BIG PICTURE
IN your editions of 25 July and 1 August you asked for ideas for alternative town centre regeneration schemes to replace the collapsed Churchill Way cinema project.
We need a scheme that is unique to Macclesfield, not a copy of our neighbours’.
One thing that makes Macclesfield unique is the hidden views east towards the foothills of the Peak District.
When visitors to Macclesfield go home they should feel they have been to the Peak District, and they should remember that it was easy to park here.
That would make them come back.
Here is a scheme that takes advantage of the views:
A phased two level shopping and recreational centre on the eastern side of Mill Street.
Phase 1: Poundland to Back Wallgate. Properties facing Mill Street; phase 2: Back Wallgate to Queen Victoria Street. Properties facing Mill Street and Queen Victoria Street; the scheme could stop here or continue with phase 3: Queen Victoria Street to Pickford Street. Properties facing Mill Street.
The northern limit of phase 1 would be formed by a glass covered courtyard on the site of Poundland, opposite Castle Street.
It will provide fine views to the hills, including from Castle Street, and would enjoy morning and afternoon sun.
The courtyard could be the setting for in- and outdoor cafes, with walkways south on both levels of the centre, both having great views and populated by smaller artisan outlets, cafes and bar/restaurants.
Conventional shops here would front Mill Street, perhaps with some affordable flats above.
Back Wallgate is the boundary between phases 1 and 2, with the upper walkway bridging the gap between them with an enclosed bridge with views.
Phase 2 would house a multiplex cinema and conventional shops fronting Mill Street.
A lower entrance with a lift to shops and multiplex would be provided on Queen Victoria Street for visitors arriving by bus, car or train or from the east of Macclesfield.
Several levels of car parking should be provided below the centre with entry and exit via Queen Victoria Street.
If enough interest is shown in phases 1 and 2 the multiplex cinema could become the anchor for phase 3, being closer to the leisure areas to the south.
There could also be a gym, more small artisan outlets and, if the demand is there, more conventional shops.
Getting this off the ground will be difficult. In Crewe for example Cheshire East Council has bought blocks of commercial property in the town centre.
Although the property market in Macclesfield is more fragmented than in Crewe, CEC now needs to make an effort here.
They should start the ball rolling by putting £10 million into a pot and invite property owners to join with their properties, at a fair valuation.
After a year or so the council could publish a list of properties having joined the pot, and begin talking about compulsory purchase powers.
Meanwhile the council should restore the views that once blessed the area behind the town hall.
They should build a cafe with a view there and find an operator for it.
And they should spruce up Churchill Way car park. A Pedersen Macclesfield
CAN WE HAVE FUN HERE?
MY grandchildren had great fun playing in a large purpose-built sandpit outside Didsbury cinema, made especially for the school holidays.
Congleton also provided a children’s paddling pool near to their beautiful park - both free of charge. Is it not possible for the children on Macclesfield to have something similar during the school holidays?
Yet again we have to visit neighbouring boroughs or towns that provide better facilities. JA Stanesby Macclesfield NEGATIVITY, when there is so much in the news and on social media, it’s easy to become fixated by it.
There is so much good work out there. I think sometimes we lose sight of it.
We should not. We should celebrate it.
The throw backs of negativity impacts our health and wellbeing.
I am a big believer in looking for the positive out of anything that impacts life negatively.
Questions I think we should all ask ourselves are; What changes do I want to see? What can I contribute to bring about those changes? What lessons can be learnt?
Most importantly, don’t blame others. Working together across all divides will bring about community. It’s easy to criticise when we are not in the driving seat.
A recent photograph of Macclesfield high street infuriated me.
It was an old picture of Lower Mill Street all shuttered up.
That picture gives a false impression of the town we care passionately about.
The picture was most likely taken on a Sunday, when the shops are closed and shuttered. Lower Mill Street is open for business.
Businesses in Macclesfield employ people that have families to support. Do we want to loose that? NO.
So let’s start celebrating the good things: The five million for the public realm, shop front grants, lighting in the trees, the flowers, cleanliness of the town, the local countryside, the people and the towns events programme. Treacle, Barnaby, football, our heritage. The list is endless. Macclesfield Town may not be perfect, but the people of Macclesfield have a big heart.
It’s time to start celebrating the work and the efforts of those who contribute to the community, Macclesfield’s heart.
Celebrate it, use it or lose it.