Development agreement signed for Crewe’s Royal Arcade site

A development agreement has been signed for Crewe’s Royal Arcade scheme.

The agreement – between the council and its development partner Peveril Securities – marks a significant move forward in Crewe’s transformation and will pave the way for planning applications for the scheme to be submitted.

The announcement follows news earlier this month regarding demolition works at the Royal Arcade site, which will begin later this month.

Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “The development agreement is the latest step in what is an exciting programme of regeneration for Crewe.

“We appreciate that the current pandemic has brought uncertain times for all of us, but this news not only shows our shared vision for the regeneration of Crewe town centre, it also shows our commitment to rebuilding the local economy.”

The Royal Arcade scheme will include a new bus station with an enclosed passenger waiting area, a 400-space multi-storey car park and leisure, restaurant and retail units – anchored by a new state-of-the-art cinema.

Cllr Mannion added: “The council and Peveril Securities have listened to local councillors and members of the recently established Crewe Town Board, to identify how the new bus station and multi-storey car park can be built as soon as possible.

“A planning application is now expected to be submitted in Spring next year, with a partially-completed bus station expected to be in place by Summer 2022, with the plan to deliver the full facility and new car park in Spring 2023.

“This scheme builds on recent successes seen in the town.

“It is also linked with other projects in the pipeline, which the council is bringing forward with the support and involvement of many partners that are working hard to develop Crewe into a town that residents can be proud of.”

William Warrack, a director of Cordwell Property, development managers for Peveril Securities, said: “How good it is in the middle of this pandemic to be involved in a scheme that is now starting on site with the commencement of demolition in preparation for the construction of the new bus interchange and multi-storey car park in the first £15m phase of investment in Crewe town centre.

“We are looking forward to working with Cheshire East Council to bringing this long awaited project to fruition and to the second £30m phase of a leisure and retail complex which is designed to bring back vitality to the town centre as well as the many visitors from the Cheshire East catchment area for whom this will form a state-of-the-art venue.”

Demolition works at the Royal Arcade site will start in mid-October. This will see the final services disconnected and asbestos removed ahead of machinery arriving on site – leading the way for the site to be clear by May 2021.

The Royal Arcade scheme follows in the footsteps of other major projects realised in Crewe, which will help the town to achieve its full potential. These include the Lifestyle Centre and University Technical College.

It also sits alongside projects to deliver a wide range of environmental quality of life benefits for local communities, including investment in the public realm.

Last week a range of partners involved in bringing about change for Crewe – consisting of the Crewe Cultural Forum, Crewe Town Board, HQ Theatres, Crewe Town Council and Cheshire East Council – welcomed a series of other milestones that will take the town a step closer to achieving its future vision.

This included the news that:

• £750,000 of accelerated funding has been awarded to Crewe Town Board from the Towns Fund to improve Lyceum Square in a project named ‘Ly2’;
• A new operator has been secured to manage Crewe markets for the next five years, including the refurbished Crewe Market Hall, ahead of its anticipated opening next year; and
• Crewe Town Council has been successful in securing funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund to employ a heritage project officer for Crewe.

The council has also welcomed news that Crewe Lyceum has received a total of £231,387 as part of the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund (CRF), administered by Arts Council England.

It is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the UK receiving financial aid, to combat the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Mannion said: “The Lyceum theatre is a vital part of the economic vitality and cultural life of Crewe and the wider area, being greatly missed during this pandemic.

“This funding will be essential to the theatre’s eventual reopening, enabling audiences to delight once more in what this wonderful theatre has to offer.”