New Town Board aims to lead renaissance through £25m funding bid

A new team from Crewe’s civic and business community has come together to form a Town Board for Crewe in a bid to win £25m in government funding for the town.

They will also help to oversee the delivery of other projects already in the pipeline, including the town centre regeneration and the HS2 station, to ensure all are aligned.

The board is made up of cross-sectoral community representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors which aims, through community engagement, to develop a vision and strategy that will shape the transformation of Crewe over the coming years.

The chair, Doug Kinsman of Crewe-based SG World, said: “Crewe has so much potential and opportunity, but it has, for whatever reasons, consistently failed to make the most of its strengths and has become one of those towns that appears to have been ‘left-behind’.

“I know many will believe we’ve been here before, but this time it’s different, I volunteered for this position as we now have an unrivalled opportunity to change this narrative and write a new chapter in the history of Crewe.”

He added: “The Government has asked us to develop a Town Investment Plan with local stakeholders, including Cheshire East and Crewe Town Council, and local residents will have a very important role to play in identifying the priorities that can make the biggest difference to them.”

Selected as one of 101 towns nationally, up to £25m has been earmarked to support the town’s long-term economic growth, which will be available to spend up to 2026.

Crewe MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, who also sits on the board said: “The establishment of this team with voices from across the public, private and community sectors, represents a crucial opportunity for us to work together, secure more government funding and have a very real impact for local people.

“I brought the minister in charge of this fund to Crewe last year, so he could see for himself how important it was that we got the support we needed.
“It’s important that we use this funding opportunity wisely, to ensure that Crewe’s potential as an economic powerhouse is realised.

“But I am very conscious that people have heard all this before. People will need to see results, and that is exactly what I hope we can get for them. Less talk, more action.”

Jasbir Dhesi, principal and chief executive of Cheshire College-South & West, said: “We need to drive the economic development to create the job prospects and the recreation, cultural and entertainment opportunities that inspires young people to stay, live and work in Crewe.

“Our role in this strategic initiative, as an education provider, is to ensure the local labour pool has all of the skills, knowledge and ability to create a thriving labour market that can attract and retain high quality employers.”

Crewe Town Council leader, and Cheshire East member, Cllr Jill Rhodes, said: “Whilst some previous regeneration efforts have been affected by changing economic circumstances, the diverse mix of people on the Town Board will work hard together to make sure the impact of new investment will lead to tangible success.”

The Town Board has also secured £750,000 to fund capital projects that can be delivered this financial year.

The Government has provided this funding to have an immediate impact and aid the economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.