Plans to breathe new life into the town centre will look to boost tourism and investment as part of a regeneration plan, in which the Council would like to see the sites being developed into a flagship leisure-led scheme.
Cheshire East Council Leader, Michael Jones said: “We promised to deliver for the town centre of Macclesfield. This latest development has allowed us to act quickly and provide Macclesfield with the injection that it needs; that is, to put it back on the map as a key destination for visitors and local residents as a place to shop and enjoy coming back to.
“The Council is committed to Macclesfield and to ensuring that residents and businesses in the area have a town centre which they can be proud of. We are wasting no time in bringing forward major regeneration initiatives to enhance the town centre’s existing offer with these two potential sites.”
A town centre ‘Vision’ has been developed by the Council in conjunction with the Make it Macclesfield Forum to help understand the needs of the local community alongside opportunities for improvement. Nick Hynes, Delivery Executive and Chair of the Macclesfield Town Centre Vision Stakeholder Panel said: “People are looking to their town centres to be leisure destinations and to provide a good retail mix.
“The Council has had many conversations with local businesses, local residents and potential developers. The stakeholder panel set up in May has thrown itself into considering all sorts of ideas about how we can work together to improve the retail offer for visitors and local shoppers.
“It is important to note that we are not just looking to sell to the highest bidder but would like to find a purchaser who will offer the best all-round scheme for the town centre.
“For a town the size of Macclesfield, the leisure offer is limited. I believe this is a good time to go out and look for investment. We know that local people want to see a quality development which not only increases footfall but which also reinforces Macclesfield’s unique personality.
”At the end of June, Cheshire East Council announced its intention to sell either Duke Street or Churchill Way Car Park to a developer – as part of the regeneration plan –to attract more people into the heart of the town centre. The decision to sell off these particular sites is part of a wider body of plans to help with the revitalisation of the town centre.
Macclesfield has a strong foundation with many assets and attractions which are an attractive proposition for any prospective buyer. From the hugely popular monthly ‘Treacle Market’ to several independent shops, a silk heritage with significant historic buildings and an affluent catchment population, Macclesfield has a lot to offer as a town. As well as neighbouring Alderley Edge and Wilmslow, it is not far from the Peak District.
Local councillor and shop owner Beverley Dooley said: “The Council doesn’t have a magic wand; we have to use the resources that we have at our disposal if we want to make a difference. Making sure our own assets are being used to their best advantage is part of that.
“I think the town centre is turning a corner. Just look at the positive things that are starting to happen. ‘Brewtique’ is bringing more people into the Marketplace and is a great example of local people responding to what we are now looking for in town centres – to create an enjoyable visitor experience.
“Fitting out for the new ‘Lord of the Pies’ at 19 Chestergate is well under way. The new shop front at 34 Market Place is looking really good, and the Council is investing in the paving in Lower Mill Street.
“Town centres are definitely changing, as they are returning to being somewhere for people to come together for all sorts of things, not just shopping. We want people to come into town and experience being part of the community.”
