Outdoor eating plans for town
ALFRESCO eating areas are included in £1.4m proposals to boost Macclesfield town centre, which have been given the green light.
Cheshire East Council’s cabinet has given authorisation to seek a contractor for new public realm works to enhance Castle Street in Macclesfield Town Centre.
Work is set to begin next March, as the Express reported last month, with further money then due to be spent on public realm improvements elsewhere in Macclesfield.
The approved designs show widened footways to facilitate outdoor eating areas and give greater priority to pedestrians, high quality paving and new street furniture and lighting elements.
Some tree planting is also proposed to introduce more greenery into and creative the town centre as part of the scheme, albeit heavily constrained by the number of utility services supplying the area.
Together with the recently opened TK Maxx on Castle Street, it is hoped this work will encourage further investment in neighbouring private property, such as Craven House.
Coun Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for regeneration, said the project will enhance the town.
He said: “I am delighted to see the scheme on Castle Street progressing but equally delighted to see interest from the private sector in Macclesfield town centre.
“This decision follows the recent granting of planning permission for the change of use of the Picturedrome on Chestergate to an Altrincham Market-style venue for artisan food stalls and refreshments.
“I sincerely hope that the team behind Altrin- cham Market progress with their proposals for the Picturedrome, as their track record of delivering bespoke developments, which breathe new life into heritage assets and provide something unique and highly desirable, is absolutely proven.”
Previous ill-fated attempts to regenerate the town centre saw Ask Real Estate pulling out of a proposed £19m leisure development while a planned £90m redevelopment by Wilson Bowdon was abandoned in 2015.
Coun Arnold added: “Macclesfield town centre is performing well, when compared with many places.
“This development will, alongside the work currently under way on the Macclesfield strategic regeneration framework, help to enhance what we already have in our town.”