Strong interest in Macc regeneration scheme

UP to 19 developers have come forward with proposals for a leisure-led scheme to spearhead the regeneration of Macclesfield town centre.

The companies have thrown their hats into the ring after two alternative sites in Macclesfield were put on the market – Duke Street car park and the Churchill Way car park – with a view to one of them becoming the site of the scheme.

All the submitted proposals include a cinema and all would see work starting, subject to planning approval, in 2016.

In March, commercial property expert Nick Hynes was drafted in to lead the new Macclesfield Town Centre Vision Stakeholder Panel to shape the way forward and advise Cheshire East Council.

Its remit included investigating options for accelerating the delivery of a leisure scheme for the town centre and getting the views of the local community about their ambitions and aspirations for Macclesfield.

Council regeneration specialist Jo Wise was also appointed as the new project director for Macclesfield town centre regeneration, to co-ordinate and drive the revitalisation of the town.

The Council has also committed £1m in capital funding to support projects to refurbish and revitalise the town centre.

Council leader Michael Jones said the “phenomenal interest” from developers in putting forward a scheme was “fantastic news” for the town.

“This has come about because we have done a great job marketing the town centre and the £1m we are putting into improving the town centre,” he said.

“We have made the development industry very confident that Cheshire East is a place people can do business.

“This is a game changer – to deliver a real destination for families and visitors in the Macclesfield area.”