Partners involved in the major revamp of Crewe town centre have welcomed announcements and milestones which they say take the town a step closer to a future vision.
Demolition of the vacant shops at the Royal Arcade site will start to take place in mid-October.
And £750,000 of accelerated funding has been awarded from the Towns Fund to improve the Lyceum Square in Crewe.
A new operator has been secured to manage Crewe markets for the next five years, including the remodelled Crewe Market Hall, ahead of its anticipated opening next year.
And Crewe Town Council has secured funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund to employ a heritage project officer for Crewe.
Partners welcoming the news include Crewe Cultural Forum, Crewe Town Board, HQ Theatres, Crewe Town Council and Cheshire East Council.
Cllr Sam Corcoran, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “This signals the next exciting stage of regeneration for Crewe town centre and follows in the footsteps of the Lifestyle Centre and University Technical College.
“This news helps to form part of the wider long-term vision for Crewe and is the start of a chain of exciting investment announcements.
“We will build connections that will benefit the town, its community, businesses and residents of Cheshire East.
“We recognise Crewe has been waiting a long time for change and the on-going pandemic has certainly added to this, however, now is the time for action.
“We could talk about these projects in isolation but if you take them as a collective it starts to show first steps to Crewe’s wider-transformation and how we are getting things done together.”
The demolition date of the vacant shops at the Royal Arcade site has been agreed between Cheshire East Council and its developer Peveril Securities Ltd. The site should be cleared by May 2021.
Cllr Nick Mannion, cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “The current Royal Arcade site has been deteriorating for years and its removal makes way for Crewe’s new offer which includes a cinema, leisure and retail opportunities (subject to contracts and planning permission).
“The sites removal will also save the council maintenance costs.
“We recognise the concerns about the clock tower and have worked hard to ensure the clock faces and mechanism will be relocated to the Crewe Heritage Centre initially to be stored for potential reuse in the future.
“There will also be hoardings around the site, designed to keep people safe while the demolition takes place, which will feature designs, imagery and information. This is good news for Crewe.”
Crewe Town Board has been awarded £750,000 for an improvement scheme developed by the Crewe Cultural Forum for the Lyceum Square.
This is accelerated funding from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund.
Adam Knight, Director of Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Town Board member and Chair of the Cultural Forum: “Crewe is people-powered and this project recognises and builds on the collective ambitions of local people as expressed through the work of the Crewe Cultural Forum, August’s Covid-safe CreWE CREATE grassroots activities, the Lyceum’s creative engagement programme and through successful destination events like WaveField, trAction and LUMEN.
“As the town comes together to realise a new vision for the future, this funding underlines the possibilities of what can be achieved through collaborative working and the approach taken by Cheshire East Council, Crewe Lyceum & HQ Theatres, Crewe Town Council and the newly formed Town Board in securing these funds.”
Doug Kinsman, chair of the Crewe Towns Board, said: “This is great news for Crewe and perhaps even more significant at this time with Covid-19 still causing so many challenges for us all.
“The time frame available to work-up a compelling proposal was extremely tight so I would like to congratulate all of those who were directly involved in getting this successful submission over the line.
“The hard work really starts now to ensure that we design, create and deliver an inspiring, engaging and inclusive project that showcases Crewe’s intent and starts to build back some Civic pride.”
Philip Cox, chief executive of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Crewe is an important priority for us and the subject of significant on-going investment.
“We are delighted to see real progress being made on the ground, which is good news for residents and the business community.”
Crewe Town Council has also been successful in securing funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund to employ a heritage project officer for Crewe.
The project will look at the future of Christ Church as well as other aspects of the town’s heritage and seek to protect and promote the town’s historical assets and character.
Regeneration Manager Lindsay Lewis said: “We are so pleased to be working with the Architectural Heritage Fund on this exciting opportunity for the town.
“We are now advertising for the project officer, which will be a 2-year fixed term post.
“Our aim is to bring this important building back in to use.
“As well as this, the officer will be looking into the other key projects, such as heritage plaques and trails and recording some of Crewe’s most attractive and iconic local buildings.
“Working with the town’s Heritage Working Group, the Diocese of Chester and Town Board partners we hope to share Crewe’s history of industry, skills and the community which built this town from the ground up.”
What nonsense is this..build with brick and stone..simple architecture with detail..Crewe doesn’t need more cinemas and bowling alleys..look to the long term..not built and demolition in 30 years time
I have read the article with interest especially regarding links to the town, however there is no mention of the archaic and decrepit bus station. In fact there is no mention of transport around the town. Bus transport is an integral part of the Regeneration programme and has always been put on the bottom of the pecking order. We have had promises for years.
Also it has been stated at various Cabinet meetings that there are funds ringfenced for the Bus Station.
It cannot be assumed that every one has a car, or can walk or cycle.
Whilst the Regeneration is welcome Bus transport should be included. It’s about People, their hopes and dreams for a better future and be able to get to the Lyceum etc.
Can I suggest that members of the Town Board visit the Bus Station with its leaking roof etc.