Five-year plan to revitalise Macclesfield town centre

A five-year plan to revitalise Macclesfield town centre is to be considered by Cheshire East Council.

The draft strategy looks beyond existing projects already being progressed for a cinema, new restaurants and public realm enhancements, to consider how to encourage the future prosperity of the town centre.

If the working strategy is approved by cabinet, key stakeholders such as Macclesfield Town Council, Peaks and Plains and the Silk Heritage Trust, along with the general public, will be given the opportunity to have their say before it is finished.

The public consultation is due to start by the end of this month with a plan to finalise the document before the end of the year, pending the cabinet decision.

Cllr Ainsley Arnold, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “Macclesfield is a great place to live and there are already exciting plans for the development of the town centre in progress.

“However, as more and more of us turn to online retailing, it’s vital that the council continues to do what it can to support the town centre at a time of transition.

“I fully support the principle of setting out our continued commitment to the revitalisation of Macclesfield town centre over the next five years and look forward to seeing the draft strategy document developed into a firm plan.

“Collaboration with a number of both public and private sector partners is key. There are a number of organisations looking to deliver projects, which will breathe new life into the town centre. Research shows we will be more effective if we work together to an agreed plan.

“After consideration at cabinet, the next stage in this process is to go out to consultation. I would urge people to have their say, so we can finalise the details and look to adopt the strategy in 2018.”

The paper being considered by cabinet on Tuesday, September 12 and the draft Macclesfield revitalisation vision, strategy and action plan can be found on the Cheshire East Council website.