesmere Port.

A CEC spokesman said: “At this first stage of bidding, authorities were not asked to outline the extent of capital funding they will be asking for or detail on any specific projects. This will follow if expressions of interest are selected to be taken forward.

“It is important to note that this is only the first stage of the process and there will be considerable competition for this funding from towns up and down the country.

“During a second round of applications other towns in Cheshire East will be given further consideration.

“Additionally, consideration will be given to the potential for all towns to be the subject of bids for linked heritage programmes, supported by the Future High Streets Fund. Further details are awaited on this element of the fund.”

For more information about the fund click here.