The regeneration of Macclesfield Town Centre has taken an important step forward this week, with local MP, David Rutley, welcoming the publication of Cheshire East Council’s draft strategy for Macclesfield town centre revitalisation.
David has been campaigning throughout his time as Macclesfield’s MP for an ambitious regeneration that makes the town a more distinctive destination for shopping and services, and works to celebrate Macclesfield’s unique and rich heritage, helping to attract more residents and visitors to the town centre. He continues to work actively alongside local commercial and community groups, as well as Cheshire East Council, to this end.
The draft strategy, which will be presented to the Cheshire East Cabinet, and subject to a public consultation in October, focusses on a number of key areas, including leisure and retail; public realm improvements; and heritage. It reaffirms the Council’s support for the £19 million leisure-led multi-screen cinema and restaurant development on the Churchill Way car park site, being delivered by Ask Real Estate, which is expected to be delivered by early 2019. This development, in conjunction with the ongoing £11 million investment in the Grosvenor Centre, will help to attract more shoppers and businesses to Macclesfield.
Increased funding for public realm improvements in Macclesfield town centre is also included in the draft strategy. David welcomes the proposed increase in public realm investment from £1 million to £1.4 million, as set out in the Council’s draft strategy document. However, given the importance of the regeneration activity ahead, David is calling on the Council to go further and make an additional investment of between £4 million and £5 million on public realm improvements over the next three to four years.
Celebrating Macclesfield’s rich heritage is another important priority for David, and closely linked to the revitalisation of the town centre. The recent Cheshire East Council Heritage Asset Review has helped to set out more fully the potential for many of Macclesfield’s iconic heritage buildings and assets, and David is pressing Cheshire East Council to ensure it continues to actively work with leading heritage organisations like the Macclesfield Silk Heritage Trust going forward.
The strategy also recognises the positive impact of events on the town centre. Events such as the Treacle Market and the Barnaby Festival, and Macclesfield Town Council’s welcome new events schedule, are vital in putting Macclesfield on map and boosting visitor numbers to the town centre, further strengthening community spirit. They deserve continued support.
David said, “There is now a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the regeneration of Macclesfield town centre residents and businesses deserve. Macclesfield has huge potential, making it all the more important that these much-needed initiatives are actively taken forward. I am grateful to the many community and business groups who are supporting the plans to make our town a more distinctive destination. We must be bold and seize this moment, and I will continue to do all that I can to support this vital work going forward. I would encourage local residents to get involved with Cheshire East Council’s consultation when it is launched in the weeks ahead.”