£48.3m investment to turn Crewe town centre into ‘leisure destination’

Cheshire East Council is set to consider multi-million pound plans to breathe new life into Crewe town centre.

The £48.3m proposals include the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade, refurbishment of the Market Hall and investment in public realm.

A report to the Cabinet later this month (September 12) will call for a development agreement with Peveril Securities – part of construction services group Bowmer & Kirkland – and developer Cordwell Property Group to transform the Royal Arcade with a new mixed-use retail and leisure scheme.

The project is expected to include an eight-screen cinema along with restaurants, shops and a gym, in addition to a new bus station and 450-space multi-storey car park. Both the bus station and car park would be funded and owned by the council.

To deliver the regeneration, the cabinet report will seek approval for £15m in council funding to be invested. The sum would be used alongside an allocation of £10m in funding from the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, which Cheshire East hopes to secure this month.

An additional £23.6m in private sector investment will fund the development’s commercial elements.

The plans also propose investing in the town centre’s public realm with redesigned pedestrian areas, street furniture and lighting, and a remodelling of the Market Hall with a focus on independent food retailers, cafes and eateries.

Cheshire East Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Don Stockton, said: “It’s essential that Crewe becomes better placed to benefit from all that HS2 can bring, as well as deliver the ambitious economic growth targets outlined in the emerging Constellation Growth Strategy for the sub-region.

“These regeneration plans represent major investment and our vision is for the town centre to become not only a great place to shop, but also a leisure destination and place to socialise with friends and family.”