Council reaffirms commitment to revitalising borough’s town centres

28 February 2019

Cheshire East Council has reaffirmed its commitment to revitalising the borough’s town centres and their high streets.

It comes as the council progresses a number of key initiatives across Cheshire East. 

High streets and town centres are facing unprecedented challenges across the country as a result of changing consumer behaviour, which is impacting footfall, expenditure and the viability of retail premises. 

However, in Cheshire East, latest data shows that the borough had an overall town centre retail unit vacancy rate of 10.2% in 2017/18 – better than the average national vacancy rate of 11.2% for the same period – and that vacancy levels at six town centres had reduced since 2016/17.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: “While our town centres compare well, we recognise that retailers continue to face significant challenges and that we need to continue to support them.

“Changing behaviours and trends, driven by a range of economic, demographic, social and technological factors, are affecting the prosperity and vibrancy of high streets up and down the country.

“However, this council is fully committed to doing what is within our power to help our high streets survive and thrive and we are continuing to progress a number of initiatives and schemes for our town centres – many of which represent significant investment.”

Town centre vacancy levels are only one of several indicators of town centre health and, taken in isolation, do not show the full picture. 

Figures shown in the council’s authority monitoring report 2017/18 show that vacancy levels increased in five town centres compared to the previous year, although in the case of three of these, the 2017/18 level was lower than the equivalent 2015/16 figure. 

In Cheshire East, there are long-term strategic plans for the borough’s two principal towns – Crewe and Macclesfield – to address the challenging retail landscape. 

In Crewe, while vacancy levels have risen, at the end of 2017 the council took a pro-active approach to begin securing vacant possession of all properties within the Royal Arcade, ahead of redevelopment plans for the site.

This action can partly explain the increase in empty shops and was done to provide the greatest certainty and control for the council and its development partner.

The redevelopment of the Royal Arcade, which will feature a new eight-screen cinema, gym, restaurants and shops, a multi-storey car park and a new bus station, is part of a £48.3m regeneration programme in the town centre.

It builds upon other recent investments including Crewe Lifestyle Centre and University Technical College.Major enhancements will also be made to the public realm, while the Market Hall will undergo a £3m programme of refurbishment and remodelling and play an important role in strengthening links between the town centre and Grand Junction Retail Park.

Cllr Arnold said: “The council has a clear strategy for regeneration in Crewe and has made a commitment to invest significantly in the town centre, to encourage growth and address the steady decline in footfall. 

“Our strategy is based on more leisure uses, better facilities and a higher quality environment – ensuring the town centre diversifies its offer and becomes an attractive place where people not only shop, but choose to spend quality leisure time both during the day and evening.”

Cllr Arnold added: “We continue to work closely with our partners – including the Market Shopping Centre, Crewe Town Council, South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Lyceum Theatre – to realise our vision for the town and ensure that is delivered in a way that maximises benefits.”

In Macclesfield, while the figures show that the town has the most vacant retail floorspace (sqm) in the borough; this is not surprising given that the total floorspace within its town centre is substantially higher than any other town centre in Cheshire East. 

The council is pursuing a public realm enhancement scheme for Castle Street and has worked with an expert consultant team to develop a ‘strategic regeneration framework’ to guide future efforts to revitalise the town centre.

People are being encouraged to have their say via a public consultation on this document, with comments able to be submitted up until 13 March. 

Cllr Arnold said: “The aim of this strategic regeneration framework is to set out a fresh vision for Macclesfield town centre, focused on its key role in underpinning and driving an exciting and prosperous future for the whole town. 

“We won’t, however, lose sight of the area’s important heritage, sense of place and its individual character, which are held in high regard by local people and visitors alike.”

In Congleton, the number of vacant units has dropped since 2016/17, with many of the vacancies within areas where redevelopment proposals are being actively explored.

Last year the council completed a £1m public realm enhancement scheme in the town centre, which included new decorative paving, enhanced lighting, new street furniture and new road surfacing.