SECRET GARDEN AND FOOD PODS IN ‘UPMARKET’ PLAN FOR TOWN
Vision to revitalise a ‘forgotten corner’
SPECULATIVE plans to overhaul a town centre’s ‘forgotten corner’ have been unveiled – with developers eyeing studios, ‘food pods’ and bars.
Branded ‘Market Quarter’, the development would be located around the Princess Street and Mill Street area of Congleton.
A website has been launched promoting the scheme which organisers say will see the creation of ‘new workspaces, studios, leisure, retail and food outlets’.
In addition the project –situated near the market – would see ‘upmarket bars, entertainment, and nightlife’ along with a ‘secret garden’ in a bid to ‘open up this forgotten corner of Congleton town centre’.
No planning application has formally been submitted to Cheshire East Council – but artists’ impressions of the project have been released.
Developer Nick Hynes said: “Congleton is a historic market town that has probably struggled in the last few years, but with all the new housing there’s a population that will see the benefits. The development has enormous potential and it’s something that is needed because it’s sat vacant for so long”.
The site has been earmarked for development since 2010 when Scarborough Development group acquired the site from the administrator of Modus.
The plans – which have been shown to the public at a consultation event – have been welcomed by Cheshire East and Congleton Town councillor, Suzie Akers Smith.
She said: “With the pandemic and the way people online shop, the shops you have in the town centre are not the same as maybe they were when we were growing up. Changing the town centre in that area is going to be wonderful for Congleton.”
Traders are waiting to see what becomes of the project.
Susan Blakeman of RJ and J.moore high class fruit and vegetable on Mill Street said: “Anything will be better than nothing. The pictures don’t tell you a lot of what they project is going to look like.
“We were talking to some of the workmen the other day and they said they don’t really know what it’s going to be. One day it’s going to be bars, the next offices.”
She said that a building across the street has been empty for nearly 20 years. She added: “I drive around every morning and just look at the empty properties. We could do with a boost in the town really.”
When the fruit and vegetable shop first located to Mill Street 34 years ago the high street was booming.
Susan added: “If it happens it will boost the high street as people will carry on walking and look in shops - it will boost everyone.”