CE considers Major Crewe Regeneration

Cheshire East Council is to consider major plans to revitalise Crewe town centre, including the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade site, refurbishment of the Market Hall and investment in the public realm.

The proposals represent £48.3m of investment and, if supported, will trigger wider regeneration, investment and growth in Crewe and ensure that the town is well placed to benefit from its status as a HS2 rail hub.

Housed in a cutting-edge setting, it is expected to include a new eight-screen cinema, gym, restaurants and shops. It would also feature a new bus station and 450-space multi-storey car park, both of which would be funded and owned by Cheshire East Council.

To push ahead with the regeneration plans, the cabinet report seeks approval to invest almost £15m of council funding, alongside the allocation of £10m of funding from Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, which the council hopes to secure later this month.

Private Sector Partnership

A further £23.6m of private sector investment will be drawn in for the commercial elements of the plans.

A report to cabinet, which will go before members on September 12, seeks to enter into a development agreement with Peveril Securities – part of the Bowmer and Kirkland Group – and their development manager Cordwell Property Group, to transform the Royal Arcade site and deliver a mixed-use leisure and retail scheme.

William Warrack, managing director of Cordwell Property Group, said: "Whilst Marks and Spencer have relocated to Grand Junction Retail Park, we are sure that we are on the right path to making sure that Crewe has a broader mix of uses that make it an attractive destination for more frequent and longer visits to the town centre by residents from Crewe and the wider area."

He continued: "Subject to planning approval, we expect to start demolition of the site next summer, with our first priority being the construction of the new bus station while the current one continues to operate. We plan that the whole development will be completed for opening by Christmas 2020."

In a linked report being considered at the same meeting, members will be asked to support the development of proposals for a history centre, which would play an important part in future regeneration plans.

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