All Change at Crewe?

Cheshire East Council is about to launch a major initiative to involve residents and businesses in plans to improve Crewe town centre.

'Your town, your choice' will be the most wide-ranging consultation ever carried out on the topic.
During July, the Council will seek the views of residents and businesses through the media, social media channels, face-to-face meetings and an in-depth survey.

The survey will cover questions related to the future of the town centre, including:

• Plans for the Royal Arcade site;
• Proposals for a new bus interchange;
• The future of the indoor market;
• Car parking;
• Planning policy.

The move comes at an exciting time for Crewe, which could be set for its most significant town centre development scheme in decades.

In April, the Council acquired the Royal Arcade site for £6m, which includes the bus station and 26 retail units along Queensway and Victoria Street.

The move followed years of speculation since the Delamere Place retail and office scheme stalled in 2009.

Options for redeveloping part of the site could include additional leisure attractions such as a new larger cinema, restaurants, a hotel, car parking and a remodelled bus interchange.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "We believe in putting our residents and businesses first, so we are not going to make any decisions until we have heard what people have to say.

"We need them to tell us what they want, so that we understand better the role that the Council can play in giving our residents the town centre they deserve.

"We've already secured millions of pounds of investment for the town centre through the new Lifestyle Centre and the University Technical College, which will both open in 2016.

"We believe there is an opportunity to forge a role for the town centre as a destination for families to spend quality leisure time – but we need to know whether people support this idea.

"We also want to hear their views on a range of other topics, including car parking and defining the town centre boundary more clearly to promote development."

Starting in July, the Council will be asking for people's views through:

• A survey questionnaire that can be completed on paper or online;
• Informal consultation and questions via social media;
• Events to discuss ideas and opportunities, where council officers will be available to answer questions.
• More information will soon be available on AudlemOnline and on Cheshire East's website.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.