Macclesfield transformation proposals attract 'huge' developer interest

Developers have expressed a “huge” interest in delivering a leisure-led scheme to transform the centre of Macclesfield, according to Cheshire East Council.

The local authority said it has been approached by 19 companies wishing to work on the project, for which the car parks at Churchill Way and Duke Street have been identified as potential sites.

Commenting on the announcement, Cheshire East Council’s leader, Cllr Michael Jones said: “This is fantastic news for Macclesfield. This phenomenal level of interest from developers has come about because we have done a great job marketing the town centre and the £1m we are putting into improving the town centre.

“We have made the development industry very confident that Cheshire East is a place people can do business.”

All the proposals submitted include a new cinema and, if planning consent is granted, work will commence next year.

Chartered surveyor Nick Hynes, who was appointed to lead the Macclesfield Town Centre Vision Stakeholder Panel in March this year, called the developer interest “tremendous” news for the town.

He added: “I was confident that there would be a keen interest from developers but to get 19 serious and substantial proposals submitted is even better than we had hoped.

“There is growing confidence in the town – and rightly so. Now we need to continue to work in partnership with the Council to ensure there is no let up in the momentum, that local stakeholders can share their views and that we get a scheme that is right for the people of Macclesfield.”