Work to start on centre revamp
WORK to improve one of Macclesfield’s main shopping areas will get under way and is hoped to encourage more private investment.
Cheshire East Council says its public realm scheme on Castle Street, in the town centre, will begin after the Easter break and should be completed by October.
It will see footways widened and resurfaced with natural stone – creating space for cafés and restaurants to have outdoor seating – granite cobblestone-style paving in the road, new street furniture and improved lighting.
The council, who is funding the work, hopes it will lead to further investment from others in neighbouring private property.
Frank Jordan, executive director for place, said: “We recognise that it has been an exceptionally challenging year for town centres up and down the country and so I am delighted that we are now in a position to be able to push ahead with this important scheme in Castle Street, to support the local economy.
“The works will provide significant enhancements to this area and play an important role in unlocking the town’s true potential.”
Work had been due to get under way on the scheme in May 2020 but was put off because of the pandemic.
The council says work could not be done through the winter as low temperatures and poor weather can impact on build quality and cause delays. It has told businesses on Castle Street that access will be maintained while work is carried out.
The scheme is connected to the council’s strategic generation framework for Macclesfield, which divides the town centre up into different areas – each with its own ‘quirky’ character and strength to be built on.
As part of this kerbstones will be laid on Castle Street incorporating extracts from the poem ‘A Love Letter To Macc’, written by Jacqui Wood, artistic director of community arts organisation Arc.
This piece of writing was created as a project for the town’s Barnaby Festival in 2016 and compiled from words written by Macclesfield residents to celebrate what they love about the town.