Mean team call for three ‘quick wins’
ABUSINESS group has put forward its three ‘quick win’ priorities for Macclesfield to Cheshire East Council.
Macclesfield Means Business met with council representatives late last year and were asked to generate ideas to increase town centre footfall and create a more welcoming environment.
Following this month’s announcement of the Castle Street refurbishment the group has now identified three priorities. They are:
1) Chestergate, where the pedestrianised section should be tidied up with broken grids and potholes repaired. Signs and maps should connect the new Picturedrome food hall with the pedestrianised section of Chestergate and the rest of the town centre.
2) Signage review, better signs and new maps showing routes from the train station and gateways such as Jordangate and Whalley Hayes car parks to the town centre. Highlight historic areas such as the Castle Quarter.
3) Car parks, improve pricing, lighting, appearance and signage. Improved landscaping so there are better routes in and out and a safer environment.
The group says feedback from the last 12 months suggests businesses have become disenchanted with a lack of progress from the council.
But it is hoped Cheshire East’s new regeneration framework for Macclesfield could change this and help deliver these three priorities quickly.
Tim Mears, director of Macclesfield Means Business, said: “We need more initiatives from the Cheshire East, not just an upgrade to one street but a comprehensive solution to the declining footfall in the town centre.
“It is hoped these three initiatives will be taken seriously by the council as a number of retailers and businesses in the town are represented within Macclesfield Means Business.”
The council says its new regeneration framework has given a ‘clear direction’ to revitalise the town centre and has nine key objectives, seven geographic areas of priority and aims to ‘celebrate the town’s quirkiness’.
Its £1.4m refurbishment to Castle Street begins in spring. Firms that are part of the Macclesfield Means Business group include
Orbit Developments, Arighi Bianchi, Axon IT, Harts Limited and SAS Daniels.